Full Episodes

Shell weakened a 2030 carbon reduction target and scrapped a “perilous” 2035 objective, citing expectations for strong gas demand and uncertainty in the energy transition even as it affirmed a plan to cut emissions to net zero by 2050. Shell’s retreat follows a similar move by rival BP last year, as many governments around the world […]

Inflation continues to put pressure on small business owners, whose optimism fell to its lowest in nine months. However, the number of owners who view inflation as their most pressing issue is increasing.  

The Biden Administration recently stated that, if needed, it will intensify its campaign against China to restrict access to semiconductor technology crucial for its military capabilities. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that the United States would do “whatever it takes” to protect Americans.  

A report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, released on March 6th, reveals that prominent AI image generators are susceptible to manipulation, allowing the creation of deceptive election-related images. Despite AI firms’ pledges to prevent political misinformation, the study reveals ongoing vulnerabilities, demanding further improvement in securing AI tools against image manipulation.

Chinese tech giant Huawei and American e-commerce platform Amazon signed a multi-year patent licensing agreement, with undisclosed terms suggesting unrestricted cooperation in standards and patent licensing. The collaboration stands out amid U.S. restrictions on Chinese telecom firms, including Huawei, citing data concerns and security threats.

Apple’s iPhone sales in China fell 24 percent year-on-year in the first six weeks of 2024, according to research firm Counterpoint, as the U.S. company faced increased competition from domestic rivals such as Huawei. The U.S. tech giant’s chief competitor in China in premium smartphones, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei saw unit sales rise by 64 […]

The Biden administration is cracking down on U.S. data being shared with what it’s calling ‘countries of concern,’ including China and Russia. The administration unveiled a new executive order that aims to protect Americans’ personal data. Right now, buying data through data brokers is legal in the United States and the administration is trying to […]

Consumer confidence slipped in February, surprising analysts who anticipated stability despite potential recession fears. The decline, reported by the Conference Board, was influenced by concerns about job opportunities and the upcoming presidential election, pushing the index below the recession threshold.

Amazon.com Inc. is joining the ranks of one of Wall Street’s oldest and most exclusive stock indexes: The Dow Jones Industrial Average. The e-commerce pioneer will officially take its position among the 30-company Dow before the open of trading Monday, replacing drugstore operator Walgreens Boots Alliance. S&P Dow Jones Indices opened the door to Amazon’s […]

The Biden administration is turning up the heat on China’s top sanctioned chipmaker SMIC by cutting off its most advanced factory from more American imports. This comes after Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp helped produce a sophisticated chip for Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro phone. The Biden administration is under pressure to stop the flow of U.S. […]

Chipmaker Nvidia recently outpaced Tesla on Wall Street, securing the top spot as the most traded stock. On average, about $30 billion worth of Nvidia shares changed hands daily, compared to approximately $22 billion for Tesla during the same period.  

Warren Buffett-backed Capital One plans to acquire Discover Financial Services for $35.3 billion in an all-stock deal, aiming to create a global payments giant. The merger, subject to antitrust scrutiny, would form the sixth-largest U.S. bank and a major competitor to JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup in the United States credit card market.

The U.S. Department of Justice intends to investigate a sports streaming platform proposed by Walt Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros Discovery amid fears that it could negatively impact consumers, sports leagues, and competitors, as reported by Bloomberg Law on February 15.    

Global stock index compiler MSCI is deleting dozens of companies from its benchmark China Index, which could further worsen money outflows from Chinese stocks. The news comes on top of an already massive stock market rout. The index provider announced this week that it would drop 66 securities from the MSCI China Index—one of its […]

Investors of all kinds are losing confidence in China, as it has slipped into the “alternative investment” category. Recent data reveals that investors are pulling their money out of the world’s second-largest economy. Exposure to Chinese stocks in December 2023 was down, as many investors now see Chinese stocks and bonds as non-correlated—meaning a risker […]

A recent New York Fed study found that the United States wealth inequality has grown worse in the post-pandemic recovery. Utilizing data from the U.S. Federal Reserve, the study adjusted household asset values, including stocks and real estate, for inflation while considering liabilities from mortgages and other loans.  

A new survey has revealed that inflation and the U.S. presidential election will be the top drivers of global markets this year. Traders told JPMorgan that they see inflation as having the biggest impact on markets. They are also preparing for more volatility ahead of the likely rematch between former president Donald Trump and President […]