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The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose on Tuesday, while Dow Jones slipped as investors assessed the threat of new tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump. 

The S&P 500 index rose 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed more than 0.5%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.6%, dragged down by sharp losses in Amgen’s stock. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high on Monday, as investors cheered the nomination of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, but has struggled to maintain that level Tuesday. 

The S&P 500 index also hit a new intraday high on Monday, while the small cap-focused Russel 2000 also climbed to fresh high in today’s session. 

That advance came as Treasury yields fell with traders taking a favorable view of Bessent leading the department. 

Many investors view the hedge fund manager as a champion of financial markets and the economy given his background, and as someone who could potentially counteract some of Trump’s aggressive trade aspirations, according to a CNBC report. 

Investors will now wait for the release of the minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting earlier this month. 

The US stock markets will be closed on Thursday on account of Thanksgiving holiday, and is scheduled to close early on Friday.

Volumes are expected to remain low for the remainder of the week. 

Trump threatens more tariffs

Trump said in a social media post on Monday that he intended to impose a 25% tariff on all imported goods from Canada and Mexico. 

He also said an additional 10% tariff will be imposed on Chinese imports, noting that there is a lack of progress on China’s part towards curbing the flow of illegal drugs to the US. 

This is on top of an already proposed 60% tariff increase on China. 

Trump’s comments raised concerns about a fragile global economy with a full-blow trade war between the world’s biggest economies. 

Amgen Inc and Kohl’s shares plummet

Amgen Inc’s stock slipped 12% on Tuesday after the company said its experimental weight loss drug helped patients lose up to 20% body weight. 

However, the trial results were at the low end of investors’ expectations.

Meanwhile, shares of Kohl plunged nearly 20% on Tuesday after the retailer’s third-quarter earnings results missed Wall Street’s estimates. 

During the quarter, the company earned 20 cents per share on $3.31 billion in revenue, below the consensus estimates of 28 cents per share on $3.64 billion revenue, according LSEG. 

Meanwhile, comparable shares dropped 9.3% during the quarter compared with expectations of a drop of 5.1%. 

Shares of the retailer have dropped around 36% so far since the beginning of this year.

Dick’s Sporting Goods jump

Shares of Dick’s Sporting Goods jumped more than 5% before the bell on Tuesday after the retailer posted positive earnings and guidance. 

The Pennsylvania-based company earned an adjusted $2.75 per share on $3.06 billion in revenue in the third quarter.

That’s ahead of the forecasts for $2.68 a share and $3.03 billion from analysts polled by LSEG.

The company also lifted its full-year outlook.

Shares have surged more than 46% in 2024, according to CNBC. 

Consumer confidence rises

The US Conference Board’s report showed on Tuesday that consumer confidence rose in November, while expectations for the stock market hit a record high. 

The US consumer confidence index increased to 111.7, or 2.1 points higher this month compared with October, and slightly above the Dow Jones estimate of 111. 

At the same time, 56.4% of respondents said they expect stock market prices to be higher a year from now, a fresh record.

Inflation expectations also improved, with the five-year outlook down to 4.9%, the lowest since March 2020.

The post S&P, Nasdaq climb while Dow dips amid Trump tariff concerns; Amgen, Kohl’s shares tumble appeared first on Invezz

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, has reversed course after flirting with the $100,000 mark.

The digital asset reached an all-time high of $99,830 on November 22 but has since dropped over 8% to $91,377.32 as of Tuesday.

As of 11:48 am IST on Wednesday, BTC stood at $93,099, according to CoinGecko.

The downturn comes despite a stellar 120% rise in 2024, with gains fuelled by bullish market sentiment following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory.

Trump’s pro-crypto stance, including pledges to make the US a global cryptocurrency leader and amass a national bitcoin stockpile, has played a pivotal role in driving demand.

Investors shift focus to protective strategies

Market activity points to heightened caution among bitcoin investors.

Nick Forster, founder of Derive, an on-chain options platform with $7.1 billion in total trade volume, noted a significant shift in sentiment.

