DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ FTX flameout showed investors bought crypto for the wrong reasons. Why most are hoping that'll change in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In some ways, disgraced FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried helped bring more legitimacy to crypto, pushing it further into the mainstream. Decentralized finance has exploded in popularity, but there are other uses for digital assets that people are excited about. Now is a good time for investors to gain knowledge, and doing so would help them solidify their crypto investment thesis in 2023, he said. Specifically, Blumberg added, leaving funds on centralized exchanges is far more dangerous than keeping custody of funds yourself. "The smart investors are seeing this and remembering that what we have here is a fixed supply and, growing demand."

"I don't think it would qualify as a recession," Powell said of the growth rate penciled in by policymakers. Recessions in the United States have come in many flavors - deep or shallow, short or long. That's twice the annual growth the Fed says the United States will have experienced in 2022, and what it foresees through 2023. The rise in the unemployment rate then was more than the Fed currently anticipates for next year. The Fed sees unemployment rising from 3.7% now to 4.6% in 2023 and remaining almost unchanged for two years after that.

☆ This week's best performers include Moderna and two homebuilders
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As of Friday's open, these are some of the stocks poised to buck this week's negative trend. This week's top performer was vaccine maker Moderna , with shares up nearly 17% as of Friday's open. Homebuilding stocks Lennar and PulteGroup are also on pace to finish the week on a positive note. Shares of both stocks are down more than 19% this year, but were on pace to gain about 6% for the week as of Friday's open. About 47% of analysts say shares are a buy, offering 10.6% upside from Thursday's close.

☆ Senate passes legislation to ban TikTok from US government devices
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Senate passed legislation Wednesday evening to ban TikTok from US government devices, in a move designed to limit perceived information-security risks stemming from the social media app. The vote by unanimous consent approved the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, a bill authored by Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley. “Once again, Sen. Hawley has moved forward with legislation to ban TikTok on government devices, a proposal which does nothing to advance U.S. national security interests,” a spokesperson for TikTok said in a statement. (Another state, Nebraska, banned TikTok from state devices in 2020.) Already, the US military, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security have restricted the app from government-owned devices.

☆ The top 10 cities that offer homebuyers the most bang for their buck—none of them are in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Hartford, Connecticut is No. The housing market is in flux right now — thanks to high mortgage rates, and persistent inflation — and homebuyers continue to be priced out of bigger cities. Amid rising costs in 2023, housing markets in affordable, mid-sized manufacturing hubs will continue having an influx of homebuyers. As a result, Connecticut has the highest number of insurance professionals per capita in the U.S., according to Connecticut Insurance Department. When it comes to the housing market, Hartford, CT, is somewhat competitive, according to Redfin.com.

Just because rural areas are less populated doesn’t mean it’s cheaper to provide health services there. She recommends that rural counties explore lower-cost, evidence-based options like distributing naloxone, funding syringe service programs, or connecting people to housing or employment. “We couldn’t function if we didn’t partner for lots of different services.”In Colorado, pooling funds is built into the state’s model for managing opioid settlement money. “Nobody has paid any attention to our rural areas and this problem for years,” Laske said. They cross-referenced the results with a list of allowable uses for the $9 million in settlement funds they’ll receive over 18 years to create a priority grid.

☆ 'Saturday Night Live': Steve Martin and Martin Short team up for hilarious 'Father of the Bride' skit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Chloe Melas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Steve Martin and Martin Short brought the funny as co-hosts of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend. NBC/Getty Images Martin plays an IRS agent in a Coneheads skit in February 1977. NBC/Getty Images Martin and Dan Aykroyd, second from left, play the Festrunk brothers — "two wild and crazy guys" — in September 1977. NBC/Getty Images Martin performs with The Dirt Band, which was the show's musical guest when he hosted in January 1978. Alan Singer/NBC/Getty Images Martin puts a spin on traditional Christmas lists in his "A Holiday Wish" skit in 1986.

☆ Make the yuletide gay: Inside the making of this year's LGBTQ holiday movies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Max Gao | Max Gao Is A Freelance Entertainment | Sports Journalist Based In Toronto. He Has Written For Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Premiering Sunday on Hallmark, “The Holiday Sitter” follows Sam (Jonathan Bennett), a workaholic bachelor who reluctantly agrees to babysit his niece and nephew before his solo vacation. Jonathan Bennett, left, George Krissa and Mila Morgan in "The Holiday Sitter." Bennett, as an executive producer, originally came up with the idea of a “gay ‘Uncle Buck’ for Hallmark” on the set of another holiday movie three years ago. “We both love the Christmas holiday. After watching “The Holiday Sitter," people are “going to feel that the Hallmark holiday table is bigger than ever,” Bennett added, "and that no matter who you are, there is a seat for you."

☆ Kyrsten Sinema's Democratic defection without a difference
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Specter’s switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party briefly gave Democrats a filibuster-proof majority and allowed them to pass the Affordable Care Act. Joe Lieberman, the moderate Democrat and former longtime senator, lost a Democratic primary in Connecticut in 2006, largely over his support for the Iraq war. A defection without a differenceArizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema appears to be different as she becomes the 22nd senator to change party affiliation while in office. A Senate independence trioSinema will be the first independent senator who isn’t from New England in more than a generation. The most complete political evolution may be that of Lincoln Chafee, the Rhode Island politician who was a Republican senator, independent governor and failed Democratic and Libertarian presidential candidate.

