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☆ 3 reasons big bank earnings are super important to the stock market in the week ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

There are two big watchers on our list for the week ahead, and one of them — believe it or not — is not an inflation reading. The consumer price report (CPI), which calculates the average change over time in prices shoppers pay for goods and services, comes out Wednesday before the opening bell. Other data next week includes the producer price index report on Thursday and the retail sales report on Friday. ET: Consumer Price Index 2:00 p.m. The most important macroeconomic update of the week came on Friday while the market was closed for Good Friday.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the stock market Friday: Stars of first quarter and Alphabet's AI risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

AI is a real problem for Club holding Alphabet (GOOGL), according to Piper Sandler, which lowers price target to $117 per share from $120. Raises price target to $75 per share from $72. Baird raises price target on Okta (OKTA) to $100 per share from $92. Morgan Stanley raises price target on e.l.f. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Explainer: What is Generative AI, the technology behind OpenAI's ChatGPT?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WHAT IS GENERATIVE AI? Like other forms of artificial intelligence, generative AI learns how to take actions from past data. The most famous generative AI application is ChatGPT, a chatbot that Microsoft-backed OpenAI released late last year. Generative AI likewise can take notes during a virtual meeting. Cybersecurity researchers have also expressed concern that generative AI could allow bad actors, even governments, to produce far more disinformation than before.

☆ JPMorgan downgrades AutoNation, says car dealer stock is overvalued
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's time to sell AutoNation as consumer demand for vehicles starts to pull back, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Rajat Gupta downgraded AutoNation to underweight from neutral, saying the car dealer stock is starting to look overvalued after its solid performance during the pandemic. AutoNation shares outperformed at the onset of the Covid pandemic. The car dealer stock jumped more than 40% in 2020, and surged more than 60% in 2021. On Friday, following strong fourth-quarter results, AutoNation shares surged to an all-time high and posted its best day in about three years .

☆ Davos 2023: CEOs buzz about ChatGPT-style AI at World Economic Forum
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Jeffrey Dastin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Business titans trudging through Alpine snow can't stop talking about a chatbot from San Francisco. Businesses including CarMax Inc (KMX.N) have already used Microsoft and OpenAI's tech, such as to generate thousands of customer review summaries when marketing used vehicles. Such buzz carried through gatherings at Davos, like talk about a slide-generating bot dubbed ChatBCG after the management consulting firm. loadingGenerative AI is "a game-changer that society and industry need to be ready for," stated an article on the World Economic Forum's website. Reporting By Jeffrey Dastin in Davos, Switzerland; Editing by Kenneth Li and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The steep plunge in used car prices – what it means, and what’s ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Tracking used car prices is enough to give anyone whiplash. Today’s average used car price is about the same as the average new car price as recently as 2010. Experts say part of the decline in used car prices is that the price increases were not sustainable and were partly driven by buyers at used car auctions overpaying for the limited supply of used vehicles. There could be more declines in used car prices in the months ahead, as new car inventories continue to build. One thing that could put a floor under the used car prices: late model used cars will likely be in short supply given the reduced new car production over the last three years.

☆ JPMorgan downgrades CarMax, says hope for a recovery looks 'premature'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

JPMorgan is pumping the brakes on shares of CarMax . Analyst Rajat Gupta downgraded the used vehicle stock to underweight from neutral, saying that the risk-reward looks skewed to the downside as the potential for lower earnings revisions linger. He also said recovery hopes look "premature" at the moment. According to Gupta, Wall Street is also failing to accurately account for downside risks to overall earnings. Gupta maintained the Wall Street firm's $60 price target on CarMax, which represents 11% downside from Tuesday's close.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Netflix, Amazon, Salesforce, Levi's & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Bank of America downgrades Coinbase to underperform from neutral Bank of America said it sees too many headwinds for the crypto exchange. Goldman Sachs downgrades Jefferies to neutral from buy Goldman said it sees a "backlog decline" for the investment bank company. Bank of America upgrades Toll Brothers and Pulte Group to buy from neutral Bank of America upgraded several homebuilders, citing compelling valuations. "We upgrade PulteGroup to Buy (from Neutral), Toll Brothers to Buy (from Neutral), and Lennar to Neutral (from Underperform). Bank of America upgrades Dow to neutral from underperform Bank of America said it's taking a more "offensive" approach to the stock.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the market Friday: Inflation, natural gas plunge, Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Case in point: Natural gas prices plunge roughly 25% this week alone and even more for the month. Citi cuts price target on Paychex (PAYX) to $119 per share from $131. Wedbush cuts price target on Tesla (TSLA) to $175 per share from $250, though keeps its outperform (buy) rating. Loop Capital cut Paramount Global (PARA) to a sell from hold, slashing its price target to $14 per share from $30. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: CarMax, Micron, Under Armour and others
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Peter Schacknow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:CarMax (KMX) – The auto retailer's stock slumped 12.7% in the premarket after its quarterly profit and revenue fell well short of estimates. Micron Technology (MU) – Micron shares fell 2.9% in premarket trading after the chip maker reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss and revenue that fell short of Wall Street forecasts. Tyson fell 1% in premarket action. Global Business Travel Group (GBTG) – The American Express spin-off was rated outperform in new coverage at Evercore ISI, which expects the business travel platform to benefit from its leading position in the industry and from a rebound in business travel recovery. Global Business Travel Group rose 1.6% in premarket trading.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the market Thursday: Stock drop, Micron, AMC
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Piper Sandler raises price target on Dollar General (DG) to $288 per share from $273; makes DG a top pick for 2023. Planet Fitness (PLNT) named a top pick for 2023 at Piper, which boosts price target to $93 per share from $79. Truist raises price target on Vail Resorts (MTN) to $292 per share from $270. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade.

