Consumer Prices , Rose 0.4% in February.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released
its latest data on March 12.
In February 2024, prices rose 0.4%
compared to January and 3.2% year-over-year, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The figures, which are greater than expected, represent the biggest monthly increase since September, Yahoo Finance reports. .
The index for housing rent rose 0.5% in February.
Gas prices rose 3.8%.
While food prices held steady for the month, they increased 2.2% year-over-year.
The Federal Reserve will use the latest data to help determine its position on interest rates on March 20. .
Experts predict that rates will
remain unchanged for the time being.
The market is now eyeing June for the possibility of rate cuts, Yahoo Finance reports. .
Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently said
that while interest rates will likely
be cut "at some point this year,"
"a little bit more data" is needed.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Key Federal Reserve Inflation Gauge , Rose 2.8% in March.
According to Commerce Department
data released on April 26.
the personal consumption expenditures
(PCE) price index, not including food or energy, rose 2.8% year-over-year in March. .
That exceeded Dow Jones
estimates of 2.7%, CNBC reports. .
When also accounting for food and energy, the all-items PCE measure rose 2.7%,
which was above the 2.6% estimate.
Inflation reports released this morning
were not as a hot as feared, , George Mateyo, chief investment officer at Key Wealth, via CNBC.
... but investors should not get
overly anchored to the idea that
inflation has been completely
cured and the Fed will be cutting
interest rates in the near-term, George Mateyo, chief investment officer at Key Wealth, via CNBC.
The prospects of rate cuts remain,
but they are not assured, and the
Fed will likely need weakness in
the labor market before they
have the confidence to cut, George Mateyo, chief investment officer at Key Wealth, via CNBC.
Consumers continue to spend despite
higher prices, CNBC reports.
Personal spending increased 0.8% in March, while personal income rose 0.5%.
The personal saving rate dropped to 3.2% as more people are having to dip into their savings to cover the cost of living.
The Fed continues to target 2% inflation, which the core PCE has exceeded for
the last three years, CNBC reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Netflix Exceeds Earnings Estimates , As Subscribers Increase.
Netflix Exceeds Earnings Estimates , As Subscribers Increase.
Netflix released a Q1 earnings report on April 18, indicating that its number of subscribers jumped 16% year-over-year to reach 269.6 million.
Analysts only expected the streamer to have about 264.2 million subscribers, CNBC reports. .
The company also brought in $9.37 billion in revenue versus analysts' expectations of $9.28 billion. .
However, Netflix said that its membership numbers are no longer the main factor contributing to the company's growth.
As a result, the company will stop providing "quarterly membership numbers or average revenue per user" beginning in 2025, CNBC reports. .
Instead, it will divulge "major subscriber milestones as we cross them.".
Price hikes, terminating password sharing
and offering an ad-supported tier are all tactics that have boosted revenue.
Netflix is also seeking to gain traction within the video game space and recently partnered with TKO Group Holdings to offer WWE on the platform.
We’re in the very early days of
developing our live programming and
I would look at this as an expansion of
the types of content we offer, the way
we expanded to film and unscripted and
animation and most recently games, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, via earnings call.
We believe that these kind of event cultural
moments like the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson
fight are just that kind of television, and we
want to be part of winning over those
moments with our members as well, so that
for me is the excitement part of this, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, via earnings call.
As of the morning of April 18,
Netflix's stock was up 27%
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Google Fires Employees , for Protesting Israel Contract.
28 Google workers have been fired for protesting
a $1.2 billion contract that the company has with
the Israeli government and military to provide
cloud and AI services, NBC News reports. .
The firings follow an April 16 sit-in at
Google's offices in California, New York and Seattle in which nine workers were arrested.
The group that coordinated the demonstration
is known as No Tech for Apartheid. .
Google issued a statement about the recent firings.
A small number of employee
protesters entered and disrupted
a few of our locations. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
Physically impeding other employees’
work and preventing them from
accessing our facilities is a clear
violation of our policies, and
completely unacceptable behavior. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
We have so far concluded
individual investigations that
resulted in the termination of
employment for 28 employees,
and will continue to investigate
and take action as needed, Google spokesperson, via statement.
No Tech for Apartheid claims that the
workers were fired "indiscriminately.".
This excuse to avoid confronting
us and our concerns directly,
and attempt to justify its illegal,
retaliatory firings, is a lie, No Tech for Apartheid, via statement.
