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Bitcoin extends decline, falling over 5% to below $64,000
CNBC· 2026-02-24 03:32
Core Viewpoint - Bitcoin experienced a decline of over 5%, dropping below $64,000, as investors reacted to escalating tariff tensions and broader geopolitical risks [1] Group 1: Market Reaction - The price of Bitcoin fell to a low of $63,396 amid investor pressure to shift away from risk assets [1] - The decline in Bitcoin is characterized as a "risk-sentiment reset" rather than a specific shock to the cryptocurrency market, according to an investment expert [1] Group 2: Investment Strategy - The recent plunge in Bitcoin is interpreted as a "tactical de-risking" approach by investors, indicating a temporary adjustment rather than a long-term exit from the market [2]
As Wall Street punishes software stocks over AI concerns, Canva gets more acquisitive
CNBC· 2026-02-24 03:01
Core Insights - Software stocks, including design software, have faced significant declines due to concerns over artificial intelligence impacts, with Adobe's stock down 30% this year [1] - Canva is actively acquiring startups to enhance its competitive position against Adobe, purchasing Cavalry and MangoAI to bolster its animation and video capabilities [2] Company Developments - Canva has acquired Cavalry, which specializes in two-dimensional animation software, and MangoAI, which focuses on short video creation for advertising [2] - The terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed, but both startups are expected to help Canva compete more effectively with Adobe [2] Product Integration - Canva plans to integrate Cavalry's animation technology into its core product and the Affinity application, which was made free after its acquisition in 2024 [4] - MangoAI will be incorporated into the Canva Grow advertisement generator, which is available at $250 per person per year, enhancing video performance tracking and recommendations [5] Market Position and Financials - Canva reported over $4 billion in annualized revenue for 2025, a 36% increase from the previous year, while Adobe's revenue for the November quarter was $6.2 billion, up 10% [7] - Canva's market valuation was noted at $42 billion in August, prior to the recent downturn in software stock prices [7] AI and User Experience - Canva's co-founder emphasized the importance of human input in content creation, stating that while AI can assist, the final touches that ensure brand representation are crucial [8] - The company has not experienced a slowdown in revenue or user growth, attributing improvements in product quality to the integration of AI [9]
Panama cancels China-linked port deal, hands canal terminals to Maersk, MSC
CNBC· 2026-02-24 02:02
Core Viewpoint - The Panamanian government has annulled key port contracts held by CK Hutchison's subsidiary, transferring operations to A.P. Moller-Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co. [1][2] Group 1: Contract Annulment - The Panamanian Supreme Court ruled that the concessions for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals, held by Panama Port Company (a CK Hutchison subsidiary) for over 20 years, were unconstitutional [2] - The government has formally assumed control of the port facilities, including cranes, vehicles, and software, to ensure uninterrupted operations until a new concession is awarded within 18 months [2] Group 2: Interim Operations - APM Terminals, a Maersk unit, will operate Balboa port, while MSC's Terminal Investment will manage Cristobal port under the interim arrangement [3] - Following the announcement, CK Hutchison's shares fell by 0.9% at market open, although the stock has increased over 20% year-to-date [3]
Jim Cramer says AI fears have made the stock market fragile
CNBC· 2026-02-23 23:43
CNBC's Jim Cramer offered a blunt takeaway from Monday's selloff: Artificial intelligence concerns have left the stock market incredibly fragile.After the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each shed more than 1%, the "Mad Money" host urged investors to exercise caution because stocks were "just too easy to take down today." The reason for the early-week downturn was a post from Citrini Research over the weekend — arguing the AI boom could hurt the economy and cause unemployment to shoot up to 10% if white-collar jobs were ...
Trading volumes have surged in leveraged funds, options since the pandemic, data shows
CNBC· 2026-02-23 23:06
Core Insights - The popularity of speculative investing tools has surged since the Covid pandemic, with a significant increase in retail traders entering the market [1] Group 1: Trading Volume Projections - Leveraged and inverse funds are projected to have average daily trading volumes of 1.41 billion in 2025, representing a growth of over 130% from 2024 and 250% from 2020 [2] - Average daily options volume is expected to reach 58 million in 2025, reflecting a 26% increase from the previous year and more than double the volume seen in 2020 [3] - Daily volumes for leveraged funds and options trading have grown at compound annual rates of 29% and 16%, respectively, from 2020 to 2025 [3] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Stock volume has expanded at a yearly pace of 10%, but stocks still significantly outpace leveraged funds and options in terms of market volume [4] - The total number of active leveraged funds increased by 50% in 2025, marking the largest annual growth since 2007, with approximately 80% of these funds tracking equities [5] Group 3: Investor Behavior - There has been a notable increase in interest in lesser-known leveraged funds, such as the Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU), as market conditions have favored these investments [6] - Retail traders have engaged in dip-buying strategies, particularly in leveraged bull funds, following market declines, which has contributed to strong returns in 2025 [7] - Clients typically hold smaller amounts in leveraged funds compared to traditional investments, suggesting these funds are viewed as "satellite" positions within portfolios [7] Group 4: Future Outlook - While it is uncertain if leveraged funds can maintain their rapid growth, demand is expected to persist as traders utilize these products to capitalize on market rebounds after pullbacks [8]
FedEx sues U.S. seeking full refund of Trump tariffs days after Supreme Court ruling
CNBC· 2026-02-23 23:05
A worker unloads packages from a FedEx truck on Cyber Monday in New York, US, on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.Federal Express on Monday sued the U.S. government, seeking a "full refund" of the money the shipping giant paid for tariffs unilaterally imposed by President Donald Trump, which the Supreme Court last week ruled are illegal.FedEx's suit appears to be the first one filed by a major American company after the Supreme Court decision seeking a refund of the tariffs it has paid.Other companies previously filed ...
Supreme Court ruling throws Trump administration's tariff strategy into flux. What it means for global trade, U.S. economy
CNBC· 2026-02-23 22:53
Shipping containers at the port of Oakland in California on Feb. 23, 2026, following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs.The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's tariffs on Friday, but the trade tax turmoil is far from over. Fallout over the ruling is already threatening to further strain global trade relations, and the U.S. economy is likely to suffer, economists told CNBC. In 6-3 decision, the high court ruled that President Trump did not ...
Cruise companies cancel Puerto Vallarta stops after violence in Mexico
CNBC· 2026-02-23 21:51
A satellite image shows cars on fire along a coastal road in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026, following the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho,' in a military operation.American travel companies are scrambling to reroute cruise ships and take care of tourists to Mexico after violence and chaos erupted in several coastal regions in the country following the killing of a cartel leader. The U.S. State Department broadened its warning to travelers to shelter in place acro ...
Uber acquiring parking app SpotHero
CNBC· 2026-02-23 21:47
Uber on Monday announced that it is acquiring SpotHero, a company that provides a parking reservation app. The rideshare company did not provide a deal price, but Uber said it plans to offer a "parking reservation experience, powered by SpotHero" within its own app to help users find parking for events, venues and airports. "For the moments when people do choose to drive, SpotHero on the Uber app will make the experience easier than ever, and bring more people into the Uber ecosystem," Uber CEO Dara Khosrow ...
Congress contemplates its role on tariffs after Supreme Court decision
CNBC· 2026-02-23 21:28
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) gives a thumbs up as he arrives for a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC.Kent Nishimura | Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump says he does not need Congress to impose tariffs, but his recent attempts to impose new import duties could trigger difficult votes for Republicans ahead of midterms. And Democrats are vowing to disrupt attempts to extend Trump's trade policy.Shortly after the Supreme Court spiked a majority of Trump' ...