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Nvidia shares rise as booming demand for chips, bullish forecast calm worries of AI bubble
New York Post· 2025-11-19 21:52
Core Insights - Nvidia forecasts fourth-quarter revenue of $65 billion, exceeding Wall Street's estimate of $61.66 billion, driven by strong demand for AI chips from cloud providers [2][5] - The company's performance is seen as a critical indicator for the market, as it reflects the impact of significant investments in AI infrastructure amidst concerns of an AI bubble [1][5] - Nvidia's shares rose over 4% in after-hours trading, recovering from a nearly 8% decline earlier in November, following a remarkable 1,200% increase over the past three years [3] Demand and Market Dynamics - The demand for AI chips has remained robust since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, with analysts and investors optimistic about continued growth [3] - Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, reported $500 billion in bookings for advanced chips through 2026, indicating strong future demand [4] - Major tech companies, including Microsoft, are significantly increasing their capital expenditures to expand AI data centers, with Microsoft alone reporting nearly $35 billion in capital expenditure for its fiscal first quarter, half of which was allocated for chips [6]
Elon Musk, Nvidia unveil deal with Saudi state-backed firm to build massive AI data center
New York Post· 2025-11-19 21:43
Core Insights - Elon Musk's xAI and Nvidia are partnering with Saudi Arabia's state-backed AI firm, Humain, to establish a significant AI data center in Saudi Arabia, which will be xAI's largest site outside the US, consuming up to 500 megawatts of electricity [1][3] - The deployment of Musk's xAI chatbot, Grok, throughout Saudi Arabia is part of the agreement [1] - The deal's financial details were not disclosed, but it follows the US's apparent approval for Saudi Arabia to purchase American semiconductors, which had previously been restricted [2][3] Company Developments - Humain, funded by Saudi Arabia's $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, aims to develop up to one gigawatt of AI infrastructure by 2030, indicating a significant commitment to scaling AI capabilities [8] - Humain's CEO, Tareq Amin, emphasized that the partnership will create unmatched scale in AI infrastructure [8] - The collaboration with Cisco and AMD was also announced, further strengthening Humain's technological foundation [8] Industry Context - The establishment of AI data centers is crucial for competing in the AI sector, with most currently located in the US, Europe, and China [11] - Humain aims to handle 6% of the global AI workload in the coming years, positioning itself as a key player in the AI landscape [12] - American tech firms are increasingly seeking partnerships in the Middle East to fund expensive AI infrastructure projects, despite the region's complex political landscape [12]
Insurance giant AIG pulls plug on incoming exec hire over alleged affair with subordinate: report
New York Post· 2025-11-19 21:00
Core Points - AIG rescinded the hiring of John Neal as president due to allegations of an affair with a subordinate, Rebekah Clement, at his previous job [1][5][13] - The decision to withdraw the offer came just days before Neal was set to assume the role, leaving industry insiders surprised at AIG's last-minute action [2][13] - AIG stated in a securities filing that the decision was made mutually with Neal due to "personal circumstances" [3][17] Company Background - John Neal previously served as CEO of Lloyd's of London for six years and was CEO of QBE Insurance Group before that [3][13] - Neal had a history of workplace relationship issues, including a prior incident in 2017 where his bonus was cut for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with his executive assistant [4][13] Allegations and Investigations - The relationship between Neal and Clement was reportedly known among Lloyd's employees, who expressed concerns about perceived favoritism [7][8] - Following Neal's departure, Lloyd's reopened an inquiry into his conduct, which had been previously investigated [11][14] - AIG had inquired with Lloyd's about Neal's background before his hiring, and Lloyd's assured AIG that there were no known issues [15]
Honda recalls over 250,000 Accord Hybrids due to potentially devastating software glitch
New York Post· 2025-11-19 20:51
Core Viewpoint - Honda is recalling approximately 256,000 Accord Hybrid vehicles in the US due to a software glitch that may lead to a loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of accidents or injuries [1][8]. Group 1: Recall Details - The recall affects specific Honda Accord Hybrids from the 2023 to 2025 model years [1]. - The issue is attributed to a software error in the integrated control module (ICM) that can cause the central processing unit (CPU) to reset while driving [2][3]. - Honda dealers will reprogram the software at no cost to the owners to rectify the problem [2][10]. Group 2: Cause of the Issue - The supplier responsible for the software did not fully understand the intended functionality of the ICM, leading to misinterpretation of normal internal communication issues as serious CPU problems [3]. - Additional features added to the ICM increased electrical load and created more electrical "noise," exacerbating communication disruptions [4]. Group 3: Warranty Claims and Notifications - As of November 6, Honda has received 832 warranty claims related to this defect, but there have been no reported injuries or fatalities from December 2022 to October 2025 [7]. - Owner notification letters are set to be mailed on January 5, and affected Vehicle Identification Numbers will be searchable on NHTSA.gov starting November 18, 2025 [10].
