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The economy: how 14 years of Tory rule have changed Britain – in charts 2024-06-20 14:29:00+00:00 - While inflation figures usually generate a news story in their own right, last month’s figures led to the biggest news line of them all. Rishi Sunak’s surprise announcement that he would hold a snap election on 4 July came hours after April’s inflation figures were announced. They were widely reported to have heavily influenced his decision to take the country to the polls. On Wednesday, there was more good news for the government as UK inflation fell to 2% in May, returning to the official target rate for the first time in nearly three years. The inflation figures were the one of the last significant economic indicators due for release before voting day. But inflation alone – although important – is not the only measure that economists look at. So with James Carville’s immortal 1992 soundbite (“The economy, stupid”) still echoing in our ears, we give you the latest in our data series on how 14 years of Conservative party rule has changed Britain – this time on the economy. Prices are still rising If one phrase sums up how Britain suffered in the years after the Covid pandemic, it is “cost of living crisis”. A combination of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine sent prices soaring, most notably for food, energy and heating. Food/CPI chart Inflation peaked in October 2022 at 11.1%. It has fallen ever since, with a few bumps in the road, helping Rishi Sunak meet his pledge to halve inflation during 2023. Yet food prices remain 20% above the level seen in July 2021 and family budgets remain stretched. By way of demonstration, let’s look at the cost of a family staple: spaghetti bolognese, using the prices of individual items as per the ONS basket of goods. Using this measure, we can compare what it would have cost to make a spaghetti bolognese for a family of four six years ago: £8.44 in May 2018. Food prices peaked later than general inflation. In June of last year, the ingredients which make up a spag bol hit at £10.35 before falling back to £10.15 last month. Interest rates could be coming down Interest rates were high in the 1980s when the price of property was low. Rates fell in the 00s as home prices soared. Then came the 2008 financial crash and the cost of borrowing tumbled to almost zero. Rising inflation during 2021 triggered a round of interest rate increases to 5.25%. Now we have the worst of all worlds – high interest rates and stratospheric house prices. Bank’s base rate graphic After the latest fall in inflation, the betting is that Bank of England officials may start to cut interest rates in September and possibly again in December to 4.75%. Other factors prompting action by the central bank are figures showing that the economy is growing slowly and that unemployment is rising – both legacies of Conservative governments that, over 14 years, favoured austerity over investment. Lower interest rates will give the economy a much-needed lift, but it’s not a done deal. There are risks from the global economy and from domestic price pressures. A widening of the Middle East conflict could send oil prices higher, while defeat for Ukraine could spark a return to higher food and energy bills. Government borrowing remains high Britain’s borrowing has declined sharply as a proportion of national income, or gross domestic product (GDP), from the first half of the last century, when it rocketed to pay for the costs of two world wars. In the 1990s, then chancellor Gordon Brown ran surplus budgets – which meant the government spent less than it received in tax – and reduced the overall level of debt to less than 50% of GDP. It rebounded after the 2008 financial crash to more than 100% and is now 97%, according to the latest official figures. Successive Conservative-led governments failed to bring down the ratio to anywhere near the pre-crash levels. Net debt graphic Economists are divided about how much borrowing is too much. Labour is concerned about criticism that it will be profligate in government and has pledged to maintain a Tory budget rule that forces the chancellor to cut the debt-to-GDP ratio in the final year of a five-year forecast. France has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 114% and, without spending cuts of €10bn, is heading for 117%. Credit ratings agencies, which monitor debt levels, have judged that 117% would be too high and downgraded France, in effect warning investors that it is more likely the country could default on debt payments. Not long after the latest downgrade, Emmanuel Macron called a snap election in France. Are recessions a thing of the past? When an economy contracts for two consecutive quarters, it is considered to be in recession. Some economists take a stricter view. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research says there needs to be a contraction over a full year, which rules out the downturn in 2023, when the economy contracted between June and December, but grew slightly over the entire year. There was a huge contraction in the Covid-affected spring of 2020, but the economic shutdown was on the government’s orders and there were lots of subsidies around to help businesses and households. The government also softened the blow to incomes during the 2009 recession. So it is not since the 1990 contraction that people have been left to survive without much state intervention. Then, tens of thousands lost their homes and many businesses went bust. Recessions graphic Recessions are always not far away. They tend to arrive when businesses have run out of road after borrowing heavily to grow. They cannot keep repeating the same trick, especially when interest rates climb higher. But many other factors can intervene, too. The last 14 years have shown that shocks can come from left field and the government needs to be better prepared than it was in 2020. There is a group of economists who believe recessions relate to overblown property prices and arrive in 18-year cycles. They have been right about at least the last two. If we discount the 2023 and 2020 contractions as pandemic-induced, the next biggie will arrive in 2026.

Families of Boeing crash victims demand prosecution for ‘deadliest corporate crime in US history’ 2024-06-20 14:21:00+00:00 - Families of the victims of two Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia have demanded that the plane maker be criminally prosecuted and fined $25bn for “the deadliest corporate crime in US history”. In a letter to the US justice department, Paul Cassell, an attorney for 15 victims’ families, said that the amount is “legally justified and clearly appropriate”, but could be significantly reduced if Boeing improved safety standards and agreed to an independent monitor. The letter comes after Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, stood and apologized to the families of the twin accidents’ 346 victims, saying everyone at Boeing was “‘deeply sorry for your losses”, at a Senate hearing in Washington DC. Senators called on the company to fix its “broken safety culture”. The air crashes involving the 737 Max came in 2018, when a Lion Air jet crashed into the Java Sea, killing all 189 people on board, and in early 2019 when an Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed near Addis Ababa, killing 157. Both crashes were blamed on a faulty anti-stall system that the pilots of the planes had not been instructed on how to operate and had pushed the aircraft into fatal dives. Boeing and the justice department did not immediately respond to the petition. The Seattle plane maker is under mounting pressure over manufacturing failures. A door blew off a 737 Max in mid-flight in January, prompting federal prosecutors to consider reversing an expiring non-prosecution agreement over the 737 Max crashes. Justice department officials have told victims’ families that individual prosecutions are unlikely given a five year statute of limitations. In April, Boeing told the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) about potentially falsified inspection records related to the wings of 787 Dreamliner planes and it would need to reinspect some of the model still in production. Prosecutors now have until 7 July to decide what penalties Boeing should face. At the Capitol Hill hearings this week, Democrat Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal said “the evidence is near-overwhelming to justify” Boeing’s prosecution. The shares in the company are down by one-third this year and the company has warned that it is likely to burn through $8bn in cash in the first half of the year. Calhoun is stepping down, marking the second CEO to do so since the twin crashes. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Headlines US Free newsletter Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Trust in aviation safety has been further undermined by recent reports that counterfeit titanium from a little-known Chinese company was used in parts purchased by both Boeing and European rival Airbus. Fake documentation certifying the material’s authenticity is being investigated by the FAA and Spirit AeroSystems, which makes fuselages for Boeing and wings for Airbus. The FAA said in a statement that it is investigating the scope of the problem after Boeing reported the “procurement of material through a distributor who may have falsified or provided incorrect records”. Among the families of passengers killed in Indonesian and Ethiopian 737 Max crashes was Zipporah Kuria, whose father was killed in the second incident. Kuria told the BBC the families would “continue to press the US government to hold Boeing and its corporate executives criminally responsible for the deaths of 346 people. We will not rest until we see justice.”

