The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs on Thursday, propelled by optimism about more pandemic relief under the Biden administration to support the economy after data showed a tepid labor market recovery.
Fears of Potential Iranian Attack , Drive US Stocks Down , Nearly 500 Points.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
By mid-afternoon, the Dow had fallen
1.4%, the S&P 500 went down 1.6%,
and the Nasdaq dropped 1.8%.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The warning comes after Iran
accused Israel of a deadly airstrike
on a consulate in Damascus, Syria. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
Brent crude futures jumped up to $90.42
a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude
futures increased to $86.65 a barrel.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
CNN reports that Americans' opinions of
the economy have dipped in the past few
months amid persistently high inflation.
The geopolitical fears come as investors are already
contending with concerns that the Federal Reserve could
wait to bring interest rates down from a 23-year high.
Officials at the Fed have signaled that further rate
hikes could still be on the way if the central
bank's efforts to fight inflation stall.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Trump’s Social Media Company , Sues Co-Founders.
Trump Media & Technology Group filed a
lawsuit against co-founders Wesley Moss and Andrew Litinsky on March 24, ABC News reports.
The suit came two days before shareholders approved a merger that allowed the
company to begin trading on the Nasdaq.
The lawsuit alleges that the two men
"failed spectacularly" to lead the company and made "reckless and wasteful decisions"
that resulted in "significant damage.".
Trump Media wants the co-founders to give up
their shares of the company, among other things. .
TMTG has been forced to file this action
to remedy the harm inflicted upon it by two
faithless fiduciaries and a company they own --
Wesley Moss, Andrew Litinsky, and
[United Atlantic Ventures] -- and to halt their
ongoing attempts to do even more damage, Via lawsuit.
Moss and Litinsky's company,
United Atlantic Ventures, owns 5.5%
of Trump Media, according to the SEC.
That amounts to 7,525,000 shares
which are worth about $388 million.
Donald Trump's stake in the company
is currently valued at over $4 billion.
Since going public last week,
the stock has been very volatile. .
At one time, shares peaked over $79.
On April 1, they plunged by 21%.
Shares recovered slightly on April 2
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Truth Social Soars Nearly 50% , in First Day on Nasdaq.
The former president's social media company began trading on the Nasdaq on March 26, AP reports. .
Digital World Acquisition Corp. acquired Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., which runs Truth Social, on March 25.
Trump Media has taken the place
of Digital World on the Nasdaq. .
On March 25, Trump said, "Truth Social is doing
very well. It's hot as a pistol and doing great.".
Trump Media's market value was roughly
$6.8 billion prior to trading, AP reports. .
Shares were up 47% at $73.50
just before 10 a.m. ET.
Truth Social's ticker symbol is "DJT.".
Trump launched Truth Social in 2022 after being banned from Twitter and Facebook. .
The social media platform had approximately 5 million users in February, according to research firm Similarweb.
Investors could be in for
a bumpy ride, AP reports.
In a regulatory filing, Trump Media said that it “is highly dependent on the popularity and presence of President Trump.”.
If Trump were to distance himself from the
company, perhaps for reasons such as campaigning
for presidency, Trump Media “would be
significantly disadvantaged,” the filing states. .
Similarly “an adverse outcome in
one or more” of the cases in which the
former president is embroiled could harm
the success of Trump Media and Truth Social.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Fabric and Craft Retailer Joann , Files for Bankruptcy.
The 81-year-old company made the announcement on March 18, CNN reports. .
The retailer has also secured $132 million
in new funding to cut its debt in half.
Joann's 850 stores and website
will remain operational. .
This agreement is a significant
step forward in addressing
Joann’s capital structure needs, , Scott Sekella, Joann's chief financial officer, via statement .
... and it will provide us with the
financial resources and flexibility
necessary to continue to deliver
best-in-class product assortments... , Scott Sekella, Joann's chief financial officer, via statement .
... and enhance the customer
experience wherever they
are shopping with us, Scott Sekella, Joann's chief financial officer, via statement .
The Nasdaq has delisted Joann's stock. .
The company will become privately owned after the bankruptcy process.
The bankruptcy of Joann has been
looming for a long time and was always
a matter of when, rather than if, Neil Saunders, managing director and
retail analyst for GlobalData, via note.
The bankruptcy process will now
allow the arts and crafts chain
to receive an infusion of cash at
the same time as streamlining its
operations and reducing debt levels, Neil Saunders, managing director and
retail analyst for GlobalData, via note
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
The Senate has passed $95bn (ÂŁ76.2bn) in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delays and rows - with Joe Biden set to sign the legislation.. Sky News
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
The grants will bring solar energy
to over 900,000 households in both
low- and middle-income communities. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
NBC reports that solar power has gained
traction as a clean energy source that could
help reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
49 of the new grants will be awarded at
the state level, six more will serve Native American
tribes and another five are multi-state awards.
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
Officials say that the latest environmental
announcements are part of an effort to energize
young voters ahead of his upcoming reelection campaign.
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq set fresh record closing highs on Wednesday as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th U.S. president and solid results from Netflix fueled a big jump into tech names. ..
The Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq set fresh record closing highs on Wednesday as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th U.S. president and solid results from Netflix fueled a big jump into tech names. ..