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☆ Here’s why the Fed cares about the cost of your haircut and your doctor’s visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Overall, consumer prices rose 0.3% in January 2024 from December 2023, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. The Labor Department releases its Consumer Price Index for February on Tuesday. The drivers of services inflation have been threefold: Vehicle insurance, hospital insurance, and financial services. The US Labor Department releases its Consumer Price Index for February. The US Commerce Department releases February figures on retail sales in addition to January data on business inventories.

Persons: don’t abate, Price, it’s, Bell, Saira Malik, They’ve, I’ve, Biden, Joe Biden, I’m, ”, Biden’s, Read, Guess Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Oracle, Asana, Vail Resorts, US Labor Department, US Treasury Department, National Statistics, Adobe, Dollar, Sporting Goods, Getty, US Commerce Department, The New York Fed, Manufacturing Index, University of Michigan Locations: Nuveen, Thursday’s State, America

Read previewRunning a small business is challenging and securing funding is often a major hurdle. Given the high rates of small business failure linked to funding issues, it is apparent that financial preparation is key. I'm a financial planner, and I've identified seven documents that small business owners should have — especially if you need a small business credit card, grant, or a business loan. To ensure your small business is well-prepared to secure funding, it is essential to have the following financial documents in place. 1. Business credit reportUnderstanding and managing your business credit score is essential to secure funding.

Persons: —, I've, Bradstreet, Dun & Bradstreet, DUNS, Experian Organizations: Service, Business, Dun &, Insurance Locations: Dun, Experian

☆ Opinion: Ozempic and similar drugs mean nothing for patients who can’t access them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Opinion Jody Dushay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

We discussed that for many people, the most powerful tools for medical weight management are the glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP1) agonists. As of 2024, insurance, not body weight or BMI, has become the most important vital sign for doctors who see patients for medical weight management. They really did transform a fairly barren landscape of pharmacotherapeutic options for medical weight management that lasted several decades. Weight loss is on average about 15% with Wegovy and 22% with Zepbound, with super responders losing more than 25% of their body weight. By comparison, other medications that are FDA-approved for weight loss, including Qsymia and Contrave, are combinations of much older drugs.

Persons: Jody Dushay, MMSc, Beth, I’ve, Stanley, —, cravings Organizations: Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical, CNN, Insurance, FDA, Medicare Locations: Boston, prediabetes

☆ I moved to Germany for a free education 8 years ago. I struggled to fit in, but here are the biggest reasons I never left.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Adriana Stein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

She also says she appreciates Germany's Turkish community, ease of travel, and food transparency. It describes the tight-knit Turkish community and their ability to come together and help one another, regardless of the location. Insurance provides coverage, rather than trying to get out of payments with vague loopholesIn Germany, insurance is basically a way of life. AdvertisementNo matter where I rent a car, I use my German insurance because it has absolutely stellar coverage. My German insurance covered everything and it was a really easy process to go through.

Persons: Adriana Stein, Stein, —, I've, I'm, they've, you've, didn't, Germany hasn't Organizations: Service, Family Ministry, Social, EU, Turkish, Insurance, pharma, Big Pharma Locations: Germany, Hamburg, Kindergeld, Europe, Oregon, Turkish, South Africa

☆ Big insurance companies want more private credit. Here's how Blackstone is using AI to win them over.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Insurance companies represent a big opportunity for private equity firms, who invest with the accumulated premiums paid by millions of everyday Americans. It's not just insurance clients that benefit from AI to bring more transparency to the cloudy private credit market. With private credit, insurance firms can invest in a more diversified set of assets with greater yield (and, albeit risk) than public credit markets, like vanilla corporate bonds. And because insurance companies often have long-term horizons with their financial obligations to policyholders, they can invest in less-liquid asset classes, like private credit. But to win more insurance clients, Blackstone must compete with the likes of Apollo Global Management, Carlyle, and KKR, which have also been keen on insurance.

