Stay Ahead of the Curve: Latest Insights & Trending Topics

Tag: settle

  • Mortgage demand drops further, even as interest rates settle


    A for sale sign is displayed outside of a home for sale on August 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

    Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images

    Mortgage rates didn’t move last week, but demand for new home loans continued to weaken. Both homebuyers and current homeowners are hampered by today’s higher interest rates.

    Total mortgage application volume decreased 2% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.   

    The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) remained unchanged at 7.02%, with points increasing to 0.63 from 0.62 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. 

    Applications to refinance a home loan dropped 7% for the week and were 5% higher than the same week one year ago. Interest rates are now 24 basis points higher than they were a year ago, so there are precious few who can benefit. The vast majority of homeowners have mortgages with rates well below what is being offered today. 

    Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home fell 0.4% from one week earlier and were 7% lower than the same week one year ago.

    “Purchase activity decreased slightly, but applications for FHA purchase loans were a bright spot, increasing by 2 percent,” said Joel Kan, vice president and deputy chief economist at the MBA. 

    “New and existing-home sales ended 2024 on a strong note, and if mortgage rates continue to stabilize and for-sale inventory loosens, we expect a gradual pick up in purchase activity in the coming months.”

    Mortgage rates have not moved much to start this week either, and Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting is not expected to bring any surprises or tradeable news.

    “Even Powell would be hard pressed to shake things up too much considering the mildly positive cue from inflation data and the ongoing policy uncertainty as a counterbalance,” wrote Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily. “That said, one can never truly rule out a volatile reaction to a Powell presser, but the odds are certainly lower this time around.”

    Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO



    The housing market continues to show signs of slowing down as mortgage demand drops even further, despite interest rates remaining relatively stable. According to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage applications fell 1.2% in the past week.

    This decline in demand comes as a surprise to many experts, who had expected a surge in homebuying activity as interest rates hovered near historic lows. However, potential buyers seem to be holding off on making any major financial decisions amidst economic uncertainty and rising home prices.

    While interest rates have remained steady, other factors such as tight inventory levels and increasing competition among buyers may be contributing to the decrease in mortgage demand. Additionally, some potential buyers may be hesitant to take on a mortgage in a volatile market.

    As we head into the fall season, it will be interesting to see how the housing market continues to evolve. Will mortgage demand rebound, or will it continue to decline as economic conditions remain uncertain? Only time will tell.

    Tags:

    1. Mortgage demand
    2. Interest rates
    3. Housing market
    4. Economic trends
    5. Mortgage rates
    6. Real estate
    7. Homebuyers
    8. Financial news
    9. Mortgage industry
    10. Market analysis

    #Mortgage #demand #drops #interest #rates #settle

  • Sacklers Up Their Offer to Settle Purdue Opioids Cases, With a New Condition


    Seven months after the Supreme Court struck down a deal that would have resolved thousands of opioid cases against Purdue Pharma, the company’s owners, members of the Sackler family, have increased their cash offer to settle the litigation — but with a novel catch.

    Under the framework for a new deal, the Sacklers would not receive immunity from future opioid lawsuits, a condition that they had long insisted upon but that the court ruled was impermissible.

    Instead, they would pay up to $6.5 billion — $500 million more than the previous agreement — but with a new condition: Claimants, including states, municipalities and individuals, would have to set aside as much as $800 million in an account akin to a legal-defense fund for the billionaires to fight such cases, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

    Some details of the framework — but not the legal-defense fund — were announced on Thursday by the New York attorney general, Letitia James. She said the overall settlement totaled $7.4 billion, which would include $897 million from Purdue.

    New York could receive as much as $250 million, she said.

    “The Sackler family relentlessly pursued profit at the expense of vulnerable patients and played a critical role in starting and fueling the opioid epidemic,” Ms. James said.

    When the deal is finalized, she added, the Sacklers will “no longer have control of Purdue and will never be allowed to sell opioids in the United States again.”

    Echoing other settlements in nationwide opioid litigation, these payments are intended to fund efforts to prevent and treat addiction in hard-hit communities across the country.

    How many claimants will agree to the new terms is unclear. Ms. James noted that 14 other states involved in talks were on board, including Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Tennessee, California and West Virginia.

    But now the deal has to be sold to all the claimants — not only the remaining states and thousands of local governments, but to some 140,000 personal injury victims and hundreds of Native American tribes.

