Short sellers’ bets against U.S. life insurance stocks more than doubled in ⁠the ⁠past year to over $5 billion, a Reuters analysis of ORTEX ⁠data shows, a move that analysts say in part reflects concerns about exposure to the opaque private credit sector. Jitters about private credit - lending ​to companies by non-banks, such as private equity funds and asset managers - have shaped markets in recent months, after portfolio managers were found to hold debt from bankrupt auto f

U.S. equity funds ⁠attracted ⁠the largest weekly net ⁠investment in four weeks through April 22, ​driven by upbeat corporate earnings results and optimism over AI-linked ‌business deals. Investors bought a ‌net $27.98 billion of U.S. equity funds in their ⁠largest ⁠weekly purchase since roughly $36.94 billion net acquisitions in the ​week through March 25. Upbeat earnings from major banks and food and beverage company PepsiCo boosted risk appetite. LSEG data for ​134 S&P 500

By THE STAR STAFF A new regional study by Mastercard and Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) highlights a strong trend of merchants and small businesses across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean increasingly accepting digital payments. The report illustrates how the shift helps merchants reach more customers, operate more efficiently and support stronger local economies. As commerce becomes more digital, connected and data-driven, the acceptance infrastruc

Banesco USA headquarters in Miami. Banesco USA has launched BanescoSelect, a new premium banking tier, in Puerto Rico. (banescousa.com) By THE STAR STAFF Banesco USA has launched BanescoSelect, a new premium banking tier, in Puerto Rico, expanding a service it says has been successful in South Florida and international markets. The Florida-based bank described the offering as a more customized option for individuals, families and businesses seeking relationship-driven service

U.S. stocks fell in choppy trading on Thursday as hopes dimmed for a quick end ​to the Iran war, while investors grappled with a mixed bag of earnings reports as concerns resurfaced about AI-driven disruption across the software sector. Equities had been holding near unchanged ‌after Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran released footage of its commandos storming a huge cargo ship they claimed to have seized, while demanding the U.S. lift its naval blockade

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) questions Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times) By COLBY SMITH Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, asserted repeatedly at a combative confirmation hearing earlier this week that he would not cut

Wall Street has roared back to record highs even as uncertainty ⁠over ⁠the conflict in Iran lingers, a risk highlighted by a steady ⁠drumbeat of CEO warnings about the economic toll of a prolonged period of high oil prices. The reason? Stocks look cheap. The S&P 500 ​is trading at the equivalent of 20.8 times its constituents’ expected earnings over the next 12 months. That price/earnings ratio is near its lowest in a year, suggesting U.S. stocks are a better buy now than at

Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, at the Apple World Wide Developers Conference in Cupertino, Calif., June 6, 2022. The longtime chief executive of the iPhone maker said on Monday, April 20, 2026, that he will step down. He will be replaced by John Ternus, the company’s head of hardware engineering. (Jim Wilson/The New York Times) By KALLEY HUANG and TRIPP MICKLE Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said Monday that he would step down after nearly 15 years running an operation that rode

UnitedHealth opened the first quarter’s earnings season for insurers ⁠with ⁠a strong performance, raising its annual profit ⁠forecast and surpassing Wall Street expectations for quarterly earnings and revenue. The upbeat results gave a ​boost to the shares of the conglomerate, which has faced a series of setbacks over the past two years, including a cyberattack ‌on its technology arm, rising medical costs ‌and the killing of its insurance unit chief, which sparked a public ba

A speedboat armed with machine guns and operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps draws nears U.S. Navy vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on May 10, 2021. Although much of the regular Iranian navy is destroyed, the IRGC can still deploy small, speedy boats like these to disrupt shipping. (U.S. Navy via The New York Times) By REBECCA F. ELLIOTT Shipping companies are facing confusion and uncertainty about the status of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passageway