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☆ Firms use Google ads to entice small businesses to pay for help the gov't provides free
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jesselyn Cook | Jesselyn Cook Is An Investigative Tech Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Several draw in unwitting customers like Talbot through Google ads that outrank the legitimate SAM.gov page, illustrating the ease of buying visibility on the world’s largest search engine. Google removed the ads for a number of these sites in response to an inquiry for this article but subsequently reversed its decision. “We have strict ads policies that govern the types of ads and advertisers we allow on our platforms,” Google spokesperson Davis Thompson said in a statement. But the Small Business Administration urges people not to spend their precious resources on these services when so many free alternatives exist. She expects new, prominently displayed Google ads to play a part in the problem.

☆ Alcoa Fourth-Quarter Revenue Declines 20% on Lower Aluminum Prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Denny Jacob | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Pittsburgh-based Alcoa said higher costs for raw materials, energy and production have persisted. Alcoa Corp. reported a 20% decline in revenue in the fourth quarter, citing challenging market conditions and lower prices for both alumina and aluminum. The Pittsburgh-based aluminum producer said sales decreased to $2.66 billion, from $3.34 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $2.65 billion.

☆ Whether price strength of copper and aluminum is sustainable is the 'big question': Research firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | 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 EmailWhether price strength of copper and aluminum is sustainable is the 'big question': Research firmTimna Tanners of Wolfe Research says we'll have to wait till the dust settles after the Lunar New Year to see if the momentum in base metals continues.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Norwegian Cruise Line, Allstate, Roblox and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A Norwegian Gateway cruise ship leaves from the Manhattan port during sunset in New York City, United States on April 10, 2022. Vornado Realty Trust — Shares of the real estate investment trust shed 3.3% after cutting its quarterly dividend to 37.5 cents per share from 53 cents. Roblox — Roblox shares shed 6% following a downgrade to an underweight rating by analysts at Morgan Stanley. Alcoa — Shares of the aluminum company fell 4.6% on Thursday after the company announced its fourth quarter results. Alcoa's adjusted fourth quarter loss was 70 cents per share, narrower than the 81 cent loss expected, according to StreetAccount.

☆ ‘Important for us to have a voice’: Hydro CEO says EU should impose sanctions on Russian aluminum
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | 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 Email‘Important for us to have a voice’: Hydro CEO says EU should impose sanctions on Russian aluminumHydro CEO Hilde Merete Aasheim discusses the economic impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, renews calls for the European Union to impose sanctions on Russian aluminum and the firm’s outlook for 2023.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves before the bell: Roblox, Discover, Chegg and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Roblox — Roblox shares fell 6.7% after Morgan Stanley downgraded the gaming company to underweight from equal weight and said the upside is limited following the stock's recent outperformance. Philip Morris — Shares of the tobacco company rose more than 1% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold and raised its price target. Apple — Shares slid 1.2% after JPMorgan cut its price target on Apple and said the technology company had a tough setup going into earnings from supply headwinds. Boot Barn — UBS raised its price target on the stock ahead of the company's quarterly earnings report. The stock slid 0.6% despite the target increase, however.

☆ Morgan Stanley says cheaper electric vehicles are coming — and names the global stocks set to benefit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As electric cars become increasingly popular, a new manufacturing technique that could make them more affordable is garnering interest, according to Morgan Stanley. Asian automakers are outsourcing this process which could benefit three leading parts suppliers, according to Morgan Stanley: The investment bank is overweight on Wencan, which it says has taken the lead in this sector. As a result, Morgan Stanley expects the Shanghai-listed buy-rated stock to rise by 18% to 78 Chinese Yuan ($11.5) over the next 12 months. Another Zhejiang-based car parts maker, Tuopu, is expected to "aggressively" expand into unibody manufacturing, the bank said. Morgan Stanley is similarly "equal-weight" on Xusheng , which recently won orders from BYD and has extensive know-how in aluminum casting.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Discover Financial, Alcoa and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Discover Financial Services — Shares of Discover Financial Services slid 6.2% after the credit card company posted quarterly earnings. The firm reported earnings per share of $3.77 on $3.73 billion in revenue where analysts expected earnings of $3.66 per share and $3.66 billion in revenue, according to Refinitiv. Fuller shares fell 4.2% after the company reported earnings that missed estimates. The adhesives manufacturer reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.04 on $958 million in revenue. Alcoa — Shares of Alcoa fell 3.6% after the company reported earnings that showed a net loss of $374 million for the quarter, or $2.12 per share.

