What’s Trending with TickerTrends #25
TickerTrend’s Monday Monitor is our overview of interesting social arbitrage event-driven trades and companies that could potentially benefit from these. Join us on X or join our Discord.
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Earnings Recap:
Lululemon Athletica Inc. ($LULU):
Lululemon Athletica reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 results, outperforming its revised guidance and demonstrating solid momentum across key metrics. For Q4 2024 (excluding the 53rd week), revenue grew 8% year-over-year (9% in constant currency) to $3.6 billion. Operating margin expanded 40 basis points to 28.9%, and earnings per share rose 16% to $6.14. Comparable sales in constant dollars increased 4%, and gross margin improved 100 basis points to 60.4%. The company also repurchased $332 million worth of stock during the quarter, bringing total share buybacks in 2024 to $1.6 billion.
For the full year 2024, revenue reached $10.6 billion, up 8% (or 9% in constant currency). Adjusted operating margin rose by 50 basis points to 23.7%, and adjusted EPS grew 15% to $14.64. Since launching its “Power of Three x2” five-year plan in 2021, Lululemon has delivered a 19% revenue CAGR and a 23% adjusted EPS CAGR. U.S. sales were flat for the year, while international markets drove growth—mainland China rose 39% in constant currency, and the rest of the world increased 26%.
Product innovation continues to be a cornerstone of the strategy. The brand introduced several new technical franchises in Q1 2025, including Glow Up (women’s training wear), Daydrift (casual trousers made from Luxtreme fabric), and BeCalm (soft yoga apparel). Early responses have been strong, with Daydrift already selling out in multiple sizes. The product pipeline remains robust, with additional updates coming across men’s and women’s shorts, run gear, and the 10th anniversary of the Align franchise. Guest response to newness has been strong, reflected in higher units per transaction and average order value, even as U.S. traffic trends remain soft.
Despite macroeconomic uncertainty and a cautious consumer in the U.S., Lululemon is focusing on driving innovation, increasing brand awareness, and building global momentum. Brand-building activations included a prominent presence at events like the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas and collaborations with ambassadors like Lewis Hamilton, Max Homa, and Frances Tiafoe. Unaided brand awareness remains low internationally (single digits in markets like France and Germany, mid-to-high teens in China), presenting a meaningful opportunity for expansion.
Looking ahead, Lululemon expects FY 2025 revenue between $11.15 billion and $11.3 billion, representing 5–7% growth (7–8% excluding the 53rd week), with modest revenue growth expected in the U.S. and 25–30% growth forecast for China. The company plans 40–45 net new store openings, mostly international (with the majority in China), and expects 10% square footage growth. Gross margin is expected to decline 60 basis points, impacted by FX headwinds and tariffs. Operating margin is forecast to decline by approximately 100 basis points, with EPS in the range of $14.95–$15.15. Lululemon plans to continue investing in marketing, data analytics, store expansion, and product innovation to support long-term growth, even amid short-term macro pressures.
Overall, management expressed confidence in its strategy and execution, emphasizing that it remains on offense in a dynamic environment. While traffic softness in the U.S. is a concern, the guest response to newness, brand engagement, and international strength position Lululemon well for 2025 and beyond.
Trends this week:
Wildbrain Ltd ($WILD.TO):
Starbucks has just launched a global collaboration with Peanuts, and it's creating a massive buzz. Starting March 25, 2025, the Starbucks x Peanuts partnership rolled out in 85% of Starbucks locations globally, making it one of the most expansive collaborations in Starbucks’ history. At the heart of the campaign is a brand-new Snoopy persona, “Joe Kind Snoopy,” created exclusively for Starbucks to emphasize kindness, community, and care—perfectly aligned with both brands' core values.
