DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Bull market breaks its stride with the S&P 500's first 2% dip in a long while
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Michael Santoli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Was that a change in the market's character last week, or is it still the same old bull? This is generally to the good, as boring markets are bullish markets while they remain that way. Rates and commodities worries Other asset markets have also been at least inviting the question about a potential shift in character. The good news on this, as I keep insisting, is that it hasn't been a truly Fed-driven market. Though it's easy to imagine the market chafing at this kind of higher-rate, higher-growth equilibrium if it continues too much longer.

Persons: Ned Davis, Jerome Powell, hasn't, That's, We're, It's, Andrew Kelly Organizations: Ned Davis Research, Treasury, Fed, Investors Intelligence, Investment, Deutsche Bank ., New York Stock Exchange Locations: New York City, U.S

The vast majority — nearly $40 million — went to law firms working on his personal legal problems. But significant portions of their donations went to law firms defending Trump in civil cases involving his real-estate empire and its top executives, including Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump. Only about $861,000 was spent on law firms working exclusively on political issues. Where there were gaps, we contacted law firms and individual lawyers who received money from the PACs. In 2021 and 2022 combined, Trump spent $16 million on legal fees through the Save America PAC.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, —, MAGA, Trump's, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Stormy Daniels, Jean Carroll, Robert, Clifford S, Michael Cohen, — Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel, Frederick —, Madaio, Alina Habba, Michael Madaio, Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Mary Trump, general's, Carroll, Trump —, Joe Tacopina, Chad Seigel, Christopher Kise, Jesus M, Suarez, Eli Bartov, Bryan Woolston, Silverman Thompson Slutkin, White, Evan Corcoran, Todd Blanche, Cadwalader, Taft, Blanche, Attorney Alvin Bragg's, Daniels, Susan Necheles, John Lauro, who's, Steven H, Drew Findling, Jennifer Little, Jesse R, it's, Jim, John Rowley, Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, Allen Weisselberg, Weisselberg, perjured, ArentFox Schiff, Jeff McConney, Stanley Woodward, Stanley Brand, Carlos de Oliveira, John S, Irving of, Boris Epshteyn, Kenneth Chesebro, Troutman Pepper, Ivanka, Newsmax, Harmeet, Dhillon, Bradley T, Morvillo Abramowitz, David Pecker, Elkan Abramowitz, Greenberg Traurig, Ballard Spahr, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Corey Lewandowski, Robert Mueller's, Jones, Andrew Kelly, It's, Forbes, defaming Carroll, he's Organizations: Service, Trump, Save America PAC, Make, Trump Organization, Politico, Reuters, New, Associates, Democratic National Committee, The New York Times, Times, Continental LLP, Inc, AP, Attorney, Capitol, Law, Taft, Brand Woodward Law, Irving of Earth & Water Law, Ivanka Trump, Republican National Committee, Save, MAGA, Curve Solutions, National Enquirer, Republican, MAGA PAC, Bloomberg Locations: New York, Georgia, Carroll, Manhattan, Florida, York, Washington, DC, Wickersham, Attorney Alvin Bragg's Manhattan, Fulton County , Georgia, codefendants, MAGAworld, Robert Mueller's Russia

☆ THEN AND NOW: Taylor Swift's star-studded 'squad' of friends
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Madison Vanderberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Kloss confirmed that she and Swift are still close in 2019, but some fans aren't convinced. Karlie Kloss is the host of "Project Runway." ANDREW KELLY/ReutersOver the years, the tabloids liked to speculate that the two had a falling out, but in a 2019 interview with Time magazine, Kloss confirmed she is still friends with Swift. Fans have also recently theorized that Swift's song "It's Time to Go" is about the model. The model was spotted in the stands at Swift's Eras Tour in LA.

Persons: Kloss, Swift, aren't, Karlie Kloss, ANDREW KELLY, Scooter Braun, Joshua Kushner Organizations: Reuters, Time Locations: LA

☆ In Trump's NY hush-money case, key decisions at his court appearance on Thursday will shape his first felony trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Donald Trump returns to court Thursday in his New York hush-money case. The hush-money case is on track to be tried first out of the former president and GOP frontrunner's four felony indictments. AdvertisementCourt officers kept careful watch at Donald Trump's hush-money arraignment in New York. Merchan pushed back on any premature trial-date tinkering in a letter he sent the hush-money defense team in early September. Reuters/Jane RosenbergSquabbling over evidenceThere's been plenty of squabbling over evidence in the past six months, the hush-money case file shows.

