Investments and Business

A red hat reading “Keep America Great” perched on a Christmas tree during a rally in Michigan in December 2019 symbolized the intersection of politics and culture in the United States. Four years later, the 2024 presidential election has once again drawn a sharp line through consumer sentiment, reflecting the confidence – or concerns – of voters as the holiday shopping season begins. Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, is taking on a new tone this year as political divisions creep into consumer behavior. CNBC spoke to shoppers across the country, including Texas, Michigan, New Jersey,…

Anthony Edwards, known for his fearless demeanor on and off the court, didn't hold back after the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a 115-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The young star, now in his fifth NBA season, offered a blunt criticism of his team's performances, pointing to internal problems as the root of their recent decline. “We are soft (heck) as a team, but not in the way we deal with opponents – internally we are soft,” Edwards said. “We don't communicate, we act like a bunch of kids. This is the reality and if we don't face it, we will…

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently traveled to Mar-a-Lago, Florida to meet with US President-elect Donald Trump, aiming to address trade tensions and strengthen bilateral relations. Despite previous friction between the two leaders, Trudeau remains engaged in collaborative discussions, hoping to protect Canadian industries and consumers from potentially disruptive U.S. trade policies. During the meeting, Trudeau sought to address concerns about Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, a move Trump said would curb drug trafficking and unauthorized immigration across the borders of the United States. However, Canadian officials argue that their country's situation differs significantly from…

Scott Bessent, founder and CEO of Key Square Group LP, has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump for the crucial role of Treasury secretary. The news has already sparked optimism in financial markets, with stock futures rising and Treasury yields falling early Monday. This reaction followed Friday's announcement that Trump intended to name Bessent, a seasoned Wall Street figure, as his administration's top economic policymaker. The appointment sends a clear signal of Trump's commitment to putting someone with extensive market experience and a shared economic philosophy at the helm of the Treasury Department. Analysts widely praised the decision, noting that…

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Hassett to lead the National Economic Council (NEC), placing the veteran economist at the forefront of the administration's decision-making on trade, taxes and deregulation. The announcement, made by Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, marks a significant step in finalizing his economic team ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. Hassett, who previously served as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) during Trump's first term, is no stranger to the administration's economic agenda. During his tenure at CEA, Hassett played a critical role in supporting the 2017 Republican…

US-China economic relations are facing new uncertainties after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. The announcement, made on its social media platform Truth Social, signals a significant escalation in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Trump's statement came shortly after he revealed his intention to enact a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada as one of his first executive actions on Jan. 20, the day he took office. This move is expected to effectively dismantle the existing regional free trade agreement between the three nations. Trump…

Liverpool produced a commanding performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving Carlo Ancelotti's side reeling. Among those under most scrutiny was Kylian Mbappe, whose disappointing performance, capped by a missed penalty, added to an already challenging start to his time at the Spanish club. With Vinicius Junior unavailable due to injury, the stage seemed set for Mbappe to shine and cement his place as the cornerstone of Real Madrid's attack. Instead, the French striker faltered, failing to take advantage of key opportunities and struggling to establish himself against an energetic Liverpool side. Mbappe's frustration was evident…

As President-elect Donald Trump renews his calls for high tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico, the global auto industry braces for potential supply chain disruptions and rising costs. However, Ferrari, the iconic Italian luxury automaker, appears uniquely positioned to weather the storm, even as other manufacturers face growing challenges. Trump's proposed measures include a 10% tariff on all goods entering the United States from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, triggering concerns across industries that rely heavily on global trade. While European automakers have yet to be directly targeted, analysts suggest it may…

Databricks, one of the world's most valuable private technology companies, is raising billions of dollars in new funding as it chooses to delay its long-awaited public offering, sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The San Francisco-based company is reportedly securing at least $5 billion in its latest funding round, with the potential to raise as much as $8 billion as discussions progress. This new round would push Databricks' valuation to $55 billion, making it one of the most valuable private technology companies globally. The funding round, according to insiders, is partly designed to allow employees to sell shares, easing…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, but made clear that any unilateral trade measures imposed by his administration will be met with reciprocal action by Mexico. In a letter he plans to send to Trump, Sheinbaum stressed the need for cooperation and mutual understanding, cautioning against addressing complex issues such as migration and drug trafficking through threats or punitive tariffs. “It is not through threats or unilateral measures that we can address immigration or drug use in the United States,” Sheinbaum said in his letter. However, he added that if…