In Japan, the launch included not only drinkware but also an exclusive caramel chocolate oat milk Frappuccino, desserts, and 24 lifestyle items ranging from reusable cups and T-shirts to totes and keychains. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the focus is on three core merchandise items: a stainless steel tumbler ($29.95), a plastic cold cup ($19.95), and a ceramic mug ($17.95), each featuring beloved characters like Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown, and Lucy. All items are available for a limited time, and their scarcity has already driven resellers to list them at more than three times the retail price on platforms like eBay.
For WildBrain, this collaboration is more than a licensing win—it’s a brand revitalization masterstroke. The introduction of “Joe Kind Snoopy” is a fresh spin on Snoopy’s iconic “Joe Cool” alter ego, and it signals a larger strategic shift to reintroduce Peanuts to younger audiences globally while tapping into the emotional nostalgia of Millennial and Gen X consumers. This comes at a time when WildBrain has been actively investing in brand partnerships and IP-driven content development to grow their consumer products business. The Starbucks partnership reinforces the value of Peanuts as a timeless, globally resonant IP that can still command cultural relevance and viral attention.
Financially, this could lead to a meaningful uplift for WildBrain’s consumer products licensing revenues, which were already seeing growth in recent quarters. With Starbucks' global footprint and marketing muscle, this campaign is essentially free advertising for the Peanuts brand across hundreds of millions of impressions worldwide. Additionally, with the Peanuts brand now gaining traction in Asian markets (particularly Japan and China, where Joe Kind-themed Frappuccinos and merchandise are flying off shelves), WildBrain has an opportunity to deepen its footprint in those high-growth regions.
Dutch Bros Inc. ($BROS):
Dutch Bros Inc. has announced its entry into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) market, marking a major strategic milestone for the fast-growing drive-thru beverage brand. Partnering with Trilliant Food & Nutrition, a leading U.S. coffee manufacturer with distribution in over 50,000 retail stores, Dutch Bros plans to roll out a line of packaged coffee products—including ground coffee and K-cups in 2026. The initiative will enable the company to bring its signature beverage experience into consumers’ homes, expand brand awareness in newer markets, and create an additional revenue stream through licensing.
CEO Christine Barone emphasized that this move is a way for Dutch Bros to meet customers across more beverage occasions while strengthening brand exposure and reinforcing its philanthropic mission. A portion of proceeds from the CPG products will support the Dutch Bros Foundation, which funds community-focused causes. The licensing model helps Dutch Bros avoid operational complexity and capital intensity by leveraging Trilliant’s robust manufacturing and distribution capabilities. This mirrors strategies used by industry giants like Starbucks and Dunkin’, and positions Dutch Bros to grow without straining its core operations.
Beyond CPG, Dutch Bros is also preparing to introduce food offerings in 2026, aiming to modestly increase menu diversity without compromising speed of service. Meanwhile, digital innovation remains a focus, with mobile order penetration rising from 7% to 10% over the past quarter. From a broader market standpoint, Dutch Bros’ expansion into retail comes at a time when inflation and rising coffee prices are pushing more consumers to brew coffee at home. As work-from-home trends fluctuate, the home coffee market remains strong, and Dutch Bros' distinctive branding and cult-like following may help the company carve out space in a competitive grocery aisle. This is a smart brand extension that can drive incremental revenue, broaden consumer reach, and serve as a marketing vehicle to support store-level growth.
Nintendo ADR ($NTDOY):
Nintendo is poised to unveil the long-anticipated Switch 2 during a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2, 2025, and expectations are sky-high. The reveal promises to address a wide array of unanswered questions, ranging from hardware upgrades to software exclusives and pricing strategy. Among the most closely watched updates is the redesigned Joy-Con controllers, which are rumored to include Hall effect joysticks to address the infamous "drift" issue. Features like mouse-like functionality and a mysterious new "C" button—which insiders speculate may allow the original Switch to serve as a second screen—have sparked curiosity about how the new system will innovate user interaction.
