Madison Mills

    Host and Reporter

    Mady hosts Catalysts from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  • Why DraftKings' surcharge in high-tax states makes sense: CEO

    DraftKings (DKNG) shares are under pressure following the company's mixed second quarter earnings report. CEO Jason Robins joins Catalysts to discuss his outlook on the company's future business operations. Robins emphasizes that the company isn't planning major changes, but instead aims to increase investment in what is already a "strong customer acquisition environment." He mentions one notable change for next year: the implementation of new charges for customers in high-tax states, which he believes will help "offset next year and maybe even deliver a positive EBITDA tailwind." When it comes to where or not rivals will try to take advantage of DraftKings' new surcharge, Robins suggests a wait-and-see approach, given that those companies have the same math is companies do and are under pressure to deliver a profit. However, Robins stresses that investments will remain the main focus, stating, "Product is the most important thing, customer experience is the most important thing, and we want to make sure we can continue to invest there." He views this strategy as the best way for DraftKings to outperform its competition. The new charges for users in higher-tax states will create room for these investments, he explains. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Hess focus is 'an overhang' for Chevron: Portfolio manager

    The energy sector is in focus as ExxonMobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) both reported second-quarter earnings. ExxonMobile beat expectations on both revenue and profit, reporting revenue of $93.06 billion, surpassing estimates of $87.75 billion. Adjusted earnings also exceeded projections, coming in at $2.14 per share versus the expected $2.03. Chevron saw mixed results, topping revenue estimates with $51.18 billion against projections of $50.31 billion, while adjusted EPS fell short at $2.56, missing the estimated $2.93. Tortoise portfolio manager Brian Kessens joins Catalysts to discuss his outlook on each company following their respective reports. Kessens notes that Exxon beat their production estimates while also outperforming on their "three larger horses that they're betting on" for long-term growth. These include their legacy Permian position, the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, and their Guyana assets. Kessens states he "really like[s] what Exxon is doing." On the other hand, he points out that Chevron experienced "unplanned downtime" in their production this quarter, falling short on numerous international operations. With the Hess (HES) acquisition being a significant focus at Chevron, Kessens describes it as "an overhang" for the company. "I think from a business perspective, their best [bet] is to keep their head down, fight through and execute on their existing business, and try to put the Hess acquisition to the side as they focus on that," he told Yahoo Finance. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon outlines vision for next president

    JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon has published an op-ed in The Washington Post outlining his recommendations for the next president to consider. Notably, Dimon did not explicitly endorse either presidential campaign for the 2024 election. Yahoo Finance senior columnist Rick Newman analyzes the key points of Dimon's article. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • New realtor rules: What home buyers and sellers need to know

    New realtor commission policies are set to come in effect on August 17, but how will these policies impact home buyers and sellers? Yahoo Finance’s Alexis Keenan breaks down the policies and its impact on those in the housing market. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Mariela Rosales.

  • Claudia Sahm: 'Very concerned' about recession in 3, 6 months

    The July jobs report fell short of expectations, with the US economy adding only 114,000 jobs compared to the forecasted 175,000. The unemployed rate also increased to 4.3%, which is the highest level in about three years. Yahoo Finance anchor Madison Mills explains that the Sahm rule "says that if the three-month moving average of the unemployment rate rises by half a percentage point from the previous that signals the start of a recession." Yahoo Finance sat down with the creator of the Sahm rule, Claudia Sahm, chief economist at New Century Advisors and former Federal Reserve Board economist, to discuss the state of the economy. Sahm notes that she doesn't think we are in a recession right now given the current macro-environment, but she believes "that the increases in the unemployment rate and the softening in the labor market is worrisome... and we could end up in a recession in say 3 months, 6 months," which Sahm "is very concerned about." Sahm adds that "the Sahm rule is probably overplaying it right now, to some extent, just because of... a lot of shocks we're working through," such as the pandemic and labor force. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Mariela Rosales.

  • Nvidia investors 'should get comfortable' with volatility

    Nvidia (NVDA) has seen some volatility recently with shares down in early trading on Friday. Wealth Enhancement Group senior portfolio manager Ayako Yoshioka joins Yahoo Finance to talk about earnings season and Nvidia's recent moves. "Sentiment and the earnings bar was very high going into earnings season," Yoshioka explains about Big Tech earnings, "you're seeing a lot of that sort of come out just because expectations were very high and the reports were okay, but nothing great." "With Nvidia, you have to be patient, you don't have to go all in right here, right now," Yoshioka says. "When momentum starts to roll both on the upside, as well as on the downside it tends to continue a little bit so... for investors we think you should get comfortable with some of the volatility." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Mariela Rosales.

