Dow Plunges More than 670 Points, Logging Worst Week in 2 years
Markets plunged more than 670 points, logging the worst week in 2 years. Lindsey Bell, Investment Strategist at CFRA Research, was with us to break down the factors causing stocks to tumble.
A positive jobs report that revealed 200,000 jobs in January and a 2.9% increase in wages are giving the Fed more ammo in its case to raise rates at a faster pace. It's not just rates that are a cause of concern, said Bell. The analyst said we are seeing China had a tough week over concerns over economic growth and financial regulation.
Bell said we also can't underestimate the impact the release of the GOP surveillance document had on the markets. This is a form of uncertainty, which could lead to investors pulling money out of the markets, she added. Bell said she thinks this is a healthy move downward and profit-taking is probably necessary. She said a 10% pullback could be in the cards.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
About 780,000 pressure washers sold at retailers like Home Depot are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada, due to a projectile hazard that has resulted in fractures and other injuries among some consumers.
