Six months ago I took a backfill position in a very different role, within the same company. The pay for the backfill was a few dollars less per hour as an entry level. Discussions between HR and my new supervisor got me bumped up to level three which worked out to be only a few cents less compared to my previous job. My backfill position ended about a month ago (5mth contract) and I have gone back to my original position and pay. A permanent position has now come up in the department I backfilled in. I really enjoyed that work and interviewed for the position. I have been told unofficially I will get the job as I don’t need any training and I fit well in the team. Today though I found out that the pay rate will be at the entry level and I will have to work my way up year by year. It seems unfair to me that I will be getting less pay for a job I now have five months experience in. They say it would be unfair to the workers who have been there say a year or two if I was on a higher pay than them. The reason I got the higher pay was because the supervisor at the time I backfilled convinced HR that my experience with the company gave me extra incite into the new position than a true entry level employee would have. I guess I am just after other opinions.

We are 10 family members who booked this trip through a tour agency. My dadi(grandmother) is 76 years old with operation in both legs and a 3 year cancer patient. Our tour started at 11th May, 2024. We did the char dham in proper sequence (Yamnoutri -Gangotri- Kedarnath -Badrinath). We had a proper itinerary and online bookings done by the agency.
First we had a hotel booking in Barkot. The hotel was okay. they are extremely possessive about their towels with a rule- 1 towel per room??? I'm with my dadi and aunty in one room. They probably have a laundry problem or something but every single hotel has this nonsense rule. Anyways, next day 5am we left for Yamnoutri. Got stuck in a 5km long jam(Yamnoutri is 35km away) Me and my dad decided to walk it out. We covered 20km by 3pm however it started raining and couldn't continue ahead. We stayed in a tapri for 4 hours until the rain cleared. Our family was still stuck in traffic and hadn't reached even close to us. Now it's 8pm. We were supposed to be done with Yamnoutri and go back to our Barkot hotel. We had to cancel our Barkot bookings(and the hotel manager put all the bags of our 10 people in 1 room messing up everyones luggage). We booked another hotel at Sayanchatti were our family members reached at 11pm. Police management was utterly trash. I think even they were surprised with the amount of overcrowding. Next day we finally reached Yamnoutri. About the trek- the pathway/trail is full of shit. And I mean literally full of horse-poop. There are 700-1000 horses. Even after getting a horse, we had to wait 40mins for parchi and additional 1 hour(while on our horse) because of horse-jam. Yes there is a traffic jam of horses ON THE TREK. We wanted to walk but seeing the people who did walk, I was glad we didn't. The path is almost 3 meter wide with pithu, doly/palki, horses and people walking simultaneously. People who walked got continuously hit by horses and had to dirty their shoes in horse poop. We reached the temple finally, did Pooja, etc and managed to return Barkot where we had to re-book for another night. Our itinerary was already messed up at this point and money was wasted thrice (previous booking unattended in Barkot, the new booking in Sayanchatti and rebooking in Barkot). There is more like the incredibly risky horse route, etc but that's inevitable. I'm gonna continue with Gangotri.
We reached Maneri after struggling in jams for 7+ hours. We also did Uttarkashi before that. Ok so here the police had stopped us at checkpost and said cars are going in batches and if they let us go the jam ahead would only get worse. Now our hotel was 5 minutes(3km) by car from the checkpost. I went walking 3km and reached the hotel and there was absolutely no traffic like we told the police. We even showed them on Google maps. Traffic jams are understandable, but not letting us go after talking to the hotel owner, seeing proof that we won't contribute to traffic, that was a bit triggering. From police side it was just plain dumb. The commisioner there would keep talking his egoistical nonsense, not listening to anyone. Finally the rest of my family reached the hotel. Same issue with towels, rubbish beds, never ending insects and super unclean bathrooms with no pressure in water(flush, jets, bath, basin). Anyways, next day 12am we left for Gangotri with zero sleep because we are already behind our bookings and trying to avoid wasting more money. Got stuck in jam till 6am. [Also another note here, we had 2 private cars and one of the drivers was sleeping drunk and almost hit me and my mom. He hit a tempo traveller and we told him go back to sleep.] Finally reached Gangotri at 5:30pm, did our Pooja and then got in line for Darshan. My dadi and I got into the senior citizen line because she is 76 years old and can barely stand/walk in lines. Tilll now in the trip I don't completely blame the police for what was going on. But here in Gangotri, if anyone is going I am warning you, the police is rubbish. They are rude, tired with the crowd and very harsh and worst of all lazy. When u reach the main statue to go darshan, it's continuous pushing and almost a stampede, you cannot carry a baby or a old person there, they are garanteed to get hurt and the police won't care AT ALL. If you are lucky u might get to see the main statue of Ganga Mata for more than 4 seconds. After that we got back to our hotel in Maneri.
Next day we left for our hotel booking (adjusted by our agency) in Phata-Mankheda. Don't forget to go to Guptkashi before entering Phata. Here too same issues like 1 towel per room, charging points at the most unreachable locations in the room, etc. But this was still better than Maneri. Next morning 3am we left for Sonprayag. There is a line for your registration approval which goes on till Sitapur (2km from Sonprayag). People will continuously try to break and enter the line and there is almost a stampede and lot of heated crowd. After registration, you can go join 1km line for government taxi(50rs per head) from Sonprayag to Gaurikund. Anyways, after reaching Gaurikund there is a 1km inclined gali then the horses start.Remember this part^. So here we again had to take a horse even tho we wanted to trek because at this point we were on 3-4hrs sleep everyday and our mental was very weak. We paid 6000rs per horse because it wasn't morning and the horse owner GARANTEED us all of my family members will be together, there will be one person per horse and that he already has the parchi. 5 of us had taken the horses and others went walking, palki and pithu. This path was again same as Yamnoutri or even worse. More horse-poop than ever, the sweepers there won't care and sweep the trash on you if u r in their way and continue doing so. People working there are literally illustrate and 'gouthi'. The horse owner didn't fulfil his promise either. There was 1 man handling 3 horses. The horses were going anywhere, hitting our legs on railings, other yatris,other horses etc. They told us to get down and walk 50m every time they saw police which is when we understood they didn't make a parchi. When we reached the top they demanded for the full money which they very very very obviously did not deserve for all their lies. When we said take 28k because anyways 2 of their men didn't come. They said give 30k else don't give anything at all. This childish, greedy attitude of theirs was again very triggering. We are not beggars and they are not doing us any favours so we still paid them the full amount. We are on a spiritual journey but since everything is about money from tourism, our spirit kept getting crushed. We had to spend the night at Kedarnath and our agency had booked us a dormitory. I warn anyone booking a dormitory, just don't. 30 unclean, continuously used beds, in one non- ventilation suffocating room with 1 Indian style toilet whose latch doesn't work shared with strangers. And the worst part is it is 1000rs per bed. I wouldn't pay 20rs for this rubbish service. At this point my spirit completely broke and I fell sick. I hadn't eaten anything and didn't want to. Next day my dad and I went down through horse at government rate (2300/). Others came in pithu and trek. Now came the worst part. The overcrord at the narrow 500m gali which i told u to remember above. Oh my God. After 22km Trek you are treated with this 0 management wild crowd. I had to take care of my dadi and fam from getting hurt. After reaching Gaurikund, again another 1.5km line with no special preference for senior citizens. Here people bribed the police 500rs to break and enter the line(happened right in front of me and my phone had no battery) When you reach the taxi finally, everyone tries to enter together and the police are just standing mutes. They are done with this💀. Finally got into the taxi, reached Sonprayag. Had to walk till Sitapur. Got a private taxi from there who demanded unreasonable price.We got mad and told him 4000rs till phata-mankheda(20km) which he then agreed to. Our hotel had changed to the worst possible hell of a hotel ever. I don't even want to talk about it. It has scarred me how people go about their business with 0 standards. At this point we just wanted to go home but Badrinath is left 😭
Ngl Badrinath tour was decent. Our hotel was in Piplakoti. Decent hotel called River view hotel. Roads are good. Only 4 hour line in Badrinath with heated crowd and 5 second darshan. At this point we are used to this so it's ok💀. Police was actually working and managing. Only issue we faced was directions from main road to the mandir and back. At night it gets very confusing.
Now I'd like to add, i haven't taken any names of hotels(except river view) or my tour agency because I don't mean any disrespect.
Uttrakhand is a beautiful beaitiful and amazing place with sceneries and memories I will carry with me forever. The sceneries while going to every dham are different and unique in their own way. Even just traveling from one dham to another by road is an amazing experience(excluding the jams).
I have some opinions- 1. Management is almost non-existent. Meet any Yatri and they will tell you the same. 2. Police are corrupt and lazy. Some try actively but that's like 10% of them. 3. The problem with hotels is that they are all on lease. I'll explain. The owner gives a person say Rahul their hotel on lease and asks for a certain amount per year. Rahul gets paid after that certain amount exceeds. Hotel bookings for char dham 6 months are always full. Rahul will always get this money and hence sees no need to maintain this hotel. So that's that. 4. Uttrakhand runs only and only on tourism and it is obvious. So as an individual tourist, you DO NOT matter. They don't care, they get people continuously. If your booking is cancelled there is always someone else to take it. You cannot talk sense to anyone running any type of service there. 5. Yamnoutri, Gangotri and Kedarnath roads for reaching there are narrow. Government should ban big buses permanently and is the best move they can make. These buses are 80% of the reasons for jams. They are improving roads but it's been 75+ years since independence so idk what they are doing. 6. Government should NOT take registrations when they cannot afford them. 27 Lakh registrations is not a joke. 2.8Lakh people in 4 days is not a joke. No one can manage this amount of people. Have a limit. People are spending lakhs of rupees coming from all over India for this and 90% of it is a bad experience. 7. Don't open all char dham together. This year's main issue was all 4 temples opened at the same date, 10th May. People were already ready and started rushing from 7-8th May.
Advice for Future Yatris- 1. Don't come in May. I had a compulsion so we had to. But everyone here says that the best months for char dham is September-October before Diwali. 2. If you do come in May, don't do online bookings. You need to be flexible with where you are gonna stay. 3. Carry a towel per person. Hotels are extremely possessive about their towels. 4. Leave early for every dham if you are committed to do all 4 of them. I've seen lot of people give up in jams. 5. Get warm clothes especially lot of socks and bring medicines, etc. Rain coats are ok but u need a poncho. Rain coats don't cover your bagpacks while trekking and even if they do, they will stretch and might tear. 6. Private cars/taxi yatri, spend a bit more and get a comfortable car. You will spend most of the time in your vehicle. Tempo travellers are extremely uncomfortable and avoid them. 7. Take cold water baths at colder places as warm water baths bring the blood vessels to skin level making it more sensitive later. You have to be mentally prepared before taking a cold water bath. 8. Weather changes like anything. Suncap and goggles are a must in day time. 9. If u get sick/stomach upset have black tea and biscuits. 10. Do private Pooja at Badrinath.
Good things- 1. The food is amazing. It's almost as good as homemade food. You can always tell the cook how you like your food. Do try the Vegetable Maggi at highecolder mountains. It's available everywhere. 2. Sceneries are amazing and don't forget to carry a proper camera. Phone tech these days is good too and will make photo-frame photos. 3. You will always find people to talk to. If you happen to find polite people, say the hotel cook or a homeguard or other yatris or anyone at all, you will have a good conversation. 4. The pandits are good and will only ask you to pay them if u want to for the Pooja. Always pay them. 5. No phone range. It's good so you live in the moment and can enjoy the amazing sceneries :)
I'm trying to be completely honest without involving any type of hate here and trying to paint a complete picture of what my journey was like. We had to go over budget(almost double) because we didn't know any of this even after research. Our tour agency didn't warn us about anything either. Only thing that matters is that you enter the holy grounds. You can expect amazing sceneries but not an amazing darshan in May. It's been a bittersweet journey and I am writing this while omw to home. I hope y'all find this helpful and plan accordingly only if you are going in May or peak season. Otherwise you might not face much issues in September. Thank you for reading.

