Options Trading Report

US economy on solid ground as retail sales surprise on the upside

September 17, 2024

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose in August as a decline in receipts at auto dealerships was more than offset by strength in online purchases, suggesting that the economy remained on solid footing through much of the third quarter. The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday also showed retail sales were a bit stronger than initially thought in July. It combined with the decline in the unemployment rate last … Read more…

JPMorgan in talks with Apple over Goldman credit card partnership, source says

September 17, 2024

(Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase is in talks with Apple about replacing Goldman Sachs as the tech giant’s credit-card partner, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The discussions started earlier this year and have advanced in recent weeks, but any potential deal could still be months away, said the source, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. The Wall Street Journal reported the news earlier. Goldman Sachs declined to comment, … Read more…

Exclusive-JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to visit Africa in growth push

September 17, 2024

By David Lewis, Nupur Anand and Duncan Miriri NAIROBI/NEW YORK (Reuters) – JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon plans to travel to Africa in mid-October in a push by the biggest U.S. lender to expand on the continent, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, his first trip there in seven years. Dimon is expected to visit Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Ivory Coast during the trip next month, two of the sources said. JPMorgan … Read more…

Exclusive-US to seek 6 million barrels of oil for reserve, amid low oil price

September 17, 2024

By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration will seek up to 6 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a source familiar with issue said on Tuesday, a purchase that if completed will match its largest yet in the replenishment of the stash after a historic sale in 2022. The administration will announce the solicitation as soon as Wednesday to buy oil for delivery to the Bayou Choctaw site in Louisiana, … Read more…

J&J gets $260 million talc verdict overturned in Oregon, new trial ordered

September 16, 2024

By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) – An Oregon judge has overturned a $260 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a lawsuit brought by a woman who said she got mesothelioma, a deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure, from inhaling the company’s talc powder, the company said on Monday. Judge Katharine von ter Stegge of the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon, granted J&J’s motion to toss the verdict and hold a new trial … Read more…

Bank of America names co-leaders for initiative linking investment bank, wealth units

September 16, 2024

(Reuters) – Bank of America named co-leaders for the initiative on increased connectivity between its investment bank and wealth management units, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Monday. Jim Rourke and Michael Liu are set to lead the initiative named Private Client Partnership Development, according to the memo. The co-heads will be responsible for maximizing opportunities between the Global Corporate & Investment Banking, Merrill Wealth Management and Private Bank units. Investment banking … Read more…

AI experts ready ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’ to stump powerful tech

September 16, 2024

By Jeffrey Dastin and Katie Paul (Reuters) – A team of technology experts issued a global call on Monday seeking the toughest questions to pose to artificial intelligence systems, which increasingly have handled popular benchmark tests like child’s play. Dubbed “Humanity’s Last Exam,” the project seeks to determine when expert-level AI has arrived. It aims to stay relevant even as capabilities advance in future years, according to the organizers, a non-profit called the Center for … Read more…

Suspect in Trump assassination attempt charged with gun crimes

September 16, 2024

By Gram Slattery and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A man suspected of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump was charged with two gun-related crimes in federal court on Monday, a day after being spotted with a rifle hiding in the bushes at the former U.S. president’s golf course in Florida. More charges appear likely, but the initial counts – possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated … Read more…

Exclusive-OpenAI’s stunning $150 billion valuation hinges upending corporate structure, sources say

September 15, 2024

By Krystal Hu and Kenrick Cai (Reuters) – OpenAI’s new financing round is expected to come in the form of convertible notes, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter, who said its $150 billion valuation will be contingent on whether the ChatGPT-maker can upend its corporate structure and remove a profit cap for investors. The details of the conditions of the $6.5 billion funding, which have not been previously reported, shows how far … Read more…

Disney, DirecTV reach deal, restoring programming for 11 million satellite TV viewers

September 15, 2024

By Dawn Chmielewski (Reuters) -Walt Disney and DirecTV announced they have reached an agreement in principle on Saturday, restoring college football and other programming to the satellite TV provider’s more than 11 million subscribers. The deal affords satellite TV subscribers greater choice and flexibility, the companies said in a joint statement. DirecTV customers had lost access to ABC, ESPN and other Disney-owned networks on Sept. 1, after the two sides reached an impasse in renewal … Read more…