Copper's red-hot run to above $14,000 a metric ton on Thursday leaves investors facing a decision over whether or not to chase the market higher. ...

Core Viewpoint - New orders for U.S. factory goods experienced a rebound in November, driven by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft, although growth in business spending on equipment is expected to moderate in the fourth quarter [1] Group 1: Factory Orders - U.S. factory goods saw an increase in new orders in November, indicating a recovery in the manufacturing sector [1] - The surge in demand for commercial aircraft significantly contributed to the rebound in factory orders [1] Group 2: Business Spending - Despite the rebound in orders, growth in business spending on equipment is likely to slow down in the fourth quarter [1]

Group 1 - Carlyle Group is set to acquire the majority of Lukoil's foreign assets, which are initially valued at $22 billion by analysts [1]

Core Viewpoint - AMC Entertainment has projected a fourth-quarter loss that is expected to be wider than Wall Street estimates, indicating a slow recovery in theater attendance post-pandemic [1] Company Summary - The company is experiencing challenges in recovering from pandemic-era lows, as the return to theaters has been slower than anticipated [1]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. software stocks experienced a decline due to SAP's cautious outlook on cloud services and a drop in ServiceNow shares following their earnings report, highlighting investor concerns over increasing competition from artificial intelligence [1] Group 1: Company Performance - SAP provided a cautious outlook for its cloud services, which contributed to the negative sentiment in the software sector [1] - ServiceNow shares fell post-earnings, further exacerbating investor worries about competition in the software industry [1] Group 2: Market Sentiment - The decline in U.S. software stocks reflects growing investor concerns regarding the competitive landscape, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence on traditional software companies [1]

Group 1 - Mastercard has completed a review of its business that will impact about 4% of its full-time employees [1]

Core Insights - Investment in developing artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the primary driver of economic growth in the United States according to executives at Blackstone, a leading alternative asset manager [1] Group 1: Economic Impact - The focus on AI investment is expected to significantly enhance productivity and innovation across various sectors, contributing to overall economic expansion [1] - Blackstone executives emphasize that AI will play a crucial role in shaping the future of industries and driving competitive advantages [1] Group 2: Industry Trends - The trend towards AI investment is not limited to technology companies but is spreading across multiple industries, indicating a broad recognition of its potential benefits [1] - Companies are increasingly allocating resources towards AI development to stay relevant and competitive in the evolving market landscape [1]

Core Insights - Schroders is engaging in high-level discussions regarding potential partnerships to accelerate the growth of its private capital business [1] Company Developments - The discussions are aimed at enhancing the capabilities and market position of Schroders' private capital segment, which is a strategic focus for the company [1] - Schroders has a long history of 222 years, indicating its established presence in the financial services industry [1] Industry Context - The move reflects a broader trend in the financial services industry where firms are seeking to expand their private capital offerings through strategic alliances [1] - The private capital market is becoming increasingly competitive, prompting firms like Schroders to explore partnerships to enhance growth and service offerings [1]

Core Insights - Industrial equipment maker Dover reported an increase in fourth-quarter profit and revenue, attributed to strong demand for its liquid cooling products driven by data centers [1] Company Performance - Dover's fourth-quarter profit and revenue saw a notable increase, indicating positive financial performance [1] Industry Demand - The demand for liquid cooling products is primarily led by data centers, highlighting a growing trend in the industry towards efficient cooling solutions [1]

Core Viewpoint - Tobacco company Altria has forecasted full-year profit that exceeds analysts' estimates, driven by price increases for its cigarette and oral tobacco products [1] Group 1 - Altria's profit forecast indicates a positive outlook for the company, suggesting strong demand and pricing power in its product categories [1] - The price hikes for both cigarette and oral tobacco products are key factors contributing to the improved profit outlook [1]