Latest news with #volatility
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ATOM Breaks $4 Resistance as Volume Surges 3%
Despite escalating conflict in the Middle East Cosmos' ATOM token is showing resilience to the volatility. It currently trades above the $4.00 level of resistance after a break out on significant volume spikes. Technical Analysis ATOM-USD climbed from $3.981 to $4.043, with a notable range of $0.122 (3.07%). Price action formed a clear uptrend with higher lows, breaking through the $4.00 resistance level. Significant volume spikes occurred, particularly during the 07:00 hour when volume reached 772,906 units, well above the 24-hour average. Support has established at $3.982, while the $4.084 level represents immediate resistance based on the recent high. Consistent higher lows coupled with above-average trading volumes suggests continued bullish sentiment despite minor retracements. In the last hour, ATOM-USD experienced significant volatility, reaching a peak of $4.070 at 13:22 before entering a sharp correction that bottomed at $3.984 around 13:51, representing a 2.11% decline. Price has since established a recovery pattern, forming higher lows and stabilizing around $4.045. Volume spikes were particularly notable during the downward movement (24,664 units at 13:48) and subsequent recovery phase (29,894 units at 13:52). Strong market participation suggests potential support formation at the $4.040 level. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How Bitcoin is changing from a volatile gamble to foundation for wealth-building
The crypto markets have been a bit shaky lately, thanks to even more geopolitical uncertainty. But what I haven't seen before — and what's been filling me with a new sense of pride and wonder — is Bitcoin holding steady. Really steady. In my short time exploring this space, that kind of stability is unheard of. Of course, it could crash by the time this is published, which got me thinking about one of the most common fears people who don't understand Bitcoin still cling to: 'What if it goes to zero?' However, it's a fear I no longer have. Let's rewind. I like to look up older prices of Bitcoin in times of uncertainty. But the prices can't be too old, or I start feeling sorry for myself that it took me so long to start investing. (Imagine buying Bitcoin on February 21, 2014, when it bottomed at $111.60 after the Mt Gox crypto exchange went bankrupt.) Eighteen months ago, Bitcoin was around $42,000 — up dramatically from $25,000 in September 2023. All it takes is a quick glance at the charts to see how dramatically Bitcoin has outperformed other, more traditional investing avenues like the S&P or gold, since its inception in 2009. And lately, it's starting to feel — dare I say — much less volatile, too. For those of us paying attention, that's a big deal. Because what happens when the asset once criticised for its volatility is no longer volatile — just as everyone from Pakistan to the US company GameStop wants it? Michael Saylor, co-founder of MicroStrategy, now Strategy, which is one of the world's biggest Bitcoin holders, said it plainly in a Bloomberg interview this month: 'Winter is not coming back. We're past that phase. If Bitcoin's not going to zero, it's going to $1 million.' His confidence rests on the core principles of Bitcoin, which include scarcity, immutability and resistance to inflation, along with steadily growing demand. More nations are signalling openness to Bitcoin and companies across the globe are adding it to their balance sheets. I didn't really expect this kind of shift. Like many others, I was just curious and figured I'd just sell some to capitalise if the value went up. But starting in summer 2024, I noticed the smartest-seeming people in this space started announcing: they have no plans to sell their Bitcoin. Ever. (To quote Saylor's February post on X: 'Sell a kidney if you must; but keep the Bitcoin.') But how can you use it, I wondered? The answer to that question is becoming obvious. There's an entire financial ecosystem developing around Bitcoin — one where you can benefit from ownership, and its potential growth, without ever having to let go of it. That part takes some mental rewiring, too. You have to forget everything you think you know about finance. I won't pretend to grasp all the technical stuff, but there are a few practical ways people are using their Bitcoin — and they actually make a lot of sense. One is crypto-backed loans. You use your Bitcoin as collateral to get a loan in regular money (or stablecoins), so you can cover expenses or invest while still holding on to your BTC. When you pay back the loan with interest, your Bitcoin is returned to you. It's a simple idea, and platforms like Strike and Milo in the US are already offering these tools. The interest rates will seem very high, but given BTC's forecasted growth, this is no payday loan scheme. I recently heard John Vasquez, a trusted US crypto voice, talking about borrowing at 14 per cent to fund a cash-flow business. He expected to pay it off in 10 months — and felt confident doing it. Then there are people like Mark Moss, founder of Market Disruptors, who spoke at Bitcoin Mena in Abu Dhabi last year. He's built an entire five-year retirement strategy for mere mortals around Bitcoin loans. His theory? Accumulate