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☆ Grocery prices are finally falling
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Food shoppers can finally breathe a slight sigh of relief: After years of increases followed by months of plateau, grocery prices fell last month. Grocery prices retreated 0.2% from March to April, adjusted for seasonal swings, according to inflation data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But back in February, overall food prices remained flat for the first time since April 2023. Fast food prices jumpWhile grocery prices have been moderating, menu prices remain high, especially at fast food spots. At sit-down restaurants, prices went up 3.4%, while at limited-service restaurants — where you’re served at the counter — prices rose 4.8%.

Persons: Milk, you’re, McDonald’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Ukraine, Texas, —, McDonald’s

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.09%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched up to 6.38% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they're expected to go down at some point this year.

Persons: Fannie Mae, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Average annual child care costs twice as much as rent in 11 states and the District of Columbia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —If you think the rent is too damn high, wait until you get the bill for child care. And the tab exceeded annual typical mortgage payments in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, according to Child Care Aware. Nationwide, the average annual cost of care rose to $11,582 per child last year, up 3.7% from the prior year. Further exacerbating the shortage was the continued disappearance of licensed child care providers who operate out of their homes. Also, another $15 billion federal pandemic infusion for child care and development block grants, which states use to subsidize child care for working families, will expire this coming September.

Persons: that’s, Sandra Bishop, ”, Anne Hedgepeth Organizations: CNN, District of Columbia, of Columbia, Care, Nationwide, US Department of Health, Human Services, Care Aware’s, Century Foundation Locations: Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Massachusetts, Minnesota , Nebraska , Pennsylvania, Rhode Island , Vermont, Wisconsin

☆ Stock futures are little changed after S&P 500 closes above 5,300 for the first time: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Traders walk the floor during morning trading at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Stock futures were near flat Wednesday evening after a lighter-than-expected inflation reading propelled the major averages to record highs. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched lower by 18 points, or 0.05%. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.02%, while Nasdaq 100 futures hovered eked out a 0.07% gain. The Dow climbed 0.88%, while the broad-market S&P 500 gained 1.17%, breaking above 5,300 for the first time.

Persons: Dow, Dow Jones, Yung, Yu Ma, Armour Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Stock, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, BMO Wealth Management, CNBC, Philadelphia Federal Reserve, Baidu Locations: New York City

☆ Mortgage demand from homebuyers drops even as interest rates pull back to April lows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates last week dropped to the lowest level since April, but buyers are still struggling to afford today's housing market. As a result, mortgage demand flattened at a weak pace. "While the downward move in rates benefits prospective homebuyers, mortgage rates are still much higher than they were a year ago, while for-sale inventory remains tight," Kan added. Another read on inflation will influence the next move from the Federal Reserve on interest rates. "The difference between a result of 0.2 or 0.4 is surprisingly massive when it comes to the world of interest rates.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News

☆ Evercore ISI says three years of biotech underperformance may be ending, gives its 5 favorite stocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"After 3 years of painful underperformance, winter is finally thawing and spring just might be in the air," analyst Cory Kasimov wrote in a Monday note. Biotech stocks broadly peaked in early 2021 when interest rates were at a trough, Kasimov noted. While biotech stocks are sensitive to interest rates, the analyst believes most of the group's other catalysts — such as mergers and access to capital — remain "relatively consistent." XBI YTD mountain SPDR S & P Biotech ETF performance year to date The sector is opportune for investors looking for "a stock picker's market," according to Kasimov. With this in mind, he named seven stocks to his core initial list, which he named "The Magnificent Seven."

Persons: Cory Kasimov, Kasimov, We've, Neurocrine, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: ISI, Biotech, P Biotech, Moderna Locations: —

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Boot Barn, Nextracker, dLocal and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Check out the companies making headlines after the bell : Boot Barn — The western apparel and footwear stock slid 7% after issuing light revenue and earnings guidance for the full year. Boot Barn said it expects earnings for the year to range between $4.55 and $4.85 a share, behind a FactSet estimate of $5.16 per share. Nextracker posted $737 million in revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter, topping an LSEG estimate of $682 million. DLocal reported earnings of 6 cents per share on $184.4 million revenue. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected earnings per share of 12 cents on $189.8 million in revenue.

Persons: Nextracker, —, DLocal, FactSet Organizations: Nu Holdings, Revenue, Uruguayan, Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Prestige Locations: Brazil

☆ Stock futures are little changed as investors brace for key inflation reports: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stock futures flickered near the flatline Monday evening as Wall Street braced for the release of key inflation reports. S&P 500 futures inched down 0.02%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.08%. Another market catalyst will emerge Tuesday morning as the first of two key inflation reports will be released. "It's not unusual for Wall Street and Main Street to see the economy differently — the different perspective stems from different points of focus. Stock market movements are based on expectations of future economic performance, not necessarily current conditions," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management.