    The reserve legal fund for the Sacklers may well be depleted: Already, new lawsuits against the Sacklers have been threatened by a handful of states, counties, cities and individuals.

    A spokesman for Washington State, which has successfully pursued other pharmaceutical companies rather than sign onto national deals, said the state was weighing its options.

    The states, which are responsible for the bulk of those payments, would have to keep a minimum of $200 million in the account, with total contributions up to $800 million. After five years, unused funds would start reverting back to the states.

    Final calculations for how much of the total would be deducted to pay lawyers, consultants and administration fees are still under discussion.

    The Sacklers would pay nearly $3 billion in the first three years, with remaining payments over an additional 12 years.

    If the plan is approved by claimants, an arm of the Justice Department that oversees the bankruptcy system called the U.S. Trustee and a federal bankruptcy judge, Purdue would emerge by the end of this year from the bankruptcy that has shielded it since 2019. It would immediately pay the $897 million of its own cash to the parties who signed on to the deal.

    That process is expected to conclude around the end of the year.

    At that point, 15 years of Sackler payments would also commence. And most of the lawsuits that began more than a decade ago — eventually morphing into an ungainly combined litigation brought by cities, states, tribes, hospitals and individual victims, and argued by countless teams of lawyers — would, presumably, end.

    In the plan rejected by the Supreme Court, the Sacklers, long portrayed across films, television and news articles as the public face of predatory opioid manufacturers, demanded a guarantee for putting up $6 billion: that all current and future lawsuits against them related to Purdue and opioids would be barred.

    Purdue itself gets that protection as a standard benefit conferred when a company comes out of bankruptcy. But because the Sacklers did not personally file for bankruptcy, the Supreme Court ruled in June that granting them permanent civil immunity was outside the purview of bankruptcy law.

    The intention of the legal reserve fund, in which, essentially, claimants will be paying to defend the Sacklers against other claimants, is to satisfy the court’s ruling.

    “If states are expected to contribute funds to the Sacklers’ legal defense, the public will want to hear more about the impact of that money going to the Sacklers and their lawyers rather than to opioid abatement,” said Melissa B. Jacoby, a bankruptcy expert at the University of North Carolina School of Law.



    The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, have recently increased their offer to settle thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. However, their latest offer comes with a new condition that has sparked controversy.

    In their latest proposal, the Sacklers have offered to pay up to $10 billion to resolve the lawsuits, an increase from their previous offer of $3 billion. However, they are now demanding that the settlement include a legal shield that would protect the family from any future opioid-related lawsuits.

    This new condition has drawn criticism from many who argue that the Sacklers should not be allowed to escape accountability for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Critics point to evidence that Purdue Pharma aggressively marketed OxyContin, downplayed its addictive properties, and lobbied to increase sales of the drug, all of which contributed to the crisis.

    Despite the increased offer, many states and local governments have rejected the deal, with some vowing to continue pursuing legal action against the Sacklers. The debate over whether to accept the settlement with its controversial condition is likely to continue, as the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across the country.

    Tags:

    1. Sacklers settlement offer
    2. Purdue opioids lawsuit
    3. Sackler family news
    4. Purdue Pharma settlement update
    5. Opioid crisis settlement
    6. Sacklers legal case
    7. Purdue Pharma lawsuit
    8. Opioids epidemic update
    9. Sacklers settlement negotiations
    10. Purdue Pharma court case

    #Sacklers #Offer #Settle #Purdue #Opioids #Cases #Condition

  • Frigid wind chills settle in Monday in New Mexico


    Get ready for the cold air as it’s the first of a couple of not-very-warm days in New Mexico. See the latest conditions at KOB.com/Weather.

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Wind chills are going to be frigid Monday before reaching their coldest point Tuesday morning in New Mexico.

    The cold front will sweep in from northeastern New Mexico and swing toward the west. That will make temperatures nice for places in southwestern New Mexico but then Tuesday will bring a shift to what everyone else is seeing Monday.

    Snow will be more limited than the first forecast.

    Meteorologist Alan Shoemaker shares all the details in his full forecast in the video above.

    MORE:



    As winter weather continues to grip New Mexico, frigid wind chills are expected to settle in on Monday. Residents are urged to bundle up and take precautions as temperatures drop and the wind picks up.

