What The Market's Reading: 'Threats In 140 Characters Or Less'

Threats In 140 Characters Or Less

The U.S. military suffered a hacking attack on its Twitter Inc TWTR and YouTube accounts on Monday, January 12, further highlighting the growing threat of cyber attacks as a form of terrorism. The hacking group claimed to be a supporter of ISIS and posted threats against U.S. soldiers on the U.S. Central Command Twitter feed.

However, U.S. officials say the cyber attack was “little more than a prank” and that no sensitive information was leaked.

Still, in the wake of the Sony Corp (ADR) SNE attack in December, the incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity in the coming year.

Related Link: 10 Women In Finance To Follow On Twitter

UAE Tells Markets To ‘Be Rational,' Markets Respond Unfavorably

Oil prices fell to six-year lows on Tuesday, January 13, after United Arab Emirates’ oil minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui defended OPEC’s decision not to cut back on production and asked markets to “be rational." He said the kingdom would maintain its position, indicating that the global supply glut is likely to persist.

Falling oil prices have dragged U.S. share markets lower since the start of 2015, causing many to revise their estimates for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate hike timeline. While most were betting that the bank would raise rates in March or April, some believe the bank will push back its tightening measures and wait for markets to stabilize.

Related Link: Gasbuddy: U.S. Motorists Will Save $97B In 2015

Kraft Getting A Bollocking

UK customers are up in arms about Kraft Foods Group Inc KRFT's changes to Cadbury’s famous spring time sweets, Cadbury Creme Eggs. The eggs’ chocolate coating has been changed slightly from Dairy Milk to a new recipe that is “similar, but not exactly Dairy Milk.”

The announcement was not well received, and closely followed another disappointing blow to Cadbury enthusiasts — the number of Creme Eggs in a box has been reduced from six to five. The negative attention surrounding the chocolate change-up will do little to help Kraft regain favor among UK consumers after the company bought out the UK-based chocolatier and closed its UK plant in Keynsham back in 2010.

U.S. customers, whose Creme Eggs are made by Hershey Co HSY, will not be affected by the changes.