STOCKS/ECONOMY
-Stock futures are higher as the major indices are poised to finish up what has been their best month of 2024. Chip stocks are bolstering the futures this morning as the markets will conduct just a half day of trading on the day after the Thanksgiving break.
-The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond is down to 4.22 percent.
-Gold is at the $2,664 per ounce level. Bitcoin is at the $97,000 level.
-Asian markets closed mixed, with the Nikkei losing 0.4 percent, the Hang Seng gaining 0.3 percent, and the Shenzhen rallying 1.7 percent higher.
OIL/ENERGY
-U.S. crude prices are up slightly but still at the $68 a barrel level.
-Gasoline prices are holding at $3.06 a gallon, national average.
CHIPS AHOY!
-The Biden administration is reportedly considering imposing less strict restrictions on U.S. chip manufacturers when it comes to what they can import to China. That's boosting shares of chip equipment suppliers like Nvidia (NVDA - up 1 percent in the premarket), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - also up 1 percent), and Qualcomm (QCOM - up 1 percent). The report is also the reason for the big rally in the mainland China Shenzhen index today.
MOVIE MAGIC
-Early reports show Disney's (DIS) "Moana 2" is doing well at the box office since its Thursday release. Experts predict it could rake in between $120 million and $150 million through the long weekend. Disney shares are up slightly in the premarket, but are up 30 percent for the year so far.
HOOD HIGH
-The SEC has approved the creation of a 24-hour stock exchange by startup 24 Exchange. That's good news for online trading platform Robinhood (HOOD), which stands to gain much more volume. Robinhood shares are up 2 percent in the premarket and have been on a tear all year, gaining almost 200 percent so far in 2024.
LOCAL YOKELS
-After a surge in viewership fueled by the COVID lockdowns and the surge in crime, local TV news viewership is back down across the country. Local TV station owner Tegna (TGNA) is cutting broadcasts and jobs at many of its properties, including eliminating its early news program in Houston. Investors are mildly cheering the cuts, as Tegna shares are up 1 percent in the premarket.
GOOGLE SUIT
-Canada's antitrust watchdog is suing Google over alleged anti-competitive practices in advertising. Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL) shares are flat in the premarket, but have gained 21 percent for the year so far.
HOLY VACANCY
-One new trend across America is churches are moving into empty movie theaters and other brick and mortar retail locations that have gone out of business due to changing consumer demands and Amazon. This is particularly the case in cities like Houston and other parts of the Southwest.
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