Bitcoin, borrow against it as it grows and skip tax events by never selling — keeping the principal intact. Some are using these loans to buy real estate or invest in other assets. Others are covering their living costs while their Bitcoin (hopefully) continues to appreciate. Of course, if the market drops, there's always the risk of liquidation, which is scary. Another method that's catching on: earning passive income by depositing Bitcoin on reputable platforms, where it functions like an interest-bearing account. These platforms lend your BTC to institutional borrowers and pay you a portion of the interest. (Just like a bank would with regular money) Sounds good in theory — but it does mean leaving your crypto on an exchange, which many in the space advise against. I'm still figuring that one out. For those who want to ease in, there are crypto-linked debit and credit cards, which let you borrow against your Bitcoin and pay off the balance monthly — just like a regular credit card. I have my eye on that option, although I don't see it yet in the UAE. One product I can see myself using: the new Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card, launching in the US this autumn. It's a partnership between Coin base and American Express, offering four per cent back in Bitcoin on every purchase. Bitcoin as the new air miles? On that one, when I can get it, I'm all in. Bitcoin might still feel fringe or futuristic, but what's clear to me is this: the ecosystem is growing, the tools are evolving, and the more I learn, the more I want to know.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buy 5 High-Yielding Giant Consumer Staples Stocks for a Stable Portfolio
U.S. stock markets witnessed severe volatility in the first half of 2025 unlike a smooth rally seen in the last two years. Volatility was triggered by several factors. Prominent among them were the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration on almost all countries across the world, fears of higher inflation and a near-term recession and concerns regarding the continuation of momentum among the much-hyped U.S. artificial intelligence-based behemoths. Of late, Wall Street returned to its northbound trajectory, following positive developments on global tariffs and trade, a gradually declining inflation rate, trade-related negotiations and a series of recently released economic data, following which fears of an impending recession evaporated. However, we are not out of the woods. The most important trade deal between the United States and China is yet to be finalized. Heightened geopolitical conflicts in the Middle-East between Israel and Iran and more than three years of war between Russia and Ukraine are the latest sources of fluctuation in U.S. stock markets. At this stage, investment in defensive stocks like consumer staples to stabilize your portfolio should be a prudent strategy. Our recommended five high-dividend paying consumer staples stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank are: Philip Morris International Inc. PM, The Coca-Cola Co. KO, Mondelez International Inc. MDLZ, Altria Group Inc. MO and Corteva Inc. CTVA. Each of our picks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The consumer staples sector is mature and fundamentally strong as demand for such services is generally immune to changes in the economic cycle. The consumer staples sector includes companies that provide necessities and products for daily use. This makes the sector defensive in nature. Therefore, this has always been a go-to place for investors, who want to play it safe during extreme market fluctuations irrespective of internal or external disturbances. Moreover, the sector is known for the stability and visibility of its earnings and cash flows. Consequently, adding stocks from the consumer staples basket lends more stability to one's portfolio. The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks in the past three months. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Philip Morris has benefited from strong pricing power and an expanding smoke-free product portfolio. PM has been making significant progress on its smoke-free transition, with products like IQOS and ZYN contributing to strong performance. In fact, PM aims to become substantially smoke-free by 2030. Philip Morris is set for another year of robust growth in 2025, driven by increasing demand across all product categories. PM anticipates positive volume growth for the fifth consecutive year, with an expected increase of 2%. Smoke-free products remain a key growth driver, projected to expand by 12-14%, reinforcing PM's strategic shift toward reduced-risk alternatives. Philip Morris has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 8.1% and 13.7%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.6% over the last 60 days. PM has a current dividend-yield of 2.94%. The Coca-Cola delivered a strong first-quarter 2025, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of beating top- and bottom-line expectations. First-quarter 2025 performance was driven by broad-based growth, improved price/mix, and effective execution of its all-weather strategy, which blends marketing, innovation, and revenue growth management. Innovation and marketing continue to drive KO's brand momentum, with impactful campaigns and product