Author: admin

  • 7 Surprising Habits That Can Spike Your Blood Sugar

    7 Surprising Habits That Can Spike Your Blood Sugar

    • Blood sugar should rise and fall, but health issues can arise when glucose remains elevated.
    • Certain medications and not addressing stress are some of the many reasons why blood sugar spikes. 
    • Work with a certified diabetes educator or health care provider if you’re having trouble managing your glucose.

    Some ups and downs in blood sugar are natural. What we want to avoid are large fluctuations in blood sugar, either too high or too low. Avoiding these fluctuations isn’t always easy—glucose variability can occur for a variety of reasons, like taking too much or too little medication, dehydration, stress, illness and overeating foods high in carbohydrates. 

    Rebecca Jaspan, M.P.H., RD, CEDS, CDCES, describes the process, “Rises in blood sugar are normal for people with and without diabetes. Particularly when we eat, blood sugar rises, the hormone insulin is released and helps move the sugar from the blood into cells to produce energy.  When there is a disturbance in this insulin process, either from insulin resistance or not making enough insulin, the sugar stays in the blood and causes prolonged high blood sugar, which can be detrimental to health over time.” Here are seven habits diabetes experts recommend to help keep your blood sugar from spiking.

    1. Not Addressing Your Stress 

    Stress is inevitable, but chronic stress that is not addressed can hurt your health. Jaspan says, “High stress is one factor that can increase blood sugar. When we are stressed, the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released, which can raise blood sugar and disrupt normal insulin function. This ‘fight or flight’ response keeps sugar in the blood longer rather than it moving into cells.” Lauren Plunkett, RDN, CDCE, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes care and education specialist and a person living with type 1 diabetes, adds, “When emotional stress is constant, it becomes chronic and this can lead to health problems over time.”

    2. High-Intensity Exercise 

    Exercise, a healthy habit, is important for increasing insulin sensitivity, i.e., how your body uses insulin. Regular exercise improves circulation, heart and respiratory health, and is a pivotal part in maintaining a healthy weight, increasing energy and mood, and building and maintaining bone and muscle.

    Exercise improves blood sugar and can even cause it to dip below normal. However, for some people, strenuous exercise may cause blood sugar to rise. This occurs when adrenaline is released. Adrenaline can raise blood sugar by stimulating your liver to release glucose.

    In addition, Jaspan says, “The body needs more glucose for energy during this type of exercise, causing the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream.” This rise is usually short, and “not necessarily unhealthy,” and “a completely normal part of our physiology,” adds Plunkett. If you have insulin resistance and diabetes, Jaspan recommends incorporating a variety of exercises and focusing on low- and medium-intensity exercises such as walking, Pilates and moderate weight training.

    3. Taking Certain Medications 

    Several classes of medications can cause blood sugar to rise. Medications like glucocorticoids, antipsychotics, heart medications (statins, beta blockers, diuretics), immunosuppressive drugs and hormone treatments are associated with changes in glucose metabolism and the incidence of high blood sugar or diabetes. If you have diabetes, make sure your care provider is aware of all the medications you’re taking. And don’t start or stop taking any medications without speaking to your provider first. 

    4. Not Paying Attention to Hydration 

    When you are not adequately hydrated, glucose becomes more concentrated in your blood, which can cause your levels to rise. To stay hydrated, women should aim for 11.5 cups (91 ounces) of fluids per day and men 15.5 cups (125 ounces) of fluids per day. This accounts for 20% of your fluid intake from the food you consume. However, your individual fluid needs can vary based on climate, sweat, physical activity and illness. Determine if you are adequately hydrated by examining your urine. It should be light yellow. 

    5. Eating Large Amounts of Sugar-Free Foods 

    The American Diabetes Association cautions people with diabetes to carefully read labels, as sugar-free and no-sugar-added claims do not necessarily mean that a food is carbohydrate-free or lower in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the macronutrients that impact blood sugar the most. Therefore, if you overeat sugar-free foods, your blood sugar may rise too high. 

    Keep in mind that “When we eat, our food has an absorption rate that lasts for several hours. Blood glucose rises and typically falls during this time, and the rate of absorption is a result of meal composition. If blood glucose rises while eating and continues to rise between meals, it might be time to talk with a dietitian trained in preventing insulin resistance through lifestyle,” says Plunkett. 

