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Full Court Finance

Ben Rains takes on the weeks top trending stories in the sports industry
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Now displaying: February, 2017
Feb 28, 2017

On today’s episode of Tech Talk Tuesday, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney explores Facebook’s attempts to clone Snapchat’s user experience and discusses how the world leader in social media plans to maintain its lead over the up-and-coming company. Please pick a time stamped topic below:

(0:30) - Snapchat Clones

(2:00) - Instagram Stories        

(3:30) - WhatsApp Status

(5:30) - Two Reasons Why Facebook Does Snapchat Better

(8:20) - Episode Recap

Make sure to subscribe to the Zacks Stocks in the News podcast section on iTunes for this—and more—exclusive audio content!

Feb 24, 2017

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest stories, as well as preview one of the biggest market events of the past several years: the upcoming IPO of Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. Please pick a time stamped topic below:

(1:45) - Walmart Earnings Report

(5:00) - Tesla Earnings Report

(11:55) - Snapchat: What's the pricing and size of the IPO

(15:20) - CEO Evan Spiegel: The youngest billionaire

(18:15) - Snapchat Spectacles

(20:25) - Everyone is Copying Snapchat: How big is the market?

(25:30) - Episode Recap

Feb 21, 2017

On today’s episode of Shopping for Stocks, Editor Maddy Johnson takes a look at America’s largest retailer, Walmart (WMT), who has been on quite the acquisition spree lately. Pick a time stamped topic below:

 

(0:35) - Wal-Mart E-commerce Shopping Spree: Moose Jaw Acquisition

(3:35) - What Does Wal-Mart Get Out of the Deal?

(5:35) - Episode Round Up

Feb 17, 2017

In a special edition of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by Brendan Ahern, the Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares.

KraneShares is a leading provider of China-focused exchange-traded funds and Chinese investment education. Brendan joined the hosts of the Finish Line for a special beginner’s guide to the Chinese economy and investing in China. Please pick a time stamped topic below:

 

(2:50) - What is driving the Chinese economy?

(5:50) - China's ghost city's and currency manipulation.

(11:45) - How to invest in China's market place

(17:20) - The growing middle classes influence on trading.

(20:00) - Krane Shares ETF: Investing Ideas

Feb 14, 2017

Welcome to the latest Zacks exclusive podcast! On the very first episode of Zacks Tech Talk Tuesday, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney explores some of the prevailing theories surrounding the iPhone 8, including the rumor that Apple is teaming up with another company to deliver long-distance wireless charging in the upcoming phone.

Tech Talk Tuesday

Brought to you by the co-host of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, Tech Talk Tuesday is a new biweekly podcast designed for all of the tech-crazed investors out there. The show will focus specifically on the hardware and software products that drive the sales of some of the world’s biggest technology companies.

In the world of tech investing, it is easy to get lost in the endless sea of market data. One can easily forget about what these companies are actually doing: innovating, inventing, and trying to change the word. Tech Talk Tuesday is here to remind us about the amazing technology of the present and the fascinating potential of the future.

iPhone 8 Rumors

For the first Tech Talk Tuesday, the focus was planted squarely on the tech world’s biggest name: Apple Inc. (AAPL).

Apple is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its flagship iPhone line, and consumers are already expecting three new phones from the company in 2017. Apple will most likely deliver “7s” and “7s Plus” options in the first half of the year, with the iPhone 8 coming towards holiday season.

Of course, this is just speculation at this point. But speculation is fun. Speculating about what Apple is going to do next is one of the most fun things ever. You literally never know exactly what the company is up to, but it is fascinating to compile the leaks, reports, and rumors.

As for the iPhone 8, one of the main rumors so far is related to the inclusion of wireless charging technology in the phone. Wireless charging is an interesting concept, and current options rely on magnetic energy to charge, requiring users to place their device on some sort of compatible pad.

Enter Energous Corporation (WATT), an innovative wireless charging company that uses RF waves to charge. Energous promises “long-distance” wireless charging, and many people think the company could be teaming up with Apple to incorporate the tech in the iPhone 8.

This week’s episode explores the reality of Energous’ involvement with the phone and raises some questions as to whether the company will ever be able to deliver the charging technology it claims to have.

If you enjoy the episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a rating! Thanks for joining, and we will see you next time!

Feb 10, 2017

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest stories, including how President Donald Trump has sent gold prices and Nordstrom stock soaring, as well as the mixed earnings results of Disney and Twitter. Pick a time stamped topic below:

 

(1:55) - The Trump Effect: Gold Prices Surging

(4:45) - Nordstrom stock up tick after Trump twitter attack

(13:00) - Disney Earnings Report

(21:45) - Twitter Earnings Report

(31:00) - Episode Round up

Feb 6, 2017

On today’s episode of Shopping for Stocks, Editor Maddy Johnson takes on a huge problem facing the retail industry: big retail brands closing down stores.

One of the biggest announcements came from department store bellwether Macy’s (M), who, after reporting a 2.1% drop in comparable sales for November and December and slashing its full-year profit forecast, is closing 63 stores this spring, eliminating 10,000 jobs in the process. Of the total jobs being cut, 3,900 jobs will be at stores being shut down, already part of a plan announced last August to close 100 of its 730 namesake stores. An additional 6,200 jobs will be eliminated due to streamlining and cutting costs.

Fellow department store Sears (SHLD), in addition to news that it would sell its iconic Craftsman tool brand to Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), announced it would close 109 Kmart stores and 41 of its namesake Sears outlets; the company did not say how many workers would be affected. Sears closed 78 stores last year, and over 200 in 2015.

CVS Health (CVS) recently outlined its long-term growth strategy, which includes closing 70 stores in the next few months as well as a cost-cutting plan that would bring in $3 billion in savings from 2017 to 2021.

Women’s clothing retailer The Limited, based in New Albany, Ohio, closed all of its brick-and-mortar stores this past weekend, but will continue to operate online only after January 8. The company operated about 250 mall-based stores in 2016, and the closings will affect roughly 4,000 jobs. Over the past several weeks, The Limited started winding down its business, heavily discounting its product up to 70%-80% with signs exclaiming “Everything Must Go!”

Other mall retailers like Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), The Children’s Place (PLCE), Chico’s (CHS), Finish Line (FINL), and Men’s Wearhouse are all expected to close stores this year as well. The first quarter is notoriously hard for retailers, as consumers are recovering from holiday shopping.

In the midst of all this traditional retail chaos looms Amazon (AMZN), quietly waiting, ready to strike when the moment is right. In the past, that moment has been books, the Cloud, Internet of Things, movies & television, grocery shopping, drones, and almost everything else. Whether or not it will ever be retail, only Jeff Bezos and his crystal ball have the power to tell us that.

Feb 3, 2017

On today’s episode of the Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest story: the highly-anticipated earnings results from three big tech giants, as well as a preview of Super Bowl LI, the biggest television extravaganza of the year. Please pick a time stamped topic below:

*Earnings Recap

            (1:15) - Apple

            (3:45) - Facebook

            (7:55) - Amazon

*2017 Super Bowl 51

            (13:45) - Take an in depth look at Super Bowl commercials

            (20:45) - Super Bowl Beer Consumption

*More Than You Need to Know...

            (26:50) - Houston Fun Facts!

 

 

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