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Amazon Web Services (AWS) stand as a formidable giant in the dynamic landscape of cloud computing, where agility and scalability are supreme. Organizations worldwide have embraced AWS to power their digital infrastructure, leveraging its vast array of services to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and accelerate growth. However, amidst this technological marvel lies a critical challenge- cost management.
As businesses scale up their AWS usage, the associated expenses can spiral out of control, impacting profitability and hindering strategic initiatives. Let’s explore some insights on AWS cost optimization and how to transform your cloud expenditure into a strategic advantage. Whether you’re a startup, a mid-sized enterprise, or a global corporation, these insights will empower you to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and propel your business forward.

AWS cost optimization: Top tips and best practices to reduce your bill
Optimize your AWS cloud investments with cost optimization services & tools. Learn AWS cost optimization best practices & tools to reduce costs, improve performance & avoid unexpected bills.
Read More

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Here are some key cloud statistics:

• According to the Flexera State of the Cloud report, 82% of 750 cloud decision makers consider managing cloud spend as their primary challenge, ranking security second at 79% and lack of resources/expertise third at 78%.
• Migrating your business to the public cloud can lead to a reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) of up to 40%, according to Accenture.

Moreover, organizations adopting AWS report significant advantages:

• 27.4% reduction in cost per user
• 67.7% increase in terabytes managed per administrator
• 56.7% decrease in application downtime
• 37.1% reduction in time-to-market for new products and services

5 Common mistakes that increase cloud bill and how to avoid them

1. Unmonitored AWS Instances

Failure to monitor unused AWS instances can lead to unnecessary costs in cloud infrastructure. Neglecting to track idle, aging, or inactive AWS instances results in poor resource utilization, known as cloud sprawl. Organizations face inflated AWS bills due to uncontrolled instances from development testing or shadow IT projects.
How to tackle: To tackle this, a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) can manually track AWS instances or use automated cloud management software, such as AWS Config or AWS Trusted Advisor, to identify and decommission unused instances regularly, optimizing resource utilization and reducing unnecessary expenses.

2. Lack of instance size management

The challenge of improper instance sizing in cloud computing disrupts budgets and performance. Over-provisioning wastes resources and costs, while under-provisioning leads to performance issues. Efficient instance size management involves analyzing workloads, automated scaling, and continuous optimization to align resources with actual needs, ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal performance.
How to tackle: To tackle instance size management challenges, IT teams or CCoEs customize AWS instance configurations, implement scheduling using AWS Auto Scaling, monitor performance metrics with Amazon CloudWatch for continuous optimization, and leverage AWS offerings like AWS Reserved Instances for cost-effective scaling and predictable billing.

3. Failure to implement a multi-cloud strategy

Failing to implement a multi-cloud strategy means missing out on opportunities to optimize costs, performance, and resilience across various cloud platforms. It limits the ability to compare services and pricing models from different providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Without a multi-cloud approach, organizations may face vendor lock-in, higher costs, and reduced flexibility in adapting to changing business needs.
How to tackle: To address the challenge of not implementing a multi-cloud strategy, organizations should prioritize evaluating services and pricing from various providers. Embracing a multi-cloud approach allows for cost optimization, improved performance, and reduced dependency on a single vendor, ensuring flexibility and resilience in cloud deployments.

Suggested: Cloud migration guide: Your strategic path to AWS migration

4. Neglecting orphaned snapshots

Neglecting orphaned snapshots, which are created when instances are terminated without properly managing associated volumes and snapshots, can lead to unnecessary charges in cloud environments. These orphaned volumes and snapshots continue to incur costs even though they are no longer actively used, contributing to wasteful spending and inflated bills. It’s crucial to regularly review and clean up orphaned resources to avoid unnecessary charges and optimize cost management in cloud infrastructures.
How to tackle: To tackle the issue of neglecting orphaned snapshots, implementing backup strategies is crucial. This includes taking snapshots before deleting volumes, which reduces costs by billing only for snapshots at lower rates rather than full volume charges. Additionally, it’s essential to monitor orphaned snapshots regularly and manage them efficiently to avoid unexpected cost surges. This proactive approach, coupled with leveraging AWS services like Amazon EBS Snapshot Lifecycle Manager, ensures optimal cost management and prevents unnecessary expenses in cloud environments.

5. Lack of automation

Not embracing automation for tracking cloud resources hinders efficiency, especially at scale. Manual methods are time-consuming, prone to errors, and often lack real-time insights. Automation streamlines resource management by automatically monitoring, provisioning, and optimizing cloud assets. It reduces human intervention, ensures accuracy, and enables quicker responses to changing workload demands, leading to improved operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in cloud environments.
How to tackle: Tackling the issue of not embracing automation involves leveraging automated tools and workflows to streamline processes and improve efficiency in cloud operations. Automation enforces best practices, maintains consistent performance standards, and reduces the burden on operations teams by handling repetitive tasks and ensuring accuracy. This enables teams to focus on critical aspects of cloud management, such as optimizing costs, enhancing security, and supporting business innovation, with the assistance of AWS services like AWS Lambda and AWS CloudFormation.
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Explore the best strategies to migrate to the AWS cloud

The cloud serves as a tool, not a destination. For insights on leveraging AWS services and cloud migration strategies, explore the whitepaper on migrating to AWS cloud.
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The strategic benefits of AWS cost optimization

It is imperative for modern organizations to leverage, cost optimization in AWS since it isn’t merely a tactical exercise – it’s a strategic imperative. As businesses harness the power of Amazon Web Services to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and scale their operations, understanding the profound impact of cost optimization becomes paramount.

Let’s delve into the benefits of cost optimization that resonate across organizations, from startups to multinational corporations:

1. Enhanced profitability
At its core, cost optimization is about maximizing value. By meticulously managing AWS expenses, organizations free up capital that can be reinvested strategically. Whether it’s funding R&D initiatives, expanding market reach, or fortifying the balance sheet, every dollar saved contributes to the bottom line. In a competitive business landscape, profitability isn’t a luxury – it’s survival.
2. Agility and scalability
Cost-optimized architectures are inherently agile. They allow businesses to scale up or down seamlessly based on demand fluctuations. Whether it’s handling a sudden surge in user traffic or accommodating seasonal spikes, optimized AWS resources ensure operational flexibility. Agility isn’t just about speed; it’s about adaptability – the ability to pivot swiftly in response to market dynamics.
3. Strategic resource allocation
Cost optimization forces organizations to scrutinize their resource allocation. It prompts questions like: Which workloads are mission-critical? Where can we consolidate? What’s the optimal mix of reserved instances and on-demand capacity? By aligning resources with business priorities, organizations optimize performance, reduce waste, and drive efficiency.
4. Competitive edge
In a digital economy, time-to-market is a critical differentiator. Cost-optimized AWS environments expedite development cycles. Whether it’s launching a new product, rolling out features, or responding to market shifts, streamlined costs translate to faster execution. Organizations that move swiftly gain a competitive edge – edge that can make or break success.
5. Sustainability and corporate responsibility
Cost optimization isn’t just about financial gains; it’s about responsible stewardship. By minimizing resource consumption, organizations contribute to environmental sustainability. Efficiently managed AWS workloads reduce energy consumption, carbon footprint, and e-waste. In an era where conscious consumers and investors prioritize eco-friendly practices, cost optimization aligns with corporate social responsibility.
6. Empowering innovation
Lastly, cost optimization liberates resources for innovation. It fuels experimentation, encourages risk-taking, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. When teams aren’t bogged down by unnecessary costs, they can focus on ideation, prototyping, and disruptive solutions. Innovation isn’t a luxury – it’s the lifeblood of progress.

AWS cost optimization best practices

• Use the right-sized resources
• Use Spot Instances
• Use Reserved Instances (RIs) and Savings Plans
• Use Auto Scaling
• Use AWS cost management tools

How Softweb Solutions can help organizations with AWS consulting services

Softweb Solutions specializes in crafting personalized AWS cost optimization strategies tailored to your business needs. Our expert team analyzes your AWS environment, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and implements efficient resource management practices, ensuring maximum ROI and performance optimization for your cloud infrastructure.

Ready to optimize your AWS costs? Reach out for personalized cost optimization assistance today!

Talk To Our AWS Experts

Navigating the cloud cost horizon

Optimizing cloud costs is crucial, especially with AWS dominance. This blog highlighted common mistakes and provided solutions like addressing unused instances, improper sizing, and lack of automation. The strategic benefits include enhanced profitability, agility, competitive edge, and innovation empowerment. By following best practices like using right-sized resources and AWS tools, organizations can drive long-term success.
So, let’s reduce AWS costs and optimize not just for today, but for the tomorrows we envision. Together, we’ll sculpt a future where innovation thrives, sustainability blooms, and your business yields exponential returns.
Originally published at softwebsolutions.com on April 12, 2024.

