DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ ‘Lempicka’ to End Broadway Run a Month After Opening
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Michael Paulson | More About Michael Paulson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Lempicka,” a new musical about an artistically and sexually adventurous painter, announced Thursday evening that it would close on May 19, just a month after opening. This is the first show to fall after this year’s Tony nominations were announced on Tuesday. “Lempicka” scored three nods — for the actresses Eden Espinosa and Amber Iman, as well as for scenic design — but was shut out of the best musical category. It really needed a boost, because its grosses have been anemic — last week it grossed $288,102, which is unsustainably low for a Broadway musical. The show, which explores the life of the 20th-century painter Tamara de Lempicka, was written by Carson Kreitzer and Matt Gould and directed by Rachel Chavkin.

Persons: “, Tony, “ Lempicka ”, —, Eden Espinosa, Amber Iman, Tamara de Lempicka, Carson Kreitzer, Matt Gould, Rachel Chavkin Organizations: Williamstown Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Broadway Locations: San Diego

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —From above, Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince still looks serene, its white-washed homes climbing steep green hills that encircle a glittering bay. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024. Haiti’s gangs were once seen as thuggish instruments for powerful politicians and business elites. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi on March 1, 2024. Anger toward the government for Haiti’s gangs problem is misplaced, he also said, emphasizing that the government has limited options.

Persons: Toussaint, Prince, Ariel Henry, Haiti’s, “, ”, Jimmy “, Robin Hood, Ralph Tedy Erol, Henry, “ Ariel Henry, Haiti Ulrika Richardson, Kraze Barye, John Bosco, Jeremie, CNN’s, Ariel kraze peyi, Ariel, Jovenel Moise, Guy Philippe, Odric Octina, Johnson Sabin, Shutterstock, Simon Maina, Henry’s, Jean Junior Joseph, –, Leinz Vales, Sean Walker Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Police, United Nations, FBI, Global, Transnational, UN, National Police, Haitian, Canadian Embassy, Catholic, St, Bank, ”, Haitian Environment, Penitentiary, Reuters, Haiti, Caricom, United States International University Africa, Getty, Kenyan, United Nations Security Council, United Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Kenya, New York, Delmas, Cité, Kizito, Jeremie, farmworkers, United States, Canada, It’s, Haitian, West, Nairobi, AFP

☆ Cramer explains why the market isn't seeing so many sellers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday suggested that sellers have been conspicuously absent on Wall Street, even as the market faces economic trends may have brought them out in years past. "Last year, we would've had sellers coming out of the woodwork," he said. "Now, though, I think the short-sellers have been obliterated, and almost everyone who wants to sell seems to have already gotten out. Cramer added that the artificial intelligence craze has not played out as many on Wall Street thought it would. "I know Big Tech was down today, but I think they're just taking a breather after an unsustainably parabolic move."

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, would've, Cramer, he's Organizations: Computer, Nvidia, Enterprise, Big Tech

☆ Buy these 33 top-rated stocks to build a diversified, downturn-resistant portfolio in 2024, according to UBS
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Economic growth should persist in 2024, albeit at a weaker pace, according to top strategists at UBS Global Wealth Management (GWM). "We do see the savings rate — the recent savings rate — as unsustainably low, and we expect it to rise over time," said Brian Rose, a senior economist and investment strategist at UBS GWM, during the webinar. "And really, the base of the economy depends very heavily on what happens to the savings rate." Rose continued: "If the savings rate just gradually drifts higher over time, then we can have a soft landing. 33 top stocks across sectorsWhile UBS is constructive about 2024, its strategists think investors should prepare for anything.

Persons: Solita Marcelli, Brian Rose, Rose, there's, Marcelli, Daniel Scansaroli, Nicolas Le Roux, Le Roux, financials Organizations: UBS Global Wealth Management, UBS, Business, US, UBS GWM, Federal Reserve, UBS GWM's, Companies Locations: Americas, Ukraine, Israel, Europe, China, Japan, Australia

Japanese national flag is hoisted atop the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan September 20, 2023. If the BOJ pulls interest rates above zero for the first time in years, banks' lending margins could rise. Steve Donzé, deputy head of investment at Pictet Asset Management in Tokyo, said he had also been buying Japanese bank stocks. BOND PAINJapanese inflation means bond investors could suffer. But investors are cautious about this so-called yield curve control policy ending as the BOJ is forced to tighten monetary policy.

