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☆ Federal Reserve interest rate verdict: Central bankers meet to decide on next move
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The Federal Reserve is expected to announce Wednesday that it is keeping interest rates at a quarter-century high for the sixth-straight meeting. Other Fed officials have already introduced the possibility of a rate hike, in addition to the chance of no rate cuts this year. Williams later said that another rate hike is possible if economic data warrants it. That combination eerily resembled stagflation, which triggered a broad stocks selloff on Wall Street Thursday. The threshold for a rate hike is ‘extremely high’Another interest rate hike is back in the conversation, but at the moment, it’s still not likely the Fed will do that.

Persons: Jerome Powell, ” Powell, Powell, John Williams, Williams, Neel Kashkari, Austan Goolsbee, “, can’t, it’s, Goldman Sachs, Wall, ” Oren Klachkin Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal, Index, New York Fed, Bloomberg, Minneapolis, Chicago Fed, Commerce Department, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Nationwide, CNN Locations: New, Chicago, Wells Fargo

☆ Pfizer beats revenue estimates, raises profit outlook on cost cuts and strong non-Covid sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pfizer on Wednesday reported first-quarter revenue that beat expectations and hiked its full-year profit outlook, benefiting from its broad cost-cutting program and strong sales of its non-Covid products. Pfizer reiterated its previous revenue forecast of $58.5 billion and $61.5 billion, which it first outlined in mid-December. For the first quarter, Pfizer booked net income of $3.12 billion, or 55 cents per share. That compares with net income of $5.54 billion, or 97 cents per share, during the same period a year ago. Paxlovid booked $2 billion in revenue for the quarter, down 50% from the same period a year ago.

Persons: Pfizer's, Paxlovid Organizations: Pfizer, Wednesday, LSEG, Revenue, U.S, Paxlovid Locations: U.S, Seagen, China

☆ Bank of America says buy this dip ahead of a summer market rally
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Investors shouldn't get too scared by the recent market pullback, according to Bank of America. The firm believes the recent downside movement is a promising entry point before the market returns to green this summer. April marks the worst month for the S & P 500 since September 2023 as investors' expectations for rate cuts fell on hot economic data. As of Tuesday morning, the S & P 500 was last trading around 5,100. The S & P 500 has tested its 5,000 support level, Suttmeier added.

Persons: Stephen Suttmeier, Suttmeier, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America Locations: upsides

☆ The spring homebuying season isn’t what it used to be, thanks to the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

All that has caused the spring homebuying season to take a timeout — and could spell trouble for the remainder of the year. Since 1999, more than a third of home sales for the entire year occur between March and June on average, according to Freddie Mac data. Given the Fed is in no rush to cut interest rates, Khater expects mortgage rates to remain elevated for longer. Taken together, all these factors will likely put upward pressure on home prices, Khater and his team said in the report. “Our outlook does depend on mortgage rates, which are creating their own seasonality,” she added.

Persons: That’s, ” Zillow, Nicole Bachaud, “ Buyers, Bachaud, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac, Khater, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, CNN, “, Fed Locations: New York, Texas, Florida

☆ GDP growth slowed to a 1.6% rate in the first quarter, well below expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Consumer spending increased 2.5% in the period, down from a 3.3% gain in the fourth quarter and below the 3% Wall Street estimate. Net exports subtracted 0.86 percentage point from the growth rate while consumer spending contributed 1.68 percentage points. Excluding food and energy, core PCE prices rose at a 3.7% rate, both well above the Fed's 2% target. Income adjusted for taxes and inflation rose 1.1% for the period, down from 2%. Services spending increased 4%, its highest quarterly level since Q3 of 2021.

Persons: Dow Jones, Jeffrey Roach Organizations: Gross, department's, Analysis, Commerce Department, Federal, Dow Jones, Treasury, Federal Reserve, LPL, Labor Department

☆ Netflix is trying to prove to the world that it’s all grown up
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —In the early stages of life, a key metric is growth. Netflix is trying to persuade Wall Street that it is now all grown up. time spent) as our best proxy for customer satisfaction,” Netflix underscored in its letter to shareholders. Netflix forecasted its subscriber growth to be lower in quarter two, chalking it up to “typical seasonality.” That led the stock to slide nearly 5% in after-hours trading. Whatever the cause, the stock sliding on the less-than-ideal outlook is a prime example of why Netflix wants Wall Street to stop focusing on its subscriber numbers.

Persons: Wall, It’s, “ We’re, Nielsen, won’t Organizations: New York CNN, Netflix Locations: New York

☆ Something strange has been happening with jobless claims numbers lately
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

That's because most of the past several weeks have shown that first-time claims for unemployment benefits haven't fluctuated at all — as in zero. "Initial claims for unemployment insurance are state programs, with 50 state rules, hundreds of offices, and 50 websites to file. Weather, seasonality, holidays, and economic vibrations drive the number of people filing claims from week to week," he added. Indeed, a Labor Department spokesperson noted that while the string of 212,000 prints on the jobless claims data is "uncommon," it would not be considered anomalous. The Labor Department official also pointed out that new seasonal factors to the claims data were announced a month ago.

Persons: Jim Bianco, Tracey Ryniec, Jim Organizations: Labor Department, Bianco Research, Zacks Investment Research, Labor, Federal Reserve Locations: New York City

☆ Netflix blows past earnings estimates as subscribers jump 16%
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Total memberships rose 16% in the first quarter, reaching 269.6 million, well above the 264.2 million Wall Street had expected. However, the quarter marks one of the last glimpses investors will get of the company's subscriber base going forward. The company posted revenue of $9.37 billion for the quarter, up from $8.16 billion in the year-ago quarter. Netflix could also provide more insight into its partnership with TKO Group Holdings to bring WWE to the platform. As of Thursday morning, the company's stock was up 27% year to date and around 85% over the last 12 months.

Persons: we've, we're, Ted Sarandos, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson Organizations: Netflix, LSEG Revenue, LSEG, TKO, Holdings, WWE

☆ Netflix forces Wall Street to focus on profit and revenue with decision to stop reporting subscriber numbers in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Netflix said Thursday it will no longer report quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per membership starting in the first quarter of 2025. It's also a signal Netflix's second wave of subscriber growth may be ending. Netflix shares fell 4% in after-hours trading, in part because of a weaker full-year revenue growth outlook than some analysts estimated. Netflix forecast revenue growth of 16% in the second quarter but just 13% to 15% for the full year. "In our early days, when we had little revenue or profit, membership growth was a strong indicator of our future potential," Netflix said in its shareholder letter.

Persons: It's, haven't, Greg Peters Organizations: Netflix, ARM, Apple, Warner Bros, Disney, Paramount Global, Comcast, CNBC Locations: U.S

☆ Retail sales jumped 0.7% in March, much higher than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Excluding auto-related receipts, retail sales jumped 1.1%, also well ahead of the estimate for a 0.5% increase. An increase in gas prices helped push the headline retail sales number higher, with sales up 2.1% on the month at service stations. Resilient consumer spending has helped keep the economy afloat despite higher interest rates and concerns over stubborn inflation. Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. economic output so it is critical to continued growth in gross domestic product. Stronger consumer spending could cause the Fed to hold off longer on cuts, said Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics.

Persons: Dow, Andrew Hunter, Hunter Organizations: Commerce Department, Labor Department, Sporting, Federal Reserve, Capital Economics Locations: Iran, Israel

☆ Goldman Sachs just added stocks to its top Asian picks, giving one over 45% upside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | In Amala-Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Goldman Sachs has refreshed its conviction list of top stocks in Asia Pacific this month, adding some names and removing others. Here are two additions to Goldman Sachs' Asian conviction list, and two removals: China Resources Beer Goldman analyst Leaf Liu said he was positive on the outlook for Chinese beer manufacturer and distributor China Resources Beer . Goldman Sachs has a 12-month price target of 51 Hong Kong dollars ($6.51) on the stock, giving it potential upside of around 46%. NTPC India's power generation company NTPC — formerly the National Thermal Power Corporation — was another addition to Goldman's conviction list. Shionogi, China Medical System Meanwhile, the Wall Street bank removed two pharmaceutical players — Japan's Shionogi and the China-headquartered China Medical System — from its conviction list.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, China Resources Beer, Leaf Liu, CRB, —, National Thermal Power Corporation —, Apoorva Bahadur, Bahadur, Goldman, — Japan's Shionogi, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: MSCI Asia, China Resources, China Resources Beer Goldman, China Resources Beer, Brands, Star, Heineken, Hong, Franklin FTSE, National Thermal Power Corporation Locations: Asia Pacific, Japan, China, ,, Tianjin, premiumization, Hong Kong, Franklin FTSE China, Shionogi

☆ Expect stocks to rally after this week's key inflation report, Fundstrat's Tom Lee says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Wednesday's March consumer price index report could play a pivotal role in the next stage of the stock market rally, according to Fundstrat's Tom Lee. "Bottom line: We see probabilities favoring a rally in stocks post-March CPI report," the head or research wrote in a note to clients Sunday. Recent data trending above expectations and higher oil prices have fueled worries on Wall Street that inflation is reaccelerating after a period of downward momentum, Lee noted. "Thus, March is first clean CPI print of 2024," he said. "Or rather, we view the March CPI report as more representative of the actual trend in inflation."

Persons: Tom Lee, Lee

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Intel, Spotify, Ulta Beauty and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Spotify Technology – The music-streaming company popped more than 8%. Bloomberg reported that Spotify is upping prices for its premium subscription service within several markets, including the U.S. Ford Motor announced that first-quarter U.S. sales rose 7% from a year ago, while electric vehicle sales jumped 86%. SoFi Technologies – Shares of the financial technology company rose 4.7% after Needham initiated coverage with a buy rating . GE Aerospace – GE Aerospace surged more than 6%, a day after the conglomerate once known as General Electric completed the spinoff of its power business.

Persons: Ulta, Dave, Buster's, Wells, Tesla, Nelson Peltz, Needham, —, Alex Harring, Hakyung Kim, Tanaya Macheel, Jesse Pound Organizations: Intel, Spotify Technology, Bloomberg, Spotify, U.S, Cal, Disney – Disney, Signet, Ford, Ford Motor, GE Aerospace – GE Aerospace, Electric, GE Vernova, New York Stock Exchange Locations: Cal, Maine

☆ A millennial moved to Charleston from Nashville to get away from the bachelorette party scene. She's never been happier working her new dream job and paddleboarding in her new city.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Kaelyn Dannenfelser said she's happier than ever after a job change and a move to Charleston from Nashville. AdvertisementKaelyn Dannenfelser, 28, said while she misses her friends in Nashville, Tennessee, and loved being able to live there, she's definitely not moving back. AdvertisementFor those looking to move to Charleston like her, she suggested spending time researching as there are several islands. While Dannenfelser hasn't been living in Charleston or in her new role too long, she's feeling much happier so far. Advertisement"I look forward to waking up in Charleston and waking up for my job," she said.

Persons: Kaelyn Dannenfelser, —, Kaelyn, she's, Dannenfelser, Shem, Paddleboarding, She's, I've, doesn't, didn't, I'm, Dannenfelser hasn't Organizations: Service, Census Bureau, Business, Charleston, BI Locations: Charleston, Nashville, Charleston . Charleston, Nashville , Tennessee, Charleston , South Carolina, Wando, North Charleston, South Carolina, Florida, LTK

☆ A chef opened a tiny dessert spot in Tokyo that sells shaved ice for $18 a bowl. I know it's a massive markup, and I'd still pay for it again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Tammy Kwan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The shaved ice features unique textures, temperatures, and toppings. AdvertisementA few other customers ordered just before I did, so I patiently waited for my shaved ice to be prepared. But then, I started to taste the thinly shaved ice with the sweet red beans, fresh cream, and milk syrup. I would definitely come back againI have eaten my fair share of shaved ice around the world. In addition to kakigōri in Japan, I'm a fan of bingsu (milk-based Korean shaved ice) in Korea and ice kachang (shaved ice with mixed toppings) in Singapore.

Persons: —, Azuki, Miho Horio, Horio, Kouri, Tammy Kwan Azuki, Miho's, Tammy Kwan, would've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Tokyo, Niseko, Yoyogi, Shibuya, Japan, Kouri, Korea, Singapore

☆ Goldman Sachs now sees just 3 rate cuts in 2024 amid persistently hot inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Federal Reserve will cut interest rates just 3 times in 2024, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank lowered its forecast for 4 interest rate cuts after elevated inflation data. AdvertisementHigher-than-expected inflation readings over the past two months have led Goldman Sachs to revise its 2024 interest rate forecasts. The bank now expects the Federal Reserve to deliver just three 25-basis point interest rate cuts this year, down from its prior projection of four rate cuts. Three interest rate cuts in 2024 is about half of what the market originally expected at the beginning of the year.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, David Mericle, Mericle Organizations: Federal, Reserve

