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• Strikes Continue, Talks Resume
  Israeli strikes across Gaza ...
  Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed at least 59 people over two days, including 17 who were reportedly seeking shelter at a school. The strikes come a week after Israeli forces killed Hamas' military head and leader, Yahya Sinwar, and as the militant group continues searching for a successor. See war updates here.
  
  Meanwhile, US and Israeli negotiators are expected to travel to Qatar's capital, Doha, this weekend to renew stalled talks over a cease-fire and hostage-release deal. The US saw Sinwar as an obstacle in negotiations, but it isn't clear if Hamas is willing to return to the table. Options for a plan reportedly include one from Egypt, which calls for a two-week pause in fighting in exchange for the release of six hostages. Roughly 97 hostages taken Oct. 7, 2023, are still in Hamas' captivity. 
  
  In neighboring Lebanon, Israeli and Hezbollah forces continued to trade fire (see updates, w/maps), particularly in the southern part of the country. Hezbollah has also lost both its leader and presumed successor. 
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• ☕️What Else is Brewing Friday Morning
  Big luxury brands merger hits speedbump. A federal...
  Big luxury brands merger hits speedbump. A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction that the Federal Trade Commission made against an $8.5 billion deal that would see Tapestry, the owner of Coach, Stuart Weitzman, and Kate Spade, buy Capri, which owns Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo. At trial last month, the FTC had argued that the merger would drive up the cost of handbags and cause harm to employees of the brands via lower wages and fewer benefits. This is the latest in a long string of mergers that FTC Chair Lina Khan has sought to prevent.
  
  New home sales in the US increased at their fastest pace in a year.
  
  Joker: Folie à Deux is leaving theaters and going to home release following a dismal run at the box office.
  
  The Los Angeles County DA is asking a judge to resentence the Menendez brothers.
  
  Hawaii is fighting off an invasive species of beetle that can kill trees and fly two miles.
  
  Ballots were damaged after a mailbox in Phoenix was set on fire.
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• Oil prices ease on possible new Middle East ceasefire talks
  Oil prices eased about 1% in volatile trade on Thursday...

  Oil prices eased about 1% in volatile trade on Thursday on reports the U.S. and Israel will try to restart talks on a possible ceasefire in Gaza.

  
  

  Brent futures settled down 58 cents, or 0.8%, lower at $74.38 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) slipped 58 cents, or 0.8%, to end at $70.19.

  
  

  Earlier in the session, both benchmarks traded up over $1 a barrel on concerns the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could result in oil supply disruptions and from uncertainty ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5.

  
  

  "(The) energy complex continues to zig and zag as Middle East risk premium expands and contracts almost daily," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

  
  

  After Iran fired missiles at Israel on Oct. 1, Brent crude surged about 8% during the week ended Oct. 4 on worries Israel would attack Iran's oil infrastructure. It fell about 8% in the week ended Oct. 18 on reports Israel would not hit energy infrastructure, easing fears of supply disruptions.

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• Dow books 4th straight decline, S&P 500 ends higher as Tesla shares surge
  U.S. stocks closed mixed on Thursday, with the blue-chip...

  U.S. stocks closed mixed on Thursday, with the blue-chip Dow extending its losing streak to a fourth straight session and the S&P 500 edging higher as Tesla shares surged.

  
  

  Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 140.59 points, or 0.3%, ending at 42,374.36, booking its largest 4-session slide since Sept. 6th.

  
  

  The S&P 500 index gained 12.44 points, or 0.2%, closing at 5,809.86, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 138.83 points, or 0.8%, finishing at 18,415.49.

  
  

  According to Dow Jones Market Data, Tesla Inc. shares rose about 21.9%, its largest daily gain since May 2013.

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• Jobless claims fall again as hurricane effects fade
  The number of Americans...

  The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dropped significantly for the second consecutive week, reaching 227,000 in the week ending October 19. This decline of 15,000 claims from the previous week reverses the spike caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton earlier in the month, which had particularly affected states like North Carolina and Florida.

  
  

  Raw unemployment claims fell to 202,365 last week, with decreases reported in 39 of 53 states and territories. However, continuing claims increased by 28,000 to 1.9 million, surpassing prepandemic levels, as job seekers are taking longer to find new employment.

  
  

  While jobless claims remain historically low, their accuracy typically diminishes during the holiday season from November to January due to temporary hiring fluctuations. Nevertheless, with the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates, the economy is expected to maintain growth at a pace that supports low unemployment and minimal layoffs.

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