expectations | Common News Update

Apr82021 by adminNo Comments

US suicides dropped last year, defying pandemic expectations

Health

The number of U.S. suicides fell nearly 6% last year amid the coronavirus pandemic — the largest annual decline in at least four decadesBy MIKE STOBBE AP Medical WriterApril 8, 2021, 10:06 PM• 3 min readNEW YORK -- The number of U.S. suicides fell nearly 6% last year amid the coronavirus pandemic — the largest annual decline in at least four decades, according to preliminary government data.Death certificates are still coming in and the count could rise. But officials expect a substantial decline will endure, despite worries that COVID-19 could lead to more suicides.It is hard to say exactly why suicide deaths dropped so much, but one factor may be a phenomenon seen in the early stages of wars and national disasters, some experts suggested.“There's a heroism phase in every disaster period,...

Oct202019 by adminNo Comments

Stocks will likely hit new records in the week ahead if earnings keep topping expectations

Finance

Stocks will try in the week ahead to break the all-time highs set earlier in the year as a slew of S&P 500 companies get set to report.The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average are both around 1% below their all-time highs while the Nasdaq Composite is about 2% away from its record. The indexes got a lift this after a big chunk of this week's reporters posted better-than-expected results. They were also boosted by improving sentiment around Brexit and U.S.-China trade negotiations.The all-time highs could be tested as about 120 S&P 500 companies, or around 24%, are scheduled to release their quarterly results in the week ahead. Some of those companies include Caterpillar and Boeing, both of which are expected to report Wednesday before the bell. Amazon, Intel, McDonald's and...

Jul152019 by adminNo Comments

Europe stocks reverse gains despite China data meeting expectations; Galapagos up 17%

Finance

European stocks erased early gains on Monday, amid worries that China's economy is slowing due to a trade war with the U.S.European Markets: FTSE, GDAXI, FCHI, IBEXThe pan-European Stoxx 600 traded 0.3% lower by mid-morning. Telecoms stocks led losses with a 0.9% decline while autos added 0.6% as one of only two sectors trading in positive territory.Traders kept a close watch on the latest economic figures out of China. The country posted second-quarter figures on Monday that showed its economy grew 6.2% in the second-quarter, at its slowest pace in 27 years. Still, China's GDP (gross domestic product) growth was in line with expectations, and data for industrial production, retail sales and fixed-asset investment came in above analyst expectations.Chinese stocks got a boost from the fresh...

Jun102019 by adminNo Comments

Grape expectations: DNA reveals history of vintage wine

Science

The French were probably sipping wine made from an identical grape to one used today back in medieval times.DNA from ancient grape seeds shows the grapevine behind a local vintage has been cultivated continuously for 900 years.Ancient grapes found at archaeological sites also reveal what the Romans grew in their vineyards 2,000 years ago.They may have made wines closely related to Pinot Noir and Syrah, according to scientists.It has long been suspected that some grape varieties used in modern wine are identical to plants grown hundreds of years ago. Grape vines are propagated by taking cuttings, allowing grapes behind particularly delicious wines to be passed down the ge...

Aug162018 by adminNo Comments

Good results from U.S. offshore auction, but expectations low

Business

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Results from a U.S. auction for drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico showed companies are willing to spend again, but expectations were low, experts said. An auction Wednesday for rights to drill into the U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico secured $ 178.1 million in high bids from 29 different companies. That's an increase of 43 percent from the last lease sale in March. William Turner, a research analyst at consultant group Wood Mackenzie, said less acreage was on the auction block and the industry didn't get an incentive from lower royalty rates like they wanted so expectations were low. "However, with an increase in competitive bids and dollar amount from the last round, companies demonstrated their continued confidence in the region," he said in a research note emaile...