Persons: Donald Trump, —, Stormy Daniels, Juan Merchan, Todd Blanche, Susan Necheles, Timothy A, Clary, He'll, Donald Trump's, Andrew Kelly, Trump, it's, Trump's, Merchan, Jane Rosenberg, Bob Woodward, what's, Matthew Colangelo, Colangelo, There's, Attorney Alvin Bragg Organizations: Service, GOP, NY, Trump, Business, Reuters, Manhattan Criminal, New, Manhattan, Attorney, COC, Prosecutors Locations: New York, Manhattan, Florida, Georgia, Brooklyn, New York County

☆ A winter weather pattern change is about to bring a wild swing in temperatures to the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean/USA Today Network Snow falls on parked cars in Concord, New Hampshire, on January 16. Monday's caucuses were the coldest ever , with high temperatures below zero across much of the state. Dan Powers/USA Today Network Firefighters rescue a man after his car was stuck in a flooded area in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 9. Gregg Pachkowski/USA Today Network Snow covers the trees around the Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary in Hubertus, Wisconsin, on January 9. Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network Flooding is seen at an intersection in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on January 9.

Persons: Nature, Nikki Haley, Deb Cram, Andrew Kelly, Mark Zaleski, Snow, Will Lanzoni, Rogelio V . Solis, Amanda Andrade, Rhoades, Reuters Isaac Hammond, Geoff Stellfox, Brandon Bell, Christian Monterrosa, Daniel Cole, Dan Busey, Crews, RJ Sangosti, Jeffrey T, Barnes, Chip Somodevilla, Barbara J, Al Drago, Gary Hershorn, Brendan McDermid, Joseph Prezioso, Jim Vondruska, Andrew Harnik, Eric Seals, Rebecca Zimmerman, Antonio Perez, Zuma Snow, Erin Hooley, Drake, Sam Wolfe, Bryan Woolston, Kelly, Jo St, Aubin, Dan Powers, Peter Zay, Floyd Bennett Field, Spencer Platt, Scott Olson, County Sheriff Tommy Ford, Jaide Garcia, CNN Linda Cox, Gregg Pachkowski, of Mary, Mike De Sisti, Joe Raedle, Michael Gordon, Michael Gordon Workers Brian Henderson, Phil Murphy, Tariq Zehawi, Alex Hicks Jr Organizations: CNN, Omni Mount Washington, USA, Reuters, Mississippi State Capitol, Reuters Isaac Hammond braves, Austin, Bergstrom International Airport, Iowa State Capitol, Getty, Denver International Airport, MediaNews, Denver Post, NFL, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, AP, Columbus Dispatch, Bloomberg, Corbis, Reuters Storm, AP Vehicles, Chicago Tribune, TNS, Storm Bros, Network Firefighters, County Sheriff, National, of, Milwaukee Journal, People, Michael, Michael Gordon Workers, New, New Jersey Gov, Spartanburg Herald, Chicago, Minneapolis Locations: Bretton Woods , New Hampshire, New, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Nashville , Tennessee, Concord , New Hampshire, Jackson, Wheeling , Illinois, Washington ,, Malcolm , Iowa, Austin , Texas, Des Moines, AFP, Florence , Alabama, Orchard Park , New York, Williamsburg , Iowa, Worthington , Ohio, Atlantic , Iowa, Hudson, Jersey City , New Jersey, Winthrop , Massachusetts, Ankeny , Iowa, Iowa, Northwestern, Farmington Hills , Michigan, Oak Park , Illinois, Chicago, Bamberg , South Carolina, Annapolis , Maryland, Kaukauna , Wisconsin, Charlotte , North Carolina, Anadolu, Brooklyn , New York, Iowa City , Iowa, Panama City Beach , Florida, Florida's Bay County, County, Myrtle Grove , Florida, Hubertus , Wisconsin, Bay County , Florida, Florida , Alabama, Georgia, Totowa , New Jersey, New Jersey, Spartanburg , South Carolina, Canada, Midwest, Des Moines , Iowa, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Cleveland, New York City

☆ Macy’s is laying off workers and closing five stores
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

David McLane/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images The first Macy's store, on New York's Sixth Avenue, is seen circa 1880. New York Times Co./Hulton Archive/Getty Images Workers sort parcels at a Macy's store circa 1942. Fritz Goro/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock Women show dolls to children at a Macy's store around Christmas in 1942. Fred Morgan/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images The Radio City Rockettes march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1966. Amy Sussman/AP Images for Macy's This Macy's store in West Palm Beach, Florida, was one of dozens of stores that the company announced it would be closing in 2017.