The call-put skew index for December 27 bitcoin options expiry dropped 30% in the last 24 hours, signalling an uptick in protective hedging.

“The decline in skew reflects traders hedging against potential downside risks,” Forster told Reuters.

While calls—options to buy bitcoin—still outnumber puts—options to sell—the trend suggests a cautious market, likely spurred by bitcoin’s sharp pullback from its peak.

Major price movements expected around options expiry

The December 27 expiry of $11.8 billion in bitcoin options could act as a catalyst for substantial price movements.

According to Forster, there is a 68% probability that bitcoin will move 16% lower to $81,493 or 20% higher to $115,579 by this date.

Extreme scenarios include a 29.5% decline to $68,429 or a 41.8% rally to $137,645, though these outcomes have only a 5% probability.

Notably, data from Derive shows a 45% chance of bitcoin hitting $100,000 again, with a 4% chance of exceeding $150,000.

Profit-taking drives selling pressure

Profit-taking by long-term holders is adding to bitcoin’s recent sell-off.

Analysis from _checkonchain.com reveals that $60 billion worth of bitcoin supply has been distributed in the past 30 days.

Since bitcoin’s low of $15,479 during the FTX collapse two years ago, long-term holders have moved 21% of their supply this November, marking the heaviest profit-taking in this cycle.

Anthony Pompliano, founder of Professional Capital Management, cited this data in a letter to clients, underscoring its impact on market dynamics.

Despite recent declines, bitcoin’s volatility metrics remain stable, suggesting the market is bracing for further swings.

The cryptocurrency’s seven-day implied volatility stands at 63%, closely aligned with the 30-day level of 55%.

“This close alignment indicates traders are expecting significant price movements soon,” Forster added.

The post Bitcoin options show increased caution as $100K remains elusive appeared first on Invezz

Singapore’s strategic positioning as a global financial hub continues to strengthen, with the city-state outpacing long-time rival Hong Kong.

Bolstered by political stability, favourable tax policies, and a reputation for neutrality, Singapore is attracting a growing share of foreign capital.

As tensions between the US and China escalate, the flow of investments into the region has further tilted in Singapore’s favour.

Its financial institutions, led by Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), are navigating these changes with a balance of local focus and global reach, positioning the city as a safe haven for investors seeking stability in uncertain times.

OCBC drives Singapore’s financial sector with $18.4 billion revenue in 2023

OCBC, the second-largest bank in Singapore with $448 billion in assets, has become emblematic of the city-state’s robust banking sector.

Generating $18.4 billion in revenue in 2023, the bank accounts for 62% of its earnings within Singapore, while its Southeast Asian and Greater China operations contribute 19% and 13%, respectively.

Its diversified revenue streams and strategic investments in wealth management have helped the bank maintain resilience amid geopolitical headwinds.

The bank also holds a majority stake in Great Eastern, Singapore’s largest life insurer, and operates private banking services through the Bank of Singapore.

These moves position OCBC as a pivotal player in Southeast Asia’s financial landscape.

Wealth management has become a cornerstone of Singapore’s strategy to outpace Hong Kong.

In the first nine months of 2024, this segment contributed $2.9 billion to OCBC’s revenue.

The city-state has introduced tax incentives for single-family offices, attracting 1,650 such entities by mid-2024, up from 400 in 2020.

This influx underscores Singapore’s appeal as a destination for high-net-worth individuals and corporations seeking financial security in a volatile global market.

US-China tensions shift capital to Singapore

The escalating decoupling between the US and China has had profound implications for Hong Kong, whose economy has traditionally relied on its close ties to the mainland.

By contrast, Singapore’s perceived neutrality and stable regulatory environment have drawn capital from both sides.

Assets under management in Singapore reached $4.1 trillion in 2023, surpassing Hong Kong’s $3.9 trillion.

As US funds increasingly view Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem as risky, Singapore has emerged as the preferred alternative for capital allocation.

Trump’s policies could accelerate Singapore’s gains

The election of Donald Trump as US president could further tip the scales in favour of Singapore.

