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Inflation, which hit a 41-year high of 11.1% in October, continued to eat into the spending power of workers whose pay is rising by less. Britain's headline inflation rate is now the highest in western Europe and compares with an average of 6.9% in the euro zone and 5.0% in the United States. Austria recorded a higher inflation rate than Britain in February. Reuters GraphicsPOLITICAL PRESSUREHigh inflation is a problem for Britain's government as well as the BoE, which forecast in February that inflation would be below 4% by the end of the year. Producer price inflation - which measures changes in prices charged and paid by manufacturers and often leads changes in CPI - tumbled in March due to lower oil prices.

☆ Here's why Morgan Stanley's top equity strategist is staying bearish on stocks despite the latest rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Morgan Stanley's top equity strategist Mike Wilson is staying bearish on the stock market despite the latest rally. Wilson pointed to the potential for disappointing earnings and a tightening Fed as reasons investors should be cautious. Sign up for our newsletter to get the inside scoop on what traders are talking about — delivered daily to your inbox. He believes revenue growth is going to disappoint investors based on recent soft readings in inflation, which signals a decline in demand. Falling inflation, especially for goods, is a sign of waning demand, and inflation is the one thing holding up revenue growth for many businesses," Wilson warned.

☆ Mike Pompeo announces he is not running for president in 2024 after criticizing Trump last month
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is not running for president in 2024, per ABC News. Pompeo said that he would have managed the country's debt better than Trump. According to ABC News, Pompeo announced that he would not be running for president on Bret Baier's Fox News show on Friday. On March 5, Pompeo appeared on Fox News Sunday and joked that "President Pompeo" would have managed the country's debt better than Trump: "$6 trillion more in debt. Pompeo, despite his stature as a former Secretary of State and longtime GOP power player, has barely registered in polling.

Citi is bullish on Merck , saying that the company's drug pipeline is underappreciated by the market. The exclusive license and collaboration agreement for ADC development helps Merck in developing more cancer treatment drugs — and Citi thinks it could rival its competitors' offerings. Citi anticipates further upside for Merck shares from the Inflation Reduction Act. To be sure, Baum noted a key downside risk to his valuation is if the ADC pipeline disappoints. Further risks include lower-than-anticipated value share capture by the company's Melanoma treatment drug Keytruda, and a slowdown in its animal health business.

☆ American Airlines profit forecast disappoints; shares tumble
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Aishwarya Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 12 (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc (AAL.O) on Wednesday forecast first-quarter profit below market expectations, joining rival United Airlines (UAL.O) in signaling a hit from persistently high labor and fuel costs. "We had expected American to come in towards the better end in a similar manner as JetBlue's guidance update provided in mid-March," Syth added. Airlines' shares in 2023The airline industry has been able to survive the broader economic slowdown in the United States, thanks also to tight airline capacity due to shortages of aircraft and spare parts. On an adjusted basis, it forecast a quarterly per-share profit of between 1 cent and 5 cents, compared with its previous forecast of a near break-even. Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) closed down 1.4%, United was down 6.5% and Delta was down 2.4%.

[1/5] A woman works inside a cannabis shop, at Khaosan Road, one of the favourite tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, March 29, 2023. Thousands of cannabis shops and businesses have sprung up, especially in Bangkok and tourist spots, since Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to decriminalise the drug. A deluge of marijuana smuggled in from abroad has swamped Thailand, driving down wholesale prices and hurting growers, the industry members said. He did not comment on the scale of smuggled cannabis in the market or its impact on farmers. "A lot of cannabis that's coming in from the U.S. is going to dispensaries in Bangkok or Phuket or Pattaya," she said.

☆ Value trap? Growth trap? What to know to avoid getting snagged
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

It's a value trap! No, it's a growth trap! Value traps In the case of a so-called value trap, an investor buys a stock on the premise it provides deep value because its valuation is inexpensive relative to the company's earnings or cash flow. Growth traps While value traps reel in an investor for a supposedly undervalued opportunity, a growth trap's appeal comes from the promise that a relatively expensive stock will see rapid growth in the future. With a value trap, you may be stuck until earnings rebound with the next business- or economic cycle, while collecting a dividend in the meantime.

Fitbit Versa 4 The Fitbit Versa 4 disappoints as a fourth-generation smartwatch as it lacks third-party app support, has issues with fitness tracking, and doesn’t allow for music storage. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Smartwatch performanceOne of the main nitpicks we have with these watches is their disappointing lack of smartwatch capability. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Health and fitness trackingRick Stella/InsiderThe biggest difference between the Versa 4 and the Sense 2 comes down to their individual health and fitness tracking performance. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Battery lifePerhaps the best feature native to both the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 is their battery life, which lasts roughly six days depending on how it's used. However, due to the Versa 4's shortcomings in both smarts and fitness tracking, it pales in comparison to the Sense 2.

The company's Ernie bot is based off its AI-driven deep learning model, Ernie - short for "Enhanced Representation through Knowledge Integration". During the presentation at Baidu's Beijing headquarters that was also livestreamed over nine platforms, Li cautioned it was not perfect. "After the release of ChatGPT, only Baidu has made a benchmark product among the major tech companies in the world," it said. "We continue to advise investors to patiently hold BIDU shares as the best 'national champion' play in China’s (semi-segregated) AI space," he said. "Ernie Bot is not a tool of confrontation between China and the United States," he said.

☆ Fact Check-Video purporting to show NBA Commissioner saying Ja Morant was suspended due to ‘thuggish and gangster activities’ is altered, stems from satire
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A clip that purportedly shows NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announcing the suspension of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant because of “thuggish and gangster activities” has been altered and was likely meant as satire. While Morant was indeed suspended for at least two games, this came after displaying what appeared to be a gun at a nightclub. I hope he learns during this time that his thuggish and gangster activities are prohibited by the NBA. Parody / Satire.”A Google search shows the clip was taken from Silver’s NBA All-Star press conference (here) in February 2023. A clip that purportedly shows Adam Silver announcing the suspension of Ja Morant because of his “thuggish and gangster activities” features an edited audio track and was likely meant as satire.

☆ HelloFresh shares drop as profit outlook disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Linda Pasquini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Germany's HelloFresh sees adjusted core profit (AEBITDA) of between 460 million and 540 million euros ($492 million and $577 million) in 2023, compared with analysts' estimate of 547 million euros. He said HelloFresh was not planning any lay-offs at the moment, and refrained from giving an update on the mid-term outlook. HelloFresh expects its revenue to grow 2% to 10% on a constant-currency basis this year, compared with growth of 18% in 2022. The company also forecast "relatively muted" order growth for 2023. HelloFresh reported annual AEBITDA of 477.4 million euros, above the 464.5 million euros expected by analysts.

[1/2] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., March 3, 2023. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell on Friday after touching a four-month high in the previous session but stayed above the 4% level. Nine of the 11 major S&P sectors were higher, with communication services (.SPLRCL) and technology (.SPLRCT) indexes leading gains. Apple Inc rose 1.9% after Morgan Stanley said the stock could rally more than 20% this year on potential hardware subscription. Dell Technologies Inc (DELL.N) slipped 0.9% after it forecast current-quarter revenue and profit below Wall Street estimates, hit by an ongoing demand slump in its PC business.

☆ Futures rise as yields retreat from highs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell on Friday after touching a four-month high in the previous session but stayed above the 4% level. Central bank officials including Bostic and Fed Dallas President Lorie Logan are scheduled to speak later in the day. ET, Dow e-minis were up 82 points, or 0.25%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 13 points, or 0.33%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 35 points, or 0.29%. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE.N) rose 2.3% after the laptop maker gave an upbeat full-year earnings forecast. Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Procter & Gamble, Tesla, Spotify, AbbVie & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Morgan Stanley upgrades Sarepta to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on the company's gene therapy drug, SRP-9001. Morgan Stanley reiterates Rivian as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by its overweight rating on the EV maker after its earnings report on Tuesday, but says it's now a show-me story. Morgan Stanley reiterates Eli Lilly as top pick Morgan Stanley said the stock is best-in-class and that it's bullish on its diabetes drug, Mounjaro. Morgan Stanley names JD.com a catalyst driven idea Morgan Stanley said it's bullish heading into the China e-commerce company's earnings on March 9. Morgan Stanley reiterates Microsoft as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by shares of Microsoft.

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☆ Merck scraps third prostate cancer study as Keytruda therapy disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Bhanvi Satija | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The setbacks were likely to put Merck further behind in its quest to develop a treatment for advanced forms of the most common cancer type in the United States. It had in January stopped a late-stage study of the drug in some prostate cancer patients. An interim analysis showed the combination therapy did not extend survival or help extend the time a patient lives without the disease worsening compared to placebo, Merck said. Merck was testing its blockbuster immunotherapy in combination with androgen deprivation therapy and Xtandi, made by Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and Astellas Pharma Inc (4503.T), in patients with an advanced form of treatment-resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, Merck said another combination treatment with Keytruda did not meet the main goal in a separate late-stage study for a type of lung cancer that can spread to other parts of the body.

BARCELONA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Spanish pharmaceutical company Grifols' (GRLS.MC) shares fell around 10% in afternoon trading after its 2023 outlook disappointed analysts, who were looking for a better recovery in margins. Grifols reported on Tuesday that net profit rose 10% to 208 million euros ($220.19 million). Total revenues rose 23% to 6 billion euros ($6.38 billion), with over half generated in the United States and Canada. JPMorgan said the progress on EBITDA margin recovery in 2023 may be a little slower than the market had hoped. Grifols announced earlier this month it would lay off 8.5% of its workforce seeking annual savings of around 400 million euros.

☆ Futures fall as Home Depot outlook disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Investors will be focusing on retail giant Walmart Inc's (WMT.N) results due later in the day. ET, Dow e-minis were down 264 points, or 0.78%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 30.75 points, or 0.75%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 110.25 points, or 0.89%. Money market participants see the benchmark level peaking to a 5.3% in July, and staying near those levels throughout the year. Yield on the U.S. benchmark 10-year Treasury note edged higher, in turn pressuring rate-sensitive growth stocks. Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Medha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the market Tuesday: Bond yields up so stocks drop to start week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Club earnings this week include Palo Alto Networks (PANW), TJX Companies (TJX), Nvidia (NVDA), Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) and Coterra Energy (CTRA) as well as Bausch Health (BHC). Deere (DE) price target raised to $398 per share from $364 at Bernstein, which keeps market perform (hold) rating. Mizuho likes the Twilio (TWLO) pivot and takes price target up to $90 per share from $75. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Hasbro 2023 profit forecast disappoints as toy demand drops sharply
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The Hasbro, Inc. logo is seen on the Star Wars Galactic Snackin Grogu toy in the FAO Schwarz toy store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 24, 2021. Toy demand has typically remained resistant to economic uncertainties, but it fell sharply in the holiday season, with Hasbro rival Mattel Inc (MAT.O) earlier this month projecting 2023 profit below expectations. For Hasbro, Walmart accounted for around 13% of sales, while Target made up for roughly 8% of sales in 2021. The toymaker said it will take a nearly $300 million hit to 2023 revenue from the licenses and brands that it exited. Hasbro said it expects 2023 adjusted earnings in the range of $4.45 to $4.55 per share, well below analysts' average estimate of $4.88 per share, according to Refinitiv data.

MELBOURNE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Australia's Whitehaven Coal Ltd (WHC.AX) posted a more than five-fold jump in first-half profit on Thursday, aided by soaring coal prices, but paid a lower than expected dividend, sending its shares down. But Whitehaven announced an interim dividend of only 32 Australian cents per share, about 30% lower than Citi estimates and about 16 cents below Goldman Sachs' forecast. Whitehaven shares slid as much as 12.3% after news of the coal reservation scheme broke, before paring loses to A$7.88, down 3.8%. "We do think the structural underpinnings of the market are very positive, but in the short term, coal prices have come off quite a bit," Flynn added. Subsequently, the company kept its run-of-mine coal production guidance of between 19.0 million and 20.4 million tonnes for the 2023 fiscal year unchanged.

☆ Americans are quitting plant-based meat due to high prices, worse taste, and questionable health benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2020, retail sales of plant-based meat grew 45%, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time. Questionable taste and health benefits are scaring off consumersFirst, it's unclear whether the plant-based meat industry has a growing customer base. On the all-important issue of taste, many Americans say plant-based meat disappoints, and some experts think the industry's efforts to compare plant-based meat to the real thing is a losing battle. Additionally, while plant-based meat has environmental benefits, growing research suggests it may not be much — if at all — healthier than traditional meat, something consumers are beginning to suspect. It's also possible that cultivated meat — meat grown from animal cells in a lab — will prove to be the answer, though this innovation could face some obstacles as well.

☆ Devon Energy shares drop 12% on disappointing earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Liz Hampton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Devon Energy Corp FollowDENVER, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Shares of U.S. shale oil producer Devon Energy (DVN.N) fell more than 12% at midday Wednesday after the company reported fourth quarter earnings that missed analysts' forecast on higher-than-expected expenses and lower production. The fire-hit gas compression facility will resume operations at the end of the first quarter, executives said during an earnings call on Wednesday. Wall Street analysts had a negative view of the results, pointing to higher capital spending, lower production and a profit miss. "Disappointing print on Q4," wrote analysts for Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co, pointing to capital expenditures, which at $3.7 billion is 5% above expectations, as well as lower earnings and free cash flow. The company posted adjusted earnings of $1.66 per share for the fourth-quarter versus analysts' expectations of $1.75 a share, according to Refinitiv data.

☆ Royal Caribbean reports smaller-than-expected loss; forecast disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 7 (Reuters) - Royal Caribbean Group (RCL.N) reported a smaller-than-expected loss for its fourth quarter on Tuesday, as pent-up demand for leisure travel helped offset the pressures from rising fuel prices and stronger dollar. In late December, Carnival Corp (CCL.N), (CCL.L) also said it was seeing a strong start to the wave season after it posted a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss. Royal Caribbean saw occupancy rates rise to 94.9% in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared to 59.3% a year earlier, when Omicron-related restrictions dampened demand for cruises. It reported a fourth-quarter loss of $1.12 per share, compared with analysts' expectations of a loss of $1.34, according to Refinitiv IBES data. However, the cruise operator missed revenue estimates for the fourth quarter and forecast 2023 adjusted profit between $3.00 and $3.60 per share, compared with estimates for a profit of $3.31.

And while Amazon's holiday revenue beat Wall Street's expectations, sales growth from its lucrative cloud-computing division slowed during the fourth quarter. Amazon Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky told reporters that the company expects slower cloud growth rates for the next few quarters as it worked with customers to optimize costs. Olsavsky also said the company remains nervous about consumer spending and how people will prioritize budgets moving forward. Facing high inflation and an uncertain economy, CEO Andy Jassy has aimed to slash costs across Amazon's vast array of businesses. The division fell short of estimates of more than $22 billion in fourth-quarter cloud sales, increasing them 20% to $21.4 billion.

Across the company, Alphabet will "meaningfully" slow its pace of hiring this year, said Porat. Net income fell to $13.62 billion, or $1.05 per share, from $20.64 billion, or $1.53 per share, a year earlier. Adjusted profit of $1.05 per share fell short of an expected $1.18 per share, according to Refinitiv. Revenue from Google advertising, which includes Search and YouTube, fell 3.6% to $59.04 billion. Late last month, the Justice Department and eight states sued Google over what they said were anticompetitive practices in its digital ad sales.

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