Seana Smith

    Host

    Seana Smith co-hosts Yahoo Finance’s closing bell coverage from 3-5 p.m. ET. Previously, she anchored ‘The Ticker’ and ‘Midday Movers’ on Yahoo Finance, and spent time reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Before joining Yahoo Finance, Seana worked as a writer and producer at Fox Business. Seana holds a master’s degree in economics and a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in business from Lehigh University

  • CPI expectations, GameStop stock, EV slowdown: Catalysts

    On today's episode of Catalysts, host Seana Smith is joined by various guests to provide insightful perspectives on inflation outlooks, earnings results, and the evolving landscape of electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Kicking off the show, Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer joins the discussion to break down expectations for the upcoming monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for April, scheduled for release on Wednesday. This report will offer a crucial glimpse into the ongoing fight against inflation. Following the inflation outlook, the show delves into stock reactions to earnings results from prominent companies such as GameStop (GME), Kenvue (KVUE), and Intel (INTC). As retail giants Home Depot (HD) and Walmart (WMT) gear up to release their earnings this week,HSBC US Consumer Staples Senior Analyst Daniela Bretthauer joins Catalysts to share her outlook on each company's stock and anticipated earnings performance. Closing out the show, Blink Charging CEO and President Brendan Jones, discusses the company's impressive profit jump in the first quarter, despite an ongoing slowdown in the EV sector. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • How Q1 earnings have driven markets

    Robust earnings have been a driving force behind the market's gains. First quarter earnings contributed to a 5.4% year-over-year growth for the S&P 500 (^GSPC), according to FactSet. To provide insights into the market's momentum as earnings season continues, NYSE Senior Market Strategist Michael Reinking joins Catalysts. As markets brace for a combination of inflation reports and earnings releases, Reinking notes that this week is also an options expiration week, a dynamic that could potentially heighten volatility. However, he points out that "positioning is more normalized" these days. Notably, with economic data and earnings pointing to growth, Reinking suggests there are "asymmetric risks to the upside from a market perspective." "I think markets want to see that moderation, because...that's kind of that precursor to seeing that disinflationary process start to play out," Reinking tells Yahoo Finance. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • C3.ai, Bloom Energy CEOs talk optimizing the grid through AI

    As massive investments are made into AI and its infrastructure, the need for energy and proper distribution will be great to power these systems. C3.ai Inc (AI) and Bloom Energy (BE) have teamed up to solve this problem and supposedly revolutionize the way electricity is allocated across power grids. C3.ai Chairman and CEO Tom Siebel and Bloom Energy Founder, Chairman, and CEO KR Sridhar — who is also a member of C3.ai's board of directors — join Catalysts to discuss the partnership between these two companies and what it can do for consumers. Sridhar elaborates on how the companies will work together, using data to make better decisions on where to distribute energy: "Finally, the time has come when we can take those billion data points from all the digital trends of things coming out of our power plants and optimize it better. That's what we're working on, and it is super important, not just for us. Once we prove this out, the future of electricity is going to be a lot of distributed generation, unlike one centralized power plant. This can be a model that everybody else can use. " Siebel follows that up with: "One of the largest applications of AI is to optimize the global grid infrastructure and the grid would be the largest, most complex machine ever built. And so we could use AI to deliver cleaner, more reliable, safer energy into the hands of more satisfied customers at lower environmental impact." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • EV adoption is set for long-term growth: Blink Charging CEO

    Despite fears of an electric vehicle (EV) adoption slowdown, Blink Charging (BLNK) defied expectations by reporting a 195% surge in gross profit during its first quarter results. To shed light on the company's expansion plans and the broader EV landscape, Blink Charging President & CEO Brendan Jones joins Catalysts. Jones highlights the company's continued observation of EV adoption globally, with Europe emerging as a significant revenue driver. In this region, EV sales continue to rise, accompanied by an expansion of EV infrastructure. Notably, Jones points out that utilization of charging stations is also on the upswing, reflecting the growing demand for EV-related services. While acknowledging slowdowns experienced by industry giants like Tesla (TSLA), Jones draws attention to the contrasting strategies of other automakers. Hyundai (HYMTF), for instance, has doubled down on its commitment to EVs, further investing in the sector. "You saw some stuff that said 'hey, we might be slowing,' but then you also saw a lot of encouraging activity that said the space is going to continue to grow over the long-term," Jones tells Yahoo Finance. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Can the US economy hold onto its 'productivity miracle'?