Trump’s prior administration imposed stringent sanctions and financial restrictions on China, and his re-election promises a continuation of these measures.

Such policies may compel US and European firms to withdraw from Hong Kong, redirecting their investments to Singapore.

Singapore must tread carefully to avoid potential fallout from Trump’s proposed tariffs, which could disrupt global trade and impact its export-reliant economy.

Helen Wong’s leadership cements OCBC’s position

Helen Wong, OCBC’s CEO since 2021, has steered the bank through these shifting dynamics.

With roots in Hong Kong and decades of banking experience in Greater China, Wong has leveraged her expertise to expand OCBC’s influence in both China and ASEAN markets.

Under her leadership, OCBC has prioritised wealth management, broadened its customer base in Hong Kong, and enhanced its offerings in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Wong’s leadership has also earned her recognition as one of the most powerful women in global finance, ranked 17th on the Fortune Most Powerful Women list in 2024.

Her dual focus on resilience and growth exemplifies the strategies driving Singapore’s broader financial ambitions.

Hong Kong fights back

Despite these setbacks, Hong Kong is working to reclaim its status as Asia’s financial powerhouse.

It is revitalising its IPO pipeline, aiming to attract 200 new family offices by 2025. UBS predicts Hong Kong could surpass Switzerland as the leading hub for cross-border finance by 2026.

The city’s reliance on a sluggish Chinese economy and its proximity to Beijing’s jurisdiction remain significant challenges.

Singapore, meanwhile, has taken a broader view, seeing the success of Hong Kong as complementary rather than competitive.

The city-state’s ability to tap into diverse regions without geopolitical baggage gives it an edge that Hong Kong cannot easily replicate.

Singapore’s government is already planning for the next wave of challenges.

A task force is addressing its lagging capital markets, and banks like OCBC are eyeing opportunities arising from increased Chinese manufacturing investments in Southeast Asia.

With the global trading system facing potential disruptions, Singapore’s adaptability and foresight will likely determine its financial trajectory in the years ahead.

The post US-China tensions drive $4.1 trillion in assets to Singapore, surpassing Hong Kong appeared first on Invezz

The European Central Bank (ECB) is pushing hard for the digital euro.

It argues that Europe risks falling behind in the global race for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). 

ECB officials warn that delays in the project could erode Europe’s financial sovereignty, as other countries are advancing quickly with their digital currencies.

What is the ECB’s plan?

The ECB has been exploring the concept of a digital euro since 2021.

ECB President Christine Lagarde has hinted at launching the digital currency by 2027, but progress has been slow. 

A key obstacle is the lack of a unified legal framework nearly 17 months after the European Commission’s initial proposal.

The ECB envisions a digital euro that mirrors cash in its privacy and usability.

Offline payments would not share personal data beyond the payer and payee, while online payments would rely on advanced encryption to enhance privacy compared to existing digital payment solutions.

Users could pre-fund their wallets or link them to bank accounts for easy transactions.

However, individual holdings would be capped to prevent destabilization of the banking system.

Why is the digital euro needed?

The ECB argues that the digital euro is crucial for Europe’s financial autonomy.

Thirteen of the eurozone’s 20 countries rely on global payment giants like Visa and Mastercard.

This dependence, the ECB says, makes the eurozone vulnerable to external disruptions.

A digital euro would provide a Europe-wide payment solution, reducing reliance on non-European systems.

Globally, the CBDC race is accelerating.

According to the Bank for International Settlements, 134 countries, representing 98% of the global economy, are exploring CBDCs.

Sixty-six countries are in advanced stages, with nations like China, the Bahamas, and Nigeria already launching CBDCs. 

China’s digital yuan has processed $986 billion in transactions by mid-2024, demonstrating its potential to reshape sectors like healthcare and tourism.

The adoption problem

The ECB’s ambition has a big obstacle, that is consumer adoption.

Survey data from the SPACE study shows that many European consumers prefer traditional payment methods like cash and cards.

Introducing a digital euro requires overcoming significant adoption barriers, including consumer habits and perceived complexity.

ECB officials believe the solution lies in design and education.

The digital euro must combine the convenience of cards with the privacy and budgeting benefits of cash. 

The ECB considers public awareness campaigns to be essential as well.

Studies show that exposure to new payment methods, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, can influence long-term behaviour.

Does Europe risk losing the race?

ECB officials worry that Europe is falling behind.

China’s digital yuan is a clear example of the transformative power of CBDCs.

Other countries, including the UK, Singapore, and Australia, are running advanced pilots. 

Europe’s fragmented payment systems and slow legislative processes risk sidelining the eurozone in this technological shift.

The truth is that Europe’s lead in CBDC development is at risk without decisive action.

ECB officials believe that the digital euro must be ready when it is needed, reflecting frustration over legislative delays.

Is a digital euro worth the risk?

Despite its promise, the digital euro is faced with skepticism. 

First, there is the issue of central bank overreach.

The ECB proposes creating a payment system that competes with commercial banks.

While this could reduce Europe’s reliance on non-European firms, it risks undermining the banking system.

Caps on individual holdings are meant to address this, but they also contradict the ECB’s claim of “freedom and convenience.”

Second, the digital euro might not solve the problems it aims to address.

Europe’s payment landscape is already competitive, with numerous digital options that work well.

Creating a new system from scratch could add complexity rather than simplify payments.

Third, the project highlights deep flaws in the eurozone’s financial architecture. Europe lacks a banking union and centralized deposit insurance.

A digital euro could make matters worse, particularly if national central banks and the ECB clash over its design.

The bigger picture

The ECB’s push for the digital euro is not just about payments.

It highlights a broader struggle for relevance in a digital world. 

Central banks, traditionally focused on monetary stability, are now venturing into new territory.

But with this ambition comes the risk of mission creep.

By taking on roles traditionally handled by commercial banks and private firms, the ECB could undermine trust in the financial system it is supposed to safeguard.

The global CBDC race is real, but Europe must decide if winning it is worth the cost.

A poorly executed digital euro could destabilize the banking system and deepen divisions within the EU. 

Ultimately, a digital euro is more than a payment tool—it is a gamble on Europe’s financial future.

Whether this gamble pays off depends on how well the ECB addresses the challenges of design, adoption, and integration into Europe’s financial ecosystem.

The post Is the digital euro Europe’s future or a risky distraction? appeared first on Invezz

Walmart (WMT) stock price is doing well this year, and is one of the best-performing companies in the United States. It has jumped by 73% this year, bringing its market cap to over $733 billion, making it substantially bigger than companies like Costco and Home Depot. 

Walmart stock helped by strong growth

The WMT share price surge has been propelled by its strong revenue over the years and the fact that it is gaining market share in other sectors. 

Walmart’s annual revenue has jumped from over $523 billion in 2019 to over $648 billion in the last financial year. 

This growth happened because Walmart is often seen as an all-weather company because of its strategy. In most periods, the company’s products are often cheaper than other retailers. Also, Walmart has a wide variety of products, a great rewards program, and has locations across the country. 

Walmart has also been helped by its investments in e-commerce, which has helped make it become available to most people. 

Most importantly, it has become a more profitable company. Just last year, its net profit jumped to over $15.5 billion. It has used these funds to pay its shareholders dividends, which has made it a dividend king after making payouts for 50 years. Walmart has room to grow its dividends because it has a payout ratio of just 33%.

Read more: Is it too late to invest in Walmart stock as it hits a record high? here’s what experts are saying

In addition to dividends, the company has been slashing its outstanding shares. Its total outstanding shares fell from 8.50 billion in 2020 to 8.03 billion, a trend that will continue in the near term.

Walmart has continued to gain market share across other industries. For example, analysts believe that the company is partly to blame for the crisis going on in firms like Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health.

The most recent financial results showed that Walmart’s revenue rose by 5.5% to over $169 billion, higher than what analysts were expecting. Its margins rose by 21 basis points, while its global e-commerce volume jumped by 27%.

