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☆ Flip phones had a glow-up, but Gen Zers say they're not catching the vibe
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Tech-savvy Gen Zers don't seem too hyped about the latest foldable phones. But this age group, born between 1997 and 2015, appears unfazed by the latest foldable phones. Over the past few years, flip phones have had a glow-up. Advertisements of the latest flip phones regularly flash up on television, flood the billboards in public places, and appear in pop-up stores in malls for passersby to play with. Foldable phones are late to the partyThey've been around for nearly 30 years, but flip phones have "missed the boat" in the mass market, Atwal said.

☆ 'Flamin' Hot' producer DeVon Franklin reveals why he tapped Eva Longoria to direct the film and why he's unfazed by questions over whether it's true to the origins of the fiery Cheetos flavor
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The movie "Flamin' Hot" celebrates Mexican heritage and the invention of Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Impressed with the unlikely entrepreneur, Enrico gave it a try — and thus, Flamin' Hot Cheetos were born, and Montañez's career took off. "Flamin' Hot" stars actor Jesse Garcia as Richard Montañez. Eva Longoria directed the new film "Flamin' Hot." The LA Times article, amongst journalists and amongst this small group of people, may get some traction.

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File PhotoSummarySummary Companies U.S. stocks add to Thursday's gainsTreasury yields and dollar pull backEuropean, Asian stocks also advanceCrude oil gainsMarch 3 (Reuters) - Wall Street stocks posted strong gains while Treasury yields and the dollar pulled back on Friday as data pointing to U.S. economic growth boosted risk appetite, even as expectations for rate hikes kept bond yields near multi-year highs. The recovery in euro zone business activity gathered pace last month, PMI survey data showed, in the latest piece of data to suggest the bloc would avoid a recession. U.S. Treasury yields paused their rally. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell to 3.967%, down from Thursday's high of 4.091% . The two-year Treasury yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, dipped 3.9 basis points at 4.865%.

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File PhotoSummarySummary Companies U.S. stocks add to Thursday's gainsTreasury yields and dollar pull backEuropean, Asian stocks also advanceCrude oil prices fallMarch 3 (Reuters) - Wall Street stocks opened higher while Treasury yields and the dollar pulled back on Friday as risk appetite was boosted by data pointing to economic growth, even as expectations for rate hikes kept bond yields near multi-year highs. The recovery in euro zone business activity gathered pace last month, PMI survey data showed, in the latest piece of data to suggest the bloc will avoid a recession. U.S. Treasury yields paused their rally. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.007%, down from Thursday's high of 4.091% . The two-year U.S. Treasury yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, was up 0.5 basis points at 4.909%.

☆ Dollar's renewed strength temporary, weakness ahead, FX analysts say: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Hari Kishan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While analysts have been predicting a weaker dollar 12 months out for over five years, their predictions only came true in 2020 when the currency weakened more than 6.5%. There was also no clear consensus among analysts in the poll over dollar positioning, which turned net short dollar last November. Among the remaining 18, a dozen forecast a reversal to net long positions and six predicted an increase in net short positions. Even the British pound , which dropped more than 10% last year, was expected to claw back around half of those losses in 12 months. Sterling was predicted to rise from its latest level of $1.19 to $1.22, $1.23 and $1.26 in the next three, six and 12 months, respectively.

☆ GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley met with loud chants of 'Trump! Trump! Trump!' after CPAC speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Nikki Haley was one of the few 2024 GOP presidential contenders to deliver a speech at CPAC. As she exited the conference following her speech, CPAC attendees began chanting Trump's name. And she was one of the few potential presidential contenders to attend CPAC amid allegations of sexual assault against Matt Schlapp, the chief organizer of the conference. But after her speech, as Haley walked through the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, she was met with loud chants of "Trump! Even as she's become the first to explicitly challenge Trump for the nomination, Haley has largely avoided directly criticizing the former president.

