Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated Thursday the remarkable strength of the U.S. economy is not sending any signals that policymakers &#8220;need to be in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">hurry to lower rates.&#8221;</a>



Powell&#8217;s remarks came at an event organized by the Dallas Regional Chamber on Thursday, just a week after his press conference following the November Federal Reserve meeting.



&#8220;Inflation is running much closer to our 2% longer-run goal, but it is not there yet. We are committed to finishing the job,&#8221; Powell said. 



The Fed chair hinted that interest rates may be moving &#8220;to a more neutral setting,&#8221; but stressed that &#8220;the path for getting there is not preset.&#8221;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Powell Hints At Economic Strength, Warns About Risk Of Tariff Retaliations</h3>



Powell described the U.S. economy&#8217;s recent performance as &#8220;by far the best of any major economy in the world.&#8221; He attributed this strength in part to increased productivity.



&#8220;Productivity has grown faster over the past five years than its pace in the two decades before the pandemic, increasing the productive capacity of the economy and allowing rapid economic growth without overheating,&#8221; he said.



This resilience in the economy, according to Powell, gives the Federal Reserve the flexibility to &#8220;approach our decisions carefully,&#8221; though he underscored that the future path of interest rates would depend on how incoming data and economic forecasts evolve.



Powell expressed confidence that, with careful adjustments to the Fed's policy stance, the strength of both the economy and the labor market could be preserved, while inflation trends back down to the Fed&#8217;s 2% target.



Regarding the labor market, Powell downplayed the significance of the October jobs report, noting it was influenced by temporary factors such as hurricanes and labor strikes.



He also indicated no urgency to change Fed policy in response to potential shifts in fiscal policy under the new Trump&#8217;s administration.



&#8220;It takes quite a long time to get a bill through Congress. We have time to make assessments about what the net effects of policy changes will be on the economy before we work with policy,&#8221; he said.



Powell reiterated his concern over the U.S. fiscal trajectory, calling it &#8220;unsustainable.&#8221; 



&#8220;We have a very large deficit at a time when we&#8217;re at full employment,&#8221; Powell said, adding that he and recommended addressing it &#8220;sooner rather than later.&#8221;



When asked about the impact of higher trade tariffs on monetary policy, Powell was cautious but said scenarios involving retaliatory measures from other countries would require close monitoring by the Fed.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>



Powell's cautious remarks about the path for interest rates led to a sharp repricing of December rate cut expectations. 



According to the CME FedWatch tool, the probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December has dropped, with Fed futures now indicating a 62% chance, down from prior estimates of nearly 80%.



In response, the U.S. dollar rallied, extending its winning streak to five sessions. Treasury yields also reversed course, with significant gains across the curve as investors adjusted their rate expectations. The yield on the two-year Treasury note, which is particularly sensitive to Fed policy shifts, jumped 6 basis points to 4.34%.



Equity markets reacted negatively to Powell's tone. Major U.S. indices turned lower, with the S&amp;P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), down 0.7%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq-100, represented by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), slipped 0.8%.



Small-cap stocks suffered the most, with the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) dropping 1.3%, signaling broader risk aversion among investors. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="&#x1f534;WATCH LIVE: Dallas Regional Chamber: Global Perspectives with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vhbdv8jXmvQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/41971830/producer-inflation-rises-more-than-expected-in-october-should-traders-rethink-interest-rate-cut-path">Producer Inflation Rises More Than Expected In October: Should Traders Rethink Interest Rate Cut Path?</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Jerome Powell at the Nov. 7 FOMC press conference. Photo courtesy of the Federal Reserve.

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Econ #s

Economics

Federal Reserve

Markets

ETFs

Powell: With Strong US Economy, Fed Has 'No Need To Be In A Hurry To Lower Rates'

President-elect Donald Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, as his nominee Thursday to lead the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41127143/us-hhs-reveal-cost-savings-for-54-prescription-drugs-including-novartis-cancer-drug-ozempic-could">Department of Health and Human Services. </a>



This move, which comes after Kennedy ended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump, positions the environmental activist to potentially reshape national health policies. The selection has stirred mixed reactions, particularly from public health experts, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/14/robert-f-kennedy-jr-trump-hhs-secretary-pick-00188617">Politico</a> reports.



&#8220;For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,&#8221; Trump said in a tweet announcing the decision. 



As Benzinga reported earlier this month, Kennedy has a history of spreading falsehoods about vaccines, including that they cause autism, a theory disproven by scientific studies. His selection as the nominee for HHS secretary comes against a backdrop of falling vaccination rates, which coincide with, in one example, 13 measles outbreaks in the U.S. so far this year. 



What Happened: Trump's decision is part of a broader promise to "let Kennedy go wild" with health and food policies, aiming to overhaul the HHS. Kennedy has expressed sharp criticisms of several health agencies.



Kennedy had hinted at the potential role of "health czar" in Trump&#8217;s administration. If he is confirmed, Kennedy's appointment could influence vaccine policy and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41822473/trumps-potential-health-czar-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rattles-vaccine-stocks-shoot-first-reaction">direction of the CDC, FDA, and NIH.</a>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/11/41977313/will-trumps-election-win-push-sp-500-even-higher-in-final-weeks-of-2024-over-75-say">Will Trump&#8217;s Election Win Push S&amp;P 500 Even Higher In Final Weeks Of 2024? Over 75% Say&#8230;</a>



Kennedy's prospective role has already affected vaccine manufacturer stocks. Major vaccine-related companies saw declines in stock prices on Thursday due to the uncertainty surrounding Kennedy&#8217;s influence on health policy.



Key companies impacted include:



<ul>
<li>Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) down 5.62% to $39.77.</li>



<li>Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) down 2.62% to $26.02.</li>



<li>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) down 0.89% to $151.87.</li>



<li>AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) down 0.38% to $65.04.</li>



<li>Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) down 7.02% to $7.22.</li>
</ul>



Why It Matters: Kennedy's views on vaccines and health oversight agencies stand in stark contrast to established medical consensus. His appointment could alter public health directives, with some analysts predicting potential shifts in FDA regulatory independence and vaccine guidelines. 



The impact may extend beyond policy, shaping public trust in health systems amid ongoing debates over vaccine safety.



Kennedy, while indicating he has no plans to "take away anybody's vaccines," continues to be a polarizing figure. Vaccine-related stocks may experience ongoing volatility as the Trump administration finalizes its health policy agenda.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41988194/trump-plans-to-erase-ev-tax-credit-analyst-says-its-net-bullish-calls-sell-off-wrong-knee-jerk-reaction">Trump Plans To Erase EV Tax Credit: Tesla Analyst Says It&#8217;s &#8216;Net Bullish,&#8217; Calls Sell-Off &#8216;Wrong Knee-Jerk Reaction&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock.

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Government

News

Regulations

Health Care

Politics

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NVAX

Trump Taps RFK Jr. For Health Secretary Role, Sends 5 Vaccine Stocks Lower

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares are moving lower Thursday following reports that president-elect Donald Trump plans to get rid of consumer tax credits for EVs. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives believes the cuts are actually <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/11/41985486/if-tesla-stock-hits-all-time-highs-in-2025-will-it-be-driven-by-trump-musk-relationship-benzinga-readers-say-this">net positive for Tesla</a>. 



What To Know: Trump&#8217;s team is planning to squash the $7,500 EV tax credit on vehicle purchases as part of a broader tax-reform plan, according to a Reuters report citing two sources with direct knowledge of the plans.



Getting rid of the EV tax credit could significantly impact the United States&#8217; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/electric-vehicles">EV</a> transition efforts, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been one of Trump&#8217;s biggest supporters, reportedly told Trump&#8217;s team that he supports putting an end to the EV tax credit. 



Why It Matters: Ives, a longtime Tesla bull, explained in a new note to clients on Thursday that the news is not a surprise &#8220;in any way,&#8221; as Wedbush fully expected Trump to tear down the tax credits upon returning to the White House.



&#8220;While this is a clear negative for the EV industry at first look and would particularly hurt GM, Ford, Stellantis, and Rivian… on the flip side we view this as a net bullish move for Tesla and Musk over time,&#8221; Ives said in the note.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/41973501/teslas-profit-power-vs-rivians-cash-burn-can-the-gap-be-narrowed">Tesla&#8217;s Profit Power Vs. Rivian&#8217;s Cash Burn: Can The Gap Be Narrowed?</a>



Musk reportedly said earlier this year that removing the EV tax credit could have a slight impact on Tesla sales, but would be far worse for his U.S.-based competitors. 



