Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
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.
