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☆ Don’t want to give your kid a smartphone? Here are some alternatives
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

For most parents, figuring out whether to give your child a smartphone can be a challenging task. Indeed, according to a 2021 study, more than two-fifths (42%) of children now own their own phone by age 10. How to decide if your child is readyBefore deciding whether or not to give your child a smartphone, it's important to consider if they are ready for one. How beneficial would a phone be for your child, both in terms of their safety and their social development? "The current evidence doesn't support a specific age at which a smartphone is or is not recommended," Megan Moreno, a pediatrics professor at the University of Wisconsin said.

Best Black Friday Fitbit fitness tracker dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Great Price Fitbit Ace 3 The Fitbit Ace 3 is the perfect entry-level activity tracker for kids aged 6 or older. Great Price Fitbit Versa 2 With its large, squared-off touch screen, the Fitbit Versa 2 is an attractive and affordable mix of smartwatch and activity tracker. Lowest Price Fitbit Sense 2 The Fitbit Sense 2 is the brand’s answer to the Apple Watch, featuring temperature sensing, a built-in ECG, and advanced sleep tracking. Where can you find the best Black Friday Fitbit deals?

SKIP AHEAD Best deals at Amazon | Best deals at Walmart | Best deals at Target | Best deals at Best Buy | Best Black Friday salesTo help you make the most of the shopping holiday ahead, we compiled some of the best Black Friday deals and sales that we think you’ll want to know about. Best Black Friday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 73,237 reviews at TargetOral-B’s Pro 1000 electric toothbrush is one of the best models you can buy. 4.7-star average rating from 10,600 on AmazonThis cookware set comes with 8-inch and 10-inch nonstick fry pans. Best Black Friday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Black Friday sales that we think you’ll want to know about.

☆ Anne Hathaway-backed VC firm Pact just closed the first tranche of its $36 million seed fund. Here's the 11-slide LP deck it used to raise the capital.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A female-founded VC firm has closed the first tranche of its £30 million ($36 million) early-stage fund. Check out the 11-slide LP deck the London-based firm used to raise the fresh funds. While investments will span Europe, Pact will help its portfolio companies scale into regions underserved by traditional investors, Gu told Insider. Gu will support companies looking to enter Asia while Pham and Mobassaleh-Wyndham will focus on EMEA, and specifically Türkiye. It sees this as a pull for potential portfolio companies who can then take advantage of the network's expertise.

Nov 23 (Reuters) - Patagonia Inc, the high-end outdoor clothing retailer, filed a lawsuit accusing Gap Inc (GPS.N) of illegally copying the "iconic" snapped flap pocket it has used on fleece outerwear for more than three decades. In a Tuesday night complaint filed in San Francisco federal court, Patagonia said Gap is willfully and deliberately selling fleece jackets that mimic its flap pocket and rectangular "P-6" logo without permission. The lawsuit includes a one-star review posted online by a Gap customer who called a Gap product an "Obvious Pata*gonia ripoff. Patagonia said it introduced its Snap-T pullover fleece in 1985 and added the flap pocket four years later. The case is Patagonia Inc v Gap Inc, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No.

SKIP AHEAD Best deals at Amazon | Best deals at Walmart | Best deals at Target | Best deals at Best Buy | Best Black Friday salesTo help you make the most of the shopping holiday ahead, we compiled some of the best Black Friday deals and sales that we think you’ll want to know about. Best Black Friday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.5-star average rating from 3,428 reviews at TargetDry, style and add volume to your hair with this tool from Revlon. 4.7-star average rating from 73,237 reviews at TargetOral-B’s Pro 1000 electric toothbrush is one of the best models you can buy. Best Black Friday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Black Friday sales that we think you’ll want to know about.

