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☆ Stocks suffer biggest drop in two weeks; dollar gains on upbeat U.S. data
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Asian stocks logged their sharpest declines in two weeks but the dollar held on to gains following strong U.S. data that again suggested the Federal Reserve might stick longer with aggressive interest rate increases. Chinese stocks extended their recovery, with the broader index (.CSI300) gaining 0.6%, while Japan (.N225) was up 0.3%. Futures show the market expects U.S. short-term interest rates to peak at 5.001% in May. The dollar stayed firm versus major peers, following its biggest rally in two weeks on Monday, which was helped by the strong U.S. services data. The Australian dollar regained some ground after the country's central bank raised interest rates to decade highs and stuck with a prediction of further hikes ahead, quashing any thought it was near to pausing.

☆ Stocks ease from 3-month highs, dollar firms up on strong U.S. data
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Asian stocks retreated from three-month highs and the dollar held on to gains following strong U.S. data that again suggested the Federal Reserve might stick longer with aggressive interest rate increases. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) shed 0.4%, after climbing to a three-month high in the previous session. Stocks in Korea (.KS11) and Taiwan (.TWII) traded lower, while China's broader index (.CSI300) rose 0.6% and Japan (.N225) and Hong Kong <.HSI> stocks were steady. Futures show the market expects U.S. short-term interest rates to peak at 5.001% in May. The dollar stayed firm versus major peers, following its biggest rally in two weeks on Monday, which was helped by the strong U.S. services data.

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My partner and I have already planned for what would happen if one of us lost our job. We started by getting rid of as much debt as possible and reducing our fixed expenses. Reducing our debt load, bills, and subscriptions meant there were fewer fixed expenses to worry about if our income levels dropped. The biggest shift for us was making our needs significantly less than our take-home pay. At the time, this represented 25% of our take-home pay and when it ended during the pandemic, it was a big hit to our finances.

☆ Billionaire bitcoin bull Mike Novogratz says crypto should and will be regulated and the FTX disaster has created a 'deficit of trust' in the whole industry
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FTX disaster has created a "deficit of trust" in crypto, according to bitcoin bull Mike Novogratz. The industry should and will get regulated he said, pointing to the fallout of Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange. But while investors are being rocked by this bout of volatility, crypto isn't going anywhere, he told CNBC. Sign up for our newsletter to get the inside scoop on what traders are talking about — delivered daily to your inbox. And so in no world is bitcoin is going away, or quite frankly, the blockchain and Ethereum and everything else," he said.

☆ Falling sperm count observed around the world, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Evan Bush | Evan Bush Is A Science Reporter For Nbc News. He Can Be Reached At Evan.Bush Nbcuni.Com. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Those are the headline findings of a new analysis of sperm count studies published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction Update. But Anawalt said the inherent limitations of this type of analysis — which combined results from more than 200 sperm count studies — could steer toward misleading conclusions. The decline had gotten steeper.”Despite the negative trend, the average sperm count for men in 2018 remained higher than levels the World Health Organization considers normal. It’s also possible that the type of men involved in sperm count studies is different from those who weren’t. “There’s other things in ejaculate that aren’t sperm — round cells and debris.”Moreover, sperm count is only one factor in determining fertility.

WASHINGTON — With the 2022 election over, Congress will return to work Monday with a packed to-do list for the final weeks of the year. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, is expected to get a vote in the lame duck session. A package of revisions to the bill easily cleared the Senate Rules and Administration Committee on a 14-1 vote in September. Same-sex marriage billThe House has passed a bipartisan bill to codify federal recognition of same-sex marriage. The Senate punted it to the lame duck session, with the leader of the effort, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., saying the chamber needed more time to secure 60 votes.

☆ A furious Trump is blaming Melania for urging him to support Dr. Oz, who lost a key Senate race: NYT reporter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Trump-backed Republican Mehmet Oz lost the race for US Senate in Pennsylvania this week. The former president was "furious" about his loss, The New York Times' Maggie Haberman tweeted. Among others, Trump blamed his wife, Melania, for encouraging him to back Oz, Haberman said. Former First Lady Melania Trump and Fox News host Sean Hannity had been pressing Trump to back Oz because they were friends with him, Axios' Jonathan Swan reported at the time. The Failing New York Times has gone crazy."

What this portends for stocks going into year end is unclear, but given how low volatility is just now it is reasonable to assume investor demand for protection and hedging will rise. Afraid of missing out on a year-end rally, investors are now paying a premium for equity 'call' options over 'puts'. Benchmark volatility gauges like the VIX index of implied vol on the S&P 500 or the V2TX index of implied vol on euro stocks rise when demand for put options spikes. The VIX has fallen recently to near a two-month low even as the S&P 500 has surged into the green and lurched back into the red. By mid-October the S&P 500 was down 25% and ripe for a bounce.

