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    Friday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session

    Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 24, 2024. 
    Brendan McDermid | Reuters

    Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today. Sign up for free to receive it directly in your inbox.
    Here’s what CNBC TV’s producers were watching as the S&P 500 ended a three-day losing streak, and what’s on the radar for the next session.

    Tesla

    The stock is back in fashion among traders and investors. Tesla was up nearly 22% Thursday. The stock is now just 4% from the July 11 high.
    Volume was off the charts today, more than tripling the 30-day average.
    CNBC contributor Jeff Kilburg wrote up an options strategy on the stock the evening of the Robotaxi demonstration Oct. 10. It was featured on CNBC.com/pro. Kilburg sold out of the position Thursday when the stock hit $255 a share, locking in a profit that netted him about 220% in two weeks.
    The stock went as high as $262.12 Thursday, breaking far above the 200-day moving average. 
    The lifetime high is $414.50, hit back in the fall of 2021.
    It was Thursday’s most sought-after ticker on CNBC.com, even outpacing the popular 10-year Treasury. 

    Stock chart icon

    Tesla shares in 2024

    Cramer on the rig

    CNBC’s “Mad Money” did the full hour 140 miles deep into the Gulf of Mexico on a rig run by Chevron. If you want to know about the energy market, go back and take a look. He hit the big integrated stocks, the drillers and more.
    Cramer spoke with CEO Mike Wirth who said, “Energy is such a vital part of the global economy that if we find ourselves in the situation where energy supplied are constrained, particularly if they’re constrained by political actions, it can trigger inflationary reactions in the economy.” He added that “because the price of energy is embedded in everything, because everything is delivered, and everything is manufactured, energy is the lifeblood of the economy. So, affordable and reliable energy is essential to keeping inflation at a level that economies can handle.”
    Chevron is 10% from the April high and flat year to date.
    The S&P Energy sector is 8% from the 52-week high. It’s up about 8% year to date.
    Targa Resources is the top performer in the sector, up 94% in 2024.
    Williams Companies is second, up 51% in 2024.
    Kinder Morgan comes in third, up 42% this year. All three names are near highs.
    APA, Halliburton and SLB are at the bottom of the sector. They are down in the 20% to 30% range in 2024.

    Capri-Tapestry deal blocked

    A judge said “no” to the proposed retail deal after the Federal Trade Commission sued to block it.
    Tapestry jumped 14% after the bell. Capri, which holds brands including Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, is down 47%. Tapestry has Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman.

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    Tapestry in 2024

    The restaurants

    CNBC TV’s Kate Rogers will look ahead at upcoming restaurant reports.
    This includes Starbucks and McDonald’s. Both took tumbles on bad news this week. McDonald’s is down nearly 5% week to date in the wake of the E. coli problems. The stock is up 19% in three months. Starbucks is now flat this week. Shares are up 30% in three months. In large part, that’s due to optimism over the new CEO, former Chipotle chief Brian Niccol
    Chipotle is on Rogers’ watchlist. The stock is up 15% in three months, but it’s 14% from the June high.
    Cava is up 78% in three months. That’s a lot of pita. The stock hit a new high Thursday.
    Sweetgreen is up about 50% in three months. The stock is 8% from the high reached two weeks ago.
    Darden is up 16% in three months, and it’s 8% from the March high. Brands include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille and Seasons 52.
    Bloomin’ Brands has Bonefish Grill and Outback Steakhouse, but it is the stock that’s really down under: Shares are off 15% in three months, and the stock is 47% from the March high.

    Fannie and Freddie

    Both stocks are up as of late. In part, that’s due to speculation that if former President Trump wins the election, he’ll privatize them.
    Federal National Mortgage Association is up about 9.4% in four days. The stock is up roughly 29% in October.
    Freddie Mac is up 5.4% this week so far, and it’s up 18% in October. More

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    U.S. will be ‘more pro-crypto’ after this election, no matter who wins, says Ripple CEO Garlinghouse

    Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, speaks at the 2022 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., May 4, 2022. 
    Mike Blake | Reuters

    Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse has been skeptical of crypto regulation in the U.S., but he is feeling highly optimistic about the post-election environment around the corner.
    “This is the most important election we’ve had, but I also believe no matter what happens, we’re going to have a more pro-crypto, more pro-innovation Congress than we’ve ever had,” he said in a Wednesday conversation with CNBC at DC Fintech Week.

