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Apple's iPhone 17 appears to be off to a strong start in China
Business Insider· 2025-09-15 20:03
Core Insights - The iPhone 17's debut in China is reportedly successful, with preorders surpassing those of the iPhone 16 series on JD.com [1][2] - Analysts predict strong demand for the iPhone 17, with expectations of worldwide orders increasing by 5% to 10% compared to last year [4] - Despite the positive early indicators, there are concerns about competition from local brands like Huawei and Xiaomi, which may impact Apple's growth in the region [5][6] Group 1: Preorder Performance - Preorders for the iPhone 17 exceeded the first-day volume of the iPhone 16 series on JD.com, indicating strong initial interest [1] - The entry-level 256GB iPhone 17 emerged as the most popular model among consumers [2] Group 2: Analyst Predictions - Analysts from Wedbush Securities anticipate a 5% to 10% increase in worldwide orders for the iPhone 17, viewing it as a significant upgrade opportunity for consumers [4] - Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee noted the need for time to assess whether the early momentum will lead to substantial growth [3] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Apple faces challenges in China, including potential delays for the new iPhone Air due to regulatory approvals [5] - Local competitors, particularly Huawei and Xiaomi, are expected to launch new products, which could pose a threat to Apple's market share [5][6] - Despite these challenges, Apple maintains a strong position among smartphone vendors in China [6]
Mortgage regulator Bill Pulte has posted at least 13 agency orders on his personal X account
Business Insider· 2025-09-15 16:23
Until he became the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a warrior in President Trump's fight with the Federal Reserve, Bill Pulte was mostly known for posting on X. Under the handle @pulte, the businessman frequently sent groceries and gas money to people in need. In his governmental role, which he assumed in March, Pulte has continued to use X as a megaphone. Over the last six months, he has posted at least 13 official orders on his personal account — and they don't appear to be posted publicly ...
Elon Musk just spent $1 billion on Tesla shares. He'll have to spend a lot more to ramp up his control.
Business Insider· 2025-09-15 15:50
Core Insights - Elon Musk purchased approximately 2.6 million shares of Tesla for $1 billion, increasing his ownership stake from 12.7% to 12.8% [1][2] - Musk aims for at least 25% voting control of Tesla to maintain influence, but achieving this would require significant financial resources due to Tesla's market value of $1.2 trillion [2][3] - The recent purchase only marginally increased Musk's stake, highlighting the challenges of acquiring a larger ownership percentage through open market transactions [3][4] Ownership and Financial Implications - Musk's 2018 compensation plan includes 304 million shares currently tied up in legal disputes, which are not factored into his current ownership calculations [2] - Achieving a 25% ownership stake would necessitate purchasing an additional 12.2% of the company, estimated to cost over $150 billion, not accounting for potential stock price increases due to his purchases [3] - Musk's net worth is $419 billion, but a significant portion is tied up in Tesla and other illiquid assets, complicating the ability to raise cash for further acquisitions [4] Strategic Moves - Tesla's board has proposed a pay package that could grant Musk $1 trillion in stock if he meets specific operational goals and significantly increases Tesla's market value over the next decade [8] - Musk's recent stock purchase may also serve as a confidence signal in Tesla rather than a direct power grab, marking his first open-market purchase since 2020 [9]
Tesla's share price jumps after Elon Musk buys $1 billion worth of shares
Business Insider· 2025-09-15 10:45
Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk is increasing his ownership in Tesla by purchasing nearly $1 billion worth of shares, which is aimed at strengthening his control over the electric vehicle manufacturer [1] Group 1: Company Actions - Tesla's share price experienced a rise of over 6% in premarket trading following the announcement of Musk's stock purchase [1] Group 2: Financial Details - The total value of the shares purchased by Musk amounts to nearly $1 billion [1]
China says Nvidia violated antitrust laws
Business Insider· 2025-09-15 09:37
Core Viewpoint - Chinese regulators have accused Nvidia of violating antitrust laws following a preliminary investigation, indicating potential legal challenges for the company in the Chinese market [1][2] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The State Administration for Market Regulation stated that Nvidia violated anti-monopoly laws but did not provide further details [1] - The regulator is conducting a further investigation into Nvidia's practices in accordance with the law [2] Group 2: Industry Context - Nvidia is central to the ongoing tensions in the semiconductor industry between the US and China, particularly due to US export controls that have restricted the sale of its H20 chips to China [2] - The investigation also raises concerns about Nvidia's compliance with commitments made during its 2020 acquisition of Israeli chip designer Mellanox, which was conditionally approved by Beijing [1]
AI's economic boost isn't showing up in GDP, and Goldman says that's a $115 billion blind spot
Business Insider· 2025-09-15 06:21
Artificial intelligence is transforming corporate America, yet the boom remains understated in government growth statistics, according to Goldman Sachs. Analysts at Goldman pointed to the scale of the boom in a Saturday note: "Revenue at US companies providing AI infrastructure has risen by $400bn since 2022, which at first glance seems to suggest that AI has been a meaningful driver of economic growth recently."But official numbers tell a different story. AI technology has lifted real US economic activit ...
Few workers are quitting right now. These people share why they did it anyway.
