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How to spend it: 10 finance up-and-comers share their first big purchases after their big paydays
Business Insider· 2025-10-19 10:23
Core Insights - The article discusses how successful financiers spent their first significant bonuses, highlighting a mix of family support, personal indulgence, and savings as common themes [1][2]. Family Support - Nikunj Jain, head of Asia research at Bridgewater Associates, sent his entire bonus back to his grandparents in India as a gesture of gratitude for their support [3]. - Christian Woo, a managing director at Bank of America, used his bonus to buy a ticket to Hawaii to spend time with his family, whom he had not seen in a while [3]. Personal Indulgence - Catherine Kress, chief of staff to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, treated her parents and husband to dinner at Blue Hill after receiving her bonus, reflecting a frugal approach to spending [4]. - Mohini Chakravorty from Blackstone bought an expensive purse as a reward for her hard work, following her mother's advice to make an exciting purchase post-bonus [8]. - Knut Kirchoff, also from Blackstone, purchased his first pair of skis in the U.S., connecting his purchase to his childhood passion for racing [9]. Savings and Investments - Sarah Naylor from Citadel Securities expressed excitement about saving her bonus in a bank account, appreciating the financial security it provided [9]. - Mary-Grace Papatheodorou, a managing director at Morgan Stanley, saved her bonus to buy her first apartment, demonstrating a long-term financial perspective [10]. Travel Experiences - Lamar Cardinez from Blue Owl Capital used his bonus to book a delayed honeymoon trip to Maui, which he described as an amazing experience [10]. - Florian Plath, an executive director at JPMorgan Chase, treated himself to an adventure in Mexico, exploring historical sites and natural wonders [11].
Wall Street's rising stars share how they set boundaries and avoid burnout — even in one of the toughest industries
Business Insider· 2025-10-18 11:27
Pressure is among the few certainties of daily life on Wall Street — and knowing how to manage it is key to success. Business Insider asked its 2025 Rising Stars of Wall Street how they set boundaries and maintain routines to stay grounded in an industry where the threat of burnout lurks behind each promotion. All of them are standing out at some of the country's top financial firms at age 35 or younger, and somehow maintaining personal lives and sanity in the process.Since Wall Street has little respect f ...
He tried to bring flying taxis to Uber. Now, he's at Joby to finish the job.
Business Insider· 2025-10-18 10:23
Core Insights - The electric flying car industry is transitioning from speculative to tangible, with significant advancements in technology and public demonstrations showcasing the viability of eVTOLs [4][24]. - Joby Aviation, under the leadership of Eric Allison, aims to integrate flying cars into a service model similar to Uber, leveraging past experiences from both Zee.Aero and Uber's Elevate division [3][21]. Company Background - Eric Allison has been involved in the eVTOL sector since 2010, starting with Zee.Aero, which was founded by Google co-founder Larry Page [1][5]. - Wisk Aero, a subsidiary of Boeing, is the current embodiment of the work done at Zee.Aero and Kitty Hawk, focusing on autonomous flying taxis [2][11]. Technological Evolution - The concept of flying taxis has evolved significantly since 2010, with advancements in battery technology, inverters, and computing power making electric propulsion feasible for aircraft [13][14]. - The initial vision for personal air vehicles has shifted towards a more defined model of air taxi services, reflecting changes in market demand and technological capabilities [15][12]. Industry Challenges - The transition from a speculative idea to a credible service has faced skepticism, but recent public demonstrations have helped to shift perceptions [24][16]. - The challenge of convincing the public and stakeholders about the feasibility of flying cars has been a significant hurdle, requiring a clear and ambitious vision [19][20]. Customer Experience - The envisioned customer experience for Joby Aviation includes a seamless integration with existing ride-hailing services, allowing users to book flying taxi rides through familiar platforms like Uber [21][22]. - The operational model aims to provide a stress-free travel experience, significantly reducing travel time to major airports [22][23]. Future Outlook - The company is focused on achieving milestones such as the first passenger flight and aims for broader adoption, with long-term goals extending beyond initial successes [25].