    Ripple, a veteran company in crypto known in part for its close association with the XRP token, operates a global payments business with banks and financial institutions as its main customers. About 95% of its business takes place outside of the U.S., which Garlinghouse said is partly a reflection of the contentious environment in Washington.
    In 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Ripple, but last year the company scored a big victory for the industry when a judge determined that XRP is not a security when sold to retail investors on exchanges.
    On Wednesday, Garlinghouse offered a piece of advice to fintech startups in this changing time: “Incorporate outside the United States.”
    Nevertheless, he was upbeat about where the industry is heading in the long term.
    “Anybody who doesn’t believe that no matter what, we’re going to end up in a better place, is not paying attention … and [if in] 10 years we look back on how the U.S. got it wrong for years and years. … It’s going to be a speed bump, and this industry is going to continue to thrive.”

    An approaching ‘reset’

    Ripple has donated at least $45 million to the Fairshake pro-crypto political action committee. Co-founder Chris Larsen recently donated $11 million to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Garlinghouse pointed out he was intentionally wearing a purple tie on Wednesday.
    “Obviously, Trump came out early and very aggressively in a pro crypto [way] and said he’s the crypto president,” Garlinghouse said. “Team Harris have been more nuanced. This week, they had some of the most constructive things they have said publicly.”
    “Kamala Harris is from Silicon Valley, she has generally been pro technology over the years,” he added. “She has been relatively quiet on the topic, but I think no matter what happens, we’re going to see a reset.”
    Because of that contrast, sentiment in the crypto industry has grown increasingly partisan — even as it has previously applauded growing bipartisan support for crypto issues in Congress. Many pro-crypto voters fear that the Harris campaign would continue the “attack” on crypto, as Garlinghouse called it.

    Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC PRO:

    “No matter what happens, we’re going to leave behind a failed approach from the Biden administration,” he said. “It has been an attack, and it isn’t just the SEC. The [Office of the Comptroller of the Currency] is hostile towards crypto; the Treasury is hostile towards crypto.”
    He highlighted banks becoming unwilling to work with crypto businesses in what many in the industry have referred to as “Operation Chokepoint 2.0.” The term refers to an Obama-era project known as “Operation Choke Point,” which discouraged banks from serving risky but legal enterprises, such as payday lenders and online gambling businesses.
    “That is a hostile administration, and no matter what happens in this next election, we will have a reset,” Garlinghouse said. “We can debate the magnitude of that reset, and there’s lots of disagreement about that. … We’re going to see forward progress, and I certainly am looking forward to that.”
    Though Garlinghouse hasn’t publicly backed any of the presidential candidates, he said that this week he endorsed John Deaton, an attorney seeking to unseat Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Warren has been critical of the crypto industry, seeking additional oversight of the space.

    Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO More

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    Here’s how much you can make in 2025 and still pay 0% capital gains

    The IRS on Tuesday announced 2025 inflation adjustments for long-term capital gains, which apply to investments owned for more than one year.
    In 2025, single filers can have $48,350 in taxable income or $96,700 for married couples filing jointly and still pay 0% capital gains taxes.
    The 0% capital gains bracket could offer a tax planning opportunity for investors, experts say. 

    Phynart Studio | E+ | Getty Images

    If you’re ready to rebalance investments or harvest profits, you could shield more earnings from capital gains taxes in 2025.
    The IRS on Tuesday announced dozens of inflation adjustments for 2025, including long-term capital gains brackets, which apply to assets owned for more than one year.

    Starting in 2025, there are higher taxable income thresholds for the 0% capital gains bracket, meaning investors can sell more assets without triggering taxes.
    The 0% capital gains bracket creates a “significant opportunity” for tax planning, according to certified financial planner Neil Krishnaswamy, president of Krishna Wealth Planning in McKinney, Texas.
    More from Personal Finance:The IRS unveils higher capital gains tax brackets for 2025How to rethink cash as the Fed cuts interest ratesHealth savings accounts offer ‘unmatched’ tax benefits, expert says
    The 0% capital gains bracket can “allow you to transform your taxable account into a tax-free account, at least temporarily,” said Krishnaswamy, who is also an enrolled agent.
    Here’s what to know about the 0% long-term capital gains rate for 2025 and how to qualify.