    NewEdge Wealth Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Fixed Income and Macro Ben Emons comes on The Morning Brief to discuss investment portfolio strategies for the bond market while the Treasury yield curve (^TYX, ^TNX, ^FVX) remains largely flat. "If these data points keep throwing us off with volatility going one way or the other for interest rates, then you want to play it more safer," Emons explains. "So let's say you want a duration of six years, you can do that. But you have to use different pieces of fixed income in that duration to get to six years by having a low volatility portfolio." Emons goes on to comment on the longevity of the US economy's post-pandemic growth, naming the "productivity miracle" that has been an integral driver. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

  • Walmart is a 'top pick' in the retail sector: Analyst

    As inflation remains relatively high, consumer spending has pulled back, with more shoppers prioritizing value for their everyday goods. HSBC US Consumer Staples Senior Analyst Daniela Bretthauer joins Catalysts to explain why one retailer stands out as a top choice for consumers. Bretthauer has a Buy rating on Walmart (WMT), calling it a "top pick" in the retail sector. "I think the future of grocery shopping is becoming increasingly omnichannel. And Walmart is America's largest grocer. They are very well positioned to serve the online," she explains. She also expects Walmart to be "a defensive name" in the economy, especially if interest rate cuts are further delayed. "The everyday low-price strategy works extremely well, and so I think that they can still do quite well and have a nice growth in earnings this year," Bretthauer adds. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Melanie Riehl

  • Markets are realizing Fed's 2% target will take time: Economist

    Amid the ongoing battle against inflation, consumer sentiment has plummeted to its lowest levels, according to data from the University of Michigan. LPL Financial Chief Economist Jeffrey Roach joins Catalysts to discuss market outlooks in light of this development. Roach notes that the sentiment report serves as "confirmation" that "consumers are pivoting away from big-ticket items." This shift, he says, points to a potential consumer spending slowdown, though markets may not yet fully grasp "the magnitude quite just yet." Roach believes that the second half of this year could "run a lot slower" than the first half of 2023. Amid high inflation and uncertainty surrounding potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, Roach suggests that the Fed actively seeks "confirmation that the economy is slowing," which could prompt a pullback in its policy stance. However, he notes that markets are gradually coming to the realization "that the 2% target the Fed is looking for is going to take a lot more time," despite inflation heading in the "right direction." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • New tariffs on Chinese EVs, Apple-OpenAI talks, Roaring Kitty's return: Morning Brief

    On today's edition of The Morning Brief, Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith and Myles Udland cover everything from US-China economic relations to the latest moves in the artificial intelligence game. The market (^DJI, ^IXIC, ^GSPC) opened higher on Monday after all three major indexes closed last week in the green. Stocks are preparing for the Consumer Price Index's (CPI) inflation data expected on Wednesday as core CPI is projected to increase 3.6% year over year. In the latest move to develop domestic supply chains, President Biden is expected to announce new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this week, raising the rate to 102.5% from 27.5%, according to reports. SoftBank (SFTBY) posted a full-year profit in its Vision Fund for the first time since 2021, boosted by its investment in Arm (ARM) as the AI race heats up. SoftBank now has a 90% stake in Arm, accounting for almost half its entire portfolio. Apple (AAPL) is reportedly negotiating a deal with OpenAI to include ChatGPT on iPhones. ChatGPT is among the leading AI services, and as iPhone sales slumped last quarter, the partnership with OpenAI could be Apple's latest move to innovate the iPhone and increase sales. Lastly, GameStop (GME) shares are soaring following the return of "Roaring Kitty" to the social media platform X. Roaring Kitty played a critical role in GameStop's short squeeze back in 2021. This post was written by Melanie Riehl

  • Home Depot may see sales drop as consumers seek value: Analyst

    Home Depot (HD) is set to report earnings this week, giving investors an inside look into the state of consumer spending. HSBC US Consumer Staples Senior Analyst Daniela Bretthauer joins Catalysts to discuss what to expect from Home Depot's earnings as home improvement spending fell more than 1% year over year, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. "Consumers remain focused on value and price," Bretthauer says. "They're shifting their spending patterns to make ends meet." She notes that Home Depot's bigger-ticket items were in demand during the pandemic as homeowners took on more home improvement projects. However, as that demand declines, she expects the company's quarterly sales to decrease by 2% to 3%. Bretthauer adds that as wallets tighten amid higher inflation, more home remodelings and improvements are being put on the back burner. "The fact that rates remain high still and the interest rates cuts have been delayed, probably we're only going to see one cut this year. So that doesn't bode as well for people looking to buy new homes," she explains. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Melanie Riehl

  • Sen. Schumer calls on FTC to stop Chevron merger with Hess

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to intervene in the proposed merger between Chevron (CVX) and Hess (HES), valued at $53 billion. Schumer claims the merger will allow oil companies to raise gas prices. Yahoo Finance Anchors Seana Smith and Jared Blikre discuss what these developments mean for the energy sector. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Intel stock up as $11B Apollo deal nears completion: WSJ

