Cn0ra 10:00 AM ISM Services Index Producing a monthly composite on general activity tracked in volumes, the Institute for Supply Management surveys several hundred service-providing firms from 16 industries (construction and mining are included). Forecasters still see growth at 54.7, however February reading came in at 56.1. More on U.S. Markets S&P 500 Earnings And A StyleBox Update For March 31,...
Cn0ra 10:00 AM ISM Services Index Producing a monthly composite on general activity tracked in volumes, the Institute for Supply Management surveys several hundred service-providing firms from 16 industries (construction and mining are included). Forecasters still see growth at 54.7, however February reading came in at 56.1. More on U.S. Markets S&P 500 Earnings And A StyleBox Update For March 31, 2026 The First War Inflation Tests - Markets Weekly Outlook S&P 500: Prepare For Change (Technical Analysis) S&P 500 “up 80% of the time” in April over 20 years U.S. court upholds decision to block subpoenas in Jay Powell probe
(RTTNews) - Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (4183.T), said its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsui Fine Chemicals Inc., has entered into a strategic partnership with James Robinson Speciality Ingredients (JRSI) to expand the Jarocol hair dye range in Japan.
(RTTNews) - Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (4183.T), said its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsui Fine Chemicals Inc., has entered into a strategic partnership with James Robinson Speciality Ingredients (JRSI) to expand the Jarocol hair dye range in Japan.
sompoch sivakosit/iStock via Getty Images It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. Despite the quote above being widely attributed to Mark Twain, scholars at the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College have found no evidence that he ever said or wrote it. Twain wrote something similar in his book Following the Equator, publish...
sompoch sivakosit/iStock via Getty Images It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. Despite the quote above being widely attributed to Mark Twain, scholars at the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College have found no evidence that he ever said or wrote it. Twain wrote something similar in his book Following the Equator, published in 1897, "Faith is believing what you know ain't so." Both quotes mean that ignorance, or things one does not know, is rarely the real problem. The true danger is false certainty or confidently believing something is true when it is not. Those mistaken "facts" lead one to poor decisions, errors, and even trouble. There are always dangers lurking in those predisposed to overconfidence, presumption, and the illusion of knowledge, particularly those who put their capital at risk in markets. Wisdom begins with recognizing when one might be wrong, rather than doubling down on flawed assumptions—it encourages humility, skepticism, and a willingness to change one's beliefs when evidence contradicts them. Acknowledging gaps in one's knowledge usually outweighs the errors from remaining stubborn but wrong. On February 17, 2026, a massive avalanche hit a group of 15 backcountry skiers in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Lake Tahoe, California. The skiers were part of a guided three-day trip organized by a professional tour company that ventured into the backcountry to do "storm skiing," a risky activity involving skiing fresh powder during or immediately after intense winter storms for the thrill of untouched snow, despite increased avalanche dangers. The incident occurred amid a powerful multi-day blizzard that hammered the region with heavy snowfall, high winds, and extreme cold. Forecasts indicated "high to extreme" avalanche risk due to unstable snowpack layers weakened by recent warm weather, followed by the rapid accumulation of new snow. The group consisted of experienced s...
If tensions ease and oil starts falling, American Airlines offers some solid recovery upside while Exxon’s rally could quickly unwind from current levels.
If tensions ease and oil starts falling, American Airlines offers some solid recovery upside while Exxon’s rally could quickly unwind from current levels.
AlexSecret The S&P 500 ( SP500 ) has historically finished higher in April 80% of the time over the past 20 years, tying with July as the most consistently positive month for stocks, according to Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group. Ryan Detrick X The seasonal tailwind comes after a weak start to 2026, with the benchmark S&P 500 ( SP500 ) down 4.6% in Q1, its worst first-quarter ...
