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US stocks rose slightly on Friday following a key inflation reading that largely met expectations and as fresh tariff threats added to uncertainty over Big Tech prospects. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite was up about 0.6% after suffering a Nvidia-led sell-off on Thursday. However, despite these gains, markets are heading into the last trading day of February facing sharp weekly and monthly losses.

The personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE) rose 0.3% in January, matching expectations, with a 2.5% annual inflation rate. Inflation eased slightly due to concerns over President Trump's tariff plans. The core PCE measure, preferred by the Federal Reserve, increased to 2.6%, within range of projections.

UGI Corporation's share was trading at $33.23 as of Feb 27th, reflecting a significant discount relative to its peers. The company's diversified energy operations, including natural gas utilities, midstream and marketing, international LPG, and AmeriGas, provide a strong earnings foundation. UGI's broader business remains robust, with steady growth in its core segments, despite the struggling AmeriGas division.

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) is facing significant challenges due to the bursting of its bubble, as Jim Cramer stated that trend-driven stocks need to experience a decline before more stable stocks can begin to recover. This decline in trendy stocks has led to a correction in the market, with the Nasdaq dropping by 1.21% and the S&P 500 falling by 0.5%. The company's stock price has been affected by this trend, as it is considered a frothy momentum stock.

Donald Trump recognizes the importance of AI to the U.S. economy and national security, emphasizing the need for robust AI security measures to counter emerging threats and maintain dominance in the field. The article outlines the dual focus on securing AI-driven systems and the physical infrastructure required for innovation, suggesting that the U.S. must invest in its chip manufacturing capabilities and energy resources to stay competitive. Establishing an AI task force is proposed to streamline funding and innovation while ensuring the safe deployment of AI technologies.

Canada's big bank CEOs are urging the federal government to remove internal trade barriers, evaluate tax policies, and other regulation as the country's top lenders cautioned that tariff and trade risks are clouding the economic outlook. The six big Canadian banks, which control more than 90% of the banking market and are among the biggest publicly listed companies in Canada, beat analysts' expectations for first-quarter profits but set aside large sums to shield against bad loans in an uncertain economy. The banks' CEOs delivered similar remarks on earnings calls this week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump to finalize a deal centered on critical minerals, aiming to secure U.S. support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite initial perceptions of Ukraine's rich rare earth resources, the country lacks substantial deposits and faces significant challenges in infrastructure and mining capabilities. The evolving geopolitical landscape suggests that critical minerals are becoming vital assets, with nations leveraging them for strategic alliances and military advantages.

Google is implementing significant job cuts in its HR and cloud divisions as part of a broader strategy to reduce costs while maintaining a focus on AI growth. The restructuring includes voluntary exit programs for certain employees and the relocation of roles to countries like India and Mexico City, reflecting a shift in operational priorities. Despite the layoffs, Google plans to continue hiring for essential sales and engineering positions, indicating a nuanced approach to workforce management.

Nvidia is poised to benefit from a significant long-term profit tailwind driven by sovereign artificial intelligence investments from nation-states. These investments are expected to drive demand for Nvidia's high-powered chips, which will be at the core of these build-outs. As experts note, AI models are becoming critical national infrastructure, and Nvidia is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

BlackRock's decision to add a 1% to 2% allocation to the $48 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) in its target allocation portfolios that allow for alternatives marks a significant shift in the asset manager's stance on cryptocurrency investment. The move comes as Bitcoin prices crater alongside stocks, with economic concerns and trade tensions weighing on risk appetite. As BlackRock seeks to provide guidance on how to size, scale, and rebalance alternative allocations, it underscores the growing demand for exposure to assets like Bitcoin within model portfolios.

Microsoft has warned President Trump that current export restrictions on critical computer chips needed for AI technology could give China a strategic advantage, undermining US leadership in the sector. The restrictions, imposed by the Biden administration, limit the export of American AI components to many foreign markets, affecting not only China but also allies such as Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Switzerland. By loosening these constraints, Microsoft argues that the US can strengthen its position in the global AI market while reducing its trade deficit.

The Canadian economy grew 2.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024, beating expectations and driven by higher spending on vehicles, increased exports, and business investments. This unexpected growth may provide some relief to businesses and investors, but economists caution that tariff uncertainty could still weigh heavily on the economy. The Bank of Canada's next interest rate decision will be closely watched, as policymakers consider whether the recent data is enough to justify further rate cuts.

