Things To Do In SW Florida

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

U.S. stock indexes are losing ground in afternoon trading Tuesday, on pace for a downbeat finish for Wall Street as it closes out another milestone-shattering year of gains.

The S&P 500 gave up an early gain and was down 0.6%. The benchmark index is coming off back-to-back declines of more than 1%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 113 points, or 0.3%, as of 2:04 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was down 0.9%.

About 60% of the stocks in the S&P 500 fell. Technology stocks were the biggest weights on the market.

Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, fell 2.5%. Apple was down 0.9%, and Advanced Micro Devices gave up 1.7%.

Gains in energy stocks helped temper some of the declines. Exxon Mobil rose 1.6% and Chevron gained 1.2%.

VeriSign was up 0.3% after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed it had increased its stake in the internet domain registry services company.

Bond yields were mixed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.57% from 4.54% late Monday. The yield on the two-year Treasury held steady at 4.24%. read more

TALLAHASSEE — Florida motorists could see a slight decrease in gasoline costs in the coming year despite fuel markets facing continued geopolitical tensions, potential tariffs and changes in U.S. energy policies, according to a report issued Monday.

In an annual outlook, Boston-based GasBuddy forecast that the price of a gallon of gas nationally will average $3.22 in 2025. Meanwhile, the average is expected to be from $3.12 a gallon to $3.51 in Florida. That is slightly lower than the forecast for 2024 of $3.19 a gallon to $3.51 a gallon.

GasBuddy said the average price nationally in 2024 was $3.33 a gallon, a nickel lower than what it had projected a year ago.

The AAA auto club offers a slightly different national average this year of $3.35 a gallon, 4 cents higher than the average in Florida. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Florida was $3.04 on Tuesday, according to AAA.

“While declining fuel prices in 2025 will provide welcome relief to American drivers and businesses, emerging risks could lead to increased volatility,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a prepared statement. “Geopolitical uncertainties, potential disruptions from extreme weather, and policy shifts under the new (federal) administration could create challenges for fuel markets. Despite this, expanding global refining capacity and moderating demand are expected to support lower prices for most of the year.” read more

Mexico has begun outlining a plan of action should President-elect Donald Trump make good on threats of carrying out the “largest deportation program in American history” when he moves into the White House for a second time.

The strategy focuses on helping Mexican nationals on both sides of the border — from developing a mobile app for immigrants to notify Mexican consulates in the U.S. of impending deportations to opening new migrant shelters in Baja California and elsewhere along the northern border to accommodate thousands of expected deportees.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum this past week promised to protect the civil rights of Mexican citizens.

“We will continue to defend Mexicans (in the U.S.),” Sheinbaum said Thursday. “And if there are deportations, we will be ready to receive them.”

Sheinbaum, who was sworn in herself a few months ago, has the challenge of not only dealing with the logistics of mass deportations but of striking a delicate balance politically with Trump, who has pressured Mexico to, among other things, step up its efforts to reduce illegal immigration into the U.S. So far, that cooperation has appeared to have had an effect on the reduced number of migrant crossings. read more

By MAE ANDERSON, AP Business Writer

A looming TikTok ban could affect the millions of small businesses that use the short-video social media app to help them grow their business.

Desiree Hill, owner of Crown’s Corner Mechanic in Conyers, Georgia, started her business solo as a mobile mechanic. Sharing videos of her work on TikTok helped spread the word and she became so popular she was able to open a 9,000 square foot brick and mortar shop with five employees 18 months ago.

“Every day I get at least two to three customers that have seen me on TikTok, watched my videos and wanted to become a customer,” she said.

Though TikTok has been around only since 2016, small business owners use the platform in a variety of ways, from growing a customer base to advertising and marketing, as well as selling goods directly from the site.

According to TikTok’s own estimates, small businesses on TikTok would lose more than $1 billion in revenue in a single month if the ban goes into effect.

The Justice Department ordered the app’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban by Jan. 19, citing security concerns. The Supreme Court will take up the matter in January. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, has asked the Supreme Court for a delay. read more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock markets will remain closed on Jan. 9 in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, continuing a long-held Wall Street tradition in mourning the nation’s leaders.

Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq announced this week that they plan to close their equity and options markets next Thursday in observance of a National Day of Mourning for the 39th U.S. president and global humanitarian. Carter died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100 years old.

The Nasdaq also observed a moment of silence early Monday in remembrance Carter. And the NYSE says it will fly its U.S. flag at half-staff throughout the mourning period of the late president.

Tal Cohen, Nasdaq president, said in a statement that the exchange would be closing its markets Jan. 9 “to celebrate (Carter’s) life and honor his legacy.” He added that Carter “was an exemplary leader, one who tirelessly continued his efforts to improve the human condition even after his tenure in public office was complete.” read more