Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
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.
