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☆ I landed an easy job at Amazon after years of hard work. I felt deeply guilty until I realized it could be a strategic move.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Kristi Coulter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementI'd landed an easy job at Amazon, which I hadn't known existedI hadn't planned to coast when I'd changed teams. Within a month, I realized I'd landed in something I hadn't known existed at Amazon: an easy job. I also realized I liked having an easy job. In my "easy" role, I developed those core strengths even further and pursued new skills as complements. I no longer assumed that hard work had to mean struggle or fear of inadequacy.

Persons: Kristi Coulter, —, I'd, who'd, strode, sunnier, Amazon, She'd, downshifting Organizations: Amazon, Service, VP Locations: Seattle

☆ The stock market is in no man's land. Here's what investors should expect next
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

Anything above 4% indicates the market is overbought, anything below a minus 5% means the market is oversold.) I am just prematurely predicting other investors fleeing the stock because they think Warren knows more than them. Many investors thought that Amazon was the best set up of the Mag Seven going into earnings. We are right smack in a most perilous moment because the Fed doesn't want to move too fast but the stock market does and the Fed does not care about that. I don't think a presidential election is all that conducive to the market.

Persons: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Apple, Warren, That's, Buffett, Tim Cook, Cook, Carl Icahn, I'd, Donald Trump, don't, Jerome Powell, Meta, It's, Pat Gelsinger, Andy Grove, Gelsinger, Craig Barrett, that's, Pat, Let's, Mark Zuckerberg, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Nasdaq, Dow, of America, Apple, Microsoft, Bank of America, Amazon Web Services, Investors, Comcast, Walgreens, CVS, Federal, whimpers, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta, Intel, Lenovo, Dell, HP, CNBC, Jim Cramer's Charitable, Traders, New York Stock Exchange Locations: Friday's, China, —, Wells, U.S, humorless, Taiwan, Brookfield, Arizona, NBCUniversal

☆ Opinion: Five keys to unlocking a creative, restful life
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Opinion Tess Taylor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

If, like me, you’re wondering about how to rest more, and rest better, you’re in luck. What makes for a creative life? What’s left is creative work, whether we call it “creative” or not. For instance, being a preschool teacher or a social worker or a sales rep is creative work: It requires judgment, empathy, decision making and problem solving. People who flourish in stressful, demanding jobs are ones who have good boundaries between work life and their personal lives.

Persons: Tess Taylor, CNN — It’s, you’re, Tess Taylor Adrianne, —, unsustainably, Alex Soojung, Kim Pang, ”, Alex, Zoom, I’ve, Kim Pang Andreas Gebert, haven’t, It’s, I’m, What’s, I’d Organizations: “, CNN, Research Locations: Silicon Valley, Cambridge

☆ Ford recalling 550,000 trucks that can suddenly downshift
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Ford is recalling more than 550,000 F-150 pickups in the United States because of an issue that can cause the transmission to suddenly and unexpectedly, at any speed, shift down to first gear. Before that happens, a malfunction indicator light in the truck’s gauge cluster may turn on Ford spokesperson Maria Buczkowski said in an email to CNN. To fix the problem, Ford dealers will update the trucks’ control module software at no cost to the owner. Ford will start mailing letters to owners of the trucks involved in a few days. A new software update to fix the 2014 trucks will be ready sometime in the next three months, Buczkowski said.

Persons: CNN — Ford, Maria Buczkowski, Ford, Buczkowski Organizations: CNN, Ford Locations: United States

☆ Moody's cuts China credit outlook, citing lower growth, property risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] A Chinese national flag flutters at the headquarters of a commercial bank on a financial street near the headquarters of the People's Bank of China, China's central bank, in central Beijing November 24, 2014. "The outlook change also reflects the increased risks related to structurally and persistently lower medium-term economic growth and the ongoing downsizing of the property sector," Moody's said. "Moody's concerns about China's economic growth prospects, fiscal sustainability and other aspects are unnecessary," the ministry said. STRUGGLING FOR TRACTIONMost analysts believe China's growth is on track to hit the government's target of around 5% this year, but that compares with a COVID-weakened 2022 and activity is highly uneven. Analysts widely agree that China's growth is downshifting from breakneck expansion in the past few decades.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Moody's, Ken Cheung, Pan Gongsheng, COVID, Goldman Sachs, Gnaneshwar Rajan, Kevin Yao, Tom Hogue, Kim Coghill Organizations: People's Bank of China, REUTERS, Mizuho Bank, Economic Work Conference, Fitch, China's Finance Ministry, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Hong Kong, China, outflows, Bengaluru

