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US stocks hit records after the briefest of stumbles as gold’s price keeps rising

US stocks hit records after the briefest of stumbles as gold’s price keeps rising

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street got back to rising on Wednesday, while the price of gold pushed further past $4,000 per ounce.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% a day after snapping a seven-day winning streak and set its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down by 1 point, or less than 0.1%, while the Nasdaq composite rose 1.1% to its own record.

Trading has been relatively muted recently following the U.S. government’s latest shutdown. The closure has delayed the release of several major economic reports that usually move the market. Stocks have been drifting without them or other signals to change expectations for cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve, one of the major reasons the stock market has surged since April.

Another force that’s pushed the market to records is the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology.

Advanced Micro Devices jumped another 11.4% to add to its rally from earlier in the week, when it announced an AI-related deal. AMD was the best performing stock in the S&P 500. read more

Mary Kay is applying AI: Brand uses tech to simplify makeup choices

Mary Kay is applying AI: Brand uses tech to simplify makeup choices

By Brian Womack, The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — Mary Kay wants to introduce you to your new personal styling guru: artificial intelligence.

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In a bid to appeal to younger makeup users, the storied North Texas-based brand has unveiled a new AI-powered digital service to help users pick the ideal foundation for their beauty routines, according to Lucy Gildea, chief brand and scientific officer. The service provides some simple technology tools to take the guesswork out of the process of selecting the right shade by just looking into a camera on a device. read more

Tesla offers cheaper versions of 2 electric vehicles in bid to win back market share in tough year

Tesla offers cheaper versions of 2 electric vehicles in bid to win back market share in tough year

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK (AP) — Tesla rolled out new, cheaper versions of two of its electric car models on Tuesday in hopes the offerings will help revive flagging sales but investors dumped its stock anyway.

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The new Model Y, costing just under $40,000 with a stripped-down interior, comes in a brutal year for Tesla as it tries to attract more customers despite an aging lineup, stiff competition from foreign EV makers and anti-Elon Musk boycotts targeting the company.

The reaction from the stock market after the news broke suggests the new models are not expected to help much. read more

Interest in women’s sports is growing. Here’s how some women-owned companies are responding

Interest in women’s sports is growing. Here’s how some women-owned companies are responding

By ANNE M. PETERSON

Laura Youngson didn’t expect to focus so much on soccer cleats when she organized a group of women to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and play a high-altitude match.

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The point of the 2017 game was to highlight inequality in sports for women and girls. On that front, Youngson achieved her goal with the match becoming the subject of a documentary and landing the group in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Still, something bothered Youngson as the match unfolded. Glancing at the athletes’ feet, she was struck that all the women were wearing men’s or boy’s soccer cleats instead of gear that was designed specifically for them. The realization led her to launch IDA Sports, which makes soccer cleats for the unique athletic needs of women. read more

Government shutdown threatens to stall the recovery in the IPO market

Government shutdown threatens to stall the recovery in the IPO market

By DAMIAN J. TROISE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. government shutdown is waving a caution flag at private companies racing to make the move to the public market.

The market for initial public offerings has been on a years-long recovery after spiking inflation slammed the brakes on activity in 2022. The IPO market is already on track for its best year since 2021 with 163 deals and $31 billion in proceeds raised so far, according to Renaissance Capital.

Companies rely on the U.S. government, through the Securities and Exchange Commission, to review and approve IPO filings, while monitoring the ongoing process. The SEC is now operating with minimal staff, significantly delaying or halting those reviews and approvals.

Investors and companies are dealing with more than just technical issues. A prolonged government shutdown could sap confidence in the U.S. markets and economy. IPO activity typically remains strong through October, then slows in the U.S. during the final two months of the year. read more