U.S. & U.K. Strike Houthi Targets & Retailers Brace for Price Dips

Heyo, reader! We hope you’re having a good Monday morning!

2️⃣ This Morning’s Two Reports:

• 🎯 U.S. & U.K. Strike Back at Houthi Targets in Yemen

• 💸 Retailers Brace for Price Dips Amid Consumer Inflation Fatigue

📊 Market Snapshot | Extended Edition

Stocks (Year-to-date)

• DOW: 🔼 3.76% (39,131.53)

• S&P 500: 🔼 7.29% (5,088.80)

• NASDAQ: 🔼 8.34% (15,996.82)

Cryptocurrency (Year-to-date)

• BTC: 🔼 16.61% (51,508.00)

• ETH: 🔼 31.95% (3,104.58)

Real Estate Mortgage Rates

• 15-year: 6.56% -0.02

• 30-year: 7.08% -0.08

_{*Stock numbers as of market close Friday, cryptocurrency as of 8:50pm EST yesterday. Real estate rates as of yesterday via Mortgage News Daily.}

First Report

🎯 U.S. & U.K. Strike Back at Houthi Targets in Yemen

Over the weekend, the U.S. and Britain took decisive action against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, launching more than a dozen strikes on 18 strategic locations. These targeted assaults hit underground weapons caches, missile storage sites, air defense systems, radars, and even a helicopter, aiming to curb the Houthis' recent aggressive actions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Iran-backed rebels' attacks have been disrupting vital international trade routes, posing a significant threat to the global economy and regional security. The joint operation by the U.S., U.K., and their allies sends a strong message of unity and determination to maintain stability and safe navigation in crucial maritime corridors. 🌍🚢

TL;DR ⏳: The U.S. and U.K. have responded to Houthi threats by striking 18 of their targets in Yemen, aiming to protect global shipping lanes.

Second Report

💸 Retailers Brace for Price Dips Amid Consumer Inflation Fatigue

As inflation continues to pinch wallets, some shoppers are eagerly anticipating price drops, but retailers are sounding alarms over the potential pitfalls of falling prices. Home Depot and other retail giants have seen their prices stabilize, with some brands pausing or modestly adjusting their price hikes. Despite a hopeful glimpse from Walmart about lower prices on essentials, the retail behemoth recently retracted, noting that grocery and household item prices remain high. This mixed bag of pricing trends reflects the complex dance between consumer relief and retail challenges, including the need to drive sales volume and cover rising wage costs amidst a shifting economic landscape. 🛒📊

TL;DR ⏳: While consumers yearn for price relief, retailers worry about the impact of deflation on their bottom lines, with stable or high prices persisting despite some earlier signs of easing.

⚡ Quick Hits

1. 🔍 Suspect in Georgia nursing student murder entered U.S. illegally, previously arrested, says ICE

2. ✅ No. 2 Senate Republican John Thune backs Trump

3. 🚫 Oklahoma police state nonbinary teen's death not due to high school fight injuries

4. 🏢 Letitia James ready to seize Trump's properties over unpaid $354M civil fraud fine

5. 🌩️ Intense storm unleashes heavy showers and wind across over a dozen states

6. 💼 Koch network stops funding Nikki Haley campaign after South Carolina defeat

7. 🛑 RNC member seeks to halt party's funding of Trump’s legal expenses

8. ⚠️ Zelensky says lack of US aid to Kyiv could result in ‘millions killed,’ Ukrainian troop deaths over 31,00

9. 💳 AT&T to give $5 credit to customers hit by service outage

10. 🏛️ Warren Buffett claims Charlie Munger was the true ‘architect’ of Berkshire Hathaway

Games

Fun Fact: Did you know? Humans are like fine wine, getting simpler with age? While a baby rolls out the production line with a whopping 305 bones, adults streamline to a sleek 206. It's not weight loss; it's bone fusion! So next time you can't touch your toes, blame it on your bones consolidating, not the extra pizza slice. 🍕🦴