AlexSecret The S&P 500 ( SP500 ) has historically finished higher in April 80% of the time over the past 20 years, tying with July as the most consistently positive month for stocks, according to Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group. Ryan Detrick X The seasonal tailwind comes after a weak start to 2026, with the benchmark S&P 500 ( SP500 ) down 4.6% in Q1, its worst first-quarter performance since 2022, as geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices weighed on risk assets. So far in April, the index has posted modest gains, rising 0.7% on April 1 and 0.1% on April 2. Seeking Alpha analyst Andrew McElroy noted the index showed “technical improvement” last week, snapping a four-week losing streak with help from a “rare weekly DeMARK exhaustion signal.” However, he cautioned that “monthly and quarterly charts remain bearish,” with key downside targets still untested. McElroy expects the short-term rebound to continue toward resistance near 6764, but warned the bounce could fade, potentially leading to “another leg down” toward the 6150 level. He also flagged persistent macro risks, including war-driven volatility, reduced expectations for rate cuts amid strong economic data, and upcoming inflation prints likely reflecting higher oil prices. Here are some exchange-traded funds that track the benchmark S&P 500 index ( SP500 ): (NYSEARCA: SPY ), (NYSEARCA: VOO ), (NYSEARCA: IVV ), (NYSEARCA: RSP ), (NYSEARCA: SSO ), (NYSEARCA: UPRO ), (NYSEARCA: SH ), (NYSEARCA: SDS ), and (NYSEARCA: SPXU ). More on S&P 500 Index The First War Inflation Tests - Markets Weekly Outlook S&P 500: Prepare For Change (Technical Analysis) A Hot CPI Report Could Force A Major Market Repricing U.S. court upholds decision to block subpoenas in Jay Powell probe Global markets pause for Good Friday
The search for an 81-year-old mainland Chinese man who went missing while hiking on Hong Kong’s MacLehose Trail entered its third day on Monday, with a veteran mountaineer calling for better promotion to raise visitors’ safety awareness. A team comprising rescuers from the Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service, Civil Aid Service and police continued its search for the man, surnamed H...
The search for an 81-year-old mainland Chinese man who went missing while hiking on Hong Kong’s MacLehose Trail entered its third day on Monday, with a veteran mountaineer calling for better promotion to raise visitors’ safety awareness. A team comprising rescuers from the Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service, Civil Aid Service and police continued its search for the man, surnamed He, who went missing on Saturday while on a hike with his wife along Section 10 of the...
Nvidia’s fair value estimate has been adjusted slightly from US$269.23 to US$268.22, signaling only a very small change in the underlying model. That fine tuning sits alongside research focused on AI demand, the US$1t order visibility through 2027, and differing views on how much of that story is already reflected in the share price. As you read on, you will see how this updated narrative is takin...
Nvidia’s fair value estimate has been adjusted slightly from US$269.23 to US$268.22, signaling only a very small change in the underlying model. That fine tuning sits alongside research focused on AI demand, the US$1t order visibility through 2027, and differing views on how much of that story is already reflected in the share price. As you read on, you will see how this updated narrative is taking shape and what to watch to keep up with it. Analyst Price Targets don't always capture the full...
AlexSecret/iStock via Getty Images The forward 4-quarter estimate (FFQE) for the S&P 500 increased to $338.29 from last week’s $322.20. That's a $16 and change jump for the FFQE. However, the percentage increase is normal given the roll-forward in the FFQE from Q1 ’26-Q4 ’26 to Q2 ’26 through Q1 ’27. S&P 500 FFQE as of Friday, April 3rd is $338.29, versus the prior week’s $322.20 and the quarter s...
