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February 21, 2025

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On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve released minutes from its January 28–29 meeting. There weren’t any surprises — the Fed wants to see inflation go lower before cutting interest rates again and would also like to see the impact of the new administration’s policies before making interest rate cut decisions. The takeaway: We won’t see rate cuts in the next Fed meeting.

The broader equity indexes rose after the Fed minutes were released, with the S&P 500 ($SPX) closing at a record high — that’s two consecutive record-high closes. The upside moves may not have been big spikes, but they were enough to show that investor sentiment is bullish and market breadth is improving. Bond prices also rose slightly. 

Sector Strength

The Bullish Percent Index, an amazing indicator that gives you an indication of the internal health of an index or sector, displayed significant gains for several indexes and sectors. The S&P Industrials Sector BPI ($BPINDY) and the S&P Technology Sector BPI ($BPINFO) gained over 5%, the S&P Healthcare Sector BPI ($BPHEAL) gained over 3.50%, and the Nasdaq 100 BPI ($BPNDX) gained almost 3%.

Let’s look at the charts of the Industrials BPI and Technology BPI. The chart of the Industrials BPI (see below) shows that it has just crossed over the 50 level, an indication the sector is gaining bullish strength. The daily chart of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), a proxy for the Industrial sector, is still trading sideways and its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) is still trending lower (see chart below). However, if the BPI of the sector rises higher, there could be an upside move in this sector. 

FIGURE 1. DAILY CHART OF THE S&P INDUSTRIALS SECTOR BPI AND INDUSTRIAL SELECT SECTOR SPDR ETF. The bullish move isn’t evident in the chart of XLI but if $BPINDY continues to rise, XLI could move toward its all-time high. Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Shifting to the daily chart of $BPINFO, it’s clear that BPI is above 60, indicating bulls are in control in this sector. The Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is at its all-time high, which could be toppy. A break above this level would be bullish for the Tech sector. 

FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF $BPINFO. The Technology sector is more bullish than the Industrials, but it could be getting toppy. A break above prevailing levels could mean the Tech sector still has legs. Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Market Participation

Overall, there looks to be broader participation in the stock market. The S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index ($SPXEW) is moving higher (see chart below) but is battling against a resistance level (green line). A break above its current level clears the path for the index to reach its 52-week high. 

FIGURE 3. DAILY CHART OF THE S&P 500 EQUAL WEIGHTED INDEX. The index is moving higher but has hit resistance. A break above this resistance level would confirm broader market participation. Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Closing Position

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the stock market, the markets are leaning to the bullish side. We’re seeing upside movement in other asset classes besides the Mag 7 stocks. Monitor the BPI of various indexes and sectors. The simplest way is to follow these steps:

  • Download the Essentials ChartPack.
  • The US Sectors – Bullish Percent Indexes ChartList contains the BPI of all the sectors.
  • The Market & Index Bullish Percent Indexes ChartList contains BPIs of various indexes.
  • The US Industries – Bullish Percent Indexes ChartList contains charts of two indexes.
  • You can modify these ChartLists by adding/deleting symbols.
  • Monitor your ChartLists regularly.

Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX,NYSE:GOLD) has reportedly reached an agreement with the Malian government after nearly two years of issues, resolving a prolonged conflict over its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex.

According to Reuters, the deal, which is pending formal approval by Mali’s government, includes financial compensation and regulatory commitments. It will lift gold export restrictions and allow Barrick to resume full operations.

Barrick/Mali dispute background

The dispute between Barrick and Mali began in 2023 after Mali introduced a new mining code that increased the state’s financial stake in mining projects. The revised framework required foreign mining companies to cede a greater share of revenue to the government, which relies heavily on the sector as a primary source of income.

Barrick, one of Mali’s largest mining operators, resisted certain provisions, leading to months of negotiations without resolution. Tensions escalated in late 2024, when Malian authorities detained four Barrick employees from the company’s Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex, charging them with undisclosed violations.

Barrick refuted the charges and sought diplomatic and legal avenues to secure the employees’ release.

The arrests followed similar actions against executives of Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG,LSE:RSG,OTC Pink:RMGGF), which was accused of owing US$162 million to Mali in back taxes.