    Who qualifies for 0% capital gains in 2025

    Starting in 2025, single filers can qualify for the 0% long-term capital gains rate with taxable income of $48,350 or less, and married couples filing jointly are eligible with $96,700 or less.
    However, taxable income is significantly lower than your gross earnings. You calculate taxable income by subtracting the greater of the standard or itemized deductions from your adjusted gross income.
    Most taxpayers use the standard deduction, which also adjusts for inflation. In 2025, the standard deduction increases to $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly.

    In 2025, a couple making well over $100,000 could still fall within the 0% capital gains bracket after subtracting the standard deduction, experts say. 
    For example, if a married couple earns $125,000 together in 2025, their taxable income could be under $96,700 after subtracting the $30,000 standard deduction.

    However, “people still need to be mindful about their income and where they may fall within the bracket,” said Ashton Lawrence, a CFP and director at Mariner Wealth Advisors in Greenville, South Carolina. “Surpassing the 0% threshold by even a small amount could mean a 15% tax on all gains above the limit.”
    Plus, profitable assets you sell will be part of the taxable income calculation and could bump you above the 0% capital gains threshold. Before selling assets, you should run a full-year tax projection and understand how the increased income could impact your situation.

    Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO More

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    Thursday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session

    Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on October 22, 2024 in New York City. 
    Spencer Platt | Getty Images

    Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today. Sign up for free to receive it directly in your inbox.
    Here’s what CNBC TV’s producers were watching as the 30-stock Dow and the S&P 500 posted a third straight losing day, and what’s on the radar for the next session.

    The airlines

    After two big interviews regarding the Boeing strike in two days, CNBC TV’s Phil LeBeau turns his attention to two big airlines.
    He’ll interview Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, in the 7 a.m. hour ET and Robert Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines, in the 9 a.m. hour.
    American Airlines is up 22% in the past three months. The carrier reports on Thursday morning. American is 20% from the March high.
    Southwest also reports Thursday morning. The stock is up 13% in three months. Southwest is 12.6% from the February high.
    Over the last three months, United Airlines is the leader in the group. Shares are up 52% over that period. The stock hit a high Monday.

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    American Airlines over the past three months

    The utilities

    Utilities are the only S&P 500 sector up so far this week: up 0.26%. It is up 17% in three months.
    Four utilities hit new highs Wednesday, including Dominion Energy, DTE Energy, Consolidated Edison and Entergy.
    Entergy is now at an all-time high. The stock is up 5.3% in a month and 24% in three months.
    Consolidated Edison, also hit a new all-time high Wednesday. The stock is up 3% in October, and it has gained 15% in three months.
    DTE is at a 25-month high. The stock is up about 3% in a month, and it’s up 12% in three months.
    Dominion Energy is at a 20-month high. The stock is up 5.4% in October and up 20% in three months.

    Honeywell reports before the bell

    In a week full of reports from big industrials, Honeywell is next on the list. The company reports Thursday before the bell.
    The stock is up 1.4% since last reporting three months ago and hit a high Monday. The stock is up 6.6% so far in October.
    The S&P Industrials sector is up 39% in the last year.
    Howmet Aerospace is the top performer, up 136% in the past year. It’s followed by GE Aerospace, up 113%. Axon is up 110% in the last year.
    Paycom, Boeing and UPS are the weakest performers in the industrials in the last year. Paycom is down 36% in the past year, while UPS is down 11%. Boeing is down 13% in a year.

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    Honeywell in 2024

    CBRE Group reports before the bell

    The real estate investment trust reports Thursday morning.
    The stock is up 24% in the last three months and hit a high Monday.
    Many of the office REITs have had a solid three months.
    Vornado is up 46% in three months. BXP is up nearly 26% in three months, and SL Green is up 20%. Brandywine is up about 12% in that period.
    The S&P Real Estate sector is up 8.5% in three months. It’s 2% from the mid-September high.

    Several regional banks report Thursday

    Stock chart icon

    Valley National Bancorp over the past three months

    Weyerhaeuser reports after the bell

    The company specializing in timber products is up 5% over the past three months.
    Weyerhaeuser is 12% from the March high.
    There are two ETFs with nifty symbols in the space. CUT is the Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF, and it is flat in three months. It’s 4.6% from the September high.
    WOOD is the iShares Global Timer & Forestry ETF. It is also flat in three months. The ETF is 7% from the September high.

