Quarter-End Jitters: Nike Slips, Shorts Strike

US Market Highlights

It was an active close to Q2. NKE reported a Q4 earnings beat but the stock slid after-hours. Investors remain unconvinced the turnaround is on track. Options flow had already flagged the scepticism — bearish positioning was heavy heading into the print. Short interest sits at just 5% of free float, so the selling is more macro than short-driven.

Bloom Energy moved the other direction after the bell. The fuel cell company rallied on fresh news, adding to a strong quarter for energy transition names.

Activist fund Jana Partners disclosed a new stake in Everpure. That sent the water technology company sharply higher. Activist involvement typically signals a push for strategic change or a sale.

Intuitive Machines landed a $148M NASA contract. The firm will deliver a Nova-C lunar lander by 2028. The deal validates its pipeline as commercial space gathers pace.

Westrock Coffee was the day's biggest options story. Its put-call ratio exploded to 7.33 — nearly 7 standard deviations above its 20-day average. The stock dropped 12.8% in a single session.

Europe & Macro

The Financial Times reported the World Bank plans to phase out lending to China. That is a significant shift. It adds pressure to Chinese-linked assets and could weigh on emerging market sentiment into H2.

H&M founder Stefan Persson continued buying HM B shares this week, filing 6.5 million shares worth ~$111M on June 30. The consistent purchases at SEK 165–167 signal strong family conviction in the stock at current levels.

Earnings Ahead

STZ and General Mills report tomorrow morning. Both face pressure from shifting consumer habits. Watch for guidance on US tariff exposure.