President Trump on Monday said gold bars will not face tariffs –  leading to relief from global bullion markets after days of speculation that the precious metal could be caught up in the ongoing global trade war.“Gold will not be Tariffed!” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social Monday.US spot gold – the global benchmark – fell 1.2% to $3,357 an ounce following Trump’s comment, while gold futures dropped 2.4% to $3,407 after soaring to a record-high above $3,500 last week. Presiden ...

Core Viewpoint - ESPN and Fox are launching a joint streaming service bundle for $39.99 per month, starting October 2, which combines their direct-to-consumer offerings to provide a wide range of sports, news, and entertainment content [1][3][20] Group 1: Streaming Service Details - The bundle will include access to ESPN's upcoming subscription platform and Fox's new streaming service, FOX One, both available individually from August 21 [3][20] - Subscribers will have access to a comprehensive portfolio of content, including major sports leagues such as NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college sports, as well as events like the FIFA World Cup [6][10] - ESPN's platform will feature approximately 47,000 live events annually, along with replays and original programming [8][9] Group 2: Strategic Collaboration - The collaboration aims to enhance the availability of ESPN's sports programming and provide a seamless viewing experience for fans [4][21] - The partnership is seen as a response to the previous failed venture, Venu Sports, which was intended to offer a single sports-focused streaming subscription but faced regulatory challenges [15][20] - The new bundle is positioned as a more flexible option for viewers who have cut the cord or never subscribed to traditional cable [13][21]

Core Insights - Ford plans to launch a new family of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in 2027, including a midsize pickup truck with a target starting price of $30,000, aiming to enhance cost efficiency to compete with Chinese rivals [1][4] - The company is investing nearly $2 billion in its Louisville, Kentucky plant to support this initiative, which will retain at least 2,200 jobs [1][4] - Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, emphasized the need for a sustainable and profitable business model in the affordable EV segment, acknowledging the challenges faced by Detroit automakers in the past [4][8] Investment and Development - Ford's affordable EVs are being developed by a specialized team, referred to as the "skunkworks," which includes talent from competitors like Tesla and Rivian [5] - The average price of EVs sold in June was approximately $47,000, while many Chinese models are priced between $10,000 and $25,000, highlighting the competitive pricing landscape [5][6] - Ford has faced significant losses in its EV and software division, estimating losses of up to $5.5 billion and nearly $10 billion combined from 2023 to 2024 [8] Market Dynamics - The demand for affordable EVs is increasing, with global competition intensifying as other companies, including startups and established automakers, aim to deliver lower-priced models [6][10] - Ford's current EV offerings, including the Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit, and F-150 Lightning, saw a 12% decline in sales in the first half of the year compared to the previous year [9][13] - The elimination of the $7,500 consumer tax credit and reduced funding for charging infrastructure may further impact demand for EVs [11][16] Technology and Production - Ford plans to utilize lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries for its upcoming EVs, produced in Marshall, Michigan, leveraging technology from Chinese battery maker CATL to reduce costs [15] - The company has reconfigured many gasoline-powered vehicles with batteries to expedite market entry, delaying the development of a unified EV platform [14]

Core Points - Nvidia and AMD have agreed to share 15% of their revenues from chip sales in China with the US government to obtain export licenses for their semiconductors [1][2][7] - The revenue share specifically applies to Nvidia's H20 chips and AMD's MI308 chips [1][7] - The US Commerce Department recently issued licenses to Nvidia for exporting H20 chips to China, reversing a previous ban [6] Group 1 - The revenue-sharing arrangement was a condition for obtaining export licenses for the Chinese market, which were granted last week [2] - Nvidia has not shipped H20 chips to China for several months but hopes that export control rules will allow for competition in China and globally [3][4] - The H20 chip was tailored specifically for the Chinese market to comply with the Biden-era AI chip export controls [6]

Core Viewpoint - Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is facing pressure from President Trump, who has called for his resignation due to concerns over Tan's ties to Chinese firms and the implications for national security [3][4][7]. Group 1: CEO's Background and Actions - Tan is expected to meet with President Trump to discuss his background and propose collaboration between Intel and the US government [2][5]. - Tan aims to demonstrate his commitment to US national and economic security, emphasizing the importance of Intel's manufacturing capabilities [3][6]. Group 2: Controversies and Implications - Trump's demand for Tan's resignation is notable as it marks a rare instance of a US president publicly calling for a CEO's ouster, raising concerns among investors [4][7]. - Tan has previously invested at least $200 million in Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms, some linked to the Chinese military, which has contributed to the controversy surrounding his leadership [4][6].

