Mega-Brands: Investing in Mega Trends & the Mega Brands Best Positioned to Add Value to Your Wallet

In today's August Dynamic Brands Update, I talk about the market returns along with what styles & sectors are doing YTD. I talk about the global brands portfolio, winners & laggards. I also highlight how crowded tech and semiconductor exposures are currently and how hated consumer stocks are. That's a wonderful contrarian signal. I talk about the health of the consumer, different income cohorts, and the general sentiment amongst consumers. I end with the risks we see in markets and with the Fed as well as the wonderful trading markets we have today and what trades we have ten in August.

For more information on the Dynamic Brands Equity strategy:

https://www.globalbrandsmatter.com/dynamic-portfolio

Today I discuss the volatility in markets today, the July & August rout in equities. I highlight the "everything else" trade and if it has legs and talk about our focus on quality. I talk about the brands portfolio, allocation shifts, where we added and what's performing or lagging. I end with my views on the consumer and how and where they are feeling and spending. You are getting an opportunity to buy some of the most dominant, relevant companies driving global growth on sale today. Use this opportunity to add to your favorites. We are certainly doing that the last few days.

For more information about the global brands strategy:

https://www.globalbrandsmatter.com/dynamic-portfolio

I discuss the quarter and YTD p[eriod for the brands portfolio as wlel as overall markets and what worked and didn't work. I also talk about the worlds largest crowded trade, an overweight to tech, semiconductors and AI stocks and offer a potential catalyst that could force some capital away from the crowded trades and in to everything else.

For more information on investing in global brands:

https://www.globalbrandsmatter.com/dynamic-portfolio

I discuss the quarter and YTD market dynamics inside the brands portfolio and market overall. I talk about the stocks we own, the winners and laggards YTD and how we see consumer spending trends today. Lastly, I talk about today's most crowded trade: AI, tech and semiconductors and show about $20 trillion in assets with heavy 30-60% exposure to tech/Semi's/Comm services sectors and compare today to the late 1990's when the largest stocks worked and everything else lagged. I expect the "everything else" trade will begin working soon enough, particularly the election and an expanding economy will be the catalyst.

If you want more info:

https://www.globalbrandsmatter.com/dynamic-portfolio

I discuss the overall market, rates, inflation, economic data and the global brands we own. I also highlight which sectors and style boxes are performing and lagging. I spend a little time talking about the consumer and the massive amount of capital at their disposal that flows to the consumption theme. This is a great market update and highlights the power of investing in global brands and the consumption thematic.

https://www.globalbrandsmatter.com/dynamic-portfolio

In today's April and YTD update I discuss what we see in equity markets, how top global brands are performing, what we see for inflation, the Fed, rates, and how to navigate this turbulent market.

Brands matter more than ever when rates and inflation stay higher for longer!

We love the luxury goods category and LVMH is a key core brand to own as the category leader. Q1 was solid and stable with core consumers engaging as always and some aspirational consumers pulling back a bit. Fashion & leather goods performed well, select retail-Sephora - was very strong. Sephora is clearly taking share from Ulta and Ulta's stock reflects it.

The stock is cheap relative to the peer group and itself and fits all the important style factors to own in this kind of "higher for longer" environment. We will certainly buy the dips as they come.

I cover Q1 Dynamic Brands performance, lots of stock, sector, style box return info as well as how we see consumer spending playing out the rest of the year and where we are allocated to benefit from this spending. I talk about inflation, interest rates, the quality style factor, and where we see sticky inflation regardless of what the Fed or gov't tell us. Enjoy!

MANU is one of the most recognized and valuable sports brands in the world. This club is worth much more with a new owner, strategy, players, stadium, and a debt refinancing. All of this is possible with the new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliff and the stock is down 46% from the recent highs making the entry point much more attractive IMO. Here's what I see. This is NOT advice. Do your own research, make your own decisions.