The Chinese government’s move Wednesday to further roll back strict Covid-19 measures should boost the prospects for a host of Club holdings with substantial operations in China, including Estee Lauder (EL), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and Starbucks ( SBUX), all of which have been weighed down by nearly three years of lockdowns. The news China’s National Health Commission on Wednesday said people will now be able to travel throughout the country without showing a negative Covid test or health code. The new rules also allow those with mild or asymptomatic Covid cases to quarantine at home, rather than at designated facilities. Additionally, local authorities will no longer be able halt work or production unless an area is designated as high-risk. Beijing’s decision to further ease public-health policies comes a little more than a week after protests erupted in China over the government’s draconian zero-Covid policy, an approach that has severely restricted citizens and pressured the world’s second-largest economy. China has taken minor steps in recent months to ease its Covid restrictions, but Wednesday’s announcement amounts to the most significant policy shift to date. Impact on Club stocks Club stocks with China exposure largely followed the broader market lower Wednesday amid a day of choppy trading in equity and energy markets, fueled by growing fears of a recession. But, ultimately, the holdings which rely on China for a substantial portion of revenue — Estee Lauder, Wynn and Starbucks — should see their stock prices ultimately move higher, as China’s economy reopens. For months, we have argued that China’s strict Covid stance was untenable over the long term and eventually a serious pivot toward reopening would materialize, providing much-needed clarity to businesses and helping spur economic activity. As a result, we’ve exercised patience and held onto stocks like Wynn Resorts, which depends heavily on its casinos in the Chinese special administrative region of Macao. At the same time, we also know stocks are forward-looking assets, and decided not to wait for Beijing to to fully roll back restrictions before investing in Estee Lauder, which relies on China for more than a third of total sales. In late September we bought back into the cosmetics giant, and still believe it’s worth buying here. Similar thinking informed our decision to initiate a position in Starbucks in late August . As Wednesday’s announcement likely helps China’s economy to recover, a number of other Club holdings should also see tailwinds. At a high level, our energy stocks — Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), Coterra Energy (CTRA), Devon Energy (DVN) and Halliburton (HAL) — benefit from elevated crude oil prices. And increased oil demand from the world’s No. 2 economy should ultimately lend support to crude, with knock-on effects for our oil stocks. Apple (APPL) is another potential beneficiary of China’s policy shift. The iPhone maker has faced Covid-related production hold-ups at facilities in China , warning as recently as November about a potential hit to sales. On Wednesday, Morgan Stanley lowered iPhone shipment expectations for the December quarter by 3 million units, after having trimmed forecasts by 6 million units last month, on the back of manufacturing disruptions in China. Chip designer Qualcomm (QCOM) also has warned about the impact of China’s Covid policy, saying that overall macroeconomic weakness in the country has weighed on smartphone demand. Increased economic activity in China could benefit Qualcomm down the road. An uptick in air travel in China could be good news for Club holding Honeywell International (HON) and its already strong aerospace business . The industrial firm makes parts for Boeing (BA) and European rival Airbus, both of which operate in the Chinese market. Honeywell also has a large commercial aerospace aftermarket business that has benefited from a recovery in international air traffic. China is Procter & Gamble ‘s (PG) second-largest market outside the U.S. and its been weighed down by Covid lockdowns. The maker of Olay skin care products and Gillette razors continues to bet on China, but management has said it needs consumer mobility to recover so long-term growth trends can resume. Bottom line China’s decision to further ease Covid protocols is positive and we expect further reopening measures to be enacted down the line. Of course, Beijing has not officially dropped its so-called zero-Covid stance, and it’s possible there could be temporary setbacks in response to a surge in cases. But Wednesday’s announcement, nonetheless, signals an important development for Club stocks with China exposure. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Although domestic travel in China continues to be jeopardized by Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, international flights have doubled since June.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Chinese government’s move Wednesday to further roll back strict Covid-19 measures should boost the prospects for a host of Club holdings with substantial operations in China, including Estee Lauder (EL), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and Starbucks (SBUX), all of which have been weighed down by nearly three years of lockdowns.
French infrastructure specialists Proviridis have partnered with EVSE manufacturer Kempower to deliver a novel, underground charging solution for electric semi trucks designed to easily integrate into existing truck depots.
By installing its high-powered charging cabinets underground and integrating the charging cables into a solid metal pipe, Kempower and Proviridis have been able to make room for high-powered charging points in an existing truck depot that didn’t have enough space to install either conventional EVSE or overhead “drop lines.”
For the pilot, the metal pipe is painted in a striking yellow color to make it easier to see while maneuvering the lot, and keeping the dispensers themselves more protected than conventional concrete bollards. The 600 kW power cabinet is positioned a few yards away – a typical space-saving Kempower solution – and connected to the charge points by underground cable.
Proviridis believes their solution provides enough of a competitive advantage that fleet buyers looking to electrify will be eager to give it a try.
“The product is durable across a wide spectrum of temperatures and conditions, requires minimal ventilation, and can cater for a wide range of customer needs,” explains Olivier Verdu, Technical Director at Proviridis. “These are features which perfectly place the Kempower solution for this type of charging configuration in a logistics environment.”
In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.
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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal
Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.
The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.
The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.
By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.
But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.
The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all
The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.
When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.
You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.
Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.
Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.
The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.
With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:
10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200.“ That’s a $500 discount in total!
We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you.
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With up to 500 km (310 miles) of all-electric range, the new Mercedes eActros 600 electric semi truck was designed for long-haul trucking – and now, it’s officially in production at the company’s Wörth plant in Bavaria.
“The start of series production of our eActros 600 is a further proof of our ambition to transform the industry,” offers Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck. “With a range of 500 kilometers on a single battery charge, our eActros 600 is addressing the long-haul segment in Europe which is responsible for two-thirds of CO2 emissions from heavy road freight. Our battery-electric long-haul truck will therefore make a real difference.”
In addition to the 600’s additional range, the newest eActros marks another milestone by becoming the first electric Mercedes semi to be manufactured on a single line (the eActros 300/400 and eEconic leave their standard production lines to have their electric drive components installed at Mercedes’ Future Truck Center in Wörth).
“With the start of series production of the eActros 600, we are expanding our Wörth product portfolio with an important vehicle for the future,” says Andreas Bachhofer, Head of the Wörth site and Production at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “Construction of this first battery-electric truck made in Wörth will be fully integrated into the existing assembly hall, flexibly alongside the manufacturing of combustion-engine trucks. This means that we are ideally positioned for the production of larger quantities. Our production team is well prepared for the successive ramp-up over the coming months.”
The new electric semi truck features a 600+ kWh battery (hence, eActros 600) that sends power to a new, highly efficient electric drive axle developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz, good enough to “be able to travel significantly more than 1,000 kilometers per day. This is made possible by intermediate charging during the legally prescribed driver breaks – even without megawatt-charging.”