Rystad Energy sees the global market deficit of lithium shrinking to around 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) this year, from 76,000 tonnes LCE in 2022. Out to 2025 it expects lithium supply to grow on average by 34% a year against an annual demand growth rate of 25%. MINERS UNFAZEDThe decline in lithium prices in China, the world's biggest consumer, has hit lithium producers overseas. LITHIUM CARBONATE SINKSThe price decline has been sharp. "A lithium carbonate price of 200,000-300,000 yuan per tonne is where both upstream and downstream will feel comfortable," said Rystad's Zou.

☆ Adani's fall reignites scrutiny of billionaire's close ties with Modi
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Ashok Swain Uppsala UniversityHindenburg's report has further sharpened the focus on the billionaire mogul's close ties with Modi. After Modi became prime minister, Adani continued to benefit from the relationship but on a much larger scale, said Swain. In his address to parliament last week, the prime minister seemed unfazed by the opposition's criticism and made no mention of Adani. "And you can never breach this safety shield with the weapons of abuse and lies," he said, as opposition lawmakers chanted "Adani, Adani." "Prime Minister Modi and I are from the same state.

☆ Top US general says Russia has already 'lost' the Ukraine war and has paid an 'enormous price on the battlefield'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Gen. Mark Milley said Russia has "lost" in Ukraine as the war approaches the one-year mark. The top US general ripped into Moscow for launching an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia has paid an "enormous price on the battlefield" as a consequence. In short, Russia has lost — they've lost strategically, operationally, and tactically," Milley added. But Russian forces failed in that objective as Ukrainian troops put up a far stiffer resistance than expected. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that Putin is unfazed by the high rate of casualties and is vying to overwhelm Ukrainian forces with sheer numbers.

☆ World's largest drone maker is unfazed — even if it's blacklisted by the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Nessa Anwar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe world's biggest drone maker DJI found itself embroiled in the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year. It includes the Mavic 3 drone, and Aeroscope, a drone-detection platform that enables users to identify the location of a drone operator. We've stated unequivocally that we have had nothing to do with treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang," Welsh said. A drone's firmware is what the drone uses to control all the important operations, like flight, battery management and data protection. Paolo Stagno, a cyber security expert, said there is a black market of modified DJI drones' firmware.

☆ Rowdy Republicans yell and taunt Biden during his State of the Union after McCarthy warned them to behave
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McCarthy previously said that Republicans would behave during the address. Biden's comments on a range of issues — everything from the national debt to fentanyl overdoses — prompted boos and loud yelling from Republicans. The president appeared to be largely unfazed by the GOP's unorthodox behavior, at times directly responding to their jeers. Biden ultimately got Republicans to stand up and applaud in support of both programs, and declared there was "unanimity" on the matter. The raucous behavior of a number of congressional Republicans came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insisted that members of his caucus behave during the address.

☆ Ron Baron, who runs one of the best-performing funds, says Tesla could hit $15,000 a share by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Longtime investor Ron Baron said he's standing by his growth darlings, unfazed by the volatility in the stock market, especially in the tech sector. "I'm not really worried about the stock market," Baron said on CNBC's " Squawk Box " Tuesday. I'm thinking $15,000 a share by 2030," Baron said. Last year, he revealed that this biggest purchases of 2022 included $100 million worth of SpaceX private investments. "It used to cost you $100 million to get to space, $200 million more for a satellite.

☆ Ron Baron, who runs one of the best-performing funds, says Tesla could hit $1,500 a share by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Longtime investor Ron Baron said he's standing by his growth darlings, unfazed by the volatility in the stock market, especially in the tech sector. "I'm not really worried about the stock market," Baron said on CNBC's " Squawk Box " Tuesday. Elon Musk's Tesla has a 30% portfolio weighting in Baron's fund, the biggest holding in the portfolio. Last year, he revealed that this biggest purchases of 2022 included $100 million worth of SpaceX private investments. "It used to cost you $100 million to get to space, $200 million more for a satellite.