Persons: Issei Kato, Shigeka Koda, Koda, Steve Donzé, Junichi Inoue, Janus Henderson, James Halse, Warren Buffett, David Hogarty, Jon Day, Grégoire Pesques, Amundi, Pictet's Donzé, Naomi Rovnick, Kevin Buckland, Dhara Ranasinghe, Jane Merriman Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, LONDON, Asia Investment, Kosaido Holdings, Kyushu Financial, Pictet, Management, Platinum Asset Management, Global, Bank of America, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Dublin, Newton Investment Management, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, Singapore, Sydney, United States, Europe, London

☆ Climate tech startups Montinutra, Harvest Thermal, Bisly, and Twig recently raised a combined $13.6 million. We got a look at the pitch decks they used to raise the funds.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Climate tech startups Montinutra, Harvest Thermal, Bisly, and Twig have recently raised a collective $13.6 million between them as early-stage deals continue to dominate the venture capital industry. Biochemicals startup Montinutra, founded in 2018, raised 2 million euros, $2.1 million, in October to convert forestry sidestreams into sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals. Check out the 18-slide pitch deck below:MontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraMontinutraHeat pump startup Harvest Thermal raised $4 millionCalifornia-based Harvest Thermal raised a $4 million round for its heat pump and thermal storage combination in October. It is riding political tailwinds amid the US' recent commitment to install 20 million heat pumps by 2030. Check out the redacted pitch deck that it used to raise the funds below:Harvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest Thermal Harvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalHarvest ThermalBuilding energy management startup Bisly secured $3.8 millionEstonian startup Bisly, which wants to make it cheaper to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, just raised 3.6 million euros, $3.8 million, in seed funding in October.

Persons: Twig, Pajunen, Portfolia, Russ Tucker Organizations: Metsä, Earth Foundry, Climate Partners, Starshot, National Science Foundation, California Energy Commission, International Energy Agency, Aconterra, Second Century Ventures, SmartCap, Fund, Pinorena, Innovation, Seed Fund Locations: California, London

☆ The UAW is hitting automakers where it really hurts, taking down highly profitable truck and SUV plants at each Big 3 automaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

As the union targets truck and SUV plants in its sixth week, consumers are likely to feel the impacts. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe United Auto Workers union has turned up the heat on General Motors as 5,000 workers walked off their jobs Tuesday at a highly profitable SUV factory in Arlington, Texas. "It's time GM workers, and the whole working class, get their fair share," Fain said. Barra said GM's record offer rewards employees but doesn't put the company or UAW jobs at risk. AdvertisementAdvertisementLast week GM made an offer that increased its previous offer by about 25% in total value, the company said.

Persons: —, Shawn Fain, Mary Barra, Fain, GM's, Barra, doesn't, it's, walkouts Organizations: UAW, Service, United Auto Workers, General Motors, GM, Ford, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac, Arlington Locations: Texas, Arlington , Texas, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Detroit, The Texas, Arlington

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union turned up the heat on General Motors as 5,000 workers walked off their jobs Tuesday at a highly profitable SUV factory in Arlington, Texas. The additional plants further escalate a labor dispute that's in its sixth week and now has about 46,000 union workers off the job. “It’s time GM workers, and the whole working class, get their fair share,” Fain said. Barra said GM’s record offer rewards employees but doesn’t put the company or UAW jobs at risk. Last week GM made an offer that increased its previous offer by about 25% in total value, the company said.

Persons: Cadillac Escalade, Shawn Fain, “, ” Fain, Mary Barra, Fain, GM’s, Barra, doesn’t, ”, it's, walkouts, haven't, Thomas Kochan, ” Kochan Organizations: DETROIT, United Auto Workers, General Motors, GMC Yukon, Cadillac, GM, Ford, Arlington, General Motors Co, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Locations: Arlington , Texas, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Detroit, Arlington

New York CNN —Sheila Bair, who had a front row seat to the subprime mortgage meltdown, is worried today’s housing market is unsustainably hot. A housing bubble can form when prices rise to unsustainable levels. “I see much less speculation in the housing market today, thank goodness,” said Bair. ‘Dizzying heights’Legendary investor Jeremy Grantham shares Bair’s concern about a housing bubble. In many ways, today’s housing market is the polar opposite of the one that preceded the Great Recession.

