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☆ Gold at one-week high as soft dollar, Middle East turmoil lift demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices rose to a nearly one-week high on Monday as a slight pullback in the U.S. dollar and escalating tensions in the Middle East lifted bullion's safe-haven appeal. Gold prices rose to a nearly one-week high on Monday as a slight pullback in the U.S. dollar and escalating tensions in the Middle East lifted bullion's safe-haven appeal. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,019.99 per ounce, as of 0530 GMT, hitting its highest since Feb. 13. U.S. gold futures rose 0.4% to $2,031.50 per ounce. Spot platinum dipped 0.3% to $903.04, palladium rose 0.7% to $956.66, while silver fell 1.2% to $23.12 per ounce.

Persons: Yeap Jun Rong, Wang Tao, Jun Rong, Raphael Bostic Organizations: U.S ., Maritime Trade Operations, Market, Fed Bank of Atlanta, CME Locations: Mandab, Yemen, China

☆ CD and Savings Rates Today: Lock in High Rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Business Insider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

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Persons: Banks, —, Cash, we've Organizations: Bank, Cash, Products, Secure Savings, CIT Bank, Savings, Popular, BMO, CIBC, Mission Valley Bank Locations: —

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson and his Legacy Motor Club race team welcomed Creed to NASCAR with arms wide open. So singer Scott Stapp and the rest of the multi-platinum rock band filled them — they handed Johnson an autographed guitar. Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, joked he quickly needed lessons. 84 Toyota on the scoring pylon and now the band and the seven-time NASCAR champion are in the Daytona 500. Legacy Motor Club reached an associate sponsorship deal with the band to give Creed a spot on the Toyota for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Persons: — Jimmie Johnson, Creed, Scott Stapp, Johnson, ” Stapp, Gibson, Erik Jones ’, Jones, “ We’re, ”, Mark Tremonti, Richard Petty, “, Stapp, Tremonti, Brian Marshall, Scott Phillips, Madison Marsh, DJ Khaled, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Pitbull, ” Tremonti Organizations: DAYTONA, Motor, NASCAR, Toyota, of Fame, GNR, Daytona Locations: Fla

☆ Gold stays below key $2,000 level as markets temper Fed rate-cut bets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee handles one kilogram gold bullion at the YLG Bullion International Co. headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Gold prices lingered near a two-month low on Wednesday, trading below the key $2,000-per-ounce level, as a stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation report prompted traders to trim bets for deeper rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Spot gold was flat at $1,992.21 per ounce (Oz), as of 0429 GMT, after hitting its lowest since Dec. 13 on Tuesday. The next key support level for spot gold is $1,975/Oz as it coincided with the December Federal Open Market Committee meeting where they announced three-quarter point rate cuts in 2024, fuelling a gold rally, said Wong. Traders have lowered their bets from four quarter-point rate cuts for 2024, in line with the Fed's "dot plot" released in December.

Persons: Bullion, Gold, Kelvin Wong, Wong Organizations: Co, Federal Reserve, Asia Pacific, Traders, U.S, Investors Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, OANDA

☆ Gold flat ahead of US inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices were little changed on Tuesday, as investors held back from making big bets ahead of a U.S. inflation report that could give fresh perspective on the timing of the Federal Reserve's first rate cut. Spot gold was flat at $2,018.71 per ounce, as of 0424 GMT, after briefly slipping to a more than two-week low of $2,011.72/Oz on Monday. All eyes are on the January U.S. consumer price index inflation data due at 13:30 GMT. Americans reported a fairly stable outlook for inflation at the start of the year, a New York Fed survey showed. Spot platinum was flat at $888.89 per ounce, palladium rose 1.5% to $905.71, and silver edged 0.1% higher to $22.71.

