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Happy Friday Zingernation! When I’m betting, it’s usually a 10-leg MLB parlay with the goal of an early retirement (and no they never hit). But now the betting markets are growing and these days you can bet on just about anything. Including today’s most volatile betting market: the 2024 presidential election.

—Aaron Bry & Nic Chahine

Plus, check out the growing AI company that’s teaming up with OpenAI.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Yesterday: A late afternoon rally brought all major indices in the green and the overall market close to all-time highs. Will a strong close lead to a strong open?

On Our Radar: PCE data this morning! The inflation gauge will likely move the market as traders determine what the numbers mean for the Fed’s monetary policy.

TOP STORY

Nike Shares Slip On Weak Earnings

Briefly: Nike, Inc shares are trading lower following fourth-quarter earnings and soft guidance for fiscal year 2025.

So: During a quarterly earnings conference call, Nike’s CFO, Matthew Friend, announced a revised outlook for fiscal 2025, anticipating a mid-single-digit decline in reported revenue, a significant shift from earlier expectations of growth.

Basically: For the first quarter, Nike projects revenue to be down approximately 10%. This reflects more aggressive actions in managing classic footwear franchises, continuing challenges on Nike Digital, muted wholesale order books, a softer outlook in Greater China, and a number of quarter-specific timing factors. Here’s what analysts are saying about the report and updated price targets.

PRESENTED BY BRAND ENGAGEMENT NETWORK

AI Doesn’t Have To Be Scary: Brand Engagement Does It Securely, Responsibly With Its Chatbots, Avatars

AI is taking off with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) the latest powerhouse to partner with OpenAI. But there is a dark side to AI that has people around the world concerned. After all, in the wrong hands, AI can be used for nefarious purposes, from creating deep fakes to disseminating false information. 

But when companies use AI correctly, it can be hugely transformative. That’s the case with Brand Engagement Network Inc. (NASDAQ: BNAI) and its portfolio of chatbots and avatars. The company takes a security-first approach that limits the bad aspects of AI. 

Unlike many of the unsecured AI systems that train with unknown data and have math limitations, BEN trains on client-provided data, uses mixed technology for precise math and follows clients’ internal client data management and privacy protocols. It’s also HIPAA and SOC 2-compliant. 

It makes sense. BEN is going after healthcare, finance and automotive, markets where protecting data is essential. 

To learn more about BEN’s responsible and secure  AI technology click here.

FIVE ZINGERS

Getting Chippy: Tawain Semiconductor is trading higher this morning on news of a new $10 billion investment. Here are the details.

Settle Up: Lyft and Uber are settling lawsuits with Massachusetts regarding driver pay and benefits. Here’s what the stocks are doing.

Hung Out To Dry: Thousands of HSBC customers were locked out of their accounts Friday morning, unable to access their money or accounts.

The Only Winner: The debate may have been tough to watch last night, but so far there’s one clear winner: $DJT’s stock.

The Earnings Playbook: Want to make an extra few bucks trading through earnings season? Register here for expert options ideas.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Fed's Preferred Inflation Gauge Falls To Lowest Level Since November 2021

Briefly: The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation, the Personal Consumption Expenditure, continued to decline in May as economists expected, cementing market expectations Friday on upcoming Fed rate cuts.

So: In May, the rate of personal income rose more than expectations, while personal spending grew less than predicted. on a month-over-month basis, indicating some early signs of cooling consumer demand.

Basically: The PCE price index eased from 2.7% year-over-year in April to 2.6% in May, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported. The annual inflation rate matched the consensus estimate of 2.6%, according to data from Econoday. Here’s what the numbers mean for future interest rates.

PRESENTED BY STARPAX

A New Cancer Treatment Conceived To Do What No Other Cancer Treatments Can

Current cancer treatments struggle to reach 90% of the tumor volume. Antibodies, nanocarriers, precision targeting medicine, and even immune cells, don’t reach more than 10% of the tumor volume. Join us in our mission to change the way we treat cancer. 

Here's why you should consider investing in Starpax’s patented technology:

• The future of cancer treatment is here: Starpax's cutting-edge technology features Starpax Living self-propelled Magnetodrones^TM, which are sensitive to special magnetic fields and carry drugs on their surface to the tumor volume. 

• Cutting-edge technology: The Living Magnetodrones, guided by the PolarTrak’s artificial intelligence, are injected directly into the tumor. Preclinical trials have demonstrated a 100% remission rate in extremely aggressive tumors without any side effects observed.

• Reduced risk, accelerated progress: Starpax minimizes trial risks and accelerates approvals with our FDA-approved anti-cancer molecules that can target six common cancers simultaneously. We meet the criteria for the FDA Fast Track Program and Health Canada accelerated review standards.

• Scalable business model: Partnering with top U.S. firms, Starpax plans rapid deployment of 25 treatment centers within seven years, with forecasted EBITDA reaching $12 billion annually upon FDA approval.
  

Invest in Starpax today and be part of this transformative journey.

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