Ives noted that Tesla has unmatched scale. The Wedbush analyst acknowledged that getting rid of the EV tax credit could weigh on demand , but he believes it will actually propel Tesla further ahead of competitors. Comparing Tesla&#8217;s pricing, scale and scope to legacy automakers making the EV transition is like comparing apples to oranges, Ives added. 



&#8220;We expect Musk to have a big seat at the table as these EV discussions happen within the Trump transition team. We believe any sell-off in Tesla from these reports is the wrong knee-jerk reaction and we would be buyers,&#8221; Ives said. 



The Wedbush analyst maintained an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Outperform rating</a> and price target of $400 on Tesla stock following the news.



TSLA Price Action: Tesla shares were down 5.11% at $313.41 at the time of publication Thursday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/11/41985486/if-tesla-stock-hits-all-time-highs-in-2025-will-it-be-driven-by-trump-musk-relationship-benzinga-readers-say-this">If Tesla Stock Hits All-Time Highs In 2025, Will It Be Driven By Trump-Musk Relationship? Benzinga Readers Say This</a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Analyst Color

Tech

TSLA

Trump Plans To Erase EV Tax Credit: Tesla Analyst Says It's 'Net Bullish,' Calls Sell-Off 'Wrong Knee-Jerk Reaction'

The long-awaited boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is nearly here, set for Friday Nov. 15 on Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), after being rescheduled from an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/06/39231357/jake-paul-mike-tyson-boxing-match-set-to-stream-on-netflix-with-new-date">original date in July 2024.</a>



Here's a look at how to watch the big fight, the betting odds and several free prediction contests for sportsbook users.



How to Watch Tyson Vs. Paul: First<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37540711/jake-paul-vs-mike-tyson-coming-to-netflix-biggest-fight-in-history"> announced in March 2024,</a> a fight between Tyson and Paul will take place at AT&amp;T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys



The boxing match is part of a full lineup of fights that includes three title fights on the undercard.



Netflix subscribers will be able to watch the fight for free with coverage starting live at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 15. The start time of the Tyson and Paul fight will be dependent on how long the fights are before it.



For Netflix, the fight is part of the company's larger bets on live events and sports content to help boost subscribers of its ad-free and ad-supported plans. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41391637/netflix-q3-earnings-revenue-beats-eps-tops-q4-guidance-projects-subscriber-boost-from-squid-game-nf">ended the most recent quarter </a>with 282.7 million global paid subscribers. Netflix recently said it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41915397/netflix-reaches-70-million-users-on-ad-supported-plan-boosts-live-sports-ads">has reached </a>70 million subscribers for its ad-supported plans.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/11/41821069/netflix-stock-hits-all-time-highs-company-confirms-stranger-things-season-5-for-2025">Netflix Stock Hits All-Time Highs, Company Confirms &#8216;Stranger Things&#8217; Season 5 For 2025</a>



The Fight Stats: Friday's main event fight will feature a stark difference between the boxers with Tyson coming in at 58 years old, more than twice the age of Paul, who is 27. In fact, Tyson took part in 47 fights before Paul was even born, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39772221/what-boxing-stats-tell-us-mike-tyson-vs-jake-paul-fight-netflix-friday">ESPN</a>.



Tyson holds a 50-6 career boxing record and is one of the most well-known boxers of all time, known as "the Baddest Man on the Planet" and "Iron Mike."



Paul holds a 10-1 boxing record with his professional career beginning in 2020.



Tyson is recognized as one of the best boxers of all time and was named the No. 1 hardest hitter in heavyweight history by ESPN. Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion ever at the age of 20, and had a run of 37 consecutive victories during his professional boxing career including 33 wins by knockout.



Tyson&#8217;s last professional boxing bout came in 2005. The boxer also took part in several exhibition matches, including a 2020 match against&nbsp;Roy Jones Jr., which was declared a draw after eight rounds.



Paul's last boxing match came in July of this year with a win to add to his impressive 10-1 record. While Paul lacks the experience of Tyson, he comes into the match as the more recent professional boxer and has a 76-inch to 71-inch reach advantage over Tyson.



Unlike most traditional heavyweight boxing matches, the fight will feature 14-ounce gloves instead of 10-ounce gloves and rounds will be two minutes instead of three minutes in length. The fight is scheduled to go eight rounds, instead of a customary 10 or 12 rounds.



Friday's fight between Tyson and Paul is officially sanctioned as a real fight and not an exhibition match.



Betting Odds, Prediction Markets: Friday's fight will likely see strong betting volume thanks to a larger number of viewers potentially from around the world with the fight on Netflix and not on the more costly pay-per-view option.



Betting odds on sportsbook DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKNG#NASDAQ">DKNG</a>) list Paul as the favorite at odds of -200 and Tyson as the underdog at +160. This means a $100 bet on Paul would pay out a profit of $50 if he wins and a $100 bet on Tyson would pay out a profit of $160 if he wins.



DraftKings lists the fight going under 6.5 rounds at the slight favorite of -120 versus the fight going over 6.5 rounds. A prop on the fight going the distance is at +135 with the fight ending before the end of the eighth round listed at odds of -185.



Here are the betting options of winner and winning method:



<ul>
<li>Paul by KO/TKO/DQ: +150</li>



<li>Paul by Decision: +280</li>



<li>Tyson by KO/TKO/DQ: +250</li>



<li>Tyson by Decision: +950</li>



<li>Draw: +750</li>
</ul>



The betting odds imply that Paul is the favorite to win before the eight rounds are over. Tyson as the underdog is more likely to beat Paul by a knockout, TKO or disqualification than to win by a decision after eight rounds, the odds show.



On prediction market <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/jake-paul-vs-mike-tyson-who-will-win">Polymarket</a>, over $7 million has been wagered on predicting a winner of the boxing match. The odds show Paul as the favorite at 63% and Tyson the underdog at 29% with a draw listed at 11%.



The prediction market, which went viral during the 2024 election, allows users to deposit funds using USDC (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>) via the Polygon (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/matic/usd">MATIC</a>) network or directly from a crypto account with Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>). Winning wagers cash out at $1 per contract.



Free Prediction Contests: While customers on various platforms can bet on the winner outcome, there are several free prediction contests at various sportsbooks.



Betr, a sports betting and sports media company<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/24/03/37515466/betr-announces-new-15m-funding-375m-valuation-how-co-founders-jake-paul-joey-levy-plan-to-"> co-founded by Paul</a>, launched a $50,000 free-to-play game for the boxing match.



The game labeled as "Fight Night Picks" is available for new and existing users of the Betr app in applicable states. The winnings will be paid out in Betr Bucks. The game has only five questions with users needing to pick more or less for each question. Contestants who get all five questions correctly will split the $50,000 jackpot.



The questions are:



<ul>
<li>More or less than 0.5 knockouts</li>



<li>More or less than 110.5 seconds for Jake Paul's walkout</li>



<li>More or less than 0.5 callouts by the winner post-fight in the ring</li>



<li>More or less than 0.5 wins for Jake Paul</li>



<li>More or less than 0.5 ears bitten off</li>
</ul>



DraftKings also has a free $25,000 prediction contest for users, which will pay out winnings in DK Dollars. The contest asks questions like who will win, what will be the winning method, how many punches landed by Paul, how many punches landed by Tyson, total rounds over or under 6.5 rounds, which round will the fight end, total knockdowns, will either boxer bleed during the match, will there be fighting after the final bell and who will Paul call out after the fight.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/23/05/32553618/exclusive-betr-is-not-just-a-sports-betting-company-how-jake-paul-leverages-audience-to-lo">EXCLUSIVE: Betr — Jake Paul&#8217;s Vision For More Than &#8216;Just A Sports Betting Company,&#8217; Leveraging Audience For Lower Acquisition Costs</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Courtesy Netflix

Entertainment

Sports Betting

Sports

$ETH

$MATIC

$USDC

DKNG

NFLX

Paul Vs. Tyson Boxing Match: How To Watch, Betting Odds, What The Stats Say And More

In his third-quarter update, Renaissance Technologies founder and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/jim-simons">famed "Quant King</a>&#8221; Jim Simons showcased some notable pivots within his $66.5 billion portfolio.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Jim Simons Ups Microsoft Stake, Trims Other Tech Names</h1>



Simons increased his stake in Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), betting on the tech giant's expansion in cloud and AI sectors, Renaissance revealed in a <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1037389/000103738924000091/xslForm13F_X02/primary_doc.xml">Wednesday SEC filing</a>. 