    6. Skipping Out on Sleep 

    It’s tempting to stay up late to binge a thrilling new show or listen to your favorite podcast, but sleep and diabetes have a bidirectional relationship. Not enough sleep can cause blood sugar to rise. High blood sugar often interrupts sleep, especially if you are making frequent bathroom trips in the middle of the night. In a cohort study, researchers evaluated the risk of developing diabetes and sleep duration. They discovered that people who slept less than six hours per night had a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. ,

    Research also demonstrates that people with diabetes who have inadequate sleep duration or sleep quality have higher fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1C, and experience more insulin resistance. Ideally, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Try to be consistent and shoot for the same bedtime and wakeup time daily. 

    7. Getting Too Much Sun 

    Frequent sun exposure can increase the chances of getting burned. Sunburn is often accompanied by pain, which can increase stress hormones and, as a result, increase your blood sugar.

    Other Habits That Can Increase Blood Sugar:

    • Skipping breakfast 
    • Drinking too much coffee 
    • Using a nose spray 
    • Not taking care of your teeth 

    Meal Plan to Try for Better Blood Sugar

    7-Day High-Protein, High-Fiber Meal Plan for Better Blood Sugar, Created by a Dietitian

    Our Expert Take 

    Blood glucose is supposed to rise and fall throughout the day. The problem occurs when blood sugar is elevated for long periods, increasing the risk of developing diabetes or complications of diabetes for those people who have it. Knowing where your blood sugar should be and which behaviors elevate it higher than normal is important. Many habits that increase blood sugar, such as too much stress, inadequate hydration and lack of sleep, can be remedied with simple lifestyle modifications. If you are unsure where to start or what your blood sugar should be, reach out to a certified diabetes educator or your health care provider.

    Continue Reading

  • FMs of G7 call for resumption of talks on Iran nuclear deal – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. FMs of G7 call for resumption of talks on Iran nuclear deal  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. G7 urges talks to resume for deal on Iran nuclear program  Reuters
    3. G7 foreign ministers condemn Iranian threats against watchdog head  JNS.org
    4. G7 FMs Urge Ceasefire Between Israel, Iran, Call on Tehran to Cooperate with IAEA  Sada Elbalad english
    5. G7 Foreign Ministers urge Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA  AnewZ

    Continue Reading

  • Second World Test Championship Final victory on Lyon’s agenda | ICC World Test Championship

    Second World Test Championship Final victory on Lyon’s agenda | ICC World Test Championship

    Lyon currently has a total of 556 Test wickets to his name, which is third on the list for Australian bowlers behind fellow spinner Shane Warne (708) and former quick Glenn McGrath (563).

    With two Tests remaining in the West Indies this month and the visit from England later this year still to come for the Aussies in 2025, there’s every chance Lyon overtakes McGrath quickly and closes in on Warne’s magical mark in the coming months.

    But Lyon is not focused on potentially becoming Australia’s greatest wicket taker and wants to focus on winning games of Test cricket for his side.

    “Warney’s a long way away,” Lyon said.

    “And in my eyes, he’s the greatest to ever play the game. I’m just lucky to be part of a pretty special cricket team at the moment. We’re on our way to becoming a great cricket team, we not there (yet) as I always say. But to be part of this bowling attack and play my role is special. That’s the reason why I keep playing.”

    Continue Reading

  • Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff offer support to Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala ahead of Wimbledon

    Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff offer support to Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala ahead of Wimbledon

    Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf.

    A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer’s discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging.

    Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

    Continue Reading

  • Slander or ‘trash-talking’? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in court

    Slander or ‘trash-talking’? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in court

    A federal judge is pondering the nature of rap battles and the cutting wordplay in Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” the megahit diss track that spurred a defamation lawsuit from his fellow superstar Drake.

    Drake sued Universal Music Group — both his and Lamar’s record label — over “Not Like Us,” saying the company published and promoted a song he deems slanderous. Universal says the lyrics are just hyperbole in the tradition of rap beefing, and the label is trying to get the case dismissed.

    U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas didn’t immediately decide after a lively hearing in New York on Monday, when the raw creativity of hip-hop brushed up against the staid confines of federal court.

    “Who is the ordinary listener? Is it someone who’s going to catch all those references?” Vargas wondered aloud, addressing a legal standard that concerns how an average, reasonable person would understand a statement. “There’s so much specialized and nuanced to these lyrics.”

    Neither artist attended the hearing.