☆ This 22-year-old survives Lebanon with a bitcoin mining business that's been earning $20,000 a month
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Against this backdrop, Abu Daher jumped into the crypto mining business a little over two years ago. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Ahmad Abu Daher repairing mining equipment in the basement of a home in Zaarouriyeh. Ahmad Abu DaherIt has been 26 months since Abu Daher first set up shop, and he says that business is thriving. watch nowBuilding a bitcoin mining businessAbu Daher had a few black swan events on his side soon after he broke into crypto mining. In January, police raided a small crypto mining farm in the hydro-powered town of Jezzine, seizing and dismantling mining rigs in the process.

☆ JPMorgan breaks down 4 reasons why it's time to buy into small and mid-cap stocks amid aggressive monetary tightening
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

JPMorgan says the medium-to-long-term outlook for SMid stocks has "never looked stronger." Since the end of January 2022, US small and mid caps have continued to outperform large caps. Large-cap stocks will underperform compared to SMid stocks medium to long term as well. Over the past several years, large caps have also experienced explosive growth in sectors like big tech as well. In the near-term, there are still risks associated with overweighting to certain SMid stocks.

☆ Rescue efforts in full swing as Australia's inland towns brace for flood peaks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia's east is in the grip of the fourth major flood crisis this year due to a multi-year La Nina weather phenomenon, typically associated with increased rainfall. Across New South Wales (NSW) state there were 103 flood warnings on Saturday. "We've had a couple of flood rescues…right now I am at a property east of Forbes helping move some horses. Along the Murrumbidgee River near the town of Wagga Wagga floods peaked on Friday at the highest level since 2010. All four of Australia's eastern states, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania have been hit with floods this year.

☆ Go ahead. Go crazy with avocados. There's a massive glut and prices are cooling off
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNNBusiness —There’s at least one item in the grocery store that is getting less expensive: avocados. A significant supply glut of the buttery fruit has triggered a drop in wholesale prices, sending store prices lower as well. A glut of global avocado supply has triggered a significant drop in prices. “In the first half of 2022, avocado shipments from Mexico were 25% lower compared to the record-high shipments we saw in 2021,” said Magana. Those regulations were quickly lifted, but not before causing a further run-up in store prices.

☆ Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly channeling ‘Pam & Tommy’ top the list of celebrity Halloween costumes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Some throwbacks to notable ’90s-era celebrities were standouts as the stars stepped out this weekend in costume for their Halloween festivities. One couple acknowledged a pair that came before them, when Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly channeled Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, respectively, at the Casamigos Halloween Party Returns in Beverly Hills, California on Friday night. Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari at the Casamigos Halloween Party Returns in Beverly Hills on Friday in Beverly Hills, California. at the Casamigos Halloween Party Returns in Beverly Hills, California on Friday. Vanessa Hudgens as Black Swan at the Thriller Night Halloween Party, hosted by Prince Michael Jackson, at the Jackson Family Home in Encino, California on Friday.

☆ Young Silicon Valley workers are in for a rude awakening as industry giants make major job cuts and ditch ambitious projects for the first time in their careers
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Samantha Delouya | Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Workers now fear layoffs after tech companies that hired thousands of workers with high pay face a slowing economy. For years, Big Tech companies have competed on pay and perks to lure workers in a tight labor market. It's a first for many tech workers, an entire generation of whom have known nothing but non-stop growth and a bull market. Earlier, the company told managers not to approve employee travel and team offsites unless they are "business critical." Younger tech workers don't just have to fear losing perks.

☆ A filmmaker sees rising fame, but grapples with his future if DACA ends
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

LOS ANGELES — Under a string of golden street lights, the directions roll off Jorge Xolalpa’s tongue interchangeably in English and Spanish as he paces the sidewalk with a cameraman by his side. Moments like these are precious to Xolalpa, whose eyes dart with excitement as he describes his love of film. Xolalpa was nine in 1998 when his mother collected him from school in Mexico and took him to catch an airplane bound for Los Angeles. He said his mother was escaping his abusive father, and that she sold toys and T-shirts in Los Angeles’ densely packed downtown streets to make ends meet. Xolalpa said he didn’t initially apply for DACA, fearing his family could be deported if he handed his personal information to immigration authorities.

☆ Tucker Carlson called the House GOP's campaign chief in a fury and demanded to know who made unflattering comments about his son: Axios
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tucker Carlson has beef with the House GOP's campaign chair, Tom Emmer, per Axios' Jonathan Swan. Carlson made an angry call to Emmer on Friday regarding his son Buckley, per Axios. Emmer told Carlson repeatedly that his office did not give the quote about Buckley Carlson to the Daily Beast, but Carlson was unconvinced and told Emmer they now have beef, per Axios. Does he really think that's a winning strategy for a Republican House leadership race? Representatives for Emmer and Tucker Carlson did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

☆ JPMorgan president says a recession may be price to pay to beat inflation, market bottom not in yet
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesJPMorgan Chase President Daniel Pinto has vivid memories of what life is like when a country loses control of inflation. "If it causes a slightly deeper recession for a period of time, that is the price we have to pay." The Fed funds rate will probably peak at around 5%; that, along with a rise in unemployment, will likely curb inflation, Pinto said. "We're dealing with a market that is pricing the probability of recession and how deep it's going to be," Pinto said. "Real rates should be higher in the next 20 years than they were in the last 20 years," Pinto said.