Persons: Dow, Dow Jones, Jerome Powell, Brent Schutte Organizations: Nasdaq, Dow Jones Industrial, New York Federal Reserve, PPI, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management

☆ Japan stocks lead gains in Asia markets as renewed rate cut hopes lift sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Cherry trees in bloom near the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesJapan led gains in Asia-Pacific markets on Friday after stronger-than-expected, year-on-year consumer spending data, and as renewed rate cut hopes by the U.S. Federal Reserve bolster market sentiment. Japan's overall household spending in March fell 1.2% year on year, less than the 2.4% expected by a Reuters poll of economists. However, on a month-on-month basis, household spending rose 1.2%, compared with estimates of a 0.3% drop. Should the index reach the futures level, it would be its highest in about nine months.

Persons: Cherry, Kospi Organizations: Nippon Budokan, Bloomberg, Getty Images Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific

Officials are urging those who have been rescued from the floods not to return to their homes. Carlos Fabal/AFP/Getty ImagesA horse was found stranded on a rooftop in a flooded area in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday, May 8. It had been stuck on the roof for four days surrounded by flood water in the municipality of Canoas in the Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul. Agencia Brasil, the sate-run news agency, has reported the rescue of more than 2,000 animals since the floods impacted Rio Grande du Sol, including dogs, cats, chickens, and pigs. Cars are surrounded by flooded streets after heavy rain in Canoas, in Rio Grande do Sul state, on May 9, 2024.

Persons: INMET, Katiane Mello, James Vargas, Carlos Fabal, –, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, El Niño, Carlos Macedo, Adriano Machado Organizations: CNN, Getty, Globo, Agencia Brasil, AP Brazilian Air Force Soldiers, Brasilia Air Force Base, Reuters Locations: Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Uruguay, Porto Alegre, Eldorado do Sul, AFP, Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo’s, Canoas, Rio Grande, Sol, Pacific, Reuters Rio Grande do Sul

☆ Asia markets mixed ahead of China trade data and Japan pay figures
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yaorusheng | Moment | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were mixed ahead of China's April trade data, as well as pay statistics from Japan. Economists polled by Reuters are expecting a 1.5% rise in China's exports, a reversal from the 7.5% fall in March. Imports are also expected to grow 4.8% year-on-year in April, compared with a 1.9% fall in March. Separately, investors will assess pay statistics from Japan as they look for any signs of the "virtuous cycle" of increasing wages and prices envisioned by the Bank of Japan. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 18,277, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI's close of 18,313.86.

Persons: Korea's Kospi Organizations: Reuters, Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei Locations: Shanghai, Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Dollar holds its ground as key inflation data looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. one hundred dollar bills are being shown in this picture illustration taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 15, 2023. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar slowly inched up after it fell more than 3% last week, its biggest weekly percentage drop since early December 2022. Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda on Thursday reiterated a warning that Tokyo is ready to take action in the currency market. The dollar index rose to 0.05% to 105.55, while the Japanese yen was mostly flat at 155.59 per greenback. The BOE is likely to take another step towards its first interest rate cut in four years as inflation falls.

Persons: Masafumi Yamamoto, Masato Kanda, Susan Collins, Sterling, BOE, bitcoin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bank of, Mizuho Securities, Traders, PPI, Fed Bank of Boston, European Central Bank Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Japan, U.S, United States, Tokyo, —

☆ Dow futures are little changed after index posts sixth straight positive day: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average hovered near the flatline Wednesday evening after the 30-stock index posted its sixth consecutive winning day. S&P 500 futures hovered near the flatline, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.1%. During regular trading Wednesday, the S&P 500 inched slightly lower to close near the flatline, while the Nasdaq Composite slid about 0.2%. A slate of falling tech stocks weighed on the indexes, including Uber and Shopify , both of which had recently reported quarterly results. Investors will next turn their attention toward quarterly results from Warner Bros Discovery and Akamai Technologies on Thursday.

Persons: Airbnb, Uber, Dow, Josh Brown, we've Organizations: Dow Jones, Dow, Nasdaq, Ritholtz Wealth Management, Warner Bros Discovery, Akamai Technologies

☆ Dow futures are little changed after index notches longest winning streak since December: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures sat near flat Tuesday night after the blue-chip average clinched its longest winning streak since December. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures also both traded near flat. The Dow ticked higher by nearly 0.1% and posted its fifth positive session, which marks its longest winning run going back to December. The S&P 500 also inched up by about 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.1%. Nearly 85% of S&P 500 corporations have already shared quarterly results this earnings season.