Persons: Tim Waterer, Wang Tao Organizations: Federal, KCM Trade, New, Fed, Reuters, U.S ., Traders, U.S Locations: Moscow, Russia, U.S, ., China, Hong Kong

☆ Gold takes pause in light trading; eyes on Fed in data-packed week
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold bars arranged at the Korea Gold Exchange store in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 13, 2023. Gold prices steadied in a tight range on Monday in holiday-thinned trading, as investors awaited remarks from a slew of U.S. Federal Reserve officials in a data-packed week. "Positioning is neutral, and if the data deteriorates softening the dollar and deepening U.S. rate cut bets, then gold will shine again. COMEX gold speculators raised their net long position by 10,616 contracts to 82,591 in the week ended Feb. 6, data showed on Friday. Traders have all but ruled out a rate cut at the Fed's next meeting in March, according to LSEG's Interest Rate Probability app, IRPR.

Persons: Kyle Rodda, Jerome Powell Organizations: Korea Gold Exchange, . Federal Reserve, Traders Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China , Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia

☆ The Big Pregame (Vegas’s Version)
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Emmanuel Morgan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Music blared as the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had a conversation across a barricade. Close by were Machine Gun Kelly, the platinum-blond musician, and his partner, the actor Megan Fox. Outside the 45,000-square-foot, strobe-light-filled tent near the Las Vegas Strip, a man climbed a life-size statue of an elephant. Super Bowl week is important for business: When the N.F.L. crowns a champion, it also feeds television networks and gives a valuable platform to advertisers and performing artists.

Persons: blared, Odell Beckham Jr, Kelly, Megan Fox, partyers, ”, Brian Toll Organizations: Baltimore Ravens, h.wood

NEW YORK (AP) — Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, the late Sinéad O’Connor and heavy metal's so-called Prince of Darkness are some the 2024 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a wide musical net that also includes the pop-soul of Sade and Britpoppers Oasis. & Rakim, soft rockers Foreigner, singer-guitarist Peter Frampton, alt-rockers Jane’s Addiction and Dave Matthews Band, and dance icons Kool & the Gang. Ten of the 15 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Kravitz, Oasis, O’Connor, Osbourne and Sade. Sade, whose 1980s soft rock hits include “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo,” is having a moment, having last year been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 1 song in each of the past six decades — would help boost the number of women in the hall.

Persons: Mary J, Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, Sade, Britpoppers, Ozzy Osbourne, Eric B, Peter Frampton, Dave Matthews, ”, John Sykes, Carey, Frampton, Kravitz, O’Connor, Osbourne, Cher —, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Chaka Khan, Don Cornelius, Kate Bush, George Michael, ___ Mark Kennedy Organizations: Roll Hall of Fame, Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Kool, Songwriters Hall of Fame Locations: Cleveland

☆ Gold flat as safe-haven demand offsets US dollar strength
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee puts gold bullions into a safe deposit box at Degussa shop in SingaporeGold prices were flat in light trading on Friday with Chinese markets closed for the Lunar New Year break, while a firm dollar offset safe-haven demand fueled by Middle East concerns. "Some stress in U.S. regional banks, Chinese new year demand and Middle East tensions put a floor on the metal," Hugo Pascal, a precious metals trader at InProved, said. Concerns lingered about the Middle East as Israeli forces bombed areas in the southern border city of Rafah after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Hamas truce proposal. However, palladium has since taken a lead again, up 0.6% to $892.26 per ounce, while platinum rose to $890.09. Both metals are used in making a key component in internal combustion engines, but platinum is also used in jewelry and other industries.

Persons: Hugo Pascal, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Shanghai Futures, Treasury, Federal, Traders, ANZ Research Locations: Singapore, InProved, Rafah, U.S

☆ Super Bowl 58 halftime performer Usher says his pre-show routine starts first thing in the morning
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Usher will dominate the airwaves for 15 minutes on Sunday night when he takes the stage for the Super Bowl 58 halftime show. singer says that on days he performs, his preparation routine starts first thing in the morning. It's a long process, but rather than being exhausted by the time he steps off of the stage, Usher says he feels energized. "But I'm doing something that I really, really enjoy doing." Earlier this year, the 45-year-old performer told Vogue that he gives himself affirmations in the mirror in the morning.