Fed's Hammack says balance sheet drawdown likely to continue despite government finance uncertainty.Hammack says Fed can manage liquidity issues with temporary operations if needed.Hammack says a rate hike isn't in her base case.

A retail boycott is hitting major US businesses Friday as an online campaign calls for Americans to spend nothing at places such as Walmart, Target, Amazon and McDonald’s. The motivation for the so-called "economic blackout" are varied, according to John Schwarz, founder of the grassroots organization The People’s Union, with Schwarz advocating for price reductions and tax avoidance by major corporations, while also condemning companies that have backed away from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. This movement reflects growing concerns about corporate accountability and the power of consumer activism in driving change.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell on Friday with investors waiting for the release of the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge as they eyed Trump’s latest trade threats. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%. Investors are bracing for a sharp weekly and monthly loss in February after suffering from tariff moves.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, with its B Growth Style Score and A VGM Score, boasts a solid growth profile, projecting 6.2% year-over-year earnings growth and 5.6% top-line expansion in 2025. The company's ability to generate cash flow growth of 11.6% is also noteworthy. Furthermore, three analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher in the last 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.12 to $22.19 per share.

Carpenter Technology Corporation is poised for strong growth due to its impressive financial strength, overall health, and future outlook. The company's premium specialty alloys, including titanium alloys, powder metals, and tool steels, are critical to various end-use markets such as Aerospace and Defense, Energy, Transportation, Medical, Industrial and Consumer, and Distribution. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, Growth Style Score of B, and VGM Score of B, CRS is expected to deliver sustainable growth.

Bitcoin fell nearly 20% over the past month — its worst performance over a month since June 2022 — as concerns about rising tariffs led to a sharp sell-off in crypto. This decline comes after investors had been optimistic about the potential for looser regulatory environments under President Trump's administration, which was seen as pro-crypto. The recent losses have partly erased those gains, with macroeconomic uncertainty and a $1.5 billion crypto exchange hack contributing to the pullback among investors.

Walgreens downgraded by Deutsche Bank to Sell from Hold with a price target of $9, as reports of a potential take-private deal from Sycamore Partners are seen as overly optimistic and complicated to implement. Cava Group upgraded to Overweight from Neutral by Piper Sandler, citing the company's secular growth in fast casual and its strategic initiatives for 2025. The upgrade suggests that investors should consider the trend towards founder-led companies reclaiming control and potentially setting a precedent for similar brands.

US stocks pointed mostly lower Friday following a key inflation reading that largely met expectations and as fresh tariff threats added to uncertainty over Big Tech prospects. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) wavered around the flatline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) was down about 0.4% after suffering an Nvidia-led (NVDA) sell-off on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) added 0.2%.

Canada's gross domestic product in the fourth quarter expanded by 2.6% on an annualized basis, surpassing widespread expectations, as a jump in consumer spending, business investments and exports lifted growth, data showed on Friday. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected the GDP to grow by 1.8% in annualized terms in the quarter ending December, similar to Bank of Canada's predictions from last month. The third quarter growth rate was revised to 2.2% from 1% earlier, Statistics Canada said.

India's benchmark indexes logged their worst day in around five months on Friday, with Nifty 50 posting its longest monthly losing streak since 1996 due to pessimism over domestic market conditions. The benchmark Nifty 50 closed 1.9% lower at 22,124.70 and the BSE Sensex fell 73,198.10, respectively, as investors waited for earnings and economic growth to pick up. Analysts expect a prolonged period of market volatility.

U.S. consumers cut back sharply on spending last month, the most since February 2021, even as inflation declined, though stiff tariffs threatened by the White House could disrupt that progress. Americans are becoming more cautious in their spending due to rising economic uncertainty and the potential impact of tariffs on prices. The decline in spending may be a sign that consumers are preparing for potential economic downturns.

India's economy rebounded with a 6.2% growth rate in the fourth quarter, outpacing expectations and offering some respite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious growth plans. The GDP figure was in line with the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists and higher than a revised reading of 5.6% expansion in the previous quarter. However, concerns persist about the country's growth prospects for the next year, with exports and government spending expected to play a crucial role in sustaining momentum.

FuboTV Inc (NYSE:FUBO) reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024, with revenue growing 8.1% year over year to $443.277 million, marginally missing analyst expectations. Adjusted EPS loss of 2 cents beat analyst estimates, while the company's adjusted EBITDA margin loss stood at (2.0)% versus (12.2)% Y/Y. The company's paid subscribers grew 6.2% Y/Y to 1.64 million in North America.

