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Bank stocks pop after Fed releases ‘easier’ 2025 stress test

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Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi, speaks during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, on May 1, 2023. 

Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images

Bank shares rose Thursday after the Federal Reserve released parameters for its annual industry stress test showing smaller hypothetical shocks to the U.S. economy than in previous years.

While still challenging, with U.S. joblessness jumping to 10% and a 33% drop in home prices, the 2025 exam has smaller spikes in unemployment and smaller declines in stock and real estate values than previous versions, Jason Goldberg of Barclays said Thursday in a note titled “2025 Stress Test: Scenarios Easier than Past Two Years.”

The Fed will soon take steps to “reduce the volatility of stress test results and begin to improve model transparency” in the 2025 exam, the regulator said in a statement released Wednesday after the close of regular trading.

Shares of Citigroup jumped 2.9% in midday trading, while Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America each rose at least 1.5%. Big banks gained more than smaller lenders, with the KBW Bank Index rising 1.2% compared with the 0.9% gain of the S&P Regional Banking ETF.

The stress test changes bolster the case made by Wall Street analysts that big U.S. banks will face a friendlier regulatory regime under the Trump administration. Since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the biggest U.S. banks have had to undergo annual exams that test their ability to withstand a severe recession while continuing to lend to consumers and businesses.

Banks have complained for years that the annual stress tests were opaque and unfairly administered, and industry trade groups sued the Fed in December over the exam.

By making the latest iteration of the test both less challenging and more predictable, banks could hold smaller capital cushions later this year, according to Bank of America analyst Ebrahim Poonawala.

“The 2025 stress test scenario, broadly better vs last year, increases our confidence that banks should begin to see relief on regulatory capital requirements, given our expectations for a shift to a balanced, transparent, and more predictable regulatory regime,” Poonawala wrote Thursday in a note.

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Amazon is selling an $800 portable power station for $550, and shoppers 'love the mobile design and durability'

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TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Camping is a fun summer activity. What’s not fun is having no access to electricity. You can’t charge your phone, watch TV, or make your morning cup of coffee. Thankfully, portable power stations allow you to do all that and more. It’s literally like bringing along a giant battery for all of your electronics. Portable power stations are also good to have around your home in case of power outages.

There’s just the problem of price. Portable power stations are notoriously expensive, especially ones that have a larger energy storage capacity. The good news is that we were able to find a solid deal on a 1,056-watt-hour (or 1 kilowatt-hour) power station. This $800 Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station is $550 at Amazon for a limited time. At 31% off, you’re saving $250.

Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station, $550 (was $800) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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The Anker Solix C1000 features a power output of 1,800 watts, making it strong enough to handle multiple electronics and small appliances at once. It has 11total power ports. You get two USB-A and USB-C ports, a car socket, and six AC outlets. Additionally, it also functions as a night light and has a handle for easy carrying. It weighs about 28 pounds.

Now let’s talk about charging. There are two ways you can charge the Anker Solix C1000. The first way is just by plugging it into a standard AC wall outlet. Or if you have the portable solar panels (sold separately), you simply connect the wires and place the panels in the sun. When plugged into an AC outlet, your power station can be fully charged in about an hour. If you charge up with solar, it’ll likely take around two hours. The digital display on the front of the power station shows you the battery and charging status.

Related: Walmart is selling a $1,120 storage shed for only $150, and shoppers say it’s ‘incredibly useful’

Shoppers have found multiple uses for this portable power station. “We bought it mainly for short power outages and to run our refrigerator, but it will have many other uses for sure,” one shopper said. “Just this past week, I had to do some repairs to our floating dock, and there is no extension cord long enough to reach, so I brought this Anker Solix C1000 and it powered our two saws and drills without any issue at all. It’s very cool and has lots of different outlets. Very impressive unit!”

Others say they get daily use out of it. “I love it. I use it every day. I am traveling and camping everywhere,” one shopper shared. “I use it to power a car mobile refrigerator, a little portable air conditioner, and of course, my iPhone and other electronics, and sometimes an electric stove. It can take on all tasks with no problem. I love the mobile design and durability.”

You don’t need to be ‘roughing it’ the next time you go camping. Consider grabbing the Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station to keep all your devices charged and bring along a few essentials for the kitchen or living room. You’ll feel like you never left home. 

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Amazon is selling a 'high-quality' $525 Citizen Eco-Drive watch for $260, and buyers love its 'useful functions'

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TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Time is the most valuable thing any of us has. Therefore, why not keep track of it in the most accurate and stylish way possible, relishing every second? Amazon can help you do that with its incredible selection of high-end watches. One of them, from Citizen, is currently available for half off, and we think it ticks all the boxes.

The Citizen Calandrier Eco-Drive Watch is on sale for $260 right now, which is 50% off the regular price of $525. Not only does this watch give you the time, but it even tells you the day and the date.

Citizen Calandrier Eco-Drive Watch, $260 (was $625) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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While a watch that tells the time is useful, one that does that and lets you know exactly what day and date it is can keep you on schedule better than you might imagine. In addition to the time, day, and date functions, this watch has a 24-hour tracker and world time function, so you can know what time it is anywhere in the world.

With a stainless steel case and bracelet, the timepiece oozes elegance and durability. Its blue dial is highly legible and attractive, and is sure to get you plenty of compliments. It also has a scratch-resistant mineral crystal and 100 meters of water resistance. The Japan-made quartz movement inside operates off of solar energy, provided by the Eco-Drive technology within.

Related: Amazon is selling $100 Reebok sneakers for $60, and shoppers love how ‘comfortable and lightweight’ they are

Amazon customers raved about this watch. One called it “my favorite watch,” adding, “I fell in love with how it looked…It feels and looks like a very high-quality watch. All the functions work perfectly and are not hard to read.”

Another touted the “beautiful blue dial,” and said, “I love good-looking watches…but if the design can incorporate useful functions as well, it’s a winner for me. And this watch does all of that.”

The Citizen Calandrier Eco-Drive Watch will let you know exactly when you are, and it can do so in style. It can also do so for only $260 at the moment, so why not take a chance? We would never waste your time if it weren’t worth it.

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Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Circle, Visa, Carnival, Halliburton, Adobe and more

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These are the stocks posting the largest moves in midday trading.

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