☆ Used-car retailer CarMax posts plunge in profit, pauses share buyback
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 22 (Reuters) - CarMax Inc (KMX.N) on Thursday reported an 86% drop in quarterly profit and the largest U.S. used car retailer announced it was cutting expenses and pausing stock buybacks, as rising interest rates sap consumer confidence. The auto retail industry has been facing the brunt of consistent rate hikes and weakening consumer confidence. "We believe vehicle affordability challenges continued to impact our third-quarter unit sales performance, as headwinds remain due to widespread inflationary pressures, climbing interest rates, and low consumer confidence," CarMax said on Thursday. CarMax reported net income of 24 cents per share for the quarter through November, compared with expectations of 70 cents, as per Refinitiv data. Reporting by Priyamvada C and Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The final estimate of third-quarter U.S. GDP revealed gross domestic product increased at a 3.2% annualized rate, above the previous estimate of 2.9%. Micron Technology Inc (MU.O) slipped 3.2% after the chipmaker forecast a bigger-than-expected second-quarter loss, sparking declines in peers. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 5.83-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 3.28-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week highs and nine new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 27 new highs and 180 new lows. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Amruta Khandekar, Ankika Biswas and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Housing slump to continue but some hopeful signs ahead
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

While that’s already had a negative impact on the housing market, we’ll get more details this week about how much worse the damage has become. A long list of housing data is on tap. On Tuesday the US Census Bureau will report housing starts and building permits figures for November, followed by Friday’s release of new home sales data for the same month. Housing market was frothy, but not a bubbleOthers in the industry are cautiously optimistic as well. That all amounts to a few good reasons why the housing market could avoid a severe and prolonged slump.

☆ Markets close out the week lower, as investors brace themselves for more rate hikes next year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But what irked markets was Fed Chair Jerome Powell's indication the Fed could continue to raise rates for longer to bring inflation under control. The S & P 500 lost around 2.25% for the week, closing out Friday down more than 1%. Under the hood, the consumer discretionary sector led to the downside this week, followed by financials and technology. Initial jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 10 came in at 211,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the prior week and below expectations of 232,000. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Jim Cramer’s week ahead: Earnings and economic data should give clues on Fed policy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

All estimates for earnings, revenue and economic data are courtesy of FactSet. ETProjected EPS: $2.82Projected sales: $23.70 billion Last time FedEx reported, it detailed significant cost-cutting plans that should help boost profitability. Nike Q2 2023 earnings at 4:15 p.m. Thursday: Earnings from Paychex and CarmaxPaychex Q2 2023 earnings before the open; conference call at 9:30 a.m. ETProjected EPS: 95 centsProjected sales: $1.19 billion Cramer said he thinks Paychex is an even better small- and medium-size business barometer than Cintas.

Three sources briefed on OpenAI's recent pitch to investors said the organization expects $200 million in revenue next year and $1 billion by 2024. OpenAI was most recently valued at $20 billion in a secondary share sale, one of the sources said. The startup has already inspired rivals and companies building applications atop its generative AI software, which includes the image maker DALL-E 2. OpenAI has also attracted attention as an AI provider and potential Google search competitor, with ChatGPT answering queries for more than 1 million users so far. OpenAI warns users, ChatGPT "may occasionally produce harmful instructions or biased content."