    The National Weather Service has issued wind chill advisories for much of the state, warning of dangerously cold conditions. Wind chills are expected to dip well below zero in some areas, making it feel even colder than the actual temperature.

    It’s important to dress warmly in layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time spent outdoors in these extreme conditions. Frostbite and hypothermia can set in quickly in these conditions, so it’s crucial to take precautions.

    Stay safe and stay warm, New Mexico!

    Tags:

    • Frigid wind chills
    • New Mexico weather
    • Cold front
    • Winter temperatures
    • Monday forecast
    • Weather update
    • Freezing conditions
    • New Mexico climate
    • Chilly Monday
    • Wind chill advisory

    #Frigid #wind #chills #settle #Monday #Mexico

  • Paddy Pimblett dragged off rival after choking him in gym fight to settle dispute


    Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett continues to be one of the most decisive figures in the UFC.

    Now a few years into his UFC tenure, fans are beginning to realize the type of character Paddy Pimblett is, both inside and outside of the UFC Octagon.

    The Scouser came into the promotion as a favorite amongst the fans for his fight style and witty personality but after a controversial decision win over Jared Gordon in 2022, he divided the fans with his reaction.

    Despite that, ‘The Baddy’ put some doubts to bed with impressive performances over Bobby Green and Tony Ferguson, putting himself in the lightweight rankings.

    Paddy Pimblett of England secures a submission against King Green in a lightweight bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 27, 2024 in ...
    Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Paddy Pimblett is dragged off rival after choking him in an organized gym fight

    When not in fight camp, Pimblett has been widely well-known for ballooning in weight and not looking in the prime shape that he does when competing.

    Although he doesn’t have a fight booked at the moment, Pimblett has been staying active in the gym and he has taken this off time as a chance to settle a feud with a rival.

    Fellow fighter, Dennis Frimpong has been a longtime rival of Pimblett’s and the two have been beefing online for several months. Frimpong fights with Oktagon MMA and has a professional record of 3-2.

    Responding to a fan comment hoping to see Pimblett on the upcoming UFC London card, Frimpong said: “He won’t be fit for the Vegas event let alone the London one.”

    After exchanging personal messages, the two then organized to settle their feud this Saturday morning at Frimpong’s gym, Manchester Top Team.

    Throughout the clash, it was visible that the two fighters weren’t taking it easy and sparring and that it was a real fight between two people that don’t like each other, with a full crowd including Molly McCann gathered around the mats.

    The majority of the organized gym fight took part on the feet up until Pimblett scored a takedown around three minutes in.

    From there, ‘The Baddy’ showed off his grappling credentials and showed the difference in levels between a UFC fighter and a fighter who only has five professional bouts.

    Not long after, Pimblett sunk in a rear-naked choke which resulted in a tap from Dennis ‘The Menace’. Chaos then unfolded as Pimblett refused to let go of the choke which seemingly sparked a ruckus between members of their teams.

    What’s next for Paddy Pimblett inside the UFC Octagon?

    After the melee was sorted following the fight, Pimblett and Frimpong respectfully embraced, seemingly ending their longtime feud.

    The UFC recently announced their return to London will take place on March 22 and the event will be headlined by Leon Edwards vs Jack Della Maddalena.

    Pimblett has historically been a permanent fixture for the UK events and is a big star over the pond. With that, there is a chance the 30-year-old is booked to fight at the o2 Arena again.

    He and fellow star, Michael Chandler have continuously teased at a potential fight against each other and it is one that makes sense at both stages of their careers.

    Related Topics





    In a shocking turn of events, rising MMA star Paddy Pimblett was reportedly dragged off his rival after choking him in a gym fight to settle a heated dispute.

    The altercation allegedly took place during a sparring session at a local gym, where tensions between Pimblett and his opponent reached a boiling point. Eyewitnesses claim that Pimblett lost his temper and launched a vicious attack on his rival, choking him in a fit of rage.

    Security personnel were forced to intervene and pull Pimblett off his rival before things escalated further. The incident has left the MMA community stunned, as Pimblett is known for his charismatic personality and skill inside the cage.