    Microsoft’s AI Copilot

    CNBC TV’s Steve Kovach is tracking Microsoft’s AI Copilot product on Thursday, almost a year after its release.
    Microsoft ended Wednesday’s trading at $424.60 a share. That is 9.3% from the July high. 
    The stock is up about 13% so far in 2024.

    Nvidia’s Jensen Huang in India

    CNBC TV’s Seema Mody will watch and listen in on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s trip to India, a growing tech hotspot.
    Nvidia is 3.4% from the high hit Tuesday.
    The stock is up about 15% so far in October and up 181% in 2024.

    Palantir’s Alex Karp

    The CEO of the defense tech company will be with CNBC TV’s Morgan Brennan and Jon Fortt in the 4 p.m. hour.
    Palantir is up 14.5% in October.
    The stock is down 4% from the Oct. 14 high.
    Palantir has almost doubled in the last six months. It ended Wednesday’s session at $42.59, and shares are up 1% after hours. More

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    Watch Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse speak live on legal battle with SEC and upcoming election

    [The stream is slated to start at 2:55 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]
    Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse will speak at DC Fintech Week in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon.

    Ripple, the largest holder of XRP coins, scored a partial victory last summer after a three-year legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This was hailed as a landmark win for the crypto industry as it established a precedent that could help determine when other cryptocurrencies might be deemed securities. The SEC appealed that decision earlier this month.
    Garlinghouse will discuss that lawsuit, along with Ripple’s role in informing U.S. crypto regulation more broadly. He will also speak about the upcoming presidential election and his donations to the Fairshake pro-crypto political action committee.
    The CEO will also talk about why his company is entering the burgeoning stablecoin space this year with the launch of Ripple USD (RLUSD).
    Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.  More

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    4 ways to make your home down payment savings grow, according to top-ranked advisors

    Coming up with a down payment can be daunting with high home prices.
    Different investment and savings vehicles can help you get a higher return on your funds, experts say.
    Deciding what works best for you will depend on when you need to access the money, said one financial advisor.

    Saving for a home down payment can feel challenging, given current real estate prices. Using the right assets can help give your balance a lift.
    When you actually need the money is the “biggest driving factor,” said Ryan Dennehy, principal and financial advisor at California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, California. The firm ranked No. 13 on the 2024 CNBC FA 100 list.

    “Do you need the money six months from now, or do you need the money six years from now?” he said.

    More from FA 100:

    Here’s a look at more coverage of CNBC’s FA 100 list of top financial advisory firms for 2024:

    That timing matters because financial advisors generally recommend keeping money for short-term goals out of the market. There can be more flexibility for intermediate-term goals of three to five years, but it’s still wise to prioritize protecting your balance. After all, you don’t want a bad day in the market to impact your ability to put in an offer on a home.
    But that doesn’t mean your down payment funds need to sit in a basic savings account, either.
    Here’s how to figure out how much money you might need, and some of the options for safely growing your balance:

    How much you need for a down payment

    Understanding how much money you might need can help you better gauge your timeline and the appropriate assets for your down payment.

    As of the second quarter of the year, the median sales price of U.S. homes is $412,300, according to the U.S. Census via the Federal Reserve. That is down from $426,800 in the first quarter, and from the peak-high of $442,600 in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Fed reports.
    So, for example, if a homebuyer is looking to put a 20% down payment on a $400,000 house, they might need to save about $80,000, said certified financial planner Shaun Williams, private wealth advisor and partner at Paragon Capital Management in Denver. The firm ranks No. 38 on the FA 100.

    Do you need the money six months from now, or do you need the money six years from now?

    Ryan D. Dennehy
    financial advisor at California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, California

    Of course, a 20% down payment may be traditional, but it’s not mandatory. Some loans require as little as 5%, 3% or no down payment at all. Down payment assistance programs can also cover some of the tab.
    In 2023, the average down payment was around 15%, with first-time buyers typically putting down closer to 8% and repeat buyers putting down around 19%, according to the National Association of Realtors.
    Just be aware that if you put down less than 20%, the lender may require you to buy private mortgage insurance. PMI can cost anywhere from 0.5% to 1.5% of the loan amount per year, depending on factors like your credit score and down payment, according to The Mortgage Reports.