At the same time, he pared back investments in high-growth stocks such as Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>). Nvidia's AI boom and Tesla's market lead in EVs didn't deter Simons from reducing exposure, perhaps as a hedge against market corrections.



Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) was also scaled back, suggesting Renaissance might be positioning itself more defensively as tech valuations reach historic highs.



Renaissance's move to fortify positions in well-established tech names could signal a more cautious stance on speculative growth.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Palantir Takes The Lead In Renaissance's Portfolio</h1>



Among all the holdings, Palantir Technologies Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) now stands as Renaissance's largest position, making up 2.15% of the portfolio. Known for its deep government contracts and burgeoning AI applications, Palantir's data-centric profile aligns well with Simons' quant-driven approach.



This shift highlights a strategic tilt toward resilient, data-focused tech plays, reflecting Simons' long-term confidence in the power of predictive analytics and secure data solutions.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/41972288/can-palantir-sustain-its-300x-valuation-after-climbing-266-this-year">Can Palantir Sustain Its 300X Valuation After Climbing 266% This Year?</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Top Buys: Microsoft, Apple, Cisco</h1>



Alongside Microsoft, Simons added significantly to Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>). This trio signals a preference for big-cap stability in a year marked by market volatility.



While Microsoft's AI and cloud growth makes it a solid pick, Apple and Cisco bring diverse revenue streams, from consumer tech to networking infrastructure, giving Renaissance a balanced tech exposure.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41973572/ray-dalios-bridgewater-cuts-stake-in-microsoft-stock-by-20-is-big-tech-losing-its-shine">Ray Dalio&#8217;s Bridgewater Cuts Stake In Microsoft Stock By 20% – Is Big Tech Losing Its Shine?</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Hedge Funds

AAPL

AVGO

CSCO

MSFT

NVDA

PLTR

Jim Simons' Renaissance Technologies Shifts Gears: Microsoft In, Tesla Out, Palantir On Top

Signs of a waning Trump-led rally emerged Thursday as investors assessed the economic outlook and awaited potential signals on the interest-rate path from the upcoming Fed Chair Jerome Powell&#8216;s speech in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/jerome-powell">Dallas at 3 p.m. ET. </a>



Inflation data from the past two days provided mixed signals: consumer prices met expectations, while producer prices slightly exceeded forecasts, with both indicators showing a year-over-year uptick in October.



Despite this inflation data, markets remain confident the Fed will continue easing, pricing in an 80% likelihood of a December rate cut.



Wall Street&#8217;s major indices were in the red by midday, with the S&amp;P 500 down 0.3% and small-cap stocks lagging behind large-caps.



The U.S. dollar index ticked up 0.1%, even as Treasury yields declined. Bonds outperformed equities, with the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) climbing 1.2%.



Gold edged 0.2% lower, while oil rose 0.2%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) saw its rally stall, dropping 1.8%.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Major Indices</td><td>Price</td><td>Chg % (1 day)</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>43,884.60</td><td>-0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>20,986.66</td><td>-0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>5,969.78</td><td>-0.3%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>2,345.60</td><td>-1.0%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:55 p.m. ET </figcaption></figure>



According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent111424&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:



<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 0.3% to $595.18.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;eased 0.2% to $438.76.</li>



<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) slipped 0.4% to $510.28.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) tumbled 1% to $232.71.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) outperformed, rising 0.2%. The&nbsp;Industrials Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>) lagged, down 1.5%.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>



<ul>
<li>Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) rose 7% after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results. </li>
</ul>



Other stocks reacting to earnings reports included: 



<ul>
<li>Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>), down over 2%, </li>



<li>Brookfield Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BN#NYSE">BN</a>), up 0.9%, </li>



<li>Talen Energy Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLN#NASDAQ">TLN</a>), up 0.9%, </li>



<li>Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>), down 7.5%, </li>



<li>Tetra Tech Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTEK#NASDAQ">TTEK</a>), down over 10%, </li>



<li>StandardAero Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SARO#NYSE">SARO</a>), down 5.5%. </li>
</ul>



Companies slated to report their earnings after Thursday&#8217;s close include Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>), Globant S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLOB#NYSE">GLOB</a>), AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>), Post Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POST#NYSE">POST</a>). 



Read now: 



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41979935/golden-years-for-ma-deals-ahead-under-trump-analysts-highlight-top-10-large-cap-candidates">Golden Years For M&amp;A Deals Ahead Under Trump? Analysts Highlight Top 10 Large-Cap Candidates</a></li>
</ul>



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Macro Economic Events

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$BTC

AMAT

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GLOB

POST

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Trump Rally Fades As Investors Await Powell's Remarks, Bitcoin Drops Below $90,000: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

Vermont-based ice cream manufacturer Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s, an independent subsidiary of Unilever plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UL#NYSE">UL</a>), has a long <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38440644/ben-jerrys-wont-stop-fighting-until-theres-cannabis-legalization-and-justice-says-activism-lead">history of corporate activism</a>. Its latest round has brought it into conflict with its own parent company.



What Happened: On Wednesday, Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s filed a contract lawsuit against Unilever in the Southern District of New York. The federal lawsuit alleges that Unilever breached Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s autonomy over social justice activism, specifically its various statements in support of a cease-fire between the Israeli government and Hamas in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41405272/sinwar-death-marks-turning-point-in-gaza-war-netanyahu-says-its-the-beginning-of-the-end">the ongoing war</a>. Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s and Unilever hold agreements to allow the brand's independent board to make social justice activism decisions.



Unilever has not yet filed a response, but a spokesperson reacted to Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s lawsuit in an email to Benzinga.



&#8220;Our heart goes out to all victims of the tragic events in the Middle East,&#8221; the spokesperson said. &#8220;We reject the claims made by B&amp;J's social mission board, and we will defend our case very strongly. We would not comment further on this legal matter."



The Burlington-based company&#8217;s complaint alleges that Unilever &#8220;silenced&#8221; efforts to speak out in support of Palestine. Following Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s statement in 2023 in support of an Israel-Palestinian cease-fire, the London, England-based parent company allegedly threatened to dissolve its independent board and sue board members.



In addition, Unilever blocked Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s donations to Jewish Voice for Peace and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, two organizations in support of Palestinians, the ice cream brand alleges. 



Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s previously sued Unilever in 2022. The ice cream manufacturer had announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/21/07/22048169/ben-jerrys-joins-bds-movement-to-boycott-west-bank-and-east-jerusalem">cessation of sales</a> in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in protest of Israeli policy. Unilever subsequently sold Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s Israel license, something Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s said was done without permission.



Why It Matters: It is considered rare for a subsidiary to file a lawsuit against its own parent company.



<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/unilever-plans-to-spin-off-ice-cream-unit-in-shake-up-affecting-7-500-jobs-c768e45f?mod=article_inline">According</a> to the Wall Street Journal, Unilever has considered selling off its ice cream brands, including Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s, Breyer&#8217;s and Popsicle. Unilever acquired Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s in 2000.



Also Read:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41979935/golden-years-for-ma-deals-ahead-under-trump-analysts-highlight-top-10-large-cap-candidates">Golden Years For M&amp;A Deals Ahead Under Trump? Analysts Highlight Top 10 Large-Cap Candidates</a></li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock.

Legal

Global

Ben & Jerry's Sues Parent Company Unilever Over Alleged Gaza Protest Censorship

With Republicans taking control of Congress, Wall Street is buzzing about a potential boom in mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) under the upcoming<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump"> Trump administration.</a>



Bank of America analysts see brighter days ahead for deal-making, anticipating that Trump could remove Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, whose aggressive antitrust stance has been a major roadblock for M&amp;A activity across sectors.



Combined with favorable macro factors and investor demand for capex and M&amp;A over debt paydown, there are plenty of reasons to believe that 2025 and beyond could see significant deal activity.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Banks And Biotech: Two Key Sectors To Watch</h3>



Analysts at Bank of America's U.S. banks team are particularly bullish about the M&amp;A prospects for financials, which have historically enjoyed more than 50% higher deal activity under Republican administrations than Democratic ones. With regulatory scrutiny expected to loosen, the landscape is ripe for a surge in bank deals.



