US Trade Associations and ISPs Petition FCC to Reconsider New Privacy Rules

On January 3, several US trade associations and internet service providers submitted petitions requesting that the Federal Communications Commission reconsider its broadband privacy rules mandating consumer opt-in before using data for marketing purposes. Among those groups submitting petitions are the United States Telecom Association, NCTA – Internet and Television Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, American Advertising Federation, Data & Marketing Association, Interactive Advertising Bureau, and Network Advertising Initiative.

At CES, voice assistants speak up

In the very near future, instead of controlling your gadgets by pressing buttons or tapping on screens, you may just talk to them. Intelligent assistant technology like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Echo is starting to spread widely.

Here’s a Taste of the Weird and Wonderful Inventions at CES 2017

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is as much about the little guys as it is the technology and automotive behemoths. While the Samsungs and Volkswagens of the world showed off products this week looking to generate billions of dollars in sales, thousands of hopeful entrepreneurs hawked their wares at the conference wanting little more than a new investor, some media attention or a sales lead.

China Chip Policy Poses Risk to U.S. Firms, White House Says

China’s push to develop its domestic semiconductor technology threatens to harm U.S. chipmakers and put America’s national security at risk, the Obama administration warned in a report that called for greater scrutiny of Chinese industrial policy. China’s goal to achieve a leadership position in semiconductor design and manufacturing, in part by spending $150 billion over a 10-year period, requires an effective response to maintain U.S. competitiveness in the industry, according to the report released Friday.

Carlyle Said Exploring Sale of Vitamin-Maker Nature’s Bounty

Carlyle Group LP is exploring a sale of nutritional-supplements maker Nature’s Bounty Co., whose brands include “MET-Rx” and “Pure Protein,” people with knowledge of the matter said. The private equity firm has held talks with potential advisers about selling the U.S. company, formerly known as NBTY Inc., according to the people.

France’s Economy Minister Visits Tesla in Bid to Woo Musk

France is setting out to entice Tesla Motors Inc., boasting the country’s anti-pollution stance and incentives for consumers to go electric. France’s Economy Minister Michel Sapin is due to tour the company’s production site Friday in Fremont, California, to argue that if Tesla is going to expand, it should do so in France, a ministry spokeswoman said.

Why Pacira Pharmaceuticals, W&T Offshore, and Helen of Troy Jumped Today

The stock market climbed to new record heights on Friday, closing the week with favorable performance despite mixed employment numbers that showed sluggish job growth, but sharply higher wages. The Dow climbed to within a single point of the 20,000 mark before falling back slightly, but even with that slight disappointment, major market benchmarks were up as much as a full percent as the Nasdaq Composite climbed above the 5,500 mark.

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SeaWorld stock has been sinking steadily in the last few years. Publicity started mounting from animal-welfare groups such as PETA, as well as a few high-profile and unsavory accounts of SeaWorld’s actions, such as the Blackfish documentary and a memoir by a former SeaWorld orca trainer called Beneath the Surface.

Troubled Theranos to lay off 41 percent of employees

Blood-testing startup Theranos on Friday announced it will lay off 155 employees – about 41 percent of its workforce – the latest blow to hit the company facing multiple lawsuits, sanctions and other regulatory issues. The company said the move is part of its ongoing restructuring as it shifts focus to the commercialization of its miniLab testing platform.

NRG and Exelon (EXC) Lead a Utilities Rally

NRG Energy has been the biggest gainer as part of a broader rally among utilities and was showing no signs of slowing down Friday. Shares of the power company were sitting at $13.40 in the afternoon, up .87% on the day and 13.3% over the course of the last month.

Donald Trump Who? Imax Ceo Still Bullish on China

Shares of IMAX were higher in early afternoon trading on Friday, after the company announced a deal with Regal today to expand its presence in the U.S., while maintaining its strong footing in China. With talk of potential trade wars between China and the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump, some people are worried about what that will mean for IMAX.

Google’s Waymo to Show Off Self-Driving Minivan at Auto Show in Detroit

The autonomous Chrysler Pacifica features technology developed inside Alphabet, but it’s unclear how the company will make money on it. While Alphabet ‘s newly spun-out Waymo unit sat out the Consumer Electronics Show , CEO John Krafcik will demonstrate its new self-driving minivan for the first time this Sunday during a presentation at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

5 Stocks Setting Up for Big Breakouts

Trading stocks that trigger major breakouts can lead to massive profits. Once a stock trends to a new high, or takes out a prior overhead resistance point , it’s free to find new buyers and momentum players which can ultimately push the stock significantly higher.

Here’s Why Recent IPO AquaVenture Faces Serious Headwinds in 2017

Shares of AquaVenture Holdings has advanced nearly 16% since the firm’s initial public offering on Oct. 5, but the provider of water purification services will likely face significant headwinds this year. Although the longer-term picture is positive, the company faces notable challenges in the short term with significant operating losses and the IPO lock-up expiration on the horizon in April.

Unpleasant Aftermath to Gap’s After-Hours Surge

In this updated daily chart of GPS, above, we can see prices are near the low of the day after earlier strength above the declining 200-day moving average line. Volume is relatively heavy but not north of 20 million shares, which has happened on some other strong days.

Nvidia Is Set for a Bull Leg Up

I talked about the fundamental change in demand for the company’s chips. Since then we’ve had the Consumer Electronics Show where Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang detailed partnerships with auto manufacturers such as Audi and auto suppliers like ZF and Bosch to build self-driving cars and supply the automotive industry with technical equipment.

Daily Dividend Report: ENB, PBA, CNP, COG, COO, SKT

Enbridge declared a quarterly dividend of $0.583 per common share, payable on March 1, 2017 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2017. The declared dividend represents a 10 percent increase from the prior quarterly rate and the twenty-second consecutive year in which the Company has increased its common share dividend.

Congress Certifies Trump’s Electoral College Victory

The U.S. Congress on Friday certified the Electoral College vote that gave Republican Donald Trump the victory in the 2016 presidential election. Trump won 304 electoral votes compared to 227 garnered by Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton, according to the tally announced by Vice President Joe Biden.

AT&T Says It Can Take Easier Route to Time Warner Purchase

Federal Communications Commission , eliminating a potentially significant hurdle to completing the $85.4 billion deal.   “While subject to change, it is currently anticipated that Time Warner will not need to transfer any of its FCC licenses to AT&T in order to continue to conduct its business operations after the closing of the transaction,” the companies said in a regulatory filing late Thursday.

Wal-Mart Names John Furner CEO Of Sam’s Club, Replacing Rosalind Brewer

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it has named John Furner as chief executive of its Sam’s Club unit, replacing Rosalind Brewer, who, is retiring effective Feb. 1. Furner is currently chief merchandising officer at Sam’s Club and has worked at the company since joining it as an hourly store assistant in 1993, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.