In January, the real estate market faced a daunting challenge as pending home sales took a significant hit, retreating by 4.6% from the previous month, marking the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors (NAR) began monitoring these statistics in 2001. This downturn is characterized by a 5.2% decline compared to January of the
In a significant shift that has sent ripples throughout the journalism community, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post, announced that the newspaper’s opinion pages will now be exclusively dedicated to promoting “personal liberties and free markets.” This declaration, made in an email to Post staff shared on X (formerly
Recent trends in the municipal bond market reveal a complex interplay between interest rates, taxation, and infrastructure needs. As the U.S. Treasury yields continue to decline, municipal bonds exhibit a slight upward trend in certain areas. Municipal Market Data reports highlighted that the two-year ratio of municipal bonds to U.S. Treasuries was at 63%, indicating
Analysts are expressing increasing optimism regarding Alibaba’s financial future, largely fueled by the unfolding advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Bernstein recently updated its assessment of Alibaba by elevating its rating from “market perform” to “outperform,” alongside adjusting the price target significantly higher by $61, bringing it to $165. This revision suggests a possible upside of
The recent passage of a budget resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives has set the stage for a significant tax reform initiative, closely watched by stakeholders in the municipal market. Emphasizing a commitment to President Trump’s “America First” agenda, House Speaker Mike Johnson heralded this resolution as a transformative step, albeit one fraught with
In a surprising turn of events, mortgage interest rates recently witnessed a decline, reaching their lowest levels in two months. Despite this positive shift, the response from mortgage demand has been tepid at best. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume dropped by 1.2% compared to the previous week, indicating a dissonance
In the face of an increasingly competitive and unpredictable automotive market, General Motors (GM) is taking robust steps to maintain investor confidence and enhance share value. Recently, the company announced a significant increase in its quarterly dividend and launched a substantial share repurchase program aimed at rewarding shareholders while navigating the complexities of slowing sales
As the legislative landscape within the United States continues to evolve, the fate of tax-exempt municipal bonds has emerged as a crucial battleground for lawmakers and stakeholders alike. With ongoing discussions around budget resolutions and the impending debt ceiling debate, it is imperative that the implications of altering the tax-exempt status of these bonds are
Eli Lilly is making headlines this week by introducing higher doses of its popular weight loss drug, Zepbound, in single-dose vials at significantly lower prices. This move is particularly aimed at making the medication accessible to patients without insurance coverage— a crucial step, especially for those enrolled in Medicare. The company’s proactive strategy comes in
Despite prevailing themes of market overvaluation, the latest quarterly survey from Charles Schwab indicates a notable surge in bullish sentiment among active traders. The survey involved 1,040 participants and highlighted an optimistic disposition that seems to contradict the broader economic sentiment. With bulls outnumbering bears at 51% to 34%, it’s clear that many believe the