☆ JP Morgan asset managers buck the doomsayers of Wall Street, predicting a better 2023 for stocks and bonds
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Anil Varma | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

JP Morgan Asset Management sees a better 2023 for stocks, even as big Wall Street banks warn of sharp falls. "The worst of the market volatility is behind us and both stocks and bonds look increasingly attractive," JP Morgan Asset said. More interest-rate rises look limited, bringing some cheer for markets in 2023, top asset manager Janus Henderson agreed. Here's a selection of commentary and predictions from the two asset managers on 2023 investment prospects. JP Morgan Asset Management"Our base case sees a moderate recession in most major developed economies in 2023.

☆ U.S. dollar likely to remain strong in 2023 amid recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, Dec 8 (Reuters) - A breathtaking surge in the U.S. dollar trampled foreign currencies, gouged corporate profits and gave investors one of the year’s few winning trades. Investors flocked to the dollar — a popular destination during uncertain times — to shelter from market volatility spurred by surging global inflation, spiking energy prices and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A stronger dollar makes U.S. exporters' products less competitive abroad while hurting U.S. multinationals that need to exchange their earnings into dollars. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won/File PhotoNike (NKE.N), IBM (IBM.N) and Meta Platforms (META.O) were among the broad range of companies that warned of a hit from a stronger dollar this year. Nearly 80% of strategists polled by Reuters said there was little scope for dollar upside based on monetary policy.

☆ Recession worries could support dollar after monstrous 2022 rally
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A stronger dollar makes U.S. exporters' products less competitive abroad while hurting U.S. multinationals that need to exchange their earnings into dollars. Nike (NKE.N), IBM (IBM.N) and Meta Platforms (META.O) were among the broad range of companies that warned of a hit from a stronger dollar this year. The dollar's rally shaved about 8% from S&P earnings in 2022, according to Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. Whether the dollar's decline continues may depend on the Fed's ability to contain inflation enough to eventually ease monetary policy. Nearly 80% of strategists polled by Reuters said there was little scope for dollar upside based on monetary policy.

☆ Blackstone gets a slap from efficient markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

NEW YORK, Dec 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Private markets seemed, for a while, the perfect antidote to the weirdness of public markets. Those models typically move much more slowly than the rapidly changing prices served up by public markets. These charms became much more potent during the stresses of Covid-19, when it became clear that public markets are not always a ruthlessly efficient price-discovery mechanism. RESILIENCE OR INTRANSIGENCECovid briefly scrambled the world, but bigger changes are coming that may scramble the calculus for private markets. During Covid, public markets seemed backward-looking, overreacting to the present moment while private markets were able to focus on the future.

We’re going to win Georgia,” Biden said in response to questions regarding his outlook on the Georgia Senate runoff contest as he exited Air Force One Tuesday night. Share this -Link copiedWarnock defeats Walker in Georgia Senate runoff, NBC News projects Sen. Raphael Warnock has won his second statewide runoff election in the last two years, defeating Republican Herschel Walker in the increasingly purple state of Georgia to capture a six-year term in the Senate, NBC News projected. Share this -Link copiedThe Senate runoff election is still too close to call, but Warnock leads The Senate runoff election between Warnock and Walker is still too close to call, but Warnock leads, NBC News' Decision Desk said just before 10 p.m. Share this -Link copiedPolls close soon in critical Georgia Senate runoff Polls are closing at 7 p.m. ET in the Senate runoff election in Georgia, where Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is hoping to fend off a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker.

During his short campaign, Trump has dominated headlines by dining with the rapper Ye, who has gone on antisemitic tirades in recent weeks, and the white nationalist Nick Fuentes. And on Tuesday night, Herschel Walker’s loss in a Georgia Senate runoff added an exclamation point to the argument that Trump hurt the GOP by picking a bad crop of candidates in swing states. They just think he’s the future, but Trump is the present.”Still, Trump hasn’t offered much in the way of a new vision for the country. Then in early 2023, I expect the Trump campaign to start rolling out an effort to lock down the early primary states,” the adviser said. “If Trump can put together early primary support, if he can raise a bunch of money, he’ll be hard to beat.

The turnout in the Senate runoff was nearly 75% to 80% of the entire turnout for the midterm election in November. Share this -Link copiedPolls close soon in critical Georgia Senate runoff Polls are closing at 7 p.m. ET in the Senate runoff election in Georgia, where Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is hoping to fend off a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock has a massive ad-spending and fundraising advantage over Republican Herschel Walker in the runoff election. In the 2022 general election, Warnock grew his advantage in Henry County, winning it by just over 31 points.

