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☆ Wall St Week Ahead With Black Friday ahead, investors look to U.S. consumer stocks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( David Randall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Consumer discretionary stocks, a group whose members run the gamut from Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) and automaker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) to retailer Target Corp (TGT.N), have been walloped by surging prices, with the S&P 500’s consumer discretionary sector falling nearly 33% for the year to date compared with a nearly 17% fall for the broader index. Investors poured a net $1.05 billion into consumer discretionary stocks in the past week, the sixth-largest weekly inflows since 2008, data from BofA Global Research showed. “Everybody is watching the strength of the consumer and so far the consumer has held.”Yruma is bullish on retailers Nordstrom Inc (JWN.N) and Target. To be sure, consumer stocks have had more than their fair share of woes this year. The bank's analysts are underweight the consumer discretionary sector.

☆ Interest rates on retail credit cards are 'crazy high,' with some topping 30%. 4 things to consider before opening one
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Getty ImagesThat offer for a store credit card may sound tempting as you're shopping this holiday season. As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, credit card annual percentage rates — a measure for the yearly cost of borrowing money — are climbing higher. That is especially true for retail credit cards, which tend to charge the most. Credit card interest rates more broadly recently soared to 19.04%. Borrowers with existing retail credit cards may also see the rates they are charged go up soon, Schulz said.

Hedge fund Farallon Capital, for instance, bought nearly 7.8 million shares of Twitter during the quarter that ended Sept. 30, while Franklin Resources, the parent company of mutual fund firm Franklin Templeton, added nearly 2.6 million shares to an existing position of less than 100,000 shares. Shares of Twitter fell to as low as $33 during the third quarter before ending September near $44. The value of Twitter shares jumped 23.2% in October when Musk completed the deal on Oct. 27 by paying $54.20 per share. While some funds reaped short-term rewards, other investors left some potential gains on the table by selling before the October rally in Twitter shares. Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) sold 3.7 million shares of the company, while ClearBridge Investments LLC sold 1.9 million shares.

☆ 7 best dog harnesses to shop in 2022, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Mili Godio | Mili Godio Is An Associate Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Dog harnesses versus collars: Which one is best? Best dog harnesses to shopBelow, we compiled expert-recommended back- and front-clip dog harnesses that can work with your dog’s training, demeanor and size. Best dog harness overall: Wild One“This harness looks good, is well constructed and comes with really nice matching leashes,” Haussmann said. Best adjustable dog harness: WildebeestWildebeest’s no-pull dog harness — which Haussmann said is both functional and durable — offers four highly adjustable straps along with a single buckle to easily get it on or off, according to the brand. , a certified dog trainer and co-founder of dog training service Dogboy NYC.

☆ My partner and I earned over 14,000 points from our first credit card — here's how we're using rewards to save big at Amazon this holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Tessa Campbell | Personal Finance Reviews Fellow | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

The author, Tessa Campbell, is using rewards from her Amazon credit card to save money on holiday shopping. Tessa Campbell/Tessa Campbell's phoneOpening the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card helped my partner and me earn over 14,000 points in the first four months of opening the card. My partner was already a Prime member, and since we both frequently shop at Amazon.com, it was a no-brainer to get the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. Here's how we earn points fast, and how we plan to use the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card to save money this holiday season. How I plan to use my Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card to save on holiday shopping in 2022The more my partner and I spend on the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, the more bonus points we'll earn.

☆ Corporate entertaining has come roaring back
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Alexandra Peers Cnn Business | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Boosted by a Covid-era tax break-window that closes at the end of the year — and under pressure to cement ties and reassure clients — companies are now spending big on wining and dining current and potential customers. The company, which has operations globally, needed something that would make clients “want to get on a plane from Singapore, from Japan” to attend. “It’s just like when kids go back to school and don’t want to, but then they get excited,” he said. And in the restaurant, guests typically opt for the $298 chef’s tasting menu — $468 with wine pairings. The deduction, which was meant to help support restaurants during the pandemic, only applies to restaurant meals, and only if a member of the client company is present.

☆ 11 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

For the bakerThe Dash Dog Treat Maker—a small waffle iron with bone-shaped plates—lets your pal whip up homemade dog treats. It makes up to eight bone-shaped dog treats at a time, and it includes sweet and savory recipes. Dockx eased her golden retriever’s separation anxiety while she was at work with a Snuggle Puppy, a plush toy with a battery-powered heartbeat. To brush up on dog speak, DeWillems recommends “Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend,” which decodes canine body language through illustrations that highlight subtle nuances in their mannerisms. For the devoted dog dadDog Dad Hats Custom Dog Dad Hats $69 at Dog Dad HatsAny proud parent will dig a Dog Dad Hat, with a custom embroidered illustration of their pet’s portrait.