    It remains to be seen how this incident will affect Pimblett’s career moving forward, but one thing is for certain – tensions are running high in the world of MMA. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. Paddy Pimblett gym fight
    2. Paddy Pimblett rival dispute
    3. Paddy Pimblett choking incident
    4. Paddy Pimblett gym altercation
    5. Paddy Pimblett rival confrontation
    6. Paddy Pimblett gym scuffle
    7. Paddy Pimblett choking drama
    8. Paddy Pimblett gym showdown
    9. Paddy Pimblett rival clash
    10. Paddy Pimblett gym brawl

    #Paddy #Pimblett #dragged #rival #choking #gym #fight #settle #dispute

  • Toyota unit to settle emissions scandal for $1.6bn


    Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors has agreed to pay $1.6bn (£1.3bn) and plead guilty to deceiving US regulators about the amount of emissions produced by its diesel engines.

    The truck company will also be banned from exporting its diesel engines to the country for five years.

    It comes after Hino was charged with fraud in a Detroit court for selling 105,000 illegal engines in the US between 2010 and 2022.

    The settlement still requires approval by a US court.

    According to the US Justice Department, Hino submitted “false and fraudulent” emission testing and fuel consumption data in a “criminal conspiracy” that allowed it to import and sell its engines in the United States.

    “Hino Motors engaged in a years-long scheme to alter and fabricate emissions data in order to get a leg up over its competitors and boost their bottom-line,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

    “To further this fraudulent scheme, Hino violated laws and regulations intended to protect American’s health and the environment.”

    On top of the five-year diesel engine import ban, Hino has also committed to a compliance and ethics plan during that period.

    “We take this resolution seriously and will ensure that the field fix, the Environmental Mitigation Program, and further strengthening of our compliance system … are implemented,” said Satoshi Ogiso, Hino’s chief executive and president in a statement.

    “We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers and stakeholders.”

    The US Environmental Protection Agency said Hino has also agreed to recall some infringing heavy-duty trucks and to replace marine and locomotive engines across the country to offset excess air emissions.

    In order to cover costs resulting from its legal problems, Hino said that in its second quarter financial results announced in October, it reported an extraordinary loss of 230 billion yen (£1.2bn, $1.48bn).

    In the last decade, several car makers admitted to lying about the emissions produced by their diesel engines.

    In what has become known as the dieselgate scandal, brands throughout the Volkswagen corporate empire were implicated, including Audi, Porsche, Seat and Skoda as well as Volkswagen itself.

    Volkswagen has spent more than 30 billion euros (£25bn, $30.9bn) paying fines, issuing recalls and compensating its customers.



    Toyota has agreed to pay $1.6 billion to settle a long-running emissions scandal, in which the automaker was accused of knowingly selling vehicles that did not comply with emissions standards. The settlement, which was announced today, includes a combination of fines, penalties, and compensation for affected consumers.

    The scandal, which dates back several years, involved Toyota’s failure to disclose that certain models of its vehicles were equipped with software that allowed them to emit more pollution than allowed under federal regulations. The company has since admitted to the wrongdoing and has taken steps to address the issue, including recalling affected vehicles and implementing new emissions testing procedures.

    The $1.6 billion settlement is one of the largest ever reached in an emissions-related case, and serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the automotive industry. Toyota has said that it is committed to upholding the highest standards of environmental responsibility moving forward, and hopes that this settlement will help to restore trust with consumers and regulators alike.

    Tags:

    Toyota emissions scandal, Toyota settlement, Toyota news, emissions scandal update, Toyota legal settlement, Toyota $1.6bn settlement, Toyota scandal resolution

    #Toyota #unit #settle #emissions #scandal #1.6bn

  • Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Settle Divorce After 8 Years

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Settle Divorce After 8 Years


    AFI FEST 2015 Presented By Audi Opening Night Gala Premiere Of Universal Pictures' "By The Sea" - Arrivals
    Kevin Winter/Getty Images

    Eight years after filing to legally end their relationship, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have settled their divorce.

    Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, signed off on their divorce on Monday, December 30, according to People.

    “More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family,” Jolie’s lawyer James Simon told People in a Monday statement. “This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”

    A rep for Pitt declined to confirm or comment.


