Looking at options trading activity among components of the S&P 500 index, there is noteworthy activity today in W.W. Grainger Inc. (Symbol: GWW), where a total volume of 1,100 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximate
Looking at options trading activity among components of the S&P 500 index, there is noteworthy activity today in W.W. Grainger Inc. (Symbol: GWW), where a total volume of 1,100 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximate
Antonio Garcia Recena | Moment | Getty Images The average tax refund is about $350 higher so far this season, compared with about the same period in 2025, according to the latest IRS filing data. As of March 27, the average refund amount for individual filers was $3,521, up from $3,170 roughly one year ago, the IRS reported on Friday. The IRS data reflects about 88.4 million individual returns rec...
Antonio Garcia Recena | Moment | Getty Images The average tax refund is about $350 higher so far this season, compared with about the same period in 2025, according to the latest IRS filing data. As of March 27, the average refund amount for individual filers was $3,521, up from $3,170 roughly one year ago, the IRS reported on Friday. The IRS data reflects about 88.4 million individual returns received, out of about 164 million expected through the April 15 deadline. Read more CNBC personal finance coverage Market volatility poses a serious risk for new retirees. Here's how to prepare Trump's overtime deduction is a 'home run,' Treasury says. How it could change Stock market is in for 'choppy, bumpy ride,' strategist says. Here's how to play it Parents with student loans have limited time to secure forgiveness, affordable bills Social Security needs more money. The question is, who will pay? Should you 'buy the dip' amid the latest stock market volatility? What experts say Boston Fed: Credit card APRs have 'economically meaningful' impact on spending Retirement saver protection rule has died — for the second time More than 7 million student loan borrowers face deadline to leave SAVE plan Department of Labor proposes rules for including alternative assets in 401(k)s 31.5% of car buyers underwater on trade-ins; analyst says amount owed 'troubling' Why your tax refund may look different this year, and what's actually driving it Expecting to fight about money with your partner? You might be wrong: study Belle Burden's 'Strangers' highlights key financial red flags for women Average IRS tax refund is up 10.9%, latest filing data shows CNBC's Financial Advisor 100: Best financial advisors, top firms ranked This season, many filers are seeing bigger tax refunds based on changes enacted by President Donald Trump 's " big beautiful bill " in July. Most U.S. workers are W-2 employees, which means companies pay their taxes throughout the year via paycheck withholdings . Althou...
Smart money is getting a lot more cautious on the stock market’s finest. According to TipRanks, Goldman Sachs said that hedge funds sold off stocks in March at the fastest pace in 13 years, a rare shift pointing to growing anxiety across markets. The change hit high-profile names, including Nvidia ...
Smart money is getting a lot more cautious on the stock market’s finest. According to TipRanks, Goldman Sachs said that hedge funds sold off stocks in March at the fastest pace in 13 years, a rare shift pointing to growing anxiety across markets. The change hit high-profile names, including Nvidia ...
hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Charles Schwab's ( SCHW ) trading activity index, STAX, dropped to 56.04 in March from 57.32 in February, the steepest monthly drop since May 2025. The Schwab Trading Activity Index analyzes retail investor stock positions and trading activity from Schwab's client accounts to illuminate what investors were actually doing and how they were positioned in th...
hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Charles Schwab's ( SCHW ) trading activity index, STAX, dropped to 56.04 in March from 57.32 in February, the steepest monthly drop since May 2025. The Schwab Trading Activity Index analyzes retail investor stock positions and trading activity from Schwab's client accounts to illuminate what investors were actually doing and how they were positioned in the markets each month. Clients turned slightly bearish in the wake of the Iran war, spending less time trying to pick individual names and concentrating on diversified exchange-traded funds, the statement released by SCHW on Monday said. "We haven't seen investors gravitate toward ETFs to the same extent on the net-buy list in some time. It's likely the sudden increase in market volatility is pushing investors to broader products," said Head Trading and Derivatives Strategist Joe Mazzola. Last month, long-term bullish sentiment among members of Gen-X—born between 1965 and 1980—fell slightly. Also, negative sentiment in Gen-Z—born between 1997 and 2012—declined. Millennials and Baby Boomers also saw their STAX scores fall. Popular names bought by clients include NVIDIA ( NVDA ), Microsoft ( MSFT ), Tesla ( TSLA ), Micron Technology ( MU ), and Amazon.com ( AMZN ). Names net sold included Broadcom ( AVGO ), Netflix ( NFLX ), Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ), Circle Internet Group ( CRCL ), and Occidental Petroleum ( OXY ). More on Charles Schwab Charles Schwab: A Full And Impressive Recovery Buy Shares Where You Invest: Charles Schwab Charles Schwab: Why We Trimmed Modestly Schwab confirms plans to offer spot crypto in 2026
May WTI crude oil (CLK26 ) today is up +0.77 (+0.69%), and May RBOB gasoline (RBK26 ) is up +0.0009 (+0.03%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are moving higher today, with crude posting a 4-week high. Crude prices rallied after President Trump said the US could leave the Iran war...
May WTI crude oil (CLK26 ) today is up +0.77 (+0.69%), and May RBOB gasoline (RBK26 ) is up +0.0009 (+0.03%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are moving higher today, with crude posting a 4-week high. Crude prices rallied after President Trump said the US could leave the Iran war...
The Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Monday, with over 266,000 shares traded versus three month average volume of about 37,000. Shares of SMIZ were up about 0.1% on the day. Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Monday we
The Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Monday, with over 266,000 shares traded versus three month average volume of about 37,000. Shares of SMIZ were up about 0.1% on the day. Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Monday we
Lari Bat/iStock via Getty Images ConocoPhillips ( COP ) is in a position of strength as oil and international gas prices remain elevated as a result of the supply chain disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. With pricing remaining strong and an appealing strip price throughout the remainder of eFY26, ConocoPhillips should realize an exceptionally strong fiscal year, particularly as the organization f...
Lari Bat/iStock via Getty Images ConocoPhillips ( COP ) is in a position of strength as oil and international gas prices remain elevated as a result of the supply chain disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. With pricing remaining strong and an appealing strip price throughout the remainder of eFY26, ConocoPhillips should realize an exceptionally strong fiscal year, particularly as the organization focuses on cost management while optimizing its asset base. Resulting from the war, ConocoPhillips may face a setback in Qatar as a result of regional gas facilities and fields being the targets of missile strikes, which may result in the reshaping of management’s free cash flow expectations for eFY27-28. Despite this factor, I believe ConocoPhillips is well positioned to realize strength over the coming years, particularly as it develops its Alaskan assets and leans into LNG export capacity. I am recommending COP shares with a Buy rating with a price target of $160/share at 5.25x eFY28 EV/aEBITDA. ConocoPhillips Operational Update ConocoPhillips is positioning itself to reduce its capital spending and operating expenses by $1b while expanding production in eFY26, reducing its free cash flow breakeven to the low $30/bbl WTI range by the end of the decade. The lower free cash flow breakeven is underpinned by lower preproduction capital deployment, particularly as it relates to the Willow project, which should shave off $6b in total capital spend. Through improved efficiencies, management is expecting to generate $1b in incremental free cash flow each year from eFY26-28 and an additional $4b resulting from Willow coming online in eFY29. Willow is ConocoPhillips’ Alaska North Slope project in the National Petroleum Reserve on the western side of the region. The project has an estimated 600MMbbl of recoverable reserves and is expected to produce 180Mbbl/d at its peak. The project is expected to cost $7-7.5b, with first oil coming online in eFY29. As of Q4 ’25, the project is 50%...
Mesa Laboratories today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on June 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 29, 2026. The Board of Directors
Mesa Laboratories today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on June 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 29, 2026. The Board of Directors
PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images Do you remember when I said to go all in with an article during the darkest days of COVID? It turned out to be within days of the market bottom at that time. The market then went on a major bull market run shortly thereafter. That was accurate, market call #1. How about back in January of 2023, when I said in another article that the Nasdaq had bottomed? It...
PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images Do you remember when I said to go all in with an article during the darkest days of COVID? It turned out to be within days of the market bottom at that time. The market then went on a major bull market run shortly thereafter. That was accurate, market call #1. How about back in January of 2023, when I said in another article that the Nasdaq had bottomed? It appeared to me at that time that the Fed was getting to pivot away from their draconian rate hikes, and I could see many major tech stocks and the Nasdaq itself putting in a very firm bottom. Lo and behold, it had! The Nasdaq went on a major bull run from that point. That was accurate, market call #2. Last year, during the darkest days of the Tariff War that President Trump had declared against the world, I stepped in with another bold article right at the bottom of the market and once again said to go all in. With the S&P 500 at around 4,800 at the time, that turned out to be yet another terrific buying opportunity. That was accurate, market call #3. I could rest on my laurels with three home runs, but now it is time for a grand slam. And now I’m coming up to bat again, and the field looks to be well in our favor. I’m seeing the Nasdaq down almost 14% from its Jan. 28 high and the S&P 500 down almost 10.0% during that same time period. Fear and anxiety are once again running wild. So I’m swinging for the fences! I believe we are once again reaching another major bottom in the market! Which means it’s not time to sell scared; it’s time to buy! Now, before you start booing at me from the rafters, let me explain. This isn’t a call I made based on emotions or headlines or even what the crowd is saying. I’ve come to this conclusion the same way I come to all of my conclusions: earnings, valuations, and forward reward potential. And right now, while the market has just been falling to pieces, it has become clear to me that earnings have remained far stronger than most people se...
At least three people were killed on Monday in the latest powerful Russian drone strikes on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Fifteen residents, including a pregnant woman and two children, were injured, military governor Oleh Kiper reported on Telegram, after a drone struck a multi-storey residential building. Those killed included a 30-year-old woman and her two-and-a-half-year-old daug...
At least three people were killed on Monday in the latest powerful Russian drone strikes on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Fifteen residents, including a pregnant woman and two children, were injured, military governor Oleh Kiper reported on Telegram, after a drone struck a multi-storey residential building. Those killed included a 30-year-old woman and her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, as well as a 53-year-old woman. There were fires and significant destruction, Kiper...
Aksana Kavaleuskaya/iStock via Getty Images By James Knightley, Chief International Economist, US ISM reports consistent with 2.5% GDP growth The ISM services index came in a touch softer than expected but remains at healthy levels, indicating the US, for now, is in a relatively good position to withstand the economic headwinds coming from the Middle East conflict. The headline index dropped from ...
Aksana Kavaleuskaya/iStock via Getty Images By James Knightley, Chief International Economist, US ISM reports consistent with 2.5% GDP growth The ISM services index came in a touch softer than expected but remains at healthy levels, indicating the US, for now, is in a relatively good position to withstand the economic headwinds coming from the Middle East conflict. The headline index dropped from 56.1 to 54 (consensus 54.9). The chart below shows the relationship between the ISM manufacturing and services ISM business activity readings and year-on-year GDP growth. They are currently consistent with the US economy expanding 2.5% this year, which is broadly in line with our GDP growth forecast for 2026. Employment drop is a concern In terms of the details, on the positive side, the new orders number posted a very strong print of 60.6, up from 58.6. However, the business activity component dropped to 53.9 from 59.9, and the employment component dropped from 51.8 to just 45.2. That is well below the break-even 50 level and is also substantially below the six-month average of 49.3. While Friday’s jobs number (+178k) was better than expected, with the service sector contributing 135k jobs in March, this was boosted by the return of striking workers in the healthcare sector and a rebound in employment after a very weak weather-induced drop in broader payrolls in February. Non-farm payrolls' employment growth in general has been disappointing, averaging 20,000 per month since the start of 2025. The worry is that if the US economy wasn't generating jobs in the good times, a situation where we have significant geopolitical, financial market, and economic uncertainty means that we could risk outright job losses in the coming months. Today's hefty drop in ISM employment has done nothing to dispel those fears. Friday's inflation and inflation expectations are key for the Fed The problem for the Fed is that inflation remains a worry, with prices paid jumping to 70.7 from 63.0, an...