launches. Coca-Cola's all-weather strategy, combining marketing, innovation, and revenue growth management, supports its vision of a total beverage company and is expected to drive revenue growth in 2025. KO has provided an optimistic view for 2025. Coca-Cola has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 2.5% and 3.1%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 30 days. KO has a current dividend-yield of 2.93%. Mondelez International is well-positioned for continued growth, driven by strategic pricing, strong performance in core categories, and portfolio reshaping efforts. In first- quarter 2025, MDLZ's organic net revenues rose 3.1%, fueled by a 6.6 percentage points increase in pricing. Mondelez's focus on chocolate and biscuits — its core segments — continues to deliver resilience and market share gains, with chocolate growing 10.1% in the quarter. Strategic acquisitions like Clif Bar, along with divestitures of non-core assets, have enhanced MDLZ's focus on high-growth areas. Consistent investments in innovation and global brand activations remain key growth drivers. With ongoing investments in brand building, innovation, and operational efficiency, MDLZ expects to deliver nearly 5% organic net revenue growth in 2025. Mondelez International has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 5.3% and -10.1%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 30 days. MDLZ has a current dividend-yield of 2.83%. Altria Group has been navigating market uncertainties with the support of its pricing power and focus on smoke-free products. Pricing offered respite to first-quarter 2025 results, which were otherwise hurt by weaker volumes. Volumes are low in the Smokeable Product unit, as the cigarette industry is under pressure due to the macroeconomic challenges and the rapid growth of illegal disposable e-vapor products. MO's Oral Tobacco Products unit saw a setback following regulatory challenges that led to the discontinuation of NJOY ACE, resulting in reduced volumes. However, MO is confident in its ability to reenter the category with innovative, high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of adult consumers. This, coupled with the strength of its traditional tobacco business, such as the Marlboro brand, positions MO for growth. Altria Group has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of -1.4% and 5.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.7% over the last 30 days. MO has a current dividend-yield of 6.92%. Corteva operates in the agriculture business. CTVA operates through two segments, Seed and Crop Protection. Its operations are spread in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Seed segment of CTVA develops and supplies advanced germplasm and traits that produce optimum yield for farms. It offers trait technologies that enhance resistance to weather, disease, insects, and herbicides used to control weeds, as well as food and nutritional characteristics. It also provides digital solutions that assist farmer decision-making with a view to optimizing product selection and maximizing yield and profitability. The Crop Protection segment of CTVA offers products that protect against weeds, insects and other pests, and diseases, as well as enhance crop health above and below ground through nitrogen management and seed-applied technologies. CTVA provides herbicides, insecticides, nitrogen stabilizers, and pasture and range management herbicides. It also serves the agricultural input industry. Corteva has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 2.5% and 16.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. CTVA has a current dividend yield of 0.92%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CocaCola Company (The) (KO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Altria Group, Inc. (MO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A $6.5 Trillion ‘Triple Witching' Heralds Return to Volatility
(Bloomberg) -- Investors are bracing for $6.5 trillion of notional US options expiring on Friday, in a move that could free stocks to swing more wildly than the subdued changes seen in recent weeks. Security Concerns Hit Some of the World's 'Most Livable Cities' JFK AirTrain Cuts Fares 50% This Summer to Lure Riders Off Roads Taser-Maker Axon Triggers a NIMBY Backlash in its Hometown How E-Scooters Conquered (Most of) Europe One Architect's Quest to Save Mumbai's Heritage From Disappearing Every quarter, a cluster of different exchange-traded derivatives contracts all terminate on the same day, leading to what is sometimes dubbed a 'triple witching' event by market watchers. The event isn't expected to add additional volatility on Friday itself, but could open a path to more sudden stock market moves next week. Daily gyrations in US stocks have been relatively restrained since early May, a situation helped by the pinning effect of a swath of bearish options trades placed earlier in the year — when the chances of the S&P 500 making a recovery to near-record highs seemed remote, according to Rocky Fishman, the founder of research firm Asym 500 LLC. 'Pinning' refers to the tendency of a stock price to close near the strike of heavily-traded options as the expiration date nears. During the height of tariff-driven volatility in early April, many pessimistic investors bought insurance against a further drop in stocks, funding those positions by capping upside a little beyond the S&P 500's current level of 5,981. 