Fed officials ‘expressed strongly differing views' on December rate cut, meeting minutes show
New York Post· 2025-11-19 19:42
A majority of Federal Reserve policymakers expressed support in late October for further interest rate cuts, though not all committed to making the reduction at their next meeting in December, according to minutes released Wednesday.At the same time, many officials said “it would likely be appropriate” to keep rates “unchanged for the rest of the year,” a sign of strong divisions among policymakers about the central bank’s next steps.Rate cuts by the Fed, over time, typically lower borrowing costs for mortg ...
Trump Media stock crashes to all-time lows, wiping out $5B in First Family wealth during crypto slide
New York Post· 2025-11-19 16:32
Core Insights - Trump Media & Technology Group has experienced a significant decline in stock price, losing over $5 billion in value as cryptocurrencies continue to fall [1][3][10] - The company's shares, trading under the ticker DJT, have dropped nearly 70% this year, with a 34.6% decrease occurring in the past month [1][11] - The decline in stock value is linked to a broader downturn in the cryptocurrency market, particularly following the company's announcement of a $2 billion Bitcoin purchase [4][10] Company Performance - The stock price was down approximately 1% at $10.76 in early morning trading, having reached an intraday low of $10.32, the lowest since fall 2021 [2][9] - President Trump indirectly owns around 115 million shares, held in a trust controlled by his son, Don Jr., who is on the board [3] - The family's holdings peaked at nearly $6.5 billion in mid-May 2024 but have since lost more than $5.3 billion in value [3] Market Context - The cryptocurrency market has faced significant challenges, with Bitcoin prices dipping below $90,000, erasing its gains for the year [4] - Traders are becoming more cautious with risky assets due to reduced expectations for an interest-rate cut in the near future [5] Business Developments - Trump Media created Truth Social after President Trump was banned from major social media platforms following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot [9] - The stock traded as high as $100 in 2022 after the merger announcement with Digital World Acquisition Corp. [9] - Despite the stock decline, the Trump family's personal crypto ventures have reportedly generated hundreds of millions of dollars, with the Trump Organization earning over $800 million from digital asset sales in the first half of the year [10] Regulatory Environment - President Trump has aimed to position the US as the "crypto capital of the world," signing the "GENIUS Act" to enhance consumer protections in digital currencies [12] - The White House has denied any conflict of interest regarding the Trump family's involvement in cryptocurrency investments [13]
Target to spend $5B on store revamp as months-long sales slump deepens
New York Post· 2025-11-19 15:33
Core Insights - Target plans to invest $5 billion in stores next year to regain customer trust after reporting its 12th consecutive month of weak or declining sales [1][3] - Same-store sales decreased by 2.7% for the three months ending November 1, with foot traffic down 2.2% and average transaction values falling by 0.5% compared to the previous year [1][4] Financial Performance - Target's net sales fell by 1.5% year-over-year to $25.3 billion, while net income dropped 19% to $689 million [6] - The company adjusted its full-year profit forecast to between $7 and $8 per share, down from a previous range of $7 to $9 [5] Strategic Initiatives - An additional $1 billion will be allocated to enhance the store experience, marking a 25% increase in capital expenditures for the year [4] - Target is addressing customer complaints by improving store conditions, including stocking shelves and providing better customer service [8][10] Market Position and Competition - Target faces challenges from competitors like Walmart and fast-fashion brands such as Shein and Temu, which offer lower prices [4] - The company has implemented price reductions on 3,000 everyday items and introduced 20,000 new holiday products, more than double last year's offerings [10][11] Consumer Behavior - Economic uncertainty and inflation fears have led consumers to reduce spending, particularly on discretionary items [4] - Target anticipates that customers will prioritize essential gifts over decorative items during the holiday season [12][14] Leadership Changes - Michael Fiddelke, currently the Chief Operating Officer, will become CEO on February 1, succeeding Brian Cornell [10][14]
Bill Ackman calls Trump's plan for Fannie-Freddie IPO not ‘feasible nor desirable' — here's his solution
New York Post· 2025-11-19 00:23