Persons: David McLane, Santa Claus, Fritz Goro, Bernard Hoffman, Rita Hayworth's, Nina Leen, Fred Morgan, Paul DeMaria, Jean, Erick Pasquier, Monica Almeida, Chris Hondros, Timothy Fadek, Andrew Craft, Eric Thayer, Eduardo Munoz, Andrew Kelly, Amy Sussman, Joe Raedle, Charles Krupa, Gary Hershorn, Macy’s Organizations: New, New York CNN — Veteran, CNN, Street Journal, Commerce Department, NY, The New, Historical Society, of Congress, Santa, Bettmann, . New York Times Co, Hulton, Getty, Keystone, Herald, Macy, City, Workers, Fayetteville Observer, USA, Reuters Shoppers, Reuters, Saxon Middle School Choir, Downtown Burlington High School, Corbis Locations: New York, ., France, Fayetteville , North Carolina, Bay Shore , New York, West Palm Beach , Florida, Burlington , Vermont, New York City, Santa Claus

☆ Northwest faces freezing rain and heavy snow while Arctic blast loosens its grip on eastern US
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Robert Shackelford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean/USA Today Network Snow falls on parked cars in Concord, New Hampshire, on January 16. Gary Hershorn/Corbis News/Getty Images Snow and ice dust a worker who was removing snow from a sidewalk in Des Moines on January 13. Dan Powers/USA Today Network Firefighters rescue a man after his car was stuck in a flooded area in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 9. Gregg Pachkowski/USA Today Network Snow covers the trees around the Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary in Hubertus, Wisconsin, on January 9. Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network Flooding is seen at an intersection in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on January 9.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Deb Cram, Andrew Kelly, Mark Zaleski, Snow, Will Lanzoni, Rogelio V . Solis, Amanda Andrade, Rhoades, Reuters Isaac Hammond, Geoff Stellfox, Brandon Bell, Christian Monterrosa, Daniel Cole, Dan Busey, Crews, RJ Sangosti, Jeffrey T, Barnes, Chip Somodevilla, Barbara J, Al Drago, Gary Hershorn, Brendan McDermid, Joseph Prezioso, Jim Vondruska, Andrew Harnik, Eric Seals, Rebecca Zimmerman, Antonio Perez, Zuma Snow, Erin Hooley, Drake, Sam Wolfe, Bryan Woolston, Kelly, Jo St, Aubin, Dan Powers, Peter Zay, Floyd Bennett Field, Spencer Platt, Scott Olson, County Sheriff Tommy Ford, Jaide Garcia, CNN Linda Cox, Gregg Pachkowski, of Mary, Mike De Sisti, Joe Raedle, Michael Gordon, Michael Gordon Workers Brian Henderson, Phil Murphy, Tariq Zehawi, Alex Hicks Jr, Nouran Salahieh, Joe Sutton, Sarah Dewberry, Raja Razek, Jennifer Henderson Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, Oregon -, . Maine, Police, Rockies, South Washington Cascades, Omni Mount Washington, USA, Reuters, Mississippi State Capitol, Reuters Isaac Hammond braves, Austin, Bergstrom International Airport, Iowa State Capitol, Getty, Denver International Airport, MediaNews, Denver Post, NFL, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, AP, Columbus Dispatch, Bloomberg, Corbis, Reuters Storm, AP Vehicles, Chicago Tribune, TNS, Storm Bros, Network Firefighters, County Sheriff, National, of, Milwaukee Journal, People, Michael, Michael Gordon Workers, New, New Jersey Gov, Spartanburg Herald Locations: Pacific Northwest, Pacific, Oregon, Northwest, Portland , Oregon, Columbia, Oregon - Washington, Maine, • Buffalo , New York, Buffalo, Tennessee , Mississippi , Arkansas , Kansas, In Tennessee, Knoxville, Washington, Washington , Idaho, Montana, Portland, South, Bretton Woods , New Hampshire, New, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nashville , Tennessee, Concord , New Hampshire, Jackson, Wheeling , Illinois, Washington ,, Malcolm , Iowa, Austin , Texas, Des Moines, AFP, Florence , Alabama, Orchard Park , New York, Williamsburg , Iowa, Worthington , Ohio, Atlantic , Iowa, Hudson, Jersey City , New Jersey, Winthrop , Massachusetts, Ankeny , Iowa, Iowa, Northwestern, Farmington Hills , Michigan, Oak Park , Illinois, Chicago, Bamberg , South Carolina, Annapolis , Maryland, Kaukauna , Wisconsin, Charlotte , North Carolina, Anadolu, Brooklyn , New York, Iowa City , Iowa, Panama City Beach , Florida, Florida's Bay County, County, Myrtle Grove , Florida, Hubertus , Wisconsin, Bay County , Florida, Florida , Alabama, Georgia, Totowa , New Jersey, New Jersey, Spartanburg , South Carolina, Cincinnati, Detroit, Texas, Gulf, Buffalo , New York, Watertown , Massachusetts, Midwest

