Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Understanding PPL (PPL) Stock Movement Amid Market Fluctuations

Recent Stock Performance PPL (PPL) closed trading at $27.22, displaying a -0.22% change from the previous session. This performance fell short of the S&P 500’s rise of 1.11%, while the Dow and Nasdaq also experienced upward trends. Over the last month, shares of PPL saw a 1.49% increase, underperforming the Utilities sector but surpassing the S&P 500. Analysts’ Expectations Investors eagerly anticipate PPL’s upcoming earnings report, with expectations of an 8.33% rise in EPS to $0.52 compared to the previous year’s quarter. Revenue estimates also project a 2.57% increase to $2.48 billion, suggesting positive growth. For the full year, Zacks

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Elon Musk’s Optimism Soars with Tesla Crossing 1 Billion Miles Milestone in FSD Deployment

Driving the Future Tesla Inc’s electric vehicles hit a remarkable milestone on Friday, covering an impressive one billion miles with the full self-driving (FSD) software, prompting an enthusiastic response from CEO Elon Musk. What’s Behind This Milestone? Tesla made this revelation through a post on the social media platform ‘X,’ formerly known as Twitter, marking a significant leap from less than 800 miles driven with FSD by the end of 2023. Musk expressed his congratulations to the Tesla AI team and fervently stated, “Won’t be long before Tesla exceeds 10B miles of FSD,” in a separate post. Accelerating Innovation Following

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Thriving Journey of TCAF: A Half Billion Dollar Triumph in YTD Flows

Active Investing Evolution The ETF domain has experienced a revolution through active investing, with various strategies making their debut and garnering substantial flows. Among the standout performers exemplifying the active strategy adrenaline rush is the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF, affectionately known as TCAF. The Meteoric Rise In a spectacle that has left onlookers awestruck, the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) has hauled in over half a billion dollars in year-to-date inflows. Despite unfurling its wings halfway through last year, TCAF has consistently showcased exceptional performance and flow achievements. Discover More: 3 Active ETFs Flashing

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Unveiling the Midstream MLP Opportunity

In a market landscape that gyrates to the tune of fluctuating interest rates and erratic economic data, the challenge of timing bond exposures and predicting equity performance remains a daunting task for investors. Amidst this chaos, midstream MLPs emerge as a beacon of hope, offering robust yields and consistent performance while still boasting attractive valuations. The first quarter witnessed a robust rally in equities, particularly within the energy sector. However, it was the midstream master limited partnerships (MLPs) that outshined, edging past the broader energy sector in terms of performance. The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) closed Q1 2024

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Struggling Corn Futures Head South Before Weekend Hiatus

Choppy Market Movement The corn market wrapped up its final session with mixed results, ending the day with a modest drop of one to one and a quarter cents. The weekly performance wasn’t any more forgiving, with May futures witnessing a decline of 7 ¾ cents. Meanwhile, December corn prices closed the trading week on a weaker note, slipping by 3/4 of a cent at Friday’s close. Market Sentiment Trade activity for corn futures showcased a downward trend, with prices trending fractionally lower to 1 ¾ cents in the red zone, hovering near the midday session lows. Despite an initial

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Revolutionizing ETFs: Innovator Introduces Three Innovative ETFs

Amidst the bustling landscape of U.S. markets this week, 16 new ETFs emerged, showcasing the relentless spirit of innovation in the financial sector. Distinguished names such as AllianzIM, ProShares, and Alger were among the trailblazers unveiling new offerings, each vying for investors’ attention in a competitive market. Innovator’s Trailblazing Move with New ETFs Leading the pack, Innovator captured the spotlight by launching three groundbreaking ETFs, marking a significant move in diversifying the investment landscape. Two of these unique ETFs, tailored to provide a focused income stream for investors while safeguarding against potential losses, are poised to make a mark in

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Unwavering Strength of European Carbon Allowances

Amidst the turbulent waters of 2024, European carbon allowance (EUA) prices have faced their fair share of challenges. Recently, the European Commission unveiled a remarkable 15.5% drop in carbon emissions under the EU’s emissions trading system in 2023. While this serves as a testament to the effectiveness of Europe’s eco-friendly policies, it has cast a shadow over EUA prices in the near term. Nevertheless, glimmers of hope persist in the EUA market. Despite predictions by analysts, Eurozone inflation has taken a dip, hinting at potential rate cuts on the horizon. This decline in inflation could potentially translate to an uptick

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Understanding Cattle Market Trends Amidst Fluctuations

Volatility Strikes Live Cattle Market In a tumultuous turn of events, live cattle prices plummeted by 1.6% to 2.2% on Friday, culminating in a significant net weekly loss of $8.20. Despite the downward spiral, the June cattle contract managed to surge past the 61.8% retracement level, clinging to it resiliently till the closing bell. Meanwhile, feeder cattle bore the brunt of the market pressure, recording losses between 2% to 2.3% across the front months. Adding to the complex tapestry of market dynamics, the USDA reported a cash action of 22.4k head averaging $183-184 on Friday, a decline from the $185-$191

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Positive Outlook Ahead: Flourishing Wheat Futures Closing Week on a High Note

Chicago Futures Lead the Way Wheat futures closed the week on a triumphant note, with Chicago futures spearheading the day with gains ranging from 8 ¼ to 11 cents. The stellar performance translated into a net 7c gain for the week, setting a positive tone for investors. Meanwhile, KC wheat futures also showcased a strong finish, closing 4 ¾ to 6 ½ cents higher, despite May KC wheat still nursing a net 3 cent loss for the week. MGE spring wheat prices joined the upward trend, climbing 1 ¾ cents higher and leaving the May contract with a net weekly

April 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Choppy Waters in Soy Futures Market

Turbulent Closing for Soy Futures The soybean futures market experienced a rocky close on Friday, with new crop prices ending the day in a mixed fashion. While nearby contracts saw an uptick of as much as a nickel at the close, new crop prices were fractionally mixed to 1 ¼ cents lower. May beans closed the week 6 ½ cents lower, leaving analysts and investors to ponder the shifting tides of this agricultural market. Intertwined Market Dynamics The CFTC data revealed a net of 138.3k contract short and a 28.2k contract long positions for the funds and commercials, respectively. Managed