In the realm of financial tea leaves, the forthcoming minutes from the Federal Reserve’s recent policy rendezvous could unveil the inner musings of the central bank’s brain trust. They might reveal if the Fed’s interest rate hike parade has reached its grand finale or if concerns over potential economic pitfalls from their bold money-tightening escapade are now playing a more melodious tune in their discussions.
Picture this: The Fed, like a master conductor, orchestrated a crescendo in the benchmark overnight interest rate, leading it to dance within the rhythmic confines of the 5.25%-5.50% range during the July 25-26 gathering. Jerome Powell, the maestro at the helm, hinted that this symphony of rate hikes might not be fading into silence, as the Fed strives to quell the rampant inflation reminiscent of the 1980s that had thundered onto the stage since the ball started rolling in March 2022.
Yet, Powell’s cadence also carried notes of optimism, like a skilled composer weaving melodies. He spoke of the intricate pieces falling into alignment, painting a portrait of inflation’s retreat: supply chains weaving smoother rhythms, the dance of workforce demand finding a gentler pace, and lending conditions orchestrating tighter harmonies.
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Biggest Movers
Target, Cava and Coinbase rise premarket; Tesla, Tower Semiconductor fall
U.S. futures traded just higher Wednesday, with investors wary ahead of the release of the minutes from the last Federal Reserve meeting, which could provide future monetary policy guidance.
Here are some of the biggest premarket U.S. stock movers today:
- Target (NYSE:TGT) stock soared 7.5% after the big-box retailer’s quarterly profit exceeded expectations, benefiting from fewer discounts and better-stocked store shelves, making up for lowered full-year sales and profit guidance.
- Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock fell 2.3% after the electric vehicle manufacturer announced its second price cut in China in three days, further fueling worries of a potential price war in the country’s lucrative EV market.
- H&R Block (NYSE:HRB) stock rose 5.2% after the tax preparer reported strong fourth quarter results, underpinned by pricing power in its assisted channel, and raised its dividend by 10%.
- Cava (NYSE:CAVA) stock soared 9.5% after the restaurant chain posted a profitable quarter for its first earnings report since its initial public offering in June.
- Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) stock rose 2.9% after the exchange said it had secured regulatory approval to allow U.S. retail customers to trade crypto futures.
- JD (NASDAQ:JD) ADRs fell 5% after weak Chinese economic data raised fears about future growth, even as the e-commerce firm beat expectations for second-quarter revenue.
- Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ:TSEM) stock fell 11.4% after Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) terminated its plans to acquire the Israeli contract chipmaker, with the U.S. tech giant having to pay a termination fee of $353 million.
- Target, Cava and Coinbase rise premarket; Tesla, Tower Semiconductor fall
Source: Investing.com
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Fashion’s Faux Pas Fiasco: H&M Dives into Myanmar Labor Mysteries Amid Zara’s Sudden Ethical Exit
H&M has turned Sherlock Holmes, digging into 20 eyebrow-raising tales of labor antics at Myanmar’s garment emporiums that happen to outfit the world’s second-largest style haven. This move comes hot on the heels of arch-rival Zara’s grand proclamation – Inditex (BME:ITX) is gallantly ditching its shopping sprees in the Southeast Asian sphere.
Meanwhile, a troupe of British do-gooders, armed with a passion for human rights, played detective and cataloged a whopping 156 instances of worker woe in Myanmar’s fabric-fueled factories. This marked an eye-popping leap from the previous year’s 56, indicating a tailspin in employee happiness since a military coup in the not-so-fab February of 2021.
The grievances spilled out like a fashion faux pas on the runway – wage cuts and pilferage leading the pack, followed by unfair dismissal drama, inhumane work tempo twists, and the grand finale: forced overtime extravaganza. All this juicy intel comes courtesy of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), the non-governmental maestros, whose upcoming report has Reuters salivating, poised to debut this Wednesday.”
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Elon Musk’s electrifying show continues as Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) unveils its second price haircut in just three days, sending shockwaves through China’s electric vehicle (EV) spectacle. The curtain dropped on the prices of Model X SUVs and Model S sedans, with discounts dancing up to CNY 70,000 – an encore act detailed on the company’s WeChat stage.
Tesla’s premarket performance? A dip in the electric stock market tango, as shares jitter in anticipation. But this isn’t the first scene of the drama – just days ago, the Model Y took a cost-cutting bow, with prices bowing down by CNY 14,000. Will this drama inspire rival performers in China’s massive auto amphitheater to raise the curtain on their price markdowns too?
In the race for the Chinese crown, Tesla’s wheels are spinning. Their shipment speedometer stumbled by 31% in July, marking the year’s lowest point, while global production awaits a third-quarter tumble. With the audience on the edge of their seats, will Tesla steer the EV saga toward a triumphant finale, or will rivals pull off a surprise twist in this electrifying theater of wheels and watts?
Smart investing is a captivating dance with numbers, where strategic moves and calculated risks replace wishful thinking. Imagine being a financial detective, analyzing data and trends like Sherlock Holmes in pursuit of clues. But this isn’t a gamble; it’s a poker game where you read opponents and know when to fold. Diversification, the investor’s buffet, keeps your portfolio rich and varied. And don’t forget the magic of compounding – Einstein’s eighth wonder of the world. So, dive into the treasure chest of opportunity, armed with knowledge and a wink, as you navigate the exhilarating world of smart investing.