☆ Renting Clothes Was Supposed to Be the Future of Fashion. Then Shoppers Got Bored.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Sabela Ojea | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The automated sorting section of Rent the Runway’s ’dream fulfillment’ center in Secaucus, N.J., in 2019. Photo: Andrew Kelly/ReutersRent the Runway is betting that clothing from designers Diane von Furstenberg and Jason Wu can get customers to keep their subscriptions. Rival clothing subscription service Stitch Fix is staking its future on private brands. The different directions are part of companies’ bids to stem steep subscriber losses in recent months and declines in their stock-market valuations.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Diane von Furstenberg, Jason Wu Organizations: Reuters Locations: Secaucus, N.J

☆ From FedEx to airlines, companies are starting to lose their pricing power
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-29 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Andrew Kelly | ReutersAfter years of unbridled consumer spending on everything from home improvement to dream vacations, some companies are now finding the limits of their pricing power. Nike last week lowered its annual sales growth forecast and unveiled plans to cut costs by $2 billion over the next three years. "Goods companies don't have the pricing power they did in the pandemic, and some in the hotel and travel [industries] — they don't have the pricing power they did in the immediate post-Covid," he added. Sales growth for companies in the S&P 500 is on track to average 2.7% this year, according to mid-December analyst estimates posted by FactSet. Consumer spending on apparel and groceries rose 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively, from the year-earlier period, according to the survey.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Mills, Joe Cavaretta, David Kelly, FactSet, Kelly, isn't, airfare, John F, Bob Jordan, Jordan, Ohsung Kwon Organizations: FedEx, Reuters, Shipping, Airlines, Target, Nike, Spirit Airlines, Hasbro, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Tribune, Service, Getty, Florida Sun, Morgan Asset Management, FactSet, Mastercard, Starbucks, Airline, U.S . Department of Labor, Kennedy International, Southwest, CNBC, Detroit automakers, Toyota, Cox Automotive, Bank of America Locations: New York, speedier, Fort, South

☆ P&G Bought Gillette 18 Years Ago. It’s Still Paying the Price.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Natasha Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

P&G bought Gillette for stock initially valued at $54 billion in 2005. Photo: ANDREW KELLY/REUTERSProcter & Gamble said it was booking a $1.3 billion charge on its Gillette business, adjusting the value of a shaving giant that it took over nearly two decades ago. P&G bought Gillette for stock initially valued at $54 billion in 2005, making it a dominant player in the global razor business. The unit has struggled in recent years as upstarts, such as Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s, have entered the market with lower prices. As of June 2023, P&G estimated its grooming business was worth about $14.1 billion.

Persons: ANDREW KELLY, Gamble Organizations: G, Gillette, Procter, Harry’s, & $

☆ Take-Two's Rockstar Games unveils 'GTA VI' trailer, to release game in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc is seen for sale in a store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 4 (Reuters) - Rockstar Games, owned by Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO.O), on Monday released a trailer of the latest installment of its best-selling "Grand Theft Auto" (GTA) videogame franchise, ending a years-long wait. "GTA VI" will be released in 2025, according to the trailer posted to the studio's YouTube channel, after a version was leaked on social media. The teaser for the game came in more than a decade after the launch of its predecessor and will coincide with the 25th anniversary of Rockstar Games. A hack last year released dozens of development videos of "GTA VI", showing footages of robberies, gunplay and open-world driving in what was one of the biggest gaming leaks.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Grant, Chandni Shah, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: Inc, REUTERS, Rockstar Games, YouTube, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Swiss Banque Pictet pays $123 mln for helping clients evade US taxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

