Articles written by Michael Juliano - Benzinga

Weekly Jobless Claims Lower Than Expected, Suggesting Labor Market Strength: Wall Street Set For Higher Open

US economy grew 3% in Q2, matching prior estimate. Jobless claims down, indicating improved labor market. Futures up in premarket trading.

New US Single-Family Home Sales Fall From Prior Month — But Are Up From A Year Ago As Mortgage Rates Decline

U.S. home sales decline in August from July but rise from a year ago as mortgage rates fall. Sales down 4.7% from July, up 9.8% from 2023.

VOO Vs. VTI: Vanguard's S&P 500, Total Stock Market ETFs Hit New Highs As S&P 500 Reaches Record Level

Two popular US stock market ETFs hit all-time highs as S&P 500 reaches record level. Tech-heavy Nasdaq edges up, Dow Jones falls.

Tropical Storm Helene Set To Become Hurricane: Generac, Duke Energy Stocks React As Florida Braces

Forecasted to become a hurricane, Tropical Storm Helene is expected to hit Florida on Thursday, causing potential flooding and affecting multiple companies

Boeing Should Pick Up Aircraft Production Soon After Strike End, Analyst Says

Analyst predicts end to Boeing strike soon, expects production to quickly ramp up, with $12B equity raise to maintain cash balance and credit rating.

'Catastrophic Damage' From Cybersecurity Attacks Worries 62% Of Business Owners: Zscaler, CrowdStrike Stocks React

Business owners worry most about cybersecurity threats, followed by medical cost inflation, employee benefit costs, and retaining talent.

China's Exports At Risk From Anticipated US Port Strikes, Typhoons, Golden Week, Warns Container Trade Expert

Ongoing labor strikes, typhoons, and Golden Week holiday in China pose a threat to U.S. containerized goods. Expect volatility and delays in shipping.

Novo Nordisk To Consider Ways For Patients To Affordably Access Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Says CEO

Novo Nordisk CEO commits to exploring ways to make weight-loss drugs more affordable for U.S. patients after hearing from Congress.

Companies Run To Bond Markets After Last Week's Fed Rate Cut

Wayfair Inc. is offering $700 million in notes to repay debt, following Fed rate cut. Other companies also seeking loans, impacting bond market.

Israel Carries Out Air Assaults On Hezbollah In Southern Lebanon

Israeli air strikes kill over 180 in southern Lebanon, as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate. U.S. urges diplomacy, not war.

Qualcomm Takeover Of Intel Is 'Logically Unlikely' In Face Of Regulatory Challenges, Analyst Says

Benchmark understands Qualcomm's "attraction" to the possibility of buying "at least a portion" of Intel, this analyst says.

Consumers Turn To 401(k)s To Pay Down Credit Cards: 'Life Is Expensive'

Consumers using 401(k) to pay credit cards due to high prices for essentials. Total credit card debt in the US reached $1.34 trillion, as of June.

Fed Rate Cut May Drive Investors Away From Money Markets, Says Portfolio Manager

The Fed's 0.5% interest rate cut may lead to a shift from money market funds to longer duration bonds, as investors seek higher yields.

Nike Executive's Return To Become Top Leader Continues 'Boomerang CEO' Trend At Major Companies

Nike appoints Elliott Hill, former president, as new CEO, following a trend of 'Boomerang CEOs' returning to top leadership roles in big companies.

Investment Firm To Pay $80M For Overvaluing CMOs, Accounting Outfit To Pay $2M For Crypto Audit Scam: Financial Crime Weekly

Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT) will pay $79.8 million for overvaluing CMOs and giving preferential treatment to clients.

Mortgage Rates Near 6%, Demand Increases For Refinancing, Purchases

Mortgage rates are falling, driving demand for refinancing and buying. The average 30-year fixed rate is now 6.09%, down from 7.19% last year.

Mobileye Soars After Intel Says It Will Not Sell Majority Stake

Intel assures no plans to drop majority stake in Mobileye, causing a 14.99% jump in share price. CEO Gelsinger shows plans to turn troubled chipmaker around.

Walmart Heiress Alice Walton Retakes Title As World's Richest Woman

Alice Walton, heiress of Walmart, is once again the world's richest woman with a net worth of $89.1B, overtaking Francoise Bettencourt Meyers at $88.4B.

Top 3 AI Uses For Financial Advisors Flagged In Report: Financial Planner Says Beware, Technology Is No Cure-All

AI can help financial advisors with lead generation, market segmentation, and communication, but it's not a complete solution. Use wisely.

Fed Rate Cut Eases Debt Refinancing For Smaller Cloud Computing Firms: Analyst Flags 5 Stocks To Watch

The Fed cut rates by 0.5%, making it easier for small- to medium-sized cloud computing companies to refinance debt. Analyst suggests 5 firms may benefit.