3 days ago
AA Milne's first Pooh book was published a century ago in October 1926. Generations of children loved it, but its inspiration, the author's own son, told the BBC that he took to "running away when people bring up the subject".
"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." This is the plaintive cry made by Christopher Robin to his teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, in the final chapter of The House in Pooh Corner.
British novelist and playwright AA Milne needn't have worried. The first Winnie-the-Book was published 100 years ago in October 1926, and introduced a cast of characters modelled on the author's son and the soft toys he played with: lovably dim Pooh Bear, nervy Piglet, hyperactive Tigger, pessimistic Eeyore. Far from being forgotten, in the century since then the characters have taken on a life far beyond the parameters of their idyllic home, the Hundred Acre Wood.
BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs: Christopher Milne, 13/11/1976
From 1966, they became the subject of animated and live-action Disney films, in what is now one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Pooh Bear has even courted controversy in Poland for being "inappropriate", sparked memes mocking the Chinese president Xi Jinping, and prompted tongue-in-cheek pop-culture theories in which the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood have been "diagnosed" with different psychological conditions.
#christopher #acre #wood
"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." This is the plaintive cry made by Christopher Robin to his teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, in the final chapter of The House in Pooh Corner.
British novelist and playwright AA Milne needn't have worried. The first Winnie-the-Book was published 100 years ago in October 1926, and introduced a cast of characters modelled on the author's son and the soft toys he played with: lovably dim Pooh Bear, nervy Piglet, hyperactive Tigger, pessimistic Eeyore. Far from being forgotten, in the century since then the characters have taken on a life far beyond the parameters of their idyllic home, the Hundred Acre Wood.
BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs: Christopher Milne, 13/11/1976
From 1966, they became the subject of animated and live-action Disney films, in what is now one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Pooh Bear has even courted controversy in Poland for being "inappropriate", sparked memes mocking the Chinese president Xi Jinping, and prompted tongue-in-cheek pop-culture theories in which the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood have been "diagnosed" with different psychological conditions.
#christopher #acre #wood
10 days ago
Sonay Kartal's dreams of becoming a WTA 1000 champion were ended on Sunday evening following defeat in the Wuhan Open final.
Despite being ranked 170th on the Tour, Kartal marched into the Chinese WTA 1000 final, defeating Belinda Bencic, Elina Svitolina, Jasmine Paolini and Jelena Ostapenko en route.
Maja Chwalinska, from Poland, defeated Kartal in the final, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Following Sunday's contest, Kartal posted a short message on social media.
"Leaving China with my head held high," Kartal, who has risen 121 places in the WTA rankings to world number 49, said in an Instagram post on Sunday.
#chinese
Despite being ranked 170th on the Tour, Kartal marched into the Chinese WTA 1000 final, defeating Belinda Bencic, Elina Svitolina, Jasmine Paolini and Jelena Ostapenko en route.
Maja Chwalinska, from Poland, defeated Kartal in the final, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Following Sunday's contest, Kartal posted a short message on social media.
"Leaving China with my head held high," Kartal, who has risen 121 places in the WTA rankings to world number 49, said in an Instagram post on Sunday.
#chinese
10 days ago
Swimmers brandishing short, curved sticks held their breath as they somersaulted and dove towards a weighted puck at the bottom of a Hong Kong swimming pool, vying for first place in a sport likened to voluntary drowning.
The annual underwater hockey tournament, ominously advertised as "physical ****** ", nevertheless drew a roster of hardcore enthusiasts from countries across Asia to the Chinese city over the weekend.
"You have to choose when to use your breath and when not to... Anyone that's got the puck, you know that they've got some level of suffering," Leo Lines, a ****** anese-New Zealander competitor from Hokkaido, told AFP.
"I love that."
Suited up in snorkel masks and fins, players only resurface for air when they absolutely have to, and their heads remain constantly underwater so they can monitor the game.
#swimmers #kong
The annual underwater hockey tournament, ominously advertised as "physical ****** ", nevertheless drew a roster of hardcore enthusiasts from countries across Asia to the Chinese city over the weekend.
"You have to choose when to use your breath and when not to... Anyone that's got the puck, you know that they've got some level of suffering," Leo Lines, a ****** anese-New Zealander competitor from Hokkaido, told AFP.
"I love that."
Suited up in snorkel masks and fins, players only resurface for air when they absolutely have to, and their heads remain constantly underwater so they can monitor the game.
#swimmers #kong
10 days ago
Qinwen Zheng has battled unimaginable fitness concerns over the past few years, which threatened to completely derail such a promising start to her career.
Having emerged onto the scene as inarguably one of the most talented Chinese players of all time, she soon started achieving feats to back up such promise.
Deep runs in WTA 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments felt relatively regular, and culminated in her reaching the final of the Australian Open in 2024, and the Wuhan Open later that year.
Whilst she lost both matches, Qinwen Zheng was getting closer to snagging an elite honour before disaster struck.
The end of her 2025 campaign was completely marred by injury, and whilst she tried to play after elbow surgery, she had to shut it down. This past turmoil is what makes any new fitness concerns particularly worrying for the 24-year-old.
#zheng #concerns
Having emerged onto the scene as inarguably one of the most talented Chinese players of all time, she soon started achieving feats to back up such promise.
Deep runs in WTA 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments felt relatively regular, and culminated in her reaching the final of the Australian Open in 2024, and the Wuhan Open later that year.
Whilst she lost both matches, Qinwen Zheng was getting closer to snagging an elite honour before disaster struck.
The end of her 2025 campaign was completely marred by injury, and whilst she tried to play after elbow surgery, she had to shut it down. This past turmoil is what makes any new fitness concerns particularly worrying for the 24-year-old.
#zheng #concerns
23 days ago
Christina Zhu, the head of Walmart's China business, remembers when Chinese shoppers did not have much choice.
As a child, she watched her parents wake up at 4:30 a.m. on Sundays to go to the wet market. "They had to haggle, and high-quality produce wasn't always guaranteed," Zhu, born in 1973, recalled at the Fortune Leaders Forum in Macau in September.
Today, Chinese shoppers are "probably the group with the most choices [in the world]," and they have become "the most demanding customers," she said.
Meeting those rising expectations has become the defining challenge for retailers in China, and Walmart has managed it better than most. It entered China in 1996 with a Supercenter and a Sam's Club in Shenzhen. Three decades later, the U.S. retailer is thriving in the world's second-largest economy even as other foreign brands struggle.
China represents 3% of Walmart's overall business, but it is growing, generating $24.6 billion in sales in its past fiscal year, a 19.3% jump. Sales grew 20.7% last quarter, faster than the 5.9% reported by the company as a whole.
#China
As a child, she watched her parents wake up at 4:30 a.m. on Sundays to go to the wet market. "They had to haggle, and high-quality produce wasn't always guaranteed," Zhu, born in 1973, recalled at the Fortune Leaders Forum in Macau in September.
Today, Chinese shoppers are "probably the group with the most choices [in the world]," and they have become "the most demanding customers," she said.
Meeting those rising expectations has become the defining challenge for retailers in China, and Walmart has managed it better than most. It entered China in 1996 with a Supercenter and a Sam's Club in Shenzhen. Three decades later, the U.S. retailer is thriving in the world's second-largest economy even as other foreign brands struggle.
China represents 3% of Walmart's overall business, but it is growing, generating $24.6 billion in sales in its past fiscal year, a 19.3% jump. Sales grew 20.7% last quarter, faster than the 5.9% reported by the company as a whole.
#China
23 days ago
Burry is mitigating near-term tax selling in underperforming holdings.
The investor foresees an early end to the artificial intelligence boom, positioning for a 2000–2003 style value equity revival.
Significant capital is being directed into discounted Chinese equities like BYD, while maintaining a cautious stance on Alibaba amidst its infrastructure spending.
Renowned value investor Michael Burry outlined his fourth-quarter portfolio maneuvers in an update on his Cassandra Unchained Substack platform on Monday, revealing how he is positioning around tax-loss harvesting headwinds while building long-term exposure to deeply discounted sectors.
Burry noted that the final quarter routinely brings heightened selling pressure on underperforming equities as investors sell underperforming ***** ets at a loss to offset capital gains.
#burry #positioning #capital #equities
The investor foresees an early end to the artificial intelligence boom, positioning for a 2000–2003 style value equity revival.
Significant capital is being directed into discounted Chinese equities like BYD, while maintaining a cautious stance on Alibaba amidst its infrastructure spending.
Renowned value investor Michael Burry outlined his fourth-quarter portfolio maneuvers in an update on his Cassandra Unchained Substack platform on Monday, revealing how he is positioning around tax-loss harvesting headwinds while building long-term exposure to deeply discounted sectors.
Burry noted that the final quarter routinely brings heightened selling pressure on underperforming equities as investors sell underperforming ***** ets at a loss to offset capital gains.
#burry #positioning #capital #equities
23 days ago
Sean "Diddy" Combs is headed back into solitary confinement, a day after a report described a prison life of massages, smuggled liquor, and contraband phones.
Staff at FCI Fort Dix are returning Combs to the facility's Special Housing Unit, according to TMZ, which was told the move came in direct response to this week's NBC News reporting on his alleged perks. Sources described the placement as typical procedure while prison officials run an investigation.
The report in question drew on four men who spent time in Combs' unit at the New Jersey prison. They said the mogul had other inmates making his bed, doing his laundry, and cleaning his toilet before he used it.
Sources also revealed to NBC News that inmates cooked for him on makeshift heating elements, turning out curry chicken, pizza and empanadas, and that others gave him Chinese-style massages. Thousands of dollars a month allegedly flowed into their commissary accounts.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#shop
Staff at FCI Fort Dix are returning Combs to the facility's Special Housing Unit, according to TMZ, which was told the move came in direct response to this week's NBC News reporting on his alleged perks. Sources described the placement as typical procedure while prison officials run an investigation.
The report in question drew on four men who spent time in Combs' unit at the New Jersey prison. They said the mogul had other inmates making his bed, doing his laundry, and cleaning his toilet before he used it.
Sources also revealed to NBC News that inmates cooked for him on makeshift heating elements, turning out curry chicken, pizza and empanadas, and that others gave him Chinese-style massages. Thousands of dollars a month allegedly flowed into their commissary accounts.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#shop
24 days ago
Updated on: October 4, 2026 / 6:21 PM EDT / CBS News
The FBI arrested a suspected Chinese agent at Los Angeles International Airport after she allegedly surveilled the Taiwanese president's U.S.-based son, law enforcement sources told CBS News.
Wanying "Heather" Zhang, an Irvine, California, realtor, was cuffed by federal law enforcement on Sunday before she boarded a flight to Shanghai, China, from LAX, on a charge of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
Zhang's husband Edric Ding, a realtor at the same firm, told CBS News when reached by phone Sunday: "I don't know anything yet," and declined to comment further.
It was not immediately clear if