Skip to main content

Featured

Iran Rejects Nuclear Talks with U.S. Following Israeli Strikes

Iran has declared negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program "meaningless" after Israel launched its largest-ever military strike against Iranian targets. Tehran accused Washington of enabling the attack, stating that the U.S. cannot claim to seek diplomacy while allowing Israel to target Iranian territory. The sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks was scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday, but the recent escalation has cast doubt on whether the discussions will proceed. Iran maintains that its uranium enrichment program is solely for civilian purposes, rejecting Israeli claims that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons. The U.S. has denied any involvement in Israel’s actions and urged Iran to continue negotiations. However, Iranian officials insist that Israel’s influence over the diplomatic process has undermined any potential for meaningful dialogue. With tensions rising, the future of nuclear diplomacy between Iran and the U.S. remains uncertain...

article

Dow Jones Industrial Average Closes at Second-Straight Record High as Big Tech Kicks Off Earnings

 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed at a second-straight record high on Tuesday, as quarterly earnings from big tech companies were released and economic data showing ongoing labor market strength was digested. The Federal Reserve also kicked off its two-day meeting on Tuesday.

Microsoft, Alphabet, and AMD kicked off the earnings season for big tech with better-than-expected quarterly earnings. The trio’s earnings come just ahead of earnings from Amazon, Apple, and Meta due later this week. Collectively, the market capitalization of Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta accounted for the bulk of S&P 500’s 24% gain in 2023.

In other tech news, Super Micro Computer rose more than 3% after the data center hardware maker reported second-quarter results that topped Wall Street estimates amid a boost from artificial intelligence-led demand.

General Motors’ stock rose nearly 7% after the auto giant provided investors with an upbeat outlook for 2024 and signaled more capital could be returned to shareholders.

The U.S. Labor Department’s latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, a measure of labor demand, showed job openings in December climbed to 9.03 million, above economists’ estimates of 8.75 million. The ongoing signs of labor market strength arrived on the heels of data showing consumer confidence jumped to a 2-year high. The duo of reports, signaling economic strength, pushed 2-year Treasury yields higher, as investors bet that the data will likely encourage the Fed to maintain its higher-for-longer rate regime as the central bank kicked off its two-day meeting.


Comments