Landon Capital

Hold on to your hats, folks! It seems like the global equity funds decided to take a little detour from their four-week winning streak, and it’s got investors feeling a bit queasy. Refinitiv Lipper data spilled the beans, showing a net $2.67 billion worth of net selling in the latest week – their first weekly outflow since June 21. What’s got everyone on edge? Well, it’s the classic one-two punch of slower growth in China and the looming shadow of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week. Looks like even the mightiest of economies can hit some speed bumps!

China, the dragon of economic growth, showed signs of stumbling in the second quarter, hinting that the momentum train might be hitting the brakes. With weakening demand both at home and abroad, it’s no wonder investors are taking a cautious stance.

But wait, there’s more! Reports from the U.S. Commerce Department sent chills down spines, suggesting that rate hikes might be on the horizon. Strong core retail consumption? That’s great for shopaholics, but investors are clutching their wallets and checking their seatbelts.

So, fellow thrill-seekers in the world of finance, buckle up and brace yourselves! It’s going to be a bumpy ride as we navigate through these uncertain times. Remember, investing is like riding a roller coaster – exciting, nerve-wracking, and a little dizzying. But hey, we’re in it for the long haul, and when the markets hit a loop-de-loop, just hang on tight and enjoy the thrill of the ride!

Amex, AutoNation, Carvana fall premarket; Scholastic rises

U.S. futures edged higher Friday, with sentiment boost by a largely positive start to the quarterly earnings season, ahead of next week’s crucial Federal Reserve meeting.

Here are some of the biggest premarket U.S. stock movers today:

  • American Express (NYSE:AXP) stock fell 3.6% after the credit card giant lifted its total provisions for credit losses to $1.2 billion in the second quarter, compared with $410 million a year earlier. It still beat estimates for second quarter profit as its affluent customer base continued to spend.
  • AutoNation (NYSE:AN) stock fell 1% after the auto retailer posted a sharp drop in used-vehicle sales as well as a rise in expenses, overshadowing better-than-expected quarterly revenue.
  • CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) stock fell 4.4% after the U.S. railroad operator disappointed with its second quarter revenue, hit by a decline in intermodal volumes and lower fuel prices.
  • PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) stock fell 1.8% after the paints manufacturer recorded a drop in overall sales volumes in the second quarter, even as it raised its full-year profit forecast.
  • Knight Transportation (NYSE:KNX) stock fell 1.5% after the trucking company warned that consolidated second quarter results will be lower than it previously expected.
  • Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) stock rose 9.6% after the children’s publishing and media company beat earnings expectations and announced it would increase its share repurchase amount by $100M.
  • Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) stock fell 3.9% on a continued decline in growth rates for bariatric surgery in the U.S., even as the medical equipment manufacturer reported positive second quarter results.
  • Carvana (NYSE:CVNA) stock fell 1.7% after Piper Sandler downgraded its stance on the used-car retailer to ‘neutral’ from ‘overweight’, saying it has little room for upside.
  • Amex, AutoNation, Carvana fall premarket; Scholastic rises

    (Source: Investing.com)

Some of the biggest movers:

Hold onto your bytes, folks, because the AI heavyweights are stepping up their game! OpenAI, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, along with other tech giants like Anthropic, Inflection, Amazon.com, and Microsoft, have cheerfully hopped on board the White House’s safety train.

In a brilliant show of commitment, they’ve vowed to slap AI-generated content with some fancy watermarking to keep the technology in check.

But that’s not all – they’re putting their algorithms through rigorous boot camps before releasing them into the wild and generously sharing tips on reducing risks and beefing up cybersecurity. It’s like a tech symphony, and the Biden administration couldn’t be happier about their win in regulating the AI frenzy that’s been taking over like wildfire.

Ever since generative AI hit the streets with its fancy data-driven content creation, lawmakers worldwide have been scrambling to tame the beast. Even the mighty U.S. Senate Majority Chuck Schumer called for “comprehensive legislation” to keep those AI shenanigans in check.

But hey, kudos to the AI champions for taking responsibility! They’re not just playing with deep-fakes and funky algorithms; they’re also addressing political ad disclosure, privacy protection, and eliminating bias. Now, that’s a tech party we can all get behind!

So, while they’re hashing out this AI revolution at the White House, let’s sit back and watch as the tech wizards weave their watermarking magic. This new-age watermark will be like a secret code that whispers in your ear, “Hey, this content’s AI-made, just so you know!” From epic deep-fakes to dazzlingly distorted politicians, we’ll have our AI safety goggles on, and we’ll be ready for whatever digital enchantment comes our way!

Stock Analysis

RBB Bancorp (Nasdaq:RBB), the financial powerhouse backing Royal Business Bank, has taken the banking world by storm, specifically targeting the Chinese-American, Korean-American, and other Asian-American communities. With 20 branches and a jaw-dropping $3.9 billion in total assets, they’ve got the financial muscle to make their mark.

But what sets them apart is their laser focus on niche markets and a personalized service that’s got customers singing their praises. RBB Bancorp has managed to build an impressive stronghold in these vibrant communities, leaving its competitors green with envy.

While others might scramble to catch up, let’s take a glance at RBB Bancorp’s rivals – Macatawa Bank Corporation (Nasdaq:MCBC) and CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSTR). Sorry, folks, but RBB Bancorp has got this in the bag!

When it comes to key metrics, RBB Bancorp trumps them all. An earnings per share of 3.3 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.8 make it a bargain hunters’ paradise. And that’s not all! With an impressive profit margin, return-on-equity, and revenue, it’s clear that RBB Bancorp is raking in the wins, leaving its competitors eating dust.

So, investors, listen up! Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity. RBB Bancorp’s 4% yield is the icing on the cake, sealing the deal for those seeking a smart investment in the niche banking world. Step aside, competition – RBB Bancorp is here to claim its throne!

Investing is like embarking on a thrilling roller coaster ride through the financial jungle – full of exhilarating highs and nail-biting drops. One moment, you’re sipping champagne on the summit of soaring profits, and the next, you’re white-knuckling it through market turbulence. But fear not, brave investor! Armed with knowledge, strategy, and a dash of humor, you can conquer this wild ride.

Remember, when the going gets tough, just hold on tight and shout, “To the moon!” because, in the end, the ups and downs make for an electrifying adventure that leaves you with a wallet full of possibilities and a smile stretching from ear to ear. So, fasten your seatbelt, sharpen your wit, and let’s ride this investment roller coaster together! 🎢💰😄