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☆ The Fed is focusing on 'flawed' data and keeping rates high will result in a big policy mistake, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe Federal Reserve's fixation on a streak of "flawed" data to justify keeping interest rates higher for longer is bound to spark a policy mistake, according to top economist David Rosenberg. "The Fed seems to be focusing not just on flawed data, but on headlines only. Finally, he noted that the Fed's long-term view of the economy as still hot based on non-farm payroll data was dashed by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages and Business Employment Dynamics. Rosenberg pointed out that the payroll report may be exaggerating actual employment by 70,000 per month. Meanwhile, BED data indicated a 192,000 drop in private employment in Q3 of last year, whereas private job payroll data reported a significant 521,000 increase in that time.

Persons: —, David Rosenberg, Rosenberg, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Fed, Quarterly, Employment Dynamics

☆ Opinion: Winds of fate confront Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. To Trump’s delight, the top court’s session dimmed the chances the federal case will go to trial before the election. (Trump has denied the affairs with Daniels and McDougal and has pleaded not guilty to the hush money charges. Here’s why we should tune in anyway 04:27 - Source: CNNAs SE Cupp noted, “Trump and Biden debated twice in 2020. Chris Pizzello/Invision/APCNN anchor Victor Blackwell is a fervent Beyoncé fan but her foray into country music didn’t initially grab him.

Persons: CNN —, Yabushige, Yoshii, ”, “, Toranaga, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Jack Smith, Steve Vladeck, Neil Gorsuch, ” Clay Jones, immunizing Trump, John Roberts, Roberts, ” Vladeck, Joey Jackson, David Pecker, Pecker’s “, Michael Cohen …, Norm Eisen, George T, Conway III, Jill Filipovic, Melania Trump, Melania, Daniels, McDougal, ” Bill Bramhall, Frida Ghitis, Jonathan Greenblatt, ” “, Rev, Serene Jones, Israel … ”, Julian Zelizer, …, Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, Richard Daley, Richard Nixon, Fareed Zakaria, Ian Berlin, I’m, Bill Bramhall, Kara Alaimo, ” Alaimo, “ Trump, Biden, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Chip Bok, Clarissa Wei, Mike Johnson, Sen, John Fetterman of, Johnson, Scott Jennings, it’s, Mark Hannah, “ Biden, ” Biden, Hannah, Deborah Carr, Gerry Turner, Theresa, ’ —, ” Carr, ” Don’t, Terri Gerstein, Hasan Merali, Tess Taylor, Jeff Yang, Dean Obeidallah, Joey Weatherford, Beyoncé, Chris Pizzello, Victor Blackwell, didn’t, ’, Carter, she’s, CNN FlashDocs, Duke Ellington, Sammy Miller, Billy Strayhorn, Ellington, Strayhorn, Michael Ochs, “ Ellington, — Organizations: CNN, Republican, Art Deco New, “, Trump, New, American Media, National Enquirer, Agency, Columbia University , Yale, Defamation League, Hillel, Columbia, Force, Union Theological Seminary, New York City Police Department, Columbia University, Twitter, Facebook, Democratic, Convention, Chicago police, Yale, Real Housewives, Syndicate, Theresa Nist, Nashville’s, Max, Michael Ochs Archives Locations: New York, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Israel, Israeli, Columbia, Gaza, Chicago, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, America, Taipei, ”, Ukraine, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Fetterman, Crimea, Los Angeles, Sugar, Harlem

One strategist, however is looking keenly at European equities, and notes that "Europe isn't a boring market." "You would hope that will translate through to the stock market in terms of company earnings growth in Europe. "While you might see some kind of short-term downturn, in the longer-term the picture is very positive for the sector," Field added. He sees value in payments, which he described as "one of the most undervalued parts of European financial services." The sector has trailed market performance, with valuations looking "interesting" over the last 12 months, Morningstar noted in its recent report.

Persons: Michael Field, Field, Morningstar Organizations: CNBC Pro, European Central Bank, Consumer, Swatch Group, Financial, Morningstar, ING Bank, Group, Health, Novo Nordisk Locations: U.S, Europe, Netherlands, British, Swiss

☆ A 'buy bitcoin' sign flashed behind Janet Yellen during a 2017 hearing just sold for $1 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A"Buy Bitcoin" sign held up behind Janet Yellen during a 2017 testimony just sold for over $1 million. Christian Langalis, a then-22-year-old intern who held the sign, decided to sell it to fund his crypto startup. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA sign with "Buy Bitcoin" written in all caps on cheap yellow legal pad that was held up behind Janet Yellen during a 2017 congressional hearing was just sold at auction for over $1 million. According to Bloomberg on Thursday, the "Buy Bitcoin" sign held by an intern during then-Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's 2017 Congressional testimony went for $1.027 million at auction.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Christian Langalis, Bitcoin, —, Janet Yellen's, Yellen, CoinDesk Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Federal, Libertarian, Cato Institute, Financial Services Locations: City

☆ The IPO reopening is real. Just look at Rubrik, the first unicorn to go public in months
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Last night data security firm Rubrik priced 23.5 million shares at $32, above the price talk of 23 million shares at $28-$31, raising $752 million. Rubrik is the first tech unicorn IPO since last fall. Marex Group, a UK-based financial services company known for its global clearing business, priced 15.4 million shares at $19, the midpoint of the price talk of $18-$21, raising $292 million. Loar Holdings, which makes aerospace and defense components, priced 11 million shares at $28, above the range of $24-$26, raising $308 million. All eyes on Rubrik Rubrik is an important test of the tech IPO market.

Persons: Matt Kennedy, Rubrik, Kennedy, Ingram, Del Organizations: Marex, Nasdaq, Loar Holdings, New York Stock Exchange, Viking Holdings, Arm Holdings, Renaissance Capital, UL, Astera Labs, Forge, Companies, Ingram Micro, Epic Locations: Del Monte

☆ Americans are falling behind on their payments
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Americans are already struggling to keep up with their credit card payments. Strong consumer spending has buoyed the US economy through the Fed’s aggressive hiking cycle that has brought interest rates to a 23-year high. Economists say that Fed officials look closely at Americans’ ability to make their payments. Nunes, himself a former Republican congressman from California, pointed to how Trump Media has been among the most expensive stocks to borrow. “This is particularly troubling given that ‘naked’ short selling often entails sophisticated market participants profiting at the expense of retail investors,” the Trump Media CEO wrote.

Persons: New York CNN —, Austan Goolsbee, ’ ”, ”, Ramon Laguarta, Matt Egan, Devin Nunes, ” Nunes, Nunes, Read, Hanna Ziady, Colm Kelleher, “ Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Chicago Federal, Society for, New York Fed, ISI, PepsiCo, Commerce Department, Atlanta Fed, Social, Trump Media, Trump Media & Technology Group, Truth Social, Financial Services, Republican, Traders, UBS, Credit Suisse Locations: New York, California, Switzerland, Swiss

☆ Slowing growth plus stubborn inflation add up to a headache for Fed officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The slowing growth and stubborn inflation picture emerging in the U.S. economy may not be quite a nightmare scenario for the Federal Reserve, but it at least could make for some restless sleep. Markets had been looking for the string of good readings dating back to mid-2022 to continue, with economists estimating real GDP growth of 2.4% and inflation readings around 3%. What it got was essentially what some on Wall Street called the worst of both worlds, with weakening growth and stubborn price pressures. The Fed will get a more granular look at PCE data on Friday when the Commerce Department releases the monthly figures for March. "We still think Fed cuts are coming this summer, before inflation has sustainably slowed."

Persons: Matthew Ryan, —, Ryan, Steven Blitz, Veronica Clark Organizations: Federal Reserve, Commerce, Treasury, Commerce Department, TS Lombard, Citigroup, Citi Locations: U.S

☆ Switzerland says UBS may need more cash. The bank is fuming
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, the giant Swiss lender is hitting back, saying its finances are robust and warning that the proposal could harm Switzerland’s standing as a global financial center. “There can be no regulatory solution for a broken business model,” he continued, referring to Credit Suisse. UBS bought its stricken rival last March in a government-orchestrated rescue aimed at preventing a global financial crisis. It was not too-low capital requirements that forced Credit Suisse into the historic weekend rescue,” he added. But that leaves the stock more vulnerable to declines as a result of “execution risk in the Credit Suisse integration,” suggested Citi analyst Andrew Coombs.

Persons: London CNN —, Colm Kelleher, “, ”, Kelleher, Pascal Mora, Karin Keller, Keller Sutter, Anke, Andrew Coombs, ” Kelleher, Sergio Ermotti’s, Ermotti Organizations: London CNN, Credit Suisse, UBS, Bloomberg, Getty, RBC Capital Markets, Citi, Reuters Locations: Swiss, Switzerland, Europe

He also hiked his price target to $92 from $59, suggesting shares rallying 48.3% from where they closed on Tuesday. Analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich raised her price target to $370 from $315, suggesting 22% upside from Tuesday's close. — Hakyung Kim 6:04 a.m.: Citi raises price target on Amazon Amazon is becoming a more profitable organization, according to Citi. The price target increase comes on the heels of Amazon's new grocery delivery subscription launch. He cited increased operating income projections amid strong top-line trends for his price target increase.

