The retail sector felt somewhat well, having had a successful 2024 holiday shopping season. Many of the players in the space were looking forward to unemployment staying low and the Federal Reserve pausing rate hikes as key tailwinds to consumer spending in 2025. Then came the start of a trade war by returning President Donald Trump.

The implementation of China tariffs stands to rattle retail supply chains and raise costs, which could hammer profit margins. Bottom lines could also be hurt if price increases related to tariffs get rejected by shoppers. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi chats with BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel about which retailers are most exposed to tariffs. Should investors stay away from these names? The two also discussed the turnaround taking shape at Nike (NKE) under the new CEO, Elliott Hill. Key to the turnaround for Nike will be a better product to take on the likes of Decker’s Outdoor (DECK) and ON Running (ONON).

Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Simeon Siegel on Opening Bid

1:25-We're focusing too much on tariffs

3:55-Defining inflation

6:10-We're in a trade-war, how should Nike and Lululemon respond?

10:07-Sell us on Nike's comeback

14:00-HOT TAKE

Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Simeon Siegel is BMO Capital Markets' Managing Director & Senior Analyst, specializing in Retail and E-commerce. Simeon started his career at Goldman Sachs and his since worked on the #1 ranked Retail franchise at JPMorgan and Nomura | Instinet.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices