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☆ Report claims 'criminal activity and fraud run rampant' on Cash App—what users need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A new report from Hindenburg Research, a short seller investment firm, released Thursday has accused Block — the company formerly known as Square, founded by Jack Dorsey — of allowing crime and fraud to "run rampant" on its peer-to-peer payment app, Cash App. The report alleged that Block inflated its customer growth, allowed fake accounts to thrive and dodged revenue regulations — an accusation that triggered a Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation. Hindenburg claims it was able to open fake accounts on Cash App under names Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Block called the report "factually inaccurate" in a statement, and says it is complying with the SEC and exploring legal action against Hindenburg. It's worth noting last March, Block revealed it was the subject of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) investigation over the way Cash App handles user complaints.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Deutsche Bank, Coinbase, Block, Marathon Oil and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Deutsche Bank AG flag flies outside the company's office on Wall Street in New York. Banks — Shares of U.S. banks fell as investors worried about the global banking system. First Republic Bank fell 3%, while Western Alliance , Zions Bancorporation and Fifth Third all lost more than 2%. Energy stocks — Energy names fell in in the premarket as oil prices slid, with investors worried about potential oversupply. Marathon Oil and Devon Energy fell about 3%.

☆ Block shares extend losses as Hindenburg report weighs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Cash App is seen at the main hall during the Bitcoin Conference 2022 in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File PhotoMarch 24 (Reuters) - Shares of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's Block Inc (SQ.N) fell 4% in premarket trading on Friday, a day after the payments firm's Cash App business became the latest target of U.S. short seller Hindenburg Research. In a report, Hindenburg has alleged that Block overstated its user numbers and understated its customer acquisition costs. Block shares closed 15% lower on Thursday, giving up all the gains made so far this year. The report cited a non-profit organization to say that Cash App was also "by far" the top app used in reported U.S. sex trafficking.

☆ Payments firm Block's Australian shares slump after Hindenburg report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Navya Mittal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 24 (Reuters) - Australia-listed shares of Block Inc , led by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, plunged 16.3% on Friday after Hindenburg Research alleged that the payments firm overstated its user numbers and understated its customer acquisition costs. Block, which is currently exploring a legal action against the short-seller, said the report was "factually inaccurate and misleading". Shares of the San Francisco-headquartered company led losses in Australia's benchmark ASX 200 Index (.AXJO) and hit their lowest since January 2023 at A$91.28. Block's $29 billion buyout of the Australian buy-now-pay-later firm Afterpay "was designed in a way that avoided responsible lending rules in its native Australia," the U.S. short-seller said in its report. ASX-listed Block shares plunge post Hindenburg's reportReporting by Navya Mittal in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Things are pretty grim in real estate, but that could be a good thing for proptech startups in the long run
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Today, we've got stories on Deutsche Bank's tumbling shares, some bad news for Block, and why Gen Z might be in trouble. Of the many casualties of 2022, startups focusing on the real-estate market were some of the biggest. As the real-estate market dried up, thanks to rising interest rates, these companies that were meant to upend the industry through tech and innovation suddenly took a backseat. And while current conditions aren't ideal for proptech startups, that could actually benefit them in the long run. Click here to check out 26 of the hottest proptech startups set to take off in 2023.

☆ May be seeing a 'coordinated attempt to stifle crypto innovation': Token Bay
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMay be seeing a 'coordinated attempt to stifle crypto innovation': Token BayLucy Gazmararian from Token Bay Capital says the Hindenburg report on Block is "damaging", and could be seen as part of a coordinated attempt to slow down crypto innovation in the U.S..

☆ Atlantic Equities downgrades Block on lack of clarity around Cash App after Hindenburg short
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Atlantic Equities is turning more cautious on shares of Block as it awaits more clarity on its Cash App product in the wake of Hindenburg Research's short position. Shares slumped 5% before the bell, building on a near 15% dive Thursday after Hindenburg Research revealed a short on Block, saying that its Cash App platform enables criminal activity, lacks strong compliance controls and uses predatory fees. Hindenburg also said Block inflates Cash App user metrics. SQ 1D mountain Block shares tumble Block responded to Hindenburg, saying that it plans to work with the Securities and Exchange Commission to explore legal action against the short seller. Looking ahead, Malde views illegal activity as the greatest risk for Cash App.

☆ A key indicator says a recession is guaranteed in 2023 — and Bill Ackman, Nouriel Roubini, and others are warning of trouble ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

From the central bank's latest rate hike to new developments in the ongoing bank crisis, a lot has happened in my absence. And all the while, Jerome Powell's favorite bond-market indicator is quietly telling us that a recession is all but guaranteed this year. Talk of basis points, yield spreads, and other market jargon is obscuring the key message here: Markets think a recession is guaranteed in 2023. How much credence as a recession signal do you give the bond market indicator? He said the current bank crisis isn't a redux of that era, or even of 2008.

☆ Morning Bid: Bank angst persists, unnerves Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But banks boosted borrowing under the Fed's newly launched Bank Term Funding Program to $53.7 billion - almost 5 times its first outing the previous week. European bank stocks fell 3% early on Friday, with Deutsche Bank shares (DBKGn.DE) down for a third day - losing 5% amid rising market costs for insuring against the risk of default. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is due to attend Friday's European Union summit in Brussels and update leaders on the state of affairs in the financial system. Wider markets were lower in Asia and Europe and U.S. stock futures were in the red again ahead of the open. With less than a 50% chance of another Fed rate rise in this cycle now priced into the futures, almost 80 basis points of rate cuts are now seen by year-end.

☆ Exclusive: India's LIC plans investment exposure caps post Adani share rout
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Nikunj Ohri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

After the Adani group lost over $100 billion in valuation post scathing allegations by U.S.-based Hindenburg Research, state-run LIC was criticized for having over $4 billion exposure to companies from the group. "LIC is looking to have 'boundary conditions' on its investments that would limit its exposure to scrips," said the source. The caps, once approved by the LIC board, would further limit the insurer's exposure. The move is aimed at strengthening investment strategies, and fence LIC from public criticism of its investment decisions or exposure to entities like the Adani group, the second source said. LIC had invested 301.2 billion rupees in shares of Adani group companies, and has a debt exposure of 61.82 billion rupees.

☆ Premarket stocks: Americans are going all-in on cash. That could spell more trouble
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The goal of a money market fund is to provide investors with a relatively stable investment option that offers higher returns than traditional savings. What’s happening: Since the Fed began to raise interest rates a year ago, the amount of money in money market funds has increased by roughly $400 billion. Goldman Sachs economists wrote in a note on Thursday that Americans could sell as much as $1.1 trillion in stocks this year and put that money into credit and money market assets instead. Money market funds are deeply interconnected with the wider financial system, and often face the same risks as banks. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a US government agency that insures deposits in banks and savings associations, does not insure cash invested in money market funds.

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. GameStop -- The famed meme stock gained 2.5% in midday trading. The bank stock had been down about 14% after the bank's credit default swaps jumped without an apparent catalyst. Wells Fargo and JPMorgan — Shares of commercial bank giants were lower in midday trading, with Wells Fargo pulling back 2.3% while JPMorgan fell 2.2%. Activision Blizzard and Microsoft — Shares jumped 5% after the U.K. Competiton and Markets Authority dropped some of its concerns with the potential purchase of the company by Microsoft.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the stock market Friday: Bank mess, stocks slide, Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Investors have been selling bank stocks overseas and in the U.S. off-and-on for two weeks since the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in California and later Signature Bank in New York. Any further limitation of TikTok in the U.S. would benefit Facebook-parent and Club stock Meta Platforms (META). As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade.

☆ Twitter founder Jack Dorsey's net worth dropped by more than $500 million after US short seller Hindenburg targeted his payments company Block
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Jack Dorsey's wealth tumbled after Hindenburg Research targeted his payments company Block, per Bloomberg. The short seller alleged Block misled investors "with inflated metrics"Block's share price tumbled as much as 22% on Thursday on Hindenburg's report. Block's share price tumbled as much as 22% on Hindenburg's report before closing 15% lower at $61.88 apiece on Thursday. It said Hindenburg's attacks are designed "solely to allow short sellers to profit from a declined stock price." In 2020, Hindenberg accused electric truck maker Nikola of fraud, which also sent its share price slumping.

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Tesla, Wendy's, Microsoft, Coinbase, Netflix & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Here are Friday's biggest calls on Wall Street: UBS reiterates Tesla as buy UBS said it's recent survey checks show Tesla is "best positioned" to win the EV race. Wells Fargo reiterates Microsoft as a top AI pick Wells said Microsoft is one of the biggest beneficiaries of AI. Jefferies downgrades UBS to hold from buy Jefferies said it sees too much uncertainty after the banking giant's acquisition of Credit Suisse. Jefferies upgrades Regeneron to buy from hold Jefferies said it's bullish on several of the pharmaceutical company's products. Citi reiterates Nvidia as buy Citi said Nvidia is a top beneficiary of AI.

☆ Hindenburg targets Block, erasing more than $6.5 billion in market cap
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHindenburg targets Block, erasing more than $6.5 billion in market capCNBC's MacKenzie Sigalos reports on the market reaction to Hindenburg's latest report, this time targeting Jack Dorsey's Block.

☆ Wall St ends higher as Yellen vows actions to safeguard deposits
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The market as a whole is telling you is there are a lot of different ways to interpret all the things people are saying." Interest rate hikes by central banks around the world have stressed the banking sector, which became manifest with the recent failures of SVB Financial Group (SIVB.O) and Signature Bank (SBNY.O). Comments from the Bank of England that inflation will probably quickly fade also helped fuel hopes of light at the end of the central bank tightening tunnel. "Every central bank that was on path to raise rates raised them," GLOBALT's Martin added. Shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N) dropped in volatile trading in the wake of Yellen's testimony.