Persons: Usher, It's, Vogue, affirmations Organizations: Super, GQ

☆ Gold steady as Fed remarks counter safe-haven demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices steadied on Thursday as a pushback from U.S. Federal Reserve officials on market hopes for early interest rate cuts offset safe-haven demand after Israel rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas amid continuous talks to end the Gaza conflict. Gold prices steadied on Thursday as a pushback from U.S. Federal Reserve officials on market hopes for early interest rate cuts offset safe-haven demand after Israel rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas amid continuous talks to end the Gaza conflict. Spot gold held its ground at $2,033.56 per ounce, as of 0427 GMT. Fed officials want to hold off on cutting interest rates until they have more confidence that inflation is headed down to 2%. Gold, considered a safe-haven investment, tends to gain during times of political and economical uncertainty.

Persons: Tim Waterer, Moody's, Waterer Organizations: U.S . Federal, Israel, KCM, U.S, Community Bancorp Locations: U.S, Gaza, New, Germany, China

☆ Lyft says it's going to give some of its drivers a pay bump
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Lyft reported that drivers, on average, took home 88% of rider payments after external fees. AdvertisementIn recent months, several Uber and Lyft drivers have told BI that ride-hailing has become less profitable than it used to be. Lyft also noted that drivers can now see the breakdown of how each rider's payments are split between drivers, Lyft, and external fees. Still, 94% of Lyft drivers only drive less than 20 hours a week and use driving to supplement other income. In November 2023, Lyft agreed to pay $38 million to settle claims that it improperly collected some fees and taxes from New York drivers — Uber agreed to pay $290 million.

Persons: Lyft, —, David Risher, Sergio Avedian, Uber, Guy, Avedian, he's, Kara Swisher, Dara Khosrowshahi, — Uber Organizations: Service, Drivers, Cleveland Uber, New, New York State, Elite, EV Locations: Cleveland, New York City, Seattle , California, New York, Minneapolis , Chicago, Massachusetts

☆ George Hoyningen-Huene: The man who captured the jazz age on film
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Christian House | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In 1930 George Hoyningen-Huene pulled off one of the greatest dupes in the history of photography. George Hoyningen-Huene Estate ArchivesRönngren said Huene was “like Forrest Gump. George Hoyningen-Huene Estate ArchivesAll this gossip and glamour would, of course, make great television: and Rönngren is now working on a Netflix drama about the photographer’s life and times. The Jaeger exhibition, which presents works, dating from 1927 to 1955, coincides with the publication of “George Hoyningen-Huene: Photography, Fashion, Film” by Susanna Brown (Thames & Hudson). Photographer George Hoyningen-Huene in the studio in Paris, 1937.

Persons: George Hoyningen, Huene, Horst P, Horst, Lee Miller, ”, “ George Hoyningen, Katherine Hepburn, Josephine Baker, Benjamin Jaeger, Steffi, ” Huene, Baron Barthold Theodor Hermann von Hoyningen, Tsar Nicholas II, Susannah Brown, George, Salvador Dalí, Weissmuller, Huene “, Tommy Rönngren, Asa, Tommy “, Rönngren, Forrest Gump, Joseph Pilates, Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, George Cukor, Condé Nast, Cole Porter, “ sauvage, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, “, Dietrich, Garbo, ’ ” Heune, Miriam Hopkins, Susanna Brown, Baker, Roger Schall, Lisa Fonssagrives, Irving Penn, Jaeger Organizations: CNN, Vogue, Cote, Jaeger Art, Jaeger, “, British Army, Condé, Thames & Hudson, Nexus Hall, Neue, Hudson Locations: Paris, Russian, New York, Côte, Berlin, St Petersburg, England, France, Montmartre, Swedish, Huene, Horst’s, Stockholm, “, Hollywood, revolté, Thames, Tokyo, Europe, Germany

☆ Wheely, Uber's luxury competitor, launches in Dubai to take on the UAE's dominant player
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The company, founded by Russian-Swiss entrepreneur Anton Chirkunov, told CNBC it will offer rides in the United Arab Emirates city starting Wednesday, catering mainly to wealthy clients. "European families and entrepreneurs have been moving to Dubai in the last five years," Chirkunov told CNBC in an interview ahead of the launch. Wheely's platform is tailored more toward mass market usage, however, and Chirkunov thinks his platform has an opportunity to stand out. He compares the Wheely brand to the American Express Centurion and Platinum membership credit cards in terms of brand status. Wheely plans to expand its Middle East team and chauffeur network to over 1,000 in the next three to five years, the company told CNBC exclusively.

