Nightly Business Report

September kicks off with new all-time highs for the S&P and Nasdaq, but there’s still a ‘wall of worry’ awaiting the market. We break down what investors need to watch.Plus, mom & pop stock trading is at its highest level in a decade, powered in part by Coronavirus lockdowns and free apps like Robinhood. We explore how the rise of individual investing is shaping the market right now.And, the Labor Dept. is proposing new rules that could limit ESG investments in 401(k)s, and some of the world’s largest asset managers are pushing back. We discuss the key details. 

Space is widely referred to as “the final frontier”…but could it be the final “luxury” frontier too? We speak with an analyst who’s betting that consumer space travel is the next must-have for the rich, and why Virgin Galactic is the way to play it. Plus, McDonald’s has some harsh words for its ousted CEO Steve Easterbrook, amid a lawsuit to recoup some of his compensation. We break down the company’s unusual corporate drama, and what it could mean for other firms in the future. And, snack maker Utz makes its public debut on the NYSE through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), following nearly a century as a private family-owned business. We explore the benefits of SPACs for Utz & others in Rapid Fire.

Big layoffs, warnings from food companies, and cautious Fedspeak today…is the economy starting to lose momentum? We’ll explore. Plus, forget Apple and Amazon, if you’re looking for gains, head to the electric vehicle market. We’re talking moves of more than 300%. We look at whether this is sustainable and which stocks are due for a pullback.And, Ulta’s online sales surged 200% in the last quarter. We have a closer look at the products that helped the bottom line and whether the trend will continue to be a thing of beauty.  

The Federal Reserve says its shifting its policy around inflation, which could have long-lasting effects on our economy. We break down this historic move with Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan.Plus, Walmart is teaming with Microsoft in the battle for TikTok, on the same day the embattled social media firm’s CEO quit after less than three months on the job. We explore all of the TikTok drama in Rapid Fire.And, a historic moment for sports, as NBA players walked out of games in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake. We discuss the path forward for pro sports amid social unrest.

Stocks hit new highs today ahead of a key speech from Fed Chair Jerome Powell tomorrow. Will Powell’s remarks be as “profoundly consequential” as strategists are predicting? Our market experts debate.Plus, we get ‘technical’ with Stephen Suttmeier of BofA Securities, who sees four stock charts suggesting a potential breakout ahead.And, as we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, the future for working women is murky as family obligations increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll talk with a economist who says this potential career crisis could set economic equity for women back decades.

Market volatility has led to a major shakeup for ETFs this year, with nearly 200 shut down so far in 2020 – the typical amount for a full year. What does the future hold for passive investments? We’ll explore.Plus, the stay-at-home trend has fueled a flurry of cloud & software IPOs. Is this a fleeting moment for the sector, or tech’s time to shine? We discuss in Rapid Fire.And, housing has been a lynchpin of the economic recovery, with July sales soaring nearly 14%. But with home prices near record highs, is the real estate market running TOO hot? We’ll debate.

Apple shares hit new all-time highs ahead of its upcoming stock split, while Microsoft joins the chorus of companies speaking out against its App Store policies. We break down what the split could mean for weighting in the Dow, and whether Apple’s road to $3 trillion just got trickier.Plus, a pandemic-induced hiring spree has led to nearly 500,000 new jobs in the fast food space. We discuss which restaurant names are leading the way, and who’s lagging behind in Rapid Fire.And, according to a new Barron’s report, the economic fallout could reach $700 billion if America’s schools continue to remain closed. We explore all angles of this looming education crisis. 

Stocks rallying after existing home sales in July posted its biggest increase EVER… an economist and an investment strategist weigh in.And entrepreneur Don Peebles on Joe Biden’s messaging…and why it’s going to take NYC a decade to recover from the economic fallout due to the pandemic.Sticking with New York, some big-name hotels are in big trouble as they remain vacant. A look at the foreclosures that may be coming in Manhattan and across the country.  

California is having a rough go… blackouts and wildfires on top of the Covid 19 outbreak. We talk to the mayor of San Jose about all that, plus the future of Uber and Lyft in the state.Speaking of California, it’s one of the states as part of a coalition suing the United States Postal Service. The Attorney General joins to discuss the suit.And, Taco Bell’s pandemic revamp, Instagram’s new feature and Airbnb plans to go public. 

Lumber prices are soaring in 2020 as homebuilding is hot…a look at how to play that surge without having to buy a forest.And, why Axios’ Dan Primack calls Trump an ‘activist’ when it comes to getting involved in dealmaking.Plus, a shuffle button for Netflix, Harvard on hold, and fanny packs are back. That’s all in today’s Rapid Fire. 

A source tells CNBC that Oracle has entered talks to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. We break down the contenders vs. pretenders in the race for a TikTok takeover.Plus, ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games is seeking a preliminary injunction against Apple is in its App Store dispute. Could this be the start of trouble ahead for the tech giant? We explore in Rapid Fire.And, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq just hit new record highs. But as retail names sell off and stimulus talks stall in Congress, is this as good as it gets for stocks? Our market experts debate.

With vaccine stocks on a tear due to late-stage trials and government contracts for Covid vaccines, Jefferies’ Healthcare Equity Strategist tells us why those names could go the way of the pot stocks.And, a Democratic Congressman explains why he called trading app Robinhood ‘unethical’—and the changes he wants made to protect customers.Plus, in today’s Rapid Fire…Uber’s California fight, the US and China’s “tik” for tat, Buffett’s shiny bet and NYC hotels get an elopement boost. 

A California court just ruled Amazon can be liable for defective third-party goods sold on its marketplace. What does that mean for the future of its e-commerce business? We debate in Rapid Fire.Plus, retail sales climbed for the third straight month in July, and yet retail bankruptcies continue to rise – now totaling more than 40 this year. We explore the retail wreck.And, scheduled U.S.-China trade talks are reportedly in limbo, as tensions between the two nations continue to climb. But is the ‘phase one’ trade deal in jeopardy too? We’ll discuss.

Tesla & Moderna are among the high-flying Nasdaq names in 2020, but shares of diabetes management innovator Dexcom have nearly doubled this year too. We talk to CEO Kevin Sayer about what’s driving company growth.Plus, Apple is reportedly set to launch a series of consumer subscription bundles, including virtual fitness classes. Can it compete with the likes of Peloton & Nike in the exercise sector? We debate in Rapid Fire.And, is the private sector the solution to solving the COVID-19 testing crisis? We ask expert Dr. Michael Osterholm, who gives the U.S. a failing grade in our efforts thus far.

The anticipation for investors is over as Joe Biden has selected Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. What can Wall St. expect if the pair get elected in November? Our experts debate.Plus, vertical farming unicorn Plenty just inked a deal to supply produce to more than 400 Albertsons stores. We discuss the deal, the ag-tech startup scene and more with Plenty CEO Matt Barnard.And, investors poured more than $19 billion into municipal bond funds over the past three months. But can the “muni” momentum continue? We’ll explore.

With the S&P 500 just points away from its all-time intraday high, we take a look at whether there is more positive momentum for stocks and where to put money to work. And, Russia approving a Covid vaccine for the public without completing a Phase III trial and without any studies published by researchers...the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia weighs in on the safety issues and how that could disrupt the global race for a vaccine. Plus, the pandemic could cancel the fall season for college sports, leaving colleges without billions in revenue. A top expert weighs in on the wide-spread ramifications. 

Treasury Sec. Mnuchin says there’s room for compromise on a new COVID-19 relief deal, just days after President Trump signed executive orders furthering aid amid stalled talks in congress. Is a new deal on the horizon? We’ll explore.Plus, Twitter has reportedly emerged as another potential suitor for TikTok, joining frontrunner Microsoft. But will TikTok’s U.S. ban ever actually take effect? We’ll discuss with a pair of experts.And, Chinese cloud giants Tencent & Alibaba could be next on the chopping block, as the White House urges an American boycott on them. But could this rock the market here at home? We’ll debate in RAPID FIRE. 

The jobs report was better than feared after a bad ADP reading. Will that take the urgency away from a stimulus deal? We have the latest.Plus, the President is escalating his tech battle with China saying he’ll ban business transactions with the owners of WeChat and TikTok. The move could have huge implications for U.S. companies. We’ll explore.And, while New York just announced schools can open this fall, many other states are opting for online-only.That decision is making some parents ban together to form learning pods at home. Will this just widen the achievement gap between rich and poor? We’ll debate.

Markets in limbo ahead of tomorrow’s July jobs report and an agreement on stimulus from Congress. The CEO of Recruiter.com—which called the past three jobs numbers right—tells us what he’s looking for in the data.Plus, a Facebook hotline to report hate speech, Nikola is no longer pre-revenue and people are taking the plunge into pools…that’s in today’s Rapid Fire.And, colleges have borrowed heavily from muni markets over the years…why that could put some universities on the financial brink. 

Wall Street may not love banks, but Warren Buffett sure does—the Oracle of Omaha buying Bank of America shares for 12 days in a row. A top analyst tells us why banks could climb 50% from here.And, Square Co-Founder Jim McKelvey says he couldn’t wait for government money to go to Covid research…how he’s putting his own money to work at a medical school to help fight the pandemic.Plus, CNBC takes a look at an Ohio city that’s gone from bustling college town to a quiet ghost town due to the coronavirus.