☆ Commodities Warrant Cautious Optimism, Not Exuberance, in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Megha Mandavia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Copper prices will benefit from new demand from clean-energy applications over the next few years. Commodities bulls have left the pen, ready for a long run. Odds are that 2023 will end with industrial-metal prices, at least, higher than they are now. Three-month copper futures are trading at $9,100 a metric ton on the London Metal Exchange, already up 9% in 2023 according to FactSet. And iron-ore prices rallied by almost 50% from early November to the end of 2022, according to CEIC, a data company.

☆ Cramer’s week ahead: Wait before trading on company earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Stocks made a comeback on Friday after falling initially on quarterly earnings reports and recession warnings from major banks. Tuesday: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, United AirlinesGoldman SachsQ4 2022 earnings release at 7:30 a.m. Morgan StanleyQ4 2022 earnings release at 7:30 a.m. United AirlinesQ4 2022 earnings release at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday: J.B. Hunt Transport, AlcoaJ.B. Hunt TransportQ4 2022 earnings release before the bell; conference call at 9 a.m.

☆ Chef Alison Roman loves her induction stove. Twitter has so many questions.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Those questions and comments rolled in for the celebrity chef Alison Roman on Wednesday after she tweeted that she owns an induction stove "by choice." Induction units are five to 10% more energy efficient than conventional electric stoves, and three times more efficient than gas stoves. Copper or aluminum cookware won't work on an induction stove — magnetic metals like cast iron and some stainless steels are best. The majority of US homes already use conventional electric stoves, while about 38% use gas stoves, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The Inflation Reduction Act authorized an $840 rebate for low- and middle-income households that don't already have an electric stove.

☆ Alcoa Appoints New CFO Amid Executive Reshuffle
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | Colin Kellaher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Alcoa Corp. named a new finance chief amid a wider executive reshuffle as the aluminum producer faces soaring energy costs and volatile prices. Ms. Beerman succeeds current CFO William Oplinger, who will become chief operations officer next month after about six years in the top finance role. In addition, two executive vice presidents—Chief Operations Officer John Slaven and Chief Innovation Officer Benjamin Kahrs —are leaving as part of the restructuring, Alcoa said. It will “ensure continued improvement and focus on Alcoa’s strategies to operate as a low-cost, margin-focused, sustainable producer,” Chief Executive Roy Harvey said in a statement. Newsletter Sign-up WSJ | CFO Journal The Morning Ledger provides daily news and insights on corporate finance from the CFO Journal team.

☆ Donald Trump's longtime money man, Allen Weisselberg, quickly gets coveted cot in 'safest place' at Rikers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Former Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg breezed through intake at NYC's infamous Rikers jail. The West Facility houses only Rikers inmates serving sentences of under one year, Mualimmak-Ak said. A dorm in the West Facility of Rikers, where the ex-CFO of Donald Trump's real-estate company is serving 5 months for masterminding a decade-long payroll tax-fraud scheme. The West Facility is constructed of high-tech plastic fabric stretched over aluminum frames, according to the DOC website. An exterior shot of the West Facility, new home at Rikers jail for Allen Weisselberg, longtime CFO for former President Donald Trump.