☆ China kicks off the year on strong note as retail, industrial data tops expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Retail sales rose 5.5%, better than the 5.2% increase forecast in a Reuters poll, while industrial production climbed 7%, compared with estimates of 5% growth. Investment into real estate fell by 9% in the first two months of the year from a year ago. National Bureau of Statistics Spokesperson Liu Aihua said that real estate remains in a period of "adjustment," according to a CNBC translation of his statement in Mandarin. New loans in February missed expectations and fell from the prior month, "even after adjusting for seasonality," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a report Friday. Chinese authorities did not reveal significant new support for the massive real estate sector during an annual parliamentary meeting that ended last week.

Persons: Liu Aihua, Liu, Ting Lu, Goldman Sachs, Pan Gongsheng, Goldman Organizations: Pudong New, Investment, National Bureau of, CNBC, China, People's Bank of China, Reuters Locations: Dongyu, Qiantan, Pudong, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, BEIJING, Real, Beijing

☆ Corporate greed is pushing prices up even as the main drivers of inflation keep falling, Fundstrat's Tom Lee says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Corporate greed drove inflation higher in January, according to Fundstrat's Tom Lee. AdvertisementCorporate greed is the reason why inflation was hotter than expected to start the year, according to Fundstrat's head of research Tom Lee. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, Lee pointed to the slight uptick in January consumer inflation, with prices rising 3.1% year-over-year. That suggests the hotter-than-expected inflation reading to start 2024 was likely due to corporate "greedflation," or simply, businesses hiking prices because they're able to. Advertisement"The arching reality is that inflation is falling ... A lot of companies raise prices in the month of January and it doesn't get captured," Lee said.

Persons: Tom Lee, Lee, —, doesn't Organizations: Service, CNBC, Federal Reserve

☆ Inside Smashmallow, Silicon Valley's Failed Marshmallow Startup
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

"We wanted a marshmallow to have a little bite to it, not just be a foamy air," he says. Jon Sebastiani, Smashmallow founderSmashmallow had a killer brand — but the product was still basically being made one batch at a time, on kitchen counters. If Smashmallow couldn't produce enough marshmallows, Tanis wouldn't get its dough. The thing is, even though Smashmallow failed, Sebastiani didn't. "In that industry, a snackable marshmallow is a Smashmallow, like a copy machine is a Xerox," says Kwasniewski.

Persons: Jon Sebastiani, Sebastiani, Krave, jonesing, marshmallows, Liam Eisenberg, aerated, Cook, Jens Hoj, Hoj, Smashmallow, he'd, It's, Theranos, wasn't, Elizabeth Holmes, Tanis, Wolfgang Confectioners, Smashmallow Smashmallow, Wolfgang, Tanis wouldn't, Smashmallow couldn't, Richard Hartel, Sebastiani didn't, David Kwasniewski, Kwasniewski, Smashmallows, it's, Adam Rogers Organizations: Hershey, Michelin, BI, Kraft, Target, Walmart, Doumak, Workers, University of Wisconsin, Area, Xerox, marshmallows, Business Locations: Paris, California, Sonoma, Hershey, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Hobart, Chicago, Las Vegas, Netherlands, Tanis, Pennsylvania, America, Sonoma Capital, Smashmallow, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Colorado, North America

☆ The Fed engineered a miracle. Now comes the hard part.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Yet two months into 2024, Jerome Powell and his Fed colleagues seems to have nearly pulled off what many would have called a miracle not long ago. Between a rock and a hard placeThe January Fed meeting minutes reinforced policymakers' careful approach for the months ahead. AdvertisementTo be sure, as far as policy expectations, markets have only recently arrived on the same page as the Fed. "The Fed doesn't want to be seen as having allowed inflation to reignite," he added. "The Fed doesn't want to undo all the good work they've done, and needlessly push the economy into a recession."

Persons: —, Jerome Powell, Powell, James McCann, Abrdn, Gene Goldman, CME's, Gregory Draco, Draco, Larry Summers, Summers, Cetera's Goldman, Goldman, Abrdn's McCann, McCann Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Business, Co, Fed, Cetera Investment Management, Bloomberg

☆ Fed rate hikes are creeping back into the conversation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementExperts maintain that any hikes this year are unlikely, but say it's notable how they have creeped back into the policy conversation once again. "You can't say zero probability for something to break in the event of another rate hike," Jason Draho, head of asset allocation in the Americas for UBS Global Wealth Management, told Business Insider. "That last mile [of inflation] will be harder to obtain," Anthony Saglimbene, Ameriprise Financial's chief market strategist, told Business Insider. "The Fed's erring on the side of hawkishness," Hunter told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Larry Summers, Summers, Jason Draho, you'd, Goldman Sachs, Anthony Saglimbene, Ameriprise, Paul Mielczarski, Mielczarski, Ameriprise's Saglimbene, Andrew Hunter, Hunter Organizations: Service, Federal, Business, PPI, Fed, Former, Bloomberg, Traders, UBS Global Wealth Management, Capital Economics Locations: Americas, OER, Brandywine, hawkishness

☆ Steep rate cuts are coming as the job market looks poised to weaken, Wells Fargo strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewSteep rate cuts from the Federal Reserve could be coming later this year thanks to weakening in the job market, which likely isn't as robust as some of the latest data has made it out to be, according to Wells Fargo strategist Erik Nelson. Advertisement"We need a catalyst, we need some data that shows these recent, strong data were just a blip. But much of that strength may be seasonal and no longer reflected in upcoming job reports, Nelson said. Other market commentators have warned that hiring activity could weaken in 2024 as tighter financial conditions take a toll on businesses. Though the jobless rate is low, continuing unemployment claims are hovering around 1.9 million, according to Fed data.

Persons: —, Wells, Erik Nelson, Nelson, Paul Dietrich Organizations: Service, Federal, Bloomberg, Business, Fed, New York Fed, Yale School of Management

☆ There's a 'meaningful' chance the Fed's next move is a rate hike, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A wave of inflationary signals means that the Federal Reserve's next move could be a rate hike, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said. His read on recent key inflation indicators in January, including a 3.1% year-over-year increase in the consumer price index and a 0.9% rise in the producer price index, formed the basis of his rationale. When it comes to identifying deflationary trends in shelter prices, Summers noted that many economists tend to focus solely on rental markets. AdvertisementSummers noted that the Fed isn't going to want to let up too soon and risk cutting rates while inflation is still a problem. The disease tends to come back and it tends to be harder to go after the second time."

Persons: Larry Summers, Summers, there's Organizations: Federal, Bloomberg, Business

☆ To Cure to Burnout, Embrace Seasonality - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Cal Newport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For most of human existence, the pace and intensity of productivity varied widely from season to season. Following the development of agriculture around 10,000 B.C.E., the relationship between work and the seasons became even more structured, with predictably busy planting and harvesting seasons interleaved with predictably quiet winters. This led to a conception of work as something that should occur at the fullest possible intensity, without variation, throughout the year. When knowledge work arose as a major economic sector in the 20th century — the term “knowledge work” itself was coined in 1959 — it borrowed this approach from manufacturing, which was the dominant economic force of the time. Office buildings became invisible factories, with members of this growing class of workers metaphorically clocking in for eight-hour shifts, week after week, month after month, attempting to transform their mental capacities into valuable output with the same regularity as an assembly-line worker churning out automobiles.

Persons: sapiens

☆ Florists share the 7 mistakes to avoid when buying someone flowers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Alyssa Towns Swantkoski | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Business Insider asked florists about mistakes people make when buying flowers. AdvertisementAhead of Valentine's Day, Business Insider asked florists to share mistakes people make when buying and ordering bouquets. Colleen McGing , a floral and event designer, told Business Insider that consumers might get a better value by trusting the pros. “Florists aren’t equal, so it’s important to read reviews, look for certifications, and ensure a florist’s professionalism and reliability before ordering,” he told BI. Factor in hidden costs and delivery fees when ordering flowers onlineWhen ordering flowers online, beware of add-on costs that can make an arrangement cost significantly more than you'd think.

Persons: —, florists, aren't, Colleen McGing, ”, McGing, Igor Podyablonskiy, Podyablonskiy, Elena Noviello, Rachel Cho, Cho, Alexander Spatari, premade, ” McGing Organizations: Service, Business, Research

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