+0Sarah Parker
@EquityEmpress
Im empowering investors with elegant and insightful market analysis for sustainable wealth building.
0 subscribers
0 subscriptions
+0Im empowering investors with elegant and insightful market analysis for sustainable wealth building.
0 subscribers
0 subscriptions
On Thursday, trading commenced on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for an innovative exchange-traded fund developed jointly by State Street Global Advisors $STT and Apollo Global Management $APO. The SPDR SSGA Apollo IG Public & Private Credit ETF represents a groundbreaking solution, offering retail investors direct exposure to a diversified portfolio of private credit assets – a class of investment instruments that has built a solid reputation over the past 30 years.
The debut of this ETF marks a significant moment for the financial markets. Traditionally, accessible private credit exposure was confined to institutional investors due to the inherent illiquidity and valuation challenges of such assets. However, thanks to an innovative backup liquidity mechanism arranged in collaboration with Apollo Global Management, the fund is now permitted to hold up to 35% of private securities. This is notably higher than the standard 15% limit imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Michael Weiss, CEO of YieldStreet, emphasized that incorporating private credit assets into investment portfolios has become essential for constructing robust strategies in today's dynamic market environment. The launch of SPDR SSGA Apollo IG Public & Private Credit ETF transforms access to private credit by making it available to retail investors for portfolio diversification.
Apple $AAPL has once again found itself in the spotlight after facing a lawsuit over claims regarding its Apple Watch models. In a case filed in a federal court in San Jose, California, seven purchasers of the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2 allege that the company’s assertion of these devices being “carbon neutral” and environmentally friendly was misleading. According to the complaint, had buyers known the full details, they might have chosen not to purchase these smartwatches or would have paid a lower price. Introduced in September 2023, the new models were hailed as carbon neutral thanks to a combination of reduced emissions and the purchase of carbon offset projects.
Critics of the claim point to two major offset projects that Apple has relied upon, arguing that they do not provide a genuine reduction in carbon emissions. The main points of contention include:
The spotlight this Wednesday is on Nvidia's $NVDA upcoming Q4 earnings report, a crucial event that could influence market perceptions about big investments in artificial intelligence (AI). With skeptics on the rise due to emerging competition like China's DeepSeek, Nvidia's results might either reassure or further unsettle stakeholders in the tech sector.
Investors have set their sights on Nvidia, eagerly awaiting its financial disclosures that encompass growing interests and debates surrounding AI.
Apple Inc. $AAPL has unveiled its first-ever custom modem chip designed to enable wireless connectivity for iPhones. This groundbreaking move is set to reduce the company's reliance on Qualcomm Inc. $QCOM, which has been a critical supplier for modem chips used in both Apple and Android-based competitor devices. So, what does this development mean for Apple's ecosystem and the global smartphone market?
âś“ Apple introduced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, the first model to feature its proprietary modem chip.
âś“ The iPhone 16e will retail for $599.
American company Kelsier Ventures, recently at the center of a scandal involving the meme coin LIBRA, is back in the headlines of the crypto industry. According to French outlet The Big Whale, the firm held discussions with the Nigerian government about creating a new meme coin based on the Solana blockchain. However, the reputational fallout from the previous project leaves experts questioning the future of this new venture.
At first glance, the LIBRA story appeared to be yet another crypto sensation.
- Price Surge: The meme coin’s value skyrocketed after being mentioned on X (formerly Twitter) by the President of Argentina, Javier Milei.
OpenAI, backed by tech giant Microsoft $MSFT, aims to streamline its artificial intelligence offerings. In a statement made on Wednesday, CEO Sam Altman announced that OpenAI will not release the AI model named "o3" as a standalone product. Instead, pivotal technologies will be integrated into the forthcoming comprehensive system, GPT-5.
In December 2024, OpenAI unveiled its new models: o3 and o3 mini. However, plans have evolved, and now o3 will become a part of the larger and more powerful GPT-5 system. This decision aims to enhance efficiency and usability of OpenAI's products, which is particularly significant given the growing scrutiny from investors over tech spending.
Apple $AAPL has announced a strategic partnership with Alibaba $9988.HK to introduce new artificial intelligence (AI) features for iPhone users in China. This collaboration holds significant potential for both companies' market positioning, with the information released last Tuesday by The Information, citing a source familiar with the matter.
This partnership suggests that Apple is stepping up its activities in the field of artificial intelligence within China, a market where its strategy had previously remained unclear. By teaming up with Alibaba, Apple aims to bolster its stance in one of the largest consumer markets, where it faces escalating competition. Local players like the resurging Huawei are equipping their devices with cutting-edge AI tools, intensifying the market challenge for foreign companies.
In 2022, Apple had selected Baidu as a partner for developing its Apple Intelligence models. However, Baidu’s progress didn’t live up to Apple's stringent standards, prompting the search for alternatives. According to the report, Apple also considered collaborations with Tencent $0700.HK, the parent company of ByteDance (owner of TikTok), as well as the startup Deepseek. The latter was ruled out due to insufficient resources and expertise necessary for large-scale client support.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD $BYDDY is stepping up its game by announcing the launch of 21 new electric car models equipped with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) known as "God's Eye." This move signals a significant increase in competition within the smart electric vehicle market.
In a recent live-streamed event, BYD founder Wang Chuanfu introduced three levels of the new system, designed for the company's different brands. These levels are enhanced by unique sensors and algorithms that optimize safety and comfort.
Technical Features
Hertz Global Holdings $HTZ achieved a significant legal victory on Friday when a lawsuit from warrant holders was dismissed. This decision potentially saves the car rental giant from paying hundreds of millions of dollars following a series of financial maneuvers.
Funds associated with Discovery Capital Management filed a complaint in June of the previous year. The complaint asserted that Hertz underwent a multi-billion-dollar "recapitalization" from November 2021 to December 2023. This process, which included a change in leadership, was claimed to warrant a $187.5 million payment to the funds, given their holding of 11% of Hertz's warrants. Had other warrant holders sought similar compensation, claims could have escalated to approximately $1.7 billion.
In recent days, global stock markets have shown a steady stabilization, particularly noticeable on Friday ahead of the release of crucial U.S. employment data. Investors are cautiously optimistic, yet questions abound, fueled by concerns over a potential trade war and Japan's next moves on interest rates.
The week began with heightened market volatility amid actions by U.S. President Donald Trump. The announcement of a trade war and the subsequent imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods added to the market's instability. However, granting temporary exemptions to Mexico and Canada somewhat alleviated investor concerns.
Kyndryl $KD, formerly an IBM $IBM division, has reported third-quarter earnings that fell short of Wall Street expectations. Despite strong demand for artificial intelligence, the company's revenues were negatively impacted by the strengthening dollar and a strategic shift away from low-margin deals.
Kyndryl noted that over 74% of its third-quarter revenue came from international markets. This currency imbalance posed several challenges:
