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

  • P&G raises full-year outlook in mixed Q3 earnings results

    Procter & Gamble (PG), which produces a variety of cleaning and personal hygiene products, posted mixed fiscal third-quarter earnings on Friday. While topping earnings estimates with gains of $1.52 per share, P&G fell below its revenue estimates for the quarter. Citi Director of Equity Research Filippo Falorni joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the larger consumer sentiment trends influencing Procter & Gamble's sales. "Most of these companies, including Procter... have taken significant prices over the last two years to offset the big commodity inflation of really late 2021 and 2022," Falorni says. "Now, commodities have been more favorable throughout last year and this year, so there's really a lot less room for them to take implemental pricing." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

  • Netflix earnings and subscribers: What Wall Street is saying

    Netflix (NFLX) shares are falling Friday morning to which Wall Street analysts attribute to the streamer's miss on second-quarter guidance estimates and its decision to omit subscriber figures from future earnings reports next year. Morning Brief Anchors Seana Smith and Brad Smith review how analysts are responding to Netflix's first-quarter earnings, looking back on Citi Managing Director Jason Bazinet's comments to Yahoo Finance. 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.

  • Labor market may need to weaken for Fed to cut: Economist

    The Federal Reserve's path on monetary policy remains uncertain, with investors now debating when the central bank will start cutting rates. Santander Chief US Economist Stephen Stanley joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the evolving outlook for Fed rate cuts. Stanley acknowledges that recent inflation data "is much more stubborn" than the Fed had anticipated, and he expects it to take "most of the year" before the Fed gains enough confidence to embark on a rate-easing cycle. However, Stanley points out "the good news" is that the Fed can afford to be patient because the economy continues to demonstrate resilience, outperforming expectations. If the economy were to experience a downturn and head into a recession, Stanley cautions that "all bets are off" regarding the Fed's policy path. However, if economic performance remains robust, he expects the prospect of rate cuts to continue being pushed back, reiterating that the Fed may need to see some labor market deterioration before cutting rates. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary showcases wage gap in pro sports

    The University of Iowa college basketball star Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA draft and was picked up as the number one overall pick by the Indiana Fever. Clark led the Iowa Hawkeyes through the March Madness tournament all the way to the finals, ultimately losing to South Carolina. Clark's rookie contract of $338,056 over the next four years further illustrates the monumental pay disparities between men's and women's professional sports. Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith joins Wealth! to compare Clark's rookie compensation package with that of her male counterparts, including the number one NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama who will be paid a whopping $12 million for his first year in the league. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

  • Bitcoin halving will raise our share in mining: CleanSpark CEO

    The bitcoin halving event (BTC-USD) is approaching, likely to occur over this weekend and decrease the reward for bitcoin mining operators. Could the crypto asset stand to face even more pricing pressures from the halving since falling off from its all-time high? How will miners react to steepening profit margins? CleanSpark CEO Zach Bradford (CLSK) joins Yahoo Finance to give insight into the bitcoin halving and what crypto traders can expect from bitcoin prices, crypto mining, and the larger cryptocurrency landscape. Bradford talks on how he envisions CleanSpark's operating margins post-halving: "Although we will go from about 900 new bitcoin a day being produced to 450. What that means is the efficient miners who have good solid margins will continue to have margins that are very healthy, but miners that were maybe smaller, didn't have scale, or were inefficient when it comes to their energy usage therefore their costs are higher, they won't be able to keep running their machines and as a result there will be less participants taking a piece of the pie. And therefore the large miner, our piece of the pie should get bigger after halving. We think to the tune of 10, 15, or even 20%." Want to learn more about the bitcoin halving? Watch this video from Yahoo Finance for a quick explainer: Bitcoin halving: Explained For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • AI investments will help chip sector to recover: Analyst

    The semiconductor sector is undergoing a correction as interest rate cut expectations dwindle, prompting concerns about the impact on these high-growth, technology-driven stocks. Wedbush Enterprise Hardware Analyst Matt Bryson joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the dynamics shaping the chip industry. Bryson acknowledges that the rise of generative AI has been a significant driving force behind the recent success of chip stocks. While he believes that AI is shifting "the way technology works," he notes it will take time. Due to this, Bryson highlights that "significant investment" will continue to occur in the chip market, fueled by the growth of generative AI applications. However, Bryson cautions that as interest rates remain elevated, it could "weigh on consumer spending." Nevertheless, he expresses confidence that the AI revolution "changing the landscape for tech" will likely insulate the sector from the effect of high interest rates, as investors are unwilling to miss out on the "next technology" breakthrough. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • China orders Apple to remove messaging apps from store: WSJ