    The case stems from an epic feud between two of hip-hop’s biggest stars over one of 2024 biggest songs — the one that won the record of the year and song of the year Grammys, got the most Apple Music streams worldwide and helped make this winter’s Super Bowl halftime show the most watched ever.

    Released as the two artists were trading a flurry of insult tracks, Lamar’s song calls out the Canadian-born Drake by name and impugns his authenticity, branding him “a colonizer” of rap culture who’s “not like us” in Lamar’s home turf of Compton, California, and, more broadly, West Coast rap.

    “Not Like Us” also makes insinuations about Drake’s sex life, including “I hear you like ’em young” — implications that he rejects.

    Drake’s suit says that the song amounts to “falsely accusing him of being a sex offender, engaging in pedophilic acts” and more. Contending that the track endangered him by fanning notions of vigilante justice, the suit blames “Not Like Us” not only for harming Drake’s image but for attempted break-ins and the shooting of a security guard at his Toronto home. The mansion was depicted in an aerial photo in the song’s cover art.

    “This song achieved a cultural ubiquity unlike any other rap song in history,” Drake lawyer Michael Gottlieb said. He argued that Universal had campaigned and contrived to make it “a de facto national anthem” that didn’t just address hip-hop fans who knew the backstory and were accustomed to over-the-top lyrical battling.

    The average listener could be “a 13-year-old who’s dancing to the song at a bar mitzvah,” Gottlieb suggested.

    “That would be a very interesting bar mitzvah,” the judge opined. (The song has indeed been played at some such celebrations.)

    Universal, meanwhile, has emphasized that “Not Like Us” was part of an exchange of barbs between Drake and Lamar.

    “Context is key,” label lawyer Rollin Ransom argued Monday, at one point apologizing for having to use profanity while reciting some of the lyrics Drake aimed at Lamar in a track called “Taylor Made Freestyle.”

    “What you hear in these rap battles is trash-talking in the extreme, and it is not, and should not be treated as, statements of fact,” the attorney said.

    The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

    Drake also went after iHeartMedia, claiming in a Texas legal petition that the radio giant got illegal payments from Universal to boost airplay for “Not Like Us.” IHeartMedia has denied any wrongdoing. That dispute was resolved in March.

    Drake hasn’t sued Lamar himself.

    Continue Reading

  • Valve fixes one of the more annoying parts of using the Steam Deck OLED

    Valve fixes one of the more annoying parts of using the Steam Deck OLED

    Summary

    • The SteamOS 3.7.13 update fixes WiFi issues on the Steam Deck OLED for a better gameplay experience.
    • Patch focuses on bug fixes for input issues, visual corruption, cursor, and power button detection.
    • A comprehensive changelog includes audio fixes, accessibility improvements, and additional platform support.

    The Steam Deck OLED is a great way to play your games on the go, which is why it’s important for it to have a strong and stable WiFi connection. I mean, sure, you can install a USB Ethernet port on it, but if you want to, say, play it online at a cafe, you’re very much dependent on the Steam Deck’s WiFi capabilities.

    Unfortunately, the Steam Deck OLED’s WiFi capabilities can be a little bit spotty, which can get really annoying when you want to play it on the go. Well, here’s some good news for you: Steam has just released a new version of SteamOS, and tucked away within its patch notes is a fix for the Steam Deck OLED’s WiFi issues.

    Related

    I already installed SteamOS on the Asus ROG Ally X, and I regret it

    This needs a little longer in the oven..

    The SteamOS 3.7.13 update fixes a ton of annoying issues

    Running GeForce Now on the Steam Deck OLED

    On the Steam Community website, Valve breaks down what’s new in SteamOS 3.7.13. By the looks of things, the main focus of this update, titled “Out Exploring,” is squashing lots of infuriating bugs. As such, if SteamOS has been acting strangely for you lately, it’s worth taking a peek at the changelog and seeing if your issue got squashed already.

    Perhaps the most welcome change is the removal of WiFi regression on the Steam Deck OLED. People have reported spotty performance with WiFi on the OLED model lately, and before now, the best advice people could give was to install the beta version with the fix on it. Now, there’s no need to leave the release channel; just update your Steam Deck and you’re good to go.

    There are also some fixes for input issues on the Asus ROG Ally, a line of visual corruption on the cursor, and SteamOS hanging on Strix Point devices. So yes, a ton of annoying issues have now bit the dust. There’s also a nice change that allows for better power button detection on third-party devices like Ayaneo and OneXPlayer systems. Nice one, Valve.

