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MATICUSD

Polygon's (CRYPTO: MATIC) price has risen by 5.18% in the last 24 hours, reaching $0.87, continuing a weekly upward trend with a 5.0% gain. The coin's all-time high is $2.92. Trading volume increased by 46.0% over the past week, and the circulating supply rose by 0.37% to 9.28 billion, which is 92.83% of the max supply. MATIC's market cap is currently ranked #14 at $8.09 billion.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 12, 2023 | 7:00 pm

CAVA

DIA

ENPH

FSLR

JCI

LCID

MRVI

ORCL

QQQ

SEDG

SPY

TAN

XLE

XLF

U.S. stocks are approaching all-time highs with the VIX at nearly 3-year lows ahead of the Fed meeting. Inflation data for November showed a slight decrease, aligning with estimates. The U.S. dollar index dipped slightly, while Treasury yields were stable. Gold and Bitcoin declined, and oil prices faced downward pressure. SPY, DIA, and QQQ ETFs saw modest gains, while XLF rose and XLE fell. Solar ETF TAN dropped significantly. LCID, ORCL, CAVA, MRVI, SEDG, ENPH, FSLR, and JCI stocks had notable movements due to various company-specific news.

Portfolio Pulse from Piero Cingari

December 12, 2023 | 6:56 pm

HEI

TDG

VSEC

William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma initiated coverage on Boeing (BA), Transdigm Group (TDG), and Heico Corporation (HEI), with an Outperform rating, and reiterated the same rating for VSE Corporation (VSEC). DiPalma predicts an aftermarket supercycle in the aviation industry due to increased travel and aging aircraft fleets. Boeing is expected to resume sales of B737 MAX to Chinese airlines. TransDigm is anticipated to return to its historical average premium valuation, and Heico is expected to see at least a 21% upside due to its unique FAA-PMA parts production method.

Portfolio Pulse from Shivani Kumaresan

December 12, 2023 | 6:52 pm

TLT

The Federal Reserve's final meeting of 2023 is anticipated to provide crucial economic projections and a dot plot indicating future interest rate expectations. The consensus is that the rate-hiking cycle has peaked, with rates expected to stabilize between 5.25%-5.50%. Investors are focused on the FOMC's new economic projections and the dot plot for insights into the Fed's economic outlook. The September dot plot suggested a median rate of 5.6% by the end of 2023, which has not been realized, and a 50-basis-point reduction to 5.1% by the end of 2024, contrasting with market expectations of significant cuts to 4%-4.25%. A median dot projection above 4.9% for 2024 would be seen as hawkish, while a cut to 4.6% or below would be interpreted as dovish. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has risen 12% since the November FOMC meeting, reflecting market expectations for lower rates.

Portfolio Pulse from Piero Cingari

December 12, 2023 | 6:52 pm

HCA

HCA Healthcare's (NYSE:HCA) short interest has decreased by 14.96% since the last report, with 2.12 million shares sold short, representing 1.08% of available shares. The average time to cover these short positions is 1.41 days. A decrease in short interest can indicate a more bullish sentiment towards the stock. HCA's short interest is below its peer group average of 6.16%.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 12, 2023 | 6:45 pm

PXD

Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD) has seen a 31.54% increase in short interest since its last report, with 3.97 million shares sold short, representing 1.71% of available shares. The average time to cover these short positions is 1.99 days. While an increase in short interest can indicate bearish sentiment, it does not necessarily predict a near-term price drop. Compared to its peers, PXD has a lower short interest as a percentage of float (1.71% vs. peer average of 6.07%).

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 12, 2023 | 6:45 pm

Block (NYSE:SQ) has seen an 8.64% increase in short interest since its last report, with 22.83 million shares sold short, representing 4.15% of available shares. It would take 2.23 days to cover these short positions based on current trading volume. While an increase in short interest can indicate bearish sentiment, Block has less short interest compared to its peer group average of 5.96%. This data suggests investors should be cautious, but not necessarily expect a near-term decline in stock price.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 12, 2023 | 6:45 pm

BNTX

MRK

MRNA

PFE

Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) is restructuring its operating model to prioritize sales of its COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, and the launch of its RSV vaccine in 2024. CEO Stephane Bancel will oversee sales and marketing, while President Stephen Hoge will handle pipeline commercial strategy. Arpa Garay is expected to leave the company. Moderna and Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) initiated a Phase 3 trial for a cancer therapy. MRNA shares fell 5.54% to $77.47. A patent victory for Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE)/BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) was also noted.

Portfolio Pulse from Vandana Singh

December 12, 2023 | 6:38 pm

MSFT

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) is exploring the use of nuclear power, leveraging AI to streamline regulatory approval processes for nuclear projects. The tech giant's interest in nuclear energy is driven by the high energy consumption of data centers and the need for carbon-free, constant electricity. Microsoft's AI approach, developed through its investment in OpenAI, aims to expedite paperwork and reduce approval times and costs. The company is also collaborating with Terra Praxis and has begun purchasing power from existing nuclear plants. MSFT shares saw a slight increase of 0.31% to $372.45.

Portfolio Pulse from Anusuya Lahiri

December 12, 2023 | 6:36 pm

ERIC

Oppenheimer analyst Timothy Horan maintains a Perform rating on AT&T Inc (NYSE:T), following a conference where AT&T's CFO Pascal Desroches discussed the company's strategies and new deal with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC). Desroches highlighted AT&T's shift to a bundled connectivity provider, Open RAN efforts with Ericsson, and a reduction in capital expenditure to $21-22 billion next year. AT&T expects to improve free cash flow and sees fiber as a key growth driver, aiming to leverage government subsidies for expansion. The company anticipates 500K phone net adds in Q4 and targets a leverage ratio of 2.5x by 1H25, after which it may adjust its capital allocation strategy. AT&T's shares dropped by 1.18% to $16.42.

Portfolio Pulse from Anusuya Lahiri

December 12, 2023 | 6:33 pm