Core Viewpoint - Billionaire investor Bill Ackman proposed merging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to lower mortgage rates and create significant operational synergies [1][3] Group 1: Proposed Merger Benefits - The merger of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is expected to reduce mortgage rates and lower the costs and risks associated with government oversight, as it would consolidate oversight under one institution [3][5] - The combination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could lead to a valuation of nearly $500 billion for both entities combined during their potential initial public offering later this year [4] Group 2: Background Information - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were established by Congress to support the housing market by ensuring affordable mortgage financing, but they faced significant challenges during the financial crisis [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Group reported significant leasing activity in its second-quarter earnings call, highlighting a major unreported lease and the overall strength of its New York portfolio, despite some omissions regarding vacant properties [1][4]. Leasing Activity - Paramount leased 690,000 square feet of offices in New York and San Francisco year-to-date, with 52% of these leases occurring in Manhattan [3]. - The starting rents for the leases signed by Piper Sandler and Adler & Stachenfeld were above $90 per square foot [3]. Portfolio Performance - The New York portfolio is currently 88.1% leased, the highest level since early 2022, indicating a strong demand for quality office space in the city [4][7]. - The reported leasing figures do not account for the vacant 60 Wall St., which has 1.6 million empty square feet, potentially skewing the perceived strength of the portfolio [4][7]. Debt and Refinancing - The largest upcoming maturity for Paramount is an $860 million loan on 1301 Sixth Ave., which is backed by high-performing assets that are over 97% leased [8]. - The company is on track to refinance this asset and plans to provide more details in the next earnings call [8]. Future Outlook - Showtime Networks is set to move out from 260,000 square feet at 1633 Broadway next year, but the building has been solidly leased for over 10 years, with active showings currently taking place [8]. - Asking rents at 1633 Broadway range from $70 to $90 per square foot, with positive activity noted in the leasing market [9].

Core Viewpoint - John Deere is committing to invest nearly $20 billion over the next decade to enhance its US operations and support American manufacturing [1][5]. Investment Focus - The investment will focus on developing new products, advanced technology, and improved manufacturing capabilities [2]. Recent Developments - John Deere is constructing a $70 million factory in Kernersville, North Carolina, dedicated to manufacturing excavators [3]. - A $40 million expansion has been completed at the Des Moines, Iowa factory to produce See & Spray sprayers, which utilize computer vision and AI for weed detection [4]. - The company has invested nearly $150 million to renovate its East Moline, Illinois factory for the production of new X9 combines, which increase harvesting capacity by approximately 45% [6]. Employment and Sales - Nearly 80% of John Deere's US sales and 25% of international sales come from domestically manufactured products [7]. - The company employs around 30,000 people across more than 60 US locations, with an additional 50,000 employed by its network of independent US dealerships [7].

Core Viewpoint - Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is facing scrutiny over alleged financial ties to China, with calls for his resignation from President Trump and Senator Tom Cotton due to concerns about national security and potential conflicts of interest [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Ties and Controversies - Tan has been criticized for past investments totaling at least $200 million in Chinese companies, some linked to the military, between March 2012 and December 2024 [3]. - The company received $8.5 billion under the Biden administration's CHIPS Act, indicating its significant role in the semiconductor industry [2]. Group 2: Internal Company Dynamics - There is an ongoing power struggle within Intel's board regarding the future of the company's chip manufacturing, with some members advocating for a spin-off or sale of the money-losing unit [6]. - Tan has expressed that the board is fully supportive of his leadership, despite the internal conflicts and challenges he faces since taking over as CEO [4][6]. Group 3: Background and Leadership - Tan, who has over 40 years of industry experience, replaced former CEO Pat Gelsinger amid poor earnings and layoffs, highlighting the challenges Intel is currently navigating [7].

Core Viewpoint - US gold futures reached a record high amid uncertainty regarding potential country-specific import tariffs on commonly traded gold bars, which could significantly impact global supply chains for gold [1][5]. Group 1: Market Reaction - December US gold futures increased by 1.2% to $3,494.10 per ounce after hitting a record of $3,534.10 earlier in the session [2][7]. - The spread between US gold futures and spot prices widened to $100, with spot gold dipping 0.1% to $3,394.26 per ounce but up 0.9% for the week [3]. Group 2: Implications of Tariffs - Analysts are awaiting further clarity on the potential US tariffs on gold deliveries, which could significantly affect Switzerland, the leading hub for gold refining and transit [4]. - The Swiss Precious Metals Association expressed concerns about the tariffs' implications for the gold industry and is in active discussions with stakeholders [6]. - Long-term effects of the new tariffs may benefit US refiners by transforming large 400-oz bars into retail units [6].