Shares of Herbalife (HLF) experienced a significant surge on Thursday following an announcement that the health and wellness company had received a substantial investment from global soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The renowned athlete has acquired a 10% stake in HBL Pro2col, a tech-focused subsidiary of Herbalife, for an investment of $7.5 million. This partnership is notable as it further solidifies Ronaldo’s decade-long association with Herbalife, a brand he has consistently endorsed.
HBL Pro2col is characterized as a “next-generation, digital, personalized health and wellness operating system.” The platform aims to leverage user behavior data to develop tailored wellness plans, marking a shift towards a more data-driven approach to health. As part of this investment, Ronaldo is expected to provide various services and sponsorship rights to Pro2col, enhancing the company’s outreach and credibility.
In a statement, Herbalife CEO Stephan Gratziani expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing the shared vision between Ronaldo and the company regarding the importance of nutrition, artificial intelligence, and personalized health insights. This sentiment appears to have resonated well with investors, as Herbalife’s shares jumped 19% during recent trading sessions and have risen 50% year-to-date.
The stock market landscape is currently mixed for various companies. Etsy (ETSY) saw a notable uptick in its share value, rising approximately 9% to around $48. This increase followed the company’s announcement of selling Depop, a fashion marketplace, to eBay (EBAY) for $1.2 billion. Although the sale falls short of Etsy’s initial $1.6 billion acquisition price in 2021, it allows the company to refocus on its core operations. As of the end of 2025, Etsy reported nearly 87 million buyers, despite a noted decrease in global merchandise sales year-over-year.
While Etsy executives view the transaction positively, experts remain cautious about the company’s long-term performance. Wall Street analysts maintain a generally bullish outlook on Etsy’s stock, but the current average price target of $67 seems considerably lower than the height of $300 experienced during the pandemic.
In the realm of monetary policy, recent minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting indicate a divided stance among officials regarding potential interest rate cuts for the year. Although there is a prevailing sentiment in favor of further rate reductions if inflation trends downward, some officials have expressed concern that excessive easing might reignite inflation. Presently, annual inflation remains slightly above the Fed’s target of 2%, complicating the decision-making process for policymakers.
Amidst these developments, broader U.S. stock performance has been underwhelming this year, with comparisons showing the U.S. lagging behind international markets, particularly since the start of 2025. Various factors, including elevated valuations, global economic uncertainties, and competitive pressures from international markets, have contributed to the U.S. stock market’s relative underperformance.
As investors look ahead, attention will also be focused on upcoming economic reports, particularly regarding inflation. The Bureau of Economic Analysis is expected to release data that may indicate a rise in consumer prices, which could impact future Federal Reserve policy decisions. The current climate suggests a delicate balance between fostering economic growth and managing inflationary pressures.