Persons: Reddit, Dow, Adam Crisafulli, Uber, Philip Jefferson, Susan Collins, Lisa Cook Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Wynn Resorts, Treasury, Disney, Vital, AMC, Traders, Federal, Boston

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Reddit, Lyft, Rivian, Twilio and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Wynn Resorts — The resort-and-casino stock added 2.3% on the back of better-than-expected first quarter earnings. However, the California-based company saw $253 million in revenue for the three-month period, above the consensus forecast of $247 million. Toast — The cloud-based restaurant management software company saw shares jump more than 2% in extended trading after its earnings report. Twilio expects revenue to range between $1.05 billion and $1.06 billion versus an LSEG average estimate of $1.08 billion. The quarter "saw early indications of market share gains in hereditary cancer and prenatal testing," management said.

Persons: Reddit, Lyft, Rivian, Wynn, LSEG, Sonos, —, Yun Li, Hakyung Kim, Pia Singh, Darla Mercado, Scott Schnipper, Samantha Subin Organizations: FactSet, LSEG, Rivian, Wynn Resorts, Arts, Arista Networks, Wall, Myriad Locations: California

☆ In a Surprise, Disney+ Becomes Profitable
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Disney reported robust earnings in February, the activist investors then circling the company essentially called it a stunt — a temporary, heat-of-battle effort to fend them off and not, as Robert A. Iger maintained, proof that a struggling Disney had finally “turned the corner.”The Disney chief’s argument just got a lot stronger. Disney blew past Wall Street’s expectations for a second consecutive quarter on Tuesday, in part because its flagship streaming service made money — a first. Disney+ had been expected to lose more than $100 million in the most recent quarter, widening losses since its 2019 arrival to roughly $12 billion. The company had previously predicted that Disney+ would become profitable in September; some investors and analysts have been skeptical about that, putting downward pressure on Disney shares. Disney’s per-share earnings for the most recent quarter rose 30 percent increase from a year ago.

Persons: Robert A, Iger, “, —, ” Hugh Johnston Organizations: Disney

☆ Asia markets extend gains on rate cut optimism; RBA decision in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In Asia, investors await the Reserve Bank of Australia decision on rates as the bank concludes its two-day monetary policy meeting. Economists polled by Reuters expect the RBA to hold its benchmark lending rate at 4.35% for its fourth meeting in a row. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 inched up 0.23% ahead of the decision, on course to gain for a fourth straight day. South Korea's Kospi popped 1.6% as trading resumed after a public holiday, while the small-cap Kosdaq rose 1.08%. Japan's Nikkei 225 also resumed trading after a holiday to rise 0.96%, while the broad-based Topix gained 0.61%.

Persons: Australia's Organizations: Opera, Vivid, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Federal, Reserve Bank of Australia, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific

☆ Gold rises on Fed rate cut hopes, Middle East tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices ticked higher on Monday, as expectations that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates later in the year and tensions in the Middle East lifted bullion's appeal. "Investors will look at the political situation in the Middle East and how the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire play out. "Weaker U.S. data offers more policy flexibility for the Fed in terms of rate cuts," paving way for gold prices to stabilize, said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong. Markets are pricing in a 67% chance of a U.S. rate cut in September, as per CME's FedWatch Tool. Meanwhile, the Perth Mint's gold product sales in April jumped two-fold from a month earlier, while silver sales fell to their lowest since December.

Persons: Kelvin Wong, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yeap Jun Rong, John Williams, Austan Goolsbee Organizations: Co, Federal Reserve, Asia Pacific, New York Fed Bank, Chicago Fed, Perth Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, OANDA, Gaza, U.S

☆ Stock futures are little changed after Dow posts four-day win streak: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., April 25, 2024. U.S. stock futures flickered near the flatline Monday evening after the Dow Jones Industrial Average wrapped its fourth positive day in a row. Dow futures inched higher by just 8 points, or 0.02%. S&P 500 futures ticked up 0.01%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.03%. Investors carried over their bullish market sentiment from Friday, when the latest nonfarm payrolls data showed that job growth came in below expectations in April and unemployment ticked higher.

Persons: Rob Haworth, Haworth, Johnson Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Dow Jones, Dow, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, U.S . Bank, Disney, UBS, Johnson Locations: New York City, U.S, Swiss

☆ Autos analysts pick who can survive China’s cut-throat EV market
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Investment analysts are coalescing around a few potential winners in China's car market after a 10-day auto show in Beijing put the ferocious competition on full display. "This year, we notice[d] a meaningful amount of foreign visitors who are Chinese brands' overseas dealers or importers," JPMorgan analysts said. Open to the public After two days of restricting access only to business and media, the Beijing auto show opened to the general public. Jefferies' analysts estimate the policy could boost China's passenger vehicle sales by 1 million units this year, evenly split between electric and gas-powered models. The analysts highlighted their Chinese car stock picks as Leapmotor, Geely and BYD, all rated buy and listed in Hong Kong.