Both are yet another indication that inflation has moderated from its pace of last year when consumer inflation was running at a 9.1% annual rate. “After fears of "sticky" and "persistent" inflation, the month to month slowing in the core pce readings is encouraging. Core pce has risen by 0.3% or less for 8 consecutive months. Political Cartoons on Inflation View All 19 Images"This report hit the trifecta,” said Navy Federal Credit Union corporate economist Robert Frick. “During October, mortgage rates were at their highest, and contract signings for existing homes were at their lowest in more than 20 years,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

Persons: ” Kathy Jones, ”, Robert Frick, “, Zumper, Lawrence Yun, Curt Long Organizations: Federal Reserve, pce, Schwab Center, Financial Research, Federal Credit Union, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Fed, Labor, National Association of Federal Credit Unions, Dow Jones Industrial Locations: “

☆ Deal-hunters fuel $12 billion Cyber Monday shopping spree
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - After a busy holiday shopping weekend, discount seekers are expected to spend between a record $12 billion and $12.4 billion on beauty products, electronics, toys and apparel on Cyber Monday, according to Adobe Analytics. Heavy online traffic and transactions could add up to a boost in sales by U.S. shoppers of 5.4% or more, according to Adobe. Shoppers spent $10.3 billion in the weekend leading up to Cyber Monday, up 7.7% from last year as retailers offered more discounts compared to last year. More merchandise was being discounted in the weekend leading up to Cyber Monday, according to a report from LSEG. Walmart (WMT.N) , eager to capture market share, slashed prices on Sunday night, joining the trend of retailers' early discounts on major shopping days.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Vivek Pandya, Pandya, TJ Maxx, Jharonne Martis, LSEG, Rob Garf, Garf, Vanessa O'Connell, Deborah Sophia, Arriana, David Gregorio, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Adobe Analytics, U.S, Adobe, Shoppers, Adobe Digital, Walmart, Reuters, Costco, Commerce, Insider Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, U.S, Salesforce, Ross

☆ Price-sensitive US shoppers nab early 'Cyber Monday' deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Workers select and pack items during Cyber Monday at the Amazon fulfilment center in Robbinsville Township in New Jersey, U.S., November 28, 2022. Heavy online traffic and transactions could add up to a record $12 billion outlay by U.S. shoppers on Cyber Monday, according to Adobe Analytics. "You have consumers out there who are very price-sensitive and conscientious, and who want to make sure they get the very best possible deal." Walmart (WMT.N) , eager to capture market share, slashed prices on Sunday night, joining the trend of retailers' early discounts on major shopping days. Last-minute shoppers on Monday could spend $4 billion between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Vivek Pandya, Pandya, Rob Garf, Garf, Vanessa O'Connell, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Adobe Analytics, Adobe Digital, Walmart, Adobe, Commerce, Thomson Locations: Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, U.S, Salesforce

☆ U.S. and China to Meet as Shifting Economic Fortunes Alter Relationship
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Andrew Duehren | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concluded a visit to China this year by saying that both sides were making progress on managing economic and national-security tensions. She added that a decoupling of the world’s two largest economies is ‘impossible.’ Photo: Mark R. Cristino/Zuma PressAs Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meets Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this week, the two sides find themselves in an economic role reversal. The U.S. economy, buoyed by consumer spending and generous government subsidies for certain industries, bounded forward this year, notching 4.9% growth in the third quarter and defying forecasts of a recession. China, meanwhile, is mired in a property slump that has weighed down its entire economy, raising questions among economists about whether Beijing’s growth engine is permanently downshifting.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Cristino Organizations: Zuma Locations: China, U.S

☆ Toyota is trying to make electric vehicles with fake manual transmissions to appeal to consumer nostalgia
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Future Toyota electric vehicles could include simulated manual transmissions. The new models will even simulate the experience of the car stuttering if drivers mess up. Toyota's future electric vehicles may come with an extra hit of nostalgia for seasoned drivers: a fake manual transmission. Those who never learned to drive a manual car will even be able to experience that initial terror of making mistakes. The fake manual transmission won't actually have any functional purpose.

Organizations: Toyota, Drivers, CNN

☆ UPS and FedEx are shrinking as packages evaporate. Automation could make the changes permanent.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Revenue in the first quarter was down 6% and package volume was down by 5.4%. Both UPS and FedEx are downshifting and planning futures with smaller, more efficient networks. But beyond initial cuts, UPS and FedEx are leaning into technology upgrades to shrink strategically and emerge from the doldrums more efficient. The company has already begun the combination of Ground and Express, which will involve closing Express facilities and moving those operations into nearby Ground buildings. These networks have long acted as a moat around UPS and FedEx — making entering the delivery space so expensive it was rarely attempted.