Share this -Link copiedGroups work to mobilize Latino voters in Georgia Senate runoff From giving away bingo-like Mexican lotería cards to Taco Tuesdays and World Cup watch parties, Latino voting mobilization efforts ramped up in Georgia leading into the Senate runoff election. Share this -Link copiedPolls close soon in critical Georgia Senate runoff Polls are closing at 7 p.m. ET in the Senate runoff election in Georgia, where Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is hoping to fend off a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock has a massive ad-spending and fundraising advantage over Republican Herschel Walker in the runoff election. In the 2022 general election, Warnock grew his advantage in Henry County, winning it by just over 31 points.

☆ Rep. Ted Lieu reflects on becoming the highest-ranking Asian American ever in House Democratic leadership
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., who recently became the first Asian American to be elected vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, took a moment to reflect with NBC News on how he got there. “It’s actually more of a recognition by my colleagues of the growing importance of the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities,” he said. In two decades the Asian American electorate surged 139%, according to Pew Research. The congressman added that beyond Asian Americans, his win also showcases the power of a broad collective. “If you look at what the House Democratic Caucus did, it was, I feel, remarkable.

☆ Analysis: Investors look to emerging markets as planets align for end of dollar bull market
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - As the U.S. dollar tumbles from multi-decade highs, some investors are betting emerging market currencies will be big winners from a sustained reversal in the greenback. Signs of a broader turn in dollar sentiment are visible in the buck’s 8% decline against a basket of developed market currencies from its September highs. "The planets are lining up for a dollar bear market," said Paresh Upadhyaya, director of fixed income and currency strategy at Amundi US. Emerging market currencies have outperformed their developed market counterparts this year, with MSCI's index of emerging market currencies down 5% year-to-date, while the dollar's G10 peers have lost nearly twice as much. Conversely, tightening by central banks around the world also risks sparking a global recession, a scenario some believe could hurt emerging market currencies and help the dollar.

☆ Sorry, but it looks like your holiday party is probably going to happen at the office this year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Jennifer Liu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

So, as we barrel toward end-of-year celebrations, where does that leave the good old fashioned corporate holiday party? Bosses are still making last-minute decisions, he adds: The week of Thanksgiving, he fielded a request to organize a 900-person holiday party with three week's notice. The office becomes party centralMassive party cancellations are proving to be the exception rather than the rule. "No one has canceled," says Maggie Kennedy Braff, founder and CEO of Kennedy Events, which operates in the Bay Area. Inflation hits the holiday party circuitEvents are scaling back on ostentatious food options, too.

☆ Philadelphia is launching a plant-based cream cheese
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN Business —Philadelphia Cream Cheese is launching a non-dairy version of its signature spread. The plant-based cream cheese is now available at grocery stories in Atlanta, Houston, Miami and other locations in the Southeast, with a wider rollout planned for summer 2023. Philadelphia's plant-based cream cheese is available in the Southeast. According to data from IRI, only about 41% of households who buy plant-based cream cheese make a second purchase within the year. “It’s just easier to forgo cream cheese and cheese … than it is to forgo meat,” he said.

☆ Crypto advertising is under fire after the FTX implosion, but firms like Binance, Grayscale, and OKX are pouring money into marketing to win back consumer trust
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | Reed Alexander | Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The bitcoin crash and FTX implosion massively dented the crypto advertising boom. But fewer crypto advertisers can also create an advantage for those still trying to get their messages to consumers. And Dinu added that crypto companies' efforts to advertise to restore trust could persist "well beyond" the next six months. Some crypto companies are still launching splashy campaigns, similar to crypto ad campaigns from the beginning of the year. "Crypto companies have to stop talking about themselves and start talking about how cryptocurrency or blockchain fits into normal people's lives."

WASHINGTON — If it’s Monday ... It’s the last day of campaigning before tomorrow’s Georgia Senate runoff. ... NBC’s Vaughn Hillyard covers the closing messages by Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker. And just looking at the campaigns, which get the biggest bang per advertising buck, it’s Warnock at $25.2 million, versus Walker at $10.1 million. But now it’s $11.8 million — behind Warnock’s $25 million and the $20.3 million from Georgia Honor, a Democratic Super PAC. Runoff watch: Walker accuser speaks to NBC NewsDays after she first revealed an allegation of domestic abuse against Georgia Republican Senate hopeful Herschel Walker, a former girlfriend of his sat down with NBC News to detail those allegations.

☆ Wall Street's biggest landlords thought they had a great hedge against inflation. But now these giant homebuyers are getting slammed by rising costs — just like the rest of us.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Two Wall Street analysts are seeing warning signs for big landlords like Invitation Homes. Raymond James downgraded its rating of Invitation Homes for the first time ever. Single-family rental companies face new challengesHigh interest rates mean that it costs substantially more for single-family rental companies to buy up thousands of homes. In key markets like Texas, Florida, and Georgia, property taxes may increase by 20 to 30% year-over-year, according to Raymond James. According to Carl and Rosivach, Invitation Homes' rent collection rolls are 2% lower than they were pre-pandemic, while on-time payments are 5% lower than they were pre-pandemic.

☆ Crypto firms like Binance, Grayscale, and OKX are pouring money into marketing to regain trust and save their companies from the fallout of the FTX implosion
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | Reed Alexander | Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Search resuls for: "BUCK"

25 mentions found