Seeking Alphaยท2025-09-24 10:39Alibaba - Alibaba's shares surged to their highest in nearly four years in Hong Kong following the announcement of increased AI spending plans beyond the initially planned 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) over the next three years [2][3] - CEO Eddie Wu anticipates that global investment in artificial intelligence will accelerate to approximately $4 trillion over the next five years, indicating the need for Alibaba to enhance its AI infrastructure [3] - Alibaba unveiled its open-source large language model, Qwen3-Omni, capable of processing text, images, audio, and video [4] Ford - Ford is offering lower interest rates to attract riskier borrowers for its F-150 pickups, aiming for a strong sales close to the quarter [4][5] - The automaker has been absorbing tariff costs on imported materials to maintain sales volume, despite the impact on profits [5] - The program to offer lower rates is not expected to continue beyond the end of the month [5] Lithium Americas - Lithium Americas' shares increased by 78% in pre-market trading after reports that the Trump administration is seeking a 10% equity stake in the company while renegotiating terms of a $2.3 billion Department of Energy loan for its Thacker Pass lithium project [5][6] - The Thacker Pass project, valued at approximately $3 billion, was approved by Trump at the end of his first term, with the loan closing last year under the Biden administration [6] - General Motors, which invested $625 million for a 38% stake in the mine, has the right to purchase all lithium from the project's phase 1 and part of phase 2 for 20 years, although Trump officials are now seeking guarantees regarding GM's purchases [7]