The metal Olympics are taking place in the wild world of commodities, with gold, silver and copper-based bronze all scoring a place on the podium. New highs continue to be notched in the latest games, though there is skepticism about the results and the possibilities of a rigged performance. However, for those betting on which medal might be awarded next, there is plenty to consider for all the competitors:
Gold: The yellow metal just hit levels of over $2,450 per ounce despite a strong American economy and U.S. dollar. Analysts have pointed to a coming Fed pivot on interest rates, as well as geopolitical tensions that have increased demand for the safe haven. Not only are investors getting involved, but there has been a large amount of buying from central banks, while the retail crowd is even getting in on the action with gold bars from Costco (COST).
Silver: The metal has outperformed gold in recent weeks, bringing its total gain to 32% YTD, compared to gold's 18% return. It also benefits from all the safe haven attributes of its shiny cousin, such as a popular hedge against inflation, along with some distinctive practical qualities of its own. Silver is used for industrial purposes, like solar panel cells, and is relatively cheap in ounces when compared to pricey gold.
Copper: The latest rip has made numerous headlines after hitting all-time highs on exchanges across the globe. Fear of supply shortages and trade disputes has helped generate buzz around the industrial bellwether, which is also key for the green transition and rising electrification needs. Copper is used in EVs, wind turbines, power transmission and AI data centers, meaning there are actual supply and demand fundamentals to assess when evaluating the worth of the red metal.
Too shiny? The commodity competition can experience chaotic events, with scandals and manipulation hitting items like nickel and cocoa in recent years. There is speculation that this might be going on this time around, triggered by leveraged contract buying, short squeeze momentum, or price premiums on different exchanges. Others see a lot of metal potential that has even resulted in some real-world M&A action, such as BHP's (BHP) $39B proposed takeover of Anglo American (OTCQX:AAUKF), which would create the world's top copper producer.
Wall Street leadership Succession plans are "well on the way" at JPMorgan (JPM), with Jamie Dimon saying it's up to the board to determine how much longer he'll remain CEO. "I think when I can't put the jersey on and give it my full effort, I should leave," he announced at the bank's Investor Day, adding that the timetable "is not five years anymore." Dimon also outlined that the lender will not repurchase a lot of stock at current prices, noting that such a buyback - at a valuation of 2.3 times tangible book value - would be "a mistake." JPM shares slipped 4.5% following the comments on Tuesday, but are up more than 40% over the past year. (60 comments)
Pulling a 180? Cryptocurrencies are back in rally mode as traders increasingly bet on the approval of the first spot ether ETF. While the industry previously did not expect the SEC to give the green light, the regulator has reportedly requested that ETF issuers update 19b-4 filings on an accelerated basis. The development signals some progress, but it doesn't mean it's a done deal. Ether (ETH-USD) is still up big on the news, soaring 20% to $3,708. The SEC's decision on VanEck's spot ether ETF application is expected on Thursday, and one from ARK Invest is due on Friday. (1 comment)
Bear capitulation One of Wall Street's prominent bears has finally turned positive on his outlook for the stock market as indexes continue to hit record highs. Mike Wilson, equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, now calls for the S&P 500 (SP500) to rise to 5,400, higher than his previous year-end target of 4,500, which was one of the lowest on Wall Street. The forecast is derived from a 19x P/E multiple on 12-month forward EPS based on June 2026 of $283. "This earnings path is based on our economists' growth forecasts, output from our earnings models, and our view that AI diffusion will boost margins starting in 2025," Wilson declared. (48 comments)
Today's Markets
In Asia, Japan -0.3%. Hong Kong -2.1%. China -0.4%. India -0.1%. In Europe, at midday, London -0.4%. Paris -1%. Frankfurt -0.4%. Futures at 7:00, Dow flat. S&P flat. Nasdaq -0.1%. Crude -1.4% to $78.16. Gold -0.6% to $2,423.40. Bitcoin +5.8% to $71,004. Ten-year Treasury Yield -2 bps to 4.43%.
Today's Economic Calendar
9:00 Fed's Barkin Speech 9:00 Fed's Waller Speech 9:05 Fed's Williams Speech 9:10 Fed's Bostic Speech 11:45 Fed’s Barr Speech 7:00 PM Fed's Bostic Speech
Companies reporting earnings today »
What else is happening...
WSB survey results: Be aware of risks related to meme rallies.
Gruenberg to quit as FDIC chair after toxic work culture scandal.
Mester: More data needed before Fed cuts as inflation progress stalls.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) tumbles after lowering billings guidance.
OpenAI to pause ChatGPT voice as it resembles Scarlett Johansson.
EV drama: Tesla shareholders to vote on Elon Musk's pay package.
China's Li Auto (LI) postpones all-electric SUV launch until 2025.
Hims & Hers (HIMS) sells cheap versions of GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
Trump Media (DJT) reports hefty quarterly loss on very little revenue.
Calpers to oppose all Exxon (XOM) directors in shareholder dispute.

In today’s digital era, live chat jobs have become an increasingly popular option for those seeking flexible and convenient remote work. This comprehensive review of “Live Chat Jobs” will provide an in-depth look at the nature of these roles, the skills required, the top companies hiring, and employee experiences. Through a detailed analysis of “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” we aim to offer valuable insights for anyone considering this career path.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today
\***Affiliate disclaimer**** this article contains affiliate links if you click on the link and purchase the product I will receive a small commission from the product owner this is at no cost to you thank you James :)*

Understanding Live Chat Jobs

Nature of Work

Live chat jobs involve providing real-time customer support through online chat platforms. As a live chat agent, you interact with customers, answer their questions, troubleshoot issues, and provide guidance — all through a chat interface. These roles are often remote, allowing you to work from the comfort of your home.

Key Skills Required

To excel in live chat jobs, certain skills are essential:

• Communication Skills: Effective and clear communication is crucial. You must understand and interpret customer queries and provide concise responses.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Quick and creative problem-solving abilities are vital for resolving customer issues efficiently.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in navigating chat systems and other relevant software is necessary.
• Customer Service Skills: Patience, professionalism, and empathy are key to managing customer interactions successfully.

If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Top Companies for Live Chat Jobs

Leading Employers

Several companies are renowned for offering excellent live chat job opportunities. According to various “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” the following companies stand out:

• LiveChat: Known for its robust customer service platform, LiveChat offers competitive pay and growth opportunities.
• Smith.ai: Provides flexible work schedules and comprehensive training for its live chat agents.
• Apple: Offers attractive benefits and career advancement opportunities for its chat support staff.

Notable Mentions

Other notable companies include Clearcover, ExecOnline, and HubSpot, all of which provide competitive salaries, benefits, and remote work options. These companies frequently receive positive “Live Chat Jobs Reviews” for their supportive work environments and comprehensive training programs.

Job Market Insights

Salary Expectations

Based on “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” the average salary for a live chat agent in 2024 is around $35,000 per year. However, this can vary widely depending on the company, location, and experience level. Some companies offer hourly pay rates, while others provide a base salary plus commission.

Job Growth Prospects

The demand for live chat agents is expected to grow as more companies move towards online customer service. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of customer service representatives, including live chat agents, is projected to grow by 2% from 2022 to 2032. The diverse applicability of these roles across various industries also contributes to their growing demand.

Employee Experiences

Positive reviews from employees highlight the benefits of working in live chat jobs. Many appreciate the remote work option, flexible schedules, and the opportunity for career growth. Commonly mentioned advantages include a better work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Tips for Success in Live Chat Jobs

• Be Professional: Maintain a professional tone, use proper grammar, and respond promptly.
• Be Empathetic: Show understanding and empathy towards customers’ concerns.
• Be Knowledgeable: Have a thorough understanding of the products or services you support.
• Be Proactive: Identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate.
• Be Flexible: Adapt to different customer personalities and situations.

Benefits of Live Chat Jobs

Flexibility

One of the most appealing aspects of live chat jobs is the flexibility they offer. You can set your own hours and work from home, making it easier to balance work with personal commitments.

Work-Life Balance

The remote nature of live chat jobs often leads to a better work-life balance. Without the need for a daily commute, you have more time for family, hobbies, and other pursuits.

Low Barrier to Entry

Live chat jobs typically do not require extensive qualifications or prior experience. As long as you have strong communication skills, you can secure an entry-level position.

Variety

The diverse range of customer interactions ensures that no two days are the same, keeping the job interesting and engaging.

Income Potential

With many live chat jobs offering $14-$25 per hour, the income potential is significant. Performance bonuses and incentives can further increase your earnings.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Challenges of Live Chat Jobs

Difficult Customers

Dealing with frustrated or impatient customers can be challenging. Maintaining a calm and professional demeanor is crucial but can be taxing.

Fast-Paced Environment

Handling multiple live chats simultaneously requires strong multitasking skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Technical Issues

Technical problems, such as connectivity issues or software glitches, can disrupt your work and require quick troubleshooting.

Self-Motivation

Working from home requires self-discipline and motivation to stay productive and avoid distractions.

Limited Career Progression

While there are opportunities for advancement, such as becoming a senior agent or supervisor, the upward mobility in live chat jobs can be limited compared to other fields.

How to Find and Apply for Live Chat Jobs

Job Search Tips

When searching for live chat jobs, prepare a detailed resume highlighting your communication abilities and relevant experience. Expect a typing test during the application process to assess your speed and accuracy. Aim for at least 60 words per minute with 90% accuracy.

Pre-Employment Assessments

Some companies conduct personality tests, writing samples, and multitasking tests to evaluate your suitability for the role. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to handle multiple tasks and communicate effectively.

Recommended Websites

• LiveChat Jobs: A dedicated platform for finding live chat job opportunities.
• Working Solutions: Offers various customer support roles, including live chat positions.
• Smith.ai: Known for its flexible work schedules and comprehensive training.

If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

How to Succeed and Grow as a Live Chat Agent

Master Core Platform Features

• Learn keyboard shortcuts for faster responses.
• Use predefined snippets for common replies.
• Set automatic greetings to welcome customers instantly.

Smoothly Handle Different Customers

• Angry Customers: Listen actively, validate their feelings, and focus on resolving their issues.
• Confused Customers: Ask clarifying questions and provide step-by-step support.
• Impatient Customers: Acknowledge their urgency and respond quickly.
• Overly Chatty Customers: Politely steer conversations back on track.

Boost Expertise

• Shadow top performers to learn from their experience.
• Build a personal knowledge base with resolution steps for common issues.
• Improve your technical skills to handle customer inquiries more effectively.

Improve Typing Abilities

• Benchmark your typing speed and aim for improvements.
• Practice regularly with online typing games and tools.
• Ensure proper ergonomics to prevent fatigue and improve speed.

Increase Income

• Upsell and cross-sell to increase order values.
• Gather positive feedback to improve your visibility and reputation.
• Volunteer for additional training or shadowing opportunities to expand your skill set.

If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Frequently Asked Questions about Live Chat Jobs

What qualifications do I need?

Strong written communication skills, typing ability, and basic computer literacy are essential. Some companies may require customer service experience or a college degree.

What equipment or tools will I need?

A modern computer with a stable high-speed internet connection is essential. Dual monitors and ergonomic accessories can improve productivity and comfort.

What is the work environment like?

The work environment is typically autonomous, with flexible schedules and independent tasks. Multitasking and managing multiple chats simultaneously are common.

How much does it pay?

Most live chat jobs pay between $14-$25 per hour. Performance bonuses and incentives can increase total earnings.

What are advancement opportunities like?

Advancement opportunities may include senior or supervisory roles. However, upward mobility can be limited compared to other fields.

Do you have any other advice?

Assess your strengths and weaknesses to ensure this career aligns with your skills and working style. Patience, focus, and conflict resolution skills are crucial for success in live chat jobs.

