Author: Lending Agent
Inflation was tamer than expected in February, with the consumer price index (CPI), a leading measure of prices in the U.S., rising a seasonally adjusted 0.2% for the month. The annual inflation rate for the past 12 months was 2.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Excluding food and energy, the core CPI increased 0.2% month over month, down from January’s core CPI reading of 0.4%, and 3.1% year over year. The consensus estimates for February inflation had been 0.3% and 3.2% for the past year. The news was a pleasant surprise after January’s hot overall inflation reading,…
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Typical U.S. homeowners stay in their houses for 11.8 years, but California homeowners stay in their homes for nearly 20 years, according to a new report from Redfin. The median U.S. homeownership tenure increased from 6.5 years in 2005 to the peak time of 13.4 years in 2020, before dropping to 11.8 years in 2024. Redfin states that homeownership tenures increased between 2005 and 2020 in part because of the nation’s aging population. Tenure declined between 2020 and 2023 mainly because of the considerable amount of moving going on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tenure stayed the same from 2023 to…
As the market sell-off deepens, the Nasdaq has now endured a 14% correction in the last three weeks. Corrections are a natural part of market cycles, allowing valuations to reset and paving the way for a healthier bull market. Even the “Magnificent Seven” stocks haven’t been spared, including Nvidia , which has plunged more than 25% from its highs despite beating earnings expectations. Like many other stocks trading at a steep discount, this sharp decline appears overdone, presenting a potential buying opportunity that could materialize in the coming days. While oversold conditions create buying opportunities, the challenge lies in timing…
Talen Energy could be set up for major gains over the next several months, according to Morgan Stanley. The firm initiated coverage on the power producer with an overweight rating and set its price target at $243. That implies more than 37% upside from Tuesday’s close. “The company operates the Susquehanna nuclear plant in PA and a fleet of 11 gas and coal plants, primarily in the mid-Atlantic market,” analyst David Arcaro wrote in a Wednesday note to clients. “The stock fits squarely into our broader thesis on powering AI: Talen’s nuclear plant offers highly valuable speed to market for…
A ‘For Sale’ sign is posted in front of a home for sale on March 5, 2025 in Pasadena, California. Mario Tama | Getty ImagesMortgage rates dropped to the lowest rate since October of last year, and that pushed demand even higher last week, after a substantial jump the previous week.Total mortgage applications rose 11.2% week to week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $806,500 or less, decreased last week to 6.67% from 6.73%, with points increasing to 0.63 from 0.60, including the origination fee, for…
Capital One Financial may be poised for gains in the path ahead with its acquisition of Discover, according to Evercore ISI. The firm upgraded the financial service stock to outperform from in line. Its $200 price target implies 20.9% upside from Tuesday’s close. Capital One has struggled in the new year, falling more than 7%. Over the past month, it has tumbled nearly 16%. The S & P 500, by comparison, has pulled back more than 5% year to date and about 8% over the past month. COF 1M mountain COF, 1-month “We believe the stock’s valuation does not fully…
The outlook for Apple looks less clear in the months ahead, according to Morgan Stanley. The firm, which has an overweight rating on the megacap technology name, cut its price target to $252 from $275, implying 14.1% upside from Tuesday’s close. This comes as the stock has been struggling this year. Shares are down nearly 12% in 2025, eclipsing the S & P 500’s 5% pullback during that time. AAPL YTD mountain AAPL, year-to-date Analyst Erik Woodring trimmed his iPhone shipments outlook after the company delayed a Siri upgrade that incorporates artificial intelligence features. For 2025, he is projecting iPhone…
Indiana may be known as the Crossroads of America, but a lot of people are finding reasons to race to the Hoosier State and put their cars in park. One reason being it’s still an affordable place to plant your roots: The state’s housing costs are well below the national average. For example, in Indianapolis — the state’s most populous city — the median home price in the third quarter of 2024 was $323,700 (compared to $414,100 nationwide), according to the National Association of Realtors. Plus, if you’re a first-time buyer, you may be able to get some help from…
Jason M. Loring, Partner, Jones Walker Over the past 20 years, cybercriminals successfully launched 20,000 attacks against financial institutions, according to the International Monetary Fund. These attacks carry a heavy financial toll as well as reputational and operational risks. Even so, the pace of growth in cybersecurity staff across all industries has slowed over the past couple of years. Last year, law firm Jones Walker conducted a survey of 125 executives at community and mid-size banks with $50 billion in assets about their cybersecurity practices. Partner Jason M. Loring spoke to Scotsman Guide about the survey. He shared his thoughts…