On the software front, Nintendo is reportedly ready to roll out a new Mario Kart and possibly even launch titles like 3D Mario, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. What’s more surprising is the confirmation of “Switch 2 Edition” games and outright exclusives, hinting at a bolder transition strategy than seen with past console generations. This marks a departure from Nintendo’s historically slow generational rollouts and could mirror Apple’s iPhone approach allowing consumers to upgrade when ready while ensuring backward compatibility for legacy users.
Third-party support for the Switch 2 is expected to be robust, with Microsoft and Ubisoft rumored to bring major franchises like Call of Duty, Halo, and Assassin’s Creed to the new platform. Nintendo’s indie game ecosystem also appears poised to continue thriving, with highly anticipated sequels from studios like Team Cherry and Supergiant potentially arriving early in the console’s lifecycle. Nintendo’s recently introduced Virtual Game Card system, which allows digital games to be shared across consoles, is a clear signal of its commitment to a smooth generational transition. This new system adds convenience and longevity to users’ digital libraries, further reducing friction in moving to the Switch 2.
Pricing remains one of the biggest questions. Analysts project a starting price between $399 and $499, with $70 as the standard price point for Switch 2 games. Factors like rising component costs, the weak yen, and potential U.S. tariffs may drive the price higher than fans expect. Yet despite the cost, industry watchers believe Switch 2 could break sales records, with projections of 6 to 8 million units sold on launch day alone. With less than a week to go until the big reveal, all signs point to a highly ambitious next-gen strategy from Nintendo—one that mixes backward compatibility with bold innovation, first-party excellence with third-party strength, and premium pricing with potentially unmatched demand.
Roblox Corp ($RBLX):
Roblox’s most ambitious event to date, The Hunt: Mega Edition, kicked off on March 13, 2025, and has quickly become a centerpiece for the platform’s global community leading to a significant surge in search trends. This event is aimed at elevating Roblox’s traditional seasonal events like Egg Hunts and Halloween Quests into a mega-sized showdown, complete with 25 participating games, hidden rewards, and—for the first time ever—a $1 million grand prize for a single winner.
The event ran until March 24 at 4 PM PT, and challenged players to complete in-game quests to earn tokens and badges. These tokens unlocked cosmetics via a Battle Pass-style tracker and also helped players climb the event leaderboard. Those who secured a top 10 spot by the end of the event received an exclusive invitation to Roblox HQ in California to compete in the Mega Final on April 4, where the grand prize will be awarded in a livestreamed showdown.
The game list included a wide mix of genres—from action games like Arsenal and Tower Defense Simulator, to social experiences like Bayside High School and IT Girl. According to early data, tens of millions of players have already participated and this can be clearly seen from the alt data, collectively collecting millions of tokens. The final showdown on April 4 will be streamed live on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok, and will feature prominent hosts from the Roblox and gaming community, transforming the event into a global eSports-like spectacle.
With Roblox’s growing investment in high-profile events and increasing crossover into real-world competition and could prove to be a platform-defining moment. By blending user-generated content, live competitions, and massive rewards, Roblox is signaling its ambitions to dominate not just gaming but also digital entertainment on a broader scale.
G-III Apparel Group Ltd ($GIII):
DKNY has officially launched a limited-edition vintage capsule collection in collaboration with Depop, the resale platform known for driving secondhand fashion trends among Gen Z and Millennials. The curated drop, which went live on March 27, 2025, consists of 40 archival DKNY pieces reimagined into 12 standout '90s-inspired looks. These were handpicked by vintage curator Sofia Pace from 194 New York and include statement items like a red-and-white USA logo tank, mesh acid-wash zip-ups, a moto jacket and skirt set, and the now-viral “SOLD OUT” graphic trousers. Prices range from $15 to $200, and the collection is exclusively available via DKNY’s Depop shop.
This move is part of a broader brand evolution for DKNY, which has been working to reintroduce itself to a younger audience while maintaining its legacy as a staple of New York City street style. In Spring 2024, DKNY launched a major campaign featuring model Kaia Gerber, framing her as the face of a new generation channeling classic American style with a modern New York attitude. The Fall 2024 campaign continued this narrative, with editorial-style photography capturing Gerber throughout the city in minimalist tailoring and laid-back layers that paid homage to DKNY’s roots while aligning with current fashion sensibilities.