Persons: Blackstone, John Stecher, it's, Stecher, Gilles Dellaert, Carlyle, that's, Jon Gray, Gray Organizations: Blackstone, —, Business, Insurance, Blackstone Insurance, Apollo Global Management, KKR Locations: BXCI

☆ The Florida city with cheaper homes and fun perks luring residents from Miami and New York
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

About 730,000 people moved to Florida between July 2021 and July 2022, according to the latest census data available. The typical mover to Florida is not a baby boomer, but a millennial or a Gen Xer from New York and California, according to Business Insider's Noah Sheidlower. "When it comes to people who can't get a starter home in South Florida, they're coming to Orlando," Smith said. "But if you move to Orlando, Florida, with $750,000 or $800,000, you're like, 'I get a yard? AdvertisementMore than 140,000 of the nearly 739,000 people who moved to Florida between 2021 and 2022 came from California and New York , according to Census data.

Persons: —, Noah Sheidlower, Freddie Smith, Shay Walker, Smith, Redfin, Orlando, jodi jacobson, Jenna Clark, Mark Kaley, Joe Raedle Organizations: Service, Business, Orlando, Walt Disney, University of Florida's, Economic, Business Research, Insurance, Disney, Census Bureau, Department of Housing, Urban Locations: Florida, New York, California, Cities, South Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Los Angeles, Orange County, New York City, Central Florida, Orlando , Florida

☆ Annuity sales hit a record in 2023. Here's what to know about one popular option
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Fixed indexed annuity sales brought in a record $95.6 billion, up from 20% from the record hit the year prior. Indexed annuities earn interest that is calculated based on the changes within a market index, such as the S & P 500 or the Nasdaq 100. However, they also receive downside protection: They are credited zero interest if the index their annuity is tracking declines. The term of index annuities typically range from three to 15 years, according to Annuity.org . Fixed indexed annuities can also be complicated, warned David Blanchett, head of retirement research for PGIM DC Solutions.

Persons: Bryan Hodgens, Buyers, Hodges, Cannex, Melody Evans, Evans, David Blanchett, Blanchett, DIAs Organizations: Nasdaq, Cannex, Products, Insurance, TIAA, DC Solutions, FIA Locations: Connecticut

The declines have come from just about every sector, with the exception of technology, which has seen its earnings estimates rise since October 1. A good example: IBM , which beat earnings expectations and highlighted an uptick in demand for artificial intelligence products and services. Outside of technology, earnings expectations are lower than three months ago, but are now rising again. "The market has been anticipating improving earnings expectations, and it's getting them. By that I do not mean that earnings estimates are rising, I mean they are not getting cut as much anymore," Raich added.

Persons: Nick Raich, it's, Raich, Sherwin, Williams, Heidi Petz, Kimberly, Clark, Nelson Urdaneta, that's, shipper J.B, Hunt, John Roberts, McCormick, Gamble, STMicroelectronics, Jim Fitterling, DuPont, hasn't, ASML, Andre Schulten, Baker Hughes Organizations: IBM, Treasury, Scout, Paint Stores, Insurance, Procter, Swift Transportation, Dow Inc, Texas, 3M, Gamble, FedEx, Humana, Adobe, Dupont Locations: Americas, China

Rising bond yields have thrown cold water on the major averages, but a few winners may emerge even if rates remain elevated. These developments have spurred worries that the Fed policymakers could keep rates higher for longer. Bond prices and yields are inversely related, which means that as yields rise, bond prices will fall. Generally, insurers benefit when interest rates rise , since their investment portfolios will generate more yield. Shares of both real estate investment trusts, which specialize in communications services, could take a hit as higher rates make their dividends less attractive.

Persons: W.R ., Humana, Jefferies, Centene, Sherwin, Williams, Baird Organizations: Federal Reserve, CNBC Pro, Treasury Bond ETF, CME Group, Molina Healthcare, W.R, Florida Medicaid, American Tower Corporation, SBA Communications Locations: Molina, UnitedHealth, Florida

☆ What Kind of Driver Will Your Kid Be? This Test Can Tell.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Julie Jargon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

It’s a nervous parent’s dream: finding out your children’s risk of a driving accident before they get behind the wheel of a car. Many of us might think we can predict what kind of drivers our kids will be, but it’s impossible to know whether teens will brake too hard or steer straight when they finally are able to drive. Insurance companies have apps to track teen driving, but that information only comes after they’re on the road.

