MARKET RECAP

Yesterday: Stocks climbed Wednesday, led by large caps and gains in health care and materials, while bond yields eased after briefly hitting year highs. Slower job growth and falling unemployment claims reinforced the soft-landing narrative, supporting expectations for moderate economic expansion in 2025.

On Our Radar: Investors will be keen on dissecting Friday’s U.S. employment report to further gauge economic strength. Also on Friday, analysts will await Delta Air Lines’ Q4 earnings results.

TOP STORY

Fed Minutes Reveal Inflation Jitters, Policymakers Signal Slower Interest Rate Easing Path Ahead

Policymakers expressed renewed inflation concerns at the Fed’s December meeting, signaling a slower path for rate cuts amid economic uncertainty.

Discover how these developments could impact markets — and where investors can seek opportunities for the road ahead.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Aeva Technologies Makes Inroads In Industrial Automation

Aeva Technologies Inc. (NYSE: AEVA), the LiDAR sensor maker powering the next generation of self-driving cars and trucks is expanding into industrial automation, a multi-billion dollar market poised for growth in the years to come.

Its deal inked with Nikon Corp. (OTC: NINOY), the global manufacturer and supplier of metrology and inspection equipment, last November is coming to fruition with the company starting shipments this month. It’s a big deal Aeva says should help it land more industrial automation customers. “This upcoming launch will mark pivotal milestones for Aeva as we progress from the in development stage to commercialization for the first time in industrial automation,” says Aeva CEO Soroush Salehian.

To learn more about what Aeva has been up to lately click here. 

This is a paid ad. Please see 17b disclosure here for more information.

FIVE ZINGERS

Red Flag: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang put the brakes on quantum computers, stating that their practical utility could be several years away. Take a look at which sector players are attracting the most attention.

Green Light: Once dismissed as a ridiculous idea, President-elect Trump's pitch to acquire Greenland has reignited momentum. Learn about the broader geopolitical implications of this Arctic territory.

High Roller: Due to a higher-than-expected win ratio among U.S.-based players, Flutter Entertainment lowered its full-year guidance. Still, read why one analyst remains optimistic about FLUT stock.

Nuanced Take: BofA Securities analyst Justin Post lowered estimates for Pinterest amid ongoing weakness in the food-and-beverage ad category. Still, discover why the expert remains optimistic overall.

Smoked Out: Amplify ETFs announced yesterday that it plans to liquidate its cannabis-centric MJUS ETF. Here's the negative regulatory headwind that contributed to the plug-pulling decision.

SPECIAL OFFER

C-Suite Buy of the Week: Executive Buying Trends Offer Clues for 2025 InvestmentsC-Suite Buy of the Week

Editor’s Note: Every Thursday, Benzinga Edge members receive the C-Suite Buy of the Week, a report by Tim Melvin detailing the insider buying that, unlike most, is actually worth paying attention to. Here’s a sneak peek at last week’s:

As we move into the New Year, it is a good time to revisit what we do and do not know about insider trading.

We know that corporate officers’ and directors’ trading has to be revealed to the public via a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We know that, in most cases, insider buying is far more informative than insider selling. Most insider selling reveals very little real information, as there are dozens of reasons for insiders to be cashing in stocks, most of which have little to do with business prospects.

The exception to this rule is when we see clusters of insiders or large sales by top executives at or near 52-week lows. This always needs to be investigated, as the odds of several executives having a personal cash need when the stock is in a downtrend are pretty slim.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Crypto Primer: How Seasonal Tokens Is Breaking It Down For The Masses

Cryptocurrency seems to be taking off with Bitcoin and Ethereum setting new highs in 2024. More of the same is expected in the new year but it’s still not an investment vehicle adopted by the masses. Seasonal Tokens is trying to change that with its education platform, aimed at breaking down Bitcoin, Ethereum and Blockchain in an easy to understand manner.

After all knowledge is power and that’s particularly true of cryptocurrency.  Not only do you have access to free educational materials and courses through Seasonal Tokens platform but it gives you access to what the company says is a safer way to invest in crypto. Ready to learn more about a market that looks like it’s taking off? Click here to access Seasonal Tokens and its education platform.

This is a paid ad. Please see 17b disclosure here for more information.

Disclosure: The author currently holds a long position in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

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