As Wall Street wraps up a strong first half, investors are reflecting on the market’s performance thus far. The S & P 500 has seen gains of roughly 15% in 2024, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 5% and the Nasdaq Composite leading the pack with a 20% gain. The rise of artificial intelligence
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The Asian currency market saw most currencies keeping within a tight range on Friday as the dollar maintained near two-month highs. The strength of the dollar has caused the Japanese yen to weaken further beyond levels that were initially thought to trigger government intervention. Despite mixed inflation data and repeated warnings from the Japanese government,
The municipal bond market saw minimal changes on Thursday as the largest deals were priced, leading to a somewhat stagnant situation. U.S. Treasury yields experienced a decrease, while equities showed an uptick towards the end of the day. According to Refinitiv Municipal Market Data and ICE Data Services, the muni-to-Treasury ratios ranged from 66% to
The current landscape of Wall Street deals is showing signs of a comeback, with completed mergers and acquisitions up 16% in the second quarter compared to the previous year. This promising trend is expected to benefit a variety of asset managers, banks, and advisors, according to analyst Andrei Stadnik. The recent financials conference hosted by
Investing in municipal bonds can be a lucrative way for investors to earn tax-advantaged income. These bonds offer income that is free from federal taxes, making them an attractive option for wealthier individuals. In addition, investors who reside in the state where the bond is issued may also avoid state taxes, further increasing their potential
Morgan Stanley, a major player in the financial industry, is making significant strides in the adoption of artificial intelligence. The introduction of their new AI assistant, Debrief, is set to revolutionize the way financial advisors operate. By automating tasks that would typically require hours of manual labor, Debrief is expected to enhance the efficiency and
In a recent report, BTIG has revised its price target for crypto miner Core Scientific Inc (NASDAQ:CORZ) from $10 to $15. This decision was based on the company’s new data center contracts and the promising growth potential in the Bitcoin mining sector. The BTIG BTC mining basket, which consists of 14 companies, currently has an
The yen has plummeted to its lowest level against the dollar since 1986, raising concerns in currency markets about potential intervention from Japanese authorities. The U.S. dollar reached a level of 160.39 yen, highlighting the significant interest rate gap between the two countries that continues to weigh on Japan’s currency. Despite the efforts of the
As investors seek opportunities to maximize their returns, special dividends have emerged as a compelling option. These one-time payments made by companies outside of their regular dividend cycle not only provide unexpected income to shareholders but also often lead to higher share prices in the market. According to Todd Castagno, a strategist at Morgan Stanley,
The housing market in the United States is facing numerous challenges that are likely to impede any significant recovery in the coming years. Bank of America economists have painted a rather bleak picture of the sector, citing various factors that are contributing to the current stagnation. Despite a surge in housing activity during the pandemic,