Meanwhile, many of Google's workers have
reportedly quit after experiencing "mental health consequences of working at a company that is using their labor to enable a genocide," No Tech for Apartheid said.
On a personal level, I am opposed
to Google taking any military
contracts — no matter which
government they’re with or what
exactly the contract is about. , Cheyne Anderson, a Google Cloud software engineer based
in Washington who was arrested during a sit-in, to CNBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Amazon Cuts Hundreds , of Cloud Computing Jobs.
An Amazon Web Services (AWS)
spokesperson issued a statement about
the job cuts on April 3, CNBC reports. .
We’ve identified a few targeted areas of
the organization we need to streamline
in order to continue focusing our efforts
on the key strategic areas that we
believe will deliver maximum impact, AWS spokesperson, via statement.
We didn’t make these decisions
lightly, and we’re committed
to supporting the employees
throughout their transition to new
roles in and outside of Amazon, AWS spokesperson, via statement.
Cuts are being made to the store technology division “as a result of a broader strategic shift in the use of some applications in Amazon’s owned as well as in third-party stores,” the spokesperson said.
The layoffs come after Amazon announced that it was ending its Just Walk Out technology in Fresh stores.
The cashierless technology is overseen
by teams within the AWS unit. .
Beginning in 2022, Amazon started
its largest layoffs in history by letting
go of 27,000 roles company-wide. .
So far in 2024, the retail behemoth has cut jobs at Audible, Buy with Prime, Prime Video, MGM Studios and Twitch, CNBC reports. .
This latest round of cuts will
allow U.S. employees to collect pay
and benefits for a minimum of 60 days.
They will also be offered a severance package.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
UPS to Become US Postal Service’s , Main Air Cargo Provider.
On April 1, United Parcel Service announced
that it will replace FedEx as the primary air
cargo provider for the USPS, CNBC reports. .
On April 1, United Parcel Service announced
that it will replace FedEx as the primary air
cargo provider for the USPS, CNBC reports. .
FedEx is walking away from a
22-year partnership after failing to
secure a better contract with the agency. .
FedEx is walking away from a
22-year partnership after failing to
secure a better contract with the agency. .
In fiscal year 2023, USPS paid FedEx $1.73 billion
for its services, down from the $2.4 billion
FedEx received in fiscal year 2020.
The decrease in payments was partially due
to the postal service using more economical
trucks in place of planes, CNBC reports. .
The parties were unable to reach
agreement on mutually beneficial
terms to extend the contract, FedEx, via securities filing.
Since FedEx will lose nearly $2 billion in annual
business from letting go of the contract, .
hundreds of pilots will likely
lose their jobs, CNBC reports .
Following the announcement, UPS shares
increased 1.4% while FedEx stock dropped 1.6%.
FedEx's current contract is
set to expire on Sept. 29
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
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
Federal Reserve Posts Massive, $114 Billion , Loss in 2023.
On March 26, the Federal Reserve
announced a record-breaking net
negative income of $114.3 billion in 2023.
Reuters reports that the loss follows
$58.8 billion in net income in 2022. .
Since releasing the numbers,
the Fed has stressed that negative net
income does not impede its ability to operate.
Since releasing the numbers,
the Fed has stressed that negative net
income does not impede its ability to operate.
As a result of low rates and large
levels of bond holdings, the Fed has
earned significant profits in recent years.
Last year, the Fed's audited interest expenses for
banks' reserve balances reached $176.8 billion,
an increase of over $116 billion from 2022.
In 2023, the Fed's interest payouts from
its reverse repo facility were $104.33 billion,
increased from $41.9 billion the year before.
Reuters reports that the Fed creates funds when
dealing with operating losses, capturing its loss
in an accounting device known as a deferred asset.
Reuters reports that the Fed creates funds when
dealing with operating losses, capturing its loss
in an accounting device known as a deferred asset.
At the close of 2023, the deferred
asset stood at $133.3 billion.
As of March 20 of this year, that number
had risen to $157.8 billion with no
indication of how much larger it could get.
Last year, a St. Louis Fed report forecast that it
could take years before the Fed can return to
profitability and reduce the country's deferred asset.
Last year, a St. Louis Fed report forecast that it
could take years before the Fed can return to
profitability and reduce the country's deferred asset
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
In this Biz Pulse episode, we delve into market updates and the US Federal Reserve's announcement. Indian ADRs witness a decline, while IT stocks garner attention. Equity markets are on an upswing, while gold prices surge. Stay tuned for insights into these trends shaping the financial landscape.
