‘Next Era of Dollarization' Is Visible From Bolivia to Indonesia
The recently passed US legislation providing a regulatory framework for stablecoins marked a step towards the 'next era of dollarization,' according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
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MetLife Declares Third Quarter 2025 Preferred Stock Dividends
NEW YORK, August 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that it has declared the following preferred stock dividends: Quarterly dividend of $0.35263005 per share on the company's floating rate non-cumulative preferred stock, Series A, with a liquidation preference of $25 per share (NYSE: MET PRA). Semi-annual dividend of $29.375 per share on the company's 5.875% fixed-to-floating rate non-cumulative preferred stock, Series D, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Quarterly dividend of $351.5625 per share on the company's 5.625% non-cumulative preferred stock, Series E, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, represented by depositary shares each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of the preferred stock, holders of which will receive $0.3515625 per depositary share (NYSE: MET PRE). Quarterly dividend of $296.875 per share on the company's 4.75% non-cumulative preferred stock, Series F, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, represented by depositary shares each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of the preferred stock, holders of which will receive $0.296875 per depositary share (NYSE: MET PRF). Semi-annual dividend of $19.250 per share on the company's 3.850% fixed rate reset non-cumulative preferred stock, Series G, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The above dividends will be payable Sept. 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, due to the record date occurring on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, using words such as "will," are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLife's future results could differ, and it does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any of these statements. View source version on Contacts For Media: Jane For Investors: John Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq notch weekly wins as slew of data muddies rate-cut path
US stocks were mixed on Friday as Wall Street tempered its rate-cut hopes amid economic data this week that showed higher-than-expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. A meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was also in focus as traders looked for clues on how the outcome could steer markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose about 0.8%, trimming earlier gains to fall short of a record close. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.3% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) lost 0.4% after President Trump said he would soon announce tariffs on semiconductor imports. US Census Bureau data released Friday morning showed retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month. That was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists but still viewed as a solid advance after a sharp pullback in consumer spending this spring. Meanwhile, US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months as inflation expectations jumped in the longer term. Stocks wobbled on Thursday, ending a two-day rally sparked by investor confidence that an interest rate cut in September was nearly certain. Doubts about a significant cut at the Fed's next policy meeting crept in after July's Producer Price Index (PPI) came in hotter than expected. Major Dow component UnitedHealth (UNH) stock soared on Friday after a regulatory filing showed Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) bought 5 million shares in the company. Intel (INTC) shares jumped Friday after a Bloomberg report said the Trump administration is considering taking a stake in the chipmaker, using funds from the US CHIPS Act. President Trump met with Intel's CEO on Monday after calling on him to resign the previous week. And Applied Materials (AMAT) stock sank nearly 14% after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth quarter forecasts due to sluggish demand in China, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Stocks notch second week of wins as economic data casts doubts on Fed's next move Stocks closed the session mixed on Friday, but the major averages managed to notch a second straight week of gains. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.3%, retreating from its record, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also closed the session down 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained slightly as shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) surged. Rate cut uncertainty permeated the market over the past two sessions following Thursday's hotter-than-expected monthly producer price index (PPI) print. US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months. Meanwhile, retail sales jumped 0.5% in July, showing consumer spending had steadied following a dramatic drop earlier in the year. Trump and Putin greet each other in Alaska for start of summit on Ukraine President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted each other in Alaska as a summit centered around the Ukraine war began. Trump wants Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Earlier this week the president said their would be 'severe consequences' if Moscow did not end the conflict following the summit. Investors are eying the meeting for clues on how the outcome could steer markets. Dow on pace for record close, S&P and Nasdaq set to notch weekly wins Stock were poised to close the session mixed, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) could notch its first record high of the year. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) traded below its record close, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also fell below the flatline. All three major averages were on pace to end the week with gains. Among the S&P 500 sectors, Healthcare (XLV) stocks outperformed, along with Communications Services (XLC), and Consumer Discretionary (XLY). UBS: Put excess cash to work amid higher inflation UBS strategists say the US hasn't seen the last of rising inflation, following this week's hotter-than-expected PPI print, but investors should put their money to work as a Fed cut in September is still the likely outcome. 'We expect overall inflation to continue on a gradual upward trend as businesses pass along their higher costs, but we also believe slowing shelter inflation and pushback from increasingly stretched consumers should help offset some of the tariff impact on price pressures," Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, global head of equities at UBS Global Wealth Management said in a note on Friday. Monthly retail sales jumped 0.5% in July, marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadied following a dramatic drop earlier in the year. Hoffmann-Burchardi noted the downside risks in the labor market are likely to outweigh inflation concerns, as economic activity slows further in the second half of the year. "We expect the Fed to bring its policy rate 100 basis points lower in the months to come, reducing returns on cash," she added. Why Goldman Sach says the 'Goldilocks' stock market may get hit Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth stock pops on Buffett's Berkshire share purchase UnitedHealth Group's (UNH) stock rallied on Friday following the revelation that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) purchased 5 million shares last quarter. The more than 10% jump in shares of the healthcare insurance giant helped lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) into green territory, as the rest of the major averages dropped. UnitedHealth has suffered multiple setbacks in the past couple of years. With earnings misses piling on top of that, the stock has been under constant pressure and is down more than 45% year to date. Read more here. IPO market surges in August with companies 'striking while the iron is hot' The IPO market is on fire this summer, Yahoo Finance's Jake Conley reports. Conley writes: Read the full story here. Opendoor shares pops in wake of CEO exit amid meme-fueled stock surge Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) shares spiked as much as 10% in morning trading after the company announced the departure of its CEO Carrie Wheeler effective immediately. Opendoor said it is searching for a new CEO to lead the ibuyer in its next growth phase, just weeks after the stock skyrocketed in a meme-fueled rally. The board appointed Shrisha Radhakrishna, Opendoor's chief technology and product officer, as president and interim leader of the company. Shares of Opendoor have been on a wild ride over the past month, powered in part by Carvana (CVNA) turnaround spotter EMJ Capital and speculative investors on Reddit's wallstreetbets. EMJ Capital founder and president Eric Jackson wrote in mid-July that his firm was taking a long position in Opendoor, which was then trading under $1 per share. Jackson has been critical of Opendoor's top leadership, most recently following the company's latest quarterly results in early August, when the stock sank 20% following a disappointing earnings forecast. "The communication on the earnings call from the CEO and the CFO was really awful," Jackson told Yahoo Finance last week. "The management team didn't do anything to get this thing up from 51 cents to almost five bucks," he said. "It was basically all of us retailers who saw the value in this platform, supported it. We got not a word from management over these last few weeks. So I think she's got to go." Chip stocks fall as Trump says semiconductor tariffs coming as soon as next week Chip stocks dropped Friday after President Trump said he will set tariffs on semiconductors as soon as next week. "I'll be setting tariffs next week and the week after on steel and on, I would say, chips," Trump told reporters Friday while aboard Air Force One while traveling to Alaska to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. Nvidia (NVDA), AMD (AMD), and Broadcom (AVGO) fell more than 1%, while Micron (MU) dropped more than 3%. Trump said earlier this month that semiconductor companies building out their domestic manufacturing footprint — this includes the world's leading contract chip manufacturer, Taiwanese firm TSMC (TSM) — would be exempt from his planned 100% tariffs on chips. That commentary sent chip stocks up. But on Friday, he implied that the exemption may only be temporary. "I'm going to have a rate that is going to be lower at the beginning — that gives them a chance to come in and build — and very high after a certain period of time," he said. Consumer sentiment falls in August, marking first decline in 4 months US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months. The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 58.6 from a reading of 61.7 in July. It was also less than the 62 reading expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. 'This deterioration largely stems from rising worries about inflation,' wrote Joanne Hsu, the director of the university's Surveys of Consumers. Consumer sentiment had improved in June and July after plummeting in the spring as Americans worried about the impacts of Trump's tariffs. In May, the index showed sentiment at its second-lowest level on record as consumers expressed concerns over long-term inflation, fueled by uncertainty surrounding Trump's trade policies. Sentiment improved in June as Trump dialed back some of his aggressive stances on tariffs. 'Overall, consumers are no longer bracing for the worst-case scenario for the economy feared in April when reciprocal tariffs were announced and then paused,' Hsu said. 'However, consumers continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future.' Read more here. US stocks mixed at the open US stocks were mixed on Friday at the open as Wall Street tempered its hopes for the Fed to cut interest rates in September, as economic data this week showed higher than expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose around 0.5%, putting the index on track for its first record since December. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose less than 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell below the flatline. Intel stock continues rise as Trump administration reportedly mulls taking stake in chipmaker Intel (INTC) stock spiked more than 7% Thursday and continued to climb 3% before the market open on Friday, following a report that the US government is considering taking a stake in the troubled chipmaker. Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is in talks with Intel about the deal, which would help the company complete its Ohio factory expansion that had been put on hold. The report follows a meeting between President Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan earlier this week, which came after the president called for the CEO's resignation due to his ties with China. "As Intel's prospects have dimmed, the idea of support (governmental or otherwise) has gained traction, understandable given the company, for better or worse, remains the only US-headquartered prospect for leading edge semiconductor chips and processes; it seems like Trump may have been persuaded to see the light," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon wrote in a note to investors Friday. It's not the first time the Trump administration has allegedly floated ideas to prop up Intel. In February, a news report said the US was pitching proposals to its rival TSMC to help support its turnaround by establishing a joint venture with Intel. Read more here. Retail sales climb less than expected in July Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday — marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadies following a dramatic drop in earlier in the year. Still, the jump was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected. An even narrower slice of retail sales called the 'control group' — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected. Retail sales rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs. Read more here. Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary) Earnings: No notable earnings. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: 'Striking while the iron is hot' Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Reuters reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth stock soars as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company. A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday. Reuters reports: Read more here. Stocks notch second week of wins as economic data casts doubts on Fed's next move Stocks closed the session mixed on Friday, but the major averages managed to notch a second straight week of gains. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.3%, retreating from its record, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also closed the session down 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained slightly as shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) surged. Rate cut uncertainty permeated the market over the past two sessions following Thursday's hotter-than-expected monthly producer price index (PPI) print. US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months. Meanwhile, retail sales jumped 0.5% in July, showing consumer spending had steadied following a dramatic drop earlier in the year. Stocks closed the session mixed on Friday, but the major averages managed to notch a second straight week of gains. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.3%, retreating from its record, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also closed the session down 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained slightly as shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) surged. Rate cut uncertainty permeated the market over the past two sessions following Thursday's hotter-than-expected monthly producer price index (PPI) print. US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months. Meanwhile, retail sales jumped 0.5% in July, showing consumer spending had steadied following a dramatic drop earlier in the year. Trump and Putin greet each other in Alaska for start of summit on Ukraine President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted each other in Alaska as a summit centered around the Ukraine war began. Trump wants Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Earlier this week the president said their would be 'severe consequences' if Moscow did not end the conflict following the summit. Investors are eying the meeting for clues on how the outcome could steer markets. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted each other in Alaska as a summit centered around the Ukraine war began. Trump wants Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Earlier this week the president said their would be 'severe consequences' if Moscow did not end the conflict following the summit. Investors are eying the meeting for clues on how the outcome could steer markets. Dow on pace for record close, S&P and Nasdaq set to notch weekly wins Stock were poised to close the session mixed, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) could notch its first record high of the year. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) traded below its record close, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also fell below the flatline. All three major averages were on pace to end the week with gains. Among the S&P 500 sectors, Healthcare (XLV) stocks outperformed, along with Communications Services (XLC), and Consumer Discretionary (XLY). Stock were poised to close the session mixed, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) could notch its first record high of the year. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) traded below its record close, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also fell below the flatline. All three major averages were on pace to end the week with gains. Among the S&P 500 sectors, Healthcare (XLV) stocks outperformed, along with Communications Services (XLC), and Consumer Discretionary (XLY). UBS: Put excess cash to work amid higher inflation UBS strategists say the US hasn't seen the last of rising inflation, following this week's hotter-than-expected PPI print, but investors should put their money to work as a Fed cut in September is still the likely outcome. 