    Here’s the full changelog:

    Continue Reading

  • AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney by Jeff Foster

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney by Jeff Foster

    Midjourney was my first real text-to-image AI tool experience starting back in 2022. I’ve watched it evolve as the industry swelled with competition and lots of other image, animation and video tools popping up almost weekly since. By January 2023, the tools started to evolve to a place where they made us sit up and take notice, as I outlined in my first AI Tools article, AI Tools Part 1: Why We Need Them.

    But after years of progress and lots of testing, Midjourney has now raised the bar yet again, with the introduction of their new video tool, and I’m pleasantly surprised at what it can do so quickly and sensibly. Here’s what I’ve explored so far…

    Frame from Noir style short clip created in Midjourney Video

    Midjourney Animate

    Midjourney announced the new video animation feature and the output is quite impressive!

    I’ve been using a lot of different animation and video generation tools the past few years, as you may know if you’ve been following my AI Tools series here on ProVideo. But this is the most seamless and quickest workflow I’ve yet to engage with.

    Most generators require a starting image – like a keyframe if you will. I almost always start with an image I’ve generated in Midjourney and then gone to another tool to animate it. (You can see my last article, AI Tools: Generative AI for Video & Animation Updates for more examples of the workflow). But now in Midjourney, you can either generate a new image as your source, or start with your own photo.

    First – the details and specs…

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 43

    Currently, everyone with an account can access the Animate option, but only the Pro and Mega plans can use the Relax mode, and videos consume 8x more time to process than images, but it does provide you with 4 variations to choose from in each round.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 44

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 45

    Video Output Sizes & Formats

    Note that the maximum resolution at the moment is 480p (832×464) and the sizes vary depending on aspect ratio of course.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 46AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 47

    You can export your video in a compressed MP4 for social use, or a larger RAW MP4 H.264 version (still compressed but less) and animated GIF. You can link to the completed video’s URL as it stays in the cloud in your account.

    This is the Codec data from a “RAW” files downloaded from Midjourney:

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 48

     

    Midjourney Video Test Drive

    Of course I had to dive in and absorb all I could with this new feature and I spent a couple days running it through the paces.

    Starting off, I tried using some simple prompts for various news reporters to be used as B-roll. (I’d use something like this in a pinch to put on a screen in a shot that simulated a newscast on TV, for instance). The quality is good enough for the scale it provides (480p) but in no way intended for full-screen in this initial roll-out.

    My first step was to get some figures to animate. I entered short prompt descriptions for Midjourney to generate some examples. It’s funny what AI thinks about ages at times. And some of the results are just so wrong they’re HILARIOUS!

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 49

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 50

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 51

    After selecting the subject I wanted for each shot, I let Midjourney decide on the motion with the Auto Animate option. Each pass provides you with four different videos to choose from so you can extend out many options.

    I created this video to show you the selections and results for each subject.

    I did the same with these other examples from ChatGPT prompts and explain the process for each example.

    (Note: the VO says 840p when I know damn well it’s 480p! Linguistically dyslexic I guess!)

     

    Photo to video

    Testing out the photo to video feature in Midjourney, I used an old image of my 80’s hair rock & roll days. So much hair product back then!

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 52

    I uploaded the photo as the first frame and I let Midjourney do the work from there. I extended it just once more to make about an 8 second clip. I exported it as an animated GIF (not JIF) since there isn’t any audio. If only I was really that cool on stage!

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 53

     

    Using Midjourney for Storyboarding and Previz

    Currently, I see Midjourney as a tool for creativity and helping you bring your ideas to life. Not necessarily as an end product, but to realize how the written word can be visualized on the screen.

    This could be an amazing tool for screenwriters trying to sell a treatment, or for storyboarding scenes and shots for locations, sets, lighting and blocking.

    I created a short scene completely with AI tools in just a few steps – with two different variations to show how seamlessly Midjourney responds to prompts and extensions.

    I started with ChatGPT asking for ideas for projects to do and this was one of the results I followed.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 54

    I was happy with the resulting images so I went with one I liked and decided to build a story around what the character ended up doing with my extended prompts.