Persons: they’re Organizations: Insurance

☆ This Test Can Tell How Likely a Young Driver Is to Crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Julie Jargon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: they’re Organizations: Insurance

☆ Hertz dumping 20,000 EVs is a warning to electric-car owners everywhere
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Graham Rapier | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The car-rental firm said it's selling 20,000 EVs — about one-third of its electric fleet of Teslas, Volvos, Polestars, and more — partly due to repair and maintenance costs. AdvertisementIt's also a warning about the cost of EV ownership to drivers thinking about switching from gas to electric. Mitchell, which supplies data for insurance and repair companies, has found EVs — and particularly Teslas — are more expensive than gas-powered cars to repair. Among all EVs, Tesla's Model 3 has the best resale value, falling by only 42.9% in five years.

Persons: Hertz, —, Adam Jonas, Morgan Stanley, It's, Jonas, Mitchell, Kelley, Power, iSeeCars Organizations: EV, Service, Automotive, Energy Innovation, Insurance, quicken Locations: West Coast

☆ These stocks will be the biggest S&P 500 winners of 2024, according to analysts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Using the CNBC Pro Stock Screener Tool , we looked for S & P 500 stocks that analysts project will have the best performance in 2024 according to their consensus price targets. Halliburton's stock price dipped 8.1% last year, while shares of Marathon Oil similarly went down, losing 10.9%. Analysts' consensus price targets on both stocks indicate more than 34% upside over the next 12 months from Friday's close. Their average price targets suggest shares of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines Holdings have upside of more than 31% and 42%, respectively. Analysts have a consensus price targets of $95.20 on the stock, suggesting shares could gain roughly 28% this year, adding to its 18.3% gains in 2023.

Persons: Stocks, Morgan Stanley, Raymond James, Cowen's, Helane Becker, Becker, Bernstein, Stacy Rasgon Organizations: Nvidia, Warner Bros, CNBC, Halliburton, Marathon Oil, Analysts, UBS, Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines Holdings, American Express, . Insurance, Arch, Evercore ISI, Arch Capital, Discovery, Moderna Locations: Friday's

☆ The hidden expense that's sucking $74 billion out of the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Bartie Scott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

They said rising costs kept the board from expanding amenities residents wanted, such as a shared composting system. jhorrocks/Getty ImagesRising price for peace of mindIn the constellation of household costs, insurance is often one of the lesser-noticed line items. But recently the rising cost of repairs and the frequency of damaging weather events have made the deal go sour. Rising insurance costs could inflict more pain on another bruised area of the economy: housing affordability. For this reason, insurance companies could decline to cover them or require costly upgrades before agreeing to a policy.

Persons: that'd, Mark Pauly, Tim Quinlan, you'll, Quinlan, it's, Francesco D'Acunto, D'Acunto, Pauly, they've, Nature, John Coletti, That's, Bartie Scott Organizations: Insurance, Research, Bank of America, Global, American, Casualty Insurance Association, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Insurance Information Institute, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, Social Security, National Flood Insurance, Business Insider's Locations: Logan, Chicago, Florida, Wells Fargo, California

☆ Private-asset binge exposes insurance to new risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( John Foley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The concept is not new: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N) has used its insurance premiums to help fund everything from railways to cowboy-boot makers. The prospect of insurance companies buying risky loans or private equity investments has raised eyebrows. Many private credit assets, for example, rely on so-called private letter ratings based on confidential data. Given the private nature of private credit, it’s hard to see from the outside how big these risks are, or where they lurk. Besides, even if the share of life insurance assets that are mis-rated or undercapitalized is tiny, smaller insurers could carry more concentrated risk.

Persons: Blackstone, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, Fitch, Kroll, Egan, Jones, DBRS Morningstar, Banks, SVB, Jonathan Guilford, Neil Unmack, Peter Thal Larsen, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Apollo Global Management, KKR, Global Atlantic, Investments, National Association of Insurance, England’s Everton FC, Rivals, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Athene, P Global, Insurance, SVB, Thomson Locations: Global, Delaware , New York, Iowa, New York, London

☆ A California native recently moved to a Kentucky city with 26,000 residents. She's able to live a much more fulfilling life closer to family at a much lower cost.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A Gen Xer moved from California to a small city in Kentucky in 2021. Duvall moved in 2021 from San Marcos, her city of 100,000 in California, to Paducah, Kentucky, a small city with around 26,000 residents. AdvertisementAdvertisement"I have no plans on ever going back to California ," Duvall said. Of that total, just under 6,000 moved from California to Kentucky, compared to over 22,500 in neighboring Tennessee. Still, Duvall said in her small city, she's gotten better care for her medical problems, as she's gotten more individualized, thorough attention.