Persons: Tesla, Rob Sanderson, Sanderson, Forrest Li, Hakyung Kim, Jessica Reif Ehrlich, — Hakyung Kim, Ronald Josey, Josey, GenAI, Kim, Goldman Sachs, Mark Delaney, Delaney, Goldman, Joseph Spak, Spak, TSLA, Wells Fargo's Colin Langan, Langan, James Lee, Lee, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, Mizuho, Bank of America, Spotify Bank of America, Spotify, Citi, Amazon Web Services, Revenue, UBS, Summer

☆ Truth Social owner Trump Media asks Congress to investigate ‘troubling’ market manipulation claims
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Trump Media & Technology Group is asking Congress to investigate its suspicions that illegal activity is driving down its share price. Nunes, himself a former Republican congressman from California, pointed to how Trump Media has been among the most expensive stocks to borrow. Nunes suggested there are signs of “naked” short selling, which involves someone selling shares they don’t own or have not borrowed. Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, said there are more obvious explanations for why some traders are betting against Trump Media. Last week, Nunes wrote a letter to Nasdaq, where Trump Media shares trade, alerting the exchange to concerns about market manipulation.

Persons: New York CNN —, Devin Nunes, ” Nunes, Nunes, ” Jonathan Macey, Jay Ritter, ”, Jay Ritter, Ritter, Jane Street, Ken Griffin, “ Devin Nunes, ‘ Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — Trump Media & Technology Group, Truth Social, Trump Media, Financial Services, Republican, Traders, Yale Law School, CNN, University of Florida, ” Trump Media, Trump, Citadel Securities, Virtu, Jane, Capital, Citadel, Nasdaq, CNBC Locations: New York, California, Virtu Americas, America

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks during an impeachment inquiry hearing in Washington, Nov. 13, 2019. Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes on Tuesday urged House Republican committee leaders to investigate possible "unlawful manipulation" of the company's stock. Trump Media, which began trading on the Nasdaq on March 26 after completing a lengthy public merger, was far and away the most expensive U.S. stock to short as of early April. The letter comes as the stock price of Trump Media, which created the social media app Truth Social and is majority-owned by former President Donald Trump, continues to trend down in volatile trading sessions. The stock dropped nearly 5% early Wednesday but turned positive before noon, trading around $33 per share.

Persons: Devin Nunes, Nunes, Patrick McHenry, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, James Comer, Donald Trump, DJT Organizations: House Intelligence, Trump Media, Republican, GOP, Nasdaq, Financial Locations: Washington, R, Ohio, Spokespeople

☆ Why the Fed keeping rates higher for longer may not be such a bad thing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

So the question is, are we going to have issues if rates remain higher for longer?" But financial markets, despite a recent 5.5% selloff for the S&P 500, have largely held up amid the higher-rate landscape. Higher rates can be a good signHistory tells differing stories about the consequences of a hawkish Fed, both for markets and the economy. Higher rates are generally a good thing so long as they're associated with growth. Futures market pricing implies a fed funds rate of 4.32% by December 2025, indicating a higher rate trajectory.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Mandel Ngan, Quincy Krosby, Krosby, Paul Volcker, David Kelly, Kelly, —, Goldman Sachs, Loretta Mester Organizations: Federal Reserve, Financial, Afp, Getty, LPL, Fed, Asset Management, Market, Cleveland Fed, European Union Locations: Washington , DC

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Amazon, Airbnb, Domino's, Walmart, Disney & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bernstein reiterates Tesla as underperform Bernstein said it still sees minimal positive catalysts ahead for Tesla following earnings on Tuesday. Bank of America upgrades Tesla to buy from neutral Bank of America said it sees a slew of "positive catalysts" ahead for Tesla shares following earnings on Tuesday. Citi downgrades Molson Coors to sell from neutral Citi said it's concerned about slowing growth. Citi upgrades SiriusXM to neutral from sell Citi said the risk/reward is now more balanced. Citi reiterates Amazon as buy Citi raised its price target on the stock to $235 per share from $215.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Piper, Bernstein, Tesla, underperform Bernstein, KBW, Wells, Citi downgrades Molson, it's, Oppenheimer, Domino's, it's bullish, DPZ, SIRI, Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley it's, GenAI, Guggenheim, Enphase, Jefferies Organizations: Tesla, Mizuho, Bank of America, of America, Packaging Corporation of America, Citi downgrades, Citi downgrades Molson Coors, Citi, TAP, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche, Computer, Micro, Sea Limited, fintech JV, Amazon, Disney, Atlanta Braves, Braves, Microsoft Locations: Singapore, BNPL