According to prosecutors, U.S. taxpayers with Pictet accounts in Switzerland and elsewhere evaded about $50.6 million in taxes between 2008 and 2014. As part of the agreement, Banque Pictet agreed to pay $122.9 million to the U.S. Treasury. As part of the agreement, Pictet, which oversees 632 billion Swiss francs ($724 billion) in client assets, will implement remedial measures and cooperate with the authorities' investigation. U.S. authorities have long accused Swiss banks of helping wealthy Americans evade taxes, and Pictet signalled it had been in contact with the U.S. for more than a decade. Credit Suisse in 2014 agreed to pay a $2.5 billion fine for helping Americans evade taxes in a conspiracy that spanned decades.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Banque Pictet, Jim Lee, Pictet, Julius Baer, Renaud de Planta, Marc Pictet, Luc Cohen, Noele, Jan Harvey, Bill Berkrot, Christina Fincher Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Banque Pictet, Justice Department, Banque, U.S . Treasury, U.S, Credit Suisse, UBS, Prosecutors, Noele Illien, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Swiss, Switzerland, Pictet, New York, Zurich

Travelers are looking to cruises in 2024 because they are still cheaper than land-based alternatives. With occupancy levels approaching pre-pandemic levels, operators plan to hike prices in coming months. "Overall the market is extremely strong, especially the top end of the market in terms of the most high-end luxury cruises," said Bob Levinstein, CEO of cruise marketplace Cruise Compete. Even as travelers have canceled or postponed planned vacations to the Middle East, cruise bookings will still hit record levels in 2024, said Truist Securities analyst Patrick Scholes. Prior to the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, industry-wide bookings for 2024 were about 25% higher than in 2019 for bookings in 2020.

Persons: Queen Mary, Andrew Kelly, Bob Levinstein, Patrick Scholes, Scholes, Jason Liberty, Josh Weinstein, Atle, Kari Dillon, Dillon, InteleTravel, Dave Spinelli, Ben Harrell, Granth, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Cunard Line, Carnival Corporation & plc, Brooklyn Cruise, REUTERS, Travelers, Truist Securities, Cruise Lines International Association, Royal Caribbean, Liberty ., Holdings, Cruisers, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn, Brooklyn , New York City, U.S, BENGALURU, Israel, Caribbean, Oslo, North Carolina, Florida, InteleTravel, Delray Beach , Florida, Royal Caribbean, Bengaluru, Doyinsola, New York

☆ US FDA says BD recalling infusion pumps due to compatibility issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Friday that Becton Dickinson (BDX.N) is recalling its Alaris infusion pumps due to compatibility issues with Cardinal Health's (CAH.N) Monoject syringes. However, the dimensions for Monoject syringes have recently changed while rebranding the syringes from Covidien Monoject to Cardinal Health Monoject. Last month, the FDA warned healthcare providers not to use Cardinal's Monoject syringes with patient-controlled pain management pumps and syringe pumps after the company initiated a recall due to compatibility problems. On Sept. 15, BD asked its customers to stop using Cardinal's Monoject syringes with BD's Alaris pumps. An infusion pump is a medical device that delivers fluids such as nutrients and medications into a patient's body in controlled amounts.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Becton Dickinson, Cardinal Health's, Monoject, Health Monoject, BD, Christy Santhosh, Maju Samuel Organizations: Food and Drug Administration, FDA, REUTERS, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Health, Thomson Locations: White Oak , Maryland, U.S

☆ Robinhood opens in UK with low-cost US trading to woo clients
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Sinead Cruise | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Robinhood Markets, Inc. is seen at a pop-up event on Wall Street after the company's IPO in New York City, U.S., July 29, 2021. Since then, trading activity has shrunk as people grapple with a cost-of-living crisis caused by high interest rates and inflation. Robinhood said UK customers will have access to commission-free trading of more than 6,000 US-listed stocks and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), without foreign exchange fees and no account minimums. "For too long, UK investors have incurred high fees to invest in the U.S. markets and earned low returns on their uninvested cash," said Jordan Sinclair, president of Robinhood UK. The online brokerage missed Wall Street estimates for third-quarter revenue earlier this month after a slowdown in trading activity.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Robinhood, Vlad Tenev, Jordan Sinclair, Sinead Cruise, Kirstin Ridley, Jane Merriman, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Inc, REUTERS, Authority, Robinhood, U.S . Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Britain, United States

