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 | Factoid - Monday, June 1, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Sectors • Energy-Utilities |
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A record 9.92 million barrels of crude oil were withdrawn from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) during the week ended May 15, 2026, according to MarketWatch. The withdrawal is part of an agreement between the U.S. and the International Energy Agency designed to counter the Iranian war’s impact on energy prices. A total of 172 million barrels of crude are expected to be withdrawn, reducing the SPR to nearly 300 million barrels, less than half of its 714-million-barrel capacity.
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| | Factoid - Friday, May 29, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Misc. Topics |
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A record 274 climbers summited Mount Everest via the southern face of its peak on 5/20/26, according to the Associated Press. Earlier that week, Kami Rita Sherpa scaled the peak for the 32nd time, breaking his own record, while Pasang Dawa Sherpa, who has the second highest number of summits, scaled the peak for the 30th time.
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| | Factoid - Thursday, May 28, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Misc. Topics |
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Fidelity Investments reported that the average 401(k) balance for accounts it services stood at $141,000 in Q1'26, an increase of 11%year-over-year. The average value of assets held in individual retirement accounts increased by 7% over the period to $131,380. Higher savings rates and equity market performance contributed to the increase in 401(k) account balances. Fidelity noted that the average 401(k) savings rate stood at a record14.4% in Q1'26.
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| | Factoid - Wednesday, May 27, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Misc. Topics |
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CommercialCafe reported that the U.S. industrial vacancy rate stood at 9.1% in April 2026, an increase of 30 basis points year-over-year. Average national in-place rents for industrial space increased by 5.3% year-over-year to $9.08 per square foot during the month. At 16.1% and 5.1%, respectively, California's Central Valley region and Kansas City had the highest and lowest industrial vacancy rates in April.
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| | Brian Wesbury - Can AI Make a Pencil? |
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| Posted Under: Podcast |
Brian Wesbury discusses the implications of a new Fed Chair, how the conflict in Iran may impact inflation, and whether or not AI can make a pencil.
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| | Factoid - Tuesday, May 26, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Misc. Topics |
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that it received more than 22,000 complaints of AI-related scams in 2025, accounting for total losses of nearly $893 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. This is the first year the FBI has separately reported AI-related cybercrime. Cybercriminals are shifting their target groups rapidly. Reports of cybercrime (all cybercrime, including AI-related) among people aged 19 years or younger surged by 74% year-over-year in 2025.
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| | Factoid - Friday, May 22, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Stock Market |
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ETFGI reported that total assets invested in ETFs/ETPs listed globally totaled a record $21.9 trillion at the end of April 2026, up from $19.8 trillion in December 2025. Global net inflows into ETFs/ETPs were a record $856.4 billion year-to-date through April, with the month's increase marking the 83rd consecutive month of positive net flows.
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| | Factoid - Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Misc. Topics |
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FactSet reported that 1,161 mergers & acquisitions (M&A) were announced in the U.S. market in April 2026, down 9.5% from 1,283 deals in the previous month. While deal activity declined, aggregate M&A spending increased over the period, surging by 21.7% from $228.3 billion in March to $277.9 billion in April.
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| | Factoid - Wednesday, May 20, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Stock Market |
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FactSet reported that the S&P 500 Index's ("Index") Q1'26 blended year-over-year (y-o-y) revenue growth rate was 11.4% on 5/15/26 (91% of companies reporting). Should this hold, it will mark the highest revenue growth rate reported by the Index since Q2'22 (13.9%). Each of the Index's 11 sectors are reporting y-o-y revenue growth. The top three sectors and their revenue growth rates are as follows: Information Technology (29.2%), Communication Services (15.1%), and Utilities (13.9%).
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| | Factoid - Tuesday, May 19, 2026 |
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| Posted Under: Factoid • Misc. Topics |
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In its Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025 report, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System reported that 16% of survey respondents had utilized "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) loans over the trailing 12-months ended October 2025, up from 10% in 2021 (when the survey began asking about BNPL loan usage). Of that share, 31% reported utilizing BNPL loans to spread out their payments, while 29% of BNPL loan users said it was the only way they could afford to make the purchase.
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These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.
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The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
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