  • BofA stock dips as Berkshire Hathaway trims stake further

    Shares of Bank of America (BAC) are trading lower Friday following news that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) has further reduced its position in the bank. This latest sell-off comes after Berkshire Hathaway offloaded shares on Wednesday. The recent transactions bring the total value of Bank of America shares sold by Berkshire since mid-July to $3.8 billion. Catalysts co-hosts Seana Smith and Madison Mills break down the details. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • What rate cuts could mean for Treasury yields, bond market

    Treasury yields (^TYX, ^TNX, ^FVX) tip lower Thursday morning after the Federal Reserve's motion to hold interest rates. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is due to report July jobs data Friday morning. What are the prospects of possible rate cuts in September and incoming economic data mean for the bond market? "Overall, we think yields come down, but we do think it's gone down a little bit too fast, and the market is definitely a bit too dovish versus what the Fed has guided," UBS head of taxable fixed income strategy Leslie Falconio tells Yahoo Finance. Falconio joins Catalysts to talk about the impact rate cuts will have on bonds and the fixed-income market, taking into consideration the Fed's dual mandate to balance the labor market. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

  • Big Tech's AI investments, Anheuser-Busch earnings: Catalysts

    Today on Catalysts, hosts Seana Smith and Madison Mills explore leading themes in the AI trade, the morning's top trending stocks, and the latest economic data. AI takes center stage as Meta Platforms' (META) earnings surpass Wall Street expectations. While tech companies have faced scrutiny for massive AI capital expenditures, Synovus Trust VP and senior portfolio manager Daniel Morgan discusses how Meta has shifted this narrative. The focus then turns to trending tickers, analyzing the stock reactions of Volkswagen (VOW3.DE, VWAGY), ConocoPhillips (COP), and Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) after all three reported earnings. Finally, Yahoo Finance reporter Josh Schafer breaks down expectations for July's jobs data due out Friday and examines the probability of the print triggering the Sahm Rule. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • US jobless claims hit 11-month high. What can job seekers expect?

    US initial jobless claims rose by 249,000 for the week ending on July 27, according to the US Dept. of Labor. It's an 11-month high. What does this new record reveal about the labor market? Catalyst Anchor Madison Mills joins Wealth! to break down the latest jobless claims report and what it means for workers and job seekers. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • AI capex will be pivotal figure in tech, chip earnings

    The chip sector reverses course from gains seen earlier this week. Will this trend continue or will chip stocks rebound even higher? Harvest Portfolio Management Co-CIO Paul Meeks joins Catalysts to discuss his outlook on tech amid this earnings season. Meeks describes the current earnings season as "weird and squirrelly," stating he is refraining from buying tech names until the season concludes. He notes that while some companies are posting strong results, "their stocks go down the next day," leading him to characterize it as "too difficult of a market." Regarding tech names, Meeks observes that this earnings season, "The only thing that was not controversial at all is how much... money they're going to spend on AI CapEx [capital expenditures]." He believes this "bodes incredibly well" for companies like Nvidia (NVDA), saying the semiconductor giant will "have a hold on this market as far as the eye can see." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • ConocoPhillips posts Q2 profit beat

    Shares of ConocoPhillips (COP) are on the move Thursday morning after the company posted second quarter results, which revealed it beat profit expectations, posting an adjusted $1.98 per share versus an expected $1.94 per share. The company also slightly bumped up its capital expenditures guidance. Catalyst Anchors Madison Mills and Seana Smith break down the latest developments with ConocoPhillips and how they may operate moving forward. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Meta, Big Tech are being rewarded for expanding AI spend

    The AI boom is expanding across all industries, but markets are increasingly concerned about whether the substantial investments tech companies are making will yield returns on investment in the near future. Synovus Trusts VP and senior portfolio manager Daniel Morgan joins Catalysts to discuss this trend. Morgan observes that nearly all major tech companies are investing aggressively in AI. He notes an interesting pattern: if companies invest in AI but their core businesses underperform, investors are unimpressed. However, if AI investments coincide with strong core business performance, companies are rewarded by the market. Regarding Wall Street's acceptance of Meta Platforms' (META) high capital expenditure (CapEx) spend on AI, Morgan explains, "I think it's the fact that we're seeing a better return on investment versus metaverse... and I think that's why they're getting rewarded." Meta stock continues to rise in Thursday's session after topping second quarter earnings estimates on Wednesday. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • July jobs report: How it could trigger the Sahm Rule

