Gold Retreats as Middle East Tensions Ease Following Strikes

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Gold fell more than 2% to trade near $2,345 an ounce after a five-week rally, the longest such streak in more than a year. Israel and Iran have traded attacks, raising concerns about an all-out war in the region, but Tehran has downplayed the impact and significance of Israel's recent strike. The fact that Iran downplayed Israel's response and signaled no retaliation has taken some risk premium out of the market. Traders are also focusing on US economic data, with the personal consumption expenditures price index projected to show the annual rate rose to 2.6% last month. Gold remains almost 15% higher so far this year, supported by central bank buying and demand from Asia. Spot gold slipped 2.0% to $2,343.48 an ounce, while silver sank about 4.3% after a four-week surge. Palladium and platinum also traded lower.

#Gold #MiddleEast #Tensions #Strikes

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-backtracks-middle-east-tensions-020343999.html

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Analysis-US bond bulls lean into latest selloff despite inflation scare

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A sharp selloff in U.S. bonds prompts some investors to consider allocating more funds to lock in higher yields ahead of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Treasury yields have soared in recent weeks after solid economic data and rebounding price pressures pushed out expectations of when the Fed would start cutting rates. However, many investors see lower bond prices as an opportunity to increase duration and buy bonds that benefit most from an interest rate move. Some investors are optimistic about the duration trade and believe rates will not go up much more. Others are less optimistic on inflation falling and expect lower yields in the next 12 months. Traders of futures tied to the Fed's policy rates expect less than two interest rate cuts in 2024. The peak in yields last year preceded a rally in bonds, but this time around, confidence that price pressures are easing is lower.

#UsBonds #InterestRates #FederalReserve #Inflation #Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-us-bond-bulls-lean-100233633.html

Analysis-US bond bulls lean into latest selloff despite inflation scare

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A sharp selloff in U.S. bonds prompts some investors to consider allocating more funds to lock in higher yields ahead of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Treasury yields have soared in recent weeks after solid economic data and rebounding price pressures pushed out expectations of when the Fed would start cutting rates. However, many investors see lower bond prices as an opportunity to increase duration and buy bonds that benefit most from an interest rate move. Some investors are optimistic about the duration trade and believe rates will not go up much more. Others are less optimistic on inflation falling and expect lower yields in the next 12 months. Traders of futures tied to the Fed's policy rates expect less than two interest rate cuts in 2024. The peak in yields last year preceded a rally in bonds, but this time around, confidence that price pressures are easing is lower.

#UsBonds #InterestRates #FederalReserve #Inflation #Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-us-bond-bulls-lean-100233633.html

Analysis-'Overdue' pullback in US stocks to test dip-buyers' resolve

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The S&P 500 is down more than 5% from its March 28 closing high, its biggest retreat since October. The factors that drove the S&P 500 to a 10% gain in the first quarter remain in place and will support stocks over the long term. Sellers have had the upper hand for the last week, with the S&P 500 falling for its sixth straight session on Friday. Some investors are buying on weakness, while others are waiting for more clarity on inflation, geopolitical tensions, and corporate earnings. A pullback is 'long overdue' and could fall by as much as 10% from its March 28 high. Strong starts to a year are often followed by sizable retreats, after which the stock market typically rights itself and continues higher. Clients of BofA sold $800 million in U.S. equities in the latest week, the third straight week they were net sellers. Some volatility-sensitive funds that bought equities as markets marched higher have already started selling and could dump more stocks if markets grow more turbulent. Investors are also watching the level of the Cboe Volatility Index. The coming week’s earnings from some of the market’s biggest names could offer support to stocks or further exacerbate the selloff. Investors will also focus on Friday's release of the monthly Personal Consumption Expenditures Price index, a crucial piece of inflation data before the Fed's April 30-May 1 meeting. Stronger-than-expected inflation has eroded a key driver of the bull market. Tim Ghriskey, senior portfolio strategist for Ingalls & Snyder in New York, said he has been 'doing some buying on the dip in very aggressive portfolios' but remains concerned about incoming inflation data.