Conclusion

Live chat jobs offer a flexible and rewarding work-from-home opportunity. As highlighted in numerous “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” these positions provide a good income, the ability to set your own schedule, and the comfort of working from home. While there are challenges, such as dealing with difficult customers and maintaining self-discipline, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks. With the right skills and dedication, you can build a successful career in live chat support and enjoy the numerous advantages it offers.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today
\***Affiliate disclaimer**** this article contains affiliate links if you click on the link and purchase the product I will receive a small commission from the product owner this is at no cost to you thank you James :)*

Well that was fun! Here’s today’s recap, + What might come
Well that was fun. Here’s a Recap, + What might come
DISCLAIMER ⚠️ I AM NOT A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVISE
To any other FFIE investors with more knowledge on what’s going on right now, as well as more experience in retail investing, please feel free to correct me on, or to add onto any point in this post.
Okay - We made it. It wasn’t easy, definitely a little scary, but the market is closed (after hours are open but we will get to that later), and now we rest. But I know a lot of you crazy apes weren’t paying too much attention to every second of the day, that’s where I help out. Here’s a little recap of how today went:
After ending the day at $1.03 per share Friday, we opened up strong during today’s pre-market hours at $1.73 per share. What does this mean? Well it means a lot of you crazy little apes had orders placed, or the even crazier ones were up during pre-market placing orders in. Now that’s serious dedication 😳
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “All the other apes said today we were going to the moon! We’re still under $2! Where’s our money??” Not so fast silly little ape. Come, let me teach you about volume. 👨‍🏫
Today’s volume was a WHOPPING 677.89M.😱 What’s “today’s volume” ? Volume is the total of buys & sells of a stock in a certain time period. For a stock like FFIE, 677.89M is a BIG number. And because a lot of us HELD like we were supposed to, we finished regular market hours at +65.05% than friday evening. 👏🏼👏🏼 But why wasn’t it more? Why didn’t FFIE boom like other silly little apes promised? It’s simple, keep following me and you’ll understand, I promise. 🙂‍↕️
Because of the short ladder attack against us on Friday, the SEC gave us a hand and sanctioned a new uptick rule (see here - https://www.reddit.com/FFIE/s/nw6Rt12bmm ). This leaves the big bad suits with 2 options (paraphrased from u/Maximum-Purpose-1568 , Thank you sima’am): “ 1. They can cut their losses, and buy up the shares at current market value (this is the beginning of a cascade where the "squeezers" all get rich). Essentially, any share that a hedge fund purchases to mitigate their losses will increase the value of our shares. 2. They can continue to hold their shorted stock "loans" and hope the market drops again next week. If this is the case, you will need to continue to hold your shares until they crack (they pay a lot of money for each day they continue to short)”
So what happened? What does all this crazy talk mean!?!? Well given what happened today (a steady change in stock price throughout market hours, and very little volatility compared to recent days), this only means the Big Bad Suits chose option 2. They don’t think we’re serious and they’re doubling down. So what now? 🤔 We triple down. 😤
You see my fellow banana peelers, this was never a scam. This was never a get rich overnight scheme. This is quite literally, a fight between the rich, and the poor. The wolves in suits collectively believe we will give up, sell, and walk away, ultimately leaving them to walk away Scott free. Oh no, not this time. 👎🏼
So what do we do? Well, I can only tell you what CAN HAPPEN.
I AM NOT A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVISE
Right now at the rate that you crazy apes are going, we can keep FFIE above a dollar for 7 more closing nights. What would this mean? This would mean the Hedge’s have 7 days until FFIE officially can no longer be delisted from NASDAQ.👏🏼 Now because these Hedge’s betted AGAINST FFIE, this is absolutely not good news for them because they’d have to pay back the stocks they shorted, plus the interest (which all depends on how much we can make this stock rise). This is what we’re all waiting for. “The Short Squeeze.” 🍋🍋
“Big Ape! Too many words!!” Okay Okay, i’ll dumb it down for you. The smartest moves for us little guys to collectively make would be to buy, and hold. 💎🤲🏼 “But if we all buy and hold then how come there are still dips?” Because the Hedge’s will sell their shares. This causes the price of the stock to fall. They do this purposefully to make us panic, and sell. “So what do WE do about that?” Simple, we eat those shares right up. Remember, the Hedge’s are hoping we ignore these sold shares, as well as sell our owned shares, they don’t really want to lose the shares they sell. The way to genuinely stick it to them besides holding, is to buy during the dip. “How do I know its the best time to buy??” No one knows when a dip will end. The best thing to do is to go with your gut feeling and to buy when YOU feel comfortable. Remember, a dip is bound to come back up as long as we Hold and Buy, so don’t get too greedy when it comes to the best price per share. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD
New post - https://www.reddit.com/FFIE/s/5m9YiNySoH

ANALYSIS section will be posted separately on my sub Tradingedge
DATA LEDE:

• RBA minutes - Australia
• Said they will try not to excessively fine tune policy
• Future changes to cash rate are difficult to rule in or out
• CPI short term variation can be easily and reasonably overlooked
• Recent data does point to slightly increased inflation risks
• NEUTRAL/HAWKISH overall
• Australia consumer confidence numbers drop 0.3% MOM
• German PPI came 0.2% MOM vs 0.2% expected, in line with last months reading.
• YOY came in at -3.3% slightly below expected value of -3.2%. Came in light which is good for German inflation picture.
• Yellen Speech - no real meaningful comments
• EU balance of trade numbers hit a new yearly high. Points to improving world demand environment.
• Fed speakers include:
• Barkin, Waller, Williams, Bostic, Barr
• BoE’s Bailey to speak too

MARKETS:

• SPX: Maintained above 5300, now trading at 5311. Yesterday, touched 5325, before moving lower again. DJI: Trading at 39,813, just below 40k. Opened yesterday above 40k but moved lower on JPM weakness.
• Nasdaq: trading flat at 18,665. Support will now be at around 18,350.
• Ger40: Slightly lower today, at 18,600. Some slight profit taking near the highs.
• HKG50: Moving lower again for 2nd day in a row. Now at 19,240. Yesterday, was at 19,750 at one point. So down 2.7% across yesterday and today.
• Oil - hit 80 yesterday on WTI but was rejected off there. Lower today to 78, down by 1.5%. Back to range bound.
• Gold: Trading at 2418, Support at 2400.
• VIX: After getting crushed to 12 yesterday, bounced up off of there, now higher.

FX:

• DXY moving flat today and yesterday, around 104.5
• Had fallen to 100d moving average after CPI then moved higher, bouncing from there.
• EURUSD positioning still bullish, flat, slightly higher at 1.087
• GBPUSD moving higher again, trading at 1.272
• AUDUSD at 0.667,
• Has broken out of the long term downtrend.

EARNINGS:

• PANW Current Quarter:
• Revenues of 1.985B beat by 0.8%. Revenues rose 15% YOY
• Products revenue beat by 1.2%
• Subscriptions and support revenue beat by 0.3%
• EPS of 1.32 Beat expectations of 1.25 - beat by 5.6%
• Operating income was 508M, beat by 3.5%
• Operating margin was 25.6% , beat by 69 bps
• Billings came more or less in line
• Deferred revenue basically in line, slight miss.
• NEXT QUARTER GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 1.41 v slightly missed expectations of 1.42
• Revenue came in line with consensus at 2.16B
• Billings guidance beat consensus v slightly.
• FULL YEAR GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 5.56-5.58 beat estimates of 5.51
• Revenue of 8B beat estimates of 7.98B
• Billings of 10.15.5B was up 10-11% YoY
• CEO Nikesh Arora: Enthusiastic response to pjatformization and AI infused security outcomes.
• In conference call said that billings isn’t the only important measure, hence investors should overlook the slight softness in billings.
• Said cybersecurity demand will continue to grow for next several quarters, and PANW will benefit.
• Cyberattacks are scaling and aren’t going away. AI will increase these threats. So the tailwinds for PANW are very strong.

XPEV

• EPS of -0.75 was much better than the -2.06 expected
• Revenue of 6.55B beat estimates of 6.19B. Up 63% YOY, but down 50% QOQ
• Vehicle margin was 5.5%, which was up from 4.1% last quarter, and up form -2.5% last year SO VEHICLE MARGIN IMPROVED
• Vehicle sales came in at 5.54B yuan, up 50% YOY but down 50% QOQ
• Gross margin was 12.9%, up from 1.7% last year and 6.2% last quarter
• SO MARGINS IMPROVED, SALES WERE WORSE THAN LAST QUARTER
• In April saw 9,393 vehicles delivered
• Partnership with Volkswagen group on E/E architecture
• Release of AI powered functions
• GROSS MARGIN IMPROVEMENT DESPITE COMPETITION AND OTHERS CUTTING PRICES WAS A KEY BENEFIT.

NEXT QUARTER GUDIANCE:

• Revenue 7.5-8.3B miss by 15%
• Delivered of 29-32K. Up 30% YOY

MACYS:

• Current quarter:
• ADJ EPS $0.27 vs. $0.56 y/y, EST $0.14. BEAT
• EPS $0.22 vs. $0.56 y/y
• Net sales $4.8B, -3.7% y/y, EST $4.81B. IN LINE
• Gross margin 39.2% vs. 40% y/y, EST 39.6%. MISS
• SG&A expense $1.9B, -2.6% y/y, EST $1.98B. MISS
• GUIDANCE:
• Raised guidance from 2.45-2.85 to 2.55-2.9.
• Raised by 4%
• Beat estimates by 4%, although is a wide guidance
• Sees Net sales at 22.3-22.9B, raising bottom end up slightly from 22.2B.
• More or less in line with guidance.
• Merchandise margins down 100bps due to additional discounting
• Merchandise inventories are well positioned for upcoming summer season
• Credit card revenues down slightly due to higher delinquency rates
• Turnaround plan showing signs of progress as they beat and raise guidance.

LOWES:

• Current quarter:
• EPS of 3.67 beat estimates of 2.95
• Revenue of 21.4B was down YOY by 4%, but beat estimates by 1.3%
• Comparables sales were down 4%
• Reaffirms FY guidance:
• EPS of 12-12.3 vs estimate of 12.19. So miss slightly by 0.4%
• Revenue of 84-85B, basically in line.
• EXPECTS COMPARABLE SALES TO BE DOWN 2-3% vs estimates of 2.43% down.

MAG 7:

• MSFT yesterday, said that Copilot Plus PCs will be based on Qualcomm’s snapdragon X Elite chips, and will offer 15 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video battery life. MSFT says it’ll outperform MacBook Air.
• On Copilot Plus, Neural processor enables new AI features such as recall for a searchable PC memory.
• MSFT estimates 50 million AI PCs will be sold over the next year. Said its rearchitectured Windows 11 is 58% faster than Apple’s MacBook Air.
• MSFT - restructures Windows 11 for better ARM hardware support and AI integration. Introduces prism emulator, launched to improve compatibility with older x86 and x64 apps. MSFT says Prism emulator is 20% faster than previous versions.
• AAPL - Files law suit to overturn $1.8B EU antitrust fine over App Store rules. AAPL is challenging a 1.8B fine.
• MSFT - OpenAI will be sued by Scarlett Johansson for basically copying her voice against her explicit instruction not to.
• TSLA - Tesla shareholder group still not happy with Elon Musk’s $56B pay package. Urged other investors to reject a $56B pay package.

