Market Overview - The equity market is currently disregarding the government shutdown, potentially viewing it as a positive factor, while also signaling a slowdown in the economy [1][13] - Major indexes closed at record highs for the week ending October 24th, with significant gains observed in October [1][13] Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve's Beige Book indicates only 18% of the economy is growing, a decline from 43% in August and 100% at the end of the previous year [5][13] - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in September, slightly above the consensus estimate, bringing the year-over-year increase to 3.0% [6][15] - Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased by 0.2%, also resulting in a 3.0% rise over the past year [6][15] Housing Market - Existing home sales increased by 4.1% in September compared to the previous year, but the annual rate remains significantly below pre-COVID levels [11][12] - The current level of existing home sales is nearly 40% lower than the cycle peak, approaching the worst levels seen during the Great Recession [12][14] - Median home prices have stagnated since Spring 2024, with expectations of home price deflation in the coming quarters due to rising inventory [12][14] Consumer Behavior - Consumer spending rose by 2.7% from April to August, despite a 1.2% decline in personal income during the same period, indicating reliance on savings drawdown [9][16] - Rising delinquencies in credit card and auto loans are early indicators of consumer distress, with mortgage delinquencies now exceeding levels seen during the COVID era [10][16] Future Outlook - The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates, with a potential 25-basis point reduction anticipated at the upcoming meeting [8] - The economic outlook remains cautious, with expectations of continued weakness in economic data influencing future monetary policy [8][16]

Global stock markets are experiencing a period of remarkable growth, with new record closes becoming increasingly common. The UK's FTSE 100 hit an all-time high of 9,645.62 on 24 October 2025, maintaining its upward trajectory alongside the New York Stock Exchange.The year-to-date performance of London's primary equities benchmark has surged by 18.02%, outperforming the broad S&P 500 Index (+15.5%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+11%) in New York. Only the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has delivered a ...

Core Points - Apple has requested a judge to dismiss a racketeering lawsuit filed by Fintiv, which alleges that Apple stole technology to create Apple Pay and engaged in racketeering by generating fees for credit card issuers [1][2] - Fintiv claims that Apple posed as a potential partner to gain access to its mobile wallet technology, leading to the alleged theft of trade secrets and technology [4][5] Legal Proceedings - Apple argues that Fintiv delayed pursuing most of its claims and failed to demonstrate a pattern of racketeering [2] - If the case is not dismissed, Apple has requested that it be transferred to a Texas judge who is already familiar with a related patent case involving Fintiv [3] - Fintiv's previous patent case against Apple was dismissed on August 4, and Fintiv is currently appealing that decision [3][6] Background Information - Fintiv's predecessor, Mozido, established a phone-based payment remittance business with Western Union and RadioShack in 2008 [4] - The lawsuit filed by Fintiv in August accuses Apple of racketeering and theft of trade secrets related to the technology powering Apple Pay [4] - The complaint alleges that Apple engineers attended technical sessions under nondisclosure agreements and subsequently hired key personnel from Fintiv's predecessor, incorporating their technology into Apple Pay's launch in 2014 [5]

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insightsASX today – Australian shares have all but halted any movement heading towards open, with ASX 200 futures pointing to a 0.5-point tick-up as Oz traders hold their breath for the pivotal CPI print coming out before lunchtime.Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.The third-quarter consumer price index will form the cornerst ...

Core Insights - The M&A market is experiencing a resurgence, with deal volume up 9% and deal value up 36% year-over-year, indicating a return of confidence among investors [4][5][9] - Technology remains the leading sector for M&A activity, accounting for about one-third of all deals, followed by oil and gas and life sciences [6][14] - The narrowing bid-ask gap is attributed to private equity firms needing to divest long-held assets and a decrease in the cost of capital, making deals more attractive [11][12][9] Mergers and Acquisitions Trends - The first half of 2025 showed fluctuating deal activity, but Q3 marked a significant recovery in the M&A market [4] - Regulatory bodies are perceived as more M&A friendly compared to previous administrations, contributing to the uptick in deal-making [6][17] - The forecast suggests continued growth in deal volumes through 2026, driven by moderated confidence and favorable capital market conditions [13][18] Market Performance - Major indices, including the Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ, reached record highs, reflecting strong market sentiment ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision [19][21] - Nvidia is nearing a market capitalization of $5 trillion, highlighting the dominance of large-cap tech stocks in the current market [20][21] - The S&P 500 is up 17% year-to-date, while the equal-weighted index shows a divergence, indicating a concentration of gains among larger companies [23][24] Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve is expected to implement a rate cut of approximately 100 basis points over the next 12 months, which is already factored into market valuations [5][34] - Concerns about the labor market and economic volatility are influencing CEO and CFO decision-making regarding M&A activity [12][35] - The potential impact of trade policies and election-year politics is being considered in deal valuations [12][17]