#UsStocks #StockMarket #Pullback #Dipbuyers #S&p500 #Inflation #GeopoliticalTensions #CorporateEarnings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-overdue-pullback-us-stocks-050451896.html

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Analysis-'Overdue' pullback in US stocks to test dip-buyers' resolve

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The S&P 500 is down more than 5% from its March 28 closing high, its biggest retreat since October. The factors that drove the S&P 500 to a 10% gain in the first quarter remain in place and will support stocks over the long term. Sellers have had the upper hand for the last week, with the S&P 500 falling for its sixth straight session on Friday. Some investors are buying on weakness, while others are waiting for more clarity on inflation, geopolitical tensions, and corporate earnings. A pullback is 'long overdue' and could fall by as much as 10% from its March 28 high. Strong starts to a year are often followed by sizable retreats, after which the stock market typically rights itself and continues higher. Clients of BofA sold $800 million in U.S. equities in the latest week, the third straight week they were net sellers. Some volatility-sensitive funds that bought equities as markets marched higher have already started selling and could dump more stocks if markets grow more turbulent. Investors are also watching the level of the Cboe Volatility Index. The coming week’s earnings from some of the market’s biggest names could offer support to stocks or further exacerbate the selloff. Investors will also focus on Friday's release of the monthly Personal Consumption Expenditures Price index, a crucial piece of inflation data before the Fed's April 30-May 1 meeting. Stronger-than-expected inflation has eroded a key driver of the bull market. Tim Ghriskey, senior portfolio strategist for Ingalls & Snyder in New York, said he has been 'doing some buying on the dip in very aggressive portfolios' but remains concerned about incoming inflation data.

#UsStocks #StockMarket #Pullback #Dipbuyers #S&p500 #Inflation #GeopoliticalTensions #CorporateEarnings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-overdue-pullback-us-stocks-050451896.html

Oil prices retreat as US crude build, rate cut concerns come to the fore

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Oil prices fell at Asia's open on Monday, dragged down by a renewed focus on market fundamentals. Brent futures fell 54 cents, or 0.6%, to $86.75 a barrel. The front month U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude contract for May fell 12 cents to $83.02 a barrel. U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels, nearly double analysts' expectations of a 1.4 million barrel rise. On Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an aid package for Ukraine and Israel containing measures that would let the federal government expand sanctions against Iran and its oil production. Iran is the third largest producer in OPEC. ANZ analysts said in a note that volatility in the Middle East will keep oil markets "jittery".

#OilPrices #UsCrude #BrentFutures #WtiCrude #CrudeInventories #Iran #Opec #Sanctions

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oil-prices-retreat-us-crude-005038387.html

Jaspreet Singh: Why Americans Will Run Out of Money

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Financial expert Jaspreet Singh explains why Americans are running out of money due to high inflation, leading to increased spending on rent, groceries, and travel. This depletion of savings forces individuals and families to dig into other sources, leading to long-term instability. Singh recommends saving for emergencies, investing during market downsides, and finding other ways to fund your lifestyle without debt. The impact of Americans going broke and accumulating debt goes beyond the individual, as it can also take a toll on the economy, leading to less consumer spending and potential downsizing of businesses.

#Inflation #Savings #Debt #Economy

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jaspreet-singh-why-americans-run-000010691.html

US commerce secretary downplays chip in advanced Huawei phone

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US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo downplayed the chip in the advanced Huawei Mate 60 Pro phone, stating that it is not as advanced as American chips. Raimondo argued that this demonstrates the effectiveness of US curbs on shipments to Huawei. The Huawei Mate 60 Pro, powered by a sophisticated chip, was released in August 2023 and was seen as a symbol of China's technological resurgence. However, Raimondo stated that the chip is years behind what the US has, asserting that the US has the most sophisticated semiconductors in the world. The US has been trying to deprive Beijing of advanced semiconductor chips and tools over concerns of strengthening China's military capabilities. Huawei was added to the entity list in 2019, and its US suppliers have received licenses worth billions of dollars to continue selling to the company. The Biden administration is conducting a review of the chip that powers the Huawei phone, but details of the review are limited.