On Tuesday, the Adani group appeared to have fought back the attack by the New York-based short-seller Hindenburg and rallied investors behind the $2.5 billion share issue of flagship firm Adani Enterprises (ADEL.NS). It was a rare defeat for a man who has seemed unstoppable in recent years. In recent years, the $220 billion Adani Group empire has attracted foreign investment - France's TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), for example, partnered with Adani last year to develop the world's biggest green hydrogen ecosystem. On Wednesday, Adani said his company felt it wasn't "morally correct" to proceed with the share sale following the volatility in the market. But he said in a statement to the exchange the company was financial stable and that the withdrawal of the share issue will not impact its future plans.

☆ Most analysts are sticking with AMD even after 'partly cloudy' fourth-quarter earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

AMD shares popped about 3%. On Wall Street, several analysts reiterated AMD shares as a buy despite the continued overhangs in the chipmaking industry, and project upside for the stock. Goldman Sachs also maintained a buy rating on AMD, saying that despite broader market challenges, the company is on track towards a positive market share trajectory. 'Partly cloudy' results Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Seymore reiterated a hold rating on the stock, citing its "partially cloudy" fourth-quarter results. AMD shares have benefited from January's market and tech shares rally, jumping 16.03% since the start of 2023.

☆ BuzzFeed writers react with a mix of disappointment and excitement at news that AI-generated content is coming to the website
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some BuzzFeed writers told Insider that they are disappointed by the company's move to use AI for content. But one BuzzFeed staffer said that its an exciting development and that it won't replace jobs. But she worries that the quality of BuzzFeed content will suffer as a result. But a second BuzzFeed staffer told Insider that she isn't worried that AI will replace writers at the company. "I think the actual applications of how this will apply to new quiz formats is exciting," the second BuzzFeed staffer said.

☆ Amid an uncertain economy, American workers are guardedly optimistic about the job market
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Madison Hoff | Rebecca Knight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Despite economic uncertainty, US workers are confident about the job market, LinkedIn data suggests. The findings point to American workers' resilience, nearly three years since the pandemic began. A recent LinkedIn survey of more than 2,000 US employees conducted in December offers fresh insight into how workers feel about the job market in 2023. Roughly two-thirds of American workers are considering changing jobs this year, mainly to boost their salary and improve their work-life balance, according to the results. At a time when many organizations remain desperate to hire and keep employees, American workers have seen their leverage in the job market grow.

☆ Iran state body reports 200 dead in protests, Raisi hails 'freedoms'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A top state security body meanwhile said that 200 people, including members of the security forces, had lost their lives in the unrest, a figure significantly lower than that given by the world body and rights groups. Amirali Hajizadeh, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander was quoted as saying on Monday that 300 people, including security force members, had been killed in the recent unrest. Javaid Rehman, a U.N.-appointed independent expert on Iran, said on Tuesday that more than 300 people had been killed in the protests, including more than 40 children. Rights group HRANA said that as of Friday 469 protesters had been killed, including 64 minors. "The people's protest has shown that the policies of the last 43 years have reached a dead end," he said in late November.

☆ Premarket stocks: Consumers are keeping the economy afloat... for now
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

What’s happening: Americans appear to be indulging in a healthy dose of retail therapy despite stubbornly high inflation and the possibility of a recession ahead. Consumer spending is a major driver of the economy, and the last two months of the year can account for about 20% of total retail sales — even more for some retailers, according to NRF. But when the Federal Reserve is actively trying to squash high inflation rates, they risk becoming a fly in the ointment. “Consumers’ spending is more or less unfazed not only by high inflation, but also the rate hikes intended to get prices under control,” economists at Wells Fargo wrote. The high rate of spending could agitate investors in this good-news-is-bad-news economy because it adds to inflationary pressures.