OTHER COMPANIES:

• XPEV higher on their strong earnings
• MACYS higher on improving picture
• LOW - higher on earnings
• Crypto stocks higher on strong Bitcoin performance
• LRCX 10-1 stock split
• PANW lower on eanrings, seems harsh to me. Other crypto names down in sentiment.
• Chinese stocks lower as Hong Kong MARKET down 1.5% today.
• NOVA - Piper Sandler downgrades Sunnova Energy to neutral from overweight, lowered price target to 4.50 from 9. Analyst had upgraded sun nova in December on expectation of lower rates, but rates have stayed high.
• Li - postpones the launch of its all electric SUVs to the first half of 2025, citing inadequate charging stations and other constraints. CEO emphasised the need for sufficient branded charging stations and more display spots.
• DOWN 4% AGAIN TODAY ON THIS.
• BABA - Alibaba cloud slashes prices for its latest LLM model, Tongyi Qianwen, by up to 97%
• BIDU - in response to Alibaba’s move, BIDU made its ENITRE Speed and ENIRE lite models entirely free to use.
• So we are seeing price wars in AI market.
• JPM says that they will not be increasing buybacks of JPM stock at these prices. Will just continue with previously outlined buyback pace.
• Jamie Dimon also hinted at retirement in the speech, hence JPM lower yesterday
• DELL - Citi raises dell price target to 170 from 125. Optimistic they can gain market share more in AI.
• JD - announces a proposed offering of $1.5B in convertible senior notes, due 2029. Will use proceeds to repurchase shares and expand overseas business.
• PTON - plans global refinancing to address debt. Secured nearly $1.4B in new credit facilities.
• ASML and TSM said they have measures in place to remotely disable advanced EUV chip making machines if China was to invade Taiwan.
• QCOM - shares were higher yesterday after Several big companies including Dell and MSFT announced AI laptops using Qualcomm’s snapdragon X elite chip. MSFT says these devices will outperform apple MacBook Air M3.
• ARM - MSFT will announce Arm powered laptops
• WEN - launches a $3 breakfast deal, including small seasoned potatoes, choice of bacon, eggs and cheese or sausage, eggs and cheese muffin. Rivals Mcdonalds $5value meal
• DASH - expanded its partnership with ULTA beauty to offer on demand delivery in under an hour from 1350 stores across all 50 states.
• VFS - US regulators are probing a vin fast VF 8 Crash, that killed 4 in California.
• LLY - secures china approval for diabetes drug, Tirzepatide. Received approval in China for its diabetes drug.
• BA - one killed on Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 due to severe turbulence.
• DIS - Redburn upgrades to neutral from Sell. Price target 100.
• Samsung - appoints new chief for its chip business, amid competition.

OThER NEWS:

• BTC higher to 72K.
• ETH popped 20% yesterday on renewed optimism for ETF, that SEC might green light spot ether ETFs ahead of first deadline later this week.
• Yardeni research sees Dow Jones DJI at 60k and SPX at 8k by 2030
• Mester’s comments yesterday:
• 3 rate cuts this year is no longer appropriate.
• April CPI was good, but too soon to say what path inflation is on. She said she doesnt think about rate cuts in terms of when. We can raise rates but its not base case. That’s bearish, but also unrealistic. I think there’s less risk now that we are too restrictive, and inflation risks are to upside.
• BEARISH COMMENTS FROM MESTER OVERALL
• Jefferson’s Comments yesterday:
• April inflation was encouraging. Labour market coming into better balance. Inflation decline isn’t as fast as we had liked. Policy is restrictive. - NEUTRAL comments, I’d say.
• Following these comments, Bank of America said that whilst the bar for rate hikes is still v high, rate cuts are still far off. Said Services inflation still running way above target.
• Bank of America believes markets got excited at the print, said markets pricing 50bps of cuts are likely to get disappointed.
• Did push back on stagflation narrative.
• SPACEX Q1 launch report shows that SpaceX is now launching 87% of all payload to orbit, a new record high.
• New Yorkers on average earned $89K last year, meaning that without spending more than 30% of annual income on rent, they can afford $2,216 on housing. That’s only enough to afford 4.4% of rentals.
• Marko Kolanovic held his bearish outlook on stocks, urging clients not to buy. So not all bears are capitulating.
• Fidelity ethereal fund says that the trust’s Ether will not be staked.
• IMF official expects next stage for BOE is to ease rates, says UK monetary policy is at inflection point. Actions by UK authorities are paying off.
• Said BoE should cut rates by 50-75bps in 2024.
• Upgraded UK growth forecast to 0.7% this year from 0.5% previously
• Dubai Airport expects record passenger traffic this year, set to top 100M by 2027.

For more of my content, please join Tradingedge

DATA LEDE:

• RBA minutes - Australia
• Said they will try not to excessively fine tune policy
• Future changes to cash rate are difficult to rule in or out
• CPI short term variation can be easily and reasonably overlooked
• Recent data does point to slightly increased inflation risks
• NEUTRAL/HAWKISH overall
• Australia consumer confidence numbers drop 0.3% MOM
• German PPI came 0.2% MOM vs 0.2% expected, in line with last months reading.
• YOY came in at -3.3% slightly below expected value of -3.2%. Came in light which is good for German inflation picture.
• Yellen Speech - no real meaningful comments
• EU balance of trade numbers hit a new yearly high. Points to improving world demand environment.
• Fed speakers include:
• Barkin, Waller, Williams, Bostic, Barr
• BoE’s Bailey to speak too

MARKETS:

• SPX: Maintained above 5300, now trading at 5311. Yesterday, touched 5325, before moving lower again. DJI: Trading at 39,813, just below 40k. Opened yesterday above 40k but moved lower on JPM weakness.
• Nasdaq: trading flat at 18,665. Support will now be at around 18,350.
• Ger40: Slightly lower today, at 18,600. Some slight profit taking near the highs.
• HKG50: Moving lower again for 2nd day in a row. Now at 19,240. Yesterday, was at 19,750 at one point. So down 2.7% across yesterday and today.
• Oil - hit 80 yesterday on WTI but was rejected off there. Lower today to 78, down by 1.5%. Back to range bound.
• Gold: Trading at 2418, Support at 2400.
• VIX: After getting crushed to 12 yesterday, bounced up off of there, now higher.

FX:

• DXY moving flat today and yesterday, around 104.5
• Had fallen to 100d moving average after CPI then moved higher, bouncing from there.
• EURUSD positioning still bullish, flat, slightly higher at 1.087
• GBPUSD moving higher again, trading at 1.272
• AUDUSD at 0.667,
• Has broken out of the long term downtrend.

EARNINGS:

• PANW Current Quarter:
• Revenues of 1.985B beat by 0.8%. Revenues rose 15% YOY
• Products revenue beat by 1.2%
• Subscriptions and support revenue beat by 0.3%
• EPS of 1.32 Beat expectations of 1.25 - beat by 5.6%
• Operating income was 508M, beat by 3.5%
• Operating margin was 25.6% , beat by 69 bps
• Billings came more or less in line
• Deferred revenue basically in line, slight miss.
• NEXT QUARTER GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 1.41 v slightly missed expectations of 1.42
• Revenue came in line with consensus at 2.16B
• Billings guidance beat consensus v slightly.
• FULL YEAR GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 5.56-5.58 beat estimates of 5.51
• Revenue of 8B beat estimates of 7.98B
• Billings of 10.15.5B was up 10-11% YoY
• CEO Nikesh Arora: Enthusiastic response to pjatformization and AI infused security outcomes.
• In conference call said that billings isn’t the only important measure, hence investors should overlook the slight softness in billings.
• Said cybersecurity demand will continue to grow for next several quarters, and PANW will benefit.
• Cyberattacks are scaling and aren’t going away. AI will increase these threats. So the tailwinds for PANW are very strong.

XPEV

• EPS of -0.75 was much better than the -2.06 expected
• Revenue of 6.55B beat estimates of 6.19B. Up 63% YOY, but down 50% QOQ
• Vehicle margin was 5.5%, which was up from 4.1% last quarter, and up form -2.5% last year SO VEHICLE MARGIN IMPROVED
• Vehicle sales came in at 5.54B yuan, up 50% YOY but down 50% QOQ
• Gross margin was 12.9%, up from 1.7% last year and 6.2% last quarter
• SO MARGINS IMPROVED, SALES WERE WORSE THAN LAST QUARTER
• In April saw 9,393 vehicles delivered
• Partnership with Volkswagen group on E/E architecture
• Release of AI powered functions
• GROSS MARGIN IMPROVEMENT DESPITE COMPETITION AND OTHERS CUTTING PRICES WAS A KEY BENEFIT.

NEXT QUARTER GUDIANCE:

• Revenue 7.5-8.3B miss by 15%
• Delivered of 29-32K. Up 30% YOY

MACYS:

• Current quarter:
• ADJ EPS $0.27 vs. $0.56 y/y, EST $0.14. BEAT
• EPS $0.22 vs. $0.56 y/y
• Net sales $4.8B, -3.7% y/y, EST $4.81B. IN LINE
• Gross margin 39.2% vs. 40% y/y, EST 39.6%. MISS
• SG&A expense $1.9B, -2.6% y/y, EST $1.98B. MISS
• GUIDANCE:
• Raised guidance from 2.45-2.85 to 2.55-2.9.
• Raised by 4%
• Beat estimates by 4%, although is a wide guidance
• Sees Net sales at 22.3-22.9B, raising bottom end up slightly from 22.2B.
• More or less in line with guidance.
• Merchandise margins down 100bps due to additional discounting
• Merchandise inventories are well positioned for upcoming summer season
• Credit card revenues down slightly due to higher delinquency rates
• Turnaround plan showing signs of progress as they beat and raise guidance.

LOWES:

• Current quarter:
• EPS of 3.67 beat estimates of 2.95
• Revenue of 21.4B was down YOY by 4%, but beat estimates by 1.3%
• Comparables sales were down 4%
• Reaffirms FY guidance:
• EPS of 12-12.3 vs estimate of 12.19. So miss slightly by 0.4%
• Revenue of 84-85B, basically in line.
• EXPECTS COMPARABLE SALES TO BE DOWN 2-3% vs estimates of 2.43% down.

MAG 7:

• MSFT yesterday, said that Copilot Plus PCs will be based on Qualcomm’s snapdragon X Elite chips, and will offer 15 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video battery life. MSFT says it’ll outperform MacBook Air.
• On Copilot Plus, Neural processor enables new AI features such as recall for a searchable PC memory.
• MSFT estimates 50 million AI PCs will be sold over the next year. Said its rearchitectured Windows 11 is 58% faster than Apple’s MacBook Air.
• MSFT - restructures Windows 11 for better ARM hardware support and AI integration. Introduces prism emulator, launched to improve compatibility with older x86 and x64 apps. MSFT says Prism emulator is 20% faster than previous versions.
• AAPL - Files law suit to overturn $1.8B EU antitrust fine over App Store rules. AAPL is challenging a 1.8B fine.
• MSFT - OpenAI will be sued by Scarlett Johansson for basically copying her voice against her explicit instruction not to.
• TSLA - Tesla shareholder group still not happy with Elon Musk’s $56B pay package. Urged other investors to reject a $56B pay package.