Persons: Shariff, Covid, Anton Chirkunov, Wheely, That's, Mercedes, Chirkunov, it's, chauffeurs, Duke of Northumberland, Covid lockdowns Organizations: Russian, CNBC, United Arab Emirates, BMW, Benz, Tesla, American Express, Mercedes, East, Companies Locations: Dubai, Swiss, Europe, London, Mayfair, City of London, Wheely, Paris

DETROIT (AP) — Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of the iconic R&B group The Spinners, whose hits included “It’s a Shame,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love" and “The Rubberband Man,” died Wednesday, a spokesperson for the group said. Fambrough died peacefully of natural causes in his northern Virginia home, spokesperson Tanisha Jackson said in a statement. Along with Fambrough, Billy Henderson, Pervis Jackson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne and John Edwards were listed as inductees. It “was a long time ago,” Fambrough said at the time of the 1960s, when he first walked into the studio. The Spinners joined Motown Records 10 years later.

Persons: — Henry Fambrough, “, ”, Fambrough, Tanisha Jackson, Billy Henderson, Pervis Jackson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, John Edwards, ” Fambrough, Dionne Warwick, Norma, Heather Williams Organizations: DETROIT, Roll Hall of Fame, Motown Museum, Motown, Atlantic Records, The Spinners, Motown Records Locations: Virginia, Detroit, Ferndale

Compare the Top Business Travel Credit CardsBest business credit card overall for most small business owners Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now lock icon An icon in the shape of lock. Best Business Travel Credit Cards of FebruaryInk Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best business credit card overallBest business credit card overall The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best business credit card for premium benefitsBest business credit card for premium benefits Capital One Venture X Business Card† : Best business credit card for high spendersBest business credit card for high spenders The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express : Best business credit card for unlimited flat-rate Amex Membership RewardsBest business credit card for unlimited flat-rate Amex Membership Rewards Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : Best business credit card for unlimited flat-rate cashback or Chase Ultimate Rewards®Best business credit card for unlimited flat-rate cashback or Chase Ultimate Rewards® American Express® Business Gold Card : Best business credit card for 4x Amex Membership Rewards categoriesBest business credit card for 4x Amex Membership Rewards categories Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business† : Best business credit card for unlimited flat-rate Capital One milesBusiness Travel Credit Card ReviewsBest business credit card overall: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardThe Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a fantastic jack-of-all-trades business credit card for many small business owners. Best business credit card for high spenders: Capital One Venture X Business Card†The Capital One Venture X Business Card† is a newcomer on the business credit card scene that heavily rewards big spenders. Best business credit card for unlimited flat-rate cashback or Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Ink Business Cash® Credit CardThe Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a no-annual-fee business credit card that earns generous cash back on business-related categories while providing useful perks such as purchase and extended warranty protection. Best Business Travel Credit Cards Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the best business credit card for travel rewards?

Persons: You've, It's, You'll, We'll, you'll Organizations: Business, Venture, Business †, you've, Ink, Chase Travel, FDIC, Express, American Express, Dell Technologies, Adobe, American, Capital, One, Amex, FedEx, Grubhub, Supply, Walmart, Best, Dell, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Chase, Finance, — Locations: AmexTravel.com, U.S, Chevron

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — “Beer For My Horses” singer-songwriter Toby Keith has died. “The money to be made was unbelievable,” Keith told The Associated Press in 1996. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” his breakout hit, was played 3 million times on radio stations, making it the most played country song of the 1990s. “They were trying to get me to compromise, and I was living a miserable existence,” Keith told the AP. “I always felt like that the songwriting was the most important part of this whole industry,” Keith told the crowd of fellow singers and writers.