#UsCommerceSecretary #Huawei #SemiconductorChips #UschinaTechWar

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-commerce-secretary-downplays-chip-230249164.html

16 Best Places To Retire in the US That Feel Like Europe

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Many Americans dream of retiring in Europe, though not everyone can pull it off. For those who can’t, one solution is to find a place that has a European vibe without actually being in Europe. Here are 16 of the best places to retire in the U.S. that feel like Europe based on insights by The Parking Spot: Charleston, South Carolina; Helen, Georgia; Hermann, Missouri; Holland, Michigan; Leavenworth, Washington; Montpelier, Vermont; New Orleans, Louisiana; Newport, Rhode Island; New Ulm, Minnesota; Pella, Iowa; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Santa Barbara, California; Solvang, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Tarpon Springs, Florida.

#Retirement #Europe #Us #Travel

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/16-best-places-retire-us-184450432.html

Tesla cuts price of Full Self-Driving software by a third to $8,000

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Tesla has reduced the price of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software from $12,000 to $8,000 in the United States. CEO Elon Musk believes that self-driving technology will be a significant source of revenue for the company. However, Tesla has faced challenges in achieving full self-driving capability, with increasing regulatory and legal scrutiny. Musk recently announced that Tesla will unveil its robotaxis on August 8. The company has also lowered the monthly subscription price for FSD from $199 to $99. Tesla's driver assistant features, known as Autopilot or FSD, require active driver supervision and are not fully autonomous. In addition to reducing the price of FSD, Tesla has also been cutting prices on its auto lineup in major markets, including China.

#Tesla #FullSelfdriving #Fsd #ElonMusk #SelfdrivingTechnology

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-cuts-price-full-self-040341205.html

US luxury properties still a hot investment for the wealthy

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While home buying for most of the US has decreased in the month of March, there still seems to be an interest among wealthier Americans for luxury home purchases. Knight Frank Global Head of Research Liam Bailey explains that despite rising interest rates, luxury markets have seen prices for residential property rise over the past six to nine months due to limited inventory. The report also reveals that 22% of wealthy individuals plan to invest in residential property this year, and 19% in commercial property. The luxury real estate market has become more globalized, with US buyers impacting demand and pricing in markets such as London, Lisbon, Spain, and Italy. The office market has split into two, with a high demand for best-in-class offices and a lack of quality stock available. The weaker sector of the office market is struggling. Wealth creation is back, with more wealthy individuals globally due to the performance of equity markets and cryptocurrencies.

#LuxuryProperties #Wealthy #HomeBuying #ResidentialProperty #CommercialProperty #InterestRates #Inventory #GlobalizedMarket #OfficeMarket #WealthCreation

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/us-luxury-properties-still-hot-130043047.html

At US$63.40, Is It Time To Put Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) On Your Watch List?

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Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) has seen significant share price movement on the NASDAQGS, rising to highs of US$73.07 and falling to lows of US$60.62. The current trading price of US$63.40 may be undervalued, providing an opportunity to buy. Fortinet's intrinsic value is $102.89, indicating potential for future growth. Shareholders may consider accumulating more holdings in the stock, while potential investors may find it a good time to enter. However, it's important to consider other factors such as financial health and risks before making investment decisions.

#Fortinet,Inc #Nasdaq:ftnt #StockValuation #InvestmentOpportunities

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-63-40-time-put-110015381.html

Energean Full Year 2023 Earnings: Misses Expectations

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Energean's full year 2023 earnings missed expectations. The company reported revenue of US$1.42 billion, up 93% from FY 2022. Net income was US$184.9 million, up by US$167.7 million from FY 2022. The profit margin increased to 13% from 2.3% in FY 2022. EPS was US$1.04, up from US$0.097 in FY 2022. Oil equivalent production was 44.731 MMboe. Revenue missed analyst estimates by 3.7% and EPS missed estimates by 34%. The primary driver of revenue was the Israel segment, contributing 66% of total revenue. Cost of sales amounted to 54% of total revenue. Non-operating costs were the most substantial expense at US$364.8 million. Energean's shares are down 3.4% from a week ago. Revenue is forecasted to grow 13% p.a. on average for the next 3 years. Energean is showing 3 warning signs in their investment analysis.

