‘ Carnival Corporation Reports Strong Fourth Quarter Results, CEO Discusses Momentum\n\nThe major indexes rebounded on Thursday, with the Fed’s favorite inflation data due. Apple and Carnival Corporation (CCL) led the stocks to watch. CCL shares jumped after the cruise operator reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results, citing strong ongoing vacation booking trends. CEO Josh Weinstein joined Yahoo Finance to discuss the company’s momentum.\n\nWeinstein noted that Carnival has seen “record demand” persisting post-pandemic, with 2024 bookings already nearly two-thirds filled at “considerably higher prices.” He attributes this to increased advertising and onboard investments paying off, driving “true organic demand” beyond just pent-up post-COVID travel appetite. In his view, Carnival’s “world-class” brand experience and delivery of memorable voyages are attracting first-time and loyal cruisers alike, resulting in historic volumes and pricing power.\n\nThe S&P 500 rose 1% on Thursday, December 21, 2023, with positive corporate earnings news helping U.S. Equities bounce back from Wednesday’s selloff. Cruise operator Carnival Corporation (CCL) shares are trading higher after posting a narrower-than-forecast fourth-quarter loss alongside better-than-expected revenue totals. The stock has surged around 140% year-to-date in 2023.\n\nBlackBerry (BB) shares plunged Thursday afternoon after the company provided light fourth-quarter revenue guidance. This capped a tumultuous year which saw executive and strategy shifts for the former mobile phone maker now focused on cybersecurity, leading to eight analyst hold ratings presently.\n\nUsed vehicle retailer CarMax (KMX) reported mixed results after beating third-quarter EPS estimates but missing consensus revenue forecasts. The company remains optimistic about its future growth potential.\n\n Carnival Corporation’s strong fourth-quarter results and CEO Josh Weinstein’s discussion of the company’s momentum highlight its resilience and attractiveness in the cruise industry.’

'China's largest financial institution, 9999.HK, has recently announced its plans to expand its presence in the global market. The company, also known as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), is the world's largest bank by total assets and has been a key player in the Chinese economy for decades. With its latest move, ICBC aims to further solidify its position as a leading global financial institution.\n\nICBC's expansion plans include increasing its presence in key financial hubs such as London, New York, and Singapore. The company has already established a strong foothold in these cities, but with the changing landscape of the global economy, ICBC sees an opportunity to further grow its business and reach a wider audience.\n\nOne of the main drivers behind ICBC's expansion is the increasing demand for Chinese financial services in the global market. As China's economy continues to grow, so does the need for Chinese financial institutions to provide services to international clients. ICBC, with its vast resources and expertise, is well-positioned to meet this demand and cater to the needs of its clients.\n\nIn addition to expanding its presence in key financial hubs, ICBC is also focusing on developing its digital capabilities. \n\n The challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, ICBC has remained resilient and has continued to deliver strong financial results. In the first half of 2021, the company reported a net profit of 165.6 billion yuan (approximately 25.5 billion USD), a 5.3% increase from the same period last year. This growth can be attributed to ICBC's diversified business model and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.\n\nIn a statement, ICBC's Chairman Yi Huiman emphasized the company's commitment to its global expansion plans, stating that "ICBC will continue to deepen its international presence and contribute to the development of the global financial market." With its strong financial performance and strategic plans for growth, ICBC is poised to maintain its position as a leading global financial institution.\n\n ICBC's expansion plans and strong financial performance demonstrate its position as a key player in the global financial market.'