'Cockroach' jabs and regional bank breakdowns: The week private credit's 'golden' narrative got a little less shiny
Business Insider· 2025-10-18 10:02
Core Insights - The private credit market, once seen as thriving, is facing scrutiny and criticism amid recent bankruptcies and losses reported by major financial institutions [2][3][4][7][20]. Private Credit Market Overview - Private credit has grown significantly since the Great Financial Crisis, with firms like Blackstone managing substantial amounts of non-real estate credit, surpassing their private equity assets [14][16]. - The segment has become a competitive alternative to traditional bank lending, particularly in high-risk loans and direct lending to investment-grade clients [15]. Recent Developments - Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase highlighted concerns about potential issues in the private credit sector, suggesting that the presence of one bankruptcy could indicate more problems [3][4]. - Following Dimon's comments, regional banks reported losses, raising fears about the stability of the credit ecosystem [7][22]. Industry Reactions - Executives from private credit firms defended the sector, arguing that recent bankruptcies do not reflect broader market issues and that their portfolios remain healthy [20][21][23]. - Critics, including academics and IMF officials, have raised questions about the sustainability of returns in private credit, suggesting that the industry's performance may not justify its growth [8][9][18]. Market Sentiment - Despite the criticisms, some analysts believe that the private credit market is not on the brink of a crisis, and that the recent bankruptcies are not indicative of a systemic problem [18][19]. - The private credit industry continues to assert its strength, with leaders claiming that the market is more robust than perceived [22][24].
$1.65 trillion chip giant Broadcom cuts staff in units like sales and accounts
Business Insider· 2025-10-18 00:48
Group 1 - Broadcom has cut staff primarily in sales, customer success, account management, and solutions, although the exact number of roles affected remains unclear [1] - The company has been implementing rolling cuts, including significant reductions at VMware, which has seen its workforce reduced by approximately 50% since its acquisition [2] - Broadcom has capitalized on the AI boom by designing chips for AI technology and recently secured a strategic agreement with OpenAI for 10 gigawatts of custom AI accelerators [3] Group 2 - Broadcom's market capitalization reached $1 trillion for the first time late last year, indicating strong growth and investor confidence [3] - The company has been increasing prices on VMware's products following the acquisition, reflecting a strategy to enhance revenue from its software segment [2]
A $5 billion deal key to CoreWeave's AI empire just lost another investor's support
Business Insider· 2025-10-17 21:44
Core Scientific and CoreWeave Acquisition Overview - A significant shareholder in Core Scientific, Trip Miller of Gullane Capital, opposes the proposed acquisition by CoreWeave, indicating he would vote against it in the upcoming shareholder meeting [1][2] - The acquisition, valued at approximately $5 billion, is critical for CoreWeave to sustain its rapid growth and manage rising costs [2][3] - Concerns have arisen regarding the undervaluation of Core Scientific due to fluctuations in stock prices, with the current offer reflecting a value below its market price [3][12] Shareholder Opposition - Two Seas Capital, holding about 6.3% of Core Scientific's stock, has publicly criticized the acquisition, stating it is not profitable enough for shareholders and urging a rejection in the upcoming vote [4][24] - Miller describes the deal structure as flawed, suggesting it undervalues Core Scientific shares compared to current trading prices [14][15] CoreWeave's Position - CoreWeave's CEO, Michael Intrator, defends the acquisition as the best option for Core Scientific shareholders, claiming it offers significant long-term value creation [5][6] - The acquisition is positioned as a strategic move to streamline operations and reduce costs, particularly in leasing data center space [21][22] Market Context and Financial Performance - CoreWeave has experienced rapid growth, achieving a market capitalization of $70 billion and significant revenue increases, but faces challenges with rising costs and declining operating margins [15][19] - The company reported a revenue of $1.2 billion in Q2, doubling year-over-year, but its operating margins fell from 20% to 2%, indicating profitability issues [19] - CoreWeave's debt has increased to $11.2 billion, raising concerns about high borrowing costs relative to its profit margins [20] Strategic Implications - The acquisition would allow CoreWeave to save approximately $10 billion in lease payments over 12 years by owning Core Scientific, which is crucial for its long-term business model [21][22] - Two Seas Capital argues that the initial offer undervalues Core Scientific's intrinsic and strategic value, suggesting that the company could be worth significantly more if left independent [24][25]
I tested similar sweaters from Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Gap. Sometimes, quality is more important than cost.
Business Insider· 2025-10-17 12:05
Core Insights - The article reviews three sweater options from Gap Inc.'s brands: Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Gap, focusing on style, comfort, and quality for fall wear [1][2] Old Navy Sweater - The Old Navy SoSoft crewneck tunic sweater is noted for its affordability and classic style, priced at $40, later found on sale for $20 [9] - The fit is described as somewhat frumpy unless styled with a tuck, but it is versatile for casual occasions [4][3] - The material composition includes 53% cotton, 24% recycled polyester, 20% nylon, and 3% spandex, which feels thick and warm but raises concerns about long-term durability due to fraying observed after one day of wear [8][9] Banana Republic Sweater - The lightweight cashmere crewneck sweater from Banana Republic is priced at $160, which is four times the cost of the Old Navy option, but is considered a fair price for 100% cashmere [13] - The fit is more tailored compared to the Old Navy sweater, providing an elevated look suitable for semi-formal occasions [11][10] - While the sweater is soft and comfortable, it may cause slight itchiness and leave fuzz on other clothing [12][11] Gap Sweater - The CashSoft crewneck sweater from Gap is priced at $60, with a later sale price of 40% off, and is noted for its lightweight yet warm feel [15] - The fit is similar to the Banana Republic sweater but is described as boxy and lacking shape [14] - The material blend consists of 53% cotton, 24% nylon, and 23% acrylic, making it comfortable for everyday wear [15] Overall Conclusion - The Banana Republic cashmere sweater is identified as the top choice for quality and longevity, while the Old Navy and Gap options are recognized as affordable alternatives for a fall wardrobe [16]
Reid Hoffman asks founders to seek out his negative references before letting him invest
Business Insider· 2025-10-17 05:40
Core Insights - Due diligence is emphasized as a mutual process where both investors and founders should vet each other before forming partnerships [1][2] - Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, advocates for the importance of references over traditional interviews when assessing potential partners or team members [8] Group 1: Due Diligence Practices - Hoffman encourages founders to investigate his background by reaching out to references he provides, including those who may offer negative feedback [1][2] - He highlights the importance of understanding how he differs as a partner compared to others, specifically referencing his relationship with Elon Musk at OpenAI [2] Group 2: Investment Philosophy - Hoffman prioritizes referrals over interviews, believing that references provide a more dynamic understanding of an individual's behavior in various situations [8] - His investment portfolio includes notable companies such as Airbnb, Aurora, and Joby Aviation, showcasing his diverse interests in innovative sectors [7]
China turned livestreaming into a 24-hour sleepless hydra of a selling machine. Now the US is catching up.
Business Insider· 2025-10-17 00:31
Core Insights - Livestream shopping is gaining traction in the US, mirroring its success in China, with e-commerce platforms capitalizing on this trend [4][16] - Livestreamers engage audiences by promoting products, answering questions, and offering exclusive deals, creating a social shopping experience [3][8] Group 1: Livestreaming in China - Livestream commerce in China began to flourish in 2018, significantly driven by a challenge between Alibaba's Jack Ma and influencer Austin Li [5][6] - Austin Li, known as the "Lipstick King," sold 15,000 lipsticks in five minutes, showcasing the potential of livestreaming for sales [6] - Livestreams in China combine shopping with entertainment, creating a dynamic environment that encourages consumer engagement [7][8] Group 2: Growth in the US - In the past two years, livestream shopping has seen a 165% increase in shoppers during Black Friday and Cyber Monday on TikTok Shop, generating $100 million in sales [16] - A survey indicated that 45% of US adults had participated in live shopping events, highlighting the growing acceptance of this shopping format [17] - The collectibles market is particularly benefiting from livestreaming, with eBay's CEO noting that collectibles represent a $10 billion annual business for the platform [22] Group 3: Livestreamers' Experiences - Livestreamers enjoy flexible working hours and the ability to monetize their interests, although many supplement their income with other jobs [23][24] - The increasing number of livestreamers has led to audience dilution, affecting viewer counts for individual streamers [26] - Despite the challenges, livestreamers like Andrew Martin and Caleb Wessels value the interaction with their audience, even if their earnings are modest [27][28]
Regional Bank Stocks Drop As Investors Worry About Credit Quality
Business Insider· 2025-10-16 19:46
Regional bank shares were slammed on Thursday as investors fled the sector after two major players gave concerning updates on their lending businesses. Zions Bancorp fell as much as 13% to $46.85 after disclosing a $50 million charge-off for a loan underwritten by its wholly-owned subsidiary, San Diego-based California Bank & Trust.Western Alliance Bancorp plunged 11% to $69.87 after it revealed it was suing a borrower for fraud. The turmoil weighed on the broader sector, with the SPDR S&P Regional Bank ...