    Related: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Ups and Downs Through the Years

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been locked in a messy court battle ever since she filed for divorce in September 2016, but the pair were not always at odds. The Oscar winners allegedly fell for each other while filming the 2005 action film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The origination of their relationship instantly caused […]

    Pitt and Jolie were together for a decade before they exchanged vows in August 2014.  Two years later, Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016 after two years of marriage and a decade as a couple, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. They share six kids: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne. Jolie’s rep said at the time that she filed for divorce “for the health of the family.” Pitt was later investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services regarding an incident with their eldest son on a plane but was cleared by November 2016.

    The exes have been declared legally single since November 2019, but have been battling it out in court over custody issues and their French winery, Château Miraval.

    This story is still developing. 



    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have finally settled their divorce after 8 long years of legal battles and negotiations. The Hollywood power couple, who originally filed for divorce in 2016, have reached an agreement on custody of their six children and the division of their assets.

    The settlement comes as a relief to both parties, who have been embroiled in a bitter and public divorce battle for nearly a decade. Rumors of infidelity, substance abuse, and disagreements over parenting have plagued their divorce proceedings, but it seems that they have finally put their differences aside for the sake of their children.

    Fans of the couple are hopeful that this settlement will bring an end to the drama and allow both Brad and Angelina to move on with their lives. Despite their tumultuous past, they have both expressed a desire to co-parent their children and maintain a healthy relationship going forward.

    As one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce has been closely followed by fans and media alike. Now that they have settled their differences, it seems that they can finally put this chapter behind them and focus on the future.

    Tags:

    • Brad Pitt
    • Angelina Jolie
    • Divorce settlement
    • Celebrity divorce
    • Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie divorce
    • Hollywood news
    • Celebrity gossip
    • Brad Pitt news
    • Angelina Jolie news
    • Hollywood breakup

    #Brad #Pitt #Angelina #Jolie #Settle #Divorce #Years

  • Stocks Settle Lower as Megacap Tech Stocks Retreat


    The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Friday closed down -1.11%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed down -0.77% and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down -1.36%.  March E-mini S&P futures (ESH25) are down -1.08%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH25) are down -1.30%. 

    Stocks on Friday settled moderately lower, weighed down by a selloff in the Magnificent Seven technology stocks.  Also, higher T-note yields on Friday undercut equity prices. Low volumes and thin trading conditions due to holiday trading this week and next are leading to exaggerated moves in stocks.

    The US Nov trade deficit widened to -$102.9 billion from -$98.3 billion in Oct, a larger deficit than expectations of -$101.2 billion, a negative development for Q4 GDP and bearish for stocks.

    US Nov wholesale inventories unexpectedly fell -0.2% m/m versus expectations of a +0.1% m/m increase.  Nov retail inventories rose +0.3% m/m, which is right on expectations.

    Strength in Asian equity markets was supportive of US stocks. China’s Shanghai Composite Stock Index rose to a 2-week high Friday on the prospects of additional stimulus to bolster its economy.  Japan’s Nikkei Stock index rallied to a 5-1/4 month high, led by strength in exporters as the yen weakened to a 5-month low against the dollar.  Also, better-than-expected economic news on retail sales and industrial production boosted Japanese stocks.

    The markets are discounting the chances at 11% for a -25 bp rate cut at the January 28-29 FOMC meeting.

    Overseas stock markets on Friday settled higher.  The Euro Stoxx 50 rose to a 1-week high and closed up +0.84%.  China’s Shanghai Composite Index climbed to a 2-week high and closed up +0.06%.  Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 rallied to a 5-1/4 month high and closed up +1.80%.

    Interest Rates

    March 10-year T-notes (ZNH25) Friday closed down -7 ticks.  The 10-year T-note yield rose +3.4 bp to 4.617%.  Mar T-notes Friday posted moderate losses but held above Thursday’s 7-month low.  Carryover pressure from weakness in European and Japanese government bonds weighed on T-note prices.  10-year German bunds fell to a 1-1/4 month low, 10-year UK Gilts fell to a 1-week low, and 10-year Japanese JGB bonds dropped to a 13-year low.  T-notes are also being undercut on the concern that President-elect Trump’s policy agenda may spark growth and inflation and potentially worsen the US fiscal backdrop.  T-notes recovered from their worst levels after a slump in stocks boosted safe-haven demand for government debt. 

    European government bond yields on Friday moved higher.  The 10-year German bund yield climbed to a 1-1/4 month high of 2.403% and finished up +7.3 bp to 2.396%.  The 10-year UK gilt yield rose to a 1-week high of 4.645% and finished up +5.8 bp to 4.633%.

