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Gold Prices Are Driving Stocks

Gold Prices Are Driving Stocks

Today is Monday, April 17, 2023.

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Gold Prices Are Driving Stocks

Gold is more than just a hedge against inflation - it also can tell investors about the state of stocks, says economist Pete Earle of the American Institute for Economic Research in a new episode of the Early Bird podcast.

Current State: There are numerous economic factors impacting the rise of gold, which is near an all-time high. But Earle says that interest rates might be the biggest factor now.

With Stocks: Earle said the direction of the price of gold is typically the opposite of stocks, with gold often rising during periods of inflation and stocks declining.

With Bitcoin: While Bitcoin is beating gold in early 2023, Earle says that Bitcoin has its own challenges such as new regulations and more volatility.

Final Thoughts: What advice does Earle have for new investors in 2023? Find out by listening to a new episode of the Early Bird podcast.

Notables

Notable Earnings Today: Charles Schwab (NYSE: SCHW), J.B. Hunt Transport Services (Nasdaq: JBHT), M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), Pinnacle Financial Partners (Nasdaq: PNFP), State Street (NYSE: STT), Guaranty Bancshares (NYSE: GNTY), ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE: SFBS), Crossfirst Bankshares (Nasdaq: CFB), Equity Lifestyle Properties (NYSE: ELS), INVO Bioscience (Nasdaq: INVO).

Notable IPOs Today: N/A.

Notable Equity Crowdfunding Campaigns Ending Today: Ecotone Renewables (Honeycomb), Overplay (Wefunder), 3DOS (StartEngine), Brobe (StartEngine), Brobe (StartEngine), Seedsheet (Wefunder), Encore Artistic Solutions (StartEngine), Vlogmi (StartEngine), SoulFully Vegan (Mainvest), Solib Solutions (Netcapital), Whooshh Innovations (StartEngine).

Notable Economic Events Today: NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (8:30 a.m. ET), TIC Net Long-Term Transactions (4:00 p.m. ET).

Merck’s Immunology Pipeline Growing Deal

Photo by Louis Reed / Unsplash

Pharmaceutical giant Merck (NYSE: MRK) is improving its immunology pipeline with a new acquisition announced on Sunday.

Details: Merck is acquiring Prometheus Biosciences (Nasdaq: RXDX) for $10.8 billion. The deal values Prometheus at $200 per share, higher than the Friday close price of $114.01. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.

Background: Prometheus is a biotechnology company that develops products for immune-mediated diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Also: Merck also announced on Sunday that its experimental mRNA cancer treatment, developed with Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA), reduces the risk of death from skin cancer.

Stock Price: Shares of Merck are up 3% in 2023 and 33% in the last 12 months.

Final Thoughts: Merck, which will release earnings on April 27, has seen upgrades and downgrades from analysts in recent months. Overall, the company looks positive.

Avalanche’s Sunday Surge

The price of Avalanche jumped by 8% on Sunday, better than most cryptocurrencies yesterday.

Background: Avalanche is seeing a 6-month high in daily active users, according to a report from CoinDesk. Last week, several Wall Street firms announced plans to work with Avalanche.

Final Thoughts: Avalanche’s price has nearly doubled this year. 2023 has been kind to cryptos so far, but it is still seen as a volatile asset.

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