European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
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.