In early 2025, the Malian government imposed export restrictions on Barrick’s gold production, preventing the company from shipping stockpiled gold from Loulo-Gounkoto. At the time, CEO Mark Bristow warned that a prolonged shutdown could force the company to suspend mining activities at the site entirely.

Mali then escalated the standoff by enforcing gold seizures at the mine on January 11, with government officials reportedly transferring up to 3 metric tons of gold by helicopter.

Terms of the agreement

As part of the settlement, Barrick will pay US$438 million to the Malian government.

In return, the government has agreed to release Barrick’s detained employees, lift the gold export restrictions imposed on the company and allow mining operations to resume at full capacity.

A delegation of more than 15 Malian officials and representatives from consulting firm Iventus Mining conducted a three day inspection of Loulo-Gounkoto before finalizing the deal. The Malian government reportedly gave Barrick a one week deadline to restart operations, further pressuring the company to reach an agreement.

Bristow previously stated that the closure of Loulo-Gounkoto would cause financial losses for both Barrick and Mali.

In 2024, Barrick paid US$460 million in taxes and royalties to Mali. The company has estimated that it would have contributed US$550 million in 2025 if operations had continued without disruption.

The prolonged shutdown forced Barrick to lower its annual gold output forecast to between 3.2 million and 3.5 million ounces, compared to 3.9 million ounces in 2024 and 4.1 million ounces in 2023.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Asset management firm Purpose Investments launched seven new yield shares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Thursday (February 20), including four that offer Canadians exposure to key tech companies.

Purpose Investments’ new ETF lineup

Three of Purpose’s ETFs — the Palantir (PLTR) Yield Shares Purpose ETF (CBOE:YPLT), the Coinbase (COIN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF (CBOE:YCON) and the Broadcom (AGO) Yield Shares Purpose ETF (CBOE:YAVG) — offer concentrated exposure to leading enterprises in the defense, blockchain and artificial intelligence sectors.

The Tech Innovators Yield Shares Purpose ETF (CBOE:YMAG) offers exposure to the largest and most influential earners on the Nasdaq. Known by the acronym BATMMAAN, the basket of tech stocks in this ETF are Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA).

“The Tech Innovators Yield Shares is an exciting evolution of our suite, bringing together industry giants with a sophisticated strategy that allows investors to participate in their growth while generating enhanced, diversified income. This powerful blend of innovation and yield is designed to meet the needs of today’s investors,” said Nick Mersch, portfolio manager for Purpose’s Yield Shares division in a press release.

The remaining three ETFs offer exposure to Costco (NASDAQ:COST), UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX). Their names and tickers are as follows:

    All seven ETFs use a covered call strategy to generate attractive monthly distributions.

    This approach allows investors to potentially earn a higher income than traditional dividend yields while maintaining exposure to the performance of these leading companies.

    The Yield Shares ETFs are available for purchase through brokers and investment advisors.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    Bitcoin attracts bold predictions. Recent forecasts show that this top cryptocurrency may soon hit Bitcoin Reach $200000. Many trusted sources, including Yahoo Finance, CoinDesk, Bloomberg, and CNBC, have reported this forecast. This public news reflects rising optimism among market experts amid changing economic conditions.

    Market Sentiment and Economic Drivers

    Many analysts believe that economic uncertainty and rising prices create a strong chance for Bitcoin to serve as a safe asset. Investors now see Bitcoin as a reliable store of value. They shift funds to cryptocurrencies when they lose trust in traditional assets. In addition, new regulations in key markets push both large and small investors to spread their money across various assets.

    Technical Analysis and Price Trends

    Technical data supports a potential price surge. Long-term charts show an upward trend, while short-term drops offer good buying points. Trading volumes and network activity grow each day. Experts point to a limited supply and high demand as key reasons that Bitcoin Reach $200000 upto.

    Investor Implications and Risk Management

    Investors must stay alert in this volatile market. They should manage risk by diversifying their portfolios. Many experts advise reviewing holdings and allocating funds wisely. They also recommend keeping up with the latest market news and technical signals to guide decisions.

    Conclusion

    This forecast that Bitcoin may reach $200,000 comes from strong market sentiment, positive technical trends, and a unique economic climate. However, investors face a volatile market that demands caution. Experts urge both individual and institutional investors to monitor these trends closely and prepare for various market moves.

    While reaching $200,000 is not guaranteed, this forecast offers valuable insight into the ever-changing crypto market. It shows that the market can shift quickly and that informed decisions are key. Investors should act wisely and stay updated on news and trends. By doing so, they can protect their investments and uncover new opportunities in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrencies.

    The post Could Bitcoin Reach $200000? Market & Expert Insights appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

    In an attempt to court younger audiences, Disney’s ESPN is planning to add some user-generated content to its yet-to-be-named flagship streaming service, which will debut later this year.

    While the details are still unclear, ESPN will allow subscribers to post their own content at some point in the application’s evolution, according to people familiar with the matter. The technology likely won’t be available at launch, which the company hopes will occur before the National Football League season begins in September. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment.

    Disney executives have also considered adding user-generated content to Disney+ and discuss YouTube’s influence on streaming on a near daily basis, CNBC reported last year.

    Alphabet’s YouTube, which leans heavily on creator-led content, is the most popular streaming service with an 11.1% share of total TV usage in the U.S., according to Nielsen.

    ESPN executives are targeting a price of either $25 per month or $30 per month for the ESPN streaming service, which will include all of ESPN’s linear programming plus other digital add-ons, the people said.

    The company plans to announce a name for the service, a price and a launch date in the coming months, the people said.

    Media and professional sports league executives are focusing on how to capture the attention of younger viewers that are opting to watch YouTube or TikTok over live games. ESPN spends tens of billions of dollars each year on the media rights for live sports.

    This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

    Airbus could prioritize deliveries to its non-U.S. customers if tariffs disrupt the European plane maker’s imports stateside, CEO Guillaume Faury said Thursday.

    “We have a large demand from the rest of the world, so [if] we face very significant difficulties to deliver to the U.S., we can also adapt by bringing forward deliveries to other customers which are very eager to get planes,” Faury told CNBC’s Charlotte Reed, in an interview discussing the company’s full-year results.

    “Those tariffs are looming, and we don’t know what they will be, [and], if and when we would have tariffs come in, what they would impact. So we stand ready to adapt accordingly,” Faury said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariff threats which have already been ramped up against China.

    Faury nevertheless stressed that Airbus had made moves in recent years to not only buy more from the U.S. and sell a significant number of aircraft and helicopters in the U.S., but also to base part of its production locally.

    That includes a large output site in Mobile, Alabama, with two final assembly lines for the company’s A220 and A320 family jets, with another U.S. line under construction to build A320 and A321s for the domestic market.

    A host of large U.S. carriers are Airbus customers, including American Airlines, Delta, United and JetBlue.

    “So we have a lot of potential flexibilities,” Faury said regarding the potential imposition of duties, whose details remain uncertain.

    “Bottom lime, we believe in this industry — that is very much a North Atlantic ecosystem with a lot of interdependencies — tariffs would hurt both sides. So I hope, I believe, we will not be significantly impacted by tariffs,” Faury said.

    The European plane maker’s target for around 820 aircraft deliveries in 2025 was issued “in spite of those uncertainties, to clarify what we think we can deliver this year absent tariffs,” Faury said.

    Airbus, meanwhile, remains stymied by a host of supply chain issues which are limiting its ability to ramp up production and work through its order backlog of more than 8,000 jets, Faury told CNBC.

    His comments come after the company earlier on Thursday reported a 6% rise in annual revenue, but an 8% fall in adjusted operating profit to 5.35 billion euros ($5.59 billion) across 2024.

    Profit at the company’s defense and space unit swung to a loss of 656 million euros for the full year.

    Faury told CNBC that space was the “area where we are suffering,” amid competition from players such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX and past investment in technologies that had proven difficult.

    “We underestimated the risk compared to the reality,” Faury said, adding that the company was restructuring the unit and working to solve existing issues.

    Despite challenges, Airbus’s annual results served to highlight its strength over its crisis-hit U.S. rival Boeing, which reported an annual loss of $11.83 billion for 2024.

    This post appeared first on NBC NEWS