Persons: Sheila Bair, ” Bair, Bair, ”, she’s, there’s, Jeremy Grantham, ” Grantham, Goldman Sachs, Fannie Mae, Priscilla Almodovar, it’s, ” Almodovar, Lawrence Yun, homebuyers shouldn’t, ” Yun, Yun, America doesn’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, CNN, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, NAR, “, UBS Locations: New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Richmond, Cincinnati, Zurich, Tokyo, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver, London, America, “

☆ A looming childcare cliff could cost families $9 billion in earnings and leave millions of kids without care. Democratic lawmakers want to avoid a crisis.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Child Care Stabilization Act would allocate $16 billion to childcare annually for five years to aid providers. At the same time, childcare workers are facing low pay and tough conditions; they have previously told Insider that the industry needs even more subsidizing. AdvertisementAdvertisement"It is the thing that we pay the most money for," she previously told Insider . She's not alone: Other parents have told Insider that high costs for scarce childcare have led them to drop out of the workforce completely. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Right now we have a childcare crisis with ARPA funding," Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California, a member of the Congressional Dads Caucus , said.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Sen, Patty Murray, Katherine Clark, Paige Connell, She's, Kaitlin Peterson, Jimmy Gomez Organizations: Rescue, Service, Democratic, Century Foundation, unsustainably, Department of Labor, ARPA, Congressional, Caucus Locations: Wall, Silicon, Washington, Massachusetts, Denver, Jimmy Gomez of California

☆ 'The vast bulk of companies are in big trouble': A renowned bear who called the dot-com bubble warns a recession is still on the way as bankruptcies rise — threatening to sink even the mega-cap stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

While big firms have survived high rates, Edwards said a recession would eventually hurt them too. Here are the effective interest rates for a few cohorts of the S&P 1500. The Federal Reserve's Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey shows 49% of banks are tightening lending standards for small companies. They weren't able to lock into long-term loans at almost zero interest rates and pile it high in the money markets at variable rates," Edwards said. "In our view, the current savings rate is unsustainably low, and the main downside risk to growth is that the savings rate will suddenly move higher."

Persons: Societe Generale's Albert Edwards, Edwards, haven't, Louis, that's, we'll, Brian Rose, Rose, Piper Sandler, it's Organizations: Societe Generale's, Societe Generale, American Bankruptcy Institute, Generale, Federal, Federal Reserve Bank of St, Institute, Supply Management's, UBS Americas, UBS Companies

☆ A recession is only delayed as the economy continues to lose steam. Here's exactly how 8 top strategists and money managers recommend investing in this turbulent market.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Now, the inverse has happened as stocks rally, inflation steadily falls, and the labor market stays healthy. By any historical measure, this is still a really strong labor market," he said. "There's a lot of market concern — understandably so — about the sustainability of the strong labor market," Porter said. "There are clear signs that we're weakening at the margin," Schurmeier said of the labor market. "And they're able to thread the needle on the other part of their mandate, which is the labor market."

Persons: John Porter, Jason Draho, Porter, David Lebovitz, Lebovitz, they're, Draho, Jonathan Curtis, Curtis, Brent Schutte, Schutte, Jake Schurmeier, Schurmeier, they'll, shouldn't, Charles Lemonides, Lemonides, Greg Calnon, Calnon, Franklin Equity Group's Curtis, he's Organizations: Newton Investment Management, UBS Global Wealth, Asset Management, Franklin Equity Group, Workers, Northwestern, Harbor Capital Advisors, Fed, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Franklin Equity

☆ The era of cheap streaming is officially over
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“The advertising marketplace for streaming is picking up,” Iger told investors on the quarterly earnings call. The announcement puts to an end much of the initial allure that led to the popularity of streaming. That served as the genesis of the streaming era, with legacy entertainment companies such as Disney racing to launch their own direct-to-consumer products at unsustainably low costs. Couple that reality with the introduction of ads into streaming and the end product eerily resembles on-demand cable. It’s an ironic end to the streaming wars.

