Dear Readers,

U.S. stocks experienced a mixed performance on Friday afternoon. This follows a stronger-than-anticipated jobs report, which contradicted expectations of interest rate cuts.

At 11:24 AM ET, the Dow was up 65.47 points, or 0.17%, at $38951.65. The Nasdaq Composite lost -2.1797 points, or -0.0115%, at $19019.014. The S&P 500 rose 1.43 points, or 0.03%, at $5354.38. Among the 11 major S&P 500 sectors, 9 showed positive movement, with Materials leading the way with a 0.64% increase.

Investors had been driving stocks up based on the assumption of further economic slowdown. However, the Labor Department's report indicated continued strength in certain sectors of the economy. This challenges the idea of the Federal Reserve lowering rates to combat inflation, potentially leading to higher rates for an extended period.

The highly anticipated May jobs report bolstered the notion that the Federal Reserve may postpone lowering interest rates from their current two-decade high until at least the fall.

Top Movers: Under $10

Trinity Place Holdings Inc (TPHS) is up 182.37% today to trade at the current level of $0.34. This comes without any clear news from the company.

Venus Concept Inc (VERO) zoomed 102.81% in today’s trade to $1.19. This rally can be attributed to news that it regained NASDAQ compliance

In current trading, Leafly Holdings Inc (LFLY) stock is at $3.12, up over 50%. Despite a smaller market capitalization compared to some competitors, Leafly Holdings holds significant influence within the cannabis industry. This influence stems from their focus on the recreational market.

American Oncology Network Inc (AONC) rose 31.76% in the early hours of today's trading to move at $2.24. The strong performance of AONC stock came as investors were encouraged by news that it brings advanced radiation oncology services closer to home for residents of Waycross, Georgia with the opening of Low Country Radiation.

In the current trading session, China Liberal Education Holdings Ltd (CLEU) jumped 45% to $2.93 over a previous close of $2.02. There have been no new announcements from the company since its April 15th release of audited financial results for fiscal year 2023.

Ex-Dividends Stocks

PPL Corp (PPL) is about to trade ex-dividend Monday, meaning that investors who buy the stock after Monday will not be eligible for the next dividend payment. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.26 per share. The company has fixed June 10 as the record date for the same and will pay the actual dividend on July 01. Last year, the company distributed a total of $0.98 to its shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, PPL has a trailing yield of 3.42% on the current stock price of $28.56.

Another stock that is shelling out dividends on Monday is Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY), having a market capitalization of $53.19B. It will pay a dividend of $0.22 per share, the payment date of which is July 15. Currently, the stock is trading at a trailing dividend yield of 1.27%.

Shares of Omnicom Group, Inc. (OMC) will be the talk of stock market on Monday as the stock will turn ex-dividend. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.7 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of $2.80 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that OMC has a trailing yield of 3.06% on the current share price of $91.46.

Tomorrow, NL Industries, Inc. (NL) is also set to go ex-dividend on Monday. The next dividend payment from NL will amount to $0.08 per share. June 10 has been designated as the record date for this dividend, with the actual payout scheduled for June 25. In the previous year, NL distributed a total of $0.22 to its valued shareholders. Considering the cumulative dividend payments from last year, the trailing yield for NL stands at 3.11% based on the current stock price of $7.08.

Medical Properties Trust Inc (MPW) will be paying out a dividend of $0.15 per share to shareholders holding their shares as of the close of the business hours on the record date of June 10. Over the past 12 months, MPW has paid out a total of $0.74 per share in dividends. Based on the total dividends paid out last year, MPW boasts an impressive trailing yield of 13.77% on the current share price of $5.37.

Crypto Market Highlights

• According to a recent report by Technavio, the cryptocurrency mining hardware market is forecasted to grow by USD 16.09 billion from 2024-2028, driven by increased profitability in mining ventures, as adoption of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether for daily transactions rises among retailers, contributing to market expansion.
  

