Rollins is a global leader in route-based pest control services, with operations primarily in the United States and across North, Central, and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. Its portfolio of pest-control brands includes the prominent Orkin brand, a market leader in the US and Canada, with near-national coverage. It also has a portfolio of other brands, which it uses to reach customers through alternative sales channels. Residential pest and termite prevention accounts for the majority of Rollins' services, reflecting its ongoing focus on the US and Canadian markets.

The Federal Reserve's highest-profile tool for interest rate and economic management is its target range for the federal funds rate. Changes to this rate (or the lack of changes) will be the lead topic of discussion after the Fed wraps up its meeting on Wednesday. But the central bank has other buttons it can push to impact the cost of funds and domestic GDP. For one, it can communicate. The Fed chairman holds a press conference after every central bank meeting and offers details of discussion topics that are parsed to determine future policy decisions. Fed governors frequently hit the conference circuit in between meetings to amplify their views. The Fed also regularly publishes its own economic forecasts (the so-called "dot plots"), which signal the potential direction for rates. In addition, the Fed can add to or draw down the assets it keeps on its balance sheet. These tactics are known as quantitative easing (QE) or quantitative tightening (QT). Past-Chairman Ben Bernanke was a pioneer in leveraging the balance sheet during the financial crisis in 2008, buying bonds to keep interest rates low. Chairman Powell also launched a QE campaign during the pandemic. Both QE periods helped the U.S. economy recover from recession. However, by 2021, the assets on the Fed's balance sheet had swollen to almost $9 trillion, setting the stage for the bout of inflation that emerged in 2022. To fight pricing pressures, the Fed implemented a QT program and assets on the balance sheet are back down to $6.9 trillion. With the federal funds rate well above all-time lows and the balance sheet well below all-time highs, the new Federal Reserve chairman will have plenty of firepower to support both low inflation and low unemployment.

Rollins Inc. provides pest and wildlife control services and protection against termite damage, rodents, and insects to both commercial and residential customers through its subsidiaries and independent franchises located in more than 70 countries. The company has approximately 22,000 employees. ROL shares are a component of the S&P 500.

Stocks were lower on Thursday. Earnings continue to drive sentiment, though investors are keeping an eye at all times on the Middle East. On the earnings front, software stocks led the move lower with renewed fears about the impact of AI on the industry. Also of note were higher oil prices that are the result of the war in Iran and the related impact on the Strait of Hormuz. After the close, however, some good news came in the form of a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.