WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. single-family home prices increased in August amid still tight supply, which together with elevated mortgage rates continue to keep prospective buyers on the sidelines. House prices rose 0.3% on a month-on-month basis after gaining 0.2% in July, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said on Tuesday. They increased 4.2% in the 12 months through August after an upwardly revised 4.7% advance in July. The rise in annual house prices was previously reported … Read more…

Big Tech Earnings Preview for the Week: Microsoft, Meta, and Uber Set to Shape the Market This week, Microsoft (Wednesday), Meta (Wednesday), and Uber (Thursday) are each set to release their quarterly earnings, bringing with them a mix of high expectations and fresh market anxieties. As investors eagerly await, all three companies hold unique positions that could significantly impact their sectors, and the broader market. With robust YTD gains, exciting partnerships, and shifting strategic goals, … Read more…

On the Edge: Could Geopolitical Tensions Push Us Toward WW3? How to Prepare Your Portfolio for the Unexpected From Moscow’s saber-rattling over Ukraine to China’s rising assertiveness in Asia, and the recent surge in hostilities between Israel and Hamas, today’s geopolitical landscape is a tinderbox. Russia’s hints at heightened military action, coupled with economic strains on the West, are fueling fears that global powers may be inching toward a broader confrontation. The U.S. has ramped … Read more…

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, investors are on high alert. Historically, election cycles have triggered market volatility, but this time it feels different. With the global economy still grappling with inflation, interest rate hikes, and geopolitical tensions, the stakes have never been higher. Regardless of whether it’s Trump or Harris who emerges victorious, the election’s outcome will reverberate across the stock market, impacting sectors from tech to energy. But here’s the real question: … Read more…

(Reuters) – The February hack at UnitedHealth’s tech unit Change affected the personal information of 100 million people, the U.S. health department’s website showed, making it the largest healthcare data breach in the country. UnitedHealth has previously said that hackers potentially stole a third of Americans’ data in one of the worst hacks to hit the U.S. healthcare sector. The company began notifying affected patients in June. UnitedHealth did not immediately respond to a Reuters … Read more…