Deal activity in biotech has already started picking up, especially in smaller acquisitions. Big Pharma faces mounting pressure to offset patent expirations, so it&#8217;s hunting for acquisition targets to replenish its drug pipelines. Lower rates and potential deregulation could further fuel biotech M&amp;A as we head into 2025.



"The election results could lead to a less restrictive regulatory environment, which may open the door for more bank mergers and acquisitions,&#8221; Jill Carey Hall, CFA, a Bank of America analyst, said. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Macro Factors: Green And Yellow Lights for M&amp;A</h3>



Several macroeconomic factors support a cyclical pick-up in M&amp;A activity. 



Strong equity market returns, cheap small-cap valuations relative to large caps and tight credit spreads all suggest a favorable environment for deal-making.



Not all signals are flashing green. Slowing GDP growth, rate uncertainty and high volatility could throw some caution flags. Long-term growth expectations for small caps, though improved, still remain below average.



Bank of America's credit strategists predict that 2025 could be a better year for M&amp;A activity as rate cuts begin to materialize and volatility subsides. 



"Sponsors are sitting on a pile of uncalled capital, and there's a real incentive to deploy it in a friendlier economic environment," Hall said.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Who Stands To Gain: Small-Cap Targets, Large-Cap Acquirers</h3>



With large deals on the decline, smaller targets have become the prime candidates for takeovers. 



Aggregate deal value has been falling in recent years as mega-cap deals have dried up and smaller, more manageable transactions have become the norm.



This trend has paid off for both sides: small-cap targets have outperformed post-announcement and large-cap acquirers have seen record one-day gains in 2023 despite paying higher deal premiums.



This pattern suggests that investors are rewarding companies that buy growth, especially in today's uncertain economic landscape.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">10 Potential M&amp;A Candidates Among Large Caps</h3>



Bank of America's latest screening of potential M&amp;A candidates includes high-growth, undervalued names, each with distinct value propositions that may appeal to suitors looking for long-term growth.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><thead><tr><th>Company</th><th>Sector</th><th>Market Cap ($M)</th><th>Free Cash Flows-to-Enterprise Value (%)</th><th>Long-Term Growth Expectations (%)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Universal Health Services Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>)</td><td>Health Care</td><td>13,932</td><td>4.4</td><td>25.3</td></tr><tr><td>Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RL#NYSE">RL</a>)</td><td>Consumer Disc.</td><td>12,473</td><td>5.99</td><td>10.5</td></tr><tr><td>Paramount Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NYSE">PARA</a>)</td><td>Comm. Services</td><td>7,250</td><td>3.4</td><td>46.4</td></tr><tr><td>Jabil Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JBL#NYSE">JBL</a>)</td><td>Technology</td><td>14,480</td><td>6.39</td><td>12.7</td></tr><tr><td>Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAS#NASDAQ">HAS</a>)</td><td>Consumer Disc.</td><td>9,215</td><td>3.6</td><td>27.5</td></tr><tr><td>F5 Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFIV#NASDAQ">FFIV</a>)</td><td>Technology</td><td>13,431</td><td>6.39</td><td>9.9</td></tr><tr><td>DaVita Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVA#NYSE">DVA</a>) </td><td>Health Care</td><td>11,976</td><td>5.39</td><td>15.4</td></tr><tr><td>BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BWA#NYSE">BWA</a>)</td><td>Consumer Disc.</td><td>7,316</td><td>6.5</td><td>12.0</td></tr><tr><td>Aptiv plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APTV#NYSE">APTV</a>)</td><td>Consumer Disc.</td><td>13,143</td><td>4.4</td><td>23.7</td></tr><tr><td>A. O. Smith Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AOS#NYSE">AOS</a>)</td><td>Industrials</td><td>10,895</td><td>2.3</td><td>10.0</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41950023/us-stock-markets-equity-risk-premium-disappears-should-you-sell-now">US Stock Market&#8217;s Equity Risk Premium Disappears: Should You Sell Now?</a></li>
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Photo by Capri23auto from Pixabay

Small Cap

APTV

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Golden Years For M&A Deals Ahead Under Trump? Analysts Highlight Top 10 Large-Cap Candidates

Ray Dalio's Bridgewater Associates recently trimmed its Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) stake by 20% in the third quarter 2024, marking a notable reduction in a stock long considered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/news">a tech stalwart</a>.



But Dalio isn't the only prominent investor easing back; Cathie Wood's Ark Invest also trimmed its position in Microsoft, sparking speculation on the future role of Big Tech in high-profile portfolios.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bridgewater's Q3 Picks</h3>



Bridgewater, managing over $17.7 billion, cut its Microsoft stock holding by 220,169 shares, reducing the stock's portfolio weight from 2.54% to 2.12%, according to a Wednesday SEC filing. This shift came as Dalio's fund focused on other assets, with its top buys leaning heavily toward core index holdings, like the iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>), and major players in energy and semiconductor sectors, like Constellation Energy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NYSE">CEG</a>) and Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>).



The pivot suggests Bridgewater may be rebalancing in favor of sectors with defensive and growth-oriented plays, possibly seeking stability amid a fluctuating economic environment.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41594398/bill-gates-climate-innovation-model-wins-praise-from-ray-dalio-klaus-schwab-but-say-1-trillion-annua">Bill Gates&#8217; Climate Innovation Model Wins Praise From Ray Dalio, Klaus Schwab, But Say $1 Trillion Annual Funding Globally Is Not Enough</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ark Invest's Microsoft Cutback: A Nod to Innovation Over Stability?</h3>



Wood's Ark Invest, known for its aggressive focus on innovation, also pared down its Microsoft stock holding, reducing its position by 11.05% in the third quarter.



Unlike Bridgewater, however, Ark's top buys this quarter were technology and biotech names like Tempus AI Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>), Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) and 10X Genomics Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXG#NASDAQ">TXG</a>).



The moves highlight Ark's continued commitment to emerging technology and health care, emphasizing disruptive companies over Big Tech mainstays.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Broader Implications For Big Tech In Institutional Portfolios</h3>



As both Dalio and Wood adjust their positions, the moves reflect distinct investment philosophies but raise questions about Big Tech's evolving appeal. 



While Bridgewater seems to prioritize diversification and resilience, Ark's lean toward innovation shows a preference for companies positioned to drive future trends rather than rely on established giants. 



This mixed approach underscores the evolving role of Big Tech in dynamic portfolios amid a rapidly shifting economic and innovation landscape.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41939983/microsoft-president-warns-beijings-tech-progress-is-catching-up-with-the-west-people-who-dont-go-to-china-too-often-assume-theyre-behind">Microsoft President Warns Beijing&#8217;s Tech Progress Is Catching Up With The West: &#8216;People Who Don&#8217;t Go To China Too Often Assume They&#8217;re Behind&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Ray Dalio's Bridgewater Cuts Stake In Microsoft Stock By 20% – Is Big Tech Losing Its Shine?

Wynn Resorts Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WYNN#NASDAQ">WYNN</a>) shares are trading higher Thursday after billionaire Tilman Fertitta disclosed a 9.9% passive stake <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WYNN">in the company</a>.



What Happened: Fertitta, CEO of Landry&#8217;s and owner of the Houston Rockets, filed an amended 13-G with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late Wednesday, showing the billionaire increased his stake in the casino and resorts company from 6.2% to 9.9%. 



Fertitta <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/22/12/29952022/what-real-estate-themes-are-billionaires-investing-in-heres-two">revealed in late 2022</a> that he had acquired more than a 6% stake in Wynn Resorts. 



CNBC&#8217;s David Faber reported Thursday morning that Fertitta&#8217;s increased stake in the company is &#8220;likely not going to be passive for long.&#8221;



Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41973572/ray-dalios-bridgewater-cuts-stake-in-microsoft-stock-by-20-is-big-tech-losing-its-shine">Ray Dalio&#8217;s Bridgewater Cuts Stake In Microsoft Stock By 20% – Is Big Tech Losing Its Shine?</a>



Wynn Resorts reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41749371/wynn-resorts-q3-performance-misses-expectations-amid-strategic-investments">third-quarter financial results</a> at the beginning of the month. The company missed estimates on the top and bottom lines as Las Vegas operations slowed. 



Wynn ended the quarter with $2.41 billion in cash and cash equivalents, and $11.79 billion in outstanding debt.