We're buying 25 shares of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at roughly $153.55 each. We chose Johnson & Johnson . JNJ YTD mountain Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) YTD performance Johnson & Johnson has had its struggles this year due to an overhang related to talc litigation . Later this year, J & J will separate its consumer health business, which will be called Kenvue, from its pharma and medtech business, which will keep the Johnson & Johnson name. For example, J & J should be able to allocate more resources to research and development (R & D), while Kenvue can look for more bolt-on acquisitions to boost growth.

☆ Asia shares brace for rate hikes, earnings rush
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Asia has been no slouch either as China's swift reopening bolsters the economic outlook, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) up 11% in January at a nine-month high. "We also look for him to continue to push back against market pricing of rate cuts later this year." "Based on our recent Asia supply chain checks we believe iPhone 14 Pro demand is holding up firmer than expected," they added. Market pricing of early Fed easing has been a burden for the dollar, which has lost 1.5% so far this month against a basket of major currencies. read moreEarly Monday, Brent was up 79 cents at $87.45 a barrel, while U.S. crude rose 66 cents to $80.34.

☆ The stock-market rally that's jumpstarted 2023 is about to fade as the Fed reasserts its resolve in fighting inflation, Morgan Stanley's top stock strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Stocks are off to a "surprisingly good start" in 2023, but the upside momentum looks set to fizzle, Morgan Stanley said Monday. This week's FOMC meeting may remind investors of the cardinal rule: "Don't Fight the Fed," said strategist Mike Wilson. The investment bank is now leaning more toward its bear case of per-share earnings of $180 for the S&P 500. He said recent price action in stocks has prompted investors to participate more actively as they fear missing out. "We think it's important to note that typically when forward earnings growth goes negative, the Fed is actually cutting rates.

☆ Pay in tech is dropping fast as firms like Microsoft, Snap and more use layoffs and a looming recession to wrest power from workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Pay is getting lower, stock grants smaller and offers, if they come at all, are take it or leave it. In November, Snap employees heard some frank talk from CEO Evan Spiegel on his plans for compensation after enacting a mass layoff a couple of months before. "In general, we've noticed a decrease in pay across the entire tech industry," said Zuhayeer Musa, founder of Levels.fyi, a platform that collects data on tech compensation. Aalap Shah, a managing director at Pearl Meyer who advises tech companies, said he's been expecting such a retreat on pay. An estimated 200,000 tech employees have been laid off since last year, according to Layoffs.fyi, which compiles data on hiring in tech and is not part of Levels.fyi.

☆ Aussie falters on soft jobs data, kiwi calm after Ardern resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Aussie eased 0.4% to 0.6910% , the softest level in one week, after hitting a five-month high of $0.7064 just one session before. It has support at $0.6360 and did not react much to news that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will step down next month. The Fed is widely expected to slow its rate hike in February to 25 basis points as inflation eases, after downshifting the size of increases just in December. Local data on Thursday, which showed Australia's employment unexpectedly fell in December, also added to the risk-off mood and weighed on the Aussie. The yield on 10-year bonds fell 4 basis points to 3.404%, the lowest since mid-December, while the yield on three-year notes fell 9 basis points to 3.005%.

☆ Stocks gain, yields fall after U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Chuck Mikolajczak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Still, a separate reading on the labor market showed weekly initial jobless claims came in at 205,000, below expectations of 215,000. Many market participants are looking for signs of weakness in the labor market as a key sign of slowing inflation. On Wall Street, equities were choppy after the data, with the S&P 500 falling as much as 0.8% before rebounding. "The fact that we have seen core inflation decelerate to 5.7% year-over-year, from 6% in November, reinforces the peak inflation argument." Crude prices rose in the wake of the data, getting an additional boost from optimism over China's emergence from its COVID-19 restrictions creating additional demand.

☆ VIEW U.S. consumer prices fall in December
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S consumer prices unexpectedly fell for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years in December amid declining prices for gasoline and other goods, suggesting that inflation was now on a sustained downward trend. The consumer price index dipped 0.1% last month after gaining 0.1% in November, the Labor Department said on Thursday. MARKET REACTION:STOCKS: U.S. stock index futures fall after the inflation data BONDS: U.S. Treasury yields slid across the board. But I will note that it is an especially volatile period, which is not atypical for inflection points in market expectations and the broader macro outlook." BRIAN KLIMKE, INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, CETERA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, LOS ANGELES"It (the report) came in as expected, but investors were somewhat optimistic leading into this reading, so that they were buying the rumor and selling the new.

