Macro Overview - Global markets closed the week with cautious optimism due to softer U.S. inflation data, reviving hopes for synchronized easing among major central banks [1] - Outside the U.S., the economic picture is mixed, with Europe showing tentative momentum, Japan poised for reflation, and China facing domestic softness [1][2] United States - The U.S. economy remains the gravitational center of global finance, with the latest CPI data showing inflation cooling to 3.0%, bolstering expectations for another Fed rate cut [3] - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new record highs, driven by the technology and energy sectors [3] - U.S. consumer behavior remains strong, supported by robust service-sector PMIs and steady employment, despite policy uncertainty [4] - The fiscal trajectory of the U.S. remains a long-term concern, but near-term resilience highlights the adaptability of the economy [5] Europe - The eurozone reported its strongest PMI print since mid-2024, indicating a potential easing of manufacturing drag, with Germany's rebound supporting the bloc [6] - France is an outlier, facing political friction and sluggish domestic demand, while the ECB is expected to maintain its current stance this quarter [6] United Kingdom - Inflation in the UK held steady at 3.8% for a third month, with retail sales unexpectedly rising by 0.5%, reflecting consumer resilience amid declining real wages [7] - Markets anticipate a dovish pivot from the Bank of England by December, which may aid the recovery of sterling-denominated assets [7] Japan - Japanese equities surged due to optimism surrounding the new Prime Minister's pro-growth agenda, with the yen's decline aiding exporters [8] - Inflation remains near 3%, putting pressure on the Bank of Japan to consider a rate hike, likely in early 2026 [8] China - China's Q3 GDP growth of 4.8% masks underlying weaknesses, with retail sales slowing to 3.0% YoY and fixed-asset investment contracting [9] - Industrial production rose by 6.5% due to export strength, but the housing downturn and deflation risk cloud the outlook [9] Emerging Markets - Hungary and Türkiye illustrate divergent trajectories, with Hungary maintaining firm rates to anchor inflation while Türkiye eases despite rising prices [10] - Latin America remains stable, supported by strong terms of trade and disciplined fiscal policies, while EM Asia's central banks prioritize currency stability over growth stimulus [10] Commodities & FX - Oil prices spiked due to renewed geopolitical risks, while gold paused after a nine-week rally [11] - The yen and euro softened against the dollar, reflecting policy divergence, while EM FX remained stable due to capital inflows into local-currency debt [11] Week Ahead - The U.S. FOMC Meeting is expected to result in a near 100% probability of a 25bp rate cut, with market focus on Chair Powell's tone [12] - Key economic indicators such as Consumer Confidence and Durable Goods will provide insights into household and business resilience amid fiscal uncertainty [13] - Global events include the Euro Area GDP Flash and China PMI data, which will be critical for assessing economic recovery [15][16]

Core Points - The demolition of the East Wing of the White House for a new ballroom project has raised concerns about public trust and transparency in government actions [1][3][14] - The project, estimated to cost over $300 million, is funded by corporate donations from major companies, including Amazon, Apple, and Google [10][11] - Mississippi Rep. Bennie G. Thompson is demanding accountability from the corporations involved, requesting details about their donations and any potential quid pro quo arrangements [2][4][5] Corporate Involvement - Over 20 corporations have been asked to disclose the amounts of their donations and whether they received any promises in return [2][4] - Notable contributors include Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta, with Meta and Amazon each contributing $1 million to Trump's 2024 inauguration fund [10] - Alphabet, YouTube's parent company, contributed over $20 million to the ballroom project as part of a legal settlement related to Trump's account suspension [11] Government and Regulatory Concerns - The Trump administration is accused of bypassing the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which typically requires public input on renovation plans [3][4] - Thompson emphasized the need for transparency in funding projects related to the White House, a symbol of democracy [14] - Construction began without the usual public forums or consultations, raising questions about the integrity of the process [3][4]

Meta has all the resources and money in the world and they from what I gather keep spending billions of dollars to hire single AI researchers and then firing 500 AI employees and it's like I the whiplash of Meta spending all of the money it has to hire like one guy and then like 3 weeks later fire 600 people which it just did this week. I can't explain it. Can you explain it.Well, I can tell you what they told me, which is that uh they're really I mean they are really, you know, trying to control the narrat ...

Core Points - The White House announced the construction of a new banquet hall with a planned area of 90,000 square feet (approximately 8,361 square meters) and a total estimated cost of around $300 million, which is an increase from the previous government estimate of $200 million [1][3] - The funding for the project will come from President Trump and private donors, with no taxpayer money being used [3] - Notable donors include major companies such as Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, and cryptocurrency platforms like Coinbase and Gemini, along with various individuals and organizations [3][5] Funding and Donors - The list of donors includes prominent companies and individuals, such as Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Coinbase, Comcast, Meta, and the Winklevoss twins from Gemini [3] - Other significant contributors include U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and his family, the Adelson family from Las Vegas Sands, and over 30 other institutions and individuals like Altria Group, Booz Allen Hamilton, Caterpillar, Hard Rock International, HP, and Micron Technology [3] Project Justification - The White House defended the project against criticism, stating that the new banquet hall is "bold and necessary," and highlighted that U.S. presidents have been renovating and modernizing the White House for over a century to meet contemporary needs [5]

Analyst Ratings & Price Target Changes - Intel saw multiple firms raise price targets after Q3 earnings beat, with Benchmark setting a high target of $50 per share [2] - Deckers Outdoor experienced price target cuts from Raymond James and Telsey Advisory Group due to weak 2026 sales forecast [3] - Citizens upgraded eBay to outperform, citing improved consumer experience in key categories [4] - Steeple raised eBay's price target to $89, just below the average 12-month target of roughly $92 [5] - Bank of America upgraded Zion's Bank Corp to neutral, raising its price target to $62 per share, seeing room for a rebound [8][9] - UBS cut Madna's price target to $40 from $70 after a failed vaccine trial, but maintains a buy rating [9] - Wedbush trimmed Netflix's price target to $1400 from $1500, but maintained outperform rating, implying roughly 13% upside [12] - Morgan Stanley upgraded 3M to equal weight, raising its price target to $160 from $130 [13][14] - Wedbush raised Snowflake's price target to $270 from $250, anticipating growth from AI use cases [21] - Goldman Sachs upgraded Darden Restaurants to buy, citing improved value proposition and less exposure to lower-income consumers [22] Company Specific Insights - Morgan Stanley maintains outperform rating on Tesla with a $410 price target, highlighting robo taxi potential and calling Tesla a "forgotten AI stock" [7] - Bank of America expects Meta's Q3 sales of $50 billion and earnings of $730% a share, driven by AI-powered ad engine [16] - UBS is staying neutral on Starbucks, trimming its price target to $94 a share, expecting flat US theme store sales and operating margins around 10% [17][18] - City added Reddit to its positive 90-day catalyst watch, raising its price target to $250 from $220, expecting third quarter earnings to come in significantly above expectations [19] - BNB Paraba upgraded Lululemon to neutral, noting the stock is down more than 50% year to date and negative catalysts are less clear [20]

Analyst Calls Summary Intel - Intel's stock experienced its largest intraday increase since April 2024 after five financial firms raised their price targets, with Benchmark setting a target of $50 per share. This follows the company's Q3 earnings report, which exceeded expectations, and an increase in demand driven by AI [2]. Deckers Outdoor - Deckers Outdoor, known for Hoka sneakers and UGGs, saw price target reductions from Raymond James and Telsey Advisory Group due to a weak 2026 sales forecast, citing slower growth for Hoka and challenges in the direct-to-consumer channel. The stock has reached its lowest point since 2023 [3]. eBay - eBay's stock was upgraded to outperform by Citizens, who noted improvements in product offerings that enhance consumer experience, particularly in fast-growing categories like watches and sneakers. Steeple also raised its price target to $89, just below the average 12-month target of approximately $92 [4][5]. Tesla - Tesla's shares are under pressure following mixed Q3 results, but Morgan Stanley maintained an outperform rating with a price target of $410, highlighting the potential of Tesla's robo taxi initiative as a significant future catalyst. A pivotal shareholder vote on November 6 could also positively influence market sentiment [7][8]. Zions Bancorporation - Bank of America upgraded Zions Bancorporation to neutral from underperform, citing that credit fears are overstated. The firm raised its price target to $62, indicating potential for a rebound as the stock trades about 20% below historical valuations [8]. Moderna - UBS cut Moderna's price target from $70 to $40 after the company's CMV vaccine failed a key late-stage trial. Despite this, analysts see potential in its cancer pipeline and expect the company to reach cash break-even by 2028 [9][10]. Netflix - Netflix shares fell approximately 8% after missing revenue and profit estimates due to a tax issue in Brazil. However, several firms, including Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, reiterated buy ratings, with Wedbush lowering its price target to $140 from $150 while maintaining an outperform rating [11][12]. 3M - 3M's shares rose about 1% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to equal weight from underweight, citing improved growth expectations and successful turnaround efforts following the latest earnings report. The price target was raised to $160 from $130 [13]. AppLovin - AppLovin's stock increased after Georgia Bank initiated coverage with a buy rating and a $75 price target, highlighting the company's strong ad tech and potential growth in e-commerce advertising [14]. Meta - Bank of America reiterated its buy rating on Meta with a price target of $900, anticipating strong Q3 results driven by its AI-powered ad engine, projecting $50 billion in sales and earnings of $7.30 per share [15][16]. Starbucks - UBS maintained a neutral rating on Starbucks, lowering its price target to $94 from $100, citing expectations of flat US same-store sales and ongoing investments in labor and marketing [17]. Reddit - Reddit's shares rose after Citigroup added the stock to its positive catalyst watch, raising its price target to $250 from $220, driven by optimism regarding growth and monetization strategies [19]. Lululemon - Lululemon's stock increased after BNB Paribas upgraded its rating to neutral from underperform, noting that the current valuation reflects significant negative sentiment, while American Express's credit for Lululemon could enhance foot traffic [20]. Snowflake - Wedbush raised Snowflake's price target to $270 from $250, citing strong growth potential and demand for AI applications over the next 12 to 18 months [21]. Darden Restaurants - Goldman Sachs upgraded Darden Restaurants to buy from neutral, highlighting improvements in its value proposition in casual dining and reduced exposure to lower-income consumers [22].

The first is looking at competitors and saying, "This thing really worked well for them. Let's copy it over and do it better." You get very jealous when you look at other companies. You hear about how well they're doing and then you think, "Let's copy it." A great example is during my time at Pinterest, we were trying to solve that onboarding problem that I was telling you about earlier where Pinterest does require a bit of a shift in understanding on how to use the product because you go from local file st ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent layoffs at Meta, particularly affecting prominent AI researcher Tian Yuandong and his team, highlight a chaotic restructuring process within the company, raising questions about management practices and talent retention in the tech industry [2][7][15]. Group 1: Layoff Details - Tian Yuandong, a veteran researcher at Meta, announced on social media that he and several team members were affected by the layoffs, which were part of a broader restructuring effort [2]. - The layoffs impacted a range of employees, including both seasoned and newer researchers, creating a situation where talent across different experience levels was lost [3]. - Reports suggest that the layoffs were executed hastily, with Tian Yuandong receiving eight months of severance pay, but his GitHub repository was quickly set to read-only, indicating the abruptness of the decision [3]. Group 2: Layoff Criteria and Reactions - There were rumors that layoffs were based on the number of lines of code written, which sparked significant backlash in the tech community, as many believe this metric does not accurately reflect an engineer's value [6][7]. - Some former Meta employees refuted the claims that code volume was a criterion for layoffs, suggesting that the decision-making process was more complex and not solely based on performance metrics [6]. - The spread of these rumors reflects a broader critique of the company's management and the perceived absurdity of using simplistic metrics to evaluate talent [7]. Group 3: Criticism of Meta's Management - The layoffs have been characterized as a "use and discard" approach, particularly regarding the FAIR team, which was forced to support the Llama 4 project only to be laid off afterward [9]. - The layoffs are seen as a means for the new AI chief, Alexandr Wang, to consolidate power, with significant restructuring occurring within the AI department [10]. - There is a stark contrast between the high salaries offered to new hires and the treatment of long-term employees, leading to discontent among remaining staff [12]. Group 4: Industry Implications - Following the layoffs, top companies like OpenAI and Google DeepMind have shown interest in hiring the affected talent, indicating a strong demand for skilled professionals in the AI field [16]. - The situation at Meta raises concerns about the effectiveness of its talent strategy, as the company appears to be investing heavily in external talent while letting go of key internal researchers [16]. - The reliance on simplistic metrics for performance evaluation and the internal power struggles at Meta may hinder its ability to retain innovative talent in the long run [15].

Group 1 - Massive investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are significantly boosting the U.S. economy, with tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms projected to invest up to $320 billion in AI technology and data centers this year, up from $230 billion last year [2][10] - This surge in AI spending is estimated to have contributed nearly half of the GDP increase in the last quarter, highlighting the importance of AI in economic growth [2][10] - Despite the growth in the AI sector, many businesses outside the tech industry are struggling and operating in a "survival mode," indicating a bifurcated economic landscape [3][10] Group 2 - The economic landscape remains uneven, with technological advancements benefiting companies like Nvidia and AMD, while other sectors face significant challenges [3][10] Group 3 - Geopolitical tensions are affecting the economic environment, with reports of military activities in Russia and ongoing conflicts in regions like the Gaza Strip, which may have implications for global markets [4][6][10]

Core Points - Meta is discontinuing its desktop Messenger apps for Windows and Mac, effective December 15, with users needing to switch to Facebook for chat functionality [1] - Users will receive an in-app notification during the shutdown process, with a 60-day window to continue using Messenger before it is permanently shut down [1] - The mobile Messenger app will remain available for users [1] Data Summary - Users are advised to activate secure storage to save their chat history before the app is permanently removed, as it will be lost otherwise [2] - The Messenger desktop app is no longer available on the Apple App Store, and after December 15, users attempting to access Messenger on desktop will be redirected to Facebook.com or Messenger.com for those without a Facebook account [2]