Reported 5 months ago
The dollar declined against most major currencies on Friday as traders took profits after recent gains, but it remained poised for further advancement due to strong U.S. economic data reducing expectations of interest rate cuts. Data showed a rebound in U.S. business activity and increased spending on equipment, while Fed minutes indicated a debate among policymakers regarding inflation. Despite a slight retreat, the dollar's near-term outlook was positive, with the euro up and the pound rising due to sticky inflation and the UK general election announcement. In the cryptocurrency market, ether remained stable after SEC approvals for ETFs tied to its price.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The article reports that Nomura Holdings Inc. increased pay for its top executives by 150% in the last fiscal year, totaling 4.46 billion yen, as the firm's profit rebounded due to strong domestic markets. CEO Kentaro Okuda and Christopher Willcox, in charge of investment banking and trading, were among those receiving the increased compensation, including stock awards, cash bonuses, and base salaries. This rise in executive pay reflects Nomura's improved performance after overcoming setbacks in recent years, with a focus on diversifying income streams and strengthening risk controls following a significant loss in 2021. The firm's profitability has been supported by Japan's economic recovery, particularly in investment banking and retail brokerage, amid a domestic stock market rally and increased dealmaking activity.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has issued a record $4.5 billion in convertible bonds, marking the largest dollar-denominated sale by an Asian company. The funds raised will be used for share buybacks and investments in areas like artificial intelligence. The notes, due in 2031, were priced with a coupon of 0.5% and a conversion premium of 30%, with strong demand from investors. Alibaba is taking advantage of low financing costs and its stock rally to raise capital, aiming to invest in core businesses and cloud services while signaling that its shares are undervalued. The move allows the company to start executing a share buyback immediately, benefiting shareholders by reducing dilution.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Oil prices rose about 1% on Friday but fell for the week due to concerns that strong U.S. economic data could lead to prolonged high interest rates, dampening fuel demand. Brent crude July contract closed at $82.12 a barrel, with the more-active August contract at $81.84, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate settled at $77.72. The market is monitoring the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy and the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on June 2 to discuss extending oil output cuts.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Justin Fields, who recently joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, has reverted to his natural footwork in the shotgun formation, undoing the changes made by the Chicago Bears in his second year with the team. Initially used to placing his right foot forward, Fields was taught to place his left foot forward similar to Aaron Rodgers by the Bears, but now he has returned to his original style. This adjustment is part of Fields' efforts to reclaim his starting position, despite currently serving as the backup to Russell Wilson on the Steelers. He is determined to compete for playing time and is focused on giving his best every day.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Micron Technology has been ordered by a U.S. jury to pay $445 million in damages to Netlist for infringing on Netlist's patents related to memory-module technology for high-performance computing. The jury found that Micron willfully violated two Netlist patents, which could potentially lead to the damages being tripled. Micron, based in Boise, Idaho, has seen its stock price rise this year due to the demand for its chips in artificial intelligence technology. Netlist attorney Jason Sheasby expressed gratitude for the jury's recognition of Netlist's innovation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
During the filming of the movie "Furiosa," director George Miller admitted to sometimes confusing Anya Taylor-Joy with her stunt double, Hayley, as Taylor-Joy did more of her own stunts than even he realized. One scene where Taylor-Joy had to climb into the front seat of a war rig through its smashed windscreen made Miller aware of her dedication. Taylor-Joy shared that she fought for a particular intense scream in the film for three months, highlighting her advocacy for portraying female rage. "Furiosa" premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and will be released in theaters on May 31.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Japan's inflation has cooled for a second consecutive month but remains above the Bank of Japan's target, with consumer prices excluding fresh food rising by 2.2% in April. The yen's recent depreciation has raised concerns about cost-push inflationary pressures. The BOJ is waiting for wage gains to kick in, as the biggest umbrella group for unions secured pledges for wage increases exceeding 5% from large companies. Despite the inflation data, the BOJ is expected to continue rolling back its easy policy settings and is hopeful that wage gains will stimulate spending and prices.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The Sohn Hong Kong Investment Leaders Conference featured discussions on opportunities in Japanese and South Korean companies, as well as mining giant Rio Tinto Group. Hedge funds highlighted potential investments in companies like Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. in Japan and Samsung Electronics Co. in South Korea, focusing on issues like governance, shareholder value, and market trends like AI adoption. Additionally, proposals were made to revamp Rio Tinto's corporate structure and invest in Ecuador's sovereign bonds.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Former UFC standout Paige VanZant faced off with fellow OnlyFans creator Elle Brooke at the MF & DAZN: X Series 15 press conference ahead of their boxing match scheduled for Saturday. VanZant will be making her boxing debut against Brooke, the Misfits Boxing women’s middleweight champion. This fight marks VanZant's return to the ring since her 2021 loss to Rachael Ostovich, as she took a break to focus on her OnlyFans page, which has been more lucrative for her than her UFC career. Brooke, on the other hand, transitioned from adult film and OnlyFans content creation to influencer boxing and holds a 4-1 record since her debut in July 2022.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Usher will perform his classic album "Confessions" during a special one-night-only performance at the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, presented by Coca-Cola. The festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary under the theme of "We Love Us," will also feature performances by Janet Jackson, Birdman & Friends, Victoria Monét, and Charlie Wilson, among others. Tribute acts, DJ sets, and a variety of curated performances will round out the star-studded lineup, with the festival aiming to continue its legacy of celebrating Black culture and joy.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The NCAA and five major conferences have agreed to pay players as part of a massive antitrust settlement totaling over $2.7 billion, allowing Division I athletes from 2016 onward to receive compensation. This landmark decision stems from lawsuits challenging the NCAA's control over labor costs and the exploitation of players under the guise of amateurism. The settlement also includes a revenue-sharing plan for schools to allocate up to $20 million per year to players, with implementation expected to begin in 2025 pending formal approval.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