Persons: Nick Lai, BYD, Tesla, hasn't, Elon Musk, Nezha, Asensing, Zhang Haizhou, Morgan, Lei Jun, Xiaomi, Jefferies, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Leapmotor, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Asia Pacific, JPMorgan, Porsche, Apple Vision, Brands, Mazda, Auto, Morgan Stanley Asia Pacific, EV, Bank of America, Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Volkswagen, VW, Toyota Locations: Beijing, China, Asia, Europe, Nio, Zhejiang, Hong Kong

☆ Apple is about to jump into the AI race. Here's what analysts expect it to do
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

AAPL 1D mountain Apple shares on Friday More substantive updates on Apple's latest AI offerings in both hardware and services are expected to come during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. According to JPMorgan's Samik Chatterjee, the focus during the event will primarily be on the AI features Apple will include in its iOS 18 software. Mohan holds a buy rating on shares and slightly increased his price target to $230 from $225. "We think Apple can deliver AI upside without the AI capex we see elsewhere," Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani wrote in a Thursday note following the earnings. "Apple is accelerating investments in Generative AI and [is] set to introduce new features at its most important developer conference ever."

Persons: Apple didn't, Wall, JPMorgan's Samik Chatterjee, Wamsi Mohan, Mohan, Amit Daryanani, Morgan Stanley's Erik Woodring, Woodring, Wells Fargo's Aaron Rakers, Rakers, America's Mohan, Michael Bloom Organizations: Apple, Worldwide Developers Conference, of America, America's Locations: WWDC

☆ This solar stock is poised for 50% upside as demand strengthens on data center surge, Goldman says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

First Solar is poised for growth as demand continues to improve with surging electricity consumption from data centers acting as a catalyst for the manufacturer, according to Goldman Sachs. The firm raised its stock price target to $268 after First Solar reported another stronger quarter, which suggests the shares could log 50% upside from Wednesday's close of $177.58. First Solar CEO Mark Widmar told analysts during the company's earnings call that he is seeing a "meaningful increase in demand expectations driven in part by data center load growth." Apple , Google, Meta , and Microsoft are committed to carbon-free energy as they hyperscale data centers, Widmar said. "We'll be ready to go as quickly as possible," Widmar told analysts.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Brian Lee, Morgan, Mark Strouse, Strouse, Wall, Mark Widmar, Widmar, Alexander Bradley Organizations: First, Google, Microsoft

☆ Gold subdued as traders ready for Fed rate verdict
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gold prices struggled for momentum on Wednesday as investors refrained from taking big positions ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy decision that could offer for more cues on its rate-cut timeline. U.S. gold futures were down 0.2% at $2,298.30 per ounce. The Fed is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at 5.25% to 5.5%. Gold is known as an inflation hedge but elevated interest rates reduce the appeal of holding the non-yielding asset. Among other metals, spot silver rose 0.2% to $26.32 per ounce and platinum inched up 0.2% to $935.10.

Persons: Edward Meir, Jerome Powell, Powell, Meir Organizations: U.S, Federal, Focus, Labor, Palladium

☆ European markets head for higher open as traders look ahead to Fed meeting
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are heading for a positive open Monday as investors look ahead to more central bank decisions, earnings and data this week. The U.S. Federal Reserve's latest interest rate announcement will come Wednesday, and follows another hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation reading last Friday. The central bank is widely anticipated to keep the borrowing cost unchanged, but investors will still closely monitor the post-announcement press conference with Chair Jerome Powell. S&P 500 futures inched higher Sunday night as the broad index came off its best week in several months. Overnight, the Japanese yen weakened to 160 against the U.S. dollar as stocks in Asia-Pacific markets climbed.

Persons: Jerome Powell Organizations: U.S, Federal Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Stock futures are little changed following S&P 500's best week since November: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

S&P 500 futures inched higher Sunday night as the broad index came off its best week in several months. Traders are looking ahead to a week with more corporate earnings, key labor data and a Federal Reserve meeting. The S&P 500 jumped 2.7%, notching its best week since November and breaking a three-week negative streak. "However, during the past few weeks, the driver of rates has shifted from better growth tohawkish monetary policy concerns, which has been more difficult for stocks to digest." Monetary policy will take center stage later in the week, with the Fed set to release its latest interest rate announcement on Wednesday.

Persons: David Kostin, Goldman Sachs, Jerome Powell, April's nonfarm Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Traders, Federal Reserve, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Dow, Apple Locations: April's

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