WYNN Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/wynn">Wynn Resorts shares</a> were up 8.56% at $93.14 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>. With Thursday&#8217;s gains, Wynn shares have now turned positive for the year.



Photo: Shutterstock.

WYNN

Wynn Resorts Stock Surges As Tilman Fertitta Increases Stake

Walt Disney Co&nbsp;(NYSE: DIS)&nbsp;reported fiscal fourth-quarter&nbsp;2024 revenue growth of 6% year-on-year to $22.57 billion, marginally beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/b41967035/the-walt-disney-company-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-earnings-for-fiscal-2024" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus of $22.35 billion</a>. Adjusted EPS of $1.14 beat the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus of $1.10</a>.



Disney ended the quarter with 174 million Disney+ Core and Hulu subscriptions and over 120 million Disney+ Core paid subscribers, an increase of 4.4 million over the prior quarter.



DIS stock soared after the earnings report. CEO Robert A. Iger said, "In Q4 we saw one of the best quarters in the history of our film studio."



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41720954/disney-creates-new-tech-hub-for-ai-and-ar" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney Creates New Tech Hub For AI and AR</a>



Segments: Entertainment revenue (which encompasses traditional TV networks, direct-to-consumer streaming, and films) increased by 14% year over year to $10.83 billion.



Sports revenue (mostly comprised of ESPN) remained flat year over year at $3.91 billion.



Experiences revenue (including Disney's theme parks as well as consumer products) climbed 1% year over year to $8.24 billion.



In the Entertainment segment, Linear Networks revenue declined by 6% year over year to $2.46 billion, Direct-to-Consumer revenue climbed 15% year over year to $5.78 billion, and Content Sales/Licensing and Other revenue grew by 39% year over year to $2.59 billion.



The combined DTC streaming businesses improved their profitability with an operating income of $321 million on revenue of $6.3 billion (up by 13% year over year).



Pixar's&nbsp;Inside Out 2&nbsp;and Marvel's&nbsp;Deadpool &amp; Wolverine&nbsp;helped drive $316 million in operating income at Content Sales/Licensing and Other in the quarter.



The average revenue per user for domestic Disney+ customers dropped from $7.74 to $7.70 due to a higher mix of customers on its cheaper, ad-supported tier.&nbsp;



The traditional TV networks business continued to decline as consumers dumped TV bundles behind for streaming.



The consolidated operating income grew 23% year over year to $3.66 billion, led by the Entertainment segment's $1.07 billion, the Sports segment's $929 million, and the Experiences segment's $1.66 billion.



Disney generated a fourth-quarter operating cash flow of $5.52 billion (up 15% Y/Y) and a free cash flow of $4.03 billion (up 18% Y/Y).



Outlook:&nbsp;For fiscal 2025, Disney expects to achieve high-single-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) compared to 2024 versus a consensus of $4.93.



The company aims to generate around $15 billion in operating cash flow and plans capital expenditures of approximately $8 billion. Dividend increases will align with earnings growth, and Disney targets $3 billion in stock buybacks.



For fiscal 2026, Disney forecasts double-digit growth in adjusted EPS (versus consensus of $5.17) and operating cash flow.



For fiscal 2027, Disney expects to continue its double-digit growth trajectory in adjusted EPS.



Disney J/V: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, and Disney have finalized the merger of Viacom18's media assets and JioCinema with Star India Private Limited, following approvals from the relevant regulatory bodies.



RIL has invested ₹11,500 crore (about $1.4 billion) in the joint venture to drive its expansion.



The JV is valued at ₹70,352 crore (approximately $8.5 billion) post-money, excluding any anticipated synergies. Ownership is structured with RIL holding 16.34%, Viacom18 owning 46.82%, and Disney holding 36.84%.



The combined entity integrates top brands like ‘Star' and ‘Colors' on television, along with digital platforms ‘JioCinema' and ‘Hotstar,' creating a diverse offering across entertainment and sports for audiences in India and globally.



Iger stated the strategic value of joining forces with Reliance to strengthen Disney's footprint in India and enhance its content portfolio across entertainment, sports, and digital services.



Management Transition: Disney has broadened its search for a new CEO to replace Bob Iger, as the board, led by incoming Chair James Gorman, considers external candidates to ensure a stable succession process.



This expansion moves beyond internal candidates, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/24/11/41917113/who-will-succeed-disney-ceo-bog-iger" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential contenders like</a> Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EA#NASDAQ">EA</a>), in the mix.



Disney has enlisted executive search firm Heidrick &amp; Struggles to evaluate external options, identifying at least two additional candidates. Gorman, who will assume the Chair role in January, is pushing for a comprehensive review to find the best successor, with a decision expected by early 2026.



Price Actions: DIS stock is up 9.08% at $112.05 premarket at&nbsp;the last check on Thursday.



Image via Shutterstock

Earnings

Guidance

Disney Q4 Earnings: Revenue And Profit Beat, Best Film Studio Performance, 3-Year Outlook And More

Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPR#NYSE">TPR</a>) shares are trading higher premarket on Thursday after the company disclosed that it has reached an agreement with Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPRI#NYSE">CPRI</a>)<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/b41967093/tapestry-inc-announces-termination-of-merger-agreement-with-capri-holdings-limited" rel="noreferrer noopener"> to terminate their merger agreement</a>.



The companies mutually agreed to terminate their merger agreement, citing uncertainty in the legal process and the likelihood that it would not be resolved by the February 10, 2025 outside date.



Following the termination of the merger agreement, Tapestry will redeem $6.1 billion in senior notes tied to the acquisition, paying 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest, as per the Special Mandatory Redemption clause.



There is no break fee. Tapestry will also reimburse Capri $45 million for transaction-related expenses.



Recently, a judge blocked the acquisition by Tapestry, which the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41550527/why-capri-holdings-stock-is-falling-today" rel="noreferrer noopener">companies planned to appeal the ruling</a>.



In April, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit&nbsp;aiming&nbsp;to halt&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38382351/ftc-files-lawsuit-to-block-8-5b-merger-of-coach-and-versace-handbag-makers" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tapestry&#8217;s $8.5 billion purchase of Capri Holdings.&nbsp;</a>



Buyback: Tapestry&#8217;s Board of Directors approved a $2 billion share repurchase program, to be funded through a mix of cash on hand and future debt issuance.



This, along with the remaining $800 million from the prior authorization, provides $2.8 billion for repurchases in fiscal 2025 and beyond.



To fund its share repurchase program, Tapestry plans to issue debt while keeping its long-term leverage target below 2.5x gross debt to adjusted EBITDA.



Dividend: Tapestry plans to maintain its annual dividend of $1.40 per share and aims to grow dividends in line with earnings, targeting a payout ratio of 35% to 40%.



<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">FY25 Outlook Reaffirmed</a>: Tapestry reiterated guidance for revenue at over $6.75 billion (vs. consensus of $6.76 billion) and EPS of $4.50 to $4.55.



The company will update its outlook at its next earnings <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">announcement on February 6, 2025</a>.



Meanwhile, Capri Holdings, the fashion luxury group consisting of brands Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, also announced its strategies to return to growth, which its management will discuss on a call today. The company will share more details of its strategies at an Investor Day in late February 2025. Capri expects Michael Kors store fleet to be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/41967095">reduced to approximately 650 stores over time.</a>



Investors can gain exposure to the TPR stock via KraneShares Trust KraneShares Global Luxury Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLXY#NYSE">KLXY</a>) and Invesco S&amp;P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Discretionary ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSPD#NYSE">RSPD</a>).



Price Action: TPR shares are up 8.25% at $54.49, while CPRI is down 5.60% at $18.54 premarket at the last check Thursday.



Image via Pexels



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/41968621" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analysts Divided About Impact Of Elon Musk Co-Leading DOGE On Tesla Stock: Here&#8217;s What Bulls And Bears Have To Say</a></li>
</ul>

Dividends

Buybacks

CPRI

KLXY

RSPD

Tapestry And Capri Call Off $8.5B Deal Amid Legal Hurdles

Producer inflation in October came slightly higher than anticipated Thursday, casting doubts on whether the U.S. economy's broader disinflationary trend will hold through <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/inflation">the year&#8217;s final quarter.</a>



Compared to October 2023, the Producer Price Index (PPI) surged to 2.4% last month, up from upwardly revised 1.9% and surpassing projections of 2.3% as tracked by TradingEconomics data. It marks the first increase in the annual PPI inflation rate after three straight months of declines. 



