CNBC’s ‘Halftime Report Final Trades’ segment featured insights on key stocks, including financials, oil, tech, and a new S&P 500 addition. Shannon Saccocia favored iShares U.S. Financials ETF, while Jim Lebenthal highlighted Exxon Mobil’s recent performance. Stephen L. Weiss saw value in Alphabet, and Joseph M. Terranova pointed out Palantir’s inclusion in the S&P 500.
Iraq, heavily reliant on oil revenue, faces a budget crunch in 2025 due to declining oil prices. Despite increasing the 2024 budget, the government is preparing for tighter financial discipline in the following year. The country is focusing on boosting non-oil revenue through better tax collection to mitigate the financial challenges.
KCAC Aviation, a leading provider of aviation services in the Midwest, is expanding its operations with the construction of a new state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance hangar at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, Kansas. The new facility will significantly enhance KCAC’s capacity to service and maintain Pilatus and Piper aircraft, meeting the growing demands of the regional market.
U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin and India’s Tata Advanced Systems have joined forces to manufacture and assemble the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter in India. This strategic partnership aims to enhance India’s defense capabilities and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
The global drone photography services market is poised for significant growth, with revenue projected to reach US$ 733.1 million in 2024 and an anticipated market size of US$ 4.07 billion by 2034. The demand for these services is driven by their accuracy in mapping and surveying, as well as their ability to gather precise graphical data. North America is expected to lead the market, fueled by robust IT infrastructure and supportive regulatory frameworks.
Tesla’s Cybertruck has come under fire for its durability after a video surfaced showing it crashing through a picket fence. However, Tesla engineer Wes Morrill clarified that the truck in the video had crucial safety components removed, potentially contributing to the damage. He also announced upcoming retrofit options for increased off-road protection, while addressing concerns about the truck’s performance in challenging terrain.
Apple’s new iPhone 16 is anticipated to drive a significant upgrade cycle, according to Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies. He expects the phone’s value proposition, particularly the base model, to entice a large number of users with aging iPhones to upgrade. This could potentially lead to a supercycle, similar to those experienced with previous iPhone releases. Bajarin’s optimism stems from the iPhone 16’s packed features, aggressive carrier updates, and the growing popularity of the iPhone Pro.
Lifera Omics, a subsidiary of Lifera, has appointed renowned Saudi human geneticist Prof. Fowzan Sami Alkuraya as its Chief Medical and Genomics Officer. Prof. Alkuraya’s vast experience in human genomics will be instrumental in helping Lifera Omics achieve its mission to advance Saudi Arabia’s role in multiomics globally.
SpaceX successfully launched the Polaris Dawn mission, carrying an all-civilian crew, including Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman, on a journey to conduct the first-ever private spacewalk. The crew will spend up to five days in orbit, conducting research and science experiments. This landmark mission marks a significant step forward for commercial spaceflight.
Agile Energy X, a subsidiary of Tokyo Electric Power Co., is utilizing Bitcoin mining to address the issue of wasted renewable energy. By powering Bitcoin mining operations with excess renewable energy, they aim to promote the widespread adoption of sustainable energy sources.