Persons: CNN —, pesky, Bob Iger, Iger, ” Iger, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Disney, Hulu, Media, Paramount, Warner Bros Locations: Magic

☆ Looming inflation report could hold an unpleasant surprise for markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The central bank district's Inflation Nowcast model points to a 0.4% rise that would equate to a 3.4% annual rate. "Rent could be an important source of a positive (moderating) surprise in July's CPI," Yardeni wrote. 'Sticky' inflation persists But inflation has proven more persistent than most policymakers, particularly those at the Fed, would have thought. In fact, the Atlanta Fed's sticky CPI is still at 5.8% on a 12-month basis — though 2.9% at an annualized pace — after peaking at 6.7% earlier this year. Moreover, Thursday's core CPI reading is expected to show core inflation running at a 4.7% annual level, just a tad below the June reading.

Persons: Dow Jones, it's, Ed Yardeni, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Lisa Shalett, Shalett, Morgan, Yardeni, Jerome Powell, Andrew Hollenhorst, Hollenhorst, Solita Marcelli Organizations: Cleveland Federal Reserve, Yardeni Research, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, CPI, Cleveland Fed, UBS Locations: U.S, Atlanta

☆ AmEx's profit view dampens strong results from record card spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Manya Saini | Thomson Reuters | Manya Saini Reports On Prominent Publicly Listed U.S. Financial Firms Including Wall Street S Biggest Banks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Results were strong, though spending growth is moderating from unsustainably high rates in 2022," said Edward Jones analyst Kyle Sanders. These worries took the shine off a record quarter in which spending surged to $426.6 billion despite rapid interest rate hikes by the U.S. central bank ushering in an end to easy money. "Our base is changing in terms of more Millennials and Gen Z who will grow with us. Millennial and Gen Z were its fastest-growing customer base as their combined spending surged 21% in the U.S. from a year ago. Despite that, AmEx just reaffirmed its per-share profit forecast of $11 to $11.40 for 2023 after reporting a market-beating profit of $2.89 per share.

Persons: Edward Jones, Kyle Sanders, Gen Z, Stephen Squeri, Gen, Jeff Campbell, AmEx, Campbell, Christophe Le Caillec, Manya Saini, Anil D'Silva, Arun Koyyur Organizations: American Express, U.S, RBC Capital Markets, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Humans have pumped so much groundwater from the Earth that it's actually caused the planet's axis to shift, a new study found
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Carla Delgado | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The reason is that we're moving all that water mass from under the continents to the oceans. How groundwater depletion affects Earth's rotational poleThe Earth's rotational pole normally changes and wanders by about several meters each year. To put it simply, groundwater depletion contributes to sea level rise because water is being transferred from the continents to the oceans. The recent study found that groundwater depletion caused a 6.24-millimeter rise in global sea level from 1993 to 2010. This is significant because each millimeter rise in sea level is said to make the shoreline retreat an average of 1.5 meters.

Persons: Weon Seo Organizations: Service, Northern, Research, Department of Earth Science, Seoul National University Locations: Northern Hemisphere

☆ UBS shares 9 charts that show global stocks are barreling towards a sell-off as recession fears flare
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

But UBS analysts are expecting that global equity valuations will sell off later this year. Stocks may be riding the ongoing bull rally back to all-time highs, but that doesn't mean Wall Street's fears of an economic downturn have completely dissipated. In fact, even prominent investors such as Evercore founder Roger Altman have called for a recession by the end of 2023. And according to analysts at UBS investment bank, a potential market sell-off wouldn't be solely concentrated in the technology sector. In the note, Baweja and his team also shared nine "essential" charts showing why they expect equities to sell off this year.