    China has ordered Apple (AAPL) to remove popular messaging apps, including WhatsApp, from its app store, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The apps were removed due to supposed national security concerns, without officials specifying which ones. Yahoo Finance Tech Editor Dan Howley breaks down the latest development for Apple and what it could mean for the company's presence in China moving forward. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Bitcoin bounces back above $64K as halving approaches

    Following escalations between Israel and Iran, bitcoin prices (BTC-USD) have seen some bounce back in price after dropping from their all-time high in recent weeks. Investors have moved into other assets while the bitcoin halving event approaches this weekend. Yahoo Finance Senior Reporter Ines Ferre breaks down the recent movements in bitcoin and crypto stocks after rising tensions in the Middle East and the advent of bitcoin's halving. Want to learn more about the bitcoin halving? Watch this video from Yahoo Finance for a quick explainer: Bitcoin halving: Explained For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Tech earnings will test the market's strength: Strategist

    Mounting geopolitical pressures and stocks not reacting as positively to earnings results as Wall Street had hoped, concerns over the strength of the market are beginning to creep in. Big names in tech — including Microsoft (MSFT) and Amazon (AMZN) will report their latest quarterly earnings in the coming weeks — have helped lead the recent rally seen in the market. State Street Global Markets Head of Equity Research Marija Veitmane joins Yahoo Finance to discuss what will test the mettle of markets the most, including geopolitical woes and Big Tech earnings. "Next week we have a big tech week which is hopefully one part of the market that consensus is very constructive for and that is part of the market that maybe is less affected by [interest] rate hikes, companies are larger, balance sheets are stronger. So that is potentially something [that] can kind of put floor under stocks," Veitmane explains. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Is the Israel-Iran conflict over for now after airstrikes?

    On Thursday night, Israel retaliated against Iran in response to the latter's April 13 airstrikes. According to a report from the BBC, explosions were also reported in Iraq and Syria. Crude oil futures (BZ=F, CL=F) remain largely unaffected, to the surprise of some on Wall Street. Yahoo Finance Senior Columnist Rick Newman joins the Morning Brief to break down the conflict between Israel and Iran. 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

  • Oil analyst: Israel-Iran escalations not out of equation yet

    Oil prices (BZ=F, CL=F) have been moving back and forth since Iran's attack on Israel last weekend, with Israel ultimately retaliating Thursday night and raising more concerns of further escalation. With tensions rising in the Middle East and the potential for conflict to spread, concerns over the impacts on global oil production have also been raised. Prosper Trading Academy CEO Scott Bauer joins The Morning Brief to discuss oil prices, the state of shipping in the Middle East, and impacts on consumers and investors alike. Bauer outlines what risks are at stake and what to keep in mind during these tense times: "The real risk of this is that the Strait of Hormuz closes down or consolidates at a point where we can't get crude through there because 20% of the world's supply passes through there, so that is the big risk. It's not a risk of Iran is not going to supply anything or oil is not going to still be pumped — it's the delivery. So that's number one. Number two, where do we go from here? I know people are pegging $100 [per barrel], I think that's just an easy number... and what we have to keep in mind is when the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began, we saw oil prices spike all the way to $125, I don't see that happening." 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

  • Investors are steering clear of small cap stocks. Here's why

    The Russell 2000 Index (^RUT) has been underperforming the broader S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) year-to-date. As the prospects of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve have diminished, investors have grown increasingly cautious about small cap companies' exposure to debt. Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer breaks down the details. 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

  • Netflix: Breaking down how investors interpret subscriber data

    Netflix (NFLX) stock is falling Friday morning despite reporting breakout growth of 9.3 million new subscribers in its first-quarter earnings report. Going forward, the streaming giant will not be disclosing subscriber figures in future earnings results. Citi Managing Director Jason Bazinet sits down with the Morning Brief to highlight the "anxiety" that could manifest in investors from Netflix withholding this core data. Netflix's ad-supported tiers and password-sharing crackdown have proven to be a boon to revenues and the streamer's subscriber count. "What they [Wall Street] want to see is when we begin to lap some of these password-sharing benefits, what's going to carry the water? How are they going to get these net ads?" Bazinet explains. "So right about the time that the benefit of password sharing fades, people want to see the sub numbers to see how well the ad tier is doing." 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.

