Global hedge funds have significantly increased their exposure to Asian equity markets, marking the sharpest rise in regional trading volumes in over five years, according to a recent note from Goldman Sachs $GS. Between June 6 and June 12, long positions across Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India surged to the highest levels since September 2024, highlighting a renewed appetite for risk despite macroeconomic uncertainty.
Archer Aviation Inc. $ACHR, a leading U.S.-based electric air taxi manufacturer, announced it has secured $850 million in fresh capital, marking one of the largest private funding rounds in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. The announcement comes shortly after a series of executive orders signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at accelerating the deployment of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, reinforcing national security against drone threats, and supporting the re-emergence of supersonic commercial aviation.
Tesla Inc. $TSLA experienced a significant decline in new car sales in the United Kingdom during May 2024. Preliminary data from New AutoMotive research group, released on Wednesday, reveals that Tesla’s sales dropped by more than 45% year-on-year. The electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer sold 1,758 units in May 2024 compared to 3,244 in the same month last year. Market analysts attribute this decline partly to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's controversial political positions in Europe, which have reportedly alienated a segment of the UK consumer base.
Toyota Motor Corporation $7203.T, the global automotive leader, is relocating part of the production of its sports car model GR Corolla to the United Kingdom. The move involves an estimated investment of approximately $56 million to establish a dedicated production line aimed at optimizing exports to the North American market. This strategic decision aligns with Toyota's broader operational goals to streamline supply chains and reduce lead times.
Asian equity markets opened the week on a quiet note while the euro (EUR) gained ground after U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly extended his threat to impose 50% tariffs on European Union (EU) goods. The move, interpreted as another tactical pause in an inconsistent U.S. trade policy, came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen requested more time to finalize a deal. The deadline has now been pushed from June 1 to July 9, offering a temporary reprieve for transatlantic trade relations.
In a notable shift that could reshape global liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, Shell plc $SHEL anticipates that several long-standing LNG exporters will transition into net importers. This evolving market trend, highlighted by Cedric Cremers, Shell’s President for Integrated Gas, suggests a tightening global supply landscape—one that could ease concerns over a potential glut stemming from upcoming LNG projects.
Moderna Inc. $MRNA announced on Wednesday the withdrawal of its regulatory application for a combination flu and COVID-19 vaccine, citing the need to await additional efficacy data from its ongoing late-stage trials. The company stated it expects the final trial results later this year, aligning with earlier guidance that the vaccine would not be ready for regulatory approval before 2026.
Franco-Italian automotive giant Stellantis $STLA.MI announced a significant $388 million investment to establish a new Mopar parts manufacturing center in Van Buren Township, Detroit metropolitan area, Michigan. The move underlines the company’s commitment to strengthening its North American footprint, enhancing its parts production capabilities, and supporting local employment with nearly 500 unionized positions.
On Monday, Huawei Technologies unveiled two new high-performance laptops—MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro—running on its proprietary HarmonyOS 5. The move signals Huawei’s renewed ambition to compete directly with Western tech leaders such as Microsoft $MSFT and Apple $AAPL in the global operating system (OS) and hardware markets. This launch comes against the backdrop of persistent U.S.-China technology tensions and ongoing restrictions from Washington limiting Huawei’s access to advanced semiconductors and chip design tools.
A coalition of Europe's largest retailers and digital commerce companies is urging the European Commission to impose tighter controls on what they describe as excessive and opaque fees levied by Visa Inc. $V.BA and Mastercard Inc. $MA. These U.S.-based financial heavyweights, which collectively process around two-thirds of all card transactions in the eurozone, are once again in the spotlight amid growing concerns over competition and pricing transparency in the payments ecosystem.
In a bold step bridging traditional journalism and frontier technology, French daily Le Monde has entered into a strategic partnership with U.S.-based artificial intelligence firm Perplexity. This collaboration, announced Wednesday, underscores a growing trend: media organizations increasingly partnering with AI innovators to enhance user experience and maintain relevance in the rapidly evolving digital information ecosystem.
Tensions between the United States and China are again casting a shadow over global agricultural markets. According to agri-market consultancy AgResource, U.S. soybean exports could fall by as much as 20% if the two nations fail to resolve ongoing trade disputes that are limiting access to the Chinese market—historically the largest destination for American soybeans.