AlexSecret/iStock via Getty Images The forward 4-quarter estimate (FFQE) for the S&P 500 increased to $338.29 from last week’s $322.20. That's a $16 and change jump for the FFQE. However, the percentage increase is normal given the roll-forward in the FFQE from Q1 ’26-Q4 ’26 to Q2 ’26 through Q1 ’27. S&P 500 FFQE as of Friday, April 3rd is $338.29, versus the prior week’s $322.20 and the quarter start of $300.22; The P/E ratio on the forward estimate is now 19.5x; Even with the rally last week, the S&P 500 earnings yield (SP EY) still moved higher on the week, from last week’s 5.06% to this week’s 5.14%. It was the big jump in the FFQE thanks to the quarterly roll which pushed the SP EY higher. Q4 ’25 S&P 500 EPS and revenue growth ended the quarter at +14.1% and +9.2% after starting the quarter at +8.9% expected EPS growth and +7.3% expected S&P 500 revenue growth. Q1 ’26 is starting off the quarter with +14.4% expected EPS growth and +9% expected revenue growth (again). Current full-year 2029 S&P 500 EPS growth is expected to be +19%, per the current LSEG data. (S&P 500 revenue estimates rarely have the same “upside surprise” factor that S&P 500 EPS exhibit. A 2% upside surprise for S&P 500 revenue is at the higher end of the normal range.) Just a fun statistical fact to share with readers: the 2012 calendar year S&P 500 actual EPS was $103.80. The current estimates for calendar year ’26, ’27 and ’28 are: ’26: $323.02 ’27: $377.35 ’28: $425.95 Style Box Update This style box update shows how the various styles are performing YTD, as well as the annual return for each style box. Large-cap value is outperforming again as it did in February-March ’25, thanks to the Liberation Day correction. Personally, I’m still leery of the large-cap growth style given its strong returns the last three years. Note the 1-year return on mid-cap growth. The equal-weight ETFs are performing in line with the value ETFs. Summary Iran changed everything as soon as the first American and I...
The journalistic adventurer and trans trailblazer is revealed as brilliant, prolific and deeply selfish Jan Morris had two stipulations before she would agree to sit for a painting for the National Portrait Gallery in London. Ibsen, her Norwegian forest cat, should feature. And so should one of her calves. The gallery acceded, and the resulting portrait shows Morris, then just shy of 80, in a yell...
The journalistic adventurer and trans trailblazer is revealed as brilliant, prolific and deeply selfish Jan Morris had two stipulations before she would agree to sit for a painting for the National Portrait Gallery in London. Ibsen, her Norwegian forest cat, should feature. And so should one of her calves. The gallery acceded, and the resulting portrait shows Morris, then just shy of 80, in a yellow jumper and dark green skirt, Ibsen glowering beside her bare legs. She was pleased with the portrait, though she thought it could, perhaps, have been a little larger. Could any canvas contain Jan Morris? Janus-faced hardly does her justice. She was a sympathetic historian of empire who became a republican Welsh nationalist ( and who nevertheless accepted a CBE). The author of more than 50 books ranging across travel writing, biography, history, memoir and fiction, she was a workaholic who, as some of those books testify, could be shockingly lazy. A preacher of the “religion of kindness”, she was cruel to her children. Continue reading...
Even if motorists can provide evidence they’ve paid for parking, they are threatened with bailiffs and court Drivers have accused a leading car park management company of issuing “false” parking fines – leaving one mother to defend herself from multiple debt collection agencies sent by the company. Jane Winder says she was sent letters from five different debt collection agencies each asking her t...
Even if motorists can provide evidence they’ve paid for parking, they are threatened with bailiffs and court Drivers have accused a leading car park management company of issuing “false” parking fines – leaving one mother to defend herself from multiple debt collection agencies sent by the company. Jane Winder says she was sent letters from five different debt collection agencies each asking her to pay £170 after she was accused of not purchasing a £2.30 parking ticket at a car park in Lancashire managed by Euro Car Parks. Continue reading...
As a child, Gary Fisher was terrible at card games. How did he end up making his living from one? Gary Fisher has always enjoyed a game of poker, but after he turned 60, his partner suggested he take it seriously. “She said, ‘You’re really good at it, but you don’t study. You just turn up and play.’” It wasn’t what Fisher expected to hear, but he set about researching the game, completed some onli...
As a child, Gary Fisher was terrible at card games. How did he end up making his living from one? Gary Fisher has always enjoyed a game of poker, but after he turned 60, his partner suggested he take it seriously. “She said, ‘You’re really good at it, but you don’t study. You just turn up and play.’” It wasn’t what Fisher expected to hear, but he set about researching the game, completed some online courses, got a coach – and now plays professionally. So far this year, Fisher, who lives in London, has travelled to competitions in Cyprus, Marrakech, Amsterdam, Tallinn and Paris. He pays to enter, and has won $200,000 (£150,000) in prize money. “I’ve had a very good start,” he says. He is speaking on a video call from his hotel in Dublin where he is taking part in the Irish Open. Next he will travel to Melbourne. Tell us: has your life taken a new direction after the age of 60? Continue reading...
