Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen opened her statement in today’s press conference announcing “no change” to the federal funds rate, despite of a positive outlook on the US economy, based on reported improvements in the labor market, specifically an average of 230,000 new jobs in the last three months, along with growing household spending and positive consumer sentiment.

A positive outlook was announced despite of stalled wage growth, a growing number of part time employees seeking full time employment, weak business investment, downward outlook on GDP, soft net exports and weak global economic conditions.

Economic expansion and growth is expected to continue, pushing towards a 2% inflation target within 2-3 years, as well as a gradual “tightening” of monetary policy towards a target federal funds rate in the range of 3% by 2018, further increasing in the longer run.

However, Yellen goes on to say that despite of the positive outlook and current assessments of appropriate monetary policy, they will remain “accommodative” due to elevated uncertainty and the Fed is prepared to soften policy with the ability to lower interest rates down to zero to offset possible global economic pressure. Further rate increases are said to be determined on a “live” basis as new data is reported and April’s rate considerations are to be considered at that time.

Yellen was asked whether “negative” interest rates have been considered. Yellen responded by saying that it has not been a focus of discussion due to a positive economic outlook.

A downward forecast in global growth was reported, citing downward pressure from the weight of low oil prices in many countries, specifically mentioning our neighbors to the North and South, Canada and Mexico. Japan reported negative growth in the 4th quarter of 2015.

Oil is expected to stabilize due to market decline in drilling. Current consumer spending is said to be aided by current low oil prices, benefiting households by approximately $1,000 in savings per year, although, current spending was said not to be as strong as “could be”. In increase in oil prices was said to have low significance in monetary policy.

Consumer sentiment was observed to be in “solid territory” as households have been helped by low oil and stronger labor market. Yellen stated that almost all demographic groups have seen improved labor market conditions, despite inequalities existing since the 1980’s.

Market experts are trying to find answers as to why Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has done so. One set of analysts believe that the board is not happy with the management of the company, and thus wants to punish it. However, the other set believes that the executives are placing their eggs in the stock basket, for they are expecting higher gains for the year 2015.

Let’s have a look at the base salaries of the executives of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX). The company’s chairman and chief executive officer, Reed Hastings, has a basic salary of $3 million for the year 2013. However, the figures are cut down to $1 million for the year 2014. As for the chief content officer of the company, Ted Sarandos, the salary came down from $2.8 million to $1 million during the same time period.

Neil Hunt, who is the chief product officer of the company, will get a basic salary of $1 million. The guy previously got $1.75 million in remunerations. The salary of streaming and partnerships officer will stay the same: perhaps the reason is that the basic salary was already at $1 million. What is interesting to note here is the fact that where the salaries of all other executives either went down or remained unchanged, the basic salary of the chief financial officer of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) rose from $0.95 million to $2 million.

Now let’s have a look at the stock options of these executives. The CFO, David Wells, saw a 300 percent increase in its stock options. The total value of stock allowance was recorded to be at $1.675 million. The stock options allowance together with the cash increase in salary brought the total compensation at 145 percent.

The stock options of Greg Peters, streaming and partnership officer, increased by 300 percent, thus bringing the total value to $3.725. The options of Neil Hunt rose by 7.5 percent only. The total salary dropped by 18 percent and came to $2.875 million. But wait. Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has introduced bonuses for its leadership from this year onwards, and word has it that Neil Hunt will be getting a bonus of $5 million next year. As for Sarandos and Peters, chances are that they will get bonuses of $2 million and $1 million respectively.

The market analysts are puzzled as to why the company has done these changes in its salary structure.

The company previously had a cap on its stock options plans. The executives could only use 50 percent of their salaries to pump the stock options. The cap has been removed this year. Where this shows that the executive board has a confidence in the stocks of the company, some of the reasons are not as prominent. The company has also done so in order to avoid the tax payments, for the tax does not apply to the first $1 million of salaries.

Speculators at Wall Street started their guessing game long before 2015 even begins, what would it take for the two oil giants to top the list. This research goes much deeper into the issue then just coming to a conclusion through random guesses.