☆ Abercrombie sees better holiday-quarter sales, posts surprise profit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Ananya Mariam Rajesh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Ohio-based apparel retailer's shares that have lost nearly half of their value this year were up about 19% after the company also reported third-quarter sales above Wall Street estimates, defying inflation's impact on non-essential spending. Chief Executive Officer Fran Horowitz in a post-earnings call said the company expects the fourth quarter to "mirror more pre-pandemic" holiday. Abercrombie, however, said there was a little bit of softness in demand during late October and maybe into the first week of November. Abercrombie expects fourth-quarter net sales to fall about 2% to 4% in fiscal 2022, compared with analysts' average estimate of a 6.3% drop, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Excluding items, it reported a profit of 1 cent per share in the third quarter, compared with estimates of a loss of 16 cents.

☆ Abercrombie posts surprise profit, sees better holiday-quarter sales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Abercrombie & Fitch Co (ANF.N) on Tuesday posted a surprise third-quarter profit and forecast a smaller-than-expected drop in current-quarter sales as it remains "cautiously optimistic" for the holiday season. The Ohio-based retailer's shares were up about 14% in premarket trading after the company also reported better-than-expected third-quarter sales even as inflation dampened discretionary consumer spending. Abercrombie expects fourth-quarter net sales to fall about 2% to 4% in fiscal 2022, compared with analysts' average estimate of a 6.3% drop, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Excluding items, Abercrombie reported a profit of 1 cent per share in the third quarter, compared with estimates of a loss of 16 cents. The company's net sales fell 2.8% to $880.1 million, but beat estimates of $831.1 million.

SKIP AHEAD Best deals at Amazon | Best deals at Walmart | Best deals at Target | Best deals at Best Buy | Best Black Friday salesTo help you make the most of the shopping holiday ahead, we compiled some of the best Black Friday deals and sales that we think you’ll want to know about. Best Black Friday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.5-star average rating from 3,428 reviews at TargetDry, style and add volume to your hair with this tool from Revlon. Best Walmart Black Friday deals4.7-star average rating from 449 reviews at Best BuyYou can plug this device into any TV and get access to dozens of entertainment and music streaming platforms. Best Black Friday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Black Friday sales that we think you’ll want to know about.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) rose 199.37 points, or 0.59%, to 33,745.69, the S&P 500 (.SPX) gained 18.78 points, or 0.48%, to 3,965.34 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) added 1.11 points, or 0.01%, to 11,146.06. For the week, the S&P 500 fell 0.7%, retreating modestly after a strong month-long rally spurred by softer-than-expected inflation data that sparked hopes the central bank could temper its market-punishing rate hikes. "We are not likely to see any real evidence in terms of potentially declining wage pressure or inflation pressure for another couple of weeks.”Defensive groups led the way among S&P 500 sectors, with utilities (.SPLRCU) up 2%, real estate (.SPLRCR) rising 1.3% and healthcare (.SPXHC) 1.2% higher. The S&P 500 posted 8 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 62 new highs and 141 new lows. About 9.7 billion shares changed hands in U.S. exchanges, compared with the 12 billion daily average over the last 20 sessions.

The S&P 500 has retreated this week after a month-long rally following softer-than-expected inflation data that sparked hopes the central bank could temper its market-punishing rate hikes. “What is driving all equities of course is Fed policy and the gravitational force that rising interest rates have on the equity complex as a whole," Goodwin said. Energy fell 1.7%, most among S&P 500 sectors, as oil prices dropped, stemming from concern about weakened demand in China and further increases to U.S. interest rates. Gap Inc (GPS.N) shares rose about 5% after the company beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly sales and profit. The S&P 500 posted 7 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 49 new highs and 112 new lows.

Traders' bets of a 75-bps rate hike in December have gone up to 24.2% from 19.4% the previous week, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. The benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) and the Nasdaq (.IXIC) have lost 17% and nearly 29%, respectively, so far this year on worries that the aggressive rate hikes could push the economy into a recession. Among S&P 500 sectors, defensive stocks advanced on Friday, with utilities (.SPLRCU) and health (.SPXHC) rising 1.5% and 0.9%, respectively, and in the lead. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.19-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded seven new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 45 new highs and 96 new lows.