Persons: NORMAN, Okla, Toby Keith, Keith, “, ”, Beer, Willie Nelson, ” Keith, I’ve, I’m, ” ‘, Harold Shedd, Shedd, “ Should’ve, Shania Twain, That’s, “ I’ve, Bobby Braddock, “ They’re, He’s, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, We’ll, Singer, Steve Earle, Natalie Maines, Maines, Saddam Hussein, FUTK, Ethan Hawke, Kris Kristofferson, Hawke, Vince Gill, Scott Borchetta, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Josh Thompson, Clay Walker, Phil Vassar Organizations: Associated Press, Oklahoma City Drillers, United States Football League, Mercury Records, Alabama, AP, DreamWorks Records, Academy of Country, “ Billboard, Arts, “, Universal Music Group, DreamWorks, Universal, Songwriters Hall of Fame, BMI Locations: Oklahoma, Texas, Nashville, Mercury, Oklahoma City

☆ Gold prices at nearly two-week low as Fed rate-cut bets recede
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view of ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold, which are placed in a workroom, at Novosibirsk Refining Plant, Russia's leading gold refining and bar manufacturing plant, in Novosibirsk, Russia on September 15, 2023. Gold prices lingered near their lowest level in almost two weeks on Tuesday, pressured by a firmer dollar and elevated Treasury yields, as traders lowered expectations of aggressive interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve this year. Data released on Monday showed that the U.S. services sector growth picked up in January after Friday's blowout U.S. jobs report that dashed prospects of early Fed rate cuts. Traders have repriced their bets to four quarter-point cuts for 2024, down from six last Monday, according to LSEG's interest rate probability app IRPR. Investors are awaiting remarks from at least eight Fed speakers this week for further clues on the timing of rate cuts.

Persons: Ajay Kedia Organizations: Novosibirsk Refining Plant, U.S . Federal Reserve, Fed, Kedia Commodities, Treasury, Traders Locations: Novosibirsk, Russia, U.S, Mumbai, China

☆ Billy Joel Said He’d Retired From Pop. Here’s What Brought Him Back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Caryn Ganz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Billy Joel’s first new pop song in nearly two decades was sparked by someone miles from the record business: a Long Island doctor. Joel, 74, has long made it known that he isn’t interested in making more albums. (“He is everything,” Olivia Rodrigo, 20, who referenced him in her song “Deja Vu,” said last summer.) Over the years, the list of people who’d tried to cajole him back into writing and recording grew legion: Clive Davis. Yet when Joel’s family doctor urged him to meet “a kid” interested in discussing music near his place out east in Sag Harbor, he agreed to a lunch.

Persons: Billy Joel’s, Joel, —, that’s, ”, ” Olivia Rodrigo, who’d, Clive Davis, Rick Rubin, Elton John Locations: Oyster Bay, N.Y, “, Sag Harbor

☆ Gold slides as US jobs data dampens bets of early rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices fell on Monday, as the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields surged after a robust jobs report crushed expectations of near-term interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Spot gold was down 0.5% at $2,029.03 per ounce by 0556 GMT. Traders are betting on four quarter-point Fed rate cuts for 2024, down from six last Monday, according to LSEG's interest rate probability app IRPR. Investors are awaiting remarks from a host of Fed speakers this week for further clues on rate cuts. Spot silver fell 0.5% to $22.56 per ounce, palladium dropped 0.8% to $939.26, while platinum rose 0.5% to $894.99.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Matt Simpson, Simpson Organizations: U.S ., Treasury, Federal Reserve, Index, Traders, U.S . Labor, Reuters, Fed Locations: Singapore

NEW YORK (AP) — A convicted drug dealer reluctantly testified Monday that Jam Master Jay — known for his anti-drug advocacy as part of the groundbreaking rap group Run-DMC — got involved in cocaine trafficking to pay his bills. Mullgrav said Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, approached him periodically to sell cocaine that the rap star had acquired — “maybe 1 or 2 kilos, here or there.”“Jason wasn't a drug dealer. He just used it to make ends meet,” Mullgrav said. Mizell wanted to put Washington, who's known as “Tinard,” on the ground in Baltimore, said Mullgrav, who grew up with both men. Prosecutors — and some witnesses who were in the studio that night — say that Jordan shot Mizell while Washington brandished a gun and blocked the door.