    I must say, this was one of the most satisfying and creative projects in an intuitive workflow that I’ve done in years. And it really only took a few hours from start to finish, because I had no preconceived idea what it was going to be – and I was going to let the AI Tools be my partners as my writers, actors, sound FX, staging and camera ops. I really felt like a director of sorts.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 55

    Each render pass provides 4 different variations based on the first frame (or continues from the last pass with each extension up to 4x). It’s very subjective to decide what take you want to use, but that’s part of the storytelling aspect. In my case, I started with the ChatGPT original prompt and then instructed the action to the end of the prompt with instructions.

    Each pass I would add a new instruction or direction. Mostly the camera moves and angles were determined by Midjourney but those can be directed more closely as well. However, it doesn’t always follow instructions for action, but you can often fool it by rewording instructions. Sometimes though, the mistakes can actually change the story and you follow a different rabbit down the hole.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 56

    I’m including a few GIFs below showing the order of the process and the subsequent renders for each prompt instruction, and decision I made from those render result to continue on building my scene.

    Prompt (with selected start image): film noir style, trench coat detective under a streetlamp in heavy rain, black and white with subtle color tint, glistening cobblestone, intense contrast, 1950s urban alley setting, moody and mysterious, he’s holding a lit cigarette and looks around like he’s waiting on someone

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 57

    Prompt change/addition:  he starts to cross the street while the camera follows his movement and he flicks the cigarette down on the street. (He didn’t cross the street but I went with it)

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 58

    Prompt change/addition: a woman appears from the shadows on the right and runs up to him urgently. (more like a slow saunter, but it works)

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 59

    Prompt change/addition: the couple kisses and embrace.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 60

    You’ll have to watch the video below to see what Variation 2 ended like!

    So I needed to add sound to this short scene and I needed a voice over to narrate in an appropriate tone and voice.

    I started with ChatGPT again and my AI script writing partner and I came up with some good lines. (You’ll hear both versions in the video below).

    I used the script text in ElevenLabs using their new v3 Alpha model for a more natural speech delivery and I found a great voice that really fit the time period.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 61

    I also used ElevenLabs to produce my sound FX and music bed.

    AI Tools: Video & Animation Come to Midjourney 62

    Everything mixed easily in Adobe Premiere Pro in just minutes. And here’s the result(s)

    For more detailed info about Midjourney video options and usage instructions, visit their website.

     

    Continue Reading

  • Diljit Dosanjh & Hania Aamir starrer Sardaar Ji 3 sets new box office benchmark in Pakistan – Firstpost

    Diljit Dosanjh & Hania Aamir starrer Sardaar Ji 3 sets new box office benchmark in Pakistan – Firstpost

    Diljit Dosanjh, who plays the lead role in the film along with Canadian Indian actor Neeru Bajwa, posted clips of the response of the Pakistani audience in theatres to the film.

    read more

    Punjabi film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has achieved a record-breaking opening in Pakistan, surpassing previous box office records held by Bollywood movies.

    The movie stirred controversy in India due to the casting of Pakistani actress Aamir amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.

    The producers didn’t release the film in India. Released internationally on June 27, the film garnered approximately PKR 9 crore (approx $500,000) in Pakistan over its opening weekend, setting a new record for the highest three-day gross by an Indian film in the country.

    STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

    Nadeem Mandviwalla, a prominent exhibitor and distributor who owns a multiplex in Karachi, confirmed the film’s exceptional performance. He noted that the movie had already raked in around PKR 9 crore in its opening weekend.

    “I think this is the best opening ever for any Indian or Pakistani film in our theatres,” Mandviwalla said.

    Dosanjh
    , who plays the lead role in the film along with Canadian Indian actor Neeru Bajwa, posted clips of the response of the Pakistani audience in theatres to the film.

    Mandviwalla said the success of Sardaaji was a breath of fresh air for the Pakistani entertainment industry, particularly for the cinema house owners.

    “I think despite the high ticket rates and the weather, the audience has come out because of the summer holidays and because Pakistani people still want to watch quality films on the big screen,” he said.

    STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD


    Continue Reading

  • Seven West Media acquires Southern Cross Media Group television assets

    DLA Piper has advised Seven West Media (ASX:SWM) on its acquisition of Southern Cross Media Group Limited’s (ASX: SXL) television licenses and associated assets operating in Tasmania, Darwin, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa and Remote, Central and Eastern Australia.  

    The acquisition largely completes Seven West Media’s national broadcast network and opens new markets to Seven. 

    The cross-practice DLA Piper team was led by M&A partner David Holland, who was supported by senior associates Conor Dolphin and solicitors Donna Kwon and Andrew Bell (all Corporate). Real Estate counsel was provided by partner Stephanie Lambert, senior associate Winnie Liang and solicitor Jordan Brewer. Tax guidance was provided by partner Eddie Ahn. 

    David Holland said: “This is an important strategic acquisition for Seven West Media, which not only completes their national broadcast footprint but also positions them strongly to expand into new regional markets.” 

    “Our team worked closely with both parties to navigate the complexities of this deal, ensuring a smooth process and a transaction that is immediately accretive to Seven West Media’s earnings,” David added.

    Continue Reading

  • Goldman’s stock surges to another record, as the ‘big winner’ of Fed’s stress tests

    Goldman’s stock surges to another record, as the ‘big winner’ of Fed’s stress tests

    By Steve Gelsi

    Bank stocks have outperformed the stock market with Goldman Sachs’ stock up 23% and JPMorgan Chase’s up 22% in 2025 while the S&P 500 has gained 5.1%

    Bank stocks finished a strong first half of the year on Monday on the heels of a fresh bill of health in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s annual stress test.

    Monday marked the first regular trading day after the U.S. Federal Reserve said the U.S. banking system would remain sound in the face of a simulated recession, after its review of bank balance sheets.

    KBW analyst David Konrad said the results of the Fed’s stress tests “were remarkably strong” due to higher preprovision net revenue generated by the group, as well as a reduction in counterparty trading losses.

    Estimates for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), Wells Fargo (WFC) and M&T Bank Corp. (MTB) stress capital buffers – money that banks must keep on hand in case of shocks to the financial system – will go down more than other banks, Konrad said.

    See related: Wells Fargo clears another Fed hurdle as banks pass stress tests.

    This may free up capital either for lending or possibly for share buybacks or dividends to stockholders.

    Bank of America Corp. (BAC), Citigroup Inc. (C) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) also fared well in the Fed’s stress test, Konrad said.

    Citi analyst Keith Horowitz said Goldman Sachs emerged as “the big winner” due to its “much better-than-expected” improvement in stress capital buffers.

    Improvement in banks’ preprovision net revenue, lower trading and counterparty losses, and better credit-card performance contributed to Goldman’s results, he said.

    Goldman’s stock (GS) was the biggest gainer among the U.S.’s six largest banks by market capitalization on Monday, rising 2.5% for its third straight record close.

    The stock is now up 23.6% in 2025. That’s well ahead of the 5.1% rise by both the S&P 500 index SPX and the Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, as well as the 3.5% gain by the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA.

    Jefferies analyst Daniel Fannon said common equity tier-one ratios – which include stress capital buffers – will fall an average of 100 basis points for the 16 largest banks in the Fed’s stress test.

    Goldman Sachs’ common equity tier-one ratio will fall 240 basis points, while M&T Bank’s ratio will fall by 120 basis points as the biggest drops in Jefferies’ banking coverage.

    While Wall Street analysts are already projecting lower stress capital buffer requirements for the banks, these figures don’t become official until August.

    Banks may tweak their dividend increases or request a review from regulars in moves that could alter their final stress capital buffer requirements.

    Oppenheimer analyst Chris Kotowski said it’s unlikely that lower capital requirements will translate directly into money returns for shareholders.

    “Capital has generally not been the gating factor in decisions about deploying capital for customers,” Kotowski said in a research note. “We doubt that banks will go hog-wild on buybacks. They will want to see these metrics stick for another year or two before accepting them as the new normal.”

    Meanwhile, financial stocks continued their winning ways on Monday to cap off a strong first-quarter performance.

    JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s stock (JPM) advanced by 1%, also for a record close, and to build up its 2025 gain to 20.9%.

    Wells Fargo & Co.’s stock (WFC) was up by 0.9% on Monday, to trade 1.4% below its Feb. 6, 2025, record close of $81.42. It has risen 14.1% this year.

    Bank of America Corp.’s stock (BAC) rose 0.4%, to bring its year-to-date gain to 7.7%, while Citigroup Inc.’s stock (C) rose 0.9%, with a year-to-date advance of 20.9%.

    Morgan Stanley’s stock (MS) inched 0.1% higher, while its year-to-date rise is at 12%.

    The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF XLF was up 0.8% on Monday and was headed for a record close. It’s risen 8.4% in 2025.

    -Steve Gelsi

    This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. 

    
  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
    

    
  06-30-25 2217ET
    

    Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

    Continue Reading