The thing with DJIA stocks is that it fluctuates with sentiments, too high when they are good and too low when they are negative. So what are the sentiments surrounding these two big oil giants. At last Monday’s closing, Chevron (NYSE:CVX) was the second worst for DJIA stocks with a return below -7.3%. On the other hand Exxon (NYSE:XOM) stood third in line of worst performing Dow stock for 2014. Its loss tipping at almost 6.2%. Speculators still had a much better picture predicted for the two, with Exxon (NYSE:XOM) loss at 4% and Chevron (NYSE:CVX) gain of at least 6%.

At this stage, next year’s predictions are yet unstable. It seems the oil patch has to fall even further down before the recovery stage even begins and leads it up to a profit earning stage. It drop from $100 to $65 is quite bad. Another element to be taken into consideration that bother Exxon (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX) are market leaders with $600 billion in combined market capitalization even after the recent setback. Hence, both have the power to seek out better opportunities in these troubled times.

Both companies also have a standard to maintain, for example ever though Exxon (NYSE:XOM)’s dividend for the year rounds up to $2.76 EPS but its Thomas Reuters prediction is set at $7.59 EPS for this year and $6.58 for 2015. Similarly Chevron (NYSE:CVX)’s divided is $4.28 for the year with estimates set as high as $10.08 EPS for 2014, and $9.14 for 2015. This could actually tempt the companies to lower their spending further and use that money for stock buybacks.

But on the other hand one might think that maybe the bad news it yet to come. Exxon (NYSE:XOM)’s shares trade at $92.40, against a 52 week, ranging between $86.91 and $104.76, with the consensus price target of $100.44. The company’s dividend yield for now is 3.0%, with chances of growth. Whereas Chevron (NYSE:CVX) trades are at $111, with the 52 week range of $106.65 to $135.10 and the consensus price set rising above $130. Its dividend yield is 3.9%.

Companies all around are responding differently to these predictions. Some are lowering their targets while some still have hopes set on them being the high yield dividends for 2015.

Moreover in the third quarter, shipments of modules increased to 1,064 megawatts registering almost 13 percent rise successively. While gross margin, which was 15.4 percent in the first quarter, was reported as 16.7 percent in this quarter resulting in the increase of gross profit by 28 percent.  A gradual increase has also been seen from 3 percent to 5.8 percent in the operating margin. Whereas, there was a substantial jump of 217.2 percent in the net income which stood at $26.9 million without considering variations in exchange rates.

Earnings per ADS reported by Trina (NYSE:TSL) summed up to $0.34, which has been amended not to include unrealized exchange rate losses. 50 ordinary shares are equivalent to one ADS. In October, secondary offerings of ADS took place and Trina was able to generate $318.9 million. The firm also raised $222.7 million through a previous offering as well as selling convertible notes in June.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company commented that Trina (NYSE:TSL) has been able to fulfill and even did better to achieve performance and financial objectives despite of the fact that Europe was experiencing frail demand and foreign exchange was volatile. The gross margin came out to be considerably higher than management estimated. Competitive advantage of the firm’s module business had been made stronger in the third quarter. Positive results had been ensured by cutting the costs associated with module manufacturing and giving importance to technology innovation.  The CEO pledged to maintain synergy between their module and associated businesses with the hope to carry the momentum in the fourth quarter and next year.

 In the last quarter, PV modules between 1,045 to 1,095 megawatts are expected to be shipped including 40 to 60 megawatts for downstream PV ventures.  Gross margin of 14.5 percent to 15.5 percent is estimated by the company in the fourth quarter.

Module shipment estimates for the current year has been reduced by Trina (NYSE:TSL) in the limit of 3,610 to 3,660 megawatts inclusive of 340 to 360 megawatts delivered to downstream projects owned by the company. Whereas, the initial estimates were between 3,600 to 3,800 megawatts. So this reduction will have big impact on its share value on Monday particularly while considering an expected lower gross margin in the fourth quarter.