Business Insider· 2025-09-14 11:06
Group 1: Job Market Trends - The worker quit rate in the U.S. has remained around 2% for much of the year, marking one of the lowest levels since 2018, excluding the pandemic's onset [3] - There is a noticeable trend of "job-hugging" rather than "job-hopping," indicating that fewer people are leaving their jobs [3] Group 2: Personal Stories of Career Changes - Jessica Yen transitioned from data analytics to entrepreneurship, expressing a willingness to work longer hours for her own company [7] - Evelyn Ramli took a pay cut to switch to a corporate marketing role, reflecting uncertainty about her decision after leaving content creation [8] - Blair Lonergan left her attorney position to focus on a family lifestyle website, prioritizing lifestyle over financial gain [8] - Sofia Javier moved from PwC to Comcast as a senior financial analyst, encouraging others to pursue what makes them happy [8] - Cindy Sheahan improved her quality of life after moving to Italy, highlighting the personal benefits of her decision to quit her job [9] Group 3: Corporate Policies and Changes - Microsoft is implementing a return-to-office mandate requiring employees to work at least three days a week, starting in February 2026 [14][15] - The return-to-office policy will be phased, beginning with Seattle-area employees and expanding to other U.S. and international offices [15] Group 4: Economic Trends - Businesses are increasingly stratifying customers to boost revenue, particularly in sectors like entertainment, travel, and retail, where consumers face more choices [11]
5 Luxury Goods That Are Smart Investments: Birkin, Rolex
Business Insider· 2025-09-13 10:55
Core Insights - The resale market for luxury goods has significantly expanded, with one in three American luxury consumers engaging in buying or selling on resale platforms, indicating a growing trend towards secondhand luxury shopping [1] - A notable percentage of shoppers, 47%, consider the resale value of clothing before making purchases, highlighting a shift in consumer behavior towards investment-minded buying [1] - The RealReal's report indicates that certain luxury items have maintained or increased their resale value over time, driven by factors such as tariffs and market demand [2][3] Luxury Item Insights - The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag has seen a 13% increase in average resale price since 2021, with current resale prices ranging from $380 to $13,500 depending on model and condition [6][7] - The Hermès Birkin 30 bag commands an average resale price that is 1.7 times its retail price, with a 15% increase in average price since 2021, and current resale prices ranging from $9,450 to $350,000 [11][12] - The Goyard Saint Louis tote has experienced an 18% increase in average resale price since 2021, with resale prices ranging from $720 to $5,200 [16] - Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra jewelry line has seen a 20% increase in prices since 2021, with items priced between $1,425 and $165,000 [21]
Opendoor chair says the company currently has 1,400 employees but only needs 200 of them
Business Insider· 2025-09-13 00:47
Core Insights - Opendoor Technologies is facing significant operational inefficiencies, with cofounder Keith Rabois stating that the company is "bloated" and could reduce its workforce from 1,400 employees to around 200 [1][2] - The company has recently gained attention as a meme stock, with its stock price increasing by 470% year-to-date following the announcement of leadership changes [1] - Rabois criticized the company's culture, particularly regarding remote work and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, indicating a shift back to a focus on merit and excellence [2][7] Company Overview - Opendoor Technologies specializes in buying and selling homes, and it has recently seen a surge in stock performance, attributed to the rejoining of cofounders Rabois and Eric Wu on the board and the appointment of Kaz Nejatian as CEO [1] - The company currently employs 1,400 individuals, but Rabois believes that the majority of these positions are unnecessary, suggesting a drastic reduction in workforce [1] Cultural and Operational Changes - Rabois described the company's culture as "broken," emphasizing the ineffectiveness of remote work and the need to move away from DEI-focused initiatives [2][7] - The shift in focus will prioritize merit and excellence, indicating a potential restructuring of company values and operational strategies [2]
Tesla board chair says Elon Musk being involved in things outside of the company 'actually helps Tesla'
Business Insider· 2025-09-13 00:05
Core Insights - Tesla's board has crafted a new $1 trillion compensation package for CEO Elon Musk, aimed at motivating him to achieve 12 ambitious operational milestones, including increasing Tesla's valuation to $8.5 trillion and selling approximately 12 million cars over the next decade [1][2] Group 1: Compensation and Goals - The compensation package is designed to incentivize Musk to meet specific operational milestones [1] - Key milestones include reaching a valuation of $8.5 trillion and selling around 12 million cars in the next ten years [1] Group 2: Musk's External Ventures - Tesla's chair, Robyn Denholm, stated that Musk's involvement in various external ventures, such as SpaceX and Neuralink, positively impacts Tesla by providing motivation and resources [2][3] - Denholm emphasized that Musk's creative energies from outside endeavors benefit Tesla, despite some skepticism about this perspective [3] Group 3: Political Involvement - Tesla's board has expressed concerns regarding Musk's political involvement and has sought assurances that it will diminish in a timely manner [4] - Denholm acknowledged Musk's right to engage in politics but indicated that his previous roles in administration are behind him [4][8] Group 4: Investor Sentiment - Some investors and analysts have voiced concerns about Musk's focus, suggesting that the board should establish ground rules for his political activities [9][10] - Ross Gerber, an early Tesla supporter, argued that the company would benefit from a different CEO who could refocus on Tesla's core mission [11]