OTHER COMPANIES:

• XPEV higher on their strong earnings
• MACYS higher on improving picture
• LOW - higher on earnings
• Crypto stocks higher on strong Bitcoin performance
• LRCX 10-1 stock split
• PANW lower on eanrings, seems harsh to me. Other crypto names down in sentiment.
• Chinese stocks lower as Hong Kong MARKET down 1.5% today.
• NOVA - Piper Sandler downgrades Sunnova Energy to neutral from overweight, lowered price target to 4.50 from 9. Analyst had upgraded sun nova in December on expectation of lower rates, but rates have stayed high.
• Li - postpones the launch of its all electric SUVs to the first half of 2025, citing inadequate charging stations and other constraints. CEO emphasised the need for sufficient branded charging stations and more display spots.
• DOWN 4% AGAIN TODAY ON THIS.
• BABA - Alibaba cloud slashes prices for its latest LLM model, Tongyi Qianwen, by up to 97%
• BIDU - in response to Alibaba’s move, BIDU made its ENITRE Speed and ENIRE lite models entirely free to use.
• So we are seeing price wars in AI market.
• JPM says that they will not be increasing buybacks of JPM stock at these prices. Will just continue with previously outlined buyback pace.
• Jamie Dimon also hinted at retirement in the speech, hence JPM lower yesterday
• DELL - Citi raises dell price target to 170 from 125. Optimistic they can gain market share more in AI.
• JD - announces a proposed offering of $1.5B in convertible senior notes, due 2029. Will use proceeds to repurchase shares and expand overseas business.
• PTON - plans global refinancing to address debt. Secured nearly $1.4B in new credit facilities.
• ASML and TSM said they have measures in place to remotely disable advanced EUV chip making machines if China was to invade Taiwan.
• QCOM - shares were higher yesterday after Several big companies including Dell and MSFT announced AI laptops using Qualcomm’s snapdragon X elite chip. MSFT says these devices will outperform apple MacBook Air M3.
• ARM - MSFT will announce Arm powered laptops
• WEN - launches a $3 breakfast deal, including small seasoned potatoes, choice of bacon, eggs and cheese or sausage, eggs and cheese muffin. Rivals Mcdonalds $5value meal
• DASH - expanded its partnership with ULTA beauty to offer on demand delivery in under an hour from 1350 stores across all 50 states.
• VFS - US regulators are probing a vin fast VF 8 Crash, that killed 4 in California.
• LLY - secures china approval for diabetes drug, Tirzepatide. Received approval in China for its diabetes drug.
• BA - one killed on Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 due to severe turbulence.
• DIS - Redburn upgrades to neutral from Sell. Price target 100.
• Samsung - appoints new chief for its chip business, amid competition.

OThER NEWS:

• BTC higher to 72K.
• ETH popped 20% yesterday on renewed optimism for ETF, that SEC might green light spot ether ETFs ahead of first deadline later this week.
• Yardeni research sees Dow Jones DJI at 60k and SPX at 8k by 2030
• Mester’s comments yesterday:
• 3 rate cuts this year is no longer appropriate.
• April CPI was good, but too soon to say what path inflation is on. She said she doesnt think about rate cuts in terms of when. We can raise rates but its not base case. That’s bearish, but also unrealistic. I think there’s less risk now that we are too restrictive, and inflation risks are to upside.
• BEARISH COMMENTS FROM MESTER OVERALL
• Jefferson’s Comments yesterday:
• April inflation was encouraging. Labour market coming into better balance. Inflation decline isn’t as fast as we had liked. Policy is restrictive. - NEUTRAL comments, I’d say.
• Following these comments, Bank of America said that whilst the bar for rate hikes is still v high, rate cuts are still far off. Said Services inflation still running way above target.
• Bank of America believes markets got excited at the print, said markets pricing 50bps of cuts are likely to get disappointed.
• Did push back on stagflation narrative.
• SPACEX Q1 launch report shows that SpaceX is now launching 87% of all payload to orbit, a new record high.
• New Yorkers on average earned $89K last year, meaning that without spending more than 30% of annual income on rent, they can afford $2,216 on housing. That’s only enough to afford 4.4% of rentals.
• Marko Kolanovic held his bearish outlook on stocks, urging clients not to buy. So not all bears are capitulating.
• Fidelity ethereal fund says that the trust’s Ether will not be staked.
• IMF official expects next stage for BOE is to ease rates, says UK monetary policy is at inflection point. Actions by UK authorities are paying off.
• Said BoE should cut rates by 50-75bps in 2024.
• Upgraded UK growth forecast to 0.7% this year from 0.5% previously
• Dubai Airport expects record passenger traffic this year, set to top 100M by 2027.

ANALYSIS section will be posted separately on my sub Tradingedge
DATA LEDE:

• RBA minutes - Australia
• Said they will try not to excessively fine tune policy
• Future changes to cash rate are difficult to rule in or out
• CPI short term variation can be easily and reasonably overlooked
• Recent data does point to slightly increased inflation risks
• NEUTRAL/HAWKISH overall
• Australia consumer confidence numbers drop 0.3% MOM
• German PPI came 0.2% MOM vs 0.2% expected, in line with last months reading.
• YOY came in at -3.3% slightly below expected value of -3.2%. Came in light which is good for German inflation picture.
• Yellen Speech - no real meaningful comments
• EU balance of trade numbers hit a new yearly high. Points to improving world demand environment.
• Fed speakers include:
• Barkin, Waller, Williams, Bostic, Barr
• BoE’s Bailey to speak too

MARKETS:

• SPX: Maintained above 5300, now trading at 5311. Yesterday, touched 5325, before moving lower again. DJI: Trading at 39,813, just below 40k. Opened yesterday above 40k but moved lower on JPM weakness.
• Nasdaq: trading flat at 18,665. Support will now be at around 18,350.
• Ger40: Slightly lower today, at 18,600. Some slight profit taking near the highs.
• HKG50: Moving lower again for 2nd day in a row. Now at 19,240. Yesterday, was at 19,750 at one point. So down 2.7% across yesterday and today.
• Oil - hit 80 yesterday on WTI but was rejected off there. Lower today to 78, down by 1.5%. Back to range bound.
• Gold: Trading at 2418, Support at 2400.
• VIX: After getting crushed to 12 yesterday, bounced up off of there, now higher.

FX:

• DXY moving flat today and yesterday, around 104.5
• Had fallen to 100d moving average after CPI then moved higher, bouncing from there.
• EURUSD positioning still bullish, flat, slightly higher at 1.087
• GBPUSD moving higher again, trading at 1.272
• AUDUSD at 0.667,
• Has broken out of the long term downtrend.

EARNINGS:

• PANW Current Quarter:
• Revenues of 1.985B beat by 0.8%. Revenues rose 15% YOY
• Products revenue beat by 1.2%
• Subscriptions and support revenue beat by 0.3%
• EPS of 1.32 Beat expectations of 1.25 - beat by 5.6%
• Operating income was 508M, beat by 3.5%
• Operating margin was 25.6% , beat by 69 bps
• Billings came more or less in line
• Deferred revenue basically in line, slight miss.
• NEXT QUARTER GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 1.41 v slightly missed expectations of 1.42
• Revenue came in line with consensus at 2.16B
• Billings guidance beat consensus v slightly.
• FULL YEAR GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 5.56-5.58 beat estimates of 5.51
• Revenue of 8B beat estimates of 7.98B
• Billings of 10.15.5B was up 10-11% YoY
• CEO Nikesh Arora: Enthusiastic response to pjatformization and AI infused security outcomes.
• In conference call said that billings isn’t the only important measure, hence investors should overlook the slight softness in billings.
• Said cybersecurity demand will continue to grow for next several quarters, and PANW will benefit.
• Cyberattacks are scaling and aren’t going away. AI will increase these threats. So the tailwinds for PANW are very strong.

XPEV

• EPS of -0.75 was much better than the -2.06 expected
• Revenue of 6.55B beat estimates of 6.19B. Up 63% YOY, but down 50% QOQ
• Vehicle margin was 5.5%, which was up from 4.1% last quarter, and up form -2.5% last year SO VEHICLE MARGIN IMPROVED
• Vehicle sales came in at 5.54B yuan, up 50% YOY but down 50% QOQ
• Gross margin was 12.9%, up from 1.7% last year and 6.2% last quarter
• SO MARGINS IMPROVED, SALES WERE WORSE THAN LAST QUARTER
• In April saw 9,393 vehicles delivered
• Partnership with Volkswagen group on E/E architecture
• Release of AI powered functions
• GROSS MARGIN IMPROVEMENT DESPITE COMPETITION AND OTHERS CUTTING PRICES WAS A KEY BENEFIT.

NEXT QUARTER GUDIANCE:

• Revenue 7.5-8.3B miss by 15%
• Delivered of 29-32K. Up 30% YOY

MACYS:

• Current quarter:
• ADJ EPS $0.27 vs. $0.56 y/y, EST $0.14. BEAT
• EPS $0.22 vs. $0.56 y/y
• Net sales $4.8B, -3.7% y/y, EST $4.81B. IN LINE
• Gross margin 39.2% vs. 40% y/y, EST 39.6%. MISS
• SG&A expense $1.9B, -2.6% y/y, EST $1.98B. MISS
• GUIDANCE:
• Raised guidance from 2.45-2.85 to 2.55-2.9.
• Raised by 4%
• Beat estimates by 4%, although is a wide guidance
• Sees Net sales at 22.3-22.9B, raising bottom end up slightly from 22.2B.
• More or less in line with guidance.
• Merchandise margins down 100bps due to additional discounting
• Merchandise inventories are well positioned for upcoming summer season
• Credit card revenues down slightly due to higher delinquency rates
• Turnaround plan showing signs of progress as they beat and raise guidance.

LOWES:

• Current quarter:
• EPS of 3.67 beat estimates of 2.95
• Revenue of 21.4B was down YOY by 4%, but beat estimates by 1.3%
• Comparables sales were down 4%
• Reaffirms FY guidance:
• EPS of 12-12.3 vs estimate of 12.19. So miss slightly by 0.4%
• Revenue of 84-85B, basically in line.
• EXPECTS COMPARABLE SALES TO BE DOWN 2-3% vs estimates of 2.43% down.

MAG 7:

• MSFT yesterday, said that Copilot Plus PCs will be based on Qualcomm’s snapdragon X Elite chips, and will offer 15 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video battery life. MSFT says it’ll outperform MacBook Air.
• On Copilot Plus, Neural processor enables new AI features such as recall for a searchable PC memory.
• MSFT estimates 50 million AI PCs will be sold over the next year. Said its rearchitectured Windows 11 is 58% faster than Apple’s MacBook Air.
• MSFT - restructures Windows 11 for better ARM hardware support and AI integration. Introduces prism emulator, launched to improve compatibility with older x86 and x64 apps. MSFT says Prism emulator is 20% faster than previous versions.
• AAPL - Files law suit to overturn $1.8B EU antitrust fine over App Store rules. AAPL is challenging a 1.8B fine.
• MSFT - OpenAI will be sued by Scarlett Johansson for basically copying her voice against her explicit instruction not to.
• TSLA - Tesla shareholder group still not happy with Elon Musk’s $56B pay package. Urged other investors to reject a $56B pay package.

OTHER COMPANIES:

• XPEV higher on their strong earnings
• MACYS higher on improving picture
• LOW - higher on earnings
• Crypto stocks higher on strong Bitcoin performance
• LRCX 10-1 stock split
• PANW lower on eanrings, seems harsh to me. Other crypto names down in sentiment.
• Chinese stocks lower as Hong Kong MARKET down 1.5% today.
• NOVA - Piper Sandler downgrades Sunnova Energy to neutral from overweight, lowered price target to 4.50 from 9. Analyst had upgraded sun nova in December on expectation of lower rates, but rates have stayed high.
• Li - postpones the launch of its all electric SUVs to the first half of 2025, citing inadequate charging stations and other constraints. CEO emphasised the need for sufficient branded charging stations and more display spots.
• DOWN 4% AGAIN TODAY ON THIS.
• BABA - Alibaba cloud slashes prices for its latest LLM model, Tongyi Qianwen, by up to 97%
• BIDU - in response to Alibaba’s move, BIDU made its ENITRE Speed and ENIRE lite models entirely free to use.
• So we are seeing price wars in AI market.
• JPM says that they will not be increasing buybacks of JPM stock at these prices. Will just continue with previously outlined buyback pace.
• Jamie Dimon also hinted at retirement in the speech, hence JPM lower yesterday
• DELL - Citi raises dell price target to 170 from 125. Optimistic they can gain market share more in AI.
• JD - announces a proposed offering of $1.5B in convertible senior notes, due 2029. Will use proceeds to repurchase shares and expand overseas business.
• PTON - plans global refinancing to address debt. Secured nearly $1.4B in new credit facilities.
• ASML and TSM said they have measures in place to remotely disable advanced EUV chip making machines if China was to invade Taiwan.
• QCOM - shares were higher yesterday after Several big companies including Dell and MSFT announced AI laptops using Qualcomm’s snapdragon X elite chip. MSFT says these devices will outperform apple MacBook Air M3.
• ARM - MSFT will announce Arm powered laptops
• WEN - launches a $3 breakfast deal, including small seasoned potatoes, choice of bacon, eggs and cheese or sausage, eggs and cheese muffin. Rivals Mcdonalds $5value meal
• DASH - expanded its partnership with ULTA beauty to offer on demand delivery in under an hour from 1350 stores across all 50 states.
• VFS - US regulators are probing a vin fast VF 8 Crash, that killed 4 in California.
• LLY - secures china approval for diabetes drug, Tirzepatide. Received approval in China for its diabetes drug.
• BA - one killed on Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 due to severe turbulence.
• DIS - Redburn upgrades to neutral from Sell. Price target 100.
• Samsung - appoints new chief for its chip business, amid competition.