At stake is the role of a wide spectrum of players, from fintech firms to card companies and established banks. Walmart's Fintech startup One is now offering BNPL loans in Secaucus, New Jersey. Buy now, pay later has gained popularity with consumers for everyday items as well as larger purchases. A Capital One Walmart credit card sign is seen at a store in Mountain View, California, United States on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Meanwhile, Walmart said last year when its lawsuit became public that it would soon announce a new credit card option with "meaningful benefits and rewards."

Persons: Joe Raedle, Goldman Sachs, Omer Ismail, Hugh Son, BNPL, Jason Mikula, Amazon's, Karma, John Furner, John David Rainey, Dot, " Rainey, Rainey, Morgan Stanley, Walmart's, Yichuan Cao Organizations: Walmart, Getty, CNBC, New Jersey Walmart, Apple, Electronics, Adobe Analytics, Bank of Walmart, Robinhood, Walmart U.S, Coastal Community Bank, Capital, PayPal Locations: Hallandale Beach , Florida, Bentonville , Arkansas, Manhattan, Secaucus , New Jersey, New Jersey, U.S, Mountain View , California, United States

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves after the bell: Tesla, Visa, Mattel and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla — The electric vehicle maker climbed 6.9% despite earnings coming in weaker than analysts forecasted for the first quarter. Tesla posted 45 cents in adjusted earnings per share on $21.3 billion in revenue, while analysts surveyed by LSEG anticipated 51 cents and $22.15 billion. Mattel said it gave up 5 cents per share in the first quarter, less than the 12 cents anticipated by analysts polled by LSEG. Mattel saw $810 million in revenue for the three-month period, under Wall Street's consensus estimate of $832 million. The company said to expected second-quarter revenue between $290 million and $330 million, under the consensus forecast of $349 million.

Persons: Tesla, LSEG, Enphase Organizations: Mattel, LSEG, Texas, Visa

☆ NABTU: Biden scores major union backing as its leaders attack Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Joe Biden landed a major union endorsement Wednesday from North America’s Building Trades Unions, whose leaders say the president has his infrastructure bill largely to thank for it. The backing from NABTU, which has 3 million members nationwide, is more enthusiastic than its 2020 backing of Biden. That’s raised questions about the political future of the next generation of union members. It’s “almost like the perfect leader was sent at the perfect time for working people,” NABTU President Sean McGarvey told CNN about Biden in an interview announcing the endorsement. Biden appeared at the union’s conference in Washington on Wednesday to officially get the nod – which union leaders also want to be seen as a stark rebuff of Trump, who eagerly solicited support from union members and leaders during his time in office, but, their leaders say, didn’t deliver.

Persons: CNN — Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, That’s, It’s, ”, Sean McGarvey, Trump, NABTU, ” Biden, “, ” “, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden’s, McGarvey, ” McGarvey, it’s, Trump’s, Sean, “ Donald Trump, ” Brent Booker, Booker, ” Booker, didn’t, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, “ Biden, he’s, Mitch Landrieu, ” Landrieu, CNN’s Michael Williams Organizations: CNN, Unions, Teamsters, Republican, Democratic, Biden, Trump, Covid, North, Washington Hilton, ’ International Union of Locations: America’s, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, NABTU, Washington, Washington ,, Chicago, ’ International Union of North America

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves before the bell: Tesla, Verizon, Block, Alcoa and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Li Auto , Tesla — The electric vehicle makers tumbled more then 7% and 3%, respectively, following announcements of price cuts. Tesla chopped down the sticker price of its Model 3 in China, on top of decreases in other markets Reuters reported . Verizon — The telecommunications giant traded 1.5% higher as earnings per share came in ahead of expectations. Block — Shares added 0.7% after Bank of America reiterated its buy rating on the financial services stock. Hut 8 — Shares gained 2.6% after Benchmark initiated coverage of the data center operator with a buy rating, citing Hut 8's diversified business model and its sizeable bitcoin holdings.

Persons: Li Auto, Tesla, Li, Xpeng, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, —, Lisa Kailai Han, Hakyung Kim, Sarah Min Organizations: Tesla, Reuters, Verizon, FactSet, Wall Street, JPMorgan, Marathon, Alcoa, Bank of America Locations: China, New York

☆ Rep. Donalds on $95B aid package: Money for Ukraine should be tied to securing the southern border
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRep. Donalds on $95B aid package: Money for Ukraine should be tied to securing the southern borderHouse Financial Services Committee member Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the House's passage of the $95 billion foreign aid package, why he voted against the Ukraine portion of the aid, and more.

Persons: Byron Donalds Organizations: Financial Services Locations: Ukraine

☆ I'm a former JP Morgan exec who now works to distribute basic income payments to those in need. Here's why I do it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Wole Coaxum is the CEO of MoCaFi, which has distributed over $52 million in basic income payments. I thought, "How can I use my time and talents, which is financial services, to bring an economic justice agenda to the social justice agenda?" Related storyMartin Luther King, Jr. talked about universal basic income and guaranteed basic income just before he passed away, and I feel that we as a company are very fortunate to be standing on the shoulders of others to bring these powerful ideas into the marketplace. Some of them are through MGI, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. Why is a universal basic income that much different?

Persons: Morgan, —, Wole Coaxum, JP Morgan, Ferguson, Martin Luther King, Jr, they've Organizations: Service, Corporation, JP Locations: Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, MGI

☆ AI has racist tendencies. Scientists and founders are trying to fix it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Monica Melton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The police had used a facial-recognition AI program that identified her as the suspect based on an old mugshot. AdvertisementThe Detroit Police Department said that it restricts the use of the facial-recognition AI program to violent crimes and that matches it makes are just investigation leads. AdvertisementThe study also found that in a hypothetical murder trial, the AI models were more likely to propose the death penalty for an AAE speaker. A novel proposalOne reason for these failings is that the people and companies building AI aren't representative of the world that AI models are supposed to encapsulate. Bardlavens leads a team that aims to ensure equity is considered and baked into Adobe AI tools.

Persons: —, Woodruff, who's, Ivan Land, Joy Buolamwini, Timnit Gebru, Valentin Hofmann, OpenAI's, AAE, Geoffrey Hinton, Christopher Lafayette, Udezue, OpenAI, Google's, John Pasmore, Latimer, Buolamwini, Timothy Bardlavens, Microsoft Bing, Microsoft Bardlavens, Bardlavens, Esther Dyson, Dyson, Arturo Villanueva, I'd, Villanueva, Alza, We're, Andrew Mahon, Alza's Organizations: Service, Detroit, Business, Court of Michigan, Detroit Police Department, Microsoft, IBM, Allen Institute, AI, Dartmouth College, Center for Education Statistics, Big Tech, Udezue, Meta, Google, Tech, Companies, Adobe Locations: That's, American, Africa, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Spanish

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Ulta Beauty, Netflix, American Express, Ibotta and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ulta Beauty — Ulta Beauty shares fell 3% after Jefferies downgraded the beauty retailer to a hold from a buy rating, citing rising competition. SLB reported $8.71 billion in revenue, just above the $8.69 billion projected by analysts, according to LSEG. However, SLB did report revenue in North America was down year over year. Ibotta — Shares of the technology company fell nearly 6% a day after Ibotta's initial public offering. Intuitive Surgical — Shares ticked down nearly 2% despite the company beating on the top and bottom lines in the first quarter.

Persons: Jefferies, Shopify, Morgan Stanley, SLB, —, Samantha Subin, Michelle Fox, Pia Singh, Jesse Pound Organizations: Netflix, FactSet, Revenue, American Express, Micro Computer, Paramount —, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Apollo Global Management, PPG Industries Locations: Canada, North America

☆ China’s growing love of luxury watches remains strong, despite economic headwinds
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Leona Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Despite economic challenges looming large — including prolonged downturns in both the housing and stock market — China’s fascination with luxury watches remains undiminished. Cyril Zingaro/WWGF/KeystoneCertainly at this year’s fair, well-dressed, well-accessorized Chinese customers appeared unfazed by economic uncertainties. After more than 20 years working in the region, he believes China’s economic slowdown is just a temporary phase. “The situation may be slightly (more) challenging for mid-level luxury brands (whose clients’ disposable incomes are potentially more at the whim of market forces). Collectors appreciate the craftsmanship, rarity, and heritage associated with luxury timepieces, which can hold or increase in value over time.