  • Trump Media stock rises, warns of possible market manipulation

    Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) are trading higher on Friday after the company's CEO, Devin Nunes, sent a letter to the Nasdaq asking for help enforcing short-selling rules. In the letter, Nunes raised concerns about potential market manipulation by naked short sellers he believes are targeting the stock. Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith and Brad Smith break down the details. 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

  • What a Sony, Apollo buyout of Paramount looks like: Analyst

    Sony Pictures Entertainment (SONY) has entered talks with Apollo Global Management (APO), the parent company of Yahoo Finance, to discuss a possible joint buyout bid of Paramount Global (PARA,PARAA). According to the New York Times, both companies, through a joint venture, would offer cash for shares of Paramount, taking the company private. Citi Managing Director Jason Bazinet joins The Morning Brief to discuss the potential joint buyout bid from Sony and Apollo and what it could mean for all companies involved and investors moving forward. In terms of what consumers can expect, should a deal go through, Bazinet says: "I think you'll see fewer apps...If this bid between Apollo and Sony is right, Sony is really sort of an arms dealer, right? So they're going to presumably take the studio and just feed everybody's app. Then I would think that someone on the private equity side would, sort of, not want to absorb the losses from a streaming app like Paramount+ and would just focus on the cash-generative assets and pay down debt to create equity value." 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

  • Tesla issues major Cybertruck recall over faulty pedal

    Tesla (TSLA) has announced a recall of nearly 4,000 units of its highly anticipated Cybertruck electric pickup truck. The recall is due to a potential issue with the accelerator pedal, which could malfunction and pose a safety risk. Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith and Brad Smith break down the details. 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

  • How best to safeguard your portfolio amid geopolitical risks

    Israel has launched a retaliatory attack on Iran, but markets have shown a relatively muted reaction to the news. Carson Group Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese joins the Morning Brief to provide insights on how to navigate one's portfolio amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Varghese notes that the strike Israel launched was "smaller than expected," and although it initially weighed slightly on markets when first announced, stock futures are now trading flat on the news. However, Varghese emphasizes that these geopolitical tensions underscore the importance of maintaining "value in protection" when building investment portfolios. Varghese suggests that the key question to ask is: "Does this shift the macroeconomic regime that we are already in?" He explains that if the macroeconomic backdrop is already weak, "these sorts of geopolitical tensions add to that." Conversely, if the macroeconomic environment is strong, he does not believe that "geopolitical tensions will significantly exacerbate that." 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

  • Stocks open mixed following Israel's airstrikes on Iran

    Major stock market averages (^DJI, ^IXIC, ^GSPC) are starting Friday's trading session initially mixed as stocks face pressure stemming from Israel's airstrike on Iran and markets await if further escalations in Middle East conflicts materialize. The Dow Jones Industrial Average moves above its flatline as it holds onto gains to start the day. Morning Brief Hosts Seana Smith and Brad Smith monitor the morning market action and take a look at the gains seen across sectors. 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.

  • Oil prices: Can Mideast tensions push them to triple digits?

    Oil prices (BZ=F, CL=F) have slid down about 3% this week as some of the tension in the Middle East has eased after escalations as Iran targeted Israeli military bases. Oil production seems to remain continuous as none of the recent attacks have touched production facilities. Will this decrease last or could prices go back up to all-time highs? Path Trading Partners Co-Founder Bob Iaccino joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the potential for oil prices to spike and what would bring about those price increases, including recent geopolitical tensions. Iaccino affirms: "You're talking about geopolitics to get $200 a barrel. That's what gets these surprise shocks and sustainable shocks, depending on the assessed damage... We're talking about a military strike that disrupts supply. Then that would get us somewhere near that one hundred dollars and possibly exceeding its, depending on what that disruption would be..." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Getting mortgage rates to a steady 6% is key for sales: Analyst

    According to the National Association of Realtors, the number of homes for sale rose 4.7% in March from February to 1.11 million. However, the number of homes sold fell 4.3% from the prior month. With mortgage rates nearing 7%, inventory and pricing remain a key issue for home buyers. HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the housing market, mortgage rates, and how the recent numbers impact the market. Mohtashami lays out one of the top considerations for the housing market: "Pricing is the thing that shocked everybody, but keep it simple. We are near record lows in inventory, and home sales aren't crashing anymore. 2022 was very abnormal. We had the biggest home sale crash ever recorded in history, and then that kind of stopped after November of 2022. It's basically an equilibrium fight right now. The higher rates go, the weakness in pricing can continue. If rates fall back down with inventory this low, pricing gets better." Watch the video above to hear why Mohtashami thinks getting mortgage rates down to 6% and staying there will be key to a housing market recovery. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino