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Latest Stock Market News: Stocks stabilize, FTC targets Microsoft-Activision, ExxonMobil’s share buyback, oil slides

Latest Stock Market News: Stocks stabilize, FTC targets Microsoft-Activision, ExxonMobil’s share buyback, oil slides

Broadcom forecasts current-quarter revenue above estimates on cloud strength

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
AVGO $531.08 12.58 2.43

Broadcom Inc forecast current-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, signaling strong demand for chips used in data centers and networking equipment.

Companies are increasingly investing in the infrastructure needed to support a switch to hybrid work models, giving Broadcom – which makes chips for data centers, routers and Wi-Fi modems – an edge over competitors with more exposure to smartphones and PCs.

Broadcom, which counts iPhone maker Apple Inc as a major customer, stands to gain from the global roll-out of 5G that will boost demand for higher-priced chips used in smart phones.

The company forecast first-quarter revenue of about $8.9 billion, compared with analysts’ estimates of $8.78 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

Revenue rose 21{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to $8.93 billion in the fourth quarter ended Oct. 30. Analysts on average had expected revenue of $8.90 billion.

Costco misses Wall Street forecasts

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
COST $479.95 -2.02 -0.42

Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) on Thursday reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $1.36 billion.

On a per-share basis, the Issaquah, Washington-based company said it had net income of $3.07. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $3.10 per share.

The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $3.14 per share.

The warehouse club operator posted revenue of $54.44 billion in the period, which also did not meet Street forecasts. Ten analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $54.67 billion.

Disney launches ad-supported subscription service

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
DIS $92.25 0.10 0.11

The Walt Disney Company has launched its Disney+ ad-supported subscription offering in the U.S.

More than 100 advertisers are on board for the service that costs $7.99 per month. Bundling with Hulu costs $9.99. Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ costs $12.99.

DocuSign beats Wall Street revenue and earnings estimates

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
DOCU $43.75 1.67 3.97

DocuSign Inc. on Thursday reported a loss of $29.9 million in its fiscal third quarter.

The San Francisco-based company said it had a loss of 15 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 57 cents per share.

The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 41 cents per share.

The provider of electronic signature technology posted revenue of $645.5 million in the period, also topping Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $626.1 million.

For the current quarter ending in January, DocuSign said it expects revenue in the range of $637 million to $641 million.The company expects full-year revenue in the range of $2.49 billion to $2.5 billion.

Lululemon Athletica tops Wall Street expectations

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
LULU $374.51 2.18 0.59

Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU) on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $255.5 million.

On a per-share basis, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based company said it had profit of $2.

The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 15 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.96 per share.

The athletic apparel maker posted revenue of $1.86 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Thirteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.81 billion.

For the current quarter ending in January, Lululemon said it expects revenue in the range of $2.61 billion to $2.66 billion. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had expected revenue of $1.73 billion.

The company expects full-year earnings in the range of $9.87 to $9.97 per share, with revenue ranging from $7.94 billion to $7.99 billion.

Online pet supplier Chewy tops Wall Street revenue estimates

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
CHWY $41.88 0.65 1.58

Chewy is higher in extended trading. The online pet supplies store topped Wall Street revenue estimates.

Fiscal third quarter net sales rose 14.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to $2.53 billion. Analysts expected $2.45 billion.

Net income was $2.3 million, including share-based compensation expense of $46.1 million. Analysts on average expected a loss of almost $35 million.

“Chewy’s third quarter results showed accelerating double-digit topline growth, sustained gross margin expansion, and solid free cash flow generation. The fact that we are simultaneously driving top line growth and expanding margins is yet another proof point of our ability to get big fast and get fit fast, regardless of the macro environment,” said Sumit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Chewy.

Breaking News

Tech stocks lead Wall Street rebound as S&P snaps losing streak

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
AAPL $142.69 1.75 1.24
AMZN $90.36 1.91 2.15
MSFT $247.28 2.90 1.19

U.S. stocks rallied, with the Nasdaq Composite taking the lead advancing 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, as investors dipped back into high growth names including Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. The combo helped the S&P 500 snap a five-day losing streak. In commodities, oil fell for the fifth straight session settling at $71.46 per barrel.

FTC sues to stop Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal — report

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
MSFT $248.19 3.82 1.56
ATVI $74.57 -1.36 -1.79

Microsoft says it has “complete confidence” in its case for buying video game publisher Activision Blizzard and looks forward to presenting its case.The Federal Trade Commission sued to stop Microsoft from acquiring Activision in a $68.7 billion deal, The Washington Post reported.

The federal watchdog is reportedly worried about competition in the gaming market.

“We continue to believe that this deal will expand competition and create more opportunities for gamers and game developers,” said vice chair and president Brad Smith in a statement obtained by FOX Business’ Susan Li.

Microsoft agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash.

When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.

The planned acquisition includes iconic franchises from the Activision, Blizzard and King studios like “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush,” in addition to global eSports activities through Major League Gaming. The company has studios around the world with nearly 10,000 employees.

Meal kit provider Blue Apron slashes workforce

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
APRN $0.77 0.01 1.29

Blue Apron is cutting 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of its total corporate workforce. As a result of these actions, the company expects to incur approximately $1.2 million in employee-related expenses, primarily consisting of severance payments, substantially all of which will result in cash expenditures, the meal kit provider said.

The company expects to recognize such expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Blue Apron plans to further reduce expenses and has identified expense reductions of up to approximately $50.0 million in 2023, as compared to 2022, including the headcount changes identified above. These savings are planned to be implemented throughout the coming year.

Including the expense reduction plans outlined above, Blue Apron is working to strengthen its balance sheet to maintain compliance with its $25.0 million minimum liquidity covenant.

FDA authorizes bivalent COVID shots for kids as young as 6 months old

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
MRNA $183.61 4.61 2.58
PFE $51.78 1.54 3.07
BNTX $169.99 7.36 4.53

The U.S. health regulator has authorized COVID-19 shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech that target both the original coronavirus and Omicron sub-variants for use in children as young as 6 months of age.

The amended authorization on Thursday from the Food and Drug Administration allows use of Moderna’s bivalent shot as a booster in children 6 months through 5 years of age, two months after their initial vaccination.

Pfizer/BioNTech’s updated shot can now be given as a third dose to those aged 6 months through 4 years, who have not completed their primary vaccination series or are yet to receive the third dose.

Children who have completed their initial three-dose vaccination with Pfizer’s original shot are not yet eligible to receive the bivalent booster, the agency said.

The regulator added that data supporting use of Pfizer/BioNTech’s bivalent shot as a booster in this age group is expected in January.

Shots for youngest children in the United States were only approved in June this year, making them the last group to become eligible for vaccination.

Networking equipment maker Ciena tops Wall Street estimates

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
CIEN $51.59 8.30 19.19

Ciena Corp. on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $57.6 million.

On a per-share basis, the Hanover, Maryland-based company said it had net income of 39 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 61 cents per share.

The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 8 cents per share.

The developer of high-speed networking technology posted revenue of $971 million in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $851.5 million.

For the year, the company reported profit of $152.9 million, or $1 per share. Revenue was reported as $3.63 billion.

Average long-term mortgage rate falls a fourth straight week

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell for the fourth consecutive week and have dropped more than three-quarters of a point since hitting a 20-year high last month.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the benchmark 30-year rate dipped to 6.33{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from 6.49{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} last week. A year ago the average rate was 3.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

The average long-term rate sat at 7.08{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in early November, but has since had the steepest 4-week decline since 2008.

Cano Health down on reported hedge fund sale

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
CANO $1.36 -0.34 -20.18

Cano Health in lower in Thursday trading. Investor Third Point reportedly sold its remaining shares in the primary care medical provider, Bloomberg reported.

The hedge fund had a 3.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} stake in October, the report said.

People with knowledge of the situation told Bloomberg that Daniel Loeb’s firm was increasingly concerned about liquidity.

Cano Health reported a third quarter net loss of $112 million, unfavorably impacted by a $65.7 million fair value adjustment of warrant liabilities.

Revenue rose 33{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to $665 million.

Oil rebounds from 2022 lows on China demand hopes, tanker delays

Oil rebounded on Thursday after four sessions of decline, boosted by hopes that easing anti-COVID measures in China will revive demand and by signs that some tankers carrying Russian oil have been delayed after a G7 price cap came into effect.

China on Wednesday announced the most sweeping changes to its resolute anti-COVID regime since the pandemic began, while at least 20 oil tankers faced delays in crossing to the Mediterranean from Russia’s Black Sea ports.

Brent crude rose 69 cents, or 0.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, to $77.86 a barrel by 1445 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.42, or 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, to $73.43.

Exxon plans to raise spending in 2023 closer to $25B

Symbol Price Change {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}Change
XOM $105.26 1.61 1.55

Exxon Mobil Corp on Thursday said it will lift spending next year to $23 billion-$25 billion, the top end of its guidance, and expand investments to curb carbon emissions.

Exxon led record profits among oil majors in the second and third quarters this year, aided by its highly criticized decision during the COVID-19 pandemic to double down on fossil fuels as European competitors shifted to renewables.

The strategy boosted its shares by more than 60{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} this year — far ahead of rivals Shell PLC and BP PLC — as oil prices rose to their highest levels since 2008 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Breaking News

Stocks rebound, ExxonMobil lifts share buyback

U.S. stocks rose, ending a five day losing streak, as investors dipped in and bought material and energy names including ExxonMobil which lifted its share buyback program by as much as $50 billion. In commodities, oil rose to the $74 per barrel level as China eased more COVID restrictions. 

FTX and the IRS

FTX customers, already burned by the bankruptcy, could be facing an even bigger headache: the IRS.

President Biden speaks moments after Brittney Griner freed in prison swap for arms dealer

Futures at a glance

U.S. stock futures are rebounding on Thursday as oil and gold hover between small gains and losses.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up roughly 54 points, or 0.16{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while S&P and Nasdaq Composite futures are both up around 0.23{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Over the last five days, the Dow is 2.14{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in the red, the S&P is down 3.24{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is 4.19{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower.

The U.S. Tech 100
remains down on Thursday at 0.45{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in negative territory and is now 4.52{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower over the last five days as tech stocks begin to mix.  

Shares of Meta are down 0.17{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, Apple is down 1.38{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while Microsoft and Alphabet are off 0.31{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and 2.10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, respectively.

In other tech stocks, shares of Nvidia are up 0.83{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and Amazon are 0.24{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher.

Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude futures are up approximately 2.21{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to $73.60 a barrel, as gold
holds onto roughly a 0.04{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} gain at $1,798.80 an ounce.

U.S. crude and gold are off the last five days with oil skidding 9.53{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and gold losing 1.02{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Stock futures trade cautiously

U.S. equity futures traded cautiously Thursday morning, the day after stocks fell for a fifth day.

Oil prices were rebounding Thursday amid optimism over China’s easing of anti-COVID measures.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures traded around $72.00 per barrel.

Brent crude futures traded around $77.00 per barrel.

Gasoline prices slipped Thursday morning to below where they were a year ago.

The nationwide price for a gallon of gasoline slipped Thursday to $3.329, according to AAA.

A year ago, the price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.343.

On today’s economic docket is the latest report on jobless claims.

On Friday, traders will be able to study the latest inflation report when the government releases producer prices for November.

In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 3.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and China’s Shanghai Composite lost 0.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Wall Street ended a wobbly day of trading with more losses Wednesday, with the S&P 500 down 0.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in its fifth straight loss. The Nasdaq composite, which is heavily weighted with tech stocks, fell 0.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and the Dow industrials were flat.

Gasoline prices now below year ago level

It has been a long strange trip involving pain at the pump.

The nationwide price for a gallon of gasoline slipped Thursday to $3.329, according to AAA.

That is below where the price was 12 months ago.

A year ago, the price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.343.

Diesel has declined to $5.00 per gallon, but that is still a far cry from the $3.612 of a year ago.

Everyone remembers when gas hit an all-time high of $5.016 on June 14.

The average price of a gallon of gasoline on Wednesday was $3.355.  

One week ago, a gallon of gasoline cost $3.470. A month ago, that same gallon of gasoline cost $3.804.

Oil rebounds on optimism over China’s new COVID protocols

Oil prices were rebounding Thursday amid optimism over China’s easing of anti-COVID measures.

Oil is gaining after slumping to the lowest levels so far this year in the previous session.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures traded around $72.00 per barrel.

Brent crude futures traded around $77.00 per barrel.

China on Wednesday announced a loosening of COVID rules that curbed the spread of the virus but sparked protests and hobbled the world’s second-largest economy.

Brent settled on Wednesday below the year’s previous closing low touched on the first day of 2022, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell to its lowest for the year.

Concerns of economic slowdowns weakening fuel demand continued to cap gains.

While U.S. crude stocks fell last week, gasoline and distillate inventories surged, adding to concerns about easing demand.

Cryptocurrency prices for Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin were mixed Thursday morning

Bitcoin was trading around $16,000, after trading lower in three of the last five days.

For the week, Bitcoin has lost 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

For the month, the cryptocurrency is down a little more than 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, but down more than 63{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} year-yo-date.

Ethereum was trading around $1,200, after losing more than 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in the past week.

Dogecoin was trading at 9 cents, after losing more than 11{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in the past week.

Tesla losing EV market share to sub-$50,000 rivals

Tesla losing EV market share to sub-$50,000 rivals

Tesla is however the huge puppy of the U.S. EV marketplace, with a commanding 65 per cent sector share and the No. 1 place amongst luxurious brands, no matter of powertrain. But because of Tesla’s value improves above the previous two a long time, it really is positioned alone typically outside the house the mainstream, other than for the foundation Model 3, analysts say.

Tesla’s EV industry share in the U.S. has fallen from 79 per cent in 2020, and it is envisioned to tumble down below 20 percent by 2025, S&P Global mentioned.

For yrs, Tesla critics have been predicting the arrival of EV level of competition from legacy makes and rival startups — and it is lastly listed here. Notably, the new arrivals are crossovers and pickups that buyers want instead than early-adopter EVs that were scaled-down and centered on meeting regulatory mandates.

“S&P International Mobility predicts the number of battery-electrical nameplates will expand from 48 at current to 159 by the finish of 2025, at a rate a lot quicker than Tesla will be equipped to add factories,” the facts firm mentioned. Though Musk has teased a decreased-priced Tesla for years, “the current market start timing is unclear,” S&P World wide stated.

Tesla does have a products technique to defend its market share, including the planned launch of the Cybertruck pickup from its new manufacturing unit in Texas. Musk has also declared a “robotaxi” that drives autonomously for 2024. And Tesla will deliver its initial Semi cargo vehicles on Thursday. But that does not help it with light-weight-car or truck buyers.

“Right before you experience much too poorly for Tesla, on the other hand, bear in mind that the model will continue to see unit revenue develop, even as share declines,” stated Stephanie Brinley, a senior analyst at S&P World wide Mobility. “The EV industry in 2022 is a Tesla market, and it will continue on to be, so extensive as its competitors are sure by production ability.”

As these types of, S&P World wide added: “Tesla these days is the brand best equipped for getting edge of the speedy surge in EV demand, however manufacturing investments from other automakers will erode this edge quicker than later on.”

Other takeaways from the report:

  • “Of a lot more than 525,000 EVs registered above the 1st nine months of 2022, virtually 340,000 have been Teslas. The remaining volume is divided, quite erratically, amongst 46 other nameplates.”
  • “Buyer willingness to evolve to electrification remains the major wildcard. Hunting previous Model Y and Product 3, no solitary model has realized registrations higher than 30,000 units by way of the very first 3 quarters of 2022.”
  • “Growth potential customers for EV products are sturdy, financial commitment is huge and the regulatory natural environment in the US and globally suggests that these are the resolution for the long run.”