On a monthly basis, the PPI for final demand increased by 0.2%, accelerating the previous 0.1% reading and matching economic estimates of 0.2%. 



When excluding energy and food items, core PPI was up by 0.3% from a month earlier, accelerating from the previous 0.2% but matching estimates. On an annual basis, core PPI surged from 2.8% to 3.1%, topping expectations of 3%, marking the third straight month of gains. 



&#8220;Over one-third of the rise in the index for final demand services can be traced to prices for portfolio management, which advanced 3.6%,&#8221; the Bureau of Labor Statistics said. 



On Wednesday, consumer inflation data also showed an increase in October, matching expectations. 



Prior to Thursday&#8217;s PPI report, traders assigned a 79% of chance on a 25-basis-point rate cut in December.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jobless Claims Below Expectations</h3>



Concurrently, unemployment claims rose by 217,000 in the week ending Nov. 9, down from the previous 221,000 and below estimates of 223,000.



Continuing claims fell to 1.873 million, down from 1.892 million and below the predicted 1.88 million.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>



Interest rate futures showed no major reactions following Thursday&#8217;s data releases, with speculators assigning a 77% chance of a 0.25% cut in December, as per CME FedWatch Tool. 



The higher-than-expected PPI report pushed Treasury yields slightly higher, with the 10-year yield reaching 4.48%. 



The dollar continued to hammer all other currencies, with the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) – as tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) – strengthening to levels last seen in October 2023. The greenback is also on track for a fifth straight session of gains. 



U.S. equity futures were mostly flat at 8:50 a.m. in New York. 



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41955977/trump-ignites-investor-optimism-for-growth-small-caps-us-dollar-bank-of-america-survey">Trump Ignites Investor Optimism For Growth, Small Caps, US Dollar: Bank Of America Survey</a></li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock.

Producer Inflation Rises More Than Expected In October: Should Traders Rethink Interest Rate Cut Path?

U.S. stocks could open on a tentative note on Thursday after the averages scaled record highs last week. Futures of all three major indices were slightly up as investors processed the crucial Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released on Wednesday.



After scaling a peak of 44,000 on Monday, Dow Jones and other major indices witnessed a minor pullback as investors maintained a cautious stance and booked profits.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>0.08%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.10%</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.13%</td></tr><tr><td>R2K</td><td>0.74%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



In premarket trading on Thursday,&nbsp;the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) edged up by 0.09% to $597.70 and the&nbsp;Invesco QQQ ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) gained 0.04% to $512.46, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro data</a>.



Cues From Last Session:



U.S. stocks ended Wednesday on a mixed note, with the Dow Jones and S&amp;P 500 closing the day in green, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq registered a decline.



Crude oil prices remained under the $70 mark but continued to edge up due to concerns about strained supply.



Treasury yields edged up again as investors wait for Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell's speech on the economic outlook.



On the economic data front, the U.S. annual inflation rate rose to 2.6% in October from 2.4% in the previous month, which is in line with market estimates. The CPI rose 0.2% month-over-month in October.



Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with consumer discretionary, energy, and real estate stocks recording the biggest gains on Wednesday.



However, information technology and communication services stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>-0.26%</td><td>19,230.73</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.02%</td><td>5,985.38</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.11%</td><td>43,958.19</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>-0.94%</td><td>2,369.37</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts:



Jeremy Schwartz, chief investment officer at WisdomTree, said that the CPI data was "even better than reported."



To explain this, he used more real-time data to note that the headline inflation fell from 2.6% to 1.3%.



"The Fed should continue recalibrating to neutral," said Schwartz.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">CPI news even better than reported! Using more real time metrics for shelter, headline inflation drops from 2.6% to 1.3% Core inflation drops from 3.3% to 1.76% Official BLS shelter 4.9% vs our Estimate of 1.3% The Fed should continue recalibrating to neutral! <a href="https://t.co/mexinRva6Z">pic.twitter.com/mexinRva6Z</a>&mdash; Jeremy Schwartz (@JeremyDSchwartz) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyDSchwartz/status/1856693738224955479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



CME Group's FedWatch tool <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">reflected</a> this positive sentiment for another rate cut next month, with its probability rising from 60% to 70%.



Sonu Varghese, Vice President at Carson Group, downplayed fears of a rebound in inflation, stating that there are "disinflationary trends" that will "likely keep a lid" on a rise in prices.



On the other hand, analysts at BlackRock Investment Institute <a href="https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/insights/blackrock-investment-institute/weekly-commentary">expressed</a> caution on inflation.



"We focus on U.S. CPI to see if inflation will keep falling toward the Fed's 2% target. Short-term inflation has been decreasing, with immigration boosting the labor supply and cooling wage growth. However, recent services PCE data remains sticky, indicating that inflation may settle above 2% in the medium term."



On the equity front, though, Varghese expressed a bullish outlook.



"Overall, economic strengths clearly outweigh areas of weakness, and the opportunities likely have a higher probability of coming to fruition than the threats. The balance favors continued strength for equities, which is why we're maintaining our overweight to stocks, especially US stocks."



WisdomTree and Wharton School economist&nbsp;Jeremy Siegel echoed similar sentiments.



"The ‘bull market' sentiment remains intact, though valuations remain a watch point," he said, adding that the expectations of "lighter regulations" from President-elect Donald Trump's administration would benefit equities.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How To Trade Futures</a>



Upcoming Economic Data



Thursday's economic calendar includes the release of additional inflation-related data.



<ul>
<li>Federal Reserve Gov. Adriana Kugler will speak at 7 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>Initial jobless claims data and Purchasing Power Index (PPI) will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will speak at 3 p.m. ET.</li>



<li>New York Fed President John Williams will speak at 4:15 p.m. ET.</li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul>
<li>Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) shares fell over 9% in premarket trading on Thursday after the company said it needs more time to file its quarterly report.</li>



<li>ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>) shares gained 3% in premarket trading after the company maintained its 2030 targets.</li>



<li>MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) and Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) shares continued to surge after Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) crossed the $90,000 mark.</li>



<li>Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>) shares fell over 4% after the company reported a fall in earnings on a year-on-year basis.</li>



<li>JD.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) shares fell over 4% after the company missed analyst expectations.</li>



<li>Investors are awaiting earnings results from The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAP#NYSE">AAP</a>), and Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>) today.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Bonds And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures surged in the early New York session, rising by 0.42% to hover around $68.72 per barrel.



The 10-year Treasury note yield edged up about to 4.457%.



Most of the major Asian markets ended in the red on Thursday, but European markets were in the green in early trading.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41964178/jim-cramer-says-these-10-frothy-stocks-are-up-over-200-ytd-including-rocket-lab-palantir-and-carvana-heres-what-he-suggests-investors-can-do-for-terrific-long-term-returns">Jim Cramer Says These 10 &#8216;Frothy&#8217; Stocks Are Up Over 200% YTD, Including Rocket Lab, Palantir, And Carvana</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Futures

Pre-Market Outlook

Trading Ideas

ASML

HOOD

MSTR

SMCI

US Futures Marginally Up As Investors Process Inflation Data Ahead Of Jerome Powell's Speech On Economy: Expert Says Fed Should 'Continue Recalibrating To Neutral' On Softer Inflation

Bitcoin continued to make records as supportive inflation numbers raised the market's expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+1.79%</td><td>$89,874.80</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-2.11%</td><td>$3,190.24</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+1.10%</td><td>$0.3925</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: The world's largest cryptocurrency sailed above $93,000 during U.S. trading hours Wednesday, before a sharp correction into the $89,000 zone.



Bitcoin's dominance rose to 60%, reflecting that investors were far more confident in it than other cryptocurrencies.



Ethereum also rallied to an intraday high of $3,366, later cooling down to $3,190, as investors began cashing out.



Nearly $850 million in derivatives contracts was erased in the last 24 hours, with leveraged longs accounting for 61% of the total.



Bitcoin's Open Interest (OI) rose 2.30% in the last 24 hours, signaling higher speculative interest.&nbsp;



Most top trader accounts on Binance were still positioned for Bitcoin's decline, as seen from the Long/Short Ratio indicator.



The "Extreme Greed" sentiment strengthened as the reading on the Cryptocurrency Fear and Greed Index rose from 84 to 88.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT)</td><td>+443.42%</td><td>$2.32</td></tr><tr><td>Pepe (PEPE)</td><td>+46.86%</td><td>$0.00002171</td></tr><tr><td>Floki (FLOKI)</td><td>+30.28%</td><td>$0.0000024</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.98 trillion, following an increase of 1.32% in the last 24 hours.



Stocks ticked slightly higher on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 47.21 points, or 0.11%, to close at 43,958.19. The S&amp;P 500 gained 0.02% to end at 5,985.38. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite registered the second straight day of decline, closing down 0.26% at 19,230.72.



Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose from 2.4% in September to 2.6% in October, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/41938762/october-inflation-rate-rises-to-2-6-as-expected-december-interest-rate-cut-remains-uncertain">in line with economist predictions</a>. Investors raised the odds of a 25 basis-point cut at next month's FOMC meeting to 82% from 58% a day before, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">data </a>from the CME FedWatch tool showed.&nbsp;



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: In a note to Benzinga, Chris Kline, COO and Co-Founder of BitcoinIRA, said that Bitcoin was likely to witness heightened volatility on the road to $100,000.



"This is not an unexpected phenomenon, as the market often experiences corrections and fluctuations as it navigates uncharted territory," Kline added.



He also backed Bitcoin's appeal as a wealth preservation asset, predicting that it would catch up given the higher chance of another interest rate cut next month.



Influential cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez spotted a cup-and-handle pattern for Bitcoin, widely considered a bullish signal in technical analysis.



Martinez set a price target of $255,000 for the leading cryptocurrency.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> price action is following a cup-and-handle pattern, the bullish target could reach $255,000! <a href="https://t.co/EMuA0QAPKA">pic.twitter.com/EMuA0QAPKA</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1856710863023190231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41959476/fbi-raids-polymarket-ceo-over-crypto-betting-platforms-us-activities-he-fires-back-in-the-face-of-adversity-we-build">FBI Raids Polymarket CEO Over Crypto Betting Platform&#8217;s US Activities — He Fires Back: &#8216;In The Face Of Adversity, We Build&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

$DOGE

Bitcoin Flirts With $100K, Dogecoin Edges Higher, Ethereum Dips As CPI Numbers Fuel Rate Cut Hopes: Analyst Says BTC Could See Over 180% Upside Due To This Bullish Pattern

On Wednesday, November 13th, U.S. markets ended mixed. The Dow and S&amp;P 500 edged higher while the Nasdaq dipped. October CPI data met expectations, supporting bets on a December Fed rate cut. Core CPI rose 0.3%. Consumer discretionary stocks gained, driven by optimism over potential rate cuts.



According to economic data, the annual U.S. inflation rate increased to 2.6% in October, up from 2.4% in September, matching market expectations. The consumer price index (CPI) climbed 0.2% on a monthly basis in October.



Consumer discretionary, energy and real estate led S&amp;P 500 gains Wednesday, while tech and communication services stocks declined.



The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.11% and closed at 43,958.19, the S&amp;P 500 rose 0.02% to 5,985.38, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.26% to finish at 19,230.72.



Asia Markets Today



<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.61% and ended the session at 38,504.00, led by losses in the Precision Instruments, Automobiles &amp; Parts, and Power sectors.</li>



<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.37% and ended the day at 8,224.00, led by gains in the IT, Financials and Consumer Discretionary sectors.</li>



<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 traded lower by 0.02% at 23,555.50, and Nifty 500 was up 0.30% at 21,981.65, led by losses in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Public Sector Undertakings sectors.</li>



<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite declined 1.73% to close at 3,379.84, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 1.73%, finishing the day at 4,039.62.</li>



<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng slipped 1.96% and closed the session at 19,435.81.</li>
</ul>



Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET



<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was up 1.27%.</li>



<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 1.27%.</li>



<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.86%.</li>



<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.20%.</li>
</ul>



Commodities at 05:30 AM ET



<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.18% at $68.55/bbl, and Brent was up 0.19% at $72.44/bbl.</li>



<li>Oil prices steadied as a strong U.S. dollar and rising U.S. Treasury yields pressured the market.</li>



<li>Natural Gas declined 1.24% to $2.946.</li>



<li>Gold was trading lower by 1.43% at $2,549.60, Silver declined 2.42% to $29.922, and Copper slipped 1.83% to $4.0088.</li>



<li>Gold fell to a two-month low as a stronger dollar and sticky U.S. inflation data weighed on prices. Copper hit a three-month low on weak Chinese stimulus and tariff concerns.</li>
</ul>



U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET



Dow futures increased 0.13%, S&amp;P 500 futures up 0.10% and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.08%.



Forex at 05:30 AM ET



<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.52% to 107.03, the USD/JPY rose 0.45% to 156.16, and the USD/AUD rose 0.40% to 1.5481.</li>



<li>The U.S. dollar reached a one-year high, driven by inflation data and Trump&#8217;s election win. Yen neared intervention levels as USD/JPY surged.</li>
</ul>



Image Via Shutterstock

Asia

Emerging Markets

Eurozone

Forex

ADIV

AGOV

ASHR

BBEU

CQQQ

EEMA

FLAX

IEMG

IEUR

KDIV

SPEM

USDU

Dollar Hits One-Year High; China Falls, Gold Hits Two-Month Low - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Wednesday, the Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made substantial trades in Rocket Lab USA Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>), Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Archer Aviation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>).



The Rocket Lab USA Inc Trade



Ark Invest sold 479,628 shares in Rocket Lab USA. The trades were made through ARK Autonomous Technology &amp; Robotics ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKQ#BATS">ARKQ</a>) and ARK Space Exploration &amp; Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKX#BATS">ARKX</a>) and were valued at almost $9 million. On Wednesday, Rocket Lab shares shot up over 28% to $18.83.



This sale came after Rocket Lab reported better-than-expected financial results for the third quarter and announced a multi-launch agreement with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/contracts/24/11/41941068/rocket-lab-stock-is-blasting-off-wednesday-whats-going-on">confidential customer</a>. The company was also awarded a defense contract worth up to $8 million. Rocket Lab&#8217;s shares surged after it reported revenue of $104.81 million, beating the consensus estimate of $102.28 million. The company also reported a loss of 10 cents per share, which was less than the expected loss of 11 cents per share. Rocket Lab expects fourth-quarter revenue in the range of $125 million to $135 million and plans to end the year with more Electron launches. The company has already set an annual launch record with 12 Electron launches to date. 



The Amazon.com Trade



Ark Invest also purchased Amazon.com shares. Those transactions were made through ARKQ and ARKX and were valued at $956,812. On Wednesday, Amazon shares ended the day 2.48% higher at $214.10.



Amazon&#8217;s stock rose after the company launched an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41949051/whats-going-on-with-amazon-stock-wednesday-2">online storefront</a> called &#8220;Haul,&#8221; designed to compete with Temu. The storefront offers low-cost shopping, with products priced to compete with heavily discounted Chinese products from competitors like Temu and Shein. Chinese e-commerce platforms have built loyal user bases by offering steep discounts on merchandise. Amazon began talking with China-based sellers about offering a similar service earlier this year. 



The Archer Aviation Trade



Archer Aviation was another significant trade made by Ark Invest. The firm purchased 57,395 shares of the company for $245,650. The trades were made through ARKQ and ARKX. Archer Aviation shares closed Wednesday 8.15% lower at $4.28.



Archer Aviation, a frontrunner in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft sector, has seen its stock price soar after signing a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/41897968/archer-aviation-taking-off-in-tokyo-and-beyond">major deal</a> with a Japanese aviation giant and reporting solid earnings for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. Archer Aviation&#8217;s strategic alliance with Soracle, a joint venture between Japan Airlines (JAL) and Sumitomo Corporation, has electrified the eVTOL market. Soracle has obtained the right to purchase up to 100 of Archer&#8217;s Midnight aircraft, with a potential value reaching $500 million. This agreement marks a significant financial boost for Archer and a calculated entry into a market ripe for urban air mobility disruption. 