Persons: Roger Altman, Joe Mazzola — Charles Schwab's, —, Bhano Baweja, Baweja Organizations: UBS

☆ Job Openings Rose in April, Defying Cooling Trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Talmon Joseph Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The jump in openings may put pressure on the Federal Reserve to take interest rates even higher. “JOLTS data should not drastically color this broader assessment of labor market tightness but will matter at the margins for the Fed’s own perception of labor market heat.”Some question how much weight to give the report. After peaking at a record of around 12 million in March 2022, job openings as measured by the government have fallen overall. Some economists think the JOLTS report should be taken with a grain of salt. The May employment report, to be released by the Labor Department on Friday, will fill out the labor market picture before Fed policymakers meet on June 13 and 14.

Persons: Jerome H, Powell, Skanda Amarnath, Gregory Daco, ”, Goldman Sachs, — Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Bloomberg Locations: America, EY

Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsReuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsInvestors and analysts took the Labor Department report on the whole as supporting the prospect that the Fed would pause its rate increases at the June 13-14 meeting. The PCE, which is the Fed's preferred gauge for its 2% inflation target, has been running at more than twice that level. Continued readings like the ones in April could weaken the case for pausing rate hikes. That's how increases in its policy rate influence economic activity. FEDSPEAK: OngoingThe Fed's internal communications rules set a "blackout" period around each policy meeting.

The path to the pause will roll out in marquee monthly data on the key topics of jobs and prices, but also weekly series tracking emerging concerns about the financial industry. Here's a guide to what's ahead:JOBS: Next release May 5The data calendar will let the Fed receive two monthly jobs reports, covering April and May, before its June 13-14 policy meeting. For the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the measure used to set the Fed's 2% inflation target, only the April report will be available. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsReuters GraphicsFEDSPEAK: OngoingThe Fed's internal communications rules set a "blackout" period around each policy meeting. The curtain of silence around the May meeting lifts on Friday, May 5, and Fed officials can speak publicly about their views through Friday, June 2.

☆ Ray Dalio says the financial system will need 'big restructurings' soon as debt burdens become unsustainable
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ray Dalio wrote in a note this week that the financial system is close to needing "big restructurings." The Bridgewater Associates founder cited higher debt burdens and rising interest rates. In his view, the economy is on the brink of a contraction that will make the next year or two difficult. "This means the system is close to the point where big restructurings will be needed. Meanwhile, within the larger cycle, there's a smaller, short-term cycle defined by economic weakness, with central banks creating high inflation and eventually recessions.

[1/2] A Bank of America logo is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 30, 2019. The company "had a strong Q1 as higher interest rates continued to boost its net interest margin despite rising deposit costs," David Fanger, senior vice president at Moody's Investors Service, said. Reuters GraphicsEconomists expect the U.S. economy to slow in the second half of the year as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to tame inflation. It expects NII to fall 2% in the second quarter compared with the first three months of this year. The company's revenue, net of interest expense, increased 13% to $26.3 billion, beating estimates of $25.13 billion.

☆ Analysis: No China, no deal: Bid to break sovereign debt logjams gets weary thumbs up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Libgeorge Marc Jones | Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) - The latest bid by the world's leading institutions and creditors to speed up debt restructurings and get bankrupt countries back on their feet has been greeted by a mix of cautious optimism and weary scepticism by veteran crisis watchers. The somewhat loose framework around sovereign restructurings has seen Beijing seek to influence the traditional rules of engagement in these processes. The Common Framework platform introduced by leading G20 nations in 2020 aimed to bring all creditors, including China, together and streamline negotiations. Anna Ashton, director of China research at Eurasia Group, said this week’s developments underscored the benefits for China to give some ground on some of its concerns. "China is a difficult partner to talk to but we need China at the table for the solution of debt problems, because otherwise we won't see any progress," Lindner said.

☆ No China, no deal: Bid to break sovereign debt logjams gets weary thumbs up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Libgeorge Marc Jones | Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

☆ Nobel economist Paul Krugman says this is the best job market in decades, and the Fed doesn't need high unemployment to bring down inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Fed doesn't need to raise unemployment to lower inflation, Paul Krugman said. That suggests the labor market is sustainable, though Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said otherwise. Central bankers raised interest rates over 1,700% in the past year to tame inflation and rein in economic growth. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said rates will likely need to stay elevated until the labor market cools. But inflation measures have been cooling without a rise in unemployment, Krugman said.

Search resuls for: "unsustainably"

25 mentions found