IMF questions path of rapid rate cuts in persistent inflation environment
Business

IMF questions path of rapid rate cuts in persistent inflation environment

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has tempered expectations for rapid interest rate cuts, warning of increased inflation risks that could extend the Federal Reserve's tightening cycle. While recent data have shown a cooling of headline inflation, the IMF points out that underlying pressures, particularly in services and wages, remain persistent. This suggests that the path to lower inflation may be more arduous than expected. The IMF's cautious stance contrasts with market sentiment, which has been leaning toward multiple rate cuts this year. However, the fund's chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, has indicated that a more gradual approach to monetary easing may be needed. The U.S. economy is forecast to grow at a slower pace of 2.6% in 2024, as cooling consumer spending and a...
CrowdStrike Outage Highlights Risks of Rapid Software Updates
World

CrowdStrike Outage Highlights Risks of Rapid Software Updates

A widespread outage caused by a faulty CrowdStrike software update has raised concerns about the potential consequences of rapidly deploying the software. The incident, which disrupted operations at numerous companies and government agencies around the world, underscores the critical importance of rigorous testing and quality assurance processes. Experts believe the problematic code likely slipped past the company’s quality assurance checks, highlighting a gap in its update procedures. The frequency of software updates, driven by the constant threat landscape, may have contributed to the oversight. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with implementing software updates without adequate testing. While regular updates are essential to maintaining system ...
Trump Signals Support for Powell to Continue as Fed Chairman if Elected in November
Business

Trump Signals Support for Powell to Continue as Fed Chairman if Elected in November

In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump said he would allow Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to complete his term if he won the upcoming November election. “I would let him do it, especially if I thought he was doing the right thing,” Trump said. President Joe Biden reappointed Powell to a second four-year term as head of the Federal Reserve in May 2022. Powell, who is also Fed chairman, will remain in that role until January 31, 2028. The statement represents a significant shift for Trump, who previously clashed with Powell during his presidency. Powell, who began his term as Fed chairman in February 2018, has often been criticized by Trump for his approach to interest rate policy. In 2019, Trump openly c...
Bronny James shines with 12 points in Lakers’ Summer League win over Hawks
Sports

Bronny James shines with 12 points in Lakers’ Summer League win over Hawks

In his most notable performance of the Summer League, Bronny James made a significant contribution to the Los Angeles Lakers' narrow 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. James scored 12 points, hitting 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range. Bronny’s summer league run has been a rocky one, averaging just 4.3 points and shooting 22.6 percent from three-point range through his first three games. Despite missing 15 three-pointers, his recent performance marks a promising turnaround. Drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny joins his iconic father, LeBron James, on the court. The young player has faced intense scrutiny, with many questioning his readiness for the NBA. However, his performance against the Hawks is a step toward silencing his critics. Skip...
Growing Calls for Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Election
World

Growing Calls for Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Election

A growing wave of congressional Democrats and former national security officials are urging President Joe Biden to step down from the 2024 presidential race. On Friday afternoon, 34 Democratic lawmakers publicly called on Biden to reconsider his candidacy. Biden’s campaign co-chair said the president is considering who would be the strongest candidate to uphold Democratic values ​​and win in November. In addition, more than 50 former U.S. national and foreign security officials, including Anthony Lake, former national security adviser under President Bill Clinton, have also advised Biden to end his campaign. They have expressed concerns about Biden's ability to secure a victory against Donald Trump, potentially jeopardizing Biden's record and national security legacy. The group s...
Mid-Day Market Action: CrowdStrike, Plug Power, Comerica and More
Business

Mid-Day Market Action: CrowdStrike, Plug Power, Comerica and More

Several stocks have seen significant mid-day changes in the market today. Among them are CrowdStrike, Plug Power, and Comerica. Here's a closer look at the major players making headlines. Crowd Strike (CRWD) CrowdStrike has seen a substantial increase in its stock price, driven by an upbeat earnings report that beat Wall Street expectations. The cybersecurity company reported stronger-than-expected revenue growth and issued positive guidance for the coming quarters. Investors responded favorably to the company’s solid performance and upbeat outlook, sending its shares up more than 10% at midday. Plug power supply (PLUG) Plug Power shares fell sharply after reporting their quarterly earnings. The hydrogen fuel cell company reported a wider-than-expected loss, disappointing i...
Dow Jones falls nearly 300 points as S&P 500 heads for worst week in months
World

Dow Jones falls nearly 300 points as S&P 500 heads for worst week in months

Stocks fell on Friday as Wall Street braced for the close of a tumultuous week dominated by shifting expectations about the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policies. The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite both fell about 0.3%. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 278 points, or 0.7%, signaling a broader market pullback. The decline marks another day of widespread losses. However, the market is trending toward sectors that stand to benefit most from potential Federal Reserve rate decisions, such as small-cap stocks. The S&P 500 is down more than 1% this week, on pace for its worst performance since April. The Nasdaq is down nearly 3%, jeopardizing a six-week winning streak. By contrast, the Dow is up about 1% and the small-cap-focused Russell 2000 is up more than 2% th...
Netflix Beats Expectations With 34% Growth in Ad-Supported Subscribers
Business

Netflix Beats Expectations With 34% Growth in Ad-Supported Subscribers

Netflix reported its second-quarter earnings on Thursday, demonstrating its dominance in the streaming industry with a significant increase in global subscribers and significant growth in its ad-supported subscription model. The streaming giant saw a 34% increase in ad-supported subscriptions during this period compared to the same quarter last year. Advertising has become a crucial revenue stream for media companies looking to improve, or even achieve, profitability in streaming. Netflix shares have benefited recently from efforts to attract subscribers to its most affordable ad-supported tier, along with moves to limit password sharing. Here's a breakdown of Netflix's performance for the quarter ended June 30, versus Wall Street forecasts: Earning per share: $4.88 vs. $4.74 forecast by...