 

Are children more likely to share mental health concerns with a robot?

Are children more likely to share mental health concerns with a robot?

A silhouette of a person against a green backdrop of binary codeShare on Pinterest
New research shows that a “child-like robot” was able to detect mental health concerns in children with more accuracy than humans. Aitor Diago/Getty Images
  • The growing youth mental health crisis highlights a need for early detection and treatment of mental health disorders.
  • A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that socially assistive robots (SARs) could serve as a potential diagnostic tool for mental health.
  • According to the researchers, the study is the first time robots have been used to asses children’s mental well-being.
  • The study shows that robots were more likely to identify cases of well-being anomalies than self-reports filled by children or reports made by their parents.
  • Still, researchers did not use robots to deliver mental health interventions, but rather, to detect and diagnose children’s mental health concerns.

Even before the pandemic, an estimated 4.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of children (about 2.7 million) between the ages of three and 17 had been diagnosed with depression in the United States, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health. The same survey found about 9.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} (about 5.8 million) of children had been diagnosed with anxiety.

Experts believe that stress from COVID-19 has led to increased depression and anxiety in young people.

Mental health-related emergency room visits for children ages 5 to 11 increased by 24{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in 2020 compared to the year prior, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among children between the ages of 12 and 17, visits increased by 31{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

At the same time, adequate mental health care and access are still lacking in the U.S.

Nearly 91 million Americans live in regions with shortages of mental health providers, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which estimates a minimum of 1,846 psychiatrists and 5,931 other practitioners are needed to fill the gap.

Recently, a group of researchers from the University of Cambridge studied the effects of socially assistive robots (SARs), which could potentially serve as an assessment and diagnostic tool in areas where mental health professionals are in short supply.

Their work was presented this week at the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Robots and Human Interactive Communication in Naples, Italy.

For the study, researchers selected 28 children from Cambridgeshire, England, ages 8 to 13 years old. Among the participants, 21 were female and 7 were male with an average age of 9.5.

Children who had already been diagnosed with neurological or psychological disorders were excluded from the research.

First, the participants answered about their well-being on an online questionnaire. Additionally, parents or guardians answered a questionnaire about the well-being of their children.

Later, the young participants spent 45 minutes with a Nao robot, created by SoftBank Robotics. The robot then administered the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, which measures symptoms of depression, and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Additionally, the robot asked the children about happy and sad memories they experienced over the last week and administered a task where children were shown pictures and then asked questions about them.

The researchers found that questionnaires conducted by robots were more likely to identify cases of well-being anomalies than the children’s online self-reports or parent or guardian reports.

Some participants shared information with the robot that they did not share via self-report.

Study co-author Prof. Hatice Gunes, Ph.D., a professor of affective intelligence and robotics and head of the Affective Intelligence and Robotics Lab at the University of Cambridge, explained to Medical News Today that among participants, “the group that might have some well-being related concerns” were more likely to provide negative response ratings during the robot-led questionnaires.

“The interesting finding here is when they interact with the robot their responses become more negative,” Prof. Gunes noted.

Socially assistive robots have previously demonstrated potential as a tool to improve the accessibility of care, the researchers explain in their paper. For instance, a 2020 study illustrated that robots may be helpful in assessing risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Robots have been used for various tasks — and they’ve been shown to be effective in certain things because they have this physical embodiment, unlike a mobile phone or a virtual character or even videos,” Prof. Gunes said.

And despite the potential dangers of allowing a child too much time with an electronic device, working one-on-one with a robot is different from screentime, Prof. Gunes noted.

“This is a physical interaction, right? So, it’s not virtual. It’s not a video — they’re physically interacting with a physical entity,” she said.

Prof. Gunes also pointed to a key aspect of the study: the “child-like robot” used for the research was less than 2 feet tall.

“Here we have a child-looking and child-sounding robot. “In such situations, children actually see the robot more as a peer. So, it’s not an adult that is trying to get some information out of them.”

– Prof. Hatice Gunes, Ph.D., professor of affective intelligence and robotics at the University of Cambridge

Diane Hodge, Ph.D., LCSW, director of the school of social work at Radford University in Virginia, said she’s used puppets and dolls to help make her pediatric clients feel more at ease while she worked as a clinical social worker earlier in her career.

Robots, she told MNT, are the 21st-century equivalent of those puppets.

“I’m all about technology that really enhances and helps people,” Hodge said. “More kids today are just so used to it that they expect it.”

Hodge also pointed out that in the study, the researchers did not use a robot to deliver mental health care interventions, but rather, to assess the well-being of children. “This is just to get people access,” she said.

Hodge also highlighted how the Nao robot was able to successfully identify more “well-being-related anomalies” in children compared to those revealed by humans. “[That] shows that if we had done nothing, right, they wouldn’t have caught that,” she said.

According to Prof. Gunes, her research interests evolved after having a baby in 2018. “I think I became more sensitive to child-related issues and their well-being,” she said.

In the future, Prof. Gunes said the researchers hope to study how children respond to interacting with a diagnostic robot over video chat.

Already, researchers are preparing to conduct a study similar to the one they presented at the conference only with a more equal ratio of male and female participants, according to Prof. Gunes.

“We want to see actually if the findings are consistent across genders,” she said.

Snapchat Adds New Option to Share Bitmoji Outfits in the App

Snapchat Adds New Option to Share Bitmoji Outfits in the App

Snapchat has extra a new possibility which will permit consumers to share their Bitmoji outfits with mates in the application, enabling them to try out the similar electronic outfits on their figures.

Snapchat Bitmoji outfit sharing

As you can see listed here, there is now a ‘Share Outfit’ selection from your Bitmoji update screen, through which you can mail your clothing choices to a friend for them to check out out.

It is an interesting update, for the reason that when NFTs have fairly confusingly grabbed all the awareness in the evolving electronic products place, the place the smart funds really is, primarily between manufacturers, is in digital outfits, and virtual outfits for online avatars, which, if the Metaverse does turn into the subsequent simple of conversation as Mark Zuckerberg and several others are predicting, will be a far more vital, extra helpful and additional well-known component.

We have noticed this in our existing templates for what the Metaverse is envisioned to be, with both Roblox and Fortnite making huge funds from their in-video game skins (Fortnite makes the majority of its revenue from the sale of character skins), and Minecraft constructing a complete creator economic climate all around personalized character and element patterns. These elements greatly enhance the practical experience, allow larger personalization, while also communicating position. Which is why Snapchat may perhaps be on to a winner with this most up-to-date update.

And it’s not just the capability to share your outfit, Snapchat is also launching a new line of Bitmoji garments from Converse, to go with other layouts from Nike, Crocs and much more.

This is all element of Snapchat’s broader strategy to develop a virtual clothes marketplace, which will at some point also be linked to true globe items.

Back in 2020, Snap filed a patent which outlined how its Bitmoji style approach would essentially see Snap husband or wife with a variety of style stores to offer Bitmoji variations of their products. That would then offer a selection of new garments possibilities for your avatar in the application, when also giving the brands option to showcase their newest products and solutions in an partaking, interactive way. 

Snapchat Bitmoji fashion patent image

The dual advantage of on the internet and genuine planet item revenue is an engaging attract, and will no question turn out to be progressively well-known as we go closer to the Metaverse long run.

Which is why this is a such a good, uncomplicated addition from Snap. Staying equipped to quickly and effortlessly share your digital outfits will support generate extra interest in the choice, and present much more promotional prospective for makes.

It is a very good, beneath the radar update, which Snap now has a habit of making as it maintains competitiveness with the even bigger gamers in the sector.

Bitmoji Outfit Sharing is available on iOS right now, and rolling out on Android.