The decline in inflation and the expectation of an imminent interest...
The decline in inflation and the expectation of an imminent interest rate cut have Americans feeling better about the economy than they have in a while, according to the latest update of the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index. On the other hand, consumers are worried about the softening labor market. While the unemployment rate remains below historical standards at 4.3%, it has increased for four straight months—likely enough to convince the Fed to cut rates in September.
Lowe’s became the latest employer to scrap DEI policies. The...
Lowe’s became the latest employer to scrap DEI policies. The home improvement retailer told employees it will no longer participate in LGBTQ advocacy surveys or pride parades, NBC News reported, following similar announcements from Best Buy, John Deere, Jack Daniel’s, and other companies this year. Right-wing personalities like Robby Starbuck have called on corporate America to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which they argue are “woke.” The backlash started in earnest when conservatives boycotted Bud Light last year after the popular beer brand partnered with trans social media star Dylan Mulvaney.
Stop & Shop will stop selling cigarettes at its 360 stores due to its “commitment to community wellness” as public health advocates increasingly pressure retailers to end the practice.
Hackers backed by the Chinese government penetrated US internet service providers to spy on their users, the Washington Post reported.
X, which owner Elon Musk wants to be “the everything app,” is testing a videoconferencing tool in a bid to compete with Zoom, Microsoft, and Google.
Martin Shkreli was ordered by a federal judge to turn over all his copies of the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.
Northwest Stadium will be the new name of the Washington Commanders stadium following an eight-year deal with Northwest Federal Credit Union, even though the NFL team plays neither in the Northwestern United States nor in the Northwest part of Washington, DC.
CNBC: Oil prices fall 2% on economic worries, technical decline
U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 2% to close below $76 per barrel...
U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 2% to close below $76 per barrel on Tuesday, after surging in the previous session on reports OPEC member Libya will halt production and exports.
Libya produces about 1.2 million barrels per day with the overwhelming majority of its crude exported to the global market, and European nations serving as the main buyers. U.S. oil surged because it is the best substitute for importers looking to replace lost Libyan supply.
But the U.S. benchmark is pulling back slightly as the market expects a gradual disruption rather than all of Libya’s production suddenly going offline, Sara Vakhshouri, founder of SVB Energy International, told CNBC’s “Capital Connection” on Tuesday.
Here are Tuesday’s closing energy prices:
West Texas Intermediate October contract: $75.53 per barrel, down $1.89, or 2.44%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has gained 5.4%.
Brent October contract: $79.55 per barrel, down $1.88, or 2.31%. Year to date, the global benchmark is ahead 3.3%.
RBOB Gasoline September contract: $2.24 per gallon, down 3 cents, or 1.45%. Year to date, gasoline is ahead 6.8%.
Natural Gas September contract: $1.90 per thousand cubic feet, down more than 5 cents, or 2.66%. Year to date, gas is down 24.3%.
Dow notches fresh record close as U.S. stocks edge upward
U.S. stocks finished slightly higher on Tuesday after...
U.S. stocks finished slightly higher on Tuesday after a quiet day of trading, as investors awaited a highly anticipated quarterly earnings report from the chip maker Nvidia Corp. on Wednesday and fresh inflation data due later in the week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended nearly flat, at around 41,250, to notch a new record close. The blue-chip index has scored 24 all-time closing highs so far in 2024, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
The S&P 500 finished up less than 0.2%, at around 5,625.
The Nasdaq Composite was up less than 0.2%, ending near 17,754.
National Hurricane Center tracking new disturbance in central Atlantic
The area of low pressure could form in the central portion of the Tropical...
The area of low pressure could form in the central portion of the Tropical Atlantic in a few days, according to the NHC, where environmental conditions appear "generally favorable" for slow development of the system this weekend into early next week.
According to the hurricane center, the disturbance is forecast to move westward to west-northwestward at 10 to 15 miles per hour and has a 20 percent chance of formation over the next seven days.
So far this year, including the three that are spinning Monday, there have been more storms in the Pacific than the Atlantic, and that's a bit of a surprise, forecasters say. In addition, it's been eerily calm in the Atlantic over the past week or so as we approach what's traditionally the busiest time of the season.