☆ Dollar stores getting penny-wise
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Dollar stores are fighting to retain pricing power, but a new lawsuit suggests it might get tougher. Ohio Attorney General David Yost sued Dollar General (DG.N) on Tuesday for deceptive practices after some customers complained about coughing up $2 on occasion rather than a buck. For now, raising prices at $57 billion Dollar General seems to be working. Such stores certainly have in the past as consumers seek cheaper options. Unlike in previous economic slumps, where dollar stores could shrink the size of, say, a bag of chips and stick with the $1 price tag, charging more now could mean that products already have been fully condensed.

☆ America is facing a dramatic diesel shortage that could get even worse
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But trucks continued to deliver goods around the country, so diesel demand stayed elevated. With European nations weaning off Russian energy, competition has increased in the diesel market due to the influx of buyers. Markets are panicking, so diesel prices will climb higher and higher, which will spark behavioral changes in consumers and producers. "Higher prices make the profitability of refining diesel go much higher," he said. The mechanism to do that is simply through diesel prices rising."

☆ Cannabis giant Canopy Growth crafted a complex plan to get into the US and reverse a stock slump. But some analysts say it could backfire.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It's another consequence of the quasi-legality of the cannabis industry in the US. The Canadian cannabis giant Canopy Growth has long searched for a way to give its stock a much-needed boost. "We continue to have open conversations with the exchanges," Klein said. He added that Canopy's deal could provide a model for other Canadian cannabis companies that want to do business in the US. Jefferies said Nasdaq's objection to Canopy's plan was a key risk and that the rest of the cannabis industry should pay close attention.

☆ Investors who stuck it out for Musk's Twitter deal set to reap rewards
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] The Twitter logo is seen on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, November 7, 2013. If the deal had collapsed, the price floor for Twitter stock would have been "unknown", White said, adding that investors waged their risk on Delaware Chancery court, where corporate disputes are resolved. Investors sold 107,626 million Twitter shares in the second quarter, regulatory filings and Symmetric.io data show, with activist investors and tech oriented funds leading the sales. As the stock price dropped early in the third quarter, some investors saw a chance to buy in for cheap. that Twitter investors were not trapped.

☆ Etsy's COO has 3 tips for making money this holiday season—from 'meaningful' gifts to the color hot pink
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you're planning to look for more deals and generally be a bit more thrifty this upcoming holiday shopping season, you're far from alone — and retailers are well aware. That's why small-business owners and side hustlers on platforms like Etsy begin preparing for the holiday season before Halloween, says Raina Moskowitz, Etsy's chief operating officer. "The holiday season is really the busiest season and most important time of the year, certainly across retail, but especially for small businesses," Moskowitz tells CNBC Make It. Small businesses especially are getting ready for an uncertain holiday season, as shoppers worry about a potential recession and inflation jacking up prices. Consider your prices carefullyEighty-four percent of holiday shoppers say they'll try to save money compared to previous holidays, according to a recent Bankrate survey.

A fixed-rate mortgage locks in your interest rate for the entire life of your loan. To determine how much interest you'll pay and whether your rate will change later, you'll choose between two types of mortgages: a fixed-rate mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage. Fixed-rate mortgagesWith a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate remains the same for the entire life of the loan. Adjustable-rate mortgagesWith an adjustable-rate mortgage, commonly referred to as an ARM, rates and monthly payments remain the same for a set period of time, then change periodically. Calculate your monthly mortgage paymentUse our free mortgage calculator to see how different rates could affect your payments over the years.

☆ Washington state woman buried alive by estranged husband manages to escape shallow grave, police say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Antonio Planas | Antonio Planas Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

A Washington state woman who was allegedly buried alive in the woods this week by her estranged husband managed to escape to safety from the shallow grave, authorities said. They also have video of him pulling into the garage with the van and then speeding out of the neighborhood, the probable cause report said. The woman told police she was driven in the van somewhere and then put on the ground outside. … A heavy tree was put on top of her,” the probable cause document said. She said he had told her he would “rather kill her than give her his retirement money,” the probable cause report said.

☆ You might pay less in taxes for 2023 because of inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sky-high inflation might mean smaller tax bills in the 2023 filing season, according to the IRS. The agency released its inflation-adjusted tax brackets for tax year 2023 on Tuesday. The adjustments might offer some relief — in 2 years — to workers whose wages haven't kept pace with inflation. The earned income tax credit, which is targeted at lower-earning families, also sees a big boost with families eligible for a $7,430 credit. The latest brackets will show up for 2023 taxes, meaning the returns that you file in 2024.

☆ What Elon Musk has said publicly — and in private texts — about X, his idea for an 'everything app'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Elon Musk has discussed his plans for X, an "everything app," in Twitter and in private texts. AP Photo/Jacquelyn MartinPrivate texts about a blockchain-based platformMusk has also discussed creating a social media platform built on a blockchain. In April, the billionaire privately outlined his idea for a "Doge" social media platform in texts to his younger brother, Kimbal Musk. "I have an idea for a blockchain social media system that does both payments and short text messages/links like Twitter," Musk texted. A battle against botsOne thing is clear throughout Musk's dealings with Twitter — the billionaire's social media platform will be tasked with eliminating scam accounts.