Walmart has also become a major player in the advertising industry, where its customers market on its stores and website. 

Can WMT’s market cap hit $1 trillion?

The $1 trillion club has grown rapidly in the past few months, with the number of firms with that valuation jumping to 9 or 10, with Bitcoin included. 

Walmart is the 12th biggest company globally with a market cap of $733 billion, meaning that its stock needs to rise by 27% to hit that valuation. This means that the WMT share price needs to get to $115.95. 

Such a move is possible if the company continues delivering strong results as it has done in the past few years. However, the biggest concern for Walmart has always been its valuation since the firm makes a net profit of less than $20 billion a year. If it averages $20 billion a year, its total profit in the next 20 years will be about $400 billion.

These numbers mean that Walmart has a forward P/E ratio of 36, meaning that all factors were constant, it would take these years to break even if you bought it. It also trades at a forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 26, higher than the industry median of 15. 

Read more: Why is Target losing to Walmart, and will it ever catch up?

Walmart stock price analysis

WMT chart by TradingView

The weekly chart shows that the WMT share price has been in a strong bull run in the past decades. It has recently crossed the important resistance level at $90 as buyers target the key resistance point at $100. 

The stock remains much higher than the 50-week and 200-week moving averages. Also, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Stochastic Oscillator have moved to the extremely overbought level.

Therefore, the stock will likely continue rising as bulls target the key resistance level at $115, when will it gets to a $1 trillion company. However, there is a risk that the stock could suffer a slight retreat as investors start to take profits. In the long term, though, the stock will continue doing well because of its role in the US.

The post Walmart stock price is firing on all cylinders: could it hit $1 trillion? appeared first on Invezz

The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA) ETF continued charging ahead this week, reaching its highest level on record. The fund, which tracks 30 big companies in the US, jumped to a high of $448.9 on Tuesday, bringing the year-to-date gains to almost 22%.

Catalysts for the DIA ETF

The Dow Jones Index has soared this year, helped by the rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates in the coming months.

It has already slashed rates by 0.75% this year, and analysts expect it to deliver several more in 2025. Minutes released on Tuesday showed that officials favor a more gradual pace of cuts going forward, which is also a good thing for the market.

The Dow Jones and other stock indices do well when the Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates. In most cases, these rate cuts usually lead to a rotation from fixed-income to the relatively risky stock market. 

The DIA ETF has also jumped because of the year’s strong corporate earnings. Data compiled by FactSet showed that 95% of all companies in the S&P 500 index have published their Q3 results. Of these firms, their earnings growth was about 5.8%, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of earnings growth. 

Additionally, the Dow Jones index has benefited from the recent entry of NVIDIA, the biggest company in the world. NVIDIA has been one of the best-performing companies in the United States in the past few years. 

Further, analysts now believe that Donald Trump will be a good president for the market. He has already appointed Scott Bessent as the next Treasury Secretary. Bessent, a billionaire is seen as a more market friendly person for the role.

Top Dow Jones companies in 2023

NVIDIA, which has just entered the index, is the best performer as its stock jumped by over 176% this year. Its rally has been propelled by the artificial intelligence craze that has led to a substantial demand for its products.

The most recent NVIDIA earnings showed that the company made over $37 billion in the last quarter, a record high. These numbers mean that it has now generated over $80 billion in the first nine months of the year, a trend that may continue.

NVIDIA has a large market share that is also supported by its Cuda software which helps to reconfigure GPUs to be compatible in handling other tasks.

Walmart, the biggest American retailer, has been the second-best performer in the index as it jumped by 73% this year. The company has benefited from the resilient demand for its products, which are often seen as being fairly priced. It has also expanded its business and gained market share in areas like health and sports. 

American Express stock price has jumped by 63% this year, while Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, 3M, IBM, Travelers, Caterpillar, Amazon, and Salesforce have soared by over 35% this year. 

On the other hand, the top laggards in the DIA ETF are companies like Boeing, Nike, Merck & Company, and Amgen. 