Meta has just lost a multimillion-dollar legal battle over its failure to prevent children being sold on its platforms. Here’s how we uncovered evidence that became part of the case against it It started with a tipoff. I was reporting on the trafficking and exploitation of migrant workers in the Gulf when a source I had known for more than a decade reached out. They told me that child sexual abuse...
Meta has just lost a multimillion-dollar legal battle over its failure to prevent children being sold on its platforms. Here’s how we uncovered evidence that became part of the case against it It started with a tipoff. I was reporting on the trafficking and exploitation of migrant workers in the Gulf when a source I had known for more than a decade reached out. They told me that child sexual abuse trafficking in the US was surging. As the Covid pandemic pushed predators online, some were using Facebook and Instagram to buy and sell children. It was 2021 and I was about to begin an investigation with Mei-Ling McNamara, a human rights journalist, that would lead to the tech company Meta losing a multimillion-pound court case in March this year. The company had not yet rebranded and was known as Facebook, and there had not been any reporting on how children were being trafficked on its platforms. Experts from anti-trafficking nonprofit organisations and an American law enforcement official talked me through the crimes they were seeing. Continue reading...
Away from outside discrimination, this documentary brings us into the home of graffiti artist Lana and drag queen Opal In the small flat shared by Opal and Lana, a young queer couple living in Dundee, love is everywhere. Countless photos of them on fun outings line the walls, interspersed with colourful sketches by Lana, a talented graffiti artist. Scattered around Opal’s makeup table are beautifu...
Away from outside discrimination, this documentary brings us into the home of graffiti artist Lana and drag queen Opal In the small flat shared by Opal and Lana, a young queer couple living in Dundee, love is everywhere. Countless photos of them on fun outings line the walls, interspersed with colourful sketches by Lana, a talented graffiti artist. Scattered around Opal’s makeup table are beautiful wigs, with which she transforms into a glamorous drag persona at night. As trans femme, they face immense discrimination from the outside world. Within these walls, however, there is an oasis of tenderness and care. In a media landscape that continues to sensationalise trans existence, director Mark Lyken deploys a slice-of-life visual approach. It is as if we are not merely watching Opal and Lana, but are hanging out with them as friends. Closeups and interior shots draw beauty out of the ordinary every day as the bond between the couple is captured through seemingly simple acts of affection and household chores such as cooking or washing-up. Considering that both have faced rejection from their families, these mundane gestures hold a world of meaning. Continue reading...
More than half of NHS trusts have cap on availability of products, forcing patients to pay for products themselves Millions of people across the UK living with incontinence are facing shortages of sanitary products due to supplies being rationed by NHS trusts, according to a coalition of charities. The shortages are leading to a “pad gap” where people are having to pay for incontinence products th...
More than half of NHS trusts have cap on availability of products, forcing patients to pay for products themselves Millions of people across the UK living with incontinence are facing shortages of sanitary products due to supplies being rationed by NHS trusts, according to a coalition of charities. The shortages are leading to a “pad gap” where people are having to pay for incontinence products themselves, according to an open letter from organisations including the Royal College of Nursing, Prostate Cancer UK, and Bowel and Bladder UK. Continue reading...
Whether it’s organising the shed, sharpening tools or giving garden furniture a good scrub, here are tips to prep – and enjoy – your outdoor patch • The best pressure washers – tested The winter of soggy malaise is over. Daffs have popped up; the tulips are well on their way; the days are bright, clear and longer than the nights are short. With that comes a sense of the outdoors: the garden. Perha...
Whether it’s organising the shed, sharpening tools or giving garden furniture a good scrub, here are tips to prep – and enjoy – your outdoor patch • The best pressure washers – tested The winter of soggy malaise is over. Daffs have popped up; the tulips are well on their way; the days are bright, clear and longer than the nights are short. With that comes a sense of the outdoors: the garden. Perhaps this fills you with delight, getting your fingers in the earth after work or dinner. Or perhaps it fills you with a sense of vague dread – you haven’t been out there all winter, and there’s just so much to do. But our gardens are places for us to enjoy and share with others in our ecosystem. So if you want to spend the summer luxuriating in yours, now is the time to get your sticks together: sow, grow and don’t mow. Continue reading...