In the premarket trading on Monday, shares of Trina (NYSE:TSL) dropped by almost 5.5 percent and valued at $10.33 against the range of $8.67 to $18.77 for the year.

Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) also laid out its guidance for the next quarter, stating 9.40 to 10.10 dollars per share. The company also expects a growth of 11 to 18 percent as far as revenue is concerned. The estimates for the next quarter came out at 10.91 dollars EPS and 1.91 billion dollars revenue. Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN)’s revenue for the third quarter (1.2 billion dollars) was 29 percent ahead than what it made last year in the same quarter.

When it comes to bookings, they are expected to slow down by the next quarter. Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) expects books will increase by 15 percent or recede 28 percent what it posted this quarter. The international bookings are also expected to slow down, dwindling down to 10 to 16 percent; in the third quarter it was 32 percent. Travel bookings in the third quarter, including taxes and fees, made up to 13.8 billion dollars; an increase of 28 percent as compared to a year ago.

The company’s CEO exclaimed that Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) finished the summer travel season leading the market with robust numbers and formidable performance. The company’s global accommodation business has increased by 27 percent over the period of one year. Bookings.com is still ahead when it comes to booking accommodations. The company’s rental car business also showed some promise, growing by 18 percent over the past year, which was a 14 percent boost in the second quarter.

The company’s performance, especially in Europe is commendable. Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) has found a place for itself in the competitive market. In the Tuesday’s premarket, the share price turnout for Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) came out negative, down by 6.5 percent at 1,120.00 dollars. The consensus target was 1,483.40. Considering how well the company is faring overall, especially in Europe, it won’t be long since their share price shoots up once again.

Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) has made a reputation for itself and it’s considered to be one of the best companies when it comes to providing convenient bookings and deals. As time goes by, and if the numbers keep coming in strong, Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) will become a sure-shot stock for investors and a healthy bet for the current shareholders. Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) just has to continue with these numbers; in fact improve them so the company’s chances grow stronger. With the holiday season coming up, Priceline will be presented with prospects to cover up whatever it’s short of.

Even though the sale figures have increased significantly, it will not be wrong to say that the company still needs to go a long way if it wants to beat its competitors, for Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU) lags way behind the other two automobile companies.

There are two main reasons for this lagging behind; one is fuel economy and the other one is reliability.

Let’s analyze the first factor first; one of the major selling points, especially for the automaker companies, is the fuel economy. With every new model, the economy gets improved. No doubt that there is much volatility in the gas prices, but the customers always prefer better mileage cars. The companies that are behind competitors in this particular point will definitely see an impact on their sale figures.

Most of you would have guessed by now as to why FCA is behind General Motors and Ford; the company ranked last in the fuel economy of United States. The company has an average mileage of 20.9mpg whereas the industry’s average is 24.1 mpg.

Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU) relies on its truck and jeep sales, which get low fuel economy in comparison to the passenger cars made by the Japanese automobile companies.

The company is not only behind Japanese automobile companies, but its mileage is also less than its Detroit’s competitors:  GM and Ford have a mileage of 22 mpg and 22.2 mpg respectively.

The company needs to improve this point if it wants to stay in the game.

The next factor that needs company’s attention is the reliability of Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU). The company’s ranking in the Consumer Reports was not very good. The top four spots were taken by the Japanese automakers, with Lexus securing the first position and Toyota, Mazda and Honda securing the second, third and fourth positions respectively. Coming to the bottom positions, position number 25 was taken by Dodge, followed by another two brands of FCA and then came Fiat at the very last spot.

General Motors has been ranked as the most reliable American automaker, trailing the average of the industry by 16 percent. On the other hand, Fiat and Chrysler are lagging behind the average by 25 and 69 percent respectively.

FCA needs to work on these weaknesses if it wants to improve the sale figures. Coming to the stock prices of Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU), the company has a 52 week range of $7.20 and $12.35, which seems very volatile. As far as the market capitalization of the company is concerned, the figures stand at $14.34 billion. The company has a beta of 1.66.