☆ Wall Street rallies on hopes of Fed policy pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Today the market is bouncing back on what was a dovish Fed hike yesterday," said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird in Louisville, Kentucky. "Powell did a good job sticking to the party line on inflation and continued to jawbone hawkish even though the hike leaned dovish." Comments from the Bank of England that inflation will probably quickly fade also helped fuel hopes of light at the end of the central bank tightening tunnel. Among the 11 sectors of the S&P 500, communication services (.SPLRCL) and tech (.SPLRCT) led the percentage gainers. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and 14 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 45 new highs and 197 new lows.

☆ Hindenburg takes aim at Dorsey's payments firm Block, shares plunge
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Manya Saini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Block shares fell as much as 22% before paring losses and were last down 14% at $62.61 in afternoon trading. After reviewing the full report, Block said it was "designed to deceive and confuse investors". Hindenburg said that Block "obfuscates" how many individuals are on the Cash App platform by reporting misleading "transacting active" metrics filled with fake and duplicate accounts. The app had 51 million monthly transacting actives, a 16% year-over-year increase during December 2022, Block said in fourth-quarter earnings letter. "What I am really concerned about is the Cash App, accusations of fraud, multiple accounts, opening accounts and fake names.

☆ Short Seller Hindenburg Says Jack Dorsey’s Payments Company Inflates User Numbers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Peter Rudegeair | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hindenburg said Jack Dorsey, Block Inc.’s chief and co-founder, has amassed a $5 billion personal fortune by taking advantage of Cash App’s users. Shares of the payments company formerly known as Square fell more than 20% in early trading Thursday after a short seller questioned the company’s user numbers and accused it of predatory tactics. Hindenburg Research said a two-year investigation into Block Inc. found the company “obfuscates” its Cash App service’s true user numbers by reporting misleading metrics “filled with fake and duplicate accounts.” It also accused the company of taking advantage of the demographics it claims to serve—lower-income people and minorities—with “predatory loans and fees.”

Traders' bets are almost equally split between the Fed pausing its rate hikes in May and another 25 bps hike, according to CME Group's Fedwatch tool. Communication services (.SPLRCL) and information technology (.SPLRCT) led the gains among the S&P 500 sector indexes, all of which rose, except utilities (.SPLRCU). Bank of America (BAC.N) and UBS (UBS.N) now see the Fed funds rate target peaking at 5-5.25% in May compared to earlier forecasts of 5.25-5.5%. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 3.62-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and 3.27-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded one new 52-week high and five new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 17 new highs and 27 new lows.

☆ Hindenburg shorts Jack Dorsey's payments firm Block, shares plunge
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Cash App is seen at the main hall during the Bitcoin Conference 2022 in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Marco BelloMarch 23 (Reuters) - Hindenburg Research on Thursday disclosed short positions in Block Inc (SQ.N) and alleged that the Jack Dorsey-led payments firm overstated its user numbers and understated its customer acquisition costs. Shares of Block slid 20% to $57.85 in premarket trading following the report. Hindenburg added that Block "obfuscates" how many individuals are on the Cash App platform by reporting misleading "transacting active" metrics filled with fake and duplicate accounts. Founded in 2017 by Nathan Anderson, Hindenburg is a forensic financial research firm that analyses equity, credit and derivatives.

☆ Shares of Jack Dorsey’s Block Fall on Short-Seller Report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Peter Rudegeair | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hindenburg said Jack Dorsey, Block Inc.’s chief and co-founder, has amassed a $5 billion personal fortune by taking advantage of Cash App’s users. Shares of the payments company formerly known as Square fell 13% in early trading Thursday after a short seller questioned the company’s user numbers and accused it of predatory tactics. Hindenburg Research said a two-year investigation into Block Inc. found the company “obfuscates” its Cash App service’s true user numbers by reporting misleading metrics “filled with fake and duplicate accounts.” It also accused the company of taking advantage of the demographics it claims to serve—lower-income people and minorities—with “predatory loans and fees.”

☆ Block shares plunge after short seller Hindenburg accuses the company of facilitating fraud
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBlock shares plunge after short seller Hindenburg accuses the company of facilitating fraudCNBC's Deirdre Bosa reports on Block shares' slide after short seller Hindenburg accused Jack Dorsey’s company of facilitating fraud.

☆ The short seller who took on Adani and caused a $150 billion rout in the conglomerate's stock is releasing a new report — but it's not saying who's the next target yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Short seller Hindenburg Research teased it's releasing a new report. The research firm targeted the Adani Group in a January 24 report alleging manipulation and fraud. The research firm teased the upcoming report in a tweet on Wednesday, saying "New report soon — another big one." The report hit investor sentiment and sent Adani-related stocks into a tailspin, losing over $150 billion in about five weeks, according to Bloomberg. The Adani Group defended itself vigorously against Hindenburg's accusations, but the research firm also doubled down on its initial report.

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