• Robinhood has agreed to acquire Bitstamp, a global cryptocurrency exchange, in a $200 million deal aimed at expanding its presence outside the United States. This move will bring Bitstamp's widely trusted crypto platform to Robinhood, facilitating its expansion into international markets and institutional crypto trading.
  

• Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has resumed cryptocurrency purchases via Visa and Mastercard, marking a significant victory over regulatory challenges after a period of suspension. This decision follows a thorough review by Mastercard and could signify the end of Binance's regulatory troubles.
  

• Classic WWE star, Hulk Hogan has apparently distanced himself from a series of social media posts, published through his accounts promoting Solana-based meme-coin, HULKMANIA. Despite a track record of constantly promoting the meme coin, Hogan has now urged followers to disregard prior posts.
  

• Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is reportedly considering a final funding round of over $100 million before a potential initial public offering (IPO). This comes amid increased investor interest fueled by the digital asset market's rally.

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Most Shorted Stocks

The VIZIO Holding Corp with the symbol VZIO currently has a short interest of 28.52%. The short interest has changed by -570000 shares. The days to cover ratio stands at 7.7 Days to Cover. The estimated value of the shares held short is approximately $237.08 million. On an average day, 2.71M shares are traded, with the company's market capitalization totaling $2.16B.

For the stock ODDITY Tech Ltd. (ODD), the current short interest is at 28.82%. This represents a significant short interest change of 1770000 shares, corresponding to a short interest percentage increase of +32.24%. The days needed to cover the short positions amount to 6.2 Days to Cover. The approximate worth of the shares held short is $316.46 million.

With the symbol LCID, the stock currently has a short interest of 29.73%. The short interest change is -2440000 shares, compared with a short interest percentage change of -0.96%. It would take approximately 6.1 Days to Cover days to cover all the short positions. The shares short value is estimated to be around $19.89 million. The company boasts an average daily volume of 24.89M shares, contributing to a market capitalization of $6.32B.

The stock SAVA has a current short interest of 26.68%. The short interest percentage has experienced decrease of -7.71% while there was a change of -1070000 shares in short interest. The ratio indicating the time required to cover short positions is 15.4 Days to Cover. The calculated worth of the shorted shares amounts to around $4.95 billion. Trading activity averages at 830.70K shares per day, while the company's market capitalization stands at $944.73M.

Energy stocks to Watch

According to our ST Score evaluation, Chord Energy Corp (CHRD) emerges as a high-quality stock in the Energy industry, attaining an impressive score of 60.0. The stock's valuation, profitability, financial strength, and stock sentiment are strong. Additionally, it is neutral in terms of performance, growth, Piotroski Score, and forecast.

Our ST Score also classifies NCS Multistage Holdings Inc (NCSM) as a high-quality Energy stock today, presenting a Score of 59.0. The stock has strong fundamentals in terms of valuation, profitability, growth, and financial strength. The performance, stock sentiment, Piotroski Score, and forecast are neutral.

Another stock in the category, Profire Energy Inc (PFIE) has the ST Score of 57.0, which means that the stock carries the potential for higher returns. The stock is strong in profitability, and financial strength. Value, performance, growth, stock sentiment, piotroski score, and forecast suggest a neutral outlook.

Dorchester Minerals LP (DMLP) stock has the ST Score of 60.0 which implies that the Energy company has a high probability of beating the market. The stock's strengths lie in its profitability, performance, and financial strength, but its weaknesses are in its value, and growth. However, it shows neutral outlook in stock sentiment, Piotroski Score, and forecast.

RPC, Inc. (RES) currently has the ST Score of 62.0, which signifies a huge upward potential. The Energy stock's strong points are its valuation, profitability, financial strength, stock sentiment, and Piotroski Score, while its weak points are its growth. The stock's performance, and forecast indicate a neutral outlook.

Best Regards,
Stocks Telegraph Team