Reported 3 months ago
Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.71 per share to be paid in early June, following a strong first quarter of 2025 where the company reported an 11.8% revenue growth and solid core operating profits. The dividend reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value, with a history of annual increases and a current yield of 1.92%. The brands under Yum!, including KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, continue to perform well, contributing to positive sales growth and expansion.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Capital One has reached a settlement of $425 million to resolve allegations that it misled savings account depositors regarding interest rates. The bank allegedly failed to inform customers of higher rates available in its 360 Performance Savings accounts, while maintaining lower interest rates for its 360 Savings accounts. The settlement, pending judicial approval, will compensate affected depositors from September 2019 onwards, with a total payout of $300 million for missed interest and an additional $125 million for current account holders.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
In recent home equity news, HELOC rates have surged above 8%, though home equity loans remain steady. The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan also ticked up to 6.88%. This increase in HELOC balances suggests homeowners are increasingly leveraging their home equity, while multigenerational living arrangements are on the rise in the U.S. Many financial experts discuss the timing and methods for accessing home equity, emphasizing that it may be more beneficial to borrow now than in previous years.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board has divested its entire $321.5 million stake in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), as revealed in a recent SEC filing. This decision, made just before escalating international trade tensions, comes only months after the fund had embraced Bitcoin exposure. The exit was timely, as the subsequent trade policies led to significant market volatility and a drop in Bitcoin prices. Despite the withdrawal from IBIT, the fund still retains a smaller investment in cryptocurrency through shares of Strategy (MSTR).
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) agrees with Moody's assessment regarding the U.S. government's rising debt and the proposed tax bill, discussing its potential lack of support from Congress members and President Trump's anticipated positive impact. He shares these insights during a conversation on Bloomberg's 'Balance of Power.'
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Source: BARRONS
Reported 3 months ago
Moody's has downgraded the U.S. credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, marking the nation's absence of a top rating among major agencies. The agency attributes this decision to rising federal debt and interest payments significantly exceeding those of similarly rated countries. It highlights a lack of bipartisan efforts to address fiscal deficits, suggesting that continued high borrowing costs may result from this downgrade. While the outlook is now stable, the potential implications include increased costs for consumers borrowing money.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Moody's Ratings has downgraded the United States' debt, stripping it of its last AAA credit rating, which it held since 1917. This downgrade, influenced by rising government debt and interest payments, could lead to increased borrowing costs for Americans already facing economic challenges. While the outlook remains stable, concerns loom over the nation's increasing deficit and political instability, which have contributed to past downgrades by other agencies.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Moody's has downgraded the U.S. credit rating from AAA to Aa1, meaning federal debt no longer holds a top grade at any major credit agency. The downgrade reflects rising government debt levels and increasing interest payments compared to similarly rated countries. This situation comes amid ongoing fiscal challenges with proposals that may add to the deficit, and a growing concern over the U.S. fiscal performance relative to its history and other nations.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
U.S. stocks experienced gains on Friday, with the S&P 500 reaching a five-day winning streak and the Nasdaq rising over 7% for the week, driven by easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Despite a decline in consumer confidence, optimism surrounding trade deals and a potential tax bill from President Trump contributed to the positive market sentiment. However, worries about inflation and tariff impacts remain prevalent.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Klaus-Michael Kuehne, a major investor in Lufthansa, has urged the airline's management to take a firmer approach in dealing with labor unions amid ongoing wage negotiations and operational challenges. He emphasized the need for the company to enhance its performance, especially as it competes in the lucrative transatlantic market. Despite a modest rise in share prices, Kuehne pointed out structural issues and the impact of union resistance on management effectiveness.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
US stocks fell and Treasury yields rose following Moody's downgrade of the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, driven by increasing government debt and interest burdens. Wall Street analysts expressed concern over potential market impacts, with many perceiving this as a signal for caution amidst ongoing fiscal uncertainties and trade tensions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
