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Well, looks like the US job market is strutting its stuff like a confident catwalk model! Economists are estimating a cool 200,000 new jobs in July, just like the previous month. It’s like the labor market is playing a game of “catch me if you can” with the Federal Reserve, shrugging off those interest rate hikes like they’re no big deal. With the unemployment rate showing off its sleek moves at 3.6%, it seems like the job market is defying gravity and giving economists a pleasant head-scratcher. Keep it up, job market, you’re making everyone wonder how you’re staying so fabulously strong! |
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Dow futures trade higher as Apple, Amazon report |
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U.S. stock futures were trading little changed on Thursday night amid high profile earnings reports from Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), while market participants look ahead to key nonfarm payrolls data set to be released early on Friday. By 7:20pm ET (11:20pm GMT) Dow Jones Futures were up 0.1%, S&P 500 Futures added 0.2% and Nasdaq 100 Futures lifted 0.3%. in extended deals, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) slid 3%, reporting Q3 EPS of $1.26 versus $1.19 expected, while revenues came in at $81.8 billion versus $81.73 billion expected. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) surged 9.1% after the company reported Q2 EPS of $0.65 versus $0.35 expected on revenues of $134.4 billion versus $131.45 billion expected. Amazon forecasted Q3 2023 revenue in the range of $138-143 billion versus $138.25 billion expected. Atlassian (NASDAQ:TEAM) popped 23.5% after reporting Q4 EPS of $0.57 versus $0.36 expected, while revenue for the quarter came in at $939 million versus $920.4 million expected. Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG) also lifted 11.8%, reporting Q2 EPS of $37.62 versus $28.87 expected on revenues of $5.46 billion versus $5.16 billion expected. Ahead in the session, investors will be closely monitoring fresh nonfarm payrolls, average hourly earnings and unemployment rate data. During Thursday’s regular trade, the Dow lost 66.6 points or 0.2% to 35,215.9, the S&P 500 dipped 11.5 points or 0.3% to 4,501.9 and the NASDAQ Composite fell 13.7 points or 0.1% to 13,959.7. On the bond markets, United States 10-Year rates shot up to 9-month highs of 4.179%. (Source: Investing.com) |
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FDA Puts a Pause on Mesoblast’s Pediatric Cell Party – Demands More Data! |
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just slammed the door on Mesoblast’s dreams of treating kids under 12 with their fancy cell therapy! It seems the regulator has a taste for more data before they even think about giving a thumbs up to their lead product, remestemcel-L. Ouch! That’s got to sting, especially after all the fundraising acrobatics they’ve been pulling for the past couple of years. Back to the drawing board, Mesoblast! It’s time to gather some more evidence and try again! |
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Stock Analysis |
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American National Bankshares Inc. is not your average bank holding company; it’s a financial powerhouse serving individuals and businesses in Virginia and North Carolina through its trusty sidekick, American National Bank and Trust Company. With a whopping 60 branches and assets worth a cool USD 3.1 billion, this bank means serious business. And let’s talk about those impressive numbers! With earnings per share that make others green with envy at 3.3, they’re clearly doing something right. Their profit margin, return-on-equity, and net income have all been flexing on Shore Bancshares Inc., leaving their competitors eating their dust. But wait, there’s more! If you’re an investor on the hunt for some juicy returns, American National Bankshares Inc. has got your back with a mouthwatering yield of over 3.8%. Now, that’s what I call a financial feast! So, if you’re looking to spice up your investment portfolio, this bank might just be the secret ingredient you’ve been searching for. |
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Investing smart is like being a suave secret agent in the financial world. It’s all about having the right moves, making calculated decisions, and dodging risky traps like James Bond dodges bullets. Forget about rolling the dice and hoping for the best; smart investors do their homework, analyze trends, and stay cool under pressure. They know that diversification is their trusty gadget belt, and patience is their Bond-worthy charm. So, while others might be shaken by market volatility, smart investors remain stirred and ready to seize opportunities. They navigate the market with the finesse of a spy, always one step ahead of the game. Remember, folks, when it comes to investing, it’s not just luck; it’s intelligence with a license to thrill! |