☆ Carvana stock plummets as used car prices fall
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Carvana’s fall indicates a wider trend in the used car sector, as car prices that have been elevated fall due to rising interest rates and talk of recession. Trouble for the used car world started months ago, with car prices getting so high that many customers were priced out. Shares of CarMax (KMX), the nation’s largest used car dealer, are down 50% since the start of the year. The result has been that used car prices have declined 10.6% compared to a year ago, according to the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, which tracks average used car prices. Now, used car companies like Carvana are dealing with the decline.

☆ Wall Street eyes auto industry earnings for signs of 'demand destruction'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

But with interest rates rising, inflation at record highs and recession fears looming, Wall Street is closely watching third-quarter earnings results and guidance for any signs consumer demand might be weakening. Spak said third-quarter earnings "should mostly be fine," with the focus being on company commentary and guidance revisions. DealersCarMax fueled Wall Street's concerns last month after the used car dealer posted one of its biggest earnings misses ever. Citing CarMax's results, J.P. Morgan analyst Rajat Gupta said the sentiment for franchised dealers' third-quarter earnings "is the most negative we have encountered since the pandemic." Other major dealers scheduled to report third-quarter earnings include Group 1 Automotive on Oct. 26, followed by AutoNation , Asbury Automotive Group and Sonic Automotive on Oct. 27.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Apple, CarMax, Bed Bath & Beyond and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Peter Schacknow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CarMax (KMX) – CarMax shares slumped 12.1% in premarket trading after the auto retailer missed estimates on both the top and bottom lines for its latest quarter. Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) – The housewares retailer posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss and sales that fell short of consensus. MillerKnoll (MLKN) – MillerKnoll fell 7.3% in the premarket after its quarterly profit beat analyst estimates, although revenue fell short. Jefferies Financial (JEF) – Jefferies shares rose 1.6% in premarket action after posting a better-than-expected quarterly profit. The purchases came after Occidental shares lost about 20% of their value in less than a month.

☆ Used cars have become unaffordable
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —High prices and rising interest rates are putting used cars out of reach for a growing number of car shoppers. That’s bad news for CarMax, the nation’s largest used car dealer. Shares of used car rival Carvana (CVNA) fell about 18% and AutoNation (AN), the nation’s largest new car dealer, fell 11%. Used car prices — although down 2% in August from the record high reached in January — are still up 48% from August 2019, according he Consumer Price Index, a key inflation measure. New car prices hit a record in August, up 30% over the last three years.

☆ CarMax results fall short as inflation-hit buyers rethink purchases
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 29 (Reuters) - Shares of CarMax Inc (KMX.N) fell 20% in premarket trading on Thursday after the top U.S. used-car retailer's second-quarter results were slammed by the impact of rising inflation on consumer spending. Strong demand for personal transport has led to steady sales of both new and used cars in the United States so far, but rising interest rates and higher car prices are starting to upend that trend. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAuto research firm Cox Automotive, which tracks U.S. vehicle market trends, on Wednesday cut its forecast for new and used vehicle sales on worsening consumer sentiment. Consumers are pulling themselves out of the purchase process as rising interest rates and high vehicle prices make monthly payments unaffordable, said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. Ford Motor Co's (F.N) shares tumbled last week after the automaker said it was experiencing higher inflationary pressures.

☆ Stocks week ahead: Intel is the Dow's biggest loser
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Shares of Intel (INTC) are down more than 45% this year, making it the biggest dog of the Dow. Intel (INTC) is struggling despite well-publicized plans to build more plants in the United States and hire more at home. To be fair, Intel is not the only chip company that’s having a tough time this year. But longer-term, I think Intel will right the ship,” said Jeff Travis, portfolio manager of Oak Associates Funds. Travis does think that semiconductor stocks are still a good “secular growth industry” and that valuations are now attractive given how sharply the stocks have fallen.

Stocks took a beating this week as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by another 75 basis points, the third consecutive hike of that magnitude. It wasn't the rate move — which was anticipated by the market — but Fed Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish comments on Wednesday that hurt stocks. It was the fifth losing week out of the last six for all the major stock averages, capped by another painful drop on Friday. Also Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by another 75 basis points while maintaining its hawkish tone. ET: Personal Spending and Income (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long.)

As for Ford, which reports results on Wednesday, Evercore said it expects a cut to the 2022 outlook. GM and Ford both must manage the costs of launching new electric vehicles. Ford will officially launch regular production of its electric F-150 Lightning pickup on Tuesday. In the United States, GM's sales for the first quarter fell by 20%. Ford's U.S. sales fell by 17% in the first quarter compared with a year ago.

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