☆ A real estate investor with a 178-unit portfolio worth $50 million explains why he expects housing prices to fall within the next 6 months — and says higher interest rates won't eviscerate new homebuy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Higher interest rates aren't that big a deal, Ahmed Seirafi, a real-estate investor, said. Seirafi said he believed housing prices would fall in the next six months. Rising interest rates have spooked would-be real-estate investors, bringing down home prices and cooling the red-hot housing market. Even though decades-high inflation is finally showing signs of moderation, the Federal Reserve is unlikely to start cutting interest rates in the immediate future. Housing prices are due for a correctionBecause Seirafi doesn't take rising interest rates into too much consideration, he's not that worried about a dearth of investment opportunities.

☆ Streaming TV shows are 21st-century 'cathedrals', screenwriting guru McKee says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Screenwriting mentor Robert McKee speaks at Tel Aviv University on the final leg of the farewell tour for his lecture series in Tel Aviv, Israel November 24, 2022. "I see the future as rather brilliant, but it's not in the cinema," McKee told Reuters during a visit to Israel, the final leg for the farewell tour of his lecture series. "And great television does exactly that," added McKee, the author of five books who has, for decades, delivered what the New York Times dubbed "the most popular screenwriting seminar in the country" to tens of thousands of students. "I don't care," about the changing economics, said McKee, who plans to develop a new seminar which he will deliver online. "My quest is: How can I make these irreducible components of story clearer so that people will get it faster and better?"

In a last minute U-turn, two days before the tournament's opening match, international soccer governing body FIFA said on Friday that alcoholic beer would not be sold at Qatar's World Cup stadiums. Now fans can only consume beer at the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha. "Not having alcohol is not good because the World Cup it's a party of the world," said Brazilian fan Julio Cesar, wearing a felt hat in his country's colours. The 2022 World Cup is the first edition of the tournament held in a conservative Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, the consumption of which is banned in public. For the fans unfazed by Qatar's dire human rights record, the absence of beer at World Cup venues has proven a major disappointment.

☆ Cathie Wood's Innovation ETF draws $1 billion despite a 60% loss. Here's why investors are standing by her
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Rather, Cathie Wood's loyal investors have been doubling down on her disruptive strategy this year. Wood's flagship Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) has reeled in $1.3 billion in new money year to date despite a 60% loss, and that is among the top 3% of all exchange-traded funds in the U.S., according to FactSet. Because of the slight weighting, they could afford to be more loyal and patient despite the drastic drawdown. The Innovation fund is focused on advanced technology companies in areas such as genomics, robotics, internet and fintech. She has been buying the dip in her favorite growth names all year, and so have many of her investors.

☆ Cathie Wood, unfazed by crypto collapse and Twitter mayhem, doubles down on Coinbase and Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A crypto crash, worsening results and insider selling didn't faze Ark Invest's Cathie Wood, who this week doubled down on a of host of her innovation stocks, including Coinbase , Tesla and Roblox . Wood snapped up shares of six companies for her flagship ARK Innovation ETF on Wednesday, including adding to some of her largest holdings, Zoom Video and Tesla. The popular investor has been adding to her Coinbase stake for two straight days, purchasing 420,000 shares Tuesday and 207,527 shares Wednesday for ARKK. Shares of the crypto exchange plunged 19.3% over the past two days as bitcoin dropped to its lowest since November 2020 amid the potential collapse of popular crypto exchange FTX. Wedbush's Dan Ives removed Tesla from the firm's "Best Ideas list" after what he called a "very nervous few months" for Tesla shareholders amid the "Twitter train wreck disaster."

☆ Cathie Wood's Innovation ETF surges 13%, on track for its best day ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cathie Wood's flagship ARK Innovation ETF staged a dramatic relief rally Thursday on the back of an easing inflation reading . ARKK's biggest holding Zoom Video popped about 12%, while Tesla jumped nearly 7%. The innovation investor has been calling deflation for some time, betting the high prices were caused by temporary Covid-related supply issue. The innovation investor just doubled down on a slew of her favorite stocks this week, unfazed by the turmoil in many of these names. Wood snapped up shares of six companies Wednesday, including adding to some of her largest holdings Zoom Video and Tesla.

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