SPDR Dow Jones ETF analysis

DIA ETF chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the DIA ETF stock has been in a strong bullish trend in the past few years. It recently crossed the important level at $444.60, its highest level on November 11. By moving above that level, it has invalidated the double-top pattern.

The ETF has moved above the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, a bullish sign. It has moved to the overshoot level of the Murrey Math Lines and is quickly approaching the extreme overshoot. 

The DIA ETF’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved to the overbought level at 70. Therefore, the fund will likely continue rising as bulls target the next key resistance point at the extreme overshoot of $453. As I warned on the Russell 2000 and S&P 500 index on Tuesday, a short-term reversal cannot be ruled out. 

The post DIA ETF forecast: what next for the Dow Jones index fund? appeared first on Invezz

Robinhood stock price has been in a strong bull run since 2023, helped by the strong performance of American equities and cryptocurrencies. The HOOD share price peaked at $39.70, its highest level since October 2021, giving it a market cap of over $33 billion.

HOOD business is doing well

Robinhood, a top disruptor in the financial services industry, has been in a strong growth trajectory, helped by its innovation and popularity among users. 

Its annual sales have jumped from $277.5 million in 2019 to over $1.865 billion in 2023. This growth trajectory has continued this year, bringing its trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue to over $2.4 billion. 

Robinhood’s recent success is mostly because of the ongoing surge in American equities, which has pushed indices like the Dow Jones and S&P 500 to their all-time high. It has also benefited from the ongoing crypto bull run that has pushed Bitcoin above $90,000.

Historically, exchanges and brokers do well when the market is rising since it attracts more investors and traders. For example, data shows that most crypto exchanges have seen higher revenues this year as many investors have moved back to the crypto market.

Robinhood has seen the number of customers on its platform rise sharply in the past few months. Funded customers rose to over 24.3 million in the last quarter, up from 23.3 million in the same period last year. 

The company’s subscription package is also seeing strong uptake by consumers. Users have jumped to 2.19 million, up from 1.33 million in the same period last year. 

The recent results also show that Robinhood’s assets under management (AUM) has jumped to $152 million, up from $87 million in the third quarter of 2023. This is a sign that customers are getting more comfortable adding funds to its platform, a situation that will continue in the coming years.

Robinhood stock boosted by strong growth

The most recent financial results showed that its revenue jumped by 36% in Q3 to over $637 million as the number of customers and assets jumped.

For starters, Robinhood makes money through the Payment for Order Flow (PFOF), where it receives rebates from market makers for all orders it routes through it. These market makers are often seen as wholesalers in the financial industry and include companies like Virtu and Citadel.

Its transaction revenue rose by 72% to $319 million, while its net interest and other revenues jumped to $274 million and $44 million. Most importantly, Robinhood has become a highly profitable company as its net income jumped to $150 million in the last quarter. 

Robinhood has done more things to boost its business. It became the first broker to offer 24-hours of stock trading in the US. It has also expanded its business in the UK, and its goal is to move to other countries. 

The company also acquired Bitstamp, a leading player in the crypto industry, in a transaction that will close in 2025. This deal will make it one of the top players in the crypto industry by offering additional services outside of its main application. 

It will also be a good way to expand its business around the world since Bitstamp has licenses in over 50 countries. 

Stock analysts believe that Robinhood has more room to grow as it continues to challenge other top companies like Schwab and TD Ameritrade. Its innovation has also helped it fend off competition from the likes of eToro, Webull, SoFi Invest, Public, and MooMoo. 

These analysts believe that Robinhood’s revenue for the current quarter will be $654 million, a 39% increase from the same period last year. It will then make $677 million next quarter, while its annual revenue this year will be $2.61 billion. 

Robinhood’s profitability will keep rising, moving from 49 cents last year to $1.01 this year and $1.04 next year. 

As such, while Robinhood is an overvalued company, analysts believe that it is justified because of its strong growth. HOOD trades at a trailing twelve-month price-to-earnings of 62, much higher than other companies. Its enterprise value to revenue stands at 11.8, while its EV to EBITDA is 47.35.