'We expect overall inflation to continue on a gradual upward trend as businesses pass along their higher costs, but we also believe slowing shelter inflation and pushback from increasingly stretched consumers should help offset some of the tariff impact on price pressures," Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, global head of equities at UBS Global Wealth Management said in a note on Friday. Monthly retail sales jumped 0.5% in July, marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadied following a dramatic drop earlier in the year. Hoffmann-Burchardi noted the downside risks in the labor market are likely to outweigh inflation concerns, as economic activity slows further in the second half of the year. "We expect the Fed to bring its policy rate 100 basis points lower in the months to come, reducing returns on cash," she added. UBS strategists say the US hasn't seen the last of rising inflation, following this week's hotter-than-expected PPI print, but investors should put their money to work as a Fed cut in September is still the likely outcome. 'We expect overall inflation to continue on a gradual upward trend as businesses pass along their higher costs, but we also believe slowing shelter inflation and pushback from increasingly stretched consumers should help offset some of the tariff impact on price pressures," Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, global head of equities at UBS Global Wealth Management said in a note on Friday. Monthly retail sales jumped 0.5% in July, marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadied following a dramatic drop earlier in the year. Hoffmann-Burchardi noted the downside risks in the labor market are likely to outweigh inflation concerns, as economic activity slows further in the second half of the year. "We expect the Fed to bring its policy rate 100 basis points lower in the months to come, reducing returns on cash," she added. Why Goldman Sach says the 'Goldilocks' stock market may get hit Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth stock pops on Buffett's Berkshire share purchase UnitedHealth Group's (UNH) stock rallied on Friday following the revelation that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) purchased 5 million shares last quarter. The more than 10% jump in shares of the healthcare insurance giant helped lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) into green territory, as the rest of the major averages dropped. UnitedHealth has suffered multiple setbacks in the past couple of years. With earnings misses piling on top of that, the stock has been under constant pressure and is down more than 45% year to date. Read more here. UnitedHealth Group's (UNH) stock rallied on Friday following the revelation that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) purchased 5 million shares last quarter. The more than 10% jump in shares of the healthcare insurance giant helped lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) into green territory, as the rest of the major averages dropped. UnitedHealth has suffered multiple setbacks in the past couple of years. With earnings misses piling on top of that, the stock has been under constant pressure and is down more than 45% year to date. Read more here. IPO market surges in August with companies 'striking while the iron is hot' The IPO market is on fire this summer, Yahoo Finance's Jake Conley reports. Conley writes: Read the full story here. The IPO market is on fire this summer, Yahoo Finance's Jake Conley reports. Conley writes: Read the full story here. Opendoor shares pops in wake of CEO exit amid meme-fueled stock surge Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) shares spiked as much as 10% in morning trading after the company announced the departure of its CEO Carrie Wheeler effective immediately. Opendoor said it is searching for a new CEO to lead the ibuyer in its next growth phase, just weeks after the stock skyrocketed in a meme-fueled rally. The board appointed Shrisha Radhakrishna, Opendoor's chief technology and product officer, as president and interim leader of the company. Shares of Opendoor have been on a wild ride over the past month, powered in part by Carvana (CVNA) turnaround spotter EMJ Capital and speculative investors on Reddit's wallstreetbets. EMJ Capital founder and president Eric Jackson wrote in mid-July that his firm was taking a long position in Opendoor, which was then trading under $1 per share. Jackson has been critical of Opendoor's top leadership, most recently following the company's latest quarterly results in early August, when the stock sank 20% following a disappointing earnings forecast. "The communication on the earnings call from the CEO and the CFO was really awful," Jackson told Yahoo Finance last week. "The management team didn't do anything to get this thing up from 51 cents to almost five bucks," he said. "It was basically all of us retailers who saw the value in this platform, supported it. We got not a word from management over these last few weeks. So I think she's got to go." Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) shares spiked as much as 10% in morning trading after the company announced the departure of its CEO Carrie Wheeler effective immediately. Opendoor said it is searching for a new CEO to lead the ibuyer in its next growth phase, just weeks after the stock skyrocketed in a meme-fueled rally. The board appointed Shrisha Radhakrishna, Opendoor's chief technology and product officer, as president and interim leader of the company. Shares of Opendoor have been on a wild ride over the past month, powered in part by Carvana (CVNA) turnaround spotter EMJ Capital and speculative investors on Reddit's wallstreetbets. EMJ Capital founder and president Eric Jackson wrote in mid-July that his firm was taking a long position in Opendoor, which was then trading under $1 per share. Jackson has been critical of Opendoor's top leadership, most recently following the company's latest quarterly results in early August, when the stock sank 20% following a disappointing earnings forecast. "The communication on the earnings call from the CEO and the CFO was really awful," Jackson told Yahoo Finance last week. "The management team didn't do anything to get this thing up from 51 cents to almost five bucks," he said. "It was basically all of us retailers who saw the value in this platform, supported it. We got not a word from management over these last few weeks. So I think she's got to go." Chip stocks