☆ Alcoa Names New Finance, Operations Chiefs in Management Shuffle
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Colin Kellaher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Alcoa Corp. on Tuesday unveiled an executive shake-up that includes the appointment of new chief financial and operations officers for the aluminum giant. The Pittsburgh, Pa.-based company said William Oplinger, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer, will become chief operations officer on Feb. 1, while Molly Beerman, currently senior vice president and controller, will become executive vice president and finance chief. PREVIEW Mr. Oplinger has been Alcoa’s chief financial officer since the separation of Alcoa Inc. into two separate companies in November 2016. Alcoa said a pair of executive vice presidents—Chief Operations Officer John Slaven and Chief Innovation Officer Benjamin Kahrs —are leaving as part of the restructuring. Alcoa said Renato Bacchi, currently executive vice president and chief strategy officer, will become chief strategy and innovation officer, taking on oversight of the company’s research-and-development technologies.

☆ Mexican authorities uncover human skulls in package headed for U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Four human skulls wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil are seen during an inspection by the National Guard inside a package bound for the United States at a courier company located at the Queretaro Intercontinental airport, in Queretaro, Mexico in this photo distributed on December 30, 2022. Mexico's Guardia Nacional/Handout via REUTERSMEXICO CITY, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Four human skulls were discovered inside a package at a Mexican airport that was due to be sent by courier to the United States, local authorities said on Friday. The skulls were found wrapped in aluminum foil inside a cardboard box at Queretaro Intercontinental Airport in central Mexico, a statement from the National Guard said. The National Guard gave no further details on the age, identity or possible motive for the sending of the human remains. The transfer of human remains requires a special permit from a competent health authority which was not obtained, it said.

☆ Chinese jet came within 10 feet of U.S. military aircraft -U.S. military
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Idrees Ali | Thomson Reuters | National Security Correspondent Focusing On The Pentagon In Washington D.C. Reports On U.S. Military Activity | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The close encounter followed what the United States has called a recent trend of increasingly dangerous behavior by Chinese military aircraft. A U.S. military spokesperson said the Chinese jet came within 10 feet of the plane's wing, but 20 feet from its nose, which caused the U.S. aircraft to take evasive maneuvers. China claims vast swathes of the South China Sea that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in November, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin raised the need to improve crisis communications, and also noted what he called dangerous behavior by Chinese military planes. Australia's defence department said in June that a Chinese fighter aircraft dangerously intercepted an Australian military surveillance plane in the South China Sea region in May.

☆ Chinese jet came within 20 feet of U.S. military aircraft- U.S. military
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - A Chinese military plane came within 20 feet (6 metres) of a U.S. air force aircraft and forced it to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision in international airspace over the South China Sea last week, the U.S. military said on Thursday. The close encounter followed what the United States has called a recent trend of increasingly dangerous behavior by Chinese military aircraft. The incident, which involved a Chinese Navy J-11 fighter jet and a U.S. air force RC-135 aircraft, took place on Dec. 21, the U.S. military added in a statement. In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in November, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin raised the need to improve crisis communications, and also noted what he called dangerous behavior by Chinese military planes. Reporting by Idrees Ali and Doina Chiacu Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Gretchen Whitmer was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison Wednesday, more than what was meted out to a co-defendant. “I do think of Mr. Croft as the more seriously culpable … more so than even Mr. Fox," Jonker said. “I think he was the person who gave Mr. Fox something to grab on to." Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said Croft needs to go away for an extended period of time to protect the public. I say all of this to say that Mr. Croft needed some intervention."

☆ U.S. Senate Finance Committee asks GM, Tesla, Toyota about Chinese supply chain
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Finance Committee asked eight major automakers, including General Motors (GM.N), Tesla (TSLA.O), Ford Motor (F.N), and Honda Motor (7267.T), to answer questions about their Chinese supply chains, according to letters made public on Thursday. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden wrote the chief executives of major automakers inquiring about Chinese supply chain issues, saying "it is vital that automakers scrutinize their relationships with all suppliers linked to Xinjiang." Beijing denies abuses in Xinjiang, but says it had established "vocational training centers" to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism. "Between raw materials mining/processing and auto parts manufacturing, we found that practically every part of the car would require heightened scrutiny to ensure that it was free of Uyghur forced labor," the report said. GM said Thursday it actively monitors its global supply chain and "conducts extensive due diligence, particularly where we identify or are made aware of potential violations of the law, our agreements, or our policies."