    Swaps are discounting the chances at 100% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at its January 30 policy meeting and at 12% for a -50 bp rate cut at that meeting.

    US Stock Movers

    Mega-cap technology stocks retreated on Friday and weighed on the broader market.  Tesla (TSLA) closed down more than -4% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100.  Also, Nvidia (NVDA) closed down more than -2% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials.  In addition, Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon.com (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Apple (AAPL) closed down more than -1%.

    Cruise line operators moved lower Friday, with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), Carnival (CCL), and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) closing down more than -2%. 

    Netflix (NFLX) closed down more than -2% on less-than-favorable reviews for the company’s new “Squid Game Season 2” released Thursday. 

    Crowdstrike Holdings (CRWD) closed down more than -2% on signs of insider selling after an SEC filing showed CEO Kurtz sold $6.5 million of shares on Monday.

    Broadcom (AVGO) closed down more than -2% on signs of insider selling after an SEC filing showed CFO Spears sold $2.89 million shares last Friday.

    KKR & Co (KKR) closed down more than -1% after the Fly reported the company, along with Bain Capital, each offered over $5 billion for Japan’s Seven & I’s non-core assets. 

    Fastenal (FAST) closed down more than -2% after announcing that CFO Lweis will resign in April.

    Lamb Weston Holdings (LW) closed up more than +2% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after an amended 13D regulatory filing showed Jana Partners LLC reported a holding in the company. 

    Defensive food-producing stocks rose on Friday due to weakness in the broader market.  Hershey Co (HSY), Hormel Foods (HRL), Mondelez International (MDLZ), Kraft Heinz (KHC), Conagra Brands (CAG), and General Mills (GIS) closed up more than +0.3%. 

    Progyny (PGNY) closed up more than +15% on signs of insider buying after an SEC filing showed Executive Chairman Schlanger bought $2.2 million shares on Thursday. 

    Amedisys (AMED) closed up more than +4% after the company and UnitedHealth Group gave themselves more time for UnitedHealth Group to complete the $3.3 billion deal to purchase the company. 

    VeriSign (VRSN) closed up +0.6% after an SEC filing showed Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway bought $28.5 million of the stock in the three sessions to Tuesday. 

    Earnings Reports (12/30/2024)

    Gencor Industries Inc (GENC) and Renovaro Inc (RENB).


    On the date of publication,

    Rich Asplund

    did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy

    here.
     More news from Barchart

    The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.



    Stocks Settle Lower as Megacap Tech Stocks Retreat

    The stock market experienced a dip today as megacap tech stocks retreated, leading to a decrease in overall market performance. Companies such as Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google parent company Alphabet all saw declines in their stock prices, dragging down major indices.

    Investors were concerned about the impact of rising interest rates on the tech sector, which has been a major driver of market gains in recent months. The Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates has led to fears of higher borrowing costs for companies, particularly those in the tech industry.

    Despite the overall market decline, some sectors saw gains, including energy and financials. Oil prices rose as tensions in the Middle East escalated, while financial stocks benefited from expectations of higher interest rates.

    As investors assess the evolving economic landscape, it remains to be seen how megacap tech stocks will perform in the coming days. Stay tuned for more updates on market movements and trends.

    Tags:

    1. Stock market news
    2. Megacap tech stocks
    3. Market analysis
    4. Stock market trends
    5. Tech stock retreat
    6. Stock market update
    7. Market volatility
    8. Investment opportunities
    9. Financial analysis
    10. Market performance

    #Stocks #Settle #Megacap #Tech #Stocks #Retreat

  • Brittany Zamora, husband beg dad of sex abuse victim to settle before her arrest: new audio

    Brittany Zamora, husband beg dad of sex abuse victim to settle before her arrest: new audio


    The husband of a former Arizona teacher locked up for sexually abusing her 13-year-old student vigorously defended his wife in the days leading up to her 2018 arrest — and even pressed the victim’s parents to settle the heinous matter outside of court. 

    A new documentary released last month captured the moment Brittany Zamora’s husband, Daniel, pleaded with the student’s furious father during a heated phone call to forgive his wife and abstain from calling the police. 

    “God preaches forgiveness, man,” Daniel Zamora told the irate father the night before his wife was charged with molesting her sixth-grade student, according to the footage. 

