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☆ Housing market inventory keeps declining and that's bad news for homebuyers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

We're revisiting housing inventory today because it's one of the key sticking points that's keeping home prices elevated and buyers wary. Get this: The housing market today has 39% fewer homes for sale than before the pandemic. Mortgage rates are currently about double what they were in 2021, when ultra-low rates fueled a home-buying boom. That could help influence mortgage rates to go even higher this year. People who are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for mortgage rates to decline, should know that's unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future."

Persons: I'm Phil Rosen, Jerome Powell, Joe Raedle, There's, Powell, Redfin's Chen Zhao, Edward Seiler, Tweet, JIM WATSON, Morgan Stanley, Steve Eisman, Larry Summers, Richard Branson's, Phil Rosen, Max Adams, Hallam Bullock Organizations: realtors, Mortgage Bankers Association, US, Getty, Fed, FedEx, Nvidia, Bloomberg, Treasury, Virgin Galactic Locations: homebuilding, New York, London

☆ In Branson, Missouri, a Two-Wheeled Fix for the Commuter Blues
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Richard Fausset | Chase Castor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

WHY WE’RE HEREWe’re exploring how America defines itself one place at a time. In this Midwest tourist town, a housing crisis has led to creative transportation solutions. Eventually, she was evicted, her car was repossessed, and she found herself living at first in the woods, and later in one of the old motels around the city’s gaudy entertainment strip. By some estimates, close to 20 percent of the people living in Branson are homeless or staying in motels. They are workers and drifters, service industry strivers and worn-down honky-tonkers, some struggling with addiction, some raising children under trying circumstances.

Persons: Christie Schubert, Schubert Locations: Branson, Mo, America

☆ The Space Industry Is Taking Off. Space Law Is Still a Mystery.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Ephrat Livni | Sarah Kessler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson are racing to establish a presence in space. It’s not clear what the rules are, even as the $460 billion space industry is growing quickly. Virgin Galactic, the space tourism company founded by Mr. Branson, announced on Thursday that it would launch its first commercial spaceflight this month, joining Mr. Bezos’ Blue Origin, and Mr. Musk’s SpaceX in sending ticketed passengers to space. But travel is just one emerging corner of the industry, which is mostly fueled by U.S. and international government contracts. “We didn’t want to bring the Cold War into space,” Michelle Hanlon, co-director of the air and space law program at the University of Mississippi, told DealBook.

Persons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Branson, Bezos, Musk’s, ” Michelle Hanlon, DealBook Organizations: Virgin Galactic, Mr, Musk’s SpaceX, Orbital Assembly, Citigroup, Soviet Union, United Nations, University of Mississippi Locations: U.S, United States, Soviet

☆ Virgin Galactic plans first commercial space service for June; shares take off
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 15 (Reuters) - Virgin Galactic Holdings (SPCE.N), the space tourism firm founded by Richard Branson, said on Thursday its long-awaited commercial spaceflight service would launch later this month, sending its shares up over 55% in trading after the bell. The first spaceflight, called "Galactic 01", is planned between June 27 and June 30, the company said. Shares of Virgin Galactic had lost over two-thirds of their value last year due to delays in the company's launch of commercial service. But in February, it said it had completed a lengthy upgrade period for its centerpiece tourist spacecraft, clearing the path for its first commercial spaceflight. The first commercial mission will carry three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy to conduct microgravity research, Virgin Galactic said.

Persons: Richard Branson, Chavi Mehta, Pooja Desai, Krishna Chandra Organizations: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Virgin Galactic, VSS Unity, Italian Air Force, National Research Council, Thomson Locations: Italy, Bengaluru

☆ Virgin Galactic surges 47% as Richard Branson's space tourism company preps first commercial flight
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Max Adams | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of Virgin Galactic soared on Friday on news the company was readying commercial flights. After years of delays, the first flight will take place on June 27, with another scheduled for August. The stock spiked 47% Friday, but is still trading far below highs reached in 2021. Billionaire Richard Branson's space company announced that the first flight, dubbed Galactic 01, is scheduled between June 27 and June 30. Virgin Galactic is trading far below highs reached in 2021, when the stock was trading at nearly $60 per share.

Persons: —, Richard Branson's, Branson, Virgin Galactic's Organizations: Virgin Galactic, Service, Wall Street, Galactic, Virgin Locations: Thursday's

☆ Virgin Galactic defies gravity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, June 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The Virgin Galactic (SPCE.N) countdown has begun. Richard Branson’s space tourism company said on Thursday it plans to launch its first commercial flight within days. Virgin Galactic also depends on there being enough people willing to pay $450,000 for a few minutes in weightlessness. If Virgin Galactic could carry six passengers a week, and earn a 20% EBITDA margin, it would someday generate about $30 million of such earnings. For a company that has so badly missed previous projections, it’s Virgin Galactic’s valuation that is out of this world.

Persons: Richard, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Robert Cyran, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Streisand Neto Organizations: YORK, Reuters, Virgin, Galactic, Origin, SpaceX, Southwest Airlines, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Cava

☆ How riding rockets going 4,000 mph into suborbital space could slash international flight times from 22 hours to 2
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This idea of point-to-point rocket travel, however, could be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Space companies that are exploring the technologyWhile no one is going from Down Under to Big Ben in less than 24 hours these days, some space companies are already testing the technology needed for point-to-point rocket travel. No company has announced projected ticket prices for point-to-point rocket trips, but if other space travel is any indication they'll likely be super expensive. Currently, you can book a two-hour space flight with Virgin Galactic for $450,000. But he's not planning any future point-to-point rocket flights because it's not worth the hassle.

Persons: —, David Doughty, Admiral Jet, Doughty, Big Ben, Richard Branson, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Joe Cassady, there's, Thompson, Cassady, It's, he's Organizations: SpaceX, Service, Qantas, Rockets, Passengers, Virgin Galactic, Rocket, astronautics, US Air Force, NASA, Astronauts, Travelers Locations: London, Sydney, New York, Boca Chica , Texas, Mexico

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Don’t fight the Fed? What Fed?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Markets liked the pauseU.S. markets rallied Thursday as traders digested the Federal Reserve's rate pause — and seemed to decide it was a good thing. But traders in Europe didn't like the ECB's rate hike, resulting in a 0.13% drop in the pan-European Stoxx 600 index. Either the Fed's lying about rates or economic data's lying about a recession.

Persons: Richard Branson, Trade Bell, Coinbase, Kevin Scott, it's, CNBC's Bob Pisani Organizations: of Virgin Galactic, Trade, New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, ECB, European Central Bank, Markets, BlackRock, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Microsoft, Federal Reserve Locations: New York City, Europe

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Virgin Galactic, iRobot, Cava, SoFi and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

iRobot — The stock surged 19% after U.K. regulators approved Amazon's $1.7 billion acquisition of the Roomba vacuum cleaner maker. Cava Group — Cava Group shares dropped 15% during trading Friday, giving back some of its gains from its massive debut Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. SoFi Technologies — The financial technology stock dropped more than 8% after both Bank of America and Piper Sandler downgraded it to neutral from buy, citing SoFi's recent run higher. Micron Technology — Shares dipped 1.5% after Micron Technology said a China chip ban could hurt the company. Truist Financial — Shares fell 1.6% after Odeon Capital Group downgraded Truist Financial to hold from buy, according to FactSet.

Persons: Richard Branson, iRobot, Piper Sandler, Refinitiv, Morgan Stanley, Joseph Moore, — CNBC's Michelle Fox, Alex Harring, Yun Li Organizations: Virgin Galactic —, West Pharmaceutical Services, Bank of America, — Cava, New York Stock Exchange, Technologies, Adobe, Nvidia, Devices, Micron Technology, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, — Humana, Odeon Capital Locations: China

☆ Virgin Galactic to launch commercial space tourism service with late June flight
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Spacecraft VSS Unity fires its engine during the Unity 25 spaceflight, May 25, 2023. Virgin Galactic aims to launch its commercial space tourism service in late June. Virgin Galactic then plans for its second commercial flight to follow in "early August," with "monthly" commercial flights after that. The June launch will also begin moving Virgin Galactic toward showing it can fly commercial flights regularly, which is crucial to its long-term success. "We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products — our scientific research and private astronaut space missions," Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier said in a statement.

Persons: Virgin Galactic's, Richard Branson, Michael Colglazier Organizations: VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic, Italian Air Force, VSS, Virgin

☆ 2 blind passengers say being ordered to leave a cruise ship before it set sail was 'humiliating': report
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Two blind passengers told ITV News they were ordered to leave a P&O Cruises ship. P&O Cruises offered them a full refund after first charging the pair a cancellation fee. Two blind passengers who were ordered to leave a cruise ship before it set sail said it was "humiliating" and that they "felt like criminals". Pam May and Jennie Bailie told ITV News they were asked to leave a P&O Cruises Ventura ship in May for "health and safety reasons". They just decided 'oh you're blind you can't be on there'."

Persons: Pam May, Jennie Bailie, Bailie, Donovan Tildesley, Tildesley, Richard Branson Organizations: ITV News, O Cruises, Morning, Daily, Virgin Locations: West Sussex, Southampton, England, Miami, Honduras

☆ Air New Zealand has been ranked the best airline in the world, a study found. See which others made the top 10.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Air New Zealand has been ranked the best airline in the world by AirlineRatings.com. Air New Zealand has been ranked the best airline in the world by AirlineRatings.com, a website for airline safety and product reviews. Air New Zealand was ranked first for best economy class; Qatar Airways took the lead for business class; and Singapore Airlines was ranked the best first-class airline. Air New ZealandSafety: 7/7Product: 7/7Air New Zealand, or Air NZ, is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. Korean Air has an average score of 7.8/10 based on 60 AirlineRatings.com reviews.

Persons: Geoffrey Thomas, Taylor Rains, Johannes P, Virgin Atlantic Sir Richard Branson, Steve Parsons, Richard Branson, Emirates Yursi Abu Barak Organizations: Morning, Air New, Qatar Airways, Air, Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Delta, US, Ryanair, New Zealand, Air New Zealand Air, Air New Zealand, Air NZ, . Air NZ, Qatar Airways Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Airbus, Etihad, UAE, Korean Air Korean, Airlines, Korean Air, Christo, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, SIA, Qantas Qantas, Qantas Media Safety, Qantas, Virgin, Virgin Atlantic Boeing, Heathrow Airport, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways Cathay, Boeing, Cathay, Nikkei, Emirates, Dubai . Emirates, UAE . Emirates Locations: Zealand, Air New Zealand, Europe, Air, Auckland , New Zealand, Doha, Qatar, Al Jazeera, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Seoul, South Korea, Bali , Indonesia, Singapore, Asia, Mascot, Australia, Virgin Australia, Crawley , England, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, East Asia, Cathay Pacific Airways Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong, Nikkei Asia, Dubai ., Emirates, Dubai

☆ That Atlantic magazine story about the CNN CEO has to be scaring the bejeezus out of Elon Musk right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Nicholas Carlson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk gave Walter Isaacson full access for a new biography. According to the story, Licht gave Alberta hours and hours of on the record interviews over the fall of 2022, through the winter, and into the spring. Licht took Alberta on a train ride. Another really famous example is Steve Jobs allowing Walter Isaacson into his life in a way he'd never done before. All of which leads me to something really exciting on the horizon for us readers: Walter Isaacson's forthcoming biography of Elon Musk.

Persons: Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson, I'm, Chris Licht, Tim Alberta, Licht, Michael Eisner, James Stewart, Stewart, Rupert Murdoch, John DeLorean, Richard Branson, Dick Fuld, Rudy Giuliani, Nikki Haley, Steve Jobs, Jobs, Walter Isaacson's, Isaacson, Musk, Ackbar Organizations: CNN Locations: The, Alberta

☆ Google leads funding round for Indian space startup Pixxel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BENGALURU, June 1 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google is leading a $36 million funding round for Bengaluru-based Pixxel, a satellite-image startup, in the first major investment in the Indian space sector since the government launched its privatisation policy in April. Pixxel did not specify how much Google had invested or the valuation it reflected. Founder and Chief Executive Awais Ahmed said Pixxel would be "the most valued space tech company in India after this investment". Space startups, in particular, have come under pressure after the bankruptcy of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit launch company. Ahmed has said he was inspired to launch a space startup from a visit Elon Musk's SpaceX as part of a student competition to build a demonstration "hyperloop" transport pod.

Persons: Pixxel, Awais Ahmed, Ahmed, Richard Branson's Virgin, Kshitij Khandelwal, Nivedita, Kevin Krolicki, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Google, Miner Rio Tinto Ltd, Accenture PLC, Skyroot Aerospace, Reuters, Space, Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, Elon, SpaceX, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, Bengaluru, Miner Rio, India

☆ Virgin Galactic completes Unity 25 spaceflight in key final test before commercial service
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Virgin Galactic did not publicly livestream the flight unlike the previous one that carried founder Sir Richard Branson in July 2021. ET, carrying the company's VSS Unity spacecraft up to an altitude of about 40,000 feet. Virgin Galactic previously said it aims to fly its first commercial mission in "late June," assuming a successful test flight on Thursday. Virgin GalacticUnity 25 represents a crucial moment in the history of Virgin Galactic, which has suffered repeated setbacks and years of delays in developing its spaceflight system. Virgin Galactic has yet to generate meaningful revenue, and needs to be flying spaceflights regularly in order to do so.

☆ Virgin Galactic launches high-stakes flight carrying passengers to the edge of space
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The space plane is designed to then detach from the mothership, fire its rocket engine and swoop straight up with its two pilots at the controls. Virgin Galactic confirmed just before 12:30 p.m. The space plane then coasted back to a landing back at New Mexico’s Spaceport America. The SpaceShipOne technology was parlayed into a larger space plane design, called SpaceShipTwo, which Virgin Galactic still flies today. Virgin Orbit, a sister company to Virgin Galactic that is focused on launching satellites to space on a small rocket, filed for bankruptcy in April.

☆ This company could take lab-grown meat mainstream thanks to a green light from the FDA
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Natasha Piñon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Upside Foods' pivotal moment also comes at a key moment in the alternative meat industry. The cultivated-meat industry could have a wider consumer base than previously introduced alternative meat products, because unlike plant-based meats, it's "real" meat — minus the slaughtered animals. And, accordingly, some traditional meat companies have expressed interest in the burgeoning cultivated-meat industry, which one day could become a competitor. The cultivated-meat industry will need a similar boost if it's ever going to become a grocery store staple, Swartz said. The FDA's clearance was a voluntary premarket consultation, which means the agency has no further questions about the safety of Upside's products.

☆ Virgin Orbit enters $17 million 'stalking horse' bid to sell aircraft assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 16 (Reuters) - Bankrupt satellite launch company Virgin Orbit said on Tuesday it entered into a "stalking horse" agreement with Stratolaunch to sell mainly its aircraft assets, including the "Cosmic Girl" carrier aircraft, for $17 million in cash. A stalking horse bid is used as a starting bid or minimally accepted offer that other interested bidders must surpass if they want to buy the asset or company. In a court filing, Virgin Orbit said the bid does not prevent going concern bidders from making bids for all its assets, including the ones Stratolaunch is bidding for. The company said the bankruptcy marketing process has also generated considerable interest in its assets other than carrier aircraft. Virgin Orbit, founded by billionaire Richard Branson, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April after the company struggled to secure long-term funding following a failed satellite launch in January.

☆ Virgin Orbit receives $17 million bid for rocket-carrying aircraft in bankruptcy court
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bankrupt rocket company Virgin Orbit received a $17 million "stalking horse" bid for its modified 747 carrier jet and other aircraft assets, as it continues to examine options during Chapter 11 court proceedings. A stalking horse bid represents the first foray on assets of a bankrupt company, and effectively sets the minimum bid for any potential competing offers. According to bankruptcy filings released Tuesday, the stalking horse agreement followed "hard-fought negotiations" between the companies. Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy protection on April 4 after the company failed to secure a funding lifeline and laid off nearly its entire workforce. Virgin Orbit previously disclosed that it received "over 30 indications of interest" during its bankruptcy process, with the company continuing to look for a wholesale deal.

☆ Virgin Galactic targets May 25 for first spaceflight since Richard Branson's trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Virgin Galactic is targeting as early as May 25 for the launch of its next spaceflight, which marks both its first in nearly two years since flying founder Sir Richard Branson and its planned last step before beginning commercial service. Called Unity 25, the mission represents the company's fifth spaceflight to date, launching out of Spaceport America in New Mexico. It is a "final assessment" flight, with six Virgin Galactic employees onboard for a short trip to the edge of space. In-house pilots Mike Masucci and CJ Sturckow will fly spacecraft VSS Unity, while Jameel Janjua and Nicola Pecile will fly carrier aircraft VMS Eve. Depending on the outcome and data gathered from Unity 25, the company aims to fly its first commercial mission in "late June."

☆ Twitch's new CEO has some pipes! A clip of him singing 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' during an impromptu, low-key livestream has gone viral.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Earlier this week the new CEO of Twitch, Dan Clancy, took to his own channel for an impromptu performance. The former NASA researcher started singing classic songs, including 'Take me Home, Country Roads.' Twitch's new CEO, Daniel Clancy, took over the top job at the company in mid-March following the departure of previous CEO Emmett Shear. A clip from an impromptu, after-hours Twitch broadcast — Clancy began streaming on May 10 at 7 PM PT, with a keyboard and microphone at his disposal — has gone viral, showing the former NASA researcher singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads." "*Twitch's CEO has been banned due to copyright infringement*," one user joked in a reply to the now viral video.

☆ Mothers may know best when it comes to money
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

For Mother's Day, we asked a few business leaders about the best money advice they ever got from their moms. Founder & chief investment officer, Ariel Investments"My mom was Deputy Solicitor General, and was a pioneer in serving on corporate boards. "When I started Ariel in 1983, when I was 24, my mom gave me whatever liquid cash she had. We can't always control how much money we make, but we can control maximizing the value of the things we already have." "The best financial advice my mom gave me was to be financially minded at a young age.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson confirmed the contents of the internal email. A Bain Capital spokesperson declined to comment. "I can also confirm the IPO planning is well advanced," Cotton said in the email to staff seen by Reuters. Virgin Australia Chief Executive Jayne Hrdlicka said on Monday that she would take several weeks of leave to spend time with family after the death of her husband from cancer. Bain Capital bought Virgin Australia in 2020 after it was placed in voluntary administration, the closest Australian equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

☆ Virgin Galactic quarterly loss widens while company preps for spaceflight return
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Virgin Galactic is aiming to fly its first spaceflight in nearly two years later this month, but the company's first quarter loss widened dramatically as it funds its fleet growth. Virgin Galactic cited "increases in research and development expenses," in a press release. It paused launches for a lengthy refurbishment period of its vehicles, with Virgin Galactic aiming to fly its first commercial mission in "late June." The space tourism company reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $140 million, compared with a $77 million loss in the same period a year ago. Shares of Virgin Galactic stock slipped more than 1% in after-hours trading, from its close at $4.09 a share.

☆ German regulator warns of a 'nervous time' for banks, predicts stress in the property market
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Photo: Arne Dedert/dpa (Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)Germany's financial regulator on Tuesday warned that the country's banking system is undergoing a real-life stress test amid the current volatility, also predicting significant weakness for the commercial property sector. Pressures facing the sector have intensified as many central banks push up their benchmark rates, leading to specific market dislocations. Mark Branson, president of the German regulator BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority), told CNBC that Germany has seen the same impacts from higher rates as many other nations around the world. He said that the German banking system "has taken some pain," but highlighted that there is "no systemic danger" and the financial system has managed to absorb the impacts of higher rates well. However, problems can arise when banks take on additional risk and fail to keep up with a continued and sharp increase in rates.

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