Benjamin Hall, Author at Cactus three

European markets slip in final full trading session of the year

03

Jan

New miscellaneous

European markets slip in final full trading session of the year

European stock markets traded lower on Monday in the last full trading session of 2024, as investors braced for a quiet end to the year. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.5% in early afternoon trading in London, with most sectors posting losses. Technology, industrial and media stocks led the declines, while oil and gas stocks managed to post gains. Trading volumes remained light as markets across the region prepared to close early or remain closed until January 2 for the New Year holidays. Despite Monday's modest performance, European stocks are on track to end the year with moderate gains.…

Trump threatens EU with tariffs over trade deficit, demands increased US energy purchases

03

Jan

By Benjamin Hall

New miscellaneous

Trump threatens EU with tariffs over trade deficit, demands increased US energy purchases

President-elect Donald Trump ramped up his rhetoric on trade on Friday, warning the European Union that it must significantly reduce its trade deficit with the United States by buying more American oil and gas or face tariffs. “I told the European Union that it must make up for its huge deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas on a large scale. Otherwise, it will just be tariffs,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly after 1 pm ET. The trade deficit between the United States and the EU in goods and services amounted to 131.3…

Rohit Chopra testifies before Congress as CFPB takes legal action against Zelle

03

Jan

By Benjamin Hall

Investments and Business

Rohit Chopra testifies before Congress as CFPB takes legal action against Zelle

Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in late November 2023, addressing ongoing consumer financial protection issues. A few weeks later, the CFPB stepped up its efforts by filing a lawsuit against Zelle, a major peer-to-peer payments network, and its three largest operators – JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – for failing to fight fraud. and adequately compensate victims. The lawsuit marks a significant step in the CFPB's broader campaign to hold financial institutions accountable for fraud-related customer losses. According to the…

Neuralink gains approval for new brain implant study aimed at restoring mobility and digital freedom

02

Jan

By Benjamin Hall

Culture and Entertainment

Neuralink gains approval for new brain implant study aimed at restoring mobility and digital freedom

Neuralink, the brain technology startup founded by Elon Musk, announced that it has received approval to launch a new feasibility study using its experimental brain implant and robotic arm technology. This initiative, called FIRST studywill evaluate the safety and functionality of the company's wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) and its surgical robot. The study is specifically aimed at helping people with tetraplegia-a severe form of paralysis: controls external devices using only their thoughts. The announcement was made via Neuralink's social media channels, where the company described the study as a significant step toward advancing its technology. “This is the first step…

Fed expected to cut interest rates as it navigates economic uncertainty under incoming Trump administration

30

Dec

By Benjamin Hall

New miscellaneous

Fed expected to cut interest rates as it navigates economic uncertainty under incoming Trump administration

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point this week, a move some analysts are calling a “hard reversal” in monetary policy. This decision comes alongside updated economic forecasts and interest rate projections as the central bank attempts to balance its goals against a backdrop of changing economic conditions and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. The expected rate drop would lower the Fed's key interest rate to a range of 4.25% to 4.50%, marking a full one percentage point reduction from September, when the central bank began…

Dolphin Entertainment CEO increases ownership, signaling confidence in company’s future

30

Dec

By Benjamin Hall

Investments and Business

Dolphin Entertainment CEO increases ownership, signaling confidence in company’s future

William O'Dowd IV, CEO of Dolphin Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:DLPN), increased his personal investment in the company by acquiring an additional 13,000 shares of common stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1.09 each, bringing the total value of the transaction to approximately $14,170. This move highlights O'Dowd's confidence in the company's future and its recent performance metrics, including an impressive 94% gross profit margin and a 22% revenue growth rate over the past year. The purchase, completed on December 17, 2024, increases O'Dowd's direct ownership in Dolphin Entertainment to 147,493 shares. In addition to this, O'Dowd also…