OThER NEWS:

• BTC higher to 72K.
• ETH popped 20% yesterday on renewed optimism for ETF, that SEC might green light spot ether ETFs ahead of first deadline later this week.
• Yardeni research sees Dow Jones DJI at 60k and SPX at 8k by 2030
• Mester’s comments yesterday:
• 3 rate cuts this year is no longer appropriate.
• April CPI was good, but too soon to say what path inflation is on. She said she doesnt think about rate cuts in terms of when. We can raise rates but its not base case. That’s bearish, but also unrealistic. I think there’s less risk now that we are too restrictive, and inflation risks are to upside.
• BEARISH COMMENTS FROM MESTER OVERALL
• Jefferson’s Comments yesterday:
• April inflation was encouraging. Labour market coming into better balance. Inflation decline isn’t as fast as we had liked. Policy is restrictive. - NEUTRAL comments, I’d say.
• Following these comments, Bank of America said that whilst the bar for rate hikes is still v high, rate cuts are still far off. Said Services inflation still running way above target.
• Bank of America believes markets got excited at the print, said markets pricing 50bps of cuts are likely to get disappointed.
• Did push back on stagflation narrative.
• SPACEX Q1 launch report shows that SpaceX is now launching 87% of all payload to orbit, a new record high.
• New Yorkers on average earned $89K last year, meaning that without spending more than 30% of annual income on rent, they can afford $2,216 on housing. That’s only enough to afford 4.4% of rentals.
• Marko Kolanovic held his bearish outlook on stocks, urging clients not to buy. So not all bears are capitulating.
• Fidelity ethereal fund says that the trust’s Ether will not be staked.
• IMF official expects next stage for BOE is to ease rates, says UK monetary policy is at inflection point. Actions by UK authorities are paying off.
• Said BoE should cut rates by 50-75bps in 2024.
• Upgraded UK growth forecast to 0.7% this year from 0.5% previously
• Dubai Airport expects record passenger traffic this year, set to top 100M by 2027.

For more of my content, please join Tradingedge

ANALYSIS section will be posted separately on my sub Tradingedge
DATA LEDE:

• RBA minutes - Australia
• Said they will try not to excessively fine tune policy
• Future changes to cash rate are difficult to rule in or out
• CPI short term variation can be easily and reasonably overlooked
• Recent data does point to slightly increased inflation risks
• NEUTRAL/HAWKISH overall
• Australia consumer confidence numbers drop 0.3% MOM
• German PPI came 0.2% MOM vs 0.2% expected, in line with last months reading.
• YOY came in at -3.3% slightly below expected value of -3.2%. Came in light which is good for German inflation picture.
• Yellen Speech - no real meaningful comments
• EU balance of trade numbers hit a new yearly high. Points to improving world demand environment.
• Fed speakers include:
• Barkin, Waller, Williams, Bostic, Barr
• BoE’s Bailey to speak too

MARKETS:

• SPX: Maintained above 5300, now trading at 5311. Yesterday, touched 5325, before moving lower again. DJI: Trading at 39,813, just below 40k. Opened yesterday above 40k but moved lower on JPM weakness.
• Nasdaq: trading flat at 18,665. Support will now be at around 18,350.
• Ger40: Slightly lower today, at 18,600. Some slight profit taking near the highs.
• HKG50: Moving lower again for 2nd day in a row. Now at 19,240. Yesterday, was at 19,750 at one point. So down 2.7% across yesterday and today.
• Oil - hit 80 yesterday on WTI but was rejected off there. Lower today to 78, down by 1.5%. Back to range bound.
• Gold: Trading at 2418, Support at 2400.
• VIX: After getting crushed to 12 yesterday, bounced up off of there, now higher.

FX:

• DXY moving flat today and yesterday, around 104.5
• Had fallen to 100d moving average after CPI then moved higher, bouncing from there.
• EURUSD positioning still bullish, flat, slightly higher at 1.087
• GBPUSD moving higher again, trading at 1.272
• AUDUSD at 0.667,
• Has broken out of the long term downtrend.

EARNINGS:

• PANW Current Quarter:
• Revenues of 1.985B beat by 0.8%. Revenues rose 15% YOY
• Products revenue beat by 1.2%
• Subscriptions and support revenue beat by 0.3%
• EPS of 1.32 Beat expectations of 1.25 - beat by 5.6%
• Operating income was 508M, beat by 3.5%
• Operating margin was 25.6% , beat by 69 bps
• Billings came more or less in line
• Deferred revenue basically in line, slight miss.
• NEXT QUARTER GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 1.41 v slightly missed expectations of 1.42
• Revenue came in line with consensus at 2.16B
• Billings guidance beat consensus v slightly.
• FULL YEAR GUIDANCE:
• EPS of 5.56-5.58 beat estimates of 5.51
• Revenue of 8B beat estimates of 7.98B
• Billings of 10.15.5B was up 10-11% YoY
• CEO Nikesh Arora: Enthusiastic response to pjatformization and AI infused security outcomes.
• In conference call said that billings isn’t the only important measure, hence investors should overlook the slight softness in billings.
• Said cybersecurity demand will continue to grow for next several quarters, and PANW will benefit.
• Cyberattacks are scaling and aren’t going away. AI will increase these threats. So the tailwinds for PANW are very strong.

XPEV

• EPS of -0.75 was much better than the -2.06 expected
• Revenue of 6.55B beat estimates of 6.19B. Up 63% YOY, but down 50% QOQ
• Vehicle margin was 5.5%, which was up from 4.1% last quarter, and up form -2.5% last year SO VEHICLE MARGIN IMPROVED
• Vehicle sales came in at 5.54B yuan, up 50% YOY but down 50% QOQ
• Gross margin was 12.9%, up from 1.7% last year and 6.2% last quarter
• SO MARGINS IMPROVED, SALES WERE WORSE THAN LAST QUARTER
• In April saw 9,393 vehicles delivered
• Partnership with Volkswagen group on E/E architecture
• Release of AI powered functions
• GROSS MARGIN IMPROVEMENT DESPITE COMPETITION AND OTHERS CUTTING PRICES WAS A KEY BENEFIT.

NEXT QUARTER GUDIANCE:

• Revenue 7.5-8.3B miss by 15%
• Delivered of 29-32K. Up 30% YOY

MACYS:

• Current quarter:
• ADJ EPS $0.27 vs. $0.56 y/y, EST $0.14. BEAT
• EPS $0.22 vs. $0.56 y/y
• Net sales $4.8B, -3.7% y/y, EST $4.81B. IN LINE
• Gross margin 39.2% vs. 40% y/y, EST 39.6%. MISS
• SG&A expense $1.9B, -2.6% y/y, EST $1.98B. MISS
• GUIDANCE:
• Raised guidance from 2.45-2.85 to 2.55-2.9.
• Raised by 4%
• Beat estimates by 4%, although is a wide guidance
• Sees Net sales at 22.3-22.9B, raising bottom end up slightly from 22.2B.
• More or less in line with guidance.
• Merchandise margins down 100bps due to additional discounting
• Merchandise inventories are well positioned for upcoming summer season
• Credit card revenues down slightly due to higher delinquency rates
• Turnaround plan showing signs of progress as they beat and raise guidance.

LOWES:

• Current quarter:
• EPS of 3.67 beat estimates of 2.95
• Revenue of 21.4B was down YOY by 4%, but beat estimates by 1.3%
• Comparables sales were down 4%
• Reaffirms FY guidance:
• EPS of 12-12.3 vs estimate of 12.19. So miss slightly by 0.4%
• Revenue of 84-85B, basically in line.
• EXPECTS COMPARABLE SALES TO BE DOWN 2-3% vs estimates of 2.43% down.

MAG 7:

• MSFT yesterday, said that Copilot Plus PCs will be based on Qualcomm’s snapdragon X Elite chips, and will offer 15 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video battery life. MSFT says it’ll outperform MacBook Air.
• On Copilot Plus, Neural processor enables new AI features such as recall for a searchable PC memory.
• MSFT estimates 50 million AI PCs will be sold over the next year. Said its rearchitectured Windows 11 is 58% faster than Apple’s MacBook Air.
• MSFT - restructures Windows 11 for better ARM hardware support and AI integration. Introduces prism emulator, launched to improve compatibility with older x86 and x64 apps. MSFT says Prism emulator is 20% faster than previous versions.
• AAPL - Files law suit to overturn $1.8B EU antitrust fine over App Store rules. AAPL is challenging a 1.8B fine.
• MSFT - OpenAI will be sued by Scarlett Johansson for basically copying her voice against her explicit instruction not to.
• TSLA - Tesla shareholder group still not happy with Elon Musk’s $56B pay package. Urged other investors to reject a $56B pay package.

OTHER COMPANIES:

• XPEV higher on their strong earnings
• MACYS higher on improving picture
• LOW - higher on earnings
• Crypto stocks higher on strong Bitcoin performance
• LRCX 10-1 stock split
• PANW lower on eanrings, seems harsh to me. Other crypto names down in sentiment.
• Chinese stocks lower as Hong Kong MARKET down 1.5% today.
• NOVA - Piper Sandler downgrades Sunnova Energy to neutral from overweight, lowered price target to 4.50 from 9. Analyst had upgraded sun nova in December on expectation of lower rates, but rates have stayed high.
• Li - postpones the launch of its all electric SUVs to the first half of 2025, citing inadequate charging stations and other constraints. CEO emphasised the need for sufficient branded charging stations and more display spots.
• DOWN 4% AGAIN TODAY ON THIS.
• BABA - Alibaba cloud slashes prices for its latest LLM model, Tongyi Qianwen, by up to 97%
• BIDU - in response to Alibaba’s move, BIDU made its ENITRE Speed and ENIRE lite models entirely free to use.
• So we are seeing price wars in AI market.
• JPM says that they will not be increasing buybacks of JPM stock at these prices. Will just continue with previously outlined buyback pace.
• Jamie Dimon also hinted at retirement in the speech, hence JPM lower yesterday
• DELL - Citi raises dell price target to 170 from 125. Optimistic they can gain market share more in AI.
• JD - announces a proposed offering of $1.5B in convertible senior notes, due 2029. Will use proceeds to repurchase shares and expand overseas business.
• PTON - plans global refinancing to address debt. Secured nearly $1.4B in new credit facilities.
• ASML and TSM said they have measures in place to remotely disable advanced EUV chip making machines if China was to invade Taiwan.
• QCOM - shares were higher yesterday after Several big companies including Dell and MSFT announced AI laptops using Qualcomm’s snapdragon X elite chip. MSFT says these devices will outperform apple MacBook Air M3.
• ARM - MSFT will announce Arm powered laptops
• WEN - launches a $3 breakfast deal, including small seasoned potatoes, choice of bacon, eggs and cheese or sausage, eggs and cheese muffin. Rivals Mcdonalds $5value meal
• DASH - expanded its partnership with ULTA beauty to offer on demand delivery in under an hour from 1350 stores across all 50 states.
• VFS - US regulators are probing a vin fast VF 8 Crash, that killed 4 in California.
• LLY - secures china approval for diabetes drug, Tirzepatide. Received approval in China for its diabetes drug.
• BA - one killed on Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 due to severe turbulence.
• DIS - Redburn upgrades to neutral from Sell. Price target 100.
• Samsung - appoints new chief for its chip business, amid competition.

