BlackRock Enters the Gun Debate, General Mills is Buying Blue Buffalo for $8 Billion
BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, says it's going to talk with gunmakers about the Parkland school shooting. The company wants “to understand their response” to the recent tragedy. In a statement provided to Cheddar, BlackRock said the following:
“We are working with clients who want to exclude from their portfolios weapons manufacturers or other companies that don’t align with their values."
The firm manages nearly $6 trillion for various clients.
In other news, General Mills is buying natural pet food maker Blue Buffalo for $8 billion in cash. Shares of Blue Buffalo surged more than 15% on the news. This marks the first time General Mills has broken into the pet food industry. The deal is expected to be finalized at the end of this year.
Chair Jerome Powell says the Federal Reserve only expects to cut rates once in 2024. But at least, as one economist says, ‘rate hikes are off the table.’
With the Fed likely set to leave rates unchanged, lower and middle income Americans will continue dealing with higher credit card interest and expenses.
Markets soared in May after Nvidia’s Q1 success, but concerns over slowing consumer spending, especially among middle—and lower-income groups, loom large.