☆ One of the investors that agreed to back Elon Musk's Twitter bid says they want out of the deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Darius Rafieyan | Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

MVP partner says the VC firm committed to back Musk's Twitter acquisition earlier this year. Musk attorney says "vast majority of equity investors have been spoken to and are all in." With Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition looking like it's barreling towards a close, he will soon have to come up with $44 billion dollars — a lot of money even for the world's richest person. Alex Spiro, Musk's attorney, said "the vast majority of equity investors have been spoken to and are all in." Are you an investor in the Twitter deal, or an employee with insights to share?

☆ Meta’s newest VR headset is impressive. Here’s why you probably won’t buy it
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Rachel Metz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN Business —Meta’s newest virtual-reality headset, the Meta Quest Pro, is a slick, powerful device. Buyers can pre-order the Quest Pro as of Tuesday, and it will ship out on October 25. Meta's latest VR headset, the Quest Pro, is aimed at business users and costs $1500. Updated hand controllersThe headset is also more of a mixed-reality headset than a VR headset, as it isn’t meant to block out all ambient light all the time. The Quest Pro headset has sensors that can track your eyes and facial expressions.

Flu cases are already rising in parts of the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The convergence of viruses is hitting health care systems as they're forced to reckon with staffing shortages that worsened during the pandemic. Staffing deficits mean there is little wiggle room to accommodate any additional surges of patients, whether they're sick with Covid, flu or other illness. But as the cold weather sets in and people increasingly gather indoors, Covid cases are expected to rise. The vast majority of Covid cases circulating now are an omicron subvariant, BA.5.

☆ More states are requiring employers to disclose how much they pay in job listings — here's why some companies still don't want to
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Starting Nov. 1, New York City companies will have to include a 'good faith salary range' in job listings. An expert told Insider companies may not disclose salary to use it as a 'negotiation point' during the interview process. "If they don't disclose (salary) up front, they have more wiggle room on the back end," Lim said. If they're just sharing (pay) without much context, it can be divisive," Lim told Insider. Starting November 1, employers will have to include a "good faith salary range" for jobs, promotions, and transfer opportunities.

☆ For Some Figma Fans, Adobe Deal Triggers Fears Over Innovation, Pricing
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Isabelle Bousquette | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

In many instances, users switched over to it from Adobe products for those reasons. The fear is “not necessarily that it’s going to get worse, it’s that it’s just not going to get better anymore,” Mr. McCarthy said. Since last week, the social media site has become a popular forum for Figma users to voice their worries. If Figma price points approached some of the existing price points for Adobe products, “our costs would go through the roof,” said Mr. McCarthy. Both Adobe and Figma said that the strong community element is part of what made Figma so valuable and attractive to Adobe and they hope it can remain.

☆ As Russia raises nuclear specter in Ukraine, China looks the other way
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

It was “the most prudent, or most low-key statement in years” issued by Xi on their strategic relationship, Shi said. Under Xi, China has forged ever closer ties with Russia. Six days later, in a desperate escalation of the devastating war, Putin announced a “partial mobilization” of Russian citizens in a televised speech, and even raised the specter of using nuclear weapons. Both leaders share a deep suspicion and hostility toward the United States, which they believe is bent on holding China and Russia down. The main factor driving the strategic alignment between Russia and China is the perception of threats from the United States, said Hart with CSIS.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav faces 3 key challenges as financial headwinds disrupt his strategy and threaten his promises to Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman crystallized the daunting task ahead for Zaslav and WBD in his August 5 report "Reality First. The honeymoon was short-lived," said one senior Hollywood insider. It turns out there are five, housing some 40,000 employees globally: Warner Bros., HBO Max, the Turner entertainment channel business, CNN, and Discovery. The WBD insider said there isn't a rush to hire a new chief and that the company will continue to meet people. Under the ownership of AT&T, WarnerMedia's financials were buried in its parent's spreadsheets — now as a pure-play entertainment company, Warner Bros.

☆ A judge might force Elon Musk to buy Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Alex Kantrowitz | Big Technology | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The trial between Twitter and Elon Musk will begin on October 17 at the Delaware Chancery Court. The Delaware judge hearing Twitter's case vs. Elon Musk listened incredulously as Musk's lawyers asked her to postpone the trial. The DecoPac deal, like many acquisitions, had a clause called "specific performance," which allows the courts to force the deal to close. It didn't take long for McCormick's life at the Chancery Court to get interestingElon Musk agreed to buy Twitter in April 2022. And Twitter then sued Musk for specific performance in Delaware Chancery Court later that month.

☆ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dangles numerous tax cuts on everything from pet food to baby supplies ahead of November reelection bid
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ron DeSantis has proposed an additional $1.1 billion in tax cuts presented weeks ahead of his November reelection bid. He promised to announce more tax cuts in the weeks ahead. Still, some of the tax cuts DeSantis is proposing come on items that families find essential and that they'd likely buy with or without a tax break. Florida is one of nine states that doesn't have a state income tax, and tax cuts are typically a major part of GOP platforms. DeSantis first previewed the proposed tax cuts during a press conference at the end of August.

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