Persons: —, Jay —, Ralph Mullgrav, Mullgrav, Jay, Jason Mizell, ”, Jason wasn't, ” Mullgrav, Karl Jordan Jr, Ronald Washington, Mizell, “, Washington “, Washington, Gary Farrell, wasn't, Tricky, Jordan Organizations: Prosecutors, Washington, Midwest, MTV Locations: Washington, Jordan, Baltimore, ”

☆ Gold set for best week in 7 as dollar softens ahead of US jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bullion has climbed 1.8% this week, set for its best weekly gain since late December. Lower interest rates boost non-yielding bullion's appeal. Spot gold rose nearly 1% on Thursday after data from the U.S. Labor Department showed initial jobless claims rose more than expected last week. Fed Chair Jerome Powell pushed back on the idea of an interest rate cut in the spring, but expressed confidence in inflation moving towards the desired 2% range. Money market pricing shows traders are nothing but sure about a rate cut in May.

Persons: Brian Lan, Jerome Powell Organizations: Novosibirsk Refining Plant, Treasury, Federal Reserve, GoldSilver, U.S . Labor Department Locations: Novosibirsk, Russia, Singapore, U.S

NEW YORK (AP) — American Express rolled out several updates to its Delta SkyMiles credit cards Thursday that will give additional benefits to users, part of efforts to soothe sore Delta Air Lines customers who have considered abandoning the airline after last year’s SkyMiles loyalty fiasco. AmEx customers get access to Delta's airport lounges and are able to transfer their Membership Rewards points to Delta, among other benefits. To give a sense of scale, Delta CEO Ed Bastion told investors in June that roughly 1% of the entire U.S. economy is spend on Delta's credit cards. So, when Delta made alterations to its SkyMiles loyalty program last year, it was largely seen by Delta customers as a watering down of its program, and it caused turbulence between the two companies. Part of those changes required Delta customers to spend large sums of money on airfare or on the Delta credit card to be given elite status on the airline.

Persons: AmEx, Delta, it's, Ed Bastion, Bastion, “, Howard Grosfield Organizations: Delta, Air Lines, New, Delta Air Lines, American Express, U.S . Consumer Services Locations: New York, Delta, Hawaii , Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Atlanta, AmEx

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Annual fees increase between 18% to 52% on six consumer and business Delta SkyMiles credit cards. American Express and Delta Air Lines increased annual fees across their co-branded airline credit cards today for consumer and business credit cards alike. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardholders will receive $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) every qualifying year, beginning February 1, which will give them a jumpstart toward earning Delta status each year. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardholders can now spend above their credit limit, albeit within a certain undisclosed extent.

Persons: Resy, Katherine Fan, I've, Guy, NerdWallet, I'm, you'll, Read Organizations: Delta, American Express, Delta Air Lines, Delta SkyMiles, Delta SkyMiles ®, Express, Finance, Business, Forbes, USA, Austin American, Statesman, Associated Press, Google, MSN, University of Texas Locations: Hawaii , Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, delta.com, Delta, Austin, Southwest, Texas, Taiwan, New York City

☆ Gold prices gain as traders assess hopes for sizeable Fed rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Spot gold rose 0.5% to $2,046.63 per ounce by 0355 GMT. The Fed left interest rates unchanged and knocked down the idea that the U.S. central bank could cut rates in the spring, but dropped a long-standing reference to possible further hikes. Futures pared bets for a rate cut in March to 35.5% from 90% at 2023-end, but increased chances of a reduction in May to 96%, according to LSEG's interest rate probability app IRPR. Traders are pricing in about 142 basis points (bps) of Fed rate cuts for this year, up from bets of about 130 bps of reductions on Wednesday morning. Data showed U.S. private payrolls rose far less than expected in January.

Persons: Gold, Jigar Trivedi Organizations: Korea Gold Exchange, Reserve, Reliance Securities, Traders, U.S, New, New York Community Bancorp, Treasury, Investors Locations: Seoul, South Korea, U.S, New York

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