DS Smith’s £5.8bn takeover by US rival going ahead despite competition 2024-06-20 14:12:00+00:00 - The boss of the FTSE 100 company DS Smith has said its £5.8bn takeover by a US rival is going at “absolutely full steam”, despite concerns it could be derailed by another packaging sector merger. Miles Roberts, DS Smith’s chief executive, said merger work with International Paper was “going very well” and that he definitely expected the deal to complete. DS Smith makes the cardboard boxes used by retailers such as Amazon and Unilever, the owner of brands such as Marmite and Dove Soap. The company may not operate the most glamorous business, but since the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic settled there has been a wave of interest in takeovers within the industry as companies attempt to dominate globally. DS Smith agreed to be taken over by Tennessee-based International Paper for £5.8bn in April, gatecrashing a £5.1bn agreement with FTSE 100 rival Mondi. However, in May it emerged that International Paper, which is valued at $16bn, was a possible target for Brazil’s Suzano, controlled by the billionaire Feffer family. It is widely expected that the DS Smith takeover would be dropped if Suzano completed the acquisition. Suzanosaid in a filing to Brazilian regulators last month that it had not reached a binding deal with International Paper, and it has made no statements since then. Roberts declined to comment on whether he had discussed a possible Suzano bid with International Paper, citing takeover rules. If the takeover does go ahead, DS Smith would be the latest in a series of big British companies to disappear from the FTSE 100 index. Roberts said “on a personal basis” he rued the departure of businesses from London, “but my personal view has nothing to do with it” because shareholders were clearly in favour. Roberts said there was a gap in valuations between UK and US businesses with similar qualities, which made it easier for American companies to bid for British rivals rather than the other way around. In the run-up to the UK general election, which polls indicate are likely to be won convincingly by Labour, Roberts said a new government needed to offer long-term certainty over the direction of its industrial policy – crucially on energy – to help to close the gap. “Where is the power to come from to power our factories?” he said. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Business Today Free daily newsletter Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion In the last year the packaging sector has struggled with inflation and slower consumer demand. On Thursday, DS Smith reported a steep 17% drop in revenues to £6.8bn in the year to the end of April. Annual profits also dropped, by 24% to £503m, in the year to the end of April, although that was slightly better than had been expected by analysts. Roberts said the company had seen a “noticeable improvement in consumer sentiment” in the second half of its financial year and in recent months.

Top 3 Stocks to Buy Now as Energy Sector Hits Buy Zone 2024-06-20 14:08:00+00:00 - After showing relative strength in the first quarter, the energy sector and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF NYSEARCA: XLE trended lower in the second quarter, recouping most of their gains. Now up just over 5% year-to-date, the sector is underperforming the market and its benchmark. However, the XLE ETF's recent dip to its 200-day SMA presents a potential buying opportunity. Three stocks that show promise for investors looking to gain exposure to the sector are Williams Companies, Occidental Petroleum, and Exxon Mobil. Let's delve into the details. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Sign Up The Energy Sector Dips into Potential Buy Zone Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund Today XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund $90.27 +1.63 (+1.84%) 52-Week Range $76.72 ▼ $98.97 Dividend Yield 3.57% Assets Under Management $36.88 billion Add to Watchlist After an impressive start to the year, the XLE ETF has seen a pullback, now trading near its 200-day simple moving average (SMA). This level is considered a significant area of interest and potential support. A bounce or momentum shift might follow if the ETF finds support here and establishes a higher low. Investors looking to capitalize on this dip and gain exposure to the sector could consider the following stocks, which have demonstrated relative strength or bullish activity. Exxon Mobil Near 200-Day SMA: A Buying Opportunity? Exxon Mobil Today XOM Exxon Mobil $111.74 +2.36 (+2.16%) 52-Week Range $95.77 ▼ $123.75 Dividend Yield 3.40% P/E Ratio 13.69 Price Target $133.71 Add to Watchlist Like the overall sector, Exxon Mobil Corporation NYSE: XOM is trading near its 200-day SMA, presenting a potential buying opportunity from a risk-reward standpoint. The energy giant has outperformed the sector, up over 9% year-to-date. XOM is appealing, with a P/E ratio of 13.4 and an attractive dividend yield of 3.4%. Analysts are bullish, forecasting a 23% upside based on the consensus price target. The stock holds a moderate buy rating from eighteen analysts. Confidence in Occidental Petroleum's Future Prospects Occidental Petroleum Today OXY Occidental Petroleum $62.44 +1.18 (+1.93%) 52-Week Range $55.12 ▼ $71.18 Dividend Yield 1.41% P/E Ratio 17.06 Price Target $71.50 Add to Watchlist Occidental Petroleum NYSE: OXY has a P/E ratio of 16.7 and a dividend yield of 1.4%. While the stock has underperformed the sector, it recently found support near $60 and shows signs of bouncing. Notably, Berkshire Hathaway has increased its stake in OXY, now holding roughly 29% of the company, worth $15.4 billion. This significant investment signals confidence in OXY's future prospects. Recent Breakout Indicates Upward Momentum for Williams Companies Williams Companies Today WMB Williams Companies $42.40 +0.59 (+1.41%) 52-Week Range $30.26 ▼ $42.60 Dividend Yield 4.48% P/E Ratio 17.82 Price Target $41.42 Add to Watchlist Williams Companies, Inc. NYSE: WMB operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States. WMB has been a standout performer this year, with shares surging over 20% year-to-date. The stock boasts an impressive dividend yield of 4.5% and a modest P/E ratio of 17.5. In its most recent earnings report on May 6th, 2024, WMB reported $0.59 earnings per share, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49. The company earned $2.77 billion during the quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations. WMB's recent breakout from a lengthy consolidation suggests solid upward momentum. Technical and Fundamental Factors to Consider in Energy Investments The energy sector, represented by the XLE ETF, has pulled back to a potentially compelling buy zone near its 200-day SMA. XOM, OXY, and WMB present attractive opportunities for investors seeking to gain sector exposure. ExxonMobil offers strong performance and a solid dividend yield, Occidental Petroleum shows promise with Berkshire Hathaway's significant investment, and Williams Companies stands out with impressive year-to-date performance and robust earnings. As always, investors should consider technical and fundamental factors before making any investment decisions, and traders looking to capitalize on a bounce should look to be reactive once the sector finds crucial support and confirms a higher low above its 200-day critical support area. Before you consider Exxon Mobil, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Exxon Mobil wasn't on the list. While Exxon Mobil currently has a "Moderate Buy" rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys. View The Five Stocks Here