Persons: Matthieu Humair, Cyril Zingaro, Jackson Yee, Jaeger, Zhu Yilong, Wang Yang, Xiao Zhan, David Sadigh, Patek Philippe, Van Cleef, ” Sadigh, Valentin Flauraud, ”, Ricardo Guadalupe, “ We’ve, Pierre Albouy, Keystone Carson Chan, Richard Mille Asia, Bonhams, ” Chan, Raphael Young, Lange, Söhne, Wilhelm Schmid, Lumen, Chan, Vacheron, Young, Roger Dubuis, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci — Chanel, Hermes, Hermès, Attelé, Chanel, Mademoiselle Chanel, “ Organizations: Geneva CNN —, Federation of, Swiss Watch Industry, IWC, Digital Luxury, CNN, Keystone, Fondation, “, Berkley, Couture Locations: Geneva, China, Hong Kong, Asia, Switzerland, Chopard, Europe, “, Asia — China, Guadalupe, Swiss, watchmaking

☆ Insurance stocks are rallying as a way to play one of the hottest spots for inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The stubbornly high inflation readings to start 2024 are good news for one group of stocks — insurance companies. Stocks to watch In general, Wall Street analysts are buying the underlying story for these insurance stocks. For a slightly different angle, Wells Fargo analyst Elyse Greenspan upgraded Hamilton Insurance Group to overweight last week. Potential downsides To be sure, there are several factors that could derail the rally for insurance stocks. Another concern is so-called "social inflation," in which legal trends or regulatory changes can drive costs higher for insurance companies.

Persons: Goldman, Robert Cox, Stocks, Goldman's Cox, Cox, Wells, Elyse Greenspan, Hamilton, HG, Greenspan, Jimmy Bhullar, Andrew McGee, McGee, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Allstate, Wall Street, PGR, Progressive, Hartford Financial Services, Hamilton Insurance Group, U.S . Insurance, JPMorgan, CNBC Locations: Northbrook , Illinois, Wells Fargo

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Netflix, Paramount, Sunnova Energy & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Intuitive Surgical — Shares of the robotic surgery firm popped 3% after posting a first quarter earnings and revenue beat. Western Alliance — Shares slipped 2% after the firm missed earnings expectations in its latest quarter. Western Alliance reported earnings of $1.60 per share, while FactSet had estimated this at $1.64 per share. The company slightly missed revenue expectations, however, posting $20.20 billion, while analysts expected $20.41 billion. American Express — Shares slid 1.5% despite the financial services company posting a first-quarter earnings and revenue beat above FactSet estimates.

Persons: Ashley Helgans, Sephora, Shopify, Morgan Stanley, Wells, Biden, SLB, LSEG, FactSet, Proctor, Gamble, — CNBC's Hakyung, Jesse Pound, Samantha Subin Organizations: Jefferies, Netflix, Energy, Western, Western Alliance, Paramount, New York Times, Bloomberg, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Apollo Global Management, Skydance Media, Bentley Systems, Schneider Electric, American, American Express Locations: Canada, Wells, North America, — CNBC's Hakyung Kim, Tanana

Analyst Laura Champine also lowered her price target to $80 from $85, implying a 6% increase for the stock. "New York City office is one of the few REIT subsectors seeing improved demand," the analyst wrote. The bank double-upgraded the e-commerce platform to overweight from underweight and hiked its price target to $62 from $35. Feather added that eBay stock is currently trading at a discount versus peers, with Etsy trading around 35% higher. "JetBlue's DNA aligns with our broader preference for loyalty, premium, and international exposure ... albeit with less vigor than the Big 3," the analyst wrote.

Persons: TD Cowen, Morgan Stanley, Needham, Laura Martin, Andy, Martin, — Jesse Pound, Laura Champine, Champine, — Lisa Kailai Han, Tesla, Emmanuel Rosner, Elon Musk, Rosner, Fred Imbert, John Kim, Kim, SLG, KeyBanc, Eric Heath, Heath, Nathan Feather, Feather, James West's, West, Jamie Baker, Baker, Lisa Kailai Han, Matthew Ramsay, Ramsay Organizations: CNBC, Nvidia, Amazon, Wholesale, BJ's Wholesale, Deutsche Bank, Tesla, Reuters, BMO Capital Markets, Green Realty, New York City, SL Green Realty, SL Green, SL, KeyBanc, eBay, EBAY, GE, ISI, GE Vernova, General Electric, JPMorgan, JetBlue JPMorgan, JetBlue, Jetblue, Technology, NVIDIA, Match Group Locations: China, Manhattan, York City, Wednesday's, York

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