☆ What Cramer is watching Friday — Fed plays good cop, bad cop and off-price retailers shine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Rival Ross Stores (ROST) gets multiple price target increases. Citi raises BJ's Wholesale (BJ) price target to $83 per share from $81 after earnings beat. Multiple price target raises on Club Bullpen name Palo Alto Networks (PANW). Barclays raises Applied Materials (AMAT) price target to $90 per share $80 but keeps neutral rating. Piper Sandler starts DraftKings (DKNG) with an overweight (buy) rating and a $21-per-share price target, which implies about 40% upside from Thursday's close.

If you've been waiting until Black Friday to score a deal on that Fitbit tracker you've had your eye on, your time has come. It offers just enough in the way of smartwatch capability without it getting in the way of being a true fitness tracker. Lowest Price Fitbit Charge 5 Priced at an all-time low, the Charge 5 hits a budget-friendly price point while offering stellar activity tracking in a smaller footprint than a smartwatch. Lowest Price Fitbit Sense 2 The Fitbit Sense 2 is the brand’s answer to the Apple Watch, featuring temperature sensing, a built-in ECG, and advanced sleep tracking. Great Price Fitbit Versa 2 With its large, squared-off touch screen, the Fitbit Versa 2 is an attractive and affordable mix of smartwatch and activity tracker.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Foot Locker, JD.com, Gap and others
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Peter Schacknow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:Foot Locker (FL) – Foot Locker shares soared 14% in the premarket after beating top and bottom line estimates for its latest quarter. JD.com (JD) – The China-based e-commerce company reported better-than-expected quarterly results as Covid-related lockdowns in China prompted more consumers to shop online. JD.com shares jumped 5.2% in premarket trading. Gap (GPS) – Gap shares rallied 5.1% in premarket trading after an unexpected return to profitability and better-than-expected sales. Williams-Sonoma reported better-than-expected sales and profit for its latest quarter.

SKIP AHEAD Best Black Friday salesTo help you make the most of the shopping holiday ahead, we compiled some of the best Black Friday deals and sales that we think you’ll want to know about. Best Black Friday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 10,600 on AmazonThis cookware set comes with 8-inch and 10-inch nonstick fry pans. Best Walmart Black Friday deals4.8-star average rating from 103 reviews at WalmartTineco’s S10 Cordless Smart Stick Vacuum is one of the brand’s newest models. Best Black Friday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Black Friday sales that we think you’ll want to know about.

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said on Thursday the U.S. central bank needed to keep raising interest rates given that its tightening so far "had only limited effects on observed inflation". The comments, coming on the heels of strong retail sales data, dampened hopes of the Fed toning down its hawkish approach following softer-than-expected inflation reports. They are getting more comfortable with a generally higher interest rate regime," said Paul Nolte, portfolio manager at Kingsview Asset Management in Chicago. ET, Dow e-minis were up 224 points, or 0.67%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 35.5 points, or 0.9%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 118.25 points, or 1.01%. Applied Materials Inc (AMAT.O) gained 4.0% after the chip tools maker forecast first-quarter revenue above estimates, on hopes of easing supply chain constraints.

☆ Gap's slowing sales of baby clothes indicate inflation is deeply hurting families
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —Customers are pulling back on spending at Gap and Old Navy — particularly in one specific category that shows just how much families are feeling inflation’s pinch. But Gap and Old Navy said Thursday they’re now seeing less spending on babies’ and kids’ items. “Old Navy customers still have a propensity to buy. More than a quarter said inflation motivated those purchases, and half of parents surveyed sold a secondhand item in the kids’ and baby items category. Mercari said parents of kids 2 and under are the most active secondhand shoppers, according to its survey.