DKNY is also expanding beyond apparel. In October 2024, it debuted a home décor partnership with Nourison Home at High Point Market, introducing eight area rug designs that fuse DKNY’s clean, urban aesthetic with lifestyle offerings. The move into home furnishings suggests the brand is continuing to evolve into a lifestyle label rather than remaining strictly fashion-focused.
Together, these strategic campaigns and collaborations indicate that DKNY is actively building brand relevance with younger consumers through a mix of nostalgia, accessibility via resale platforms, and expansion into new product categories. The recent vintage drop on Depop not only capitalizes on the resurgence of Y2K and '90s fashion, but also positions DKNY as a brand able to bridge generational gaps through authenticity and smart brand partnerships.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc ($CMG):
Rumors that Chipotle Mexican Grill is closing all of its restaurants and filing for bankruptcy have gone viral across social media platforms, sparking widespread concern among fans of the popular fast-casual chain. However, the company has confirmed that these claims are false. The confusion originated from a misreported article by Spanish media outlet Unión Rayo, which mistakenly suggested that Chipotle was shutting down. In reality, the article referred to the closure of Farmesa Fresh Eatery, a Chipotle spinoff concept the company had tested in 2023. The misleading post included Chipotle branding, which contributed to the false narrative spreading rapidly across platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
In response, Chipotle issued a statement clarifying that the company is not closing any restaurants. In fact, it's in a period of growth. According to statements, the company plans to open between 315 and 365 new restaurant locations in 2025, with at least 80% of them featuring “Chipotlane” drive-thru models. Financially, Chipotle remains strong, reporting over $2 billion in cash reserves and zero debt at the end of fiscal year 2024. This development underscores the importance of monitoring misinformation and market reactions on social media, especially in the fast-casual dining sector. While the Chipotle rumor was quickly debunked, similar viral stories could present opportunities or risks depending on how markets and consumers respond.
Bank of America Corp ($BAC):
In recent weeks, Bank of America has faced a wave of public concern over reports that it is closing or freezing customer accounts, particularly those belonging to immigrants or naturalized citizens. Multiple stories have surfaced from across the U.S., where individuals claim they were suddenly asked to provide additional documentation regarding their immigration status, despite being legal residents or citizens. Some reported being locked out of their accounts entirely, creating financial hardship for days. Immigrant advocacy groups, such as the California Reinvestment Coalition, say they’ve seen an uptick in such cases and have publicly challenged the bank’s handling of these issues.
Bank of America, however, has denied making any changes to its policies and stated that it continues to follow existing customer verification protocols. In a statement to the Miami Herald, the bank attributed the confusion to isolated incidents and reiterated that no new procedures have been implemented. At the same time, a second, unrelated wave of confusion has emerged online regarding account closures. This stems from Bank of America’s longstanding compliance with state escheatment laws—regulations requiring banks to transfer funds from dormant accounts (those with no activity for three or more years) to the state. These laws apply across the financial industry and are not unique to Bank of America. Customers affected typically receive warning notices in advance and are given an opportunity to keep their accounts active.
Despite the bank’s reassurances, public reaction has been swift, with many taking to social media to express concerns about losing access to their money. Some have launched petitions or called for clearer communication and better protections for vulnerable customers.
While Bank of America insists there’s no new policy, the convergence of reports involving immigrants and escheatment-related account closures has prompted broader scrutiny. Advocacy groups may continue to press for transparency, and customers are being urged to proactively engage with their accounts—such as logging in regularly, making small transactions, or contacting customer service when receiving notices—to avoid accidental flags.
The bank may also face pressure to clarify how it handles documentation requests and whether there is adequate oversight in identifying accounts for review. As digital banking continues to grow and physical branch access declines, the importance of accessible and transparent account management will likely remain at the center of customer expectations.