Top Story
The perks of working from home extend beyond loungewear. Lifestyle gains in terms of lower expenses and more time are tough give-ups.
• Apple (AAPL) saw the steepest decline in its revenue since 2016, citing supply chain issues that impacted iPhone sales as the primary driver. Meanwhile, Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL) missed on the top-and-bottom lines, largely driven by declining ad revenue and increased operational expenses. Finally, Amazon (AMZN) reported better-than-expected revenue, but still finished 2022 with the slowest yearly growth since the company went public.
• The unemployment rate surprised on the upside, coming in at 3.4%, compared to estimates of 3.6%. Meanwhile, nonfarm payrolls reported significantly better-than-expected numbers, showing that the US added 517,000 jobs compared to the 187,000 forecast.
• Two of the biggest video game producers, Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO), will announce their quarterly figures. Notably, Activision Blizzard should offer insight into its ongoing acquisition by Microsoft (MSFT), which has been halted by regulators.
Solar investing has become increasingly popular in recent years as the cost of solar panels has fallen and the technology has become more efficient. Solar panels are now available for a fraction of the cost of traditional electric power, and they are becoming more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.
Investing in the solar energy industry can be a great way to profit from the growth outlook for solar energy. However, it’s necessary to do your homework before investing in any solar company or fund or installing solar panels on your home. Here’s how to invest in solar energy.
Not-so-breaking news
Ryan Cohen, the chairman of GameStop (GME), has taken an activist investor position in Nordstrom (JWN). This announcement came after the retailer reported lower-than-expected holiday sales and lowered its 2023 guidance.
Alphabet (GOOGL) reported lower-than-expected earnings for both revenue and profit. The owner of Google and YouTube posted revenue growth of just 1% for the fourth quarter.
Amazon’s (AMZN) ad business grew 19% in the fourth quarter, stealing market share from Google and Facebook (META). Amazon now controls 7.3% of the digital advertising market.
Tesla’s (TSLA) sales surged in China after it slashed the price of its cars. Elon Musk’s electric car maker has reportedly sold over 66,000 cars in 2023 already, a 10% increase from last year.
Cigna (CI) missed analyst expectations on revenue but beat on profit. The healthcare and insurance company credited its strong performance with lower COVID-related medical costs.
Financial planner tip of the day
"While refinancing federal student loans is a complex decision right now, it might be helpful to explore if there are ways to pay down your private loans more efficiently."