Persons: Xer, she's, —, Duvall, Kentucky Duvall, SSDI, it's, I'm Organizations: Service, Security Disability Insurance Locations: California, Kentucky, San Diego County, San Marcos, Paducah , Kentucky, Tennessee, San Diego, Paducah

☆ Berkshire Hathaway posts 40% surge in operating earnings and record cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway on Saturday reported a surge in third-quarter operating earnings and record-high cash pile of $157 billion in the period. Berkshire reported a net loss of $12.8 billion, compared to a loss of $2.8 billion during the same period last year. Berkshire bought back about $1.1 billion in stock during the third quarter, bringing the nine-month total to approximately $7 billion in stock repurchases so far this year. “It was like having God just opening a chest and just pouring money into it,” Charlie Munger, vice chair of Berkshire Hathaway, said of the investments in an interview with the Acquired podcast released in October. Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares are up 13.9% for the year as of Friday’s close, underperforming the benchmark S&P 500.

Persons: New York CNN — Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett, ” Buffett, Charlie Munger Organizations: New, New York CNN, Berkshire, Fitch, AAA, CNBC, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Berkshire Hathaway Locations: New York, Berkshire, Omaha , Nebraska

☆ Wealthy buyers are flocking to Florida to rebuild mansions where modest homes were destroyed by hurricanes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rich buyers have the funds to rebuild mansions that are more likely to survive future storms. Fort Myers Beach, Florida, has seen an influx of new buyers following Hurricane Ian last year. The storm killed 21 people and washed away a third of the homes and businesses located on the skinny sand strip that makes up Fort Myers Beach, many of which were modest, middle-class homes. Candy Rahn, 69, told the outlet she and her husband were forced out of Fort Myers after Ian when her uninsured cottage was destroyed. The wealthy companies and people who swoop in to buy up empty lots in Fort Myers Beach are in some ways helping disaster survivors by padding their pockets with thousands of dollars.

Persons: Rich, Ian, —, Candy Rahn, Fort Myers, Rahn, Jesse Keenan Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Fort Myers, Attom Data, University of Delaware's, Research, Tulane University Locations: Florida, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Fort, Fort Myers, New Orleans

Despite a bleak month in October for the stock market, there may be some good news in store for at least four stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average . All three major market indexes are in the red this month, with the Dow off by 1.5% since the end of September. But investors may find some relief heading into the year end, since historically November has been a strong month for stocks. Analysts surveyed by LSEG have an average rating of hold on Caterpillar. Based on a consensus price target of $288, Caterpillar offers some 27% upside according to analyst estimates.

Persons: Dow, LSEG, Max, — CNBC's Christopher Hayes Organizations: Dow Jones, Stock, Dow, CNBC, Caterpillar, Analysts, LSEG, Boeing, Max . Insurance, UBS

☆ I'm fleeing Florida after almost 40 years because 'Rolls Royces, Range Rovers and Maseratis took over' and my home insurance skyrocketed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

David, 58, had loved the slow pace and friendly community in West Palm Beach, Florida, since 1987. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with David, 58, who is moving to Savannah, Georgia, next year after almost 40 years living in West Palm Beach, Florida. We would drive down to see them, and West Palm Beach held some mystique to me. I spent nearly 40 years in West Palm BeachWhen I first came to West Palm Beach, I moved into this great little area that I fell in love with. I lived in a condo for two years, and then I bought property for $150,000 back in 1989 or 1990.

Persons: David, —, Maseratis, Georgia Wilmington Island , Florida Matthew Propst, we've Organizations: Service, Palm Beach, Insurance Locations: West Palm Beach , Florida, Georgia, Savannah , Georgia, Chicago, Florida, West Palm, Palm, New York, I'm, Georgia Wilmington Island , Florida, Palm Beach, Savannah, Wilmington

☆ Insider Today: You should buy a house now
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementIn today's big story, we're looking at why it's a good time to buy a house. RichLegg/Getty ImagesIt's a pretty terrible time to buy a house these days, which is why it's a good time to buy a house. AdvertisementAdvertisementInsider's Jennifer Sor detailed why it's a good time to buy a house. Part of the issue is that mortgage rates won't magically drop overnight. The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, senior editor and anchor, in New York City.

Persons: OpenAI's Sam Altman, Jennifer Sor, Jacob Zinkula, they're, that's, Gen Zers, who's, it's, Doug Haynes, Haynes, Steve Cohen's Point72, Leon Cooperman isn't, Arantza Pena Popo, carmakers, EVs, Tyler Le, Satya Nadella, Mathias Döpfner, Axel Springer, Jensen Huang, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: FBI, RichLegg, Norias Research, Investments, Ameriprise, Insurance, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Nvidia, ZTE Corp, Philips, NBA Locations: West Palm Beach, Fla, Tokyo, Oklahoma City, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Nike is among the most overbought stocks in the S&P 500. Here are the others
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A stock with a 14-day RSI greater than 70 is considered to be overbought and at risk of a pullback. Here are some of the most overbought names: Sports apparel retailer Nike has a 14-day RSI of 81.89, and just under half of analysts covering the stock rate it a buy. Lockheed Martin is another one of the most overbought companies in the S & P 500. The U.S. defense contractor scored a 14-day RSI of 77.69, with a consensus price target implying 6.8% upside. Also on the oversold list is pharmaceutical company Moderna , which has a 14-day RSI reading of 15.5.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Lockheed Martin, Invesco, Jason Haas, Haas, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Nike, Dow Jones, CNBC Pro, Insurance, Cardinal Health, Allstate, Humana, Investment, Hasbro, Wall, Bank of America, Monopoly, Moderna, Pfizer, FedEx Locations: U.S, Lowe's

☆ Novavax's updated Covid vaccine can still catch up to Pfizer, Moderna shots this fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The biotech company is banking on sales of its updated Covid vaccine — its only commercially available product — and a broad cost-cutting push to help it stay afloat. Novavax's shot fends off the virus with protein-based technology, a decades-old method used in routine vaccinations against hepatitis B and shingles. The federal government shifted Covid vaccine distribution and coverage to the private market for the first time this fall. A sign advertises COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine shots at a Walgreens Pharmacy in Somerville, Massachusetts, August 14, 2023. Some pharmacies, like Walgreens , also appear to be resolving supply disruptions, which left many stores without any new Covid shots for patients to receive.

Persons: Patrick Van Katwijk, Novavax, aren't, Mayank Mamtani, fends, Silvia Taylor, Taylor, Novavax's, Mamtani, Hannah Beier, Jefferies, Roger Song, Brian Snyder, Biden Organizations: Dutch Health Service Organization, Getty, Pfizer, Moderna, Drug Administration, Riley Securities, CNBC, Covid, FDA, Bloomberg, Insurance, Walgreens, Reuters Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, U.S, Schwenksville , Pennsylvania, Somerville , Massachusetts

Oct 4 (Reuters) - Headway, a healthcare tech startup that connects patients and in-network therapists, has raised $125 million in Series C funding, the company told Reuters. Insurance company Health Care Service Corporation also joined the round. Based in New York, Headway's platform connects patients with therapists and psychiatrists who can provide care covered by insurance. The company makes money by taking a cut of the payments that therapists on its platform receive from insurance companies. The pandemic prompted more people to turn to mental health services to deal with stress and burnout.

Persons: Andreessen Horowitz, Andrew Adams, We've, Adams, Will Reed, Krystal Hu, Tom Hogue Organizations: Reuters, Spark Capital, Accel, Andreessen Horowitz . Insurance, Health Care Service Corporation, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, San Francisco

☆ Insuring your home in Colorado can cost $40,000 as the climate crisis wreaks havoc on the market, one insurance CEO said
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Oscar Seikaly, CEO at NSI Insurance Group, which is based in Florida but underwrites policies nationally, about skyrocketing insurance premiums and how unpredictable disasters around the country raise prices for everyone. Over the past 10 years, insurance premiums have changed dramatically. AdvertisementAdvertisementTake the average house in Aspen: You have $5 million for the house, $3 million for the contents, another $2 million for loss of rents. All these insurance companies have to buy from reinsurance companies and there's only three or four main ones in the world. When you buy a $5 million house or a $10 million house, paying $30,000 or $20,000 a year is not going to make a difference.

Persons: Oscar Seikaly, Seikaly, —, that's Organizations: Service, NSI Insurance Locations: Aspen, Florida, California, Colorado, Northern California

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