Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-07-09 08:21Core Viewpoint - The recently passed "Big Beautiful" bill is significantly transforming the American business landscape, redefining the winners and losers among various industries [1] Private Equity and Fossil Fuels - The private equity industry, valued at $13 trillion, is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the bill, retaining the "carried interest" tax loophole [2][3] - This loophole allows traders to pay performance profit taxes at a lower long-term capital gains tax rate, saving the industry billions annually [3] - The bill also extends fixed debt interest tax deductions and depreciation benefits, lowering tax rates for many private equity-backed companies [4] Retail Industry - The bill reduces federal food assistance, with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expected to see a $9 billion cut next year, impacting grocery spending [5][6] - Companies like Conagra, Kellogg, and Kraft Heinz may face sales pressure due to their reliance on SNAP user spending [6] - The bill eliminates tariff exemptions for imported goods valued under $800, benefiting brick-and-mortar retailers while pressuring small businesses [6] Healthcare Industry - The healthcare sector avoided severe cuts, with Medicaid funding reductions being less than anticipated [7][8] - For-profit hospital chains like Tenet Healthcare and HCA Healthcare saw stock price increases, although predictions indicate that 11.8 million Americans may lose health insurance by 2034 [8] - Smaller hospitals, heavily reliant on Medicaid, may struggle more than larger institutions [9] Energy Sector - The energy industry is experiencing a split impact, with coal unexpectedly benefiting from tax credits for metallurgical coal production [10] - Zero-carbon energy sources like geothermal and nuclear retain substantial tax credits, while many solar and wind projects will lose investment and production tax credits [10] - The cancellation of electric vehicle tax incentives may lead to contractor bankruptcies, as the total credits for 2023 amount to $8.4 billion [10] Technology Sector - The technology sector, particularly companies like Tesla, faces significant challenges due to the loss of electric vehicle tax incentives and new AI regulations [11] - Private aerospace companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin benefit from provisions allowing municipal bond financing for spaceports [11] Defense Industry - The defense sector is a major winner, with an additional $150 billion in budget increases, pushing total defense spending towards $1 trillion [12][13] - Traditional defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and emerging tech firms like Anduril and Palantir are expected to benefit from increased funding for missile defense and naval capabilities [13] Higher Education - The bill imposes an 8% tax on investment income for wealthy universities, affecting only 16 institutions, with Harvard expected to lose $267 million annually [14] - Cuts to student loans and support may indirectly raise university costs, straining state funding for public universities [14]