'People might have seen a 6,000 level as something that's really hard to get to as we were dealing with a lot of the tariff drama over the last few months, and therefore sold calls in the 6,000 range as a way of funding protection at various points,' said Fishman, who called Friday's expiry 'one of the largest ever' in a recent note. The way market makers and broker-dealers have to hedge their own books can have major implications and echo back into equity markets. Fishman says dealer hedging could be a contributing factor to the fairly placid state of equity markets since early May, despite turmoil in the Middle East and continued tariff talks. To Fishman, the market is in a state known as positive gamma, which means players can be incentivized to sell into rallies and buy dips. It was different during early April's tariff turmoil, when many intermediaries found themselves having to dump stock into falling markets, and then buy it back as markets rose, exacerbating swings, according to Matthew Thompson, co-portfolio manager at Little Harbor Advisors. Thompson pays attention to expiry events like the triple-witching because it can help the equity ETFs he manages alongside his brother Michael take tactical positions in volatility markets. 'We're mostly interested in the dealers and how they have to hedge all of that exposure,' Thompson said in an interview on Wednesday. The quarterly triple-witching days are not usually much more volatile than monthly options expiry events, according to a study by Vishal Vivek and Stuart Kaiser, strategists at Citigroup Inc. Still, Friday's event is 'notable,' the pair wrote recently to clients. There is no standard way to calculate the amount of listed-derivatives due to expire on any one day - it depends which type of asset class and contract one includes in the figure. Citi estimates that Friday will see $5.8 trillion of notional open interest across equities expire, including $4.2 trillion of index options, $708 billion of bets on US ETFs and $819 billion of single stock options. Fishman's larger figure of roughly $6.5 trillion also includes the notional value of options on equity index futures expiring on Friday. Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Is Mark Cuban the Loudmouth Billionaire that Democrats Need for 2028? The US Has More Copper Than China But No Way to Refine All of It How a Tiny Middleman Could Access Two-Factor Login Codes From Tech Giants Can 'MAMUWT' Be to Musk What 'TACO' Is to Trump? ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Buy 5 High-Yielding Giant Consumer Staples Stocks for a Stable Portfolio
U.S. stock markets witnessed severe volatility in the first half of 2025 unlike a smooth rally seen in the last two years. Volatility was triggered by several factors. Prominent among them were the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration on almost all countries across the world, fears of higher inflation and a near-term recession and concerns regarding the continuation of momentum among the much-hyped U.S. artificial intelligence-based behemoths. Of late, Wall Street returned to its northbound trajectory, following positive developments on global tariffs and trade, a gradually declining inflation rate, trade-related negotiations and a series of recently released economic data, following which fears of an impending recession evaporated. However, we are not out of the woods. The most important trade deal between the United States and China is yet to be finalized. Heightened geopolitical conflicts in the Middle-East between Israel and Iran and more than three years of war between Russia and Ukraine are the latest sources of fluctuation in U.S. stock markets. At this stage, investment in defensive stocks like consumer staples to stabilize your portfolio should be a prudent strategy. Our recommended five high-dividend paying consumer staples stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank are: Philip Morris International Inc. PM, The Coca-Cola Co. KO, Mondelez International Inc. MDLZ, Altria Group Inc. MO and Corteva Inc. CTVA. Each of our picks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Consumer Staples Immune to Vagaries of Economic Cycle The consumer staples sector is mature and fundamentally strong as demand for such services is generally immune to changes in the economic cycle. The consumer staples sector includes companies that provide necessities and products for daily use. This makes the sector defensive in nature. Therefore, this has always been a go-to place for investors, who want to play it safe during extreme market fluctuations irrespective of internal or external disturbances. Moreover, the sector is known for the stability and visibility of its earnings and cash flows. Consequently, adding stocks from the consumer staples basket lends more stability to one's portfolio. The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks in the past three months. Philip Morris International Inc. Philip Morris has benefited from strong pricing power and an expanding smoke-free product portfolio. PM has been making significant progress on its smoke-free transition, with products like IQOS and ZYN contributing to strong performance. In