#Energean #Earnings #Revenue #NetIncome #ProfitMargin #Eps #OilEquivalentProduction

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/energean-full-2023-earnings-misses-075715129.html

Tesla cuts prices nearly $2,000 in China, in line with US cuts

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Tesla has cut prices in China by nearly $2,000 across its line-up in China, in line with its price cuts in the United States. The starting price of the revamped Model 3 was reduced by 14,000 yuan ($1,930) to 231,900 yuan ($32,000) in China. Similar cuts were made to the Model Y, Model S, and Model X. Tesla reported a decline in global vehicle deliveries in the first quarter, and the company has been slow to refresh its models. Elon Musk postponed a planned trip to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

#Tesla #China #ElectricVehicles #PriceCuts #Model3 #ModelY #ModelS #ModelX #ElonMusk #NarendraModi

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-cuts-prices-across-line-024312843.html

IMF's Gopinath says high U.S. demand fueling growth, higher interest rates

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The United States needs to raise revenues to bring down high budget deficits even though they are helping to fuel global growth by stoking domestic U.S. demand, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath. Gopinath made the statement at a fiscal forum during the IMF and World Bank spring meetings. She mentioned that U.S. deficits are projected to rise for years, leading to higher interest rates and a stronger dollar, which create complications for the world.

#Imf #UsDemand #Growth #InterestRates #BudgetDeficits

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/imfs-gopinath-says-high-u-165622221.html

Repare Therapeutics Inc.'s (NASDAQ:RPTX) market cap dropped US$21m last week; Private equity firms bore the brunt

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Repare Therapeutics Inc.'s market cap dropped by US$21m last week, resulting in losses for private equity firms who hold a 34% stake in the company. The top 5 shareholders own 54% of the business, with institutional ownership at 24%. Hedge funds own 30% of Repare Therapeutics shares, and BVF Partners L.P. is the largest shareholder with 24% of shares outstanding. Insiders hold shares worth US$1.4m. The general public, with an 11% ownership, has some influence over the company. Private equity firms, with a 34% stake, could influence the Repare Therapeutics board. Analyst sentiments and risks should also be considered when evaluating the company.

#RepareTherapeuticsInc #Nasdaq:rptx #MarketCap #PrivateEquityFirms #OwnershipStructure

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/repare-therapeutics-inc-nasdaq-rptx-134349435.html

After VW plant victory, UAW sets its sights on Mercedes in Alabama

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The United Auto Workers (UAW) has won its first unionization vote at an auto factory in the U.S. South and is now aiming to win a second victory at a Mercedes plant in Alabama. The UAW's success at the Volkswagen (VW) plant in Tennessee is expected to provide momentum for its campaign to expand the union outside of Detroit to the U.S. South and West. The UAW is focusing on 13 non-union auto companies, including Toyota and Tesla. The Mercedes plant vote is scheduled for mid-May and is expected to be a tougher fight than at VW. The UAW says a 'supermajority' of the roughly 5,200 eligible workers at the Mercedes assembly plant in Vance, Alabama, and a nearby battery plant in Woodstock support it. The UAW's campaign may face opposition from Republican governors who have opposed the union's efforts, citing job security and higher labor costs for automakers.

#UnitedAutoWorkers #Unionization #Volkswagen #Mercedes #Alabama

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vw-plant-victory-uaw-sets-130658877.html

Insider Stock Buying Reaches US$696.4k On Rio2

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Multiple insiders, including Alexander Black, have purchased shares of Rio2 Limited (CVE:RIO), with a total value of US$696.4k. Insider buying is seen as a positive sign for shareholders. Over the past year, Rio2 insiders have been buying shares and not selling. In the last quarter, insiders collectively bought CA$651k worth of shares. Insider ownership of Rio2 stands at 18% of the company, indicating alignment between management and smaller shareholders. The recent insider purchases, combined with notable insider ownership, suggest that insiders believe the share price is undervalued. However, it's important to consider the company's lack of profitability and potential risks before making any investment decisions.

#InsiderTrading #StockMarket #Rio2Limited

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/insider-stock-buying-reaches-us-124543692.html