Autodesk Stock Up 25%, Analysts Want More Double-Digit Gains 2024-06-20 13:40:00+00:00 - Over the past quarter, fueled by the company’s latest quarterly earnings results, shares of Autodesk Inc. NASDAQ: ADSK have rallied by more than 25%. However, while some investors may be wary of buying into a rally, this could be the best time to consider Autodesk as a bullish momentum stock with some extra fuel left in the tank. Autodesk Today ADSK Autodesk $243.51 -0.61 (-0.25%) 52-Week Range $192.01 ▼ $279.53 P/E Ratio 52.71 Price Target $262.42 Add to Watchlist Starting the second half of 2024 well is important, but the question is whether Autodesk can sustain its momentum through the year’s end. For reasons that will become clear in just a bit, investors can come to a sensible conclusion backing up a potentially bullish thesis for the stock moving forward. Get D.R. Horton alerts: Sign Up While most of the market attention has been going into the technology sector, NVIDIA Co. NASDAQ: NVDA has drawn significant cash, reducing the market's overall buying power. As NVIDIA becomes the sector’s darling today, riding on all the positive headlines regarding artificial intelligence, stocks like Autodesk have more of a gap to fill if they want to play catch up. Is Autodesk's High Price-to-Book Multiple Justified? So far, the answer is yes. As of the past week, despite the stock split hype and everything else, Autodesk stock has outperformed NVIDIA stock by as much as 4%. Hoping this trend continues would be a futile investment strategy, so here are a few reasons why Autodesk has a few more yards to run forward. Autodesk MarketRank™ Stock Analysis Overall MarketRank™ 4.07 out of 5 Analyst Rating Hold Upside/Downside 8.1% Upside Short Interest Healthy Dividend Strength N/A Sustainability -1.45 News Sentiment 0.21 Insider Trading Selling Shares Projected Earnings Growth 15.50% See Full Details On a price-to-book (P/B) multiple basis, Autodesk’s 23.3x valuation is above peers like PTC Inc. NASDAQ: PTC and Synopsys Inc. NASDAQ: SNPS by as much as 120%. Justifying these valuations comes the current analyst projections for earnings per share (EPS) growth of up to 15.5%, which seem to be on the conservative end of the spectrum when investors consider past performance in the company. Inside the company’s quarterly earnings press release, investors can see that management boosted their guidance for 2025 to challenge these analyst outlooks. The company expects to see up to $5.9 billion for billings alone, representing 15% annual growth. Operating margins expanded by 4% on top of 12% revenue growth, signaling that the industry’s profit cycle could be on a comeback to push out even more aggressive EPS growth for companies like Autodesk. Knowing this, some on Wall Street decided to boost their views. Those at KeyCorp felt comfortable valuing Autodesk stock at $305. To prove these analysts right, the stock must rally roughly 25% from its current level. Today’s price is only 87% of its 52-week highs, below the software industry’s 92% average. The Real Estate Cycle: A Key Factor in Autodesk's Unexpected Success The latest round of ISM services PMI index reports shows that one industry is driving the recent breakouts in business activity: real estate. But how is a real estate breakout linked to a tech company like Autodesk? This stock offers the housing industry a better—and cheaper—way to render new construction projects using AI, significantly reducing the painful costs of fixing a lousy blueprint that underwent construction. Knowing that it is go-time in the construction industry, managers hired up to 21,000 workers, as seen in May’s employment situation report (NFP). More than that, Warren Buffett had been buying homebuilding stocks like D.R. Horton Inc. NYSE: DHI and others in the space, hoping to ride on what is happening today. Rising U.S. home listings and declining multifamily property values are incentives for would-be homeowners who have had to wait out the cycle-high mortgage rates. Also, now that the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is proposing interest rate cuts this year, seemingly by September, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool, future homeowners will have an additional incentive to buy at more affordable financing rates. To crystalize these trends, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) segments showcased revenue growth of 16% over the year to drive the bulk of results. Investors could expect continued performance in upcoming quarterly earnings since the industry is arguably in the early stages of re-heating. This makes for an upside cocktail that could help Autodesk stock reach higher prices. This is also why two of Autodesk’s largest shareholders, the Vanguard Group and Price T Rowe Associates, boosted their stakes in the company over the past quarter. Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) Price Chart for Thursday, June, 20, 2024 Before you consider D.R. Horton, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and D.R. Horton wasn't on the list. While D.R. Horton currently has a "Moderate Buy" rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys. View The Five Stocks Here