    4 ways to grow your down payment savings

    Here are some options that advisors say are worth considering, depending on when you hope to buy a home, how much you already have saved and how accessible you need the cash to be:

    1. CDs

    A certificate of deposit lets you “lock in” a fixed interest rate for a period of time, Dennehy said. You can buy a CD through a bank or a brokerage account. 
    Term lengths for CDs can span from months to years. The annual percentage yield will depend on factors like the interest rate at the time, the term of the CD and the size of deposits.

    If you need to access the funds before the CD matures, a bank may charge a penalty wiping out some of the interest earned, Dennehy said. Some banks offer penalty-free CD options, too.
    With brokered CDs, there’s often no penalty charge for early withdrawal, but you are subject to whatever the CD is valued at on the secondary market, he said. You may also face sales fees.
    As of Oct. 23, the top 1% one-year CDs earn around 5.22% APY while the national average rate is 3.81%, per DepositAccounts.com.

    2. Treasury bills

    Backed by the U.S. government, Treasury bills are an asset that give you a guaranteed return, with terms that can range from four to 52 weeks. The asset could be less liquid, depending on where you purchase.
    T-bills currently have yields well above 4%.
    You can purchase a short-term or a long-term Treasury depending on your goal timeline, said Dennehy.
    Treasury interest is subject to federal taxes, but not state or local income tax. Stacked against CD rates, Treasurys can offer a “comparable rate with less of a tax impact,” said CFP Jeffrey Hanson, a partner at Traphagen Financial Group in Oradell, New Jersey. The firm ranks No. 9 on the FA 100.

    High yield savings accounts [are] great if you’re going to be buying in the next year.

    Shaun Williams
    private wealth advisor and partner at Paragon Capital Management in Denver, Colorado

    3. High-yield savings accounts
    A high-yield savings account earns a higher-than-average interest rate compared with traditional savings accounts, helping your money grow faster.
    The top 1% average for high-yield accounts is 4.64% as of Oct. 23, per DepositAccounts.com. To compare, the national average for savings accounts is 0.50%.
    Their ease of access makes a HYSA especially suitable as you get close to starting your home search.
    “High-yield savings accounts [are] great if you’re going to be buying in the next year,” Williams said.

    4. Money market funds
    A money market fund generally has a slightly higher yield than a HYSA, said Dennehy. Some of the highest-yielding retail money market funds are nearly 5% as of Oct. 23, according to Crane Data.
    But a HYSA is typically insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. A money market fund is not, said Dennehy.
    Still, money market funds are considered low risk and are intended not to lose value, according to Vanguard. They may be eligible for $500,000 coverage under the Securities Investor Protection Corp., or SIPC, when held in a bank account, Vanguard notes. More

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    How to rethink cash as the Fed cuts interest rates, according to top financial advisors

    Cash generally refers to relatively risk-free money, like that held in high-yield savings accounts or money market funds.
    Interest rates on cash rose to their highest level in years as the U.S. Federal Reserve raised borrowing costs aggressively starting in 2022.
    The Fed cut interest rates in September and more cuts are expected. Cash earnings are expected to fall, too.

    Erik Von Weber

    The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates in September, the first in a string of cuts expected at least into 2025. Earnings on cash are expected to decline as a result — likely leading investors to ask what they should do in response.
    From a financial planning perspective, cash generally refers to money held in relatively risk-free assets, like a high-yield bank savings account or money market fund.

    Cash is a kind of safety valve in investor portfolios, perhaps serving as an emergency fund or a reserve for near-term income needs in retirement.
    Interest rates on such assets are expected to “fall closely in tandem with what the Federal Reserve does” with its interest-rate policy, said Ryan Dennehy, principal and financial advisor at California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, California. The firm ranked No. 13 on the 2024 CNBC Financial Advisor 100 list.