#ADRStocks #ITMarket #StockMarket #Sensex #Nifty #IndianStocks #USStocks #USStockexchange #Businessnews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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Experts Say Fed's , Rate Hikes Could Impact , Housing Market for Decades.
Yahoo Finance reports that the housing market
has been showing signs of bouncing back as
this year's spring home-buying season begins.
For the second week in a row, mortgage rates
fell, reaching the lowest level in over a month. .
According to Freddie Mac, the average rate
on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to
6.74% from 6.88% the week before.
At the same time, supply is also
starting to rebound, with new listings
hitting a 17-month high in February. .
Despite the improvement, experts warn
that the Fed's aggressive rate-hiking campaign could
have long-lasting side effects on the housing market.
Despite the improvement, experts warn
that the Fed's aggressive rate-hiking campaign could
have long-lasting side effects on the housing market.
According to economist Gary Shilling, the Fed's
campaign has created a "perfect storm,"
with higher rates causing would-be
home sellers to put their plans on hold. .
It won't continue
indefinitely, but it certainly
is disruptive right now, Gary Shilling, Economist, via Yahoo Finance.
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman shared similar views on the future of the housing market, warning it could take decades to move beyond the impact of the Fed's efforts.
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman shared similar views on the future of the housing market, warning it could take decades to move beyond the impact of the Fed's efforts.
There's going to be low
supply for a long time to
come. What the Fed did…
will have a 30-year tail on it, Glenn Kelman, Redfin CEO, via Yahoo Finance.
Yahoo Finance reports that mortgage rates may be
unlikely to fall much further in the near term, meaning
that a more substantial rebound may still be far off.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
As China strengthens trade and military ties with Russia amidst Western sanctions, NATO issues a stern warning, urging Beijing to halt its support for Russia's actions in Ukraine if it desires positive relations with the West. Explore the implications of this diplomatic standoff and the escalating tensions in this crucial geopolitical landscape.
#RussiaUkraineWar #RussiaChinaRelations #ChinaRussia #RussianStrikes #UkrainianStrikes #RussiaAttacksUkraine #UkraineAttacksRussia #FrontlineRegions #Oneindia
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Intense clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces result in tragedy as at least 10 people are killed in frontline regions. With Russian forces intensifying their offensive in the eastern Donetsk region ahead of May 9th, tensions escalate amidst commemorations of World War II. Stay informed on the latest developments in this volatile situation.
#RussiaUkraineWar #RussianStrikes #UkrainianStrikes #RussiaAttacksUkraine #UkraineAttacksRussia #FrontlineRegions #Oneindia
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As soldiers wait for more ammunition and air defence support from international allies, a drone team arrives at a dugout near the eastern town of Bakhmut.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 02:00Published
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday as he wrapped up a three-day visit to China dominated by contentious issues and warnings from his hosts of another “downward spiral” in relations. The two met Friday afternoon local time at the Great Hall of the People, an ornate and cavernous building next to Tiananmen Square. Blinken told Xi that President Joe Biden had sent him to China to “seek to deepen areas of cooperation as well as to responsibly manage the differences that we have.” Xi noted that this year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and said the two countries “should be partners rather than adversaries.”
#BlinkenXiMeeting #ChinaUSRelations #DiplomaticTalks #GlobalIssues #BilateralRelations #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #USChinaDialogue #XiJinpingMeeting
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Kim Kardashian went back to the White House to advocate for criminal justice reform -- only here, it was with Biden's camp ... proving she's loyal to the cause,.. TMZ.com
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
President Biden signs historic legislation securing billions in US aid for Ukraine and Israel, reaffirming America's commitment to global security. Despite criticisms over human rights abuses in Gaza, Biden emphasizes the 'ironclad' nature of US support for Israel's defense. Stay informed with the latest developments on international affairs.
#JoeBiden #Israel #Gaza #IsraelHamasWar #IsraelPalestine #IsraelPalestineWar #USPresident #USNews #USAidBill #RussiaUkraineWar #Oneindia
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President Biden had yet another teleprompter gaffe while speaking at a conference Wednesday ... and it's not the first time the prez fumbled a speech, far from.. TMZ.com
On Friday, world markets finished their worst weekly decline since the pandemic meltdown of March 2020, as investors concerned that inflation-fighting central banks' stricter monetary policies would..