KG on META's Budget Cuts, Jobless Claims "Outlier" & FOMC Rate Path

Meta Platforms - Meta is reportedly planning to cut 30% of its budget allocated to the metaverse, aiming to redirect those savings towards artificial intelligence initiatives [2][4][5] - Following the news, Meta's stock saw an increase of approximately 3%, although it retreated from pre-market highs of around $687 [3][6] - Mark Zuckerberg has shifted focus away from the metaverse in recent communications, emphasizing artificial intelligence instead, indicating a broader strategy to cut costs across all business segments by about 10% [5][7] Job Market Data - Initial jobless claims were reported at 191,000, significantly lower than the expected 219,000, with notable drops in California (36.6%) and Texas (42.8%) [9][10][11] - The Challenger job cuts report indicated 1.1 million layoffs this year, the highest since 2020, suggesting potential disruptions similar to those seen in the early 2000s technology sector [13] Factory Orders and Economic Indicators - September factory orders increased by 0.2% month-over-month, a revision down from a previous estimate of 1.4%, indicating some stabilization in the manufacturing sector [14][15] - The manufacturing sector, which constitutes about 30% of the U.S. economy, has been in a recession for the past 2-3 years, yet it has not significantly impacted equity markets [15][16] Commodity Market Insights - Oil and gasoline prices are trending lower, influenced by recent announcements regarding fuel economy standards, which may have long-term implications for fuel efficiency [18][19] - Gasoline prices are currently around $181 for unfinished products, indicating a downward trend that could signal economic weakening in certain areas [21][22]