Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Starboard Value’s Investment in Kenvue Inc.
Activist hedge fund Starboard Value has taken a "sizeable" stake in Kenvue Inc., according to *The Wall Street Journal*. While the exact percentage of the investment is undisclosed, Starboard is pushing for changes aimed at boosting Kenvue's stock price. Kenvue, which was spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, has seen its stock underperform both its industry peers and the broader market since its debut.
Kenvue’s Strong Consumer Brands
Kenvue boasts several well-known consumer brands, such as Tylenol, Listerine, and Band-Aid. Despite its strong portfolio, Kenvue's stock performance has been relatively muted in 2024, while the S&P 500 has surged by 24%. Starboard believes that these valuable brands are not yet reflected in the company’s current valuation.
Starboard’s Broader Strategy
This is not the first major move by Starboard Value. The hedge fund, led by CEO Jeff Smith, recently acquired a $1 billion stake in pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and has been involved in advocating for changes at tech companies like Salesforce, Autodesk, and Match Group.
