MARKET RECAP

Yesterday: Stocks edged higher Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting modest gains as defensive sectors led the market. Bond yields ticked lower following mixed housing data, while investors weighed international inflation surprises and their potential impact on global markets. Attention now shifts to upcoming economic reports and Fed signals to gauge the policy outlook.

On Our Radar: After assessing the latest initial jobless claims, analysts will next turn to existing home sales for clues about economic viability. Thursday’s earnings release of Walmart will likely dominate investors’ attention.

TOP STORY

Fed Minutes Reveal Officials See 'High Degree Of Uncertainty' Requiring 'A Careful Approach' On Rate Cuts

Fed officials emphasized the need for more evidence of cooling inflation before considering rate cuts, highlighting ongoing economic uncertainties.

Here’s how their cautious approach could shape market trends—and what investors should watch next.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Globavend Logs Double-Digit Net Income Growth In Fiscal Year 2024

Globavend Holdings Ltd. (GVH), a global e-commerce logistics company, saw growth in fiscal year 2024, posting a 24% increase in net income. 

For the fiscal year, Globavend reported a net income of $1.34 million and earnings per share of $0.09 – 13% higher than last year. Revenue came in at $16.5 million, representing a gross profit margin of 14.6% for the year. 

The growth coming out of Globavend comes as e-commerce is taking off in its key market, Australia. In Australia alone, the e-commerce market is forecast to hit $3.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23.2% over 2024-2030. That presents a big opportunity for Globavend. 

To learn more about this expanding logistics player in a growing market, click here. 

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

FIVE ZINGERS

Loading Zone: Officials from the U.S. and Russia held peace talks on Tuesday but without Ukrainian or European representation. Read why defense stocks started rising as a result.

Chip Wars: Microsoft just launched Majorana 1, thereby making its quantum chip debut. Discover how this new tech distinguishes itself from the competition.

Dead End: Shares of commercial EV maker Nikola tanked on Wednesday after the company filed for bankruptcy. Learn what happens next for the beleaguered enterprise.

Mixed Bag: Restaurant management software specialist Toast missed analysts' per-share earnings target but beat on revenue. Still, TOST stock encountered weakness in after-hours trading.

Huge Moves: Elliott Investment Management made several transactions in the fourth quarter. Here are the positions added and closed based on the latest 13-F disclosures.

SPECIAL OFFER

C-Suite Buy Of The Week: Bank Stocks On The Brink Of A Home Run

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:

Most people will not notice the importance of this week. They will be far too busy talking about things like AI eating the world, China taking over the government and Elon Musk ascending to the Interplanetary throne to notice.

The media will not be much help. They will be busy covering the vast conspiracy surrounding the President’s bathroom schedule and the whereabouts of Scaramucci’s mom.

The instant experts of the Internet will be far too busy touting the new nuclear plants that will fit in your pocket and allow you to mine Bitcoin and develop a personal AGI program on the go. The fancier models will apparently have an adapter that allows you to mount the reactor to your dash and simultaneously power your vehicle’s onboard entertainment system.

First, and most importantly, pitchers and catchers report this week. It is, as the saying goes, huge. I already have my tickets to catch the Orioles when they come to town, and I am ready for baseball season.

This week is also the deadline for 13F filings at the SEC. These handy documents contain all the stocks owned by the nation’s money managers, hedge funds, and other big-money types.

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Spot Stocks Before They Surge—With The Whisper Index

While the market swings wildly, our Whisper Index quietly identifies high-potential stocks before they break out. It flagged Uber before Goldman’s upgrade, Sprouts before institutional buying kicked in and Insmed before its 20% rally. Five new picks will be released tomorrow… click here now to lock in access before the news reaches the headlines.

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