☆ Instant View: U.S. consumer prices fall in December
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S consumer prices unexpectedly fell for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years in December amid declining prices for gasoline and other goods, suggesting that inflation was now on a sustained downward trend. The consumer price index dipped 0.1% last month after gaining 0.1% in November, the Labor Department said on Thursday. MARKET REACTION:STOCKS: U.S. stock index futures fall after the inflation dataBONDS: U.S. Treasury yields slid across the board.FOREX: The dollar fell against the euro and yen. But I will note that it is an especially volatile period, which is not atypical for inflection points in market expectations and the broader macro outlook." BRIAN KLIMKE, INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, CETERA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, LOS ANGELES"It (the report) came in as expected, but investors were somewhat optimistic leading into this reading, so that they were buying the rumor and selling the new.

☆ Morning Bid: COVID vs RRR
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Stella Qiu:Another central bank pivots. This has aided the risk-on mood in the market, with Asian shares mostly advancing and U.S. dollar broadly weaker. The minutes of the Fed's November policy meeting showed a "substantial majority" of policymakers reckon it will "likely soon be appropriate" to slow the pace of rate hikes. China's COVID infections hit a record high, with Beijing, which has the strictest rules, failing to contain the spreading virus. "In our view, ending zero COVID as soon as possible is the key to raising credit demand and bolstering growth."

☆ Real impact of Fed hikes likely bigger than what target rate implies, Daly says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly said on Monday the real-world impact of the U.S. central bank's interest rate hikes is likely greater than what its short-term rate target implies. Compared to the current target rate, she added, "financial markets are acting like it is around 6%." Daly weighed in as Fed officials have continued to beat the drum for further rate rises aimed at lowering the highest levels of inflation in 40 years. The central bank has lifted its short-term target from a near-zero level in March. In economic projections released in September, Fed policymakers penciled in a mid-4% target rate for next year.

☆ The Fed and other central banks could deliver a 'Santa Pause' rally for global stocks this year as they dial back the size of rate hikes, Schwab says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A "Santa Pause" rally for stocks may be taking shape as central banks signal a step-down in rate hikes, Charles Schwab said. The Fed and the BoE are among those indicating they're considering less aggressive rate hikes in the future. The Federal Reserve is among the central banks over the past week that has indicated a slower pace of rate increases. BoE's comment came as it kicked up its benchmark rate by 75 basis points, the largest increase in 33 years. The Bank of Canada last month unexpectedly raised its overnight rate by 50 basis points instead of an anticipated 75 basis points.

SYDNEY, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Australia's central bank on Tuesday stuck with a slower pace of interest rate rises for a second month while revising up its inflation outlook, saying more rate hikes would be needed as it struggles to keep the economy afloat while battling inflation. Reuters Graphics"The Reserve Bank has indicated a preference for 'normal' 25 basis point rate hikes," said Craig James, chief economist at CommSec. CLOUDY OUTLOOKThe RBA was the first central bank among developed nations to break with outsized interest rate hikes, warning that households were already under pressure with rate rises so far. The Bank of Canada slowed its pace of rate hikes, saying it was getting closer to the end of its historic tightening campaign. The European Central Bank, while hiking rates as expected, sounded a cautious note on the outlook.

☆ Australia's central bank raises rates by 25 bp as expected
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Australia's central bank on Tuesday raised the interest rate by 25 basis points for a second straight month while revising up its inflation outlook, saying that more tightening will be needed ahead. It had surprised many in the markets last month by downshifting to a quarter-point rate hike, following four consecutive moves of 50 basis points, citing an already substantial rise in rates. "The Board expects to increase interest rates further over the period ahead. "The Board recognises that monetary policy operates with a lag and that the full effect of the increase in interest rates is yet to be felt in mortgage payments." The local dollar edged 30 ticks lower after the rate decision, while markets have reduced the expected peak for cash rates to around 3.9%.

☆ Morning Bid: Full of energy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Global stocks just won't lie down, doggedly clinging to hopes that central banks will ease off the policy brakes or that China might ease COVID curbs, just as energy firms reap massive windfall profits. Everything from central bank speculation, big rotations of equity sectors and talk of yearend seasonal flows in a U.S. election year are all cited. And after a downbeat start to the week, stocks jumped back yet again on Tuesday - even on some pretty thin reasoning. Underperforming Hong Kong and China stocks surged late in the day, with the former closing up more than 5%, after social media chatter that China was planning some reopening from strict COVID curbs in March. Energy sector earnings show clear winners from the year's Ukraine-related price shock.

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