    The highly anticipated July jobs report is scheduled for release on Friday. It could trigger a highly-watched recession indicator known as the Sahm Rule. Yahoo Finance reporter Josh Schafer explains what the rule is and why it may not apply this time. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Strategist's one 'great thing' about the Fed waiting to cut

    The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that they are holding interest rates steady, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggesting that a rate cut could "be on the table" for September. Following Thursday's softer than expected ISM manufacturing data, BNY Wealth chief investment officer Sinead Colton Grant joins Catalysts to discuss her outlook on the Fed's future actions. Grant notes that while the manufacturing print was soft, this sector typically struggles more than services. She doesn't believe this data represents "new news" that will significantly impact markets. Instead, Grant points out that the rising unemployment rate is starting to become more of a concern for the Fed. "The great thing about deferring a rate cut until September is that the Fed now gets two more data prints on inflation, and two more labor market reports to consider," Grant told Yahoo Finance. She added that the Fed currently sees a September rate cut as "more likely." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • US pending home sales, AMD chip rally: Catalysts

    Today on Catalysts, hosts Seana Smith and Madison Mills delve into the latest economic data, top trending tickers, and the semiconductor industry. US housing data takes center stage as pending home sales surpassed economist expectations, rising 4.8% in June. This news comes as the Federal Reserve prepares to announce its decision on interest rates later this afternoon. The show then turns to trending tickers, spotlighting Delta Air Lines (DAL), Altria Group (MO), Mastercard (MA), and Boeing (BA)— which announced its new CEO in former Collins Aerospace CEO Robert "Kelly" Ortberg, set to begin in his new chief executive role on August 8. The program concludes with a focus on the chip sector, following Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD) second quarter earnings beat that has sparked a rally among semiconductor stocks. Angelo Zino, CFRA Research senior equity analyst, talks why he believes the AI momentum in the chip sector will persist. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Meta's earnings will be 'discouraging': Portfolio manager

    Several of the Magnificent Seven tech giants, including Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Tesla (TSLA), and now Microsoft (MSFT), have failed to impress investors despite beating revenue and profit expectations. Luke Stone, Winthrop Capital Management portfolio manager, joins Catalysts to discuss this trend and why he anticipates "a discouraging print" from Meta Platforms' (META) upcoming earnings report due out after Wednesday's market close. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • AI concerns are easing in chip sector: Analyst

    The semiconductor sector is experiencing a rally following Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD) second quarter earnings beat, driven by strong AI chip sales. Angelo Zino, CFRA Research senior equity analyst joins Catalysts to discuss these market gains within the chip sector. Zino observes that the chip space is undergoing its own rotation out of semiconductor and AI names, mirroring the broader tech market rotation. However, with AMD's earnings beat, he notes that fears about the sustainability of this momentum or the materialization of revenue from AI investments "is starting to ease." With Nvidia's (NVDA) earnings results still some time away, questions are rising about whether the chip sector can maintain its momentum. Zino points out that catalysts can come not only from chip earnings but also from tech earnings and even analog plays like Texas Instruments (TXN). Nevertheless, he tells Yahoo Finance: "We think Nvidia's gonna post some great results. We think that's gonna be a catalyst for the space." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • As CRE cash flows rise, expect 'few years of tough headlines'

    The commercial real estate (CRE) space has taken a hit after the COVID-19 pandemic, stemming from the advent of remote and hybrid work setups. Data from MSCI shows that there is $20.5 billion worth of portfolios of foreclosed and seized properties in the second quarter, a 13% increase since the previous quarter. JPMorgan Co-Head of US real estate stock research Anthony Paolone joins Catalysts to give insight into the current landscape for commercial real estate and what it means for the broader market moving forward. "Interest rates certainly play a big role in commercial real estate and certainly how the properties are valued. But what we think is pretty interesting is that this move up in rates over the last couple of years, we've seen the publicly traded real estate stocks, the REITs [real estate investment trusts] mainly already adjust to that rate environment," Paolone tells Yahoo Finance. "And so to the extent we get any movement down in rates, we think it's actually pretty positive for these companies. We think the private market is still going to take some time to fully adjust."  For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • StubHub sued, accused of deceptive pricing

    StubHub is facing a legal challenge. Washington DC's Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging the online ticket provider violated local consumer protection laws by adding unexpected fees during a prolonged checkout process. A StubHub spokesperson tells Yahoo Finance they are "disappointed" in the filing and says "...our consumer experience is consistent with the law, our competitors' practices, and the broader e-commerce sector." Yahoo Finance legal reporter Alexis Keenan analyzes this legal action and its potential implications for consumers. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Catalysts. This post was written by Angel Smith