The White House criticized Moody's Ratings for downgrading the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, deeming the decision politically motivated and influenced by economist Mark Zandi's criticisms of the Trump administration. Moody's cited rising federal debt and fiscal deficits as reasons for the downgrade, which casts doubt on the US's status as a top borrower. Former officials questioned the timing and assumptions behind Moody's decision as lawmakers push for a tax package that could further increase deficits.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
In a recent Fox News interview, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to visit China to discuss foreign policy and economic relations with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, emphasizing the importance of U.S.-China relations. He indicated a desire to communicate after a temporary truce was negotiated in the ongoing trade war, where tariffs were reduced on both sides. Despite this openness to dialogue, Trump framed his recent trips to Middle Eastern countries as efforts to keep them from falling under China's influence.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Next week, major retailers like Target, Lowe's, and Home Depot will report their earnings, while several Federal Reserve officials are set to provide insights on monetary policy amid ongoing tariff inflation concerns. Additionally, the housing market will see fresh sales data, with expectations for existing home sales to rise and new home sales to decline. Investors are keen to gauge the market reactions and implications of these updates.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
As U.S. companies hurry to stockpile key metals before upcoming tariffs, prices for copper, steel, and battery metals like lithium and cobalt have fluctuated significantly. Recent trading has shown copper prices dropping after an initial surge due to fears of import restrictions, while lithium faces downward pressure from oversupply. Tariffs proposed by the 2024 Trump campaign could further complicate metal markets, prompting concerns over short-term volatility in U.S. metal prices.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
An auto loan is a type of installment loan that allows you to borrow money to purchase a vehicle without paying cash upfront. You repay the loan in fixed monthly payments over a set term, including principal and interest. It's crucial to compare options from dealerships, banks, credit unions, and online lenders to secure favorable loan terms based on your credit score and financial situation to avoid high-interest rates. Understanding key components such as the interest rate, APR, down payment, and loan term can help you make an informed decision and potentially save you money.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Alphabet's shares climbed over 1% after CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the company's focus on artificial intelligence during a podcast, stating that their AI platform, Gemini, is integrated into Google search. This news outperformed the S&P 500 index and reassured investors of Alphabet's competitiveness in the evolving AI landscape.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
The S&P 500 rose for the fourth consecutive day, causing significant inflows into various ETFs, particularly the Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF, which attracted $1.2 billion, raising its assets to nearly $80.3 billion. Other Vanguard funds also saw substantial gains, while commodities ETFs faced outflows. Overall, the ETF market experienced a net inflow of $6.6 billion.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
The United States has lost its top credit rating for the first time, dropping to Aa1 from Aaa due to concerns over rising debt levels and the impact of President Trump's proposed tax cuts. Moody's cited the U.S. government's increasing debt and interest ratios as reasons for the downgrade, which adds pressure to the nation's fiscal stability. Additionally, Trump's tax proposals could worsen the budget deficit significantly over the next decade, leading to higher borrowing costs and risking further downgrades.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Iovance Biotherapeutics experienced a nearly 6% drop in its stock value following an analyst downgrade from UBS's David Dai, who revised his recommendation from 'buy' to 'neutral' and lowered his price target from $17 to $2. The downgrade came after the company's recent quarterly earnings report, which revealed disappointing sales for its advanced melanoma drug, Amtagvi, and raised concerns over patient selection and commercialization pace.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
Moody's downgraded the United States' credit rating from Aaa to Aa1 due to escalating debt levels and higher interest costs compared to similar countries. This decision arrives amidst political gridlock in Congress over President Trump's proposed tax cuts, which could significantly increase the national debt. Financial experts warn this downgrade reflects a concerning outlook on U.S. fiscal policies and potential long-term consequences for borrowing costs.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 3 months ago
The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked President Trump's attempt to expedite the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the Aliens Enemies Act. Bloomberg's Sara Forden discusses the implications of this ruling, which centers on due process, in her conversation with Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu on 'Balance of Power.'
Source: YAHOO