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Ross Stores operates as an off-price apparel and accessories retailer with the majority of its sales derived from its Ross Dress for Less banner. The company opportunistically procures excess brand-name merchandise made available via manufacturing overruns and retail liquidation sales at a 20%-60% discount to full prices. As such, its stores are often filled with a vast array of stock-keeping units, each with minimal product depth that creates a treasure hunt shopping experience. The firm’s more than 1,900 Ross Dress for Less stores are primarily located in densely populated suburban communities and typically serve middle-income consumers. Ross also operates around 360 DD's Discounts chains targeting lower-income shoppers.

Alibaba provides Chinese and international e-commerce platforms, logistics, and ancillary services. The company operates in four segments (Core Commerce; Cloud Computing; Digital Media & Entertainment; and Innovation Initiatives), and has announced plans to split into six businesses. Key marketplaces include Taobao, a consumer marketplace; Tmall, a third-party platform for brands and retailers; Alibaba.com and 1688.com, online wholesale marketplaces; Alipay, for online payments; and Lazada, for Southeast Asia e-commerce.

Lowe's is the world's second-largest home improvement retailer, with sales of $84 billion in FY25. Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, the company operated about 1,750 home improvement and hardware stores in the U.S. at the end of FY25. Retail selling space was 195 million square feet. Home Decor, which includes appliances and paint, was the biggest merchandise division at 37% of FY25 sales. Building Products, including lumber, was 32%; Hardlines, including tools, seasonal, and lawn & garden, was 29%; Other categories represented under 3% of sales. About 70% of sales are to individuals and 30% are to maintenance, repair, operations and construction professionals. The states with more than 100 stores at the end of FY25 were Texas, Florida, North Carolina and California. Stores stock about 40,000 items. Online sales represent approximately 11% of the company's total in FY24. The company's fiscal year ends on the Friday closest to the end of January. Based on the fiscal calendar, FY17 had a 53rd week, which happens about every five years. FY23 was also 53-week fiscal year. FY26 will end on January 31, 2026.

Stock prices are modestly lower. Nothing too dramatic - the VIX volatility index is still below 18. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is higher at 4.09%. Crude oil prices are up 1.5%, and gold prices are higher as well. Bitcoin continues its swoon.