Core Viewpoint - Proposals for an initial public offering (IPO) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are currently deemed neither feasible nor desirable, according to Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management [2][6]. Group 1: Current Status and Challenges - The U.S. government has been controlling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 17 years and is exploring various structures for a potential IPO, including the creation of a single company for both entities, but the complexity of such a deal poses significant hurdles [1][8]. - Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are already listed in the over-the-counter market, which complicates the transition to a public offering [2][4]. Group 2: Future Considerations - The Trump administration is considering an IPO as a way to end the conservatorship that began in 2008, with potential evaluations for such a move possibly occurring as soon as the end of 2025 [3][9]. - Ackman suggests that instead of an IPO, the companies could convert their current over-the-counter listings to the New York Stock Exchange, a process he estimates could take a few weeks [4]. Group 3: Valuation and Government Stakes - Ackman estimates that the combined valuations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could approach $400 billion, with the government's stakes potentially worth around $300 billion [5]. Group 4: Proposed Steps for Listing - Ackman has proposed several steps to facilitate a listing, including recognizing previous payments as repayment of senior preferred stock and allowing the U.S. Treasury to exercise warrants to achieve a 79.9% common stock stake [7]. - Lowering the current capital requirement of 4.5% of all guarantees is also suggested as a necessary step [7]. Group 5: Legislative and Structural Hurdles - Merging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a single entity for a listing is not feasible without congressional approval, according to sources [8][11]. - Creating a holding company for selling stakes is complicated by government restrictions, and using an existing joint venture as a listing vehicle would involve transferring assets, which adds to the complexity [11].
Paramount denies report it's working with Saudis, other Arab funds on $71B bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
New York Post· 2025-11-18 20:57
Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance has denied reports of collaborating with Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds on a $71 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, labeling the information as "categorically inaccurate" [1][2]. Group 1: Bid Details - The reported bid would value Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) at approximately $28.65 per share based on outstanding shares, with significant backing from the Ellison family and RedBird Capital [2]. - Each sovereign wealth fund was said to contribute $7 billion, while Paramount Skydance would provide $50 billion for the bid [3]. - WBD's board previously rejected multiple offers from Paramount, including a bid of up to $24 per share [3][9]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the initial report, shares of WBD increased by as much as 6.4% in New York, while Paramount shares rose by up to 3.7% [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Other companies, including Netflix and Comcast, are also expected to make offers for parts of WBD's movie and streaming business, with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts recently visiting Saudi Arabia to explore a potential bid [7]. - Paramount is currently viewed as the only party interested in acquiring WBD entirely, which could significantly reshape the media industry by merging two major movie studios and influential news networks [8]. Group 4: Company Strategy - WBD CEO David Zaslav is reportedly in favor of splitting the company into two, separating its profitable streaming and film assets from its struggling cable TV networks [11][12].
Meta beats FTC antitrust case that sought breakup of Instagram, WhatsApp
New York Post· 2025-11-18 19:52
Core Insights - Meta successfully avoided a forced selloff of Instagram and WhatsApp after winning a significant antitrust case against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [1][2] - The ruling concluded that Meta does not hold a monopoly in the relevant market, as stated by US District Judge James Boasberg [2][8] - The case marks the end of a five-year legal battle, during which the FTC accused Meta of employing a "buy or bury" strategy to eliminate competition [4][5] Legal Proceedings - The FTC's argument centered on the claim that Meta had a monopoly over "personal social networking" apps, which was ultimately rejected by the court [4][5] - Judge Boasberg noted that the FTC struggled to define the boundaries of Meta's product market due to the dynamic nature of social media [6] - The court's decision emphasized that the FTC failed to demonstrate that Meta continues to hold monopoly power [8] Market Competition - Meta argued that it faces significant competition from platforms like Google-owned YouTube and TikTok, countering the FTC's claims [5][9] - The ruling acknowledged the fierce competition Meta encounters, which was highlighted by a spokesperson's statement on the benefits of their products for users and businesses [9] Internal Insights - The case revealed internal communications from Meta, including an email from Zuckerberg admitting that acquiring Instagram was aimed at neutralizing a competitor [14] - Testimony from Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom indicated that Zuckerberg viewed Instagram as a threat to Facebook's core business [14] Market Reaction - Despite the favorable ruling, Meta's shares experienced a decline of approximately 1% in trading, attributed to broader concerns regarding surging AI valuations in the tech sector [13]