The US small arms market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing civilian firearm ownership, military modernization, and technological advancements like smart firearms with biometric safety features. The market faces challenges from stringent gun control regulations and public safety concerns.

The global handgun market is expected to grow from $3.39 billion in 2023 to $6.42 billion by 2033, driven by factors like rising violence against women and increasing defense spending. The single-shot handguns and automatic segments are expected to see the highest growth.

Investors pinned hopes on Nvidia Corp.’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) earnings to reinvigorate market momentum, and the AI leader delivered an impressive beat-and-raise quarter. This news buoyed major index futures in early Thursday trading, signaling a positive start to the day. Analysts have advocated seizing the recent market dip as a buying opportunity, amplifying anticipation for robust buying activity amidst prevalent FOMO sentiments. However, market participants remain attentive to several factors shaping the day’s trading landscape, including scheduled Fed speeches, weekly jobless claims data, and private-sector activity readings. Cues From Wednesday’s Trading: Wednesday’s market session concluded with a mixed tone as investors digested hawkish Fed minutes, coupled with some disappointing tech earnings, while anxiously awaiting Nvidia’s report. Minutes from the January Federal Open Market Committee meeting revealed the central bank’s cautious stance on rate cuts, preferring to await clearer signals of sustainable inflation trends. The day commenced with major indexes opening lower, maintaining a sideways trajectory, before deepening losses post-Fed minutes release. A late-session surge helped propel the S&P 500 and Dow Industrials into positive territory, while the Nasdaq Composite, although ending lower, saw improvement from earlier lows, settling at its highest level since early February. Energy and utility sectors led gains among the 11 S&P 500 sector classes, while IT stocks experienced declines, reflecting the day’s mixed sentiment. Index Performance (+/-) Value Nasdaq Composite -0.32% 15,580.87 S&P 500 Index +0.13% 4,981.80 Dow Industrials +0.13% 38,612.24 Russell 2000 -1.41% 2,004.14 Analyst Color: Labor market indicators such as job creation, wages, and layoffs are key data that could be important for determining the sustainability of the market rally, said Morgan Stanley’s Lisa Shalett. “With equity valuations already rich, can today's economic strength translate to positive surprises in company earnings? The answer likely hinges on what happens in the U.S. labor market,” she said. If the labor market remains tight, with more jobs than available workers, companies may ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

Wall Street remains subdued following Tuesday’s sell-off, primarily driven by small-cap and tech stocks. All eyes are now on Nvidia Corp.‘s (NASDAQ:NVDA) fourth-quarter earnings report, scheduled for after the closing bell. Given the crucial nature of this event, caution is likely to be the predominant sentiment with investors anxiously awaiting Nvidia’s performance. This anticipation is further amplified by the uncertainty surrounding its ability to meet the lofty expectations placed upon it. Adding to the market’s concerns are upcoming speeches by Federal Reserve officials and, more importantly, the Fed minutes. Both pronouncements hold the potential to shed light on the future trajectory of interest rates, another significant factor influencing investor sentiment. Cues From Tuesday’s Trading: Three key developments weighed down the markets on Tuesday: Mixed retail earnings: Performance reports from retailers painted a mixed picture, leaving investors unsure about the health of the consumer sector. Nvidia anxiety: Apprehension mounted regarding Nvidia’s ability to live up to the high expectations set for its upcoming earnings report. Leading economic index decline: The Conference Board’s leading economic index experienced a larger-than-anticipated drop, raising concerns about future economic growth. These factors contributed to a negative market atmosphere, pushing major averages down: Tech-heavy Nasdaq and S&P 500: Both opened lower and remained below the flatline throughout the session. The S&P 500 even dipped below the psychological barrier of 5,000. Dow: The Dow experienced some morning volatility but ultimately closed lower. Small-caps: The Russell 2000 underperformed, dropping 1.41%. Sectors: Only consumer staples, led by Walmart’s positive results, managed to escape the overall decline. Conversely, IT and consumer discretionary stocks took the biggest hits. US Index Performance On Tuesday Index Performance (+/-) Value Nasdaq Composite -0.92% 15,630.78 S&P 500 Index -0.60% 4,975.51 Dow Industrials -0.17% 38,563.80 Russell 2000 -1.41% 2,004.14 Full story available on Benzinga.com

These investments seem pretty vulnerable right now.

U.S. stocks traded mostly lower, with the Dow Jones dropping over 300 points on Thursday. Here are some big stocks recording gains in today’s session. Vaxxinity, Inc. (NASDAQ: VAXX) shares jumped 27% to $3.33. Vaxxinity recently posted a Q3 loss of $0.15 per share. Check out this: Markets Turn More Bullish Following Powell Remarks Arco Platform Limited (NASDAQ: ARCE) shares gained 21.6% to $10.99 after the company announced receipt of a non-binding going private proposal. Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA) rose 20.6% to $64.30 after the company reported better-than-expected Q3 results. The company also issued Q4 and FY23 EPS and sales guidance ...

RGR earnings call for the period ending June 30, 2022.

CEOs walk a fine line when it comes to talking about hot-button issues like transgender rights or gun control or arming transgender people to fight for the right of immigrants to have affordable health care and equal pay without enduring global warming. The Statista stats service has put together a handy graphic that reflects a poll by the PR firm Weber Shandwick that essentially asks: What are safe topics for CEOs to talk about, and what areas are foot-in-mouth minefields? The online poll was taken of 1,021 adult Americans in March and April. “We concluded that CEO activism comes with both risks and rewards for CEOs and their companies,” the report said, offering priceless guidance. The firm noted that lots of CEOs were against President Donald Trump’s travel ban on people from mostly Muslim nations, as well Trump’s decision to ditch U.S. participation in the Paris climate accord. Again With The Millennials “We found unmistakable signs generationally that cannot be ignored by business leaders,” the report said. “Millennials, a highly desirable employee and consumer market, are generally more positive about activist CEOs than Gen Xers (ages 37–52) and Boomers (ages 53–71).” Obviously, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk can say whatever they want since they’re rich enough to rocket your lame millennial carcass to Mars. But let’s just look at what the people polled consider the do’s and don’ts of what topics upon which a chief exec should assume the position. Related Link: ...

US stocks traded higher on Wednesday. Investors, meanwhile, focused on some notable insider trades. When insiders sell shares, it indicates their concern in the company’s prospects or that they view the stock as being overpriced. Either way, this signals an opportunity to go short on the stock. Insider sales should not be taken as the only indicator for making an investment or trading decision. At best, it can lend conviction to a selling decision. Below is a look at a few recent notable insider sales. For more, check out Benzinga's insider transactions platform. Danaher The Trade: Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) Executive Vice President Joakim Weidemanis sold a total ...

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

It's new to the dividend scene, but it's already establishing a record of raising its payout.

Shares of Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. rallied again Friday, as better-than-expected earnings and a dividend hike followed a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to strike down a New York gun-control provision.