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Cigna (CI.N) and Humana (HUM.N), two of the biggest U.S. health insurers, are in talks for what could be the largest merger announced in 2023, according to a source familiar with the matter. A Humana and Cigna combination would give the merged company the scale to rival UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) and CVS Health (CVS.N). In July 2016, the Justice Department filed lawsuits against two health insurance mergers on the same day, saying they would lead to less competition and higher prices for Americans. Health insurers have been facing higher medical costs as people return for procedures they had put off during the pandemic. Humana in February said that it would sell its commercial business but keep its Medicare Advantage products.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Cigna, Cigna's, Aetna, Bill Baer, Andre Barlow of Doyle, Barlow, Mazard, Bernstein, Lance Wilkes, Craig Garthwaite, Manas Mishra, Diane Bartz, Deena Beasley, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Humana Inc, REUTERS, Street Journal, UnitedHealth, CVS Health, Humana’s, Medicare, Affordable, Justice Department, Humana, U.S ., Reuters, Northwestern University, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Cigna, Bengaluru, Washington, Los Angeles

☆ US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge - WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Signage for Humana Inc. is pictured at a health facility in Queens, New York City, U.S., November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Health insurers Cigna (CI.N) and Humana (HUM.N) are in talks for a merger, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Cigna's shares were down 4.4% in noon trading, while Humana's stock was flat. The companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Cigna, Manas Mishra, Sriraj Organizations: Humana Inc, REUTERS, Health, Cigna, Wall Street, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

LOS ANGELES, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Singer-songwriter and actor Dove Cameron is breaking away from her Disney star persona and putting a new version of herself out there with “Alchemical: Volume 1,” the first part in her debut studio album. “Alchemical: Volume 1,” which has eight songs, including "Sand," will be released on Dec. 1. Dove Cameron attends the CFDA Fashion Awards in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2023. Looking back, her Disney brand, as well as other personas in her career, felt “unhealthy” for her, she said. Cameron said she now wants to evolve into whatever version of herself feels right.

Persons: Dove Cameron, Cameron, “, Andrew Kelly, it's, ” Cameron, ”, Rollo Ross, Danielle Broadway, Mary Milliken Organizations: ANGELES, Disney, REUTERS, Mary Milliken Our, Thomson Locations: Hollywood, Manhattan , New York City, U.S

☆ GameStop shares climb on strong volume
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The videogame retailer's shares were last at $15.12, the third most actively traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange at 5:50 a.m. On Tuesday, GameStop shares had their biggest one-day percentage gain in eight months on no clear news catalyst. AMC Entertainment (AMC.N), another favorite among retail traders, rose nearly 4% to $6.95. "The market optimism now vacuum retail traders in – and it's the ultimate signal that the (market) rally is overstretched," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. GameStop shares have slumped 27% in 2023 up to Tuesday's close, while AMC had wiped out 80% of its value.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, GameStop, Ipek Ozkardeskaya, Medha Singh, Krishna Chandra Organizations: GameStop Corp, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, GameStop, AMC Entertainment, AMC, Swissquote Bank, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, –, Bengaluru

☆ A new book about the British monarchy was pulled from shelves in the Netherlands after it reportedly named the royal said to have made racist remarks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Dutch translations of Omid Scobie's book "Endgame" have been pulled from shelves, reports say. Due to a publishing error, the book reportedly named a royal said to have made racist remarks. Author Omid Scobie told Dutch media he did not name anyone in any version of the book he wrote. Scobie's latest book, "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival," explores the current state of the British monarchy and the dynamics between members of the royal family. "There's never been a version that I've produced that has names in it," Scobie told RTL Boulevard.

Persons: Omid, Omid Scobie, —, Prince, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's, Oprah Winfrey, Duchess, Sussex, Harry, Meghan Markle, Xander, Scobie, There's, Luke Fontana, Andrew Kelly, Winfrey, Meghan, Oprah, he's, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Buckingham Organizations: Service, Guardian, CBS, RTL, BBC, REUTERS Locations: Netherlands

