Dear Readers,

On Friday, US stocks saw a rebound driven by strong earnings from Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Microsoft (MSFT), reigniting optimism for a Big Tech-led rally. Alphabet surged by approximately 9%, while Microsoft rose by 3%, following Thursday's market downturn. The impressive performance of these tech giants highlighted increased cloud revenue fueled by robust AI demand, showcasing their potential to capitalize on this trend.

Simultaneously, investors digested the latest update on the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index for March. The "core" measure, which excludes food and energy costs, saw a 2.8% increase compared to last year, slightly surpassing estimates but maintaining parity with the previous annual rise.

This reading coincides with a significant shift in Wall Street's outlook on Fed rate cuts for the year. Traders have notably revised their expectations, reducing anticipated cuts from seven to just one since the beginning of the year.

As of 12:23 PM ET, the Dow was up 165.9492 points, or 0.4357%, at $38251.75. The Nasdaq Composite added 283.56 points, or 1.6268%, at $17714.0589. The S&P 500 rose 54.6201 points, or 1.0819%, at $5103.04. Among the 11 major S&P 500 sectors, 6 showed positive movement, with Consumer Defensive leading the way with a 1.6% increase.

Top Movers: Under $10

Biodexa Pharmaceuticals Plc ADR (BDRX) is up 64.87% today to trade at the current level of $1.20. This comes after the company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement with Rapamycin Holdings Inc. (d/b/a Emtora Biosciences) for the rights to eRapa under an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture, commercialize, and otherwise advance the clinical potential of eRapa.

Focus Universal Inc (FCUV) zoomed 34.23% in today’s trade to $0.38 after announcing that the Board of Directors has approved the spin-off Lusher Inc. to develop the SEC Financial Reporting AI-Driven Automation Software for a future initial public offering and a potential Nasdaq listing.

In current trading, HWH International Inc. (HWH) stock is at $2.01 following news that it has entered into a joint venture through its subsidiary Health Wealth Happiness Pte Ltd, with Mr. Chen Ziping, an experienced entrepreneur in the travel industry, and Mr. Chan Heng Fai Ambrose, HWH’s Executive Chairman.

Tevogen Bio Holdings Inc. (TVGN) rose 23.76% in the early hours of today's trading to move at $1.05.The company’s CEO highlighted expected reporting of a $94.9 million liability elimination, AI Initiative, and leadership appointments

In the current trading session, ATRenew Inc ADR (RERE) jumped 22.32% to $1.97 over a previous close of $1.61 after announcin appointment of a new director.

Ex-Dividends Stocks

Targa Resources Corp (TRGP) is about to trade ex-dividend Monday, meaning that investors who buy the stock after tomorrow will not be eligible for the next dividend payment. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.75 per share. It has fixed April 30 as the record date for the same and will pay the actual dividend on May 15. Last year, the company distributed a total of $2.00 to its shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, TRGP has a trailing yield of 1.72% on the current stock price of $116.44.

Another stock that is shelling out dividends on Monday is Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (OHI), having a market capitalization of $7.72B. It will pay a dividend of $0.67 per share, the payment date of which is May 15. Currently, the stock is trading at a trailing dividend yield of 8.52%.

Shares of NiSource Inc (NI) will be the talk of the stock market on Monday as the stock will turn ex-dividend. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.27 per share, and in the last 12 months, it paid a total of $1.02 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that NI has a trailing yield of 3.61% on the current share price of $28.08.

Tomorrow, Morgan Stanley (MS) is also set to go ex-dividend on Monday. The next dividend payment from MS will amount to $0.85 per share. April 30 has been designated as the record date for this dividend, with the actual payout scheduled for May 15. In the previous year, MS distributed a total of $3.32 to its valued shareholders. Considering the cumulative dividend payments from last year, the trailing yield for MS stands at 3.58% based on the current stock price of $92.84.

Kinder Morgan Inc (KMI) will be paying out a dividend of $0.29 per share to shareholders holding their shares as of the close of the business hours on the record date of April 30. Over the past 12 months, KMI has paid out a total of $1.13 per share in dividends. Based on the total dividends paid out last year, KMI boasts an impressive trailing yield of 6.05% on the current share price of $18.68.

Crypto Market Highlights

• Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF launch in Hong Kong won't impact mainland China investors, says Bloomberg analyst Jack Wang.

• UK's NCA and police gain authority to seize and destroy criminal cryptocurrency without arrest requirement.

• Bitcoin transactions hit a record high of 926,842 post-halving.

• China investigates pro-blockchain official Yao Qian for alleged legal violations.

• US initiates crackdown on crypto-linked child sexual abuse material, backed by Senators Warren and Cassidy.

• SEC sues Geosyn Mining and co-founders for $5.6 million fraud, accusing misuse of customer funds.

Most Shorted Stocks

BYND Cannasoft Enterprises Inc (BCAN) was one of the most shorted stocks as of latest short interest figures, with 75.49% short interest. The days to cover ratio, a measure of how long it would take for all the short positions to be covered based on average trading volume, is 0.4. This represents a change of 400 shares, which corresponds to a +0.10% increase in short interest. The total value of the shares held short is estimated to be around $0.38 million. The average daily volume stands at 1.21M shares, and the market capitalization of the company is $0.72M.

The Childrens Place Inc with the symbol PLCE currently has a short interest of 25.16%. The short interest has changed by 570000 shares. The days to cover ratio stands at 1.9. The estimated value of the shares held short is approximately $22.77 million. On an average day, 1.66M shares are traded, with the company's market capitalization totaling $90.48M.

With the symbol RENT, the stock currently has a short interest of 41.85%. The short interest change is 275200 shares, compared with a short interest percentage change of +78.07%. It would take approximately 0.5 days to cover all the short positions. The company boasts an average daily volume of 1.32M shares, contributing to a market capitalization of $40.45M.

The stock TRUP has a current short interest of 41.04%. The short interest percentage has experienced a decrease of -0.94% while there was a change of -120000 shares in short interest. The ratio indicating the time required to cover short positions is 18.3. The calculated worth of the shorted shares amounts to around $15.12 million. Trading activity averages at 697.69K shares per day, while the company's market capitalization stands at $1.01B.

Energy Stocks to Watch

According to our ST Score evaluation, Profire Energy Inc (PFIE) emerges as a high-quality stock in the Energy industry, attaining an impressive score of 62.0. The stock's profitability, financial strength, and Piotroski Score are strong. Additionally, it is neutral in terms of value, performance, growth, stock sentiment, and forecast.

Our ST Score also classifies Noble Corp Plc (NE) as a high-quality Energy stock today, presenting a Score of 61.0. The stock has strong fundamentals in terms of profitability, growth, financial strength, and stock sentiment. However, it has weak value. The performance, Piotroski Score, and forecast are neutral.

Another stock in the category, EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) has the ST Score of 62.0, which means that the stock carries the potential for higher returns. The stock is strong in profitability, financial strength, and stock sentiment. Value, performance, growth, piotroski score, and forecast suggest a neutral outlook.

Geospace Technologies Corp (GEOS) stock has the ST Score of 61.0 which implies that the Energy company has a high probability of beating the market. The stock's strengths lie in its profitability, financial strength, and Piotroski Score. However, it shows a neutral outlook in value, performance, growth, stock sentiment, and forecast.

Energy Fuels Inc (UUUU) currently has the ST Score of 58.0, which signifies a huge upward potential. The Energy stock's strong points are its valuation, profitability, and financial strength, while its weak points are its forecast. The stock's performance, growth, stock sentiment, and Piotroski Score indicate a neutral outlook.

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