Robinhood stock price analysis

HOOD chart by TradingView

The weekly chart shows that the HOOD share price has been in a strong uptrend in the past few years. It has moved to the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement point at $36.73. It has moved above the 50-week moving average.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the MACD indicators have continued rising. Therefore, there are signs that the stock is forming a cup and handle pattern, whose upper side is at $85.03.

This price action means that the stock will rise by 133% to an all-time high. If this happens, its market cap will get to over $78 billion.

The post Here’s why the Robinhood stock price could surge 133% appeared first on Invezz

Texas Pacific Land (TPL) stock price has gone parabolic this year, helped by its strong performance and robust insider transactions. It jumped to a record high of $1,767 this week, bringing the year-to-date gains to about 200%, making it one of the best-performing companies in the United States.

TPL stock jumps amid insider purchases

Data shows that the Texas Pacific Land insiders have been aggressively buying the company’s shares in the past few years.

According to Barchart, these insiders have bought 702 shares in the past three months. At the current price, these stocks are now worth over $1 million. Cumulatively, they have bought 2,913 shares currently worth over $4.5 million in the last 12 months.

Murray Stahl, a key insider and the Chairman and CEO of Horizon Kinetics has been one of the biggest buyers of the stock. Chris Steddum and Stephanie Buffington, the CFO and CAO have also continued to buy the shares.

Insider transactions are some of the top leading indicators that investors look at when making decisions. In most periods, stocks tend to do well when insiders are buying the shares since they have a clearer picture about what is going on. 

Texas Pacific Land is doing well

The ongoing insider transactions are happening because the company is doing relatively well. For starters, TPL is a leading company that owns thousands of acres of land, mostly in Texas. 

It owns 868,000 acres of land in Western Texas at the Permian Basin. The company also owns a nonparticipating perpetual oil and gas royalty interest under 195,000 acres of land.

TPL makes money by providing its land to companies in the oil and gas industry. As a result, while it does not produce oil and gas directly, the company benefits when the sector is doing well. 

For example, it receives a fee during the initial development phase of wells. This fee is typically for its land and other products it sells like caliche. After that, the company makes money during the drilling and completion by providing water and fees for the land.

Additionally, Texas Pacific Land makes money during production through its rights and for providing saltwater disposal. The company also receives fees from other players in the energy sector like pipelines and utility providers. 

Its oil and gas royalties are the biggest part of its business followed by easements and land sales. In addition to this, it benefits from the appreciation of its land resources over time.

Texas Pacific Land’s business has done fairly well in the past few years as its revenues have jumped from $302 million in 2020 to $631 million in the last financial year. Its net income rose to almost $450 million. 

The most recent financial results showed that the company acquired mineral interest on about 4,106 net royalty acres in the Delaware Basin for $120 million. It had royalty oil production worth 28.3k barrels of oil equivalent a day, bringing its net income to $106.6 million. 

The company also declared a special cash dividend of $10 in July and boosted its quarterly cash dividend to $1.17. Therefore, this performance will likely continue doing well in the near term. 

Texas Pacific Land stock price analysis

TPL chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the TPL share price surged to a record high of $1,762, its all-time high. It moved above the key resistance level at $886, its highest level on November 2022. That was the upper side of the cup and handle pattern.

Texas Pacific Land shares have moved above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA). Most importantly, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Stochastic Oscillator have moved to the overbought level.

Therefore, while the stock may continue rising, there is a likelihood that it will have a small pullback to about $1,400 and then resume the bull run. More gains will be confirmed if the stock jumps above the key resistance level at $1,762.

The post Insiders are buying Texas Pacific Land stock: is it a good buy? appeared first on Invezz

General Motors (GM) stock price has suffered a harsh reversal this week as concerns about tariffs remained. It has dropped to $54.80, down by 10.80% from its highest point this week, meaning that it has moved into a technical correction. It has risen by 110% from its lowest point last year.