☆ A Goldman Sachs alum turned crypto exec breaks down why Wall Street's next push into digital assets will be through bitcoin
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

John Haar, a managing director at digital asset services platform Swan Bitcoin, previously had a 12-year stint at Goldman Sachs. He says bitcoin is the biggest contender to gain traction in legacy finance and pull institutional interest in further. Investors saw the first wave of institutional interest in crypto through bitcoin as well. First, the value prop of bitcoin, Haar says, is the concept of "sound money," a currency that isn't prone to a sudden depreciation or appreciation in value. "I think Bitcoin is an easier sell, but I think we're still very early in terms of them potentially getting on board.

☆ Supply chain snarls loosen for U.S. companies, but plenty of problems remain
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Timothy Aeppel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Some parts of his supply chain have clearly improved, said the vice president of global supply for Graco Inc (GGG.N), the Minneapolis-based maker of fluid handling equipment such as paint sprayers. But the complex nature of global supply chains means that companies like Graco are still struggling, since the shortage of just one part can hobble them. The COVID-19 pandemic set off a crisis in global supply chains, which is showing signs of healing. This suggests falling prices for some goods and services are still far from working their way fully through the economy. The regional bank’s Global Supply Pressure Index tracks data on shipping costs, delivery times, backlogs and other statistics into a single measure compared to historic norms.

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoOct 12 (Reuters) - Signs of stress are growing in the global financial system, sparking worries over everything from contagion between markets to ruptures in financial products. This week alone, a gloomy report from the International Monetary Fund flagged risks of “disorderly asset repricings” and “financial market contagions” while JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon predicted a looming recession. Global financial conditions, which reflect the availability of funding, touched their tightest since 2009 in late September, an index compiled by Goldman Sachs showed, lifted by surging interest rates, falling equities and a soaring dollar. “There are dollar funding shortages.”The IMF's Global Financial Stability Report, released Tuesday, also highlighted specific risks in open-end investment funds and the leveraged loan market. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday said she has not seen signs of financial instability in U.S. financial markets despite high volatility.

☆ ESG is really a risk management framework, says the Ford Foundation's Roy Swan
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | 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 EmailESG is really a risk management framework, says the Ford Foundation's Roy SwanRoy Swan, Ford Foundation head of mission investments, joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss his response to critical ESG comments, how his interpretation of ESG investing differs from charity and thoughts about the costs associated with ESG investing.

☆ JPMorgan's Erdoes: In this turbulent market, there are opportunities everywhere
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

watch nowIn this turbulent market, opportunities abound, according to JPMorgan's Mary Callahan Erdoes. Stocks have been trading in a bear market this year as investors navigate inflation, Federal Reserve interest rate hikes and talk of a potential recession. A black swan is an unexpected event that results in panicked selling, while a white swan is a predictable crisis that can be addressed. Specifically, Erdoes sees a tremendous amount of opportunity in China, although she admits the country's complex market might not be for everyone. On Wednesday, the Bank of England purchased U.K. bonds in an effort to calm the market chaos.

☆ ESG without returns is 'simply not sustainable,' says investor Lauren Taylor Wolfe
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Pippa Stevens | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

But for Impactive Capital co-founder and managing partner Lauren Taylor Wolfe, it all comes back to financial performance. "We believe that ESG without returns is simply not sustainable," she said Wednesday at CNBC's Delivering Alpha conference. Even if returns aren't the sole focus of an investment vehicle, sustainable investing can still generate alpha for investors. When it comes to applying an ESG lens to public market investing, Impactive Capital's Taylor Wolfe said investors need to be creative around how ESG is used to drive returns. She added that the recent market turmoil could spark a reset of sorts within the sustainable investing landscape.

☆ Stocks week ahead: Intel is the Dow's biggest loser
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Shares of Intel (INTC) are down more than 45% this year, making it the biggest dog of the Dow. Intel (INTC) is struggling despite well-publicized plans to build more plants in the United States and hire more at home. To be fair, Intel is not the only chip company that’s having a tough time this year. But longer-term, I think Intel will right the ship,” said Jeff Travis, portfolio manager of Oak Associates Funds. Travis does think that semiconductor stocks are still a good “secular growth industry” and that valuations are now attractive given how sharply the stocks have fallen.

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