The U.S. Commerce Department's Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index increased 0.3% in January after advancing by an unrevised 0.3% in December, data showed on Friday. Economists had expected the PCE price index to climb 0.3%. In the year through January, prices rose 2.5% after increasing 2.6% in December. Stripping out the volatile food and energy components, the PCE price index gained 0.3% last month after an unrevised 0.2% rise in December.

ABI Research's latest report outlines a five-year forecast for the tech industry, highlighting significant growth in large language models (LLMs) and data management solutions while predicting declines for tablet demand and smartphone shipments. Emerging technologies like smart home devices and humanoid robots are set to experience robust growth, driven by increased consumer interest and advancements in AI. Meanwhile, traditional tech segments like industrial blockchain and datacenter CPU chipsets are expected to face substantial challenges and market contraction.

The Federal Reserve could restart cuts to short-term borrowing rates in June and follow up with another reduction in September, traders bet on Friday, after data showed inflation edged down in January. The 12-month change in the personal consumption expenditures price index, which the Fed targets at 2%, ticked down to 2.5% last month from 2.6% in December. This modest slowdown could lead to a shift in the Fed's policy priorities, as policymakers weigh the trade-offs between controlling inflation and supporting economic growth.

The US Federal Reserve is expected to restart interest rate cuts in June, but policymakers are grappling with the tension between controlling inflation and supporting economic growth. Price pressures remained sticky despite a slowdown in consumer spending, while data shows that inflation has not yet returned to the Fed's 2% target. The situation presents a dilemma for the Fed, with policymakers weighing the need to support jobs against maintaining tighter monetary policy to ensure inflation returns to target.

U.S. consumer spending unexpectedly fell in January, dropping 0.2% last month after an upwardly revised 0.8% increase in December. A pick-up in inflation could provide cover for the Federal Reserve to delay cutting interest rates for some time. The economy's slowdown, fueled by fading front-running gains and winter storms, is consistent with expectations for a sluggish economic growth rate in the first quarter.

The latest reading of the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed prices rose on a monthly basis but dropped year over year, which should keep interest rates on hold when the central bank meets next in March. The "core" Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.3% from the prior month during January, but that rise was in line with expectations. Prices rose 2.6% year-over-year, which was also in line with expectations.

India's economy expanded by 6.2% in October-December, picking up on increased government and consumer spending, official data showed on Friday, and the government said it expected a further acceleration in the current quarter. The stronger rural economy also bolstered the world's fifth-largest economy in the final quarter of 2024, but manufacturing growth remained subdued. India is still the world's fastest-growing major economy, but it faces uncertainties over its trade with the United States.

US stock futures edged higher on Friday as investors awaited a key inflation reading and fresh tariff threats added to uncertainty over Big Tech prospects. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.5%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 was up about 0.2% after suffering an Nvidia-led sell-off on Thursday. Annual "core" PCE cooled to 2.6%, matching expectations, which helped soothe some anxiety about a slowdown in the economy and uptick in inflation.

Citigroup accidentally credited $81 trillion to a customer’s account last year, a mistake that took hours to reverse and was only caught by a third employee who detected a problem with the bank's account balances. The error was part of a trend of costly mistakes at the bank, including a 2020 incident where Citigroup mistakenly used its own funds to pay off a $894 million loan owned by Revlon. The bank has been conducting a massive reorganization since late 2023 and is investing heavily in data and technology investments.

Anneliese Dodds' resignation follows PM Starmer's slashing of foreign aid budget to boost defence spending. The UK's international development minister had criticized the move, stating it would harm British influence abroad and devastate those relying on aid. The cuts will now take effect, reducing Britain's overseas development budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP.

German inflation unexpectedly remained unchanged in February, highlighting the challenges for the European Central Bank in deciding how quickly and how far to cut interest rates. The unexpected slowdown in inflation leaves policymakers with a difficult decision about how much to ease monetary policy. Consumer prices increased 2.8% from a year ago, which is still higher than the ECB's 2% goal.

Horace Mann Educators, First Merchants, and IDACORP have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases, offering dividend yields of over 3%. These companies have consistently hiked their dividends, demonstrating a commitment to sharing profits with investors. By rewarding long-term value creation, these companies aim to attract income-focused investors seeking stable returns.

The S&P 500's reversal of its post-election rally has sparked concerns that President Donald Trump may intervene to support the market, according to Bank of America Corp. strategists. Investors are watching for signs of government intervention as the benchmark has slipped almost 3% this month on worries about Trump's proposed tariffs. The benchmark is now just about 1% from its closing level of 5,783 points on November 5, the day of the Presidential election.

Interest rates have fallen to their lowest level of the year, but that hasn't given stocks much of a boost. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield has declined since the start of the year, hovering around 4.3%, which in theory should give more juice to the stock market. However, the S&P 500 has sputtered, barely trading in the green since the start of the year, while previously reliable "Magnificent Seven" players have largely lagged the broader indexes.

Wells Fargo & Co. has abandoned its goal to achieve net zero by 2050 for financed emissions, citing the need for a more realistic timeline due to factors outside of its control. The bank's decision comes as climate policies have become increasingly politicized under the Trump administration, and experts warn that this shift may inject more risk into the finance industry. By abandoning its ambitious target, Wells Fargo is signaling that it cannot deliver on its own emissions reduction goals if the economy it serves is not on a similar trajectory.

Coca-Cola's 5.2% dividend increase marks its 63rd consecutive year of raising payouts, solidifying its position as a Dividend King. The company's long-term target is to deliver 4-6% organic revenue growth, accompanied by 7-9% earnings-per-share growth, allowing it to maintain a stable and attractive dividend yield. Coca-Cola has generated $10.8 billion in free cash flow last year, providing ample capacity for value-enhancing acquisitions.

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW) jumped by 16.98 percent on Thursday to end at $5.58 apiece as investors cheered improved earnings performance for the fourth quarter of 2024. The company reported a narrowed net loss and swinging revenue growth, driven by its ability to accelerate debt maturities using proceeds from transactions. MPW's efforts to diversify its portfolio and address debt maturities position it to pursue shareholder value initiatives in the future.

The industrials sector is currently experiencing a downturn, with a 1.7% decline over the past six months, contrasting sharply with the S&P 500's 5.1% gain. Despite this challenging environment, certain companies, such as AZZ and CACI International, exhibit strong growth potential due to impressive revenue growth and operational efficiencies. Conversely, Genco is facing significant headwinds, with projected sales declines and a concerning drop in earnings per share, making it a less attractive investment option.

Investors poured $19.71 billion into U.S. equity funds over the week, fueled by confidence in the economy's resilience and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut to stimulate growth. The surge in inflows came despite concerns over tariffs, with many investors opting for quality fixed income as a hedge against market volatility. This trend reflects the enduring allure of U.S. equities among investors seeking to navigate uncertainty.

Retail investor purchases of Palantir's stock have fallen off a cliff since early February, according to new data from Vanda Research. The peak in retail purchases of Palantir came in mid-January as momentum traders rode one of their favorite stocks. Palantir shares hit a record high on Feb. 18 and have since plunged 32%.

Technical issues have affected UK banking app users on payday for the second month running in 2025, causing frustration and potential financial consequences for thousands of customers. The Lloyds Bank and Halifax apps went down on Friday morning, while users also reported technical issues with other banks' apps. A spokesperson from Lloyds Banking Group has since confirmed that the issue has been resolved.

Capital A made an attributable loss of 475.1 million ringgit ($106.5 million) for 2024, from a profit of 255.3 million ringgit in the previous year. The company said the loss was largely due to 1.4 billion ringgit in one-off forex losses mainly in its aviation business, which also caused the company's fourth-quarter loss to swell to 1.57 billion ringgit from 345.3 million ringgit a year earlier. Capital A is in the process of selling its AirAsia aviation business to long-haul unit AirAsia X Bhd, which counts Capital A as one of its top shareholders.

S&P 500 futures showed a slight increase as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, which could influence future interest rate decisions. Meanwhile, Bitcoin experienced a significant decline of over 25% since its January peak, driven by fears of a trade war following President Trump's tariff announcements. The broader market remains cautious, with concerns about the potential economic impacts of the proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.

The tech sector offers significant investment opportunities due to its massive growth potential. AI's impact on our lives has created a vast market opportunity, with companies like TSMC and Alphabet poised for substantial gains. Investors can benefit from these companies' innovative approaches to artificial intelligence.

Investors have increased their holdings in U.S. equity funds over the week to February 26, buoyed by confidence in the economy's resilience and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut later this year to stimulate growth. Dismissing concerns over tariffs, investors acquired a net $19.71 billion worth of U.S. equity funds during the week, registering their largest weekly net purchase since December 25, 2024. This influx of capital may be seen as a vote of confidence in the U.S. economy's ability to weather the effects of trade tensions.