Importantly, Ark also purchased 55,770 shares of Joby Aviation Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JOBY#NYSE">JOBY</a>). Joby is also an eVTOL company. The transaction amounted to $329,043.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41931993/dogecoin-tumbles-despite-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamys-doge-appointment-this-is-what-indicators-tell-about-its-next-moves?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin Tumbles Despite Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy&#8217;s &#8216;DOGE&#8217; Appointment: This Is What Indicators Tell About Its Next Moves</a>



Other Key Trades: 



<ul>
<li>Ark purchased 1,000 shares of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) through ARKX. The transaction was valued at $139,300.</li>



<li>The Wood-led firm purchased shares of Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM), L3Harris Technologies Inc. (LHX), and Schrodinger Inc. (SDGR).</li>



<li>Ark Sold shares of Repare Therapeutics Inc. (SNTI) and Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. (ADPT) along with Exact Sciences Corp. (EXAS).</li>
</ul>



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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

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Cathie Wood Cashes Out On Rocket Lab's 28% Surge in $9M Share Sale But Expands Bet On Flying Cars

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) anticipated the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) department to yield &#8220;good results&#8221; but warned that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would have their work cut out.



What happened: During a podcast with Ben Ferguson, Cruz said he was upbeat about Musk&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41931503/trump-forms-doge-with-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-at-the-helm-will-it-impact-tesla-ceos-role-at-the-ev-giant-and-spacex">new role </a>in the administration but emphasized the fundamental differences between working for a private company and a government department.



Cruz said he had a phone conversation with Musk and urged the tech tycoon to read the book &#8220;Bureaucracy&#8221; by Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises, who argued why private players may find it difficult to administer a government agency.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I am excited to see Elon Musk use DOGE to make our government more efficient.<a href="https://twitter.com/benfergusonshow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@benfergusonshow</a> and I break down the Department of Government Efficiency on Verdict &#x1f447;<a href="https://t.co/Et7wlOPL3D">https://t.co/Et7wlOPL3D</a> <a href="https://t.co/hknpqqjQ0X">pic.twitter.com/hknpqqjQ0X</a>&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1856834428770848833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The senator emphasized that the incentives in the government department were opposite to the profit motive seen in private companies.



Cruz added he asked Musk to take note of the fact that unlike private institutions, one cannot fire government employees because of civil service protections in place.



"I pointed out to Elon. Look, when you went into Twitter, you fired 60% of the employees. That's the flexibility you have."



On the DOGE connection, Cruz said that the nomenclature was not accidental as everyone knows that Musk is a vocal supporter of Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>).



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41873427/shiba-inu-lead-developer-shytoshi-kusama-pitches-s-h-i-b-in-response-to-elon-musks-call-for-new-roles-recommendations-in-trump-administration">Shiba Inu Lead Developer Shytoshi Kusama Pitches S.H.I.B In Response To Elon Musk&#8217;s Call For New Roles Recommendations In Trump Administration</a>



Why It Matters: Cruz and Musk have a friendly relationship, and the senator <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/33691352/ted-cruz-visits-elon-musks-spacex-says-maintaining-american-leadership-in-space-is-critical">previously lauded</a> the SpaceX CEO for maintaining the U.S.&#8217;s leadership in space technology.



A known cryptocurrency advocate, Cruz has invested in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and believes in the upside potential of the leading digital asset.



Price Action: At the time of writing, DOGE was exchanging hands at $0.3853, up 0.92% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 



Photo by Consolidated News Photos on Shutterstock



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Ted Cruz Says Running DOGE Won't Be A Cake Walk, Offers Reading Advice To Elon Musk

All eyes will be on streaming subscribers, profitability and how the success of the &#8220;Deadpool &amp; Wolverine&#8221; movie translated into The Walt Disney Company&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) quarterly results when the company reports earnings Thursday.



Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect the media conglomerate to report fourth-quarter revenue of $22.35 billion on Thursday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings">before the market open.</a> That&#8217;s up from $21.24 billion in last year's fourth quarter, according to data<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent111324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> from Benzinga Pro.</a>



Disney beat analyst estimates for revenue in the last quarter, but has missed estimates in four of the last five quarters and five of the last 10 quarters overall.



Analysts expect the company to report fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.10, up from 82 cents per share in last year's fourth quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in five straight quarters.



In the last 10 quarters, Disney has beaten analyst estimates eight times, met estimates once and missed estimates only once.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/11/41940984/disney-bulls-await-earnings-for-streaming-growth-bob-iger-successor-clues">Disney Bulls Await Earnings For Streaming Growth, Bob Iger Successor Clues</a>



What Analysts Say: Strong streaming subscriber growth and box office strength are two areas Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Ng is watching for when Disney reports Thursday.



Ng, who has a buy rating on Disney lowered the price target from $124 to $120<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/41034366/disney-stock-could-benefit-from-box-office-strength-streaming-analyst-says-dtc-set-for-cont"> in September</a> before raising the price target back up to $125 later in October.



In September, Ng said the streaming and movie strength could offset weakness in Experiences and linear.



&#8220;The subscriber momentum and recent price increases should put Direct-to-Consumer on track for continued revenue and profit growth,&#8221; Ng said.



The analyst highlighted Disney+ bundles, promotional offers and the streaming premiere of &#8220;Inside Out 2&#8221; on the platform on Sept. 25 as catalysts that could increase subscribers. &#8220;Inside Out 2," the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/06/39464286/disney-shareholders-could-experience-joy-as-inside-out-2-crushes-box-office-nears-1b-milest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highest grossing animated film</a>&nbsp;of all time, will help the box office segment, the analyst added.



Ng forecasts Disney adding 3.5 million net core Disney+ subscribers in the quarter compared to consensus estimates of 1.8 million.



In October, Ng's investor note highlighted the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41550308/disney-family-vacations-getting-more-expensive-with-lightning-lane-analyst-sees-220"> future revenue potential</a> of Disney's Lightning Lane Premiere Pass at theme parks. The analyst said the pass could add $220 million to $230 million in annual revenue beginning in 2025.



Disney's streaming segment was one of the key highlights from Needham analyst Laura Martin in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/41052867/disneys-streaming-surge-epic-games-deal-among-key-growth-drivers-says-analyst">a September note </a>on Disney.



The analyst reiterated a Buy rating and $110 price target at the time.



Martin said Disney's direct-to-consumer segment could breakeven in fiscal 2024 and have "double-digit" margins at maturity.



The analyst also said Disney could see 5.5 million to 6 million new subscribers from a partnership with Charter Communications beginning in the second half of fiscal 2024.



Key Items to Watch: Disney's fourth-quarter financial results will likely see its streaming and movie segments as the most watched by analysts and investors.



Disney reported 118.3 million Disney+ core subscribers in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40218880/disneys-q3-earnings-revenue-and-eps-beat-streaming-business-turns-profitable-strong-espn-revenue-bo">the third quarter.</a>



The company's combined streaming businesses of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ posted its first quarterly profit in the third quarter, which came ahead of expectations. The company expects both its Entertainment DTC and ESPN+ segments to be profitable in the fourth quarter, which comes as the Entertainment DTC was still slightly negative in the third quarter.



"Deadpool &amp; Wolverine" is the second-highest-grossing film domestically in <a href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2024/?ref_=bo_yl_table_1">2024 </a>with $636.7 million at the box office. Since July, the film has grossed $1.34 billion worldwide and could help power Disney's film segment in the fourth fiscal quarter.



"Inside Out 2&#8243; will also likely factor into fourth-quarter results. The film premiered in June and grossed $183.5 million of its $653 million domestic total in the quarter. For the <a href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/quarter/q3/2024/?grossesOption=calendarGrosses">quarter</a>, Disney had two of the top five grossing domestic films.



"Alien: Romulus" could also factor into the results. The August release grossed $105.3 million domestically and $350.9 million worldwide.



Disney's earnings report comes days after "Deadpool &amp; Wolverine" premiered on Disney+ (Nov. 12) and investors could get an early readout on whether the release was widely watched and boosted subscribers for the future quarter.



Other items investors and analysts will likely be watching include the health of the theme park division, an update on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/24/11/41917113/who-will-succeed-disney-ceo-bog-iger">CEO succession search</a> and an update on the company's investment in Epic Games and future games being developed.



Price Action: Disney stock is up 1% to $102.26 on Thursday versus a 52-week trading range of $83.91 to $123.74. Disney stock is up 12.7% year-to-date in 2024.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/22/11/29811369/mickey-mouse-magic-if-you-invested-1000-in-disney-stock-during-bob-igers-first-rein-as-ce-1">If You Invested $1000 In Disney Stock During Bob Iger&#8217;s First Rein As CEO, Here&#8217;s How Much You Made</a></li>
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Image: Disney/Marvel

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Disney Q4 Earnings Preview: Disney+ Profitability, Deadpool Box Office Success Top Items To Watch

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