The nine justices are due to hear arguments in an appeal by President Joe Biden's administration of a lower court's decision restricting the SEC's in-house tribunal system. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 ruled that the SEC's in-house proceedings violate the U.S. Constitution's Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial and infringe on presidential and congressional powers. The SEC, which enforces various U.S. laws that protect investors, pursued 270 new in-house proceedings in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, compared to 231 in federal court. The court in 2018 faulted the way the SEC selected its in-house judges, and in April made it easier for targets of agency actions to mount challenges in federal court. The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Joe Biden's, George Jarkesy, Jarkesy, Andrew Chung, John Kruzel, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Supreme, Securities, Exchange, Circuit, SEC, Patriot28, U.S . Consumer, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, New Orleans, Constitution's, Houston, disgorge, New York, Washington

☆ Activist investor Ubben shutting down Inclusive Capital-sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Jeffrey Ubben, Founder & CEO at ValueAct Capital, speaks on the Reuters Newsmaker event "The Future of Shareholder Activism" in Manhattan, New York, U.S., February 22, 2017. Ubben told investors in a memo he was winding down some funds and returning capital, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Ubben and Inclusive Capital, known as InCap, did not respond to calls and emails for comment. Last year more hedge funds closed their doors than launched, data from Hedge Fund Research show. More than two decades ago, Ubben, 61, who started his career at mutual fund giant Fidelity, founded ValueAct Capital in San Francisco.

Persons: Jeffrey Ubben, Andrew Kelly, Jeff Ubben, Ubben, InCap, Martha Stewart, John Paulson, Louis Bacon, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Sabrina Valle, Josie Kao Organizations: ValueAct, Reuters, REUTERS, Capital Partners, Inclusive, Hedge Fund Research, Fidelity, Microsoft, Street Journal, Exxon, Rad Laboratories, Unifi Inc, Bayer, Svea, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York, U.S, San Francisco, Houston

OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, is due to hold an online ministerial meeting on Thursday to discuss 2024 production targets. The market tumbled last week when OPEC+ pushed back the original date for its meeting to iron out differences on production targets for African producers. "According to delegates, Saudi Arabia is demanding lower production quotas from the other OPEC+ countries. Oil also found support from a weak dollar, an expected decline in U.S. crude inventories and the drop in Kazakh output. A weaker dollar typically bolsters oil demand, making dollar-denominated oil less expensive for buyers using other currencies.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Waller, Phil Flynn, Commerzbank's Carsten Fritsch, Christopher Waller, Stephanie Kelly, Alex Lawler, Natalie Grover, Kim Coghill, David Goodman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Price Futures Group, United, Reuters, American Petroleum Institute, The U.S, Federal, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Russia, Chicago, Angola, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates

☆ Oil rises, Brent tops $80 ahead of OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A person puts gas in a vehicle at a gas station in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 11, 2022. OPEC+, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, is due to hold an online ministerial meeting on Thursday to discuss production targets for 2024. The market tumbled last week when OPEC+ pushed back the original date for its meeting to iron out differences on production targets for African producers. Oil also found support from a weak dollar, an expected decline in U.S. crude inventories and the drop in Kazakh output. Four analysts polled by Reuters estimated that the latest round of weekly U.S. supply reports will show crude inventories fell by about 2 million barrels.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Tamas Varga, Alex Lawler, Sudarshan, Kim Coghill, David Goodman Organizations: REUTERS, of, Petroleum, Brent, . West Texas, Reuters, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, OPEC, Russia, Saudi Arabia

☆ SEC's in-house enforcement powers at risk in US Supreme Court case
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Andrew Chung | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The case involves hedge fund manager George Jarkesy, who the SEC fined and barred from the industry after determining he had committed securities fraud. Critics of the agency have argued that its in-house system gives it the unfair advantage of prosecuting cases before its own judges rather than before a jury in federal court. The case could make it harder for the SEC weed out bad actors in the securities industry, legal experts said. The court in 2018 faulted the way the SEC selected its in-house judges, and in April made it easier for targets of agency actions to mount challenges in federal court. The FINRA case - a constitutional challenge to its structure brought by Utah-based Alpine Securities Corp - is currently before another federal appellate court and eventually could come to the Supreme Court.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Joe Biden's, George Jarkesy, Jarkesy, infringes, Benjamin Edwards, Edwards, FINRA, James Park, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Exchange, Circuit, 5th Circuit, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, University of Nevada, Consumer, U.S, Constitution, Patriot28, Securities, Jarkesy, Alpine Securities Corp, Supreme, UCLA School of Law, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, New Orleans, Constitution's, Las Vegas, Houston, disgorge, Utah

Search resuls for: "Andrew Kelly"

25 mentions found