fall as Trump says semiconductor tariffs coming as soon as next week Chip stocks dropped Friday after President Trump said he will set tariffs on semiconductors as soon as next week. "I'll be setting tariffs next week and the week after on steel and on, I would say, chips," Trump told reporters Friday while aboard Air Force One while traveling to Alaska to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. Nvidia (NVDA), AMD (AMD), and Broadcom (AVGO) fell more than 1%, while Micron (MU) dropped more than 3%. Trump said earlier this month that semiconductor companies building out their domestic manufacturing footprint — this includes the world's leading contract chip manufacturer, Taiwanese firm TSMC (TSM) — would be exempt from his planned 100% tariffs on chips. That commentary sent chip stocks up. But on Friday, he implied that the exemption may only be temporary. "I'm going to have a rate that is going to be lower at the beginning — that gives them a chance to come in and build — and very high after a certain period of time," he said. Chip stocks dropped Friday after President Trump said he will set tariffs on semiconductors as soon as next week. "I'll be setting tariffs next week and the week after on steel and on, I would say, chips," Trump told reporters Friday while aboard Air Force One while traveling to Alaska to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. Nvidia (NVDA), AMD (AMD), and Broadcom (AVGO) fell more than 1%, while Micron (MU) dropped more than 3%. Trump said earlier this month that semiconductor companies building out their domestic manufacturing footprint — this includes the world's leading contract chip manufacturer, Taiwanese firm TSMC (TSM) — would be exempt from his planned 100% tariffs on chips. That commentary sent chip stocks up. But on Friday, he implied that the exemption may only be temporary. "I'm going to have a rate that is going to be lower at the beginning — that gives them a chance to come in and build — and very high after a certain period of time," he said. Consumer sentiment falls in August, marking first decline in 4 months US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months. The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 58.6 from a reading of 61.7 in July. It was also less than the 62 reading expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. 'This deterioration largely stems from rising worries about inflation,' wrote Joanne Hsu, the director of the university's Surveys of Consumers. Consumer sentiment had improved in June and July after plummeting in the spring as Americans worried about the impacts of Trump's tariffs. In May, the index showed sentiment at its second-lowest level on record as consumers expressed concerns over long-term inflation, fueled by uncertainty surrounding Trump's trade policies. Sentiment improved in June as Trump dialed back some of his aggressive stances on tariffs. 'Overall, consumers are no longer bracing for the worst-case scenario for the economy feared in April when reciprocal tariffs were announced and then paused,' Hsu said. 'However, consumers continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future.' Read more here. US consumer sentiment deteriorated in August, falling for the first time in four months. The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 58.6 from a reading of 61.7 in July. It was also less than the 62 reading expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. 'This deterioration largely stems from rising worries about inflation,' wrote Joanne Hsu, the director of the university's Surveys of Consumers. Consumer sentiment had improved in June and July after plummeting in the spring as Americans worried about the impacts of Trump's tariffs. In May, the index showed sentiment at its second-lowest level on record as consumers expressed concerns over long-term inflation, fueled by uncertainty surrounding Trump's trade policies. Sentiment improved in June as Trump dialed back some of his aggressive stances on tariffs. 'Overall, consumers are no longer bracing for the worst-case scenario for the economy feared in April when reciprocal tariffs were announced and then paused,' Hsu said. 'However, consumers continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future.' Read more here. US stocks mixed at the open US stocks were mixed on Friday at the open as Wall Street tempered its hopes for the Fed to cut interest rates in September, as economic data this week showed higher than expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose around 0.5%, putting the index on track for its first record since December. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose less than 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell below the flatline. US stocks were mixed on Friday at the open as Wall Street tempered its hopes for the Fed to cut interest rates in September, as economic data this week showed higher than expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose around 0.5%, putting the index on track for its first record since December. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose less than 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell below the flatline. Intel stock continues rise as Trump administration reportedly mulls taking stake in chipmaker Intel (INTC) stock spiked more than 7% Thursday and continued to climb 3% before the market open on Friday, following a report that the US government is considering taking a stake in the troubled chipmaker. Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is in talks with Intel about the deal, which would help the company complete its Ohio factory expansion that had been put on hold. The report follows a meeting between President Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan earlier this week, which came after the president called for the CEO's resignation due to his ties with China. "As Intel's prospects have dimmed, the idea of support (governmental or otherwise) has gained traction, understandable given the company, for better or worse, remains the only US-headquartered prospect for leading edge semiconductor chips and processes; it seems like Trump may have been persuaded to see the light," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon wrote in a note to investors Friday. It's not the first time the Trump administration has allegedly floated ideas to prop up Intel. In February, a news report said the US was pitching proposals to its rival TSMC to help support its turnaround by establishing a joint venture with Intel. Read more here. Intel (INTC) stock spiked more than 7% Thursday and continued to climb 3% before the market open on Friday, following a report that the US government is considering taking a stake in the troubled chipmaker. Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is in talks with Intel about the deal, which would help the company complete its Ohio factory expansion that had been put on hold. The report follows a meeting between President Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan earlier this week, which came after the president called for the CEO's resignation due to his ties with China. "As Intel's prospects have dimmed, the idea of support (governmental or otherwise) has gained traction, understandable given the company, for better or worse, remains the only US-headquartered prospect for leading edge semiconductor chips and processes; it seems like Trump may have been persuaded to see the light," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon wrote in a note to investors Friday. It's not the first time the Trump administration has allegedly floated ideas to prop up Intel. In February, a news report said the US was pitching proposals to its rival TSMC to help support its turnaround by establishing a joint venture with Intel. Read more here. Retail sales climb less than expected in July Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday — marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadies following a dramatic drop in earlier in the year. Still, the jump was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected. An even narrower slice of retail sales called the 'control group' — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected. Retail sales rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs. Read more here. Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday — marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadies following a dramatic drop in earlier in the year. Still, the jump was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected. An even narrower slice of retail sales called the 'control group' — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected. Retail sales rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs. Read more here. Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary) Earnings: No notable earnings. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: 'Striking while the iron is hot' Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary) Earnings: No notable earnings. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: 'Striking while the iron is hot' Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Reuters reports: Read more here. Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Reuters reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth stock soars as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company. A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday. Reuters reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company. A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday. Reuters reports: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Should You Buy the Post-Earnings Plunge in Applied Materials Stock?
Applied Materials (AMAT) shares crashed nearly 15% on Friday after the semiconductor company reported a strong third quarter but offered disappointing guidance for its fiscal Q4. In its earnings release, the industry bellwether attributed its worse-than-expected future outlook to tariffs, which it said were 'creating increased uncertainty and lower visibility in near term.' More News from Barchart UnitedHealth Stock Soars as Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Discloses $1.57B Stake Palantir CEO Alex Karp Sees More Gains Ahead With America-Focused Growth Strategy, Calls U.S. The 'Leader of the Free World' Lucid Motors Is Caught in a Tariff Trap. Is LCID Stock More Likely to Hit $1 or $7 in 2025? Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Applied Materials stock has been in a massive uptrend over the past four months. Despite its post-earnings decline, therefore, it remains well over 30% up versus its year-to-date low set in early April. Why Lam Research Is a Better Pick Than Applied Materials Stock In a post-earnings research note, a senior Bank of America analyst, Vivek Arya, dubbed rival Lam Research (LRCX) a better pick for exposure to chipmaking equipment than AMAT stock. Why? Mostly because the former's portfolio 'bias toward high-growth etch/deposition products is skewing foundry/logic share in its favor.' In comparison, Applied Materials is 'exposed to other, potentially sluggish product categories that are weighing on growth,' he told clients in a research note. On Friday, Arya downgraded Applied Materials shares to 'Neutral' and reduced his price objective to $180. Post-Earnings Decline in AMAT Shares May Still be Overdone Stifel's analyst Brian Chin also lowered his price objective on AMAT shares to $180 following the earnings release – saying the firm's revenue won't grow as steadily in the near-term as management believes. According to him, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), one of Applied Materials' key customers and a major chip manufacturer, was more 'first-half oriented' in terms of spending, which could hurt growth in H2. However, it's worth noting that that both BofA and Stifel revised their price targets on the Nasdaq-listed firm to $180 – up more than 10% from current levels – suggesting the post-earnings decline, nonetheless, is a bit overdone. Plus, a 1.13% dividend yield makes up for another great reasons to own Applied Materials here. How Wall Street Recommends Playing Applied Materials In conclusion, Wall Street hasn't thrown in the towel on AMAT stock following its Q3 earnings. The consensus rating on Applied Materials shares remains at 'Moderate Buy' with the mean target of roughly $207 signaling potential upside of some 28% from current levels. On the date of publication, Wajeeh Khan did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