fact, PM aims to become substantially smoke-free by 2030. Philip Morris is set for another year of robust growth in 2025, driven by increasing demand across all product categories. PM anticipates positive volume growth for the fifth consecutive year, with an expected increase of 2%. Smoke-free products remain a key growth driver, projected to expand by 12-14%, reinforcing PM's strategic shift toward reduced-risk alternatives. Philip Morris has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 8.1% and 13.7%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.6% over the last 60 days. PM has a current dividend-yield of 2.94%. The Coca-Cola Co The Coca-Cola delivered a strong first-quarter 2025, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of beating top- and bottom-line expectations. First-quarter 2025 performance was driven by broad-based growth, improved price/mix, and effective execution of its all-weather strategy, which blends marketing, innovation, and revenue growth management. Innovation and marketing continue to drive KO's brand momentum, with impactful campaigns and product launches. Coca-Cola's all-weather strategy, combining marketing, innovation, and revenue growth management, supports its vision of a total beverage company and is expected to drive revenue growth in 2025. KO has provided an optimistic view for 2025. Coca-Cola has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 2.5% and 3.1%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 30 days. KO has a current dividend-yield of 2.93%. Mondelez International Inc. Mondelez International is well-positioned for continued growth, driven by strategic pricing, strong performance in core categories, and portfolio reshaping efforts. In first- quarter 2025, MDLZ's organic net revenues rose 3.1%, fueled by a 6.6 percentage points increase in pricing. Mondelez's focus on chocolate and biscuits — its core segments — continues to deliver resilience and market share gains, with chocolate growing 10.1% in the quarter. Strategic acquisitions like Clif Bar, along with divestitures of non-core assets, have enhanced MDLZ's focus on high-growth areas. Consistent investments in innovation and global brand activations remain key growth drivers. With ongoing investments in brand building, innovation, and operational efficiency, MDLZ expects to deliver nearly 5% organic net revenue growth in 2025. Mondelez International has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 5.3% and -10.1%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 30 days. MDLZ has a current dividend-yield of 2.83%. Altria Group Inc. Altria Group has been navigating market uncertainties with the support of its pricing power and focus on smoke-free products. Pricing offered respite to first-quarter 2025 results, which were otherwise hurt by weaker volumes. Volumes are low in the Smokeable Product unit, as the cigarette industry is under pressure due to the macroeconomic challenges and the rapid growth of illegal disposable e-vapor products. MO's Oral Tobacco Products unit saw a setback following regulatory challenges that led to the discontinuation of NJOY ACE, resulting in reduced volumes. However, MO is confident in its ability to reenter the category with innovative, high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of adult consumers. This, coupled with the strength of its traditional tobacco business, such as the Marlboro brand, positions MO for growth. Altria Group has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of -1.4% and 5.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.7% over the last 30 days. MO has a current dividend-yield of 6.92%. Corteva Inc. Corteva operates in the agriculture business. CTVA operates through two segments, Seed and Crop Protection. Its operations are spread in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Seed segment of CTVA develops and supplies advanced germplasm and traits that produce optimum yield for farms. It offers trait technologies that enhance resistance to weather, disease, insects, and herbicides used to control weeds, as well as food and nutritional characteristics. It also provides digital solutions that assist farmer decision-making with a view to optimizing product selection and maximizing yield and profitability. The Crop Protection segment of CTVA offers products that protect against weeds, insects and other pests, and diseases, as well as enhance crop health above and below ground through nitrogen management and seed-applied technologies. CTVA provides herbicides, insecticides, nitrogen stabilizers, and pasture and range management herbicides. It also serves the agricultural input industry. Corteva has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 2.5% and 16.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. CTVA has a current dividend yield of 0.92%. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells We're not kidding. Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone. See Stocks Now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CocaCola Company (The) (KO): Free Stock Analysis Report Altria Group, Inc. (MO): Free Stock Analysis Report Philip Morris International Inc. (PM): Free Stock Analysis Report Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ): Free Stock Analysis Report Corteva, Inc. (CTVA): Free Stock Analysis Report