Tariff concerns remain

General Motors and other automakers like Ford and Stellantis crashed hard as investors remained concerned about Trump’s tariffs. In a statement on Monday, the incoming president warned that he would impose large tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods.

That was a notable statement because GM is not only one of the top manufacturers in the US but also one of the top importers. It has large operations in Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, and Mexico.

Therefore, a 25% tariff on imports will make its vehicles more expensive in the US, which will hurt its sales in the country. At the same time, Mexico, Canada, and China will also respond by imposing tariffs of their own.

If this plan works, the industry could disrupt the industry at a time when companies are struggling with slow sales.

Still, on the positive side, there are signs that these tariffs will not go on because of the risks involved. For one, high tariffs will be passed to consumers, a move that will lead to higher inflation in the country.

Also, it is unclear whether tariffs on Mexican goods will be legal since it belongs to the USMCA, which Donald Trump negotiated. As such, since the deal was ratified by the US Senate and Congress, it is part of the law and cannot be exited by the executive. 

General Motors business is doing well

On the positive side, there are signs that General Motors business is doing well after the company went slow on its EV investments. It will also benefit from the ongoing interest rate cuts in the US and the rising demand for hybrid vehicles. 

The most recent financial results showed that GM’s revenue rose from $44.1 billion in the third quarter of 2023 to over $48.7 billion. This happened as the number of vehicle sales and prices continued rising.

GM’s profits also held steady in the last quarter, with the diluted earnings-per-share rising from $2.2 to $2.68. This happened even as the company hiked salaries following last year’s strikes. 

It has done that by continuing to cut costs, especially in its EV business and reducing the size of its workforce. Most recently, it announced plans to cut jobs by 1000 in the coming months.

GM has also continued to return funds to its shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Indeed, its outstanding shares have dropped from 1.4 billion in 2021 to 1.2 billion today. 

Analysts expect the General Motor’s revenues will hit $181 billion this year, while its earnings per share will be $10.3, higher than the last year it made $7.68.

GM stock analysis

The weekly chart shows that the General Motors share price has been in a strong bull run in the past few months. It recently jumped to a high of $61.25, its highest level since January 2022.

GM stock has formed a golden cross pattern as the 50-week and 200-week Exponential Moving Averages (EMA). In most periods, this is one of the most bullish patterns in the market. 

General Motors has moved to the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has continued rising and is nearing the overbought level. 

The stock has formed a bearish engulfing pattern, which is one of the most bearish candlestick signs. Therefore, the stock will likely have some short-term volatility and drop to $50. In the longer term, however, the stock will bounce back and retest $65.63, its highest level in 2022. 

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The Adani Group has issued a clarification regarding the charges against its founder, Gautam Adani, following a US indictment.

Adani Green Energy Ltd., in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday, stated that neither Gautam Adani nor his aides, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain, have been charged under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), contrary to some media reports.

The company clarified that the Department of Justice indictment charges Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and securities fraud.

These charges generally carry less severe penalties than bribery.

Additionally, Gautam and Sagar Adani face a civil complaint for violating sections of the Securities Act and aiding and abetting Adani Green in violating the Act.

The Adani Group has previously denied all allegations and stated its intention to pursue legal action in its defense.

FCPA and its implications

The FCPA prohibits companies or individuals with US ties, such as public listings, American investors, or joint ventures, from offering bribes to foreign government officials in exchange for favorable treatment.

While the Adani Group does not directly trade in the US, it does have American investors, which establishes a US link.

Federal prosecutors allege that Adani and other defendants promised over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts, concealing this scheme while raising capital from US investors.

FCPA investigations are often complex and lengthy, involving the gathering of evidence and interviewing witnesses potentially located outside the US.

However, these cases tend to be high-profile and can lead to significant fines for companies and notable victories for prosecutors.

Potential penalties for Adani Green

Adani Green acknowledged facing potential monetary penalties under the civil complaint but stated that the specific amount has not yet been determined.

The company’s filing aims to provide clarity on the specific charges and potential repercussions of the ongoing legal proceedings.

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