Costco Split History: Is it Time for Costco to Split Again? 2024-06-20 13:00:00+00:00 - Stock splits often make waves in the investing world. They’re the party trick of the stock market, chopping the number of existing shares into smaller, more affordable amounts without changing the company's total value. Quite simply, a stock split is the division of shares. It’s a way for companies to attract a broader pool of investors while current shareholders receive more shares in their portfolios. Costco Wholesale NASDAQ: COST, known for its huge sizes, bulk goods, and unique membership model, is no stranger to stock splits. Since it went public in 1985, the wholesale powerhouse has split its stock several times, proving the company's long-term commitment to maintaining an accessible stock price while still broadening its investor base. The stock splits significance has helped have helped fuel the reputation of Costco as a strong Wall Street performer. Get Costco Wholesale alerts: Sign Up Costco stock performance is soaring and it hasn’t had a stock split in decades, so investors are beginning to wonder if it’s time for another. Detailed History of Costco’s Stock Splits In 1993, Costco merged with The Price Club, the first membership warehouse club. The merger created a retail giant with enhanced buying power, operational efficiencies, and an expanded geographic footprint. The combined entity was initially named PriceCostco, eventually adopting the name Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1997, reflecting a unified brand identity. Let’s take a look at the timeline of historical stock splits, which reflect the company’s long-term consistent growth and commitment to making shares more accessible to a broader investor base. June 12, 1984: A 2-for-1 stock split, this was The Price Company’s first major split. February 3, 1986: The Price Company implemented another 2-for-1 stock split. May 15, 1991: A 2-for-1 stock split, Costco doubled the number of shares and reduced the price per share by half. This split aimed to make the stock more affordable and attractive to retail investors. March 6, 1992: Costco executed a 3-for-2 stock split. For every two shares held, shareholders received an additional share, increasing the total number of shares by 50% and maintaining an attractive share price for investors. October 21, 1993: The Price Company utilized a unique 2.13-for-1 stock split as part of the merger preparations, ensuring that the share structure aligned appropriately for the upcoming consolidation. December 20, 1994: Rather than a traditional stock split, this transaction was a 1-for-1 spin-off of Price Enterprises, Inc. Shareholders received one share of Price Enterprises, Inc. for each share of Costco they held. This spin-off was part of the restructuring following the merger with The Price Company. January 13, 2000: Costco executed another 2-for-1 stock split. Each share was divided into two, doubling the total number of shares and reducing the price per share by half, continuing Costco's strategy to maintain affordable share prices. Impact of Previous Stock Splits on Shareholders Viewed from the perspective of shareholder benefits, Costco's tendency to split its stock has been a bullish signal: in a split, the number of shares rises, but the price per share goes down, dividing up the original value among a higher number of shares. Well, at least at first, that is. Eventually the better pricing can attract additional buyers and increased demand may raise the share price higher. Stock splits also generally lead to increased liquidity, making it easier for investors to buy and sell shares. For Costco, each split has been followed by a period of robust performance, benefiting shareholders through capital appreciation. Take the 2000 split as an example. Before the 2-for-1 split, Costco stock was trading below $100. The Costco stock value post-split halved that. However, it was not much less than a year later when the share price had reclaimed its value and allowed shareholders to have even more shares. With strong performance and no stock splits since then, Costco’s stock price has shot up. Historically, stocks that have gone for a split have yielded good performance. They benefit not only from the psychological boost and market activity that usually follows stock split effects on shareholders but also from increased shareholding. Market Conditions and Current Stock Performance Costco Wholesale Today COST Costco Wholesale $862.44 -8.31 (-0.95%) 52-Week Range $516.54 ▼ $873.96 Dividend Yield 0.54% P/E Ratio 53.43 Price Target $751.85 Add to Watchlist Costco's stock performance in 2024 is solid and attests to the business's resilience and robust market position. The company's success lies in its membership strategy. Despite low margins, Costco generates major profits from membership fees. Its high renewal rates, surpassing 90% worldwide, provide a reliable revenue stream over time. Costco has also navigated inflation like a pro. On May 30, Costco released its financial results for the recent quarter. It reported quarterly earnings per share of $3.78, exceeding the predicted $3.70. The company's quarterly revenue reached $58.52 billion, outpacing analysts' projections of $58.16 billion. The business experienced a 9.1% year-over-year revenue growth during the quarter. As of June 20, 2024, the company is up nearly 32% YTD. With a heavy-dose earnings report, customer loyalties, and innovative business strategies, current market analysis suggests the bulls are at play with this stock. The stock is also trading near $870 — much higher than its past split levels. Based on this, it is possible that the company will execute a stock split this year. However, a 2-for-1 split would still result in a somewhat high price of around $435 per share. A more significant split ratio, such as 8-for-1, would result in a more accessible share price of just over $100. Although there are no set rules for a split, analyzing past splits by other companies suggests that aiming for a share price of $100 is common. So far this year, Costco has recorded notable performance, including impressive sales growth and solid rates of renewals, which typically indicate a sturdy financial position. But, of course, the market can be very unpredictable, and companies must restructure themselves to suit the changing situation. A stock split could be a good preventive action to cope with competition and continue its growth. Several stock market trends could influence Costco's decision on a stock split. First, the trend toward increasing retail sector consolidation suggests a favorable environment for dominant players like Costco. Second, the rise of e-commerce and digital transformation in retail continues to benefit Costco, which has made significant investments in its online platform. Third, the heightened focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility aligns with Costco's initiatives in these areas, potentially attracting more socially conscious investors. Finally, the market's preference for stability and dividend-paying stocks positions Costco as a desirable investment. Expert Opinions on Potential Stock Split Costco Wholesale MarketRank™ Stock Analysis Overall MarketRank™ 4.39 out of 5 Analyst Rating Moderate Buy Upside/Downside 12.8% Downside Short Interest Healthy Dividend Strength Strong Sustainability -3.92 News Sentiment 0.84 Insider Trading Selling Shares Projected Earnings Growth 9.96% See Full Details Many financial analysts and market experts have been crying for another Costco stock split, and the reason is clear: the share price has become too high. They argue that reducing the cost of the stock through a split will attract retail investors and enhance the liquidity and marketability of the share. Analysts currently rate Costco a Moderate Buy. The consensus of financial analyst insights is that Costco's strong price and consistent performance over time easily make it one of the top picks to split. It would help bring the stock to a wider investor base and might increase demand. The company has a strong track record, and another split could help solidify the Costco stock future in the marketplace. Although expert stock split opinions point to the potential benefits of a stock split, and a stock split would align with Costco's historical approach to keeping an attractive stock price to broaden its investor base, it’s hard to say whether or not the company will do one. Costco has traded above $100 per share for more than a decade and has not issued another split. In fact, management has been praised for how well they have focused on matters like customer satisfaction and not getting wrapped up in share price movements.

Signet Jewelers Stock Poised for Rebound After Earnings Drop 2024-06-20 11:30:00+00:00 - Signet Jewelers NYSE: SIG is a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates several well-known brands, such as Kay Jewelers, Jared, and Zales. The firm posted fiscal year Q1 2025 earnings on Thursday, June 13th. Despite handily beating earnings estimates, the stock price cratered. The firm reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.11 versus the consensus estimate of $0.82. However, by the close on Friday last week, the shares had fallen nearly 20%. Currently, three analysts rate the stock a buy, and two rate it a hold, with an implied upside of 30%. Let’s look at the reasons why Signet shares fell and explore whether or not now is a buying opportunity. Get Signet Jewelers alerts: Sign Up Signet Jewelers’ Same-Store Sales Decline: Impact on Stock Signet Jewelers Today SIG Signet Jewelers $91.94 +0.70 (+0.77%) 52-Week Range $61.37 ▼ $112.06 Dividend Yield 1.26% P/E Ratio 7.47 Price Target $121.20 Add to Watchlist Despite beating EPS estimates, Signet Jewelers fell substantially. One culprit for this is that same-store sales were down 8.9% compared to fiscal Q1 2024. Same-store sales are a particularly important metric for retail businesses because it indicates a firm’s ability to generate recurring revenue from already established stores rather than from opening new stores. Revenue from existing stores is more sustainable than new stores, which often get a temporary boost from their initial entrance into an untapped market. Despite the market being disappointed by the number, it fell well within the firm's guidance of an 11% to 7% drop in same-store sales. Total sales, operating income, and adjusted EBITDA all fell close to within the midpoint of their guidance as well. Another potential reason for the fall in the stock price is that in the quarterly conference call, Chief Financial Officer Joan Hilson stated that the firm is sensing there will be more pressure on margins this year than previously thought. This is due to promotional pricing within the industry, which could force Signet to do the same to keep prices competitive. Some may also consider that Signet’s revenue dropped by over 39% from the last quarter. However, this is a seasonal pattern that repeats when going from the last quarter of the previous year into the first quarter of the next year and should be expected. Positive EPS Guidance: Signet's Financial Outlook Improves Several encouraging signs are present for Signet. First, the company reaffirmed the increase in its fiscal full-year EPS guidance that it reported in April. The guidance was raised from a midpoint of $9.78 to a midpoint of $10.71. Regarding same-store sales, the firm expects those numbers to rebound in the second half of the year. Additionally, new data shows that the number of Americans getting married is rebounding from its pandemic lows. This is a key indicator for Signet since an increase in marriages boosts the demand for their diamonds and jewelry. In 2020, 5.1 out of every 1000 Americans decided to tie the knot. That number grew to 6.2 out of 1000 by 2022, marking the first year marriages in the U.S. exceeded 2 million since 2019. Signet believes engagement rates will increase 5%-10% over the year compared to last. Signet Jewelers Limited (SIG) Price Chart for Thursday, June, 20, 2024 Signet is still finding new avenues for growth, which is especially important as it operates in a mature industry. This mainly comes within its “fashion” segment, which is comprised of more affordable jewelry products than wedding rings. Sales in this segment were up 5% from the previous quarter. Signet is growing this market through its loyalty program, in which membership increased 25% from last year, and through growing its lab-created diamond (LCD) business. Lab-created diamonds are indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye. The rapid progression of the technologies used to create them means they now cost 40%-50% less than mined diamonds. It is estimated that the LCD market will grow 9.6% annually from 2023-2032. Signet grew this part of the business by 14% from last year. Market Reaction vs. Positive Indicators: Analyzing Signet's Future The market reacted negatively to Signet’s earnings release despite falling in line with the firm's estimates. When looking at the multiple positive indicators and avenues for growth that should support the firm in the future, it's possible the decline in Signet's share price was unwarranted. Overall, there seems to be a solid upside in the stock, a sentiment that most analysts covering the firm agree with. Before you consider Signet Jewelers, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Signet Jewelers wasn't on the list. While Signet Jewelers currently has a "Moderate Buy" rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys. View The Five Stocks Here

What The Housing Market Could Look Like If Donald Trump Wins The 2024 Presidential Election 2024-06-20 04:00:00+00:00 - What The Housing Market Could Look Like If Donald Trump Wins The 2024 Presidential Election According to experts and recent data, Donald Trump’s potential reelection could reshape the U.S. housing market amid soaring mortgage rates and escalating home prices. The current state of the housing market, characterized by two-decade high borrowing costs and record home prices, is straining affordability for many Americans. With the presidential election approaching, industry specialists are examining how Trump’s policies — ranging from deregulation to tax and trade measures — might influence market dynamics, potentially easing some pressures but also introducing new risks. According to a survey issued Monday by National Mortgage News, while many mortgage professionals lean Republican, the consensus suggests that the next presidential term, regardless of the winner, may not alter the course for lenders and mortgage origination activities. Don't Miss: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." This high-yield real estate fund, offering an 8% yield , makes earning passive income easier than ever. If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it? "We’re not assuming the election changes anything significantly for the mortgage industry," Keefe, Bruyette and Woods managing director Bose George said to National Mortgage News. His sentiment reflects a broader skepticism about the presidential influence over key economic levers, notably interest rates, which are controlled by the Federal Reserve rather than any direct political interventions. However, the Wall Street Journal reported in April that members of the Trump campaign were developing a plan that would see the Fed restructured under Trump (should he win in November), and he would be given authority over interest rate decisions. Such a change would be significant for the former president, who, during his last presidency, attempted to influence the Fed on rate decisions. Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement — How do you compare? Outside of interest rates, nuances in policy under Trump’s potential leadership could foster an environment of lesser regulatory burdens, according to the survey. During his previous term, Trump’s administration was known for rolling back regulations, which some argue could again lead to more business-friendly conditions but also raise concerns about the risks of under-regulated financial activities. Critics point to the potential for relaxed lending standards that could increase market volatility. Regarding housing agency leadership, Trump’s appointments could signal a shift toward less aggressive regulatory oversight. Observers like Bill Killmer, the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) senior vice president for legislative and political affairs, suggest a Trump administration would likely emulate the less interventionist stances of previous Republican appointees, focusing strictly on statutory mandates without extending into the "gray areas" often explored by Democratic appointees. The Department of Justice's ongoing probe into Realtor commissions, which was rekindled during Trump's last year in office, is also seen as likely to wane under a Republican administration. A change in that arena could affect the landscape of real estate transactions and potentially ease some of the pressures on Realtor commissions. "If you saw a change of administration, going back into a Republican regime, I do think that you would see a less active DOJ in this space," KBW's George said in the report. "So that might change how they move things going forward." Further, the government’s control over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could shift under a second Trump administration. Trump had previously advocated for ending their government conservatorship, signaling potential renewed efforts in that direction. However, experts, including Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) former director Mark Calabria, warn that achieving full privatization would be a complex and lengthy process. Lastly, tax policy. According to the survey, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed by Trump in 2017, expires in 2025. While President Biden is prepared to let the cuts expire, Trump advocates extending them, arguing that their lapse could damage the economy. Killmer pointed to a need for legislative action to maintain incentives encouraging real estate investment, regardless of the election outcome. Extending the cuts, however, would increase the federal deficit by $4.6 trillion, the survey said, citing data from the Congressional Budget Office. Story continues Keep Reading: "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article What The Housing Market Could Look Like If Donald Trump Wins The 2024 Presidential Election originally appeared on Benzinga.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Massive News for Rocket Lab Stock Investors 2024-06-20 01:10:00+00:00 - In this video, I will be talking about Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB), the recent announcements, and why the stock soared on Tuesday. *Stock prices used were from the trading day of June 18, 2024. The video was published on June 19, 2024. Should you invest $1,000 in Rocket Lab USA right now? Before you buy stock in Rocket Lab USA, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Rocket Lab USA wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $830,777!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 10, 2024 Neil Rozenbaum has positions in Rocket Lab USA. The Motley Fool recommends Rocket Lab USA. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Neil is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. Massive News for Rocket Lab Stock Investors was originally published by The Motley Fool

