Segment gain in Q2 ended June 28 slightly exceeds Dow’s 2.24 percent increase for the three months. Still, 11 stocks decline, including eight in double-digits, and four increase. J.D. Sports Fashion, which paces the gainers, opened its sixth U.S. store by converting a former Finish Line in the Mall of America and opened its U.S. ecommerce business in May. In a statement on its overall business last week, the U.K. retailer said, “We remain encouraged by the developments in this market (U.S.) to date." Walmart, a double-digit gainer like J.D., is reportedly projecting losses of over $1 billion from its ecommerce division and may be looking to sell one of its three, unprofitable fashion brands—Modcloth, Eloquii and Bonobos—purchased by its Jet.com unit, according to Recode. Separately, WMT will invest approximately $1.2 billion over the next decade to establish or overhaul 10 logistics centers in China as it aims to integrate its retail network in that market. Dick’s SG intends to open six new stores in Q3, including one in Eastvale, CA later this week. The Golden State may offer significant upside to DKS given the stock price erosion in BGFV, long a player in the California retail sporting goods market. Also, DKS amended its credit agreement last week, increasing its senior secured facility by $350 million to $1.6 billion. Kohl’s could begin to reap the benefits of a wider relationship with Amazon in Q3 via increased store traffic and incremental impulse purchases from consumers returning their Amazon buys to the department store. KSS will handle the packaging and shipping for any Amazon items returned to its stores as long as the customer has set-up the return online.

Segment increase of more than 8 percent is paced by double-digit quarterly increases by Adidas, Deckers and Under Armour. Seven stocks gain in Q2 as eight decline, including double-digit dips for Nautilus, Wolverine and GoPro. In H1, according to Mergermarket, global corporate M&A activity declined 11 percent. Meanwhile, there will unlikely be a half-point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in late July after a strong June jobs report. Pres. Trump proclaims the Dow could be 5,000-10,000 points higher if not for the Fed. But some economic analysts insist ongoing trade disputes and tariff issues continue to be persistent headwinds. China’s Anta Sports (not in the Index but now parent of former entrant Amer Sports) saw its share price decline more than 7 percent July 8 after a report from a short seller alleged the company, with its $19 billion market capitalization, fraudulently reports revenues. Anta acquired Amer for $5.2 billion in 2018. Nike saw its shares rise and plenty of free brand publicity by media outlets in the wake of its pre-holiday decision to pull its Betsy Ross Flag Air Max 1 after Swoosh endorser Colin Kaepernick complained that the 13-star flag design on the heel is offensive because it has been adopted by several white nationalist groups. Adidas had to deal with backlash last week as well after a brand social media campaign to promote its relationship with British soccer club Arsenal went awry on Twitter.