Economy

“Shopper turnout hit record high over Black Friday weekend, retail trade group says”

“A record number of holiday shoppers – 196.7 million – flocked back to stores and hunted for deals from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation, which tracks the figure for in-person and… Continue Reading…

Investing, Personal Finance

“Average 401(k) balances plunged 23% year-over-year due to market volatility, Fidelity says”

“The average 401(k) balance sank for the third consecutive quarter and is now down 23% from a year ago to $97,200, according to a new report by Fidelity Investments, the nation’s largest provider of 401(k) plans. The financial services firm handles more… Continue Reading…

Stocks

“Chip stocks could plunge another 25% as ‘we are entering the worst semiconductor downturn in a decade,’ analyst says”

“[Citi Research analyst Christopher Danley] “We maintain our belief that every company/end market will correct and we expect the SOX index to hit new lows and fall another 25%,” Danley said. Danley’s referring to the PHLX Semiconductor Index SOX, -0.28%, which is already… Continue Reading…

Business, Economy

“Business travel costs are expected to rise through 2023, industry report says”

“…Business travel airfare is on track to rise nearly 50% this year over 2021, following two years of steep declines, according to a report from travel management company CWT and the Global Business Travel Association. Next year, fares are set… Continue Reading…

Business

“Elon Musk says Tesla’s car factories are ‘gigantic money furnaces’”

“Tesla CEO Elon Musk said his electric-car factories are “losing billions of dollars” as global supply-chain disruptions and challenges in battery manufacturing constrain the company’s ability to scale up production…. New factories in Berlin and Austin — where Tesla moved its… Continue Reading…

Economy

“There’s a 50% to 60% chance of a mild recession next year, former Fed vice chair says”

“…“A recession is pretty likely,” Blinder said. However, he added that he foresees any downturn coming next year, as opposed to later in 2022, and that a recession is not an absolute certainty. “I don’t mean 89% probability, but maybe… Continue Reading…

Stocks

“Selloff in Stocks Isn’t Over Yet, Says Morgan Stanley”

“…Strategist Michael Wilson, who has long been a skeptic of the decade-long bull run in US stocks, said in a note that even after five weeks of declines, the S&P 500 is still mispriced for the current environment of the… Continue Reading…

Business, Stocks

“Elon Musk decides not to join Twitter board, says CEO Parag Agrawal”

“Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has abandoned his plans to join the board of Twitter, his social network of choice. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal announced publicly Sunday that Musk remains the largest shareholder of Twitter, and the company will remain open to his… Continue Reading…

Energy

“Hydrogen generation could become a $1 trillion per year market, Goldman Sachs says”

“Hydrogen has an important role to play in any transition to net-zero and its generation could develop into a market worth over $1 trillion a year, according to Goldman Sachs. “If we want to go to net-zero we can’t do it… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Private job growth totals 807,000 in December, more than doubling expectations, ADP says”

“…Private job growth totaled 807,000 for the month, well ahead of the Dow Jones estimate for 375,000 and the November gain of 505,000. The November total was revised lower from the initially reported 534,000. The total was the best for the… Continue Reading…