    Shares of Intel (INTC) are moving higher as The Wall Street Journal reports that a deal between Intel and Apollo Global Management (APO) is nearing its conclusion. The deal concerns a $11 billion investment toward constructing a chip factory in Ireland for the chip giant. Yahoo Finance Anchors Seana Smith and Jared Blikre break down the latest developments for these companies and how the deal will likely be finalized. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. Note: Apollo Global Management is a majority owner of Yahoo, Yahoo Finance's parent company. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Walmart, Home Depot earnings: Checking in on the US consumer

    Big-box retailers Home Depot (HD) and Walmart (WMT) are set to report their first-quarter earnings figures on Tuesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 16, respectively. On May 10, the University of Michigan shared that its preliminary consumer sentiment reading fell to 67.4, a six-month low. Yahoo Finance Retail Reporter Brooke DiPalma explains whether factors like inflation prices and consumer slowdowns are anticipated to show up in both stores' earnings reports. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

  • GameStop's volatile trading halted: Are meme stocks back?

    GameStop (GME) shares saw volatile movement on Monday morning as "Roaring Kitty" returned to social media. The social media comeback of the investor, who originally inspired the historic short squeeze of the stock back in 2021, caused a massive jump in trading on Monday, resulting in a halt on trading for the stock. Yahoo Finance Anchors Seana Smith and Jared Blikre discuss GameStop's latest development and what it means for the stock moving forward. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • April CPI: What the inflation data could mean for rate cuts

    April's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data is slated for release on Wednesday, May 15, offering investors a glimpse into the progress — if any, as of late — in the ongoing battle against inflation. Analysts are projecting a 0.3% month-over-month increase in core inflation — which excludes food and energy prices — coupled with a rise of 3.6% year-over-year. Yahoo Finance Senior Reporter Josh Schaefer sheds light on the potential implications of the CPI report, exploring how the upcoming figures could shape market sentiment (^DJI, ^IXIC, ^GSPC) and the Federal Reserve's outlook on potential interest rate cuts. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Johnson & Johnson to sell remaining stake in Kenvue

    Shares of Kenvue (KVUE) are trading slightly higher on Monday after Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced it would sell its remaining 9.5% stake in the company. Kenvue will not receive any money from the sale. Yahoo Finance Anchors Seana Smith and Jared Blikre break down the latest developments for these companies. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Bristol-Myers Squibb sunk S&P 500 this earnings season: FactSet

    More than 90% of the companies in the S&P 500 (^GSPC) have reported their earnings for the first quarter of 2024, which yielded a mostly strong result for the index. However, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) posted its quarterly earnings, resulting in a massive drag on the S&P. According to data from FactSet, the gains for the S&P were cut from 8.3% to 5.4% when Squibb's earnings were included. Yahoo Finance Reporter Josh Schafer joins The Morning Brief to analyze Bristol-Myers Squibb's earnings in relation to the S&P and its impacts on the overall market. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Apple, OpenAI in talks to add ChatGPT to iPhones: Bloomberg

    Apple (AAPL) is reportedly closing a deal with OpenAI to include its technology on iPhones. The companies are set to finalize the terms of an agreement to include ChatGPT on iOS 18. ChatGPT is among the leading AI services. As iPhone sales slumped last quarter, the partnership with OpenAI could be Apple's latest move to innovate the iPhone and increase sales. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Melanie Riehl

  • SoftBank's Vision Fund sees first annual gain since 2021

    SoftBank (SFTBY) posted a full-year profit in its Vision Fund for the first time since 2021, boosted by its investment in chip designer Arm Holdings (ARM). SoftBank has a 90% stake in Arm, accounting for almost half of its entire portfolio. The company's investment chases the momentum of a heated artificial intelligence race. Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith and Myles Udland break down the history of SoftBank's Vision Fund and what its investment in Arm could signal for its future. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Melanie Riehl

  • Expect core services costs to gradually cool: Economist

    April's Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be released on Wednesday. The core CPI is expected to increase by 3.6% year over year. The metric is a key tool for the Federal Reserve to assess inflation and shape future policy decisions. ICG Head of Economic and Investment Research Nicholas Brooks joins The Morning Brief to give insight into the upcoming CPI reading and how the Fed may react to the numbers. Brooks explains that few policy actors are sure about how persistent core services inflation will be: "The Fed is looking at three month and six month annualized rates of core services along with everybody else. They may not talk about it that much, but I'm sure they're watching that pretty carefully. And I think one of the problems with this cycle in particular, having had the pandemic and energy crisis with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, [and] a number of other factors is nobody really knows what's going on, including the Fed." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • What's motivating stock momentum in China's internet giants?

    Morning Brief Co-Hosts Myles Udland and Seana Smith turn their attention to Chinese internet stocks, focusing on the stock performances of industry titans such as Alibaba (BABA) which is set to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday, Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), and JD.com (JD). For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Angel Smith