☆ The whack-a-mole economy: U.S. manufacturers struggle with unpredictable supplies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Timothy Aeppel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Supply chain problems dogged producers like Calder through the pandemic. At the peak of the crisis a year ago, manufacturers faced shortages of everything from steel and aluminum to computer chips and plastic resins. A recent survey of 179 companies by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers found 98% said they faced continued supply chain problems. Another gauge, the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, edged higher in October and November - reversing some of the loosening of global supply bottlenecks seen through most of the past year. "But a lot of that has been delayed," he said, by supply chain delays.

☆ Tesla, Mercedes, and GM are being probed by US Senate on whether they use forced Uyghur labor
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Senate Finance Committee sent letters to car makers about their links to forced Uyghur labor. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act bans most imports from the Xinjiang region. The letters also come a year after President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which seeks to ban most imports from the Xinjiang region. A Honda spokesperson told Insider that it expects its suppliers to comply with its global sustainability guidelines and "will work with policymakers on these important issues." Volkswagen, Honda, General Motors, and Stellantis previously told Insider that they reject forced labor in their supply chains and take accusations of abuse seriously.

☆ How AI Is helping to reduce landfill waste
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Ibm With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But circular economy models can provide smart examples and accessible starting points for how we can work toward avoiding a trashy future, so to speak. For an example of a perfect circular economy, look to nature. Waste management companies, in particular, have an opportunity to minimize landfill waste using artificial intelligence and automation technologies. Evaluating the potential of AI for waste sortingHera personnel analyze waste manually. "The experience with IBM Garage has allowed us to activate a particularly innovative solution in the field of waste collection, selection, and recovery," Zappoli said.

☆ 19 Unique Valentine’s Gifts for Women Who Have Everything
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

Maybe she’s the type who tuts, “Oh, I don’t need anything” as Valentine’s Day or her birthday approaches. “There’s something a little decadent about wearing a matching cashmere set when you’re traveling by plane, for example,” Deyette notes. Note: The earrings can also be purchased as singles if you or your recipient like to mix and match. Constructed of 100% Australian sheepskin upper and footbed, they feel incredibly luxe and confer the benefit of breathable, moisture-wicking materials. It comes with a 72-ounce pitcher and an ice-crushing blade, as well as two single-serve blender cups for beverages on the go.

☆ EU agrees to the world’s largest carbon border tax
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —European Union governments have reached a deal on the world’s first major carbon border tax, as part of an overhaul of the bloc’s flagship carbon market that aims to make its economy carbon-neutral by 2050. EU ministers finalized details of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism early Sunday after reaching a provisional agreement earlier on in the week. The landmark measure adds a pollution price on certain imports to the European Union. She added that certifying carbon emissions in producing countries remains a “challenge.”Climate policy overhaulThe carbon border tax is part of a wider deal agreed to Sunday that reforms the EU carbon market to cut its emissions 62% by 2030, compared to 2005. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will be phased in at the same time, in that way protecting domestic firms from being undercut by foreign competitors.

☆ China Nov aluminium imports fall amid rising domestic supply
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The latest November output number showed a ninth consecutive increase to 3.41 million tonnes. For the first 11 months of the year, the world’s top aluminium maker produced 36.77 million tonnes, up 3.9% from the corresponding period in 2021. Total imports in the first 11 months were 2.13 million tonnes, down 28.2% from the corresponding period last year. Imports of bauxite, the main source of aluminium ore, came in at 11.79 million tonnes last month. That was up 31.3% from October’s 8.98 million tonnes and up 53.6% from 7.7 million in November last year.

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