☆ Gap beats quarterly estimates on steady demand for formal clothing
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 17 (Reuters) - Gap Inc (GPS.N) beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly sales and profit on Thursday, helped by steady demand for its formal clothing and dresses from affluent consumers despite a surge in inflation, sending its shares up about 8%. However, Gap echoed retailer Kohl's (KSS.N), which on Thursday warned soaring prices of essential commodities had dampened lower-income consumer's spending on non-essential spending like apparel. Gap expects fourth-quarter net sales to be down in mid-single digits, compared with analysts' expectations of a 0.6% decline, according to Refinitiv IBES data. In October, Gap removed products from its Yeezy Gap line created in partnership with Kanye West, and shut down YeezyGap.com following the rapper's anti-Semitic comments. Gap's third-quarter net sales rose 2.5% to $4.04 billion, topping analysts' estimates of $3.80 billion.

SKIP AHEAD Best Black Friday salesTo help you make the most of the shopping holiday ahead, we compiled some of the best Black Friday deals and sales that we think you’ll want to know about. Best Black Friday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 10,037 reviews on AmazonOral-B makes some of our favorite electric toothbrushes. Best Walmart Black Friday deals4.8-star average rating from 103 reviews at WalmartTineco’s S10 Cordless Smart Stick Vacuum is one of the brand’s newest models. Best Black Friday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Black Friday sales that we think you’ll want to know about.

Over recent years, NATO allies and Russia have scaled up military exercises in the region; Chinese and Russian warships conducted a joint exercise in the Bering Sea in September. Four Arctic experts say it would take the West at least 10 years to catch up with Russia's military in the region, if it chose to do so. "NATO is increasing its presence in the Arctic with more modern capabilities," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg told Reuters. Now NATO and Arctic allies are changing their stance. Sweden and Finland have begun investing in surveillance and deterrence capabilities and military hardware including jets so their air forces can fight alongside Arctic NATO allies.

☆ TikTok CEO says the company is set up to avoid the kind of job cuts Elon Musk made at Twitter: 'We don't need to lay off half the workforce to achieve the efficiency levels that we want'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said the company won't need to cut half its staff like Twitter, Bloomberg reports. Chew said that investing in content moderators is critical to keeping the platform safe. His comments come days after Twitter reportedly laid off many of its contracted content moderators amid the tech layoffs. "The way we are organized is one where we don't need to lay off half the workforce to achieve the efficiency levels that we want to achieve." Chew emphasized that content moderation plays a critical role in efforts to secure TikTok, which is why the platform employs tens and thousands of employees in content moderation, he said.

☆ Fact Check-Experts dispute claims that GPS data leads to election fraud by helping cast illegal ballots
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

More examples of the image, which says GPS data can help “tip the election/s to their preferred candidates” (without identifying who “they” are), are viewable (here), (here). But GPS accuracy is degraded by satellite signal blockage (due to buildings, bridges and trees), indoor and underground use, as well as signals reflected off buildings, among other factors (here). There is no mention of using online surveillance via GPS and geolocation to verify who voted, contrary to the social media claims. For example, by monitoring the sites an individual visits or the posts they create on social media, Google “can have some idea on” voter preferences. Read more about our work to fact-check social media posts here .

Black Friday falls on November 25 this year, but there are a ton of early deals on Apple devices you can take advantage of right now, including on the Apple Watch Series 8. Although the Series 8 doesn't represent a huge leap over the Series 7, it did debut a few unique new features. Deal Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) The Apple Watch Series 8 features a temperature sensor, car crash detection, and low-power mode. If you're looking to upgrade from a previous model, the Series 8 offers a tremendous improvement in performance and use. The Apple Watch Series 8 remains the best smartwatch you can buy and to see it on sale for $50 off ahead of Black Friday means you can score one of the year's best deals before the event even starts.

☆ How an ‘electronic nose’ could help fight wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Preventing even a fraction of wildfires from developing would have sweeping benefits. Climate change is making wildfires more intense, and the number of extreme wildfire events is projected to increase up to 14% by 2030. Existing early warning systems are based on visual detection of smoke, either through satellite imaging, cameras on the ground or human observers. Placed at the edge of the forest, these gateway sensors transmit the emergency signals to the internet over satellite and 4G. This detection time was phenomenal and showed how much potential the Dryad system has,” he adds.

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