__Set an intention...__ The Vancouver-based team over at __[Lululemon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/lulu)__ did for 2018. And it worked. Quarterly sales surged 26%, making last year one of its "[strongest](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/27/lululemon-fourth-quarter-2018--earnings.html) yet." Lulu's focus for the future is to blossom into a "dual-gender" brand. 

__Man's best friend...__ is a pair of sweat-wicking, technical khakis with a [hidden](https://shop.lululemon.com/p/men-pants/Abc-Slim-5-Pocket-34/_/prod9090037?color=30380) back pocket. Lulu's CEO straight up called out guys as its "most exciting" area of growth:

- Turns out __"men's bottoms"__ have become "extremely profitable."
- So Lulu __signed NFL QB Nick Foles__ to be its first male ambassador of squat-worthy pants (FYI, he prefers the title "*elite* ambassador" and is now really [into](https://twitter.com/NickFoles/status/1105121256389541888/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1105121256389541888&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fnick-foles-agrees-to-new-dealwith-lululemon-162107964.html) the hashtag #thesweatlife).
- And since Lulu __only owns 20%__ of the male workout market currently, it's very, very into this.

Wear

__"*Work*-leisure-wear" is now a thing...__ Goldman just [rolled out](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/05/suits-and-ties-now-optional-goldman-sachs-says-its-relaxing-its-dress-code.html) a “firm wide flexible dress code” JPMorgan's been tie-optional since 2016. So Lulu's thinking beyond its *vinyasa* gear to daily uniform options of a suit-free office future.

Lululemon surges 11% on man-pants focus

__Healthcare's back in play...__ on markets and in DC. First, the Trump admin announced it's taking another shot at [repealing](https://www.npr.org/2019/03/26/706869835/trump-administration-now-says-entire-affordable-care-act-should-be-repealed) the Affordable Care Act. Then one of the plan's largest providers, [__Centene__](https://www.robinhood.com/stocks/CNC), revealed it's acquiring [__WellCare__](https://www.robinhood.com/stocks/WCG) for a healthy $15B.

__Want key details on the deal?...__ We've got you fully covered: 

- __One side booed, the other cheered:__ Shares of Centene fell 5%, likely because it paid 32% more than the share price of WellCare. For the same reason (but from the other side), WellCare shares jumped 12%.
- __Now the Justice Dep't gives a second opinion:__ Since the combined company would control a [huge part](https://www.wsj.com/articles/centene-to-buy-wellcare-health-plans-11553682582) of the Medicaid market, regulators will likely only bless the deal if one side hands off millions of enrollees to another provider. That would keep competition for health insurance strong. And that's what regulators want.

Coverage

__Politics = Business...__ WellCare and Centene's enrollment benefited hugely from the Affordable Care Act's expansion of *Medicaid*, the government health insurance for the poor. If the Trump admin completely upends the Affordable Care Act, at least WellCare and Centene will have a shoulder to cry on.

Obamacare health insurers announce $15B merger

__What's in the box?...__ A $1.1B queen-size. That's how much the OG direct-to-consumer mattress icon's worth thanks to a $100M injection of money from new, private investors. And we learned from a slide deck obtained by [*The Information*](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/inside-caspers-financials?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sg&utm_campaign=article_email) that __Casper Sleep__ might not be private so long — It's [interviewing](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-casper-ipo-exclusive/exclusive-online-mattress-retailer-casper-to-hire-ipo-underwriters-sources-idUSKCN1R72XY) banks to advise a future IPO.

__Some woke highlights from the slide deck...__ (which was intended for investors only):

- __Profitability__ __isn't there yet:__ But losses are shrinking. Plus, Casper's expecting profits in 2019.
- __Growth__ __is happening. Fast:__ Revenues rose 50% in 2018, and are expected to jump the same amount in 2019 and 2020.
- __Amazon's a non-factor:__ "Dog bed" through "King size" Caspers are all [available](https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/14851012011?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Casper%20Sleep&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_14851012011) on the everything store, but just 4% of sales last quarter were on Amazon. That means customers are going straight to Casper or its investor/retail partner Target. That helps the CEO sleep nice.

Sleep

__Brick and mortar retail's not dying...__ *bad* retail's dying. Casper's created a bunch of dreamy stores selling mattresses and 45-minute [naps](https://www.racked.com/2018/7/13/17562404/casper-dreamery-nap-pods-experience) (for $25). It costs $650K to build each location, and according to the deck, the whole investment pays off in less than 2 years on average. *That's* fast. And it's why it wants [200](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/08/casper-to-open-200-stores-across-the-us-as-mattress-firm-struggles.html) Casper stores by 2021.

Lululemon surges 11% on man-pants focus

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