    Zamora was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens in July 2019. Tom Tingle/The Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC

    The enraged father, named John, shot back, labeling the sicko teacher a “f–ing monster.”

    “Listen to me, I am not gonna settle this out of court,” he said, according to the footage.

    “There’s not enough money you could f–king offer to me to settle this. Your woman is a monster. She’s a monster.”

    The footage captured interviews with parents, witnesses and school administrators hours before the sick teacher’s arrest. 12 News

    Daniel, seemingly unaware of the extent of his wife’s disturbing actions, maintained that she is “a great teacher” who “made a huge mistake” by getting “invested” with her student, insisting that she has done great things for children in her five years as an educator.

    “Your wife decided to be a monster and prey on a child. She scarred my son mentally,” the boy’s father responded, with the unwitting husband asking the father to explain what he meant. 

    The pervy teacher and the 13-year-old student shared notes back and forth during their disturbing affair. Goodyear Police Department

    The emotionally charged phone call took place after the boy’s parents found salacious text messages indicating a sexual relationship between the pair soon after they began monitoring his phone with an app. 

    The victim told investigators that he and the then-married 27-year-old teacher at Las Brisas Academy Elementary School in Goodyear had sex several times in her car and classroom — with an 11-year-old friend of the victim acting as a “lookout” at times, according to the documentary.

    Zamora, 33, also fondled the young victim in the back of her classroom while other students watched an educational video.

    The classroom at Las Brisas Academy Elementary where the sexual assault took place. Goodyear Police Department

    “Like you for real get sexier to me every day lol,” she told the teen in a racy text, the doc revealed.

    “I want to f–k you so bad baby those times weren’t enough,” the boy responded. 

    The documentary also featured body cam footage of Zamora’s arrest and interrogation with police, along with interviews with parents, witnesses and school administrators hours before the teacher’s arrest.

    The victim’s parents found racy texts between their son and his teacher. Goodyear Police Department

    The footage also revealed text messages between Daniel Zamora and his wife, with the blindly devoted husband encouraging his wife to cry, apologize and appear helpless upon questioning.

    “Don’t admit to any relationship,” he texted his wife.

    “Because we both know there isn’t one and nothing happened. Just stupid fantasy text that went too far.” 

    Zamora pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with a minor and reduced charges of molestation of a child and public sexual indecency and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in July 2019. 

    Zamora was arrested in 2018 after she was accused of molesting her sixth-grade student.
    Tom Tingle/Arizona Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC

    The victim’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the Liberty Elementary School District and Zamora’s husband, claiming they were aware of rumors before the sexual abuse was revealed.

    The suit also accused the husband of failing to alert authorities after he learned of the abuse. He settled for an undisclosed amount in 2019.

    In May 2020, Zamora filed for divorce from her husband of four years, calling the relationship “broken beyond repair.”

    Body cam footage showing Brittany Zamora’s arrest. Goodyear Police Department

    After she was arrested, Zamora told police she was worried for her safety behind bars, while sharing affection for her then-husband.

    “I’m little, they’re going to tear me apart” Zamora cried to investigators, according to the footage.

    “I have the best husband in the world.”



    In a shocking turn of events, new audio recordings have surfaced revealing that Brittany Zamora and her husband have been desperately begging the father of a sex abuse victim to settle before her impending arrest. The recordings capture the couple pleading with the victim’s father to drop the charges and reach a financial settlement in exchange for their silence.

    Brittany Zamora, a former teacher who was convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student, is facing a lengthy prison sentence for her crimes. Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, Zamora and her husband appear to be grasping at straws in a last-ditch effort to avoid the consequences of her actions.

    The release of this audio has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the lengths that some individuals will go to in order to avoid facing justice for their crimes. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, no matter how desperate they may be to escape the consequences.

    As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this new evidence will impact Brittany Zamora’s case. In the meantime, the victim and their family continue to seek justice and closure in the wake of this disturbing revelation. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. Brittany Zamora
    2. Husband
    3. Sex abuse
    4. Victim
    5. Arrest
    6. New audio
    7. Settlement
    8. Brittany Zamora case
    9. Teacher scandal
    10. Controversy

    #Brittany #Zamora #husband #beg #dad #sex #abuse #victim #settle #arrest #audio