Robert Kiyosaki and Warren Buffett Butt Heads on Gold Investing: 'He Didn't Invest His Money; He Invests Your Money.' 2024-06-20 01:00:00+00:00 - Robert Kiyosaki and Warren Buffett Butt Heads on Gold Investing: 'He Didn't Invest His Money; He Invests Your Money.' American business owner and author of the bestselling "Rich Dad Poor Dad" series Robert Kiyosaki has criticized successful investor Warren Buffett's thoughts on not investing in gold. Like politics, the finance world is not without its drama, and Kiyosaki has come under the media spotlight for slamming Buffett's stance on gold investing. Buffett, the founder of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate, has often expressed his belief that investing in gold is not advisable. Don't Miss: Are you rich? Here’s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Warren Buffett flipped his neighbor's $67,000 life savings into a $50 million fortune — How much is that worth today? In a 2011 letter to shareholders, Buffett wrote, "Gold has two significant shortcomings, being neither of much use nor procreative. If you own one ounce of gold for an eternity, you will still own one ounce at its end." Instead, Buffett emphasizes investing in productive assets that generate income, such as real estate, stocks, and bonds. However, Kiyosaki strongly disagrees with the Oracle of Omaha and has criticized the investor during an interview with Vladislav Lyubovny. In the interview, Kiyosaki held up a silver coin in his hand and said, "This, here, is a 1964 silver dollar. So this little silver coin today is worth $10. I can go to any coin dealer and change it for $10. So F U Buffett." Unlike Buffett, Kiyosaki is a self-proclaimed gold bug, famous for advocating gold investments. Kiyosaki often promotes using gold investments as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. In April this year, Kiyosaki warned of financial woes to hit the country and wrote on social media platform X, "The EVERYTHING BUBBLE, stocks, bonds, real estate SET to CRASH. U.S. debt increasing by $1 trillion every 90 days. U.S. BANKRUPT. Save yourself. Please buy more real gold, silver, Bitcoin." Trending: The average millionaire has 7 sources of income. Here are 3 passive income opportunities you can add today. Buffett once said, "The idea of digging something up out of the ground, you know, in South Africa or someplace and then transporting it to the United States and putting into the ground, you know, in the Federal Reserve of New York, does not strike me as a terrific asset." For Buffett, the biggest shortcoming of gold is that it is not procreative in the sense that it does not generate income. During an appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box in 2011, Buffett explained that if given the opportunity to choose between a "67-foot cube of gold" and all the country’s farmland, he would choose the farmland. Story continues Kiyosaki acknowledged that Buffett is wildly successful, saying, "He's good at stocks. He's a very smart guy. He's a multibillionaire," but there is one reason why Kiyosaki does not take advice from the investor. Kiyosaki does not trust Buffett because, according to him, he does not invest his own personal funds for investment, unlike Kiyosaki. "He didn't invest his money. He invests your money," said Kiyosaki. However, the validity of this statement from Kiyosaki may be in question, considering Buffett’s 2011 letter to shareholders noted that more than 98% of his net worth is currently in Berkshire Hathaway stock. Gold has historically been seen as a safe investment. Even Buffett admits this. James Rickards, former national security advisor for the Pentagon and the CIA, has revealed that gold prices are predicted to keep rising by 1,400% between 2015 and 2025, putting the price at $15,000 per pound. With gold prices rising and gold reserves declining, Rickards urges people to buy gold before 2025 to enjoy the profits once the price rises. Read Next: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement — How do you compare ? Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? – How does it compare to the average? "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Robert Kiyosaki and Warren Buffett Butt Heads on Gold Investing: 'He Didn't Invest His Money; He Invests Your Money.' originally appeared on Benzinga.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Welcome to 'peak boomer' era: A wave of retirees is about to blow through their savings and cling to Social Security to stay afloat 2024-06-20 00:59:00+00:00 - Peak boomers are getting ready to retire. Alistair Berg/Getty Images Over 30 million "peak boomers" are entering retirement financially unprepared. The economy could take a hit, with industries like manufacturing and education needing to replace boomer workers. Those new retirees will likely be disproportionately leaning on Social Security to stay afloat. The youngest baby boomers are about to enter retirement — and most of them aren't financially prepared for this next stage of their life. Beginning this year, over 30 million boomers born between 1959 to 1964 will start to turn 65, marking the "largest and final cohort" of that generation entering retirement, according to a report from the Alliance for Lifetime Income's Retirement Income Institute. Many in this cohort, known as "peak boomers," are facing significant economic headwinds, the report said. It's what some have called the boomer retirement bomb — and it might be costly for the rest of the workers in the economy. Through an analysis of data from the Federal Reserve and the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, the report found that 52.5% of peak boomers have $250,000 or less in assets, meaning that they'll likely deplete their savings and rely primarily on income from Social Security in retirement. Another 14.6% of that cohort have $500,000 or less in assets, meaning "nearly two-thirds will strain to meet their needs in retirement," the report said. "America has never seen so many people reaching retirement age over a short period, and well over half of them will find it challenging to meet their needs through their retirements, let alone maintain their current standard of living," Robert Shapiro, an author of the report and the former Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, said in a statement. "They lack the protected income that many older Boomers have from solid pensions or higher savings." The peak boomers' retirement wave could also impact the overall US economy. The report projects that employers will have to replace as many as 14.8 million peak boomers — primarily in the manufacturing, healthcare, and education industries — which could decrease economic productivity. On top of that, the generation's retirement is likely to have an impact on consumer spending. Using data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the report found that peak boomers will spend $204 billion less in 2032 than they did in 2022, with the transportation sector taking the biggest hit. Still, as the report noted, younger employees are likely to fill some of the jobs that peak boomers will leave, and productivity will rise as technology advances. Story continues The crisis is partially due to changes in how Americans save for retirement Peak boomers entered the workforce just as retirement plans shifted away from defined benefit plans like pensions — which generally guarantee stable income and are employer-subsidized — to contribution plans like 401(k)s, which rely on workers to pay into them. Of the different types of retirement-savings plans the report looked at, defined benefit pensions have the least disparities along racial, gender, and ethnicity lines (although there are significant disparities in annual payments) — but only 24% of peak boomers hold them, and even those plans are coming up against potential underfunding. Already, many retirement-aged Americans are living on paltry incomes. A little over half of Americans over 65 live on incomes of $30,000 or less a year, per the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, with the largest share living on $10,000 to $19,000. And, per Business Insider's calculations of CPS ASEC data, 79.2% of retirees receive some type of Social Security income. Retirement-aged Americans, many of whom fall in that peak boomer category, previously told Business Insider that they might just have to continue working until they die or become infirm to stay afloat. "Only the very wealthy are going to have any dignity in their old age," Pam, who is nearly 58, said. "And the rest of us are just going to pray that they can die while they still have a job because nobody wants to die on the street." Are you a boomer unprepared for retirement? Contact these reporters at asheffey@businessinsider.com and jkaplan@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider

Employees Who Joined Nvidia 5 Years Ago Now Millionaires And Coasting In 'Semi-Retirement' 2024-06-20 00:00:00+00:00 - Employees Who Joined Nvidia 5 Years Ago Now Millionaires And Coasting In 'Semi-Retirement' Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has seen incredible growth in recent years. Since the beginning of 2024, the company’s stock has jumped 167%. Over the past five years, it has surged by an impressive 3,450%. Given these figures, it’s easy to see why many NVIDIA employees who joined the company five or more years ago are likely millionaires today. Additionally, many midlevel managers at NVIDIA reportedly make over $1 million a year, thanks to stock options and the overall appreciation of the company's stock. However, being flush with cash now means that many established Nvidia executives are reportedly operating in "semiretirement" mode, which caught the attention of CEO Jensen Huang. They are financially comfortable enough that they don’t seem motivated to work as hard as they used to. Don't Miss: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement — How do you compare ? This Uber-for-moving startup is quietly taking the world by storm, here’s how anyone can invest with $100. In response to questions about ‘semiretired' employees, Huang advised all workers to act as the ‘CEO' of their own time and be responsible for determining their work ethic. Still, even Huang received a 60% pay boost last fiscal year, and his compensation reached $34.2 million as Nvidia’s market value is now $3.2 trillion. But not all Nvidia employees think they’re rich. As one Nvidia engineer earning $250,000 a year shared with Business Insider, employee salaries at the company are only impressive at first glance. He explained that although some Nvidia employees might be lucky enough to become millionaires, "a million doesn’t go too far." This engineer, based on the West Coast and having joined Nvidia a few years ago, receives almost half of his base salary in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs) annually. He pointed out that from an outsider's perspective, it might seem like all Nvidia employees are rolling in money, especially with the company’s stock skyrocketing. Trending: A startup that turns videos into games gets backing from Mark Cuban and opens a round for regular investors at $250. However, he clarified that not everyone receives a large number of RSUs as there's a limit on how many stock units employees can get. Even the top performers are capped at receiving 50% of their base salary in stock each year. "You will end up cashing your stocks to meet your annual obligations in terms of personal taxes, property taxes, and any other expenses you will have," he said. As former Tesla director of AI Andrej Karpathy recently pointed out, "Most people don't HODL, and the government takes half." In other words, many Nvidia and Tesla employees could have been millionaires if they hadn’t sold their company stock when they immediately could. On the other hand, he added that long-term holders are likely awaiting Tesla to achieve fully autonomous driving with its FSD software before they sell at a premium. Story continues Keep Reading: "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Employees Who Joined Nvidia 5 Years Ago Now Millionaires And Coasting In 'Semi-Retirement' originally appeared on Benzinga.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

CDK cyberattack shuts down auto dealerships across the U.S. Here's what to know. 2024-06-19 21:51:00+00:00 - What to do if you believe your personal information has been hacked What to do if you believe your personal information has been hacked 03:12 CDK Global, a company that provides auto dealerships across the U.S. with software for managing sales and other services, has been hacked, prompting the company to temporarily shut down most of its systems. That is effectively preventing about 15,000 car dealerships from making sales. General Motors dealerships rely on CDK's systems, as does Group 1 Automotive, an auto retailer with hundreds of dealerships across the U.S. Holman, with dealerships across eight U.S. states, is another CDK client. "We are actively investigating a cyber incident," a CDK spokesperson told CBS News. "Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our customers, we have shut down most of our systems and are working diligently to get everything up and running as quickly as possible." Later on Thursday afternoon, CDK said that after conducting tests and consulting with third-party experts, some of its systems were back up and running. "With the work done so far, our core [dealer management system] and Digital Retailing solutions have been restored. We are continuing to conduct extensive tests on all other applications, and we will provide updates as we bring those applications back online," CDK said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. The company's dealer management system, or DMS, is a hub that lets businesses monitor operations from a single interface, while its retail tools let dealerships transact online and in showrooms. What is CDK? CDK provides dealerships with tools to manage payroll, inventory and office operations. On its website, it also touts its cybersecurity capabilities. "CDK Cybersecurity Solutions provide a three-tiered cybersecurity strategy to prevent, protect and respond to cyberattacks so you can defend your dealership," it says. When did the cyberattack begin? The cyberattack on CDK Global began Tuesday evening, Bleeping Computer, a cybersecurity news site, reported Wednesday, taking the 15,000 car dealerships it serves offline. It is not currently known who, or what group, is behind the cyberattack. How are dealerships responding? Some dealerships appeared to get creative to continue doing business during the outage. Dealership employees posted about the outage on Reddit Wednesday, sharing that they were relying on spreadsheets and sticky notes to sell customers small parts and make repairs, but that they weren't making any large transactions. One employee asked other dealership employees, "How many of you are standing around because your whole shop runs on CDK?" under the heading "CDK down," with users in Wisconsin and Colorado confirming their dealership transaction systems were offline.

Millennials who can't afford to buy homes are helping make suburban Chicago and Miami the most competitive rental markets in the US 2024-06-19 21:34:37+00:00 - Miami-Dade County is the most competitive rental market in the US. Suburban Chicago is in second place followed by North New Jersey. Nationwide, housing shortages and rent increases continue to challenge renters. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Advertisement With much city real estate increasingly out of reach and many millennials finally settling down, the suburbs are in high demand. And nowhere is that more evident than in Miami-Dade County in Florida, which is the most competitive rental market in the country, according to a new report from RentCafe. The report ranked 137 rental markets in the US, taking into account the market's rental vacancy rate, the number of days a home spent on the market, the number of potential tenants competing for each home, the percentage of tenants who renewed their leases, and the portion of new home constructions finished this year. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

Two climate protesters spray Stonehenge with orange paint and call for an end to burning fossil fuels 2024-06-19 21:33:22+00:00 - Two climate protesters were arrested for spraying orange powder paint on Stonehenge. The protesters were part of Just Stop Oil, a group demanding that the UK phase out fossil fuels. English Heritage, which manages Stonehenge, criticized the vandalism but said the site is open. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on the culture & business of sustainability — delivered weekly to your inbox. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Advertisement Two climate protesters were arrested on Wednesday after they sprayed orange powder paint on Stonehenge, the prehistoric landmark in Wiltshire, England. It was the latest action by Just Stop Oil, which is part of a network of civil disobedience groups that have defaced famous artwork, disrupted high-profile events, and protested outside at politicians' homes to call attention to the climate crisis. Just Stop Oil is demanding that the incoming UK government commit to ending the extraction and burning of oil, gas, and coal by 2030. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

For a Story on Disney, a Writer Tests New Waters 2024-06-19 21:31:34.639000+00:00 - Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. I suppose I qualify as a Disney Adult, the pejorative term for grown-ups who visit Disney theme parks without children in tow. Disney has 12 theme parks and two water parks around the world, and I’ve been to all of them. I was at Walt Disney World in Florida when the theme park reopened in July 2020 after closing for four months during the coronavirus pandemic. And I was at Disneyland in California in 2022, when Mickey Mouse was allowed to share hugs again after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. I also hung out at the Turkey Leg Stand in Disneyland’s Frontierland for an entire afternoon. And this month, when Disney World began testing its newest ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, I was on it. But I didn’t do any of those things as a dewy-eyed Disney fan. I go to the company’s parks because, as a reporter who covers the entertainment business, it’s part of my job.

OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever announces his new AI startup, Safe Superintelligence 2024-06-19 21:26:00+00:00 - Ilya Sutskever, Russian Israeli-Canadian computer scientist and co-founder and chief scientist of OpenAI, speaks at Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, June 5, 2023. OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, who left the artificial intelligence startup last month, introduced his new AI company, which he's calling Safe Superintelligence, or SSI. "I am starting a new company," Sutskever wrote on X on Wednesday. "We will pursue safe superintelligence in a straight shot, with one focus, one goal, and one product." Sutskever was OpenAI's chief scientist and co-led the company's Superalignment team with Jan Leike, who also left in May to join rival AI firm Anthropic. OpenAI's Superalignment team was focused on steering and controlling AI systems but was dissolved shortly after Sutskever and Leike announced their departures. Sutskever will continue to focus on safety at his new startup. "SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, because it is our sole focus," an account for SSI posted on X. "Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles, and our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures." Sutskever is starting the company with Daniel Gross, who oversaw Apple's AI and search efforts, and Daniel Levy, formerly of OpenAI The company has offices in Palo Alto, California, as well as Tel Aviv. Sutskever was one of the OpenAI board members behind the attempt to oust Sam Altman in November. Altman and Sutskever, along with other directors, clashed over the guardrails OpenAI had put in place in the pursuit of advanced AI. Following Altman's sudden ouster and before his quick reinstatement, Sutskever publicly apologized for his role in the ordeal. "I deeply regret my participation in the board's actions," Sutskever wrote in a post on X on Nov. 20. "I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we've built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company." WATCH: Microsoft gets put on AI back foot after Apple-OpenAI deal

When I retired at 54 with my husband, I worried we'd be bored spending all our time together. I'm learning to focus on myself. 2024-06-19 21:20:01+00:00 - By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview I retired at 54 when I sold the law firm I owned with my husband. I had poured nine years of my life into that law firm. The business was hard and relentless work, but I loved it. Before all that, my adult life focused on building my career as a lawyer and raising a family. Now, our youngest child of four was finishing school. The child-raising was done, and my business was sold. Suddenly, it felt like I had nothing left. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. With the rest of our lives before us, my husband and I wondered who we were without our kids or careers. I worried about what my husband and I would do with our new free time I was lost. For the first time in my life, I had no purpose or direction. I had oodles of time to do whatever I wanted, but I didn't know what that was. Advertisement My husband and I agreed that we should sell the business; we did not agree on early retirement. "We are too young to retire," I told him repeatedly. "We still have so much to offer." "Don't be crazy. We should grab the opportunity of a new, slower life with both hands," he often answered. Related stories Our marriage has been a long and happy one. I wasn't concerned about spending a lot of time with my husband, but I was concerned about spending all our time together. Leading up to retirement, I wondered: What would we do, what would we talk about, and would we get sick of each other? Advertisement The questions boggled my mind during the first few weeks of early retirement as I started cleaning out the cupboards — begrudgingly. The task was so boring and mind-numbing that I worried the task was a representation of the rest of my life. Out of force of habit, I compulsively checked my emails countless times a day only to be continually disappointed when I saw shopping emails imploring me to buy the latest whatever. Eventually, I noticed a change in myself Day by day, week by week, I felt myself growing lighter. The furrow between my eyes faded. I didn't realize how often I had screwed my face in concentration trying to solve the latest problem. I didn't realize the extent of the weight I had been carrying on my shoulders — the weight of a team of 35 people and thousands of clients. The weight of the bushfire that I imagined was out there flickering, always threatening to flare up and damage the business, finally dissipated. I started filling my days with things other than work and the 100+ emails that needed answering every day. Advertisement I met up with neglected friends and kept surprising myself as I told them I would fit in with their week. I no longer had to see when I could squeeze in a coffee date. I no longer had to take my laptop with me to the hairdresser or send emails while I was grocery shopping. On our usual morning walk with our fur baby Golden Retrievers, my husband and I were able to slow down. The walks became longer and less hurried. We often finished with a leisurely coffee at a café. Plus, we started traveling more and for longer periods. Sure, I'm spending more time with my husband, but our time together now is more meaningful. And it's giving me a reason to find the new me. Advertisement I'm trying to write a new chapter for myself As I explored who I wanted to become outside my career and outside my marriage, I decided I should start to write. I've signed up for a few online writing courses. I have started experimenting with flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, poetry, and travel writing. Eighteen months into retirement, I can see that this period of my life is a gift. I can stop rushing, and I can start nourishing myself with things that I want to do. I have the luxury of time and the freedom to do what I want when I want. I can be present and not preoccupied. Early retirement has gifted me the opportunity, quite literally, to write another chapter of my life — and this chapter is all about me.

5 Reasons Nvidia Stock Might Drop Over 50% 2024-06-19 21:07:00+00:00 - Shares of Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) have gone nowhere but up over the past two years, and it seems the company can do nothing wrong. But there are historical examples of industry leaders like Nvidia falling 50% or more when the market doesn't live up to the hype, competitors come in, or the market takes a turn for the worst. In this video, Travis Hoium shows why Nvidia shareholders should expect more volatility ahead. *Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of June 18, 2024. The video was published on June 19, 2024. Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $830,777!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 10, 2024 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Travis Hoium has positions in Alphabet, Matterport, and Unity Software. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Cisco Systems, Matterport, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Unity Software. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Travis Hoium is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. 5 Reasons Nvidia Stock Might Drop Over 50% was originally published by The Motley Fool

Mortgage rates have dipped below 7% — providing home buyers some much-needed relief 2024-06-19 21:03:57+00:00 - The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.94% last week, the first drop below 7% since March. Mortgage applications rose this week to their highest level since March, showing increased demand. For mortgage rates to keep falling, inflation will likely have to cool further. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Advertisement One key part of buying a home became a bit more affordable last week, and some Americans decided to take advantage. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell from 7.02% to 6.94% in the week ending June 14, according to a Bloomberg report that cited Mortgage Bankers Association data released on June 19. This was the first time the 30-year fixed mortgage had fallen below 7% since March.