    More from FA 100:

    Here’s a look at more coverage of CNBC’s FA 100 list of top financial advisory firms for 2024:

    Investors saw interest rates on cash rise to their highest level in years as the Fed aggressively increased borrowing costs starting in March 2022 to tame pandemic-era inflation.
    For example, many money market funds are paying roughly 4% to 5% in annual interest, following a lengthy period after the 2008 financial crisis during which their rates had languished near rock bottom.
    Now, the Fed has begun cutting rates to take pressure off the U.S. economy since inflation has subsided. Fed officials cut their benchmark rate by half a percentage point in September. They forecast another half point of cuts through 2024, and 1 percentage point of additional cuts in 2025.

    Of course, while expected, it’s not a given the Fed will continue to reduce borrowing costs.

    Gear cash to your goals, not interest rates

    Investors can make some moves on the margins to boost earnings on excess cash, assuming Fed officials continue on their current trajectory, advisors said.
    However, they shouldn’t abandon their overarching financial plan and put that money at an elevated risk of loss, advisors said.
    “Your cash allocation really needs to be geared toward your personal financial planning goals rather than what the interest rate environment might be doing,” said Fatima Iqbal, an investment advisor and senior financial planner at Azzad Asset Management in Falls Church, Virginia, which ranked No. 58 on the FA 100.

    Conventional wisdom suggests investors hold at least three to six months of expenses in cash-type holdings for emergencies, for example, Iqbal said.
    This thinking shouldn’t change in light of falling rates, advisors said. In other words, they shouldn’t subject their cash to more risk if they may need it in the near term.
    Additionally, cash often accounts for a relatively small portion of an investment portfolio, “so even with fluctuating interest rates, the impact to the overall strategy is minimal,” said Jeremy Goldberg, portfolio manager and research analyst at Professional Advisory Services in Vero Beach, Florida. The firm ranked No. 37 on the FA 100.

    Consider locking in high rates with excess cash

    That said, investors can consider reallocating any excess cash toward assets that are still relatively low risk and more likely to pay a higher return, advisors said.
    That might include locking in an interest rate now in a federally insured certificate of deposit or U.S. Treasury bond, said Victoria Trumbower, a certified financial planner and managing member at Trumbower Financial Advisors in Bethesda, Maryland, which ranked No. 31 on the FA 100.
    “If I have an opportunity to lock in something a little bit longer [in duration] and I’m pretty confident the client won’t want to sell it tomorrow, we’re willing to do that,” Trumbower said.

    Dennehy, of California Financial Advisors, recommended a similar strategy for households with excess cash.  
    Rather than holding a three-, six- or nine-month Treasury bond or CD, for example, investors can perhaps consider a duration of two or five years, Dennehy said.
    The virtue of such a strategy is investors would guarantee their interest rate, if they were to hold their bond or CD to its full term. Money market funds, by comparison, have a variable interest rate that will fluctuate with Fed policy, Dennehy said.
    When choosing one versus the other, investors essentially make a bet on the speed and trajectory of future Fed rate cuts, Dennehy said.
    “Keep in mind, for the better part of the last decade, with money market funds and high-yield savings accounts you were earning less than 1% interest,” he said. “Any amounts over 1% now is great, relatively speaking.” More

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    Watch live as CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam speaks at DC Fintech Week

    [The stream is slated to start at 9:05 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]
    Rostin Behnam, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is speaking at DC Fintech Week in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday morning.

    The agency is in a critical period: The CFTC sought to block financial exchange Kalshi from offering contracts that allow people to bet on the outcomes of U.S. elections. The agency lost that suit in September, and an appeals court lifted a temporary injunction that barred Kalshi from offering contracts bidding on elections.
    The CFTC is appealing the ruling.
    “The position of the commission has actually been pretty consistent for the better part of a decade, that we don’t believe listing event contracts on political elections is legal,” Behnam said in a Bloomberg Television interview Tuesday. “But while we have this ongoing legal challenge, we’ll allow them and we’re going to do what we can to protect the integrity of the markets.”
    The CFTC has also been grappling with the rapid evolution of digital assets and the need for Congress to take the first steps toward establishing a regulatory framework to ensure consumer protections.
    “What has concerned me most throughout the expansion of this digital asset class is that while everyday Americans fall victim to one digital asset scam after another, there remains no completed legislative response,” he said July in testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

    “Federal legislation is urgently needed to create a pathway for a regulatory framework that will protect American investors and possibly the financial system from future risk,” he added.
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