The Finimize Daily Brief

With the S&P 500 cruising on tech and pharma earnings, it might be time to think about locking in some gains – and best known for fancy flush machines, Toto’s side hustle in advanced ceramics for semiconductors is getting a big boost from AI.Today’s stories:US Stocks Rallied In April On Tech, Drugs, And Rock ‘N’ RollEven Japan’s Leading Toilet Maker Is Getting Into AITry Finimize Pro 

The tech giant’s quarterly report beat expectations, but the question remains whether Apple is missing a trick on AI – and tech-heavy Asian economies are going from strength to strength, while some Western ones are… not.Today’s stories:Apple’s Reliable Returns Delivered Again For InvestorsTaiwan And South Korea Are Booming. Not Everyone Can Say The Same.Try Finimize Pro

Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft all beat revenue and profit expectations, but investors are worried about their spending, while the UAE’s surprise departure might mean lower oil prices in the future.Today’s stories:Big Tech’s Big Earnings Made It RainThe United Arab Emirates Is Saying Goodbye To OPECTry Finimize Pro

ChatGPT’s creator missed its targets, leaving some worried about how it’s going to pay massive bills, while the world’s biggest battery maker just inked the first deal for its new sodium-ion storage.Today’s stories:OpenAI’s IPO Is Looking A Bit More Iffy-POCATL’s Got A Fresh Charge With Its New Sodium-Ion DealTry Finimize Pro

China’s industrial sector has been raking it in, despite the rise in oil prices – while ChatGPT’s creator is reportedly in talks with chipmakers to design an AI smartphone.Today’s stories:Chinese Factories Kept Churning Out Profit Last MonthOpenAI Is Reportedly Getting Into Smartphones – LiterallyTry Finimize Pro 

The Japanese conglomerate is after a bigger share of the AI infrastructure market – and that includes power – while the US chip firm’s on a comeback tour, as AI demand is starting to give it some oomph.Today’s stories:SoftBank Wants To Power The AI Boom With Its Own BatteriesIntel’s Been Seeing Some Big Gains, Thanks To The AI BoomTry Finimize Pro

SK Hynix posted blockbuster profit, largely driven by sales of its AI-specific memory chips – while a sudden temperature spike at a Paris airport earned one prediction market trader a lot of money.Today’s stories:SK Hynix Shared Blockbuster Results, But Investors Have Long MemoriesPrediction Markets Are Facing A Lot Of Hot Air – In More Ways Than OneTry Finimize Pro

The world’s biggest EV battery maker just unveiled two new models that can get drivers on the road faster and keep them there longer – while inflation in the UK ticked higher last month, as surging fuel prices found their way into some intimate places.Today’s stories:CATL’s New Batteries Could Crack The EV Range And Charge RoadblocksBritish Inflation Rose In March (And Now Even Condoms Cost More)Try Finimize Pro

Big Tech is its own best customer, and the Claude creator’s new contract is the latest proof, while cheap-and-cheerful fast-fashion name Primark is expected to split from its parent company by the end of 2027.Today’s stories:Anthropic Just Inked A Massive AI Infrastructure Deal With AmazonPrimark’s About To Fly The ABF Nest And Stand On Its Own Two FeetTry Finimize Pro

The International Energy Agency says that AI data centers and EVs are creating some – but not all – of the increased electricity demand, and the AI boom could keep inflation under wraps… but not everyone’s convinced.Today’s stories:The World’s Using More Electricity Than Ever BeforeAI’s Productivity Boom Could Be Just What The Fed NeedsTry Finimize Pro 

The Strait’s reopening – and oil flowing through it – pushed US stock indexes higher, while OnlyFans might be NSFW, but it’s trying to prove it’s safe for investment.Today’s stories:US Stocks Hit New Highs As The Strait Of Hormuz ReopenedOnlyFans Could Be Worth Over $3 Billion After Selling A Chunk Of ItselfTry Finimize Pro

Today’s stories:The AI Chip Boom Pushed TSMC To A Record Quarter – AgainChina’s Economy Grew 5% Last Quarter, Despite The War In IranTry Finimize Pro 

Chipmaking equipment supplier ASML boosted its revenue expectations for the year on Wednesday, and Hermès posted weaker-than-expected sales last quarter, as the war reached into its handbags and pilfered some of its takings.ASML Tweaked Its Expectations As The AI Chip Boom Keeps… BoomingIt’s Serving Slump For Hermès, LVMH, And KeringTry Finimize Pro 

Wall Street’s report card was better than expected last quarter, with the war in Iran boosting trading – while China kept churning out goods in March, but at a far more sluggish pace.Today’s stories:Earnings Are Bringing Some Big Bank Energy On Wall StreetChina’s Exports Slowed Down As The Iran War Ramped UpTry Finimize Pro 

Oil prices rose back up to the triple digits as the US launched a military operation along the Strait of Hormuz, and Goldman Sachs turned a fat profit this quarter – both despite and because of market volatility. Today’s stories:Oil Prices Popped Higher As The US Imposed A Blockade On IranGoldman’s Profits Sounded The Opening Bell On Earnings SeasonTry Finimize Pro

Weather prediction markets are giving scientists a run for their money, and fresh data out on Friday showed that US inflation rose at its fastest pace in two years.Try Finimize Pro

Meta unveiled the latest version of its AI model on Wednesday, and the world’s biggest producers of EVs shipped a record number of them in March. Try Finimize Pro

The US-Iran Ceasefire sent investors back into the arms of stocks, and mega-investor Bill Ackman’s firm Pershing Square wants to take over the world’s biggest music label.Try Finimize Pro

Claude creator Anthropic is coughing up billions on chips and cloud, and private equity deals are way down so far this year.Try Finimize Pro

The US president’s address offered no clear pathway to ending the hostilities, five weeks after the conflict began – and with satellite internet shaping up to be the next mission for tech titans, Amazon is looking to make some strategic deals.Today’s stories:Investor Uncertainty Escalated With No Clear Timeline To Resolve The WarAmazon Is Looking To Buy Globalstar As The Space Race Heats UpTry Finimize Pro 

The unicorn paddock is starting to get crowded – OpenAI, SpaceX, Anthropic, and others are eyeing an escape to the public market – while Berkshire Hathaway’s still heavily into Apple, but it’s cautious about tech exposure.Today’s stories:OpenAI’s Fantastical Valuation Is Fueling Speculation That An IPO Is ComingBuffett's Apple Regret Is Real – Just Not Enough To Buy Back InTry Finimize Pro 

The eurozone was the first big economy to release its consumer price index for March (next up: the US and China), while it looks like chipmakers’ luck is running out.Today’s stories:Eurozone Inflation Just Sped Up – And Other Economies Are Set To FollowMemory Chipmakers Just Had Their Worst Month Since 2005Try Finimize Pro

The US maker of Zepbound just signed a $2.75 billion deal with Hong Kong-based Insilico Medicine for an AI-developed drug – while eurozone consumers and businesses say they expect prices to rise… and that suggests they will.Today’s stories:Eli Lilly’s Got A Sparkling New AI Biopharma DealInflation Fears Are Brewing Across EuropeTry Finimize Pro

The creator of the Claude chatbot is laying plans for an October stock debut – while Alphabet’s new system can run AI models with way less memory, and that’s got memory chip investors nervous.Today’s stories:Anthropic Wants A Big IPO – And Everyone Wants AnthropicAlphabet’s New System Can Run AI Models With Way Less MemoryTry Finimize Pro

A jury just agreed that Meta and Google’s platforms are addictive, and Elon Musk’s space company is aiming for a $1.75 trillion debut.Today’s stories:Infinite Scroll Got Its Day In Court – And LostSpaceX Wants To Make Its IPO Launchpad Even BiggerTry Finimize Pro 

SK Hynix wants a US stock listing and a bigger global profile, while UK inflation captured a bygone era – as in, four weeks ago.Today’s stories:SK Hynix Is Aiming For A New York Listing, So Start Spreadin’ The NewsUK Inflation Figures Capture A Bygone Era – As In, Four Weeks AgoTry Finimize Pro

Revolut’s blockbuster results told a bigger story about the private market, while Ares Management became the latest symbol of private credit uncertainty.Today’s stories:Private Markets Are Rewarding Late BloomersMore Private Credit Managers Hit The Limit Button After Big WithdrawalsTry Finimize Pro

Stocks bounced as the US backed off its Iran infrastructure threat, and Berkshire Hathaway’s first big buy under its new CEO has a very Warren Buffett feel to it.Today’s stories:Stocks Bounced On The Latest Serve In The US And Iran’s Ping-Pong HostilitiesPost-Buffett Berkshire Is Still Betting Big On JapanTry Finimize Pro 

Food prices are starting to rise as the Middle East conflict chokes fertilizer supply, while OpenAI is designing a desktop super-app, with hopes of muscling out Anthropic.Today’s stories:Food Prices Could Rise As The Effects Of The Middle East Conflict SpreadOpenAI Has A Plan To Build One App To Rule Them AllTry Finimize Pro

Oil and gas prices rose as conflict in the Middle East intensified, while a trio of central banks announced decisions to stand pat.Today’s stories:Oil And Gas Prices Jumped After Attacks On Middle Eastern Energy InfrastructureCentral Banks Are Holding Rates Steady – For NowTry Finimize Pro 

The Fed kept interest rates unchanged in a near-unanimous decision, while Nvidia’s CEO thinks he’s spotted the next ChatGPT – and it’s AI agent platform OpenClaw.Today’s stories:The Fed Kept Interest Rates The Same, Hoping To Stick Its Balancing ActOpenClaw Hype Has Investors Snapping Up Chinese AI StocksTry Finimize Pro 

AI’s chewing through memory chips faster than ever, so the global supply crunch will probably stick around, while Morgan Stanley warned that private credit defaults could swell to pandemic-era levels.Today’s stories:The Memory Chip Crunch Is Probably Sticking AroundPrivate Credit Defaults Could Be About To Swell – And AI’s To BlameTry Finimize Pro

Foxconn posted weaker profit – but the firm’s not too worried about it – while neocloud Nebius shook hands with Meta on a giant AI infrastructure deal.Today’s stories:Foxconn’s Results Fell Short, Despite Record AI DemandMeta Struck A Giant Deal With Neocloud NebiusTry Finimize Pro 

The US is trying to build a case for fresh tariffs, hoping to make them stick this time, while the UK’s economy flatlined in January – and that was before energy price shocks set in.Today’s stories:The US Just Launched Two New Probes In Its Newest Trade DramaThe UK’s Economy Will Need A Jump Start, After Stalling Out in JanuaryTry Finimize Pro 

Revolut got a full UK banking license – and one step closer to the big leagues – while the IEA ordered the biggest-ever release of emergency oil reserves. Today’s stories:Fintech Startup Revolut Is A Real British Bank NowThe IEA Says It’s Time To Pull Out The Emergency Oil ReservesTry Finimize Pro 

JPMorgan’s clamping down on some lending, as AI worries rise – and US inflation didn’t budge last month, but that was before oil prices got jumpy…Today’s stories:JPMorgan Thinks AI Might Be Coming For Software CompaniesUS Inflation Held Steady In February, But Investors Are More Worried About MarchTry Finimize Pro 

TSMC's chip sales have boomed this year, but it’s not clear how long the AI party will continue, while Saudi Aramco reported a slight dip in profit – but the oil company raised its dividend and announced its first-ever share buyback.Today’s stories:TSMC’s Been Bringing The Chips To Big Tech’s PartySaudi Aramco’s Recalculating Its Route On OilTry Finimize Pro 

Novo Nordisk is giving Him & Hers another chance – and with oil prices near triple-digits, the G7 is hatching a plan.Today’s stories:Novo Can’t Stay Mad At Hims & HersOil Prices Are Up Near Triple Digits, But The G7 Says It’s Got A PlanTry Finimize Pro

The US economy dropped jobs in February – making analysts’ expectations for a modest addition look positively optimistic – while oil prices kept rising, sending shocks through the world’s stock markets.Today’s stories:The US Jobs Market Punched Out In FebruaryOil Prices Barreled Away – But Investors Did Their Best To Keep PaceTry Finimize Pro 

 After years of shooting for the same number, China pulled its economic growth target down – while trading volumes on prediction markets exploded.Today’s stories:China’s Government Lowered Its Economic StandardsPlatforms Are Letting Folks Bet On Anything, But Regulation Is ComingTry Finimize Pro

South Korea’s main stock index suffered its worst blow on record, while business surveys showed the global economy headed in the right direction… but not every country is pulling its weight.Today’s stories:South Korea Saw A Seoul-Destroying Stock SelloffThe Global Economy Was On The Right Track In FebruaryTry Finimize Pro

Investors reshuffled everything from oil and gas to US stocks and a South Korean index, expecting conflict in the Middle East to continue, while Blackstone had to ask around for spare change after investors pulled billions from its biggest fund.Today’s stories:Oil And Gas Prices Rose Again, With Investors Bracing For More DisruptionBlackstone Struggled To Cushion The Blow Of Heavy Private Credit WithdrawalsTry Finimize Pro

Conflict in the Middle East threatened key oil and gas transport routes, sparking higher energy prices and making the stock market more volatile, while Berkshire Hathaway’s final results with Warren Buffett as CEO were… just okay.Today’s stories:Oil Prices Jumped As Tensions In The Middle East EscalatedBerkshire Hathaway Released Warren Buffett’s Last LedgerTry Finimize Pro 

Fintech firm Block said it’ll cut nearly half of its workforce, trusting AI to pick up the slack, while Netflix backed out of the Warner Bros. bidding war – leaving Paramount holding the highest offer.Today’s stories:Block Cut Nearly Half Of Its Workforce In An AI BetNetflix Tuned Out Of The Warner Bros. Bidding WarTry Finimize Pro

Two British firms released spiffin’ results – so investors polished up their stocks – and the US president’s new pledge could encourage Big Tech to cover more power costs, keeping your bills down.Today’s stories:Investors Took Two British Stocks Off To The RacesThe US President Wants Americans To Have Small, Beautiful BillsTry Finimize Pro 

Nvidia’s results came in ahead of analysts’ estimates – as did the chipmaker’s outlook for this quarter – while Paramount crashed Netflix’s Warner Bros. deal, putting a richer offer on the table.Today’s stories:Nvidia Did Even Better Than Forecast Last Quarter – And It’s Ready To Go AgainParamount Upped Its Bid For Warner Bros., Raising The Stakes For NetflixTry Finimize Pro

Meta agreed to buy billions worth of chips from AMD – despite recently inking a similar deal with Nvidia – while investors are bailing on software stocks, just as lenders are closing their check books.Today’s stories:Meta’s New Billion-Dollar Deal Could Make Nvidia JealousInvestors Prepared For Some Software And TearTry Finimize Pro 

The Supreme Court ruled America’s sweeping tariffs illegal – so the US president imposed some different ones – while Novo Nordisk’s new weight‑loss drug came up short, leaving rival Eli Lilly firmly in the lead.Today’s stories:After A Supreme Court Ruling, The US President Released New Limited-Edition LeviesNovo Nordisk’s Losing The Weighting GameTry Finimize Pro 

The US just dealt a one-two punch: economic growth slowed by more than feared, and inflation came in higher than expected – while retail investors rushed to leave a private credit fund, so the fund simply moved the exit.Today’s stories:US Economic Growth Slowed, But Investors Were Distracted By Other HappeningsA Private Credit Fund Changed The Check-Out RulesTry Finimize Pro

OpenAI could raise a fresh $100 billion, in a funding round that’d value ChatGPT’s creator at nearly $850 billion, while China needs to lean more on its own consumers and less on exports, warned the International Monetary Fund.Today’s stories:OpenAI Could Get Its Hands On $100 Billion In A Record-Breaking Funding RoundThe International Monetary Fund Said This Round’s On ChinaTry Finimize Pro