In a recent episode of "Hacks," Deborah Vance reluctantly invites her estranged sister Kathy to a lavish Christmas party, leading to drama and tension between the two. Jean Smart, who plays Deborah, suggests that her character is beginning to tire of holding onto anger and bitterness, realizing it's not serving her well. The episode hints at potential growth and reconciliation between the sisters, leaving the door open for future developments.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a CNN correspondent and neurosurgeon, is focusing on optimizing his brain health to reduce his risk of Alzheimer's disease. Following assessments with a neurologist, Gupta has made lifestyle changes to improve his brain health, including transitioning to a primarily vegan diet, incorporating weighted rucksack walks, monitoring blood sugar spikes, using toe spacers, and taking supplements like fish oil to balance fatty acid levels. These simple adjustments aim to reduce inflammation, promote insulin sensitivity, and enhance brain health, with the potential to make a significant difference in cognitive function and Alzheimer's risk.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has rejected a recommendation to cut a proposed wind farm project in half, giving new life to the $1.7 billion Horse Heaven wind farm, which would be the state's largest. The project initially faced opposition due to endangered bird nests in the area, but Inslee's decision aims to expand the project to meet the state's growing renewable energy needs. The governor has asked for the project to be reconsidered to include cultural considerations for the Yakama Nation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
During an award acceptance speech, former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning jokingly expressed his wish for the newly drafted quarterbacks to surpass his rookie interception record of 28 picks. Manning acknowledged that his tough rookie year helped him improve and eventually become a Hall of Famer. He emphasized the importance of rookies gaining playing experience over sitting behind a veteran, highlighting that his struggles early in his career were crucial for his development. Manning mentioned that despite the new 17-game season format, breaking his interception record would still require a significant outlier season.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The Oakland Athletics rallied for an epic five-run comeback in the 11th inning to stun the Colorado Rockies with a 10-9 win at the Coliseum. The back-and-forth game saw the A's displaying a never-give-up attitude, with key moments including JJ Bleday's game-tying two-run homer and Tyler Soderstrom's walk-off walk. Despite a sluggish start, the A's late rally, fueled by players like J.D. Davis and Daz Cameron, led to a unique and thrilling victory that showcased the team's resilience and determination.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The article discusses how the scorching temperatures in India are affecting the food supply chain, particularly the spoilage of fruits like bananas due to inadequate refrigeration and storage facilities. With up to 15% of fruits and vegetables lost post-harvest in India, poor infrastructure and climate change exacerbate the issue. Farmers struggle with losses from extreme weather and lack affordable solutions like cold storage facilities. The inefficiencies in the supply chain lead to higher consumer prices and significant financial setbacks for farmers, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and support for small producers in the agricultural sector in India.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The article compares the cockpit windows of the B-2 and B-21 aircraft, highlighting the unique design of the B-21's angled slit windows compared to the B-2's wraparound windscreen. The B-21's smaller size and alien design make judging its scale challenging, with the windows appearing even smaller than they are. The article also discusses advancements in technology that reduce the need for pilots to rely on forward visibility, such as enhanced vision systems and augmented reality. The B-21, being optionally manned, remains a subject of mystery in terms of its features and comfort accommodations for long-range missions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Asian stocks declined as investors anticipate a delay in the Federal Reserve's rate cuts, following upbeat activity data. Stocks in Australia and Japan fell, while Hong Kong futures indicated losses of over 1%. The Golden Dragon Index of US-listed Chinese shares dropped by 3.7%, the most in six weeks. Swaps now fully price the Fed's first quarter-point rate cut in December, and Asian currencies like South Korea's won and Malaysia's ringgit weakened against a stronger dollar. In Japan, inflation eased for a second month, with markets almost fully pricing a 10 basis point hike at the July meeting. The yen traded around 157 per dollar, with expectations the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates around October. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic reiterated the need for patience on the Fed's next move, emphasizing upward pressure on prices. Treasury yields stabilized, and the US dollar index remained unchanged in Asian trading. Oil prices steadied, while gold prices held losses.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Japan's core inflation slowed for a second consecutive month in April, with the nationwide core consumer price index rising 2.2% year-on-year, down from 2.6% in March. The Bank of Japan is expected to remain cautious about further interest rate hikes due to fragile consumption levels, despite inflation comfortably exceeding the 2% target. Policymakers are looking for sustainable domestic demand to support price growth, especially in the face of weak consumption levels in April and May.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
Samsung Electronics' latest high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, specifically the HBM3 and HBM3E chips, are reportedly failing Nvidia's tests for use in AI processors due to issues related to heat and power consumption, according to sources. Samsung is working on optimizing its products in collaboration with customers but has faced challenges in meeting Nvidia's requirements. This development has raised concerns in the industry about Samsung falling behind competitors SK Hynix and Micron Technology in the HBM market.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 5 months ago
The article discusses a nearly 1,200% surge in the share price of Hanmi Semiconductor Co. in South Korea, leading to concerns among investors about cashing out due to high valuations. Foreign investors have started reducing their holdings in the company after a significant increase last year, while local funds are holding steady despite doubts. The stock's performance has been driven by excitement over its thermal compression bonders and expectations of being added to the Kospi 200 Index. CEO Kwak Dong Shin's substantial stake in the company and positive catalysts like order wins have contributed to the stock's rally, although some investors are cautious about its high price-to-earnings ratio.
Source: YAHOO