18Dec2019 Market Close: Wall Street Near Flat Amid Economic Optimism, FedEx Swoon, DOW Closes Down 28 Points, WTI Settles At 60.97

Wall Street near flat amid economic optimism, FedEx swoon

The S&P 500 was little changed on Wednesday, hovering around all-time highs, as investors’ optimism about global economic growth was countered by a steep drop in FedEx Corp shares.

Oil steadies on U.S. crude inventories fall, demand hopes

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday after U.S. government data showed a decline in crude inventories and on expectations for an uptick in demand next year on the back of progress in resolving the U.S.-China trade fight.

U.S. SEC proposes allowing more investors access to private companies

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday proposed changes to its decades-old definition of a professional investor in order to allow more Americans to buy shares in private companies.

Peruvian prosecutor investigating deaths of two McDonald’s employees

A Peruvian prosecutor’s office said it was investigating the death of two teenaged employees in a McDonald’s-branded restaurant in Lima, in an incident that has spurred protests against the fast-food giant in the South American nation.

Dollar gains on Fed rates view, stocks edge higher

The dollar gained on Wednesday as improving economic data squashed the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in 2020, while global equity markets extended a rally that again pushed key indices on Wall Street to record highs.

Dish chief Ergen says he asked for senator’s help on T-Mobile/Sprint

Dish Network Corp Chairman Charlie Ergen testified on Wednesday that the Justice Department’s antitrust chief advised him in May to ask a senator to speak to the Federal Communications Commission about approving a key piece of the merger of wireless carriers T-Mobile and Sprint .

Brazilian regulator says Vale dam near Brumadinho is structurally sound

A dam owned by iron ore company Vale SA that was the subject of an investigative report by a TV program last week is structurally sound and there is no reason for concern, Brazil’s national mining regulator said late on Tuesday.

Daimler, BMW exiting North American car-sharing market

BMW AG and Daimler AG said Wednesday they plan to exit the North American car-sharing market and will halt operations in Montreal, New York, Seattle, Washington D.C. and Vancouver.

Swatch threatens to seek damages over Swiss antitrust agency’s measures

Swatch Group threatened on Wednesday to pursue damages after it said the Swiss competition authority COMCO wants to prohibit the world’s biggest watch maker from supplying watch mechanisms to other companies during 2020.

FedEx FUBAR, Tesla Tops, Crypto Chaos, & The Steepest Yield Curve In 13 Months

FedEx FUBAR, Tesla Tops, Crypto Chaos, & The Steepest Yield Curve In 13 Months

Anyone else feel this way?

China was flat to lower overnight as the post-trade-deal euphoria has well and truly worn off…

Establishment Journalists Call For Big Tech To Censor Everyone Else

Establishment Journalists Call For Big Tech To Censor Everyone Else

Authored by Mac Slavo via SHTFplan.com,

In a major threat to what’s left of press freedom, establishment journalists are calling for Big Tech to censor those who won’t parrot the government-approved official narrative. Journalist Sulome Anderson has publically called for censorship of a site because it’s an independent news source.

“A Cold Shot Of Air” Blasts Northeast Through Early Weekend Causing Energy Demand To SurgeÂ

“A Cold Shot Of Air” Blasts Northeast Through Early Weekend Causing Energy Demand To SurgeÂ

A short-lived Arctic blast will cover Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., through Saturday, with the coldest temperatures from Wednesday through Friday.Â

“A cold shot of air, likely some of the coldest of the season, will briefly impact the Northeast to end the week. This will allow for increased heating and power demand across the Northeast during this time, thanks to high temperatures settling in the mid-to-upper 20s in New York City, and only the lower 30s in D.C. Thursday. This cold shot will be very brief, with temperatures rebounding significantly over the weekend into next week. Limited upside demand risk exists through Christmas week thanks to warmer weather expected across much of the U.S.,” said Ed Vallee, head meteorologist at Empire Weather.Â

Turkey Allows Hamas To Plot Attacks From Istanbul: Telegraph

Turkey Allows Hamas To Plot Attacks From Istanbul: Telegraph

Via AlmasdarNews.com,

Turkey is allegedly allowing Hamas operatives to plan attacks against Israel from the city of Istanbul, a new report from the Telegraph claimed on Wednesday.

Citing transcripts from Israeli police interrogations with suspects, the Telegraph alleged that senior Hamas operatives were using the large city of Istanbul to direct operations in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

What NCLAT ruling in favour of Mistry means for the Tata Group

What NCLAT ruling in favour of Mistry means for the Tata GroupThe ruling threatens to create more uncertainty for the group as it has immediately restored Mistry’s directorship.

Ericsson wants RCom’s refund plea rejected

Ericsson wants RCom’s refund plea rejectedThe telecom equipment maker has asked the tribunal to dismiss RCom’s plea with œexemplary costs .

Will CAA pass SC’s ‘law of the land’ test?

Will CAA pass SC’s ‘law of the land’ test?On Wednesday, the SC refused to stay implementation of CAA and has scheduled Jan 22 to hear 59 pleas.

Market Extra: Why stock investors aren’t rattled by Trump impeachment ” and what it would take for that to change

Stocks snap a winning streak but finish just off all-time highs as the House prepares for a vote Wednesday that’s expected to result in the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Here’s why investors are keeping cool ” and what it would take to rattle the markets.

Bed Bath & Beyond shares soar after restructuring, but it might mean trouble for the holiday season

Bed Bath & Beyond shares are up after the company announced six executive-level departures.

Key Words: One of the most successful stock-market investors says these 3 events ‘would definitely trigger a bear market’

Stanley Druckenmiller, one of Wall Street’s most successful investors, acknowledges that the markets are riding high and that investors may be able to finally breathe in the short term after a number of shocks, but says investors should be wary of three events that could knock assets into a bear market.