Stock Futures Slip, TikTok Returns to App Stores.

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Top Stories

TikTok returns to Android and Apple app stores in the US - BBC.com

  • TikTok is back on US app stores after President Trump postponed a ban, giving the company until April 5 to comply with a law requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell its US operations.

  • The decision followed assurances from the Trump administration that Apple and Google wouldn't face liability for allowing downloads, even though the ban had bipartisan Congressional support and was upheld by the Supreme Court.

  • Trump suggested a compromise for TikTok's ownership, proposing a joint ownership model and potential buyers that include high-profile figures like Oracle's Larry Ellison and Elon Musk, with popular YouTuber MrBeast also expressing interest.

Stock futures slip as traders assess tariff outlook, but Wall Street heads for winning week: Live updates - CNBC

  • Stocks futures dipped slightly as investors awaited more clarity on President Trump's reciprocal tariffs plan, with S&P 500 futures down 0.1% and Dow Jones futures losing 136 points.

  • Optimism on Wall Street was supported by a lack of immediate tariffs, resulting in the S&P 500 rising 1.04% and the Nasdaq climbing 1.5% on Thursday, though some market analysts express concerns over sustainability.

  • Meanwhile, retail investor pessimism reached its highest level since November 2023, with nearly half of surveyed investors bearish on stocks and concerns that tariffs may slow the economy and raise prices.

Moderna beats on revenue but loses more than expected as it scales down manufacturing - CNBC

  • Moderna reported a fourth-quarter revenue of $966 million for 2024, surpassing estimates, but recorded a net loss of $1.12 billion, driven by the declining demand for its Covid vaccine and a significant non-cash charge.

  • The company's Covid vaccine sales fell dramatically, accounting for $923 million, a 66% decline year-over-year, while it posted only $15 million in sales from its newly approved RSV vaccine.

  • Moderna indicated efforts to cut costs by 27% compared to 2023 and aims for a total reduction of $1 billion by the end of 2025, despite challenges posed by competition and falling vaccination rates.

Silicon Valley Software Engineers Horrified as They Can't Easily Find Jobs Anymore - Futurism

  • Tech industry layoffs are widespread, particularly affecting former Silicon Valley employees who face a competitive job market and rising living costs; many are contemplating leaving the industry altogether in the face of job rejections.

  • Major companies like Meta and Google are announcing significant layoffs, shifting focus to AI integration, which not only compounds job insecurity but highlights a transition in workforce needs.

  • The tech sector, once booming, is now undergoing a severe downturn, raising concerns about the future stability and direction of the industry as it continues to prioritize artificial intelligence investments.

Watch These GameStop Price Levels as Stock Pops After Report Of Bitcoin Investment Plan - Investopedia

  • GameStop shares surged nearly 8% in after-hours trading on Thursday following news that the company is contemplating investments in bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, potentially signaling a positive trend as the stock breaks out of a falling wedge pattern.

  • Investors should monitor key price levels for GameStop, especially $29, $32, and a significant overhead target of $42, with important support found around $25 during any retracements.

  • While GameStop shares are down 16% year-to-date, they have seen an overall gain of more than 85% in the past year, partly fueled by renewed interest from social media influencers.

Americans are finding it harder and harder to pay off their debt - CNN

  • Household debt in the U.S. rose to $18.04 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year, reflecting increases across all major loan categories, while credit card balances surpassed $1.2 trillion, although the rising delinquency rates for auto loans and credit cards have hit 14-year highs.

  • Despite overall debt levels being manageable due to rising incomes, a significant portion of households are struggling with payments, particularly evident in the rising number of minimum credit card payments and higher credit utilization rates.

  • Experts warn that while current financial conditions seem stable, an unexpected financial crisis could quickly worsen the situation for many American families experiencing increased hardship and unemployment.

The latest inflation report shows that high prices are Trump's major economic challenge - Yahoo

  • Donald Trump's previous claims about easily conquering inflation face new challenges as recent consumer price index reports indicate rising inflation at 3%, contradicting his promises of lower energy costs and effective economic control.

  • Economists and financial markets are now concerned that strong consumer spending and potential tariff hikes, including recently imposed tariffs on China, could contribute to sustained inflationary pressures, which may be the highest seen in decades.

  • Elon Musk, advising Trump, has proposed significant federal spending cuts to curb inflation, but experts warn this could lead to severe economic downturns, with markets reacting to inflation fears as Treasury yields increase.

China’s Salt Typhoon Spies Are Still Hacking Telecoms—Now by Exploiting Cisco Routers - WIRED

  • Salt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group, continues aggressive cyber intrusions, recently targeting multiple telecoms and universities worldwide despite previous exposure and sanctions, demonstrating their resilience and a lack of deterrence.

  • Recent breaches involved exploiting vulnerabilities in Cisco's IOS software, granting attackers full control of network devices, highlighting the vulnerability of telecommunications infrastructure to sophisticated attacks.

  • The ongoing threat has prompted US agencies to recommend enhanced security measures for communications, with concerns that Salt Typhoon's activities may be expanding and largely undeterred by public scrutiny.

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