Core Insights - The stock market is increasingly dependent on the performance of the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks, which raises the stakes for an upcoming week of technology earnings that could influence Wall Street's momentum [1] Group 1 - The "Magnificent Seven" refers to a select group of technology companies that are driving market performance [1] - The upcoming technology earnings reports are critical in determining whether the current market momentum can be sustained [1] - There is a heightened focus on these tech earnings as they could significantly impact investor sentiment and market direction [1]

Core Points - A French court has ordered Apple to pay approximately 39 million euros ($45 million) to mobile network operators due to unfair contract conditions related to iPhone sales [3][4] - The ruling also includes an additional fine of 8 million euros against Apple [3] - Apple plans to appeal the court's decision, which pertains to contracts established over a decade ago with major French mobile network operators [4] Contractual Issues - The court identified problematic clauses that mandated operators to sell a specific number of iPhones and set fixed retail prices [3][4] - Apple was found to have overseen the use of its products and trademarks in advertising by the operators without proper compensation for the use of their patents [5] - The court has voided the contested clauses, and Apple is required to transfer the awarded sums to three of France's four main mobile network operators: Bouygues Telecom, Free, and SFR [5]

Core Insights - Apple's fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results are anticipated to show strong performance driven by Services revenues and Mac sales [1][10] Services Performance - The Services segment is expected to benefit from a growing installed base of devices and an increasing subscriber base for offerings like Apple TV+, Apple Pay, and Apple Music, with over 1 billion paid subscribers reported at the end of the fiscal third quarter [2][6] - Paid subscriptions are projected to continue growing in double digits, contributing to a forecasted Services revenue of $28.05 billion for the fourth quarter, indicating a 12.3% year-over-year growth [6][10] - Apple TV+ has gained traction with a strong content portfolio, winning 22 Emmys, but faces stiff competition from Disney+, Netflix, and Peacock [4][5] Mac Sales Growth - Mac sales are expected to grow year over year, with a projected net sales figure of $8.44 billion for the fourth quarter, reflecting a 9% increase [7][10] - Apple's market share in the PC segment rose to 9%, with shipments growing 13.7% year over year to 6.8 million units [7][8] iPad Sales Decline - iPad sales are anticipated to decline slightly, with net sales estimated at $6.9 billion, suggesting a 0.8% year-over-year decrease [11][10] - The iPad accounted for approximately 7% of fiscal fourth-quarter net sales, impacted by sluggish demand [11]

Let's begin with more record highs for the macro markets. And we love being out west for many reasons. In one part though, because we get to speak in person to one of our favorite market gurus.That is Mike Co, chief strategist, open interest. pro, CNBC contributor, just general all-around great guy. Mike, it's good to see you on set or it's good to be here.I can't decide which is which. >> Oh, this is great. You didn't stop by though on your way to Napa.>> Oh, I had a blimp chasing me apparently. This is a ...

Core Insights - Wall Street bulls are defying expectations as major indices reach all-time highs, with the Nasdaq 100 Index gaining approximately 23% year-to-date [1][5] Group 1: Market Sentiment - Despite strong market performance, the average investor sentiment remains muted, as indicated by the CNN Fear/Greed Index showing a "Fear" reading, suggesting skepticism among investors [1][5] - This muted sentiment at all-time highs is viewed as a bullish contrarian signal for stocks [5] Group 2: Seasonal Trends - Historically, the fourth quarter has been the best-performing quarter for US equities since 1950, with stocks typically bottoming around October 27 [3] - Institutional investors are expected to engage in 'window dressing' their portfolios, which may drive performance into year-end [3] Group 3: Earnings Performance - The earnings season has started strong, with 70% of S&P 500 companies exceeding sales estimates, marking the highest proportion of positive surprises in about four years [6] - 85% of benchmark companies have beaten earnings expectations, with only 14% missing [6] Group 4: Trade Relations - Easing trade tensions between the US and China are providing market relief, with trade talks reportedly moving into final stages [7] - A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for October 30, indicating further easing of trade concerns [7] Group 5: Federal Reserve Policy - The Federal Reserve has adopted a dovish stance, with Chair Jerome Powell cutting rates for the first time after a lengthy pause, historically leading to strong S&P 500 returns [8]