OThER NEWS:

• BTC higher to 72K.
• ETH popped 20% yesterday on renewed optimism for ETF, that SEC might green light spot ether ETFs ahead of first deadline later this week.
• Yardeni research sees Dow Jones DJI at 60k and SPX at 8k by 2030
• Mester’s comments yesterday:
• 3 rate cuts this year is no longer appropriate.
• April CPI was good, but too soon to say what path inflation is on. She said she doesnt think about rate cuts in terms of when. We can raise rates but its not base case. That’s bearish, but also unrealistic. I think there’s less risk now that we are too restrictive, and inflation risks are to upside.
• BEARISH COMMENTS FROM MESTER OVERALL
• Jefferson’s Comments yesterday:
• April inflation was encouraging. Labour market coming into better balance. Inflation decline isn’t as fast as we had liked. Policy is restrictive. - NEUTRAL comments, I’d say.
• Following these comments, Bank of America said that whilst the bar for rate hikes is still v high, rate cuts are still far off. Said Services inflation still running way above target.
• Bank of America believes markets got excited at the print, said markets pricing 50bps of cuts are likely to get disappointed.
• Did push back on stagflation narrative.
• SPACEX Q1 launch report shows that SpaceX is now launching 87% of all payload to orbit, a new record high.
• New Yorkers on average earned $89K last year, meaning that without spending more than 30% of annual income on rent, they can afford $2,216 on housing. That’s only enough to afford 4.4% of rentals.
• Marko Kolanovic held his bearish outlook on stocks, urging clients not to buy. So not all bears are capitulating.
• Fidelity ethereal fund says that the trust’s Ether will not be staked.
• IMF official expects next stage for BOE is to ease rates, says UK monetary policy is at inflection point. Actions by UK authorities are paying off.
• Said BoE should cut rates by 50-75bps in 2024.
• Upgraded UK growth forecast to 0.7% this year from 0.5% previously
• Dubai Airport expects record passenger traffic this year, set to top 100M by 2027.

For more of my content, please join Tradingedge

When planning an extended stay in Palmerston North, securing a reliable mode of transportation is essential. Long term car rental palmerston north services in this vibrant city offer flexibility, convenience, and often more economical options compared to short-term rentals. Whether you're in town for business, leisure, or an extended visit, choosing the right car rental service can significantly enhance your experience.

Benefits of Long Term Car Rental

1. Cost-Effective: Long term rentals are generally more affordable on a per-day basis compared to short-term rentals. Rental companies often provide discounted rates for extended periods, making it a budget-friendly option.
2. Flexibility: With long term rentals, you have the freedom to explore Palmerston North and its surroundings at your own pace without the constraints of fixed schedules.
3. Variety of Vehicles: Long term rental services offer a wide range of vehicles to choose from, including compact cars, SUVs, and luxury vehicles, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your needs.
4. Maintenance and Support: Most rental companies include maintenance and roadside assistance in their packages, ensuring your rental experience is smooth and hassle-free.

Top Long Term Car Rental Services in Palmerston North

1. Budget Car Rental Palmerston North

Budget Car Rental palmerston north is a popular choice for long term car rentals in Palmerston North. Known for its affordability and excellent customer service, Budget offers a wide selection of vehicles ranging from economical hatchbacks to spacious SUVs. With Budget, you can expect competitive rates and comprehensive rental packages that include insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and regular maintenance checks.

2. Avis Car Rental

Avis is another reputable name in the car rental industry, offering a seamless long term rental experience in Palmerston North. Avis provides a diverse fleet of well-maintained vehicles and flexible rental terms. Their customer-centric approach ensures that your rental process is straightforward, with options to extend your rental period if needed.

3. Hertz Car Rental

Hertz is renowned for its quality service and extensive network. For those seeking long term rentals, Hertz offers customizable packages that cater to different needs and budgets. From compact cars for solo travelers to larger vehicles for families, Hertz has a vehicle to suit every requirement. Additionally, their loyalty programs and frequent deals make long term rentals even more attractive.

4. Europcar

Europcar is a great option for those looking for flexibility and variety. They offer a range of vehicles suitable for long term rentals and provide excellent customer service. Europcar’s long term rental plans are designed to be flexible and affordable, making it a convenient choice for visitors to Palmerston North.

Tips for Choosing the Best Long Term Car Rental

1. Compare Prices: Always compare the rates of different rental companies. Look for any hidden fees or additional costs that might apply.
2. Check Reviews: Customer reviews can provide insight into the reliability and service quality of the rental company.
3. Understand the Terms: Make sure you understand the rental terms, including mileage limits, fuel policies, and insurance coverage.
4. Book in Advance: To secure the best rates and availability, book your long term rental well in advance of your trip.

Conclusion

Long term car rental in Palmerston North offers a practical and cost-effective solution for extended stays. With several reputable rental companies like Budget, Avis, Hertz, and Europcar, you're sure to find a vehicle that meets your needs and budget. By taking the time to compare options and understand rental terms, you can enjoy the freedom and convenience of having your own transportation while exploring all that Palmerston North has to offer.
Whether you're looking for affordability, variety, or exceptional service, Palmerston North’s best car rental options have you covered. So, book your long term car rental today and make the most of your time in this beautiful city.

Can you imagine life on planet Earth without YouTube, X, Facebook, and smartphones? No, right?
Although these technologies have recently come into the BIG picture, the world in the past couple of decades has significantly changed by them. These new changes shifted us from 'like we used to live' to 'living in the connected world'.
In the world, where organizations operate in the private section, there is a public section and the non-profit sector. These areas are growing and the challenge is to come up with strategies that can drive the firms forward. There is a rising need in every organization for a blue ocean marketing strategy.
In other words, there is a challenge of 'value innovation'. And, blue ocean marketing strategy is the solution.
Here are 4 key trends that you'd like to know, as it happens around us.
Trend #1: Demand For Creative New Solutions
Strategies that worked a couple of years ago are obsolete in today's fast-paced world. Just look at the broad swath of industries that have recently surfaced. In the last couple of years, these industries have been seriously called to task out what once thought was impossible.
They had hardly any time in their hand to strategies to stay relevant and to achieve innovative value at lower costs.
One of the examples is healthcare. Its cost has risen more than 60% in the last decade.
Trend 2: Influencer Economy and Social 'Power Users'
Is it hard to believe that there are more successful people now than ever in the history? But only ten years back, it would still be unbelievable. The surge in social sites, vlogs, blogs, micro-blogs, etc. has become so common that it has shifted the power and credibility of voice from BIG GIANTS to you and me aka ordinary individuals.
Today everyone has access to broadcast their opinion and connect with an infinite number of people. Only Facebook has more than 1.4 billion users to connect and share your story in between groups that are safe and authentic. Around a decade ago, Facebook was just not as popular as now. Take Twitter, I mean X, it has changed so much. Thanks to Elon.
To be a winner, you have to learn from the winner of the new reality. It doesn't mean that you have to get it all at once. A premium offer for your audience should be a good start. That's what gets people calling you to listen to your offering. You can also leverage social media to do it.
Trend #3: Locational Shift In Future Demand & GROWTH PERSPECTIVE
There is a reason why America, Europe, and Japan are taking a backseat when it comes to being the largest economy. Don't get me wrong, America is still the number #1, but China has jumped from tenth to second-largest economy in the world. And, India too has joined the list of the top 10 largest economies in the world.
However, please note that these are two categories of big emerging markets. The previous one had a relatively high per capita income. The new one is still developing. This makes it important for organizations to offer an affordable cost. It's a more critical factor now than ever before! Without this, you as a small business or brand won't be able to unlock the full potential of the demand.
But not to be fooled. Low cost alone isn't just the key factor. These new big emerging markets have a large population and access to the internet, mobile phones, and other tech that raise their sophistication, demand, and desires. So, to capture these savvy customers' heads, hearts, and habits.
Trend $4: The Easiness Of Becoming A Global Player
Lastly, on the scale of a hundred years, the major players came from America, Europe, and Japan. But now this is changing at a remarkable speed. Over the last decade, the number of GIANT from China in the Fortune Global 500 has risen 20x, from India it's 8x, and there is 2x the number of Latin American companies.
This means that these big emerging markets will not only represent oceans of new demand but also represent oceans of new potential competitors with ambitions to touch the sky and go beyond.
The companies from their big emerging markets are just the tip of the iceberg. In the last decade, there has been a paradigm shift in the cost and ease of becoming a global player, no matter where you are from!
With hundreds of websites being created every single minute, any organization can no longer afford to downplay this trend. Today people from anywhere can raise funding, and make a website, and connect with millions of users.
Then there are search engines - aka global business directories and more - that are free. As from a confession of an advertiser, today you can market your offering for free, or with a low entry cost you can become a global player. While, of course, these trends aren't just the passcode to crack the code of becoming a global player. They can certainly intensify global competition. To stand out from the crowd you'd still need to be creative through value innovation.
Today, the challenges and opportunities we are facing are fascinating. These four trends may help you create blue oceans - because it's not just for business - it's for arts, non-profits, public sectors, and even brands.

NETWORK PLANNING ROUNDUP

🔵Updating the agreement: India and the UK updated their Air Service Agreement to allow airlines from both countries to operate an additional 14 flights per week between Heathrow and Delhi/Mumbai. Currently, each country’s carriers can operate 56 weekly flights, so this expansion will raise the cap to 70.
In the short term, this will have a greater impact on UK carriers who currently operate 56 weekly flights as opposed to Indian carriers who operate just 38. In the long run, as Air India and Vistara complete their merger and take delivery of new aircraft, one would imagine they will steadily increase their capacity in the market.

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🔵Second time’s the charm❓️: Qatar has submitted a second request to increase flights between Doha and Australia following their attempt to increase the flight cap between the two countries in 2023. That request was denied for reasons that were unclear and rumors emerged that Qantas lobbied aggressively against Qatar’s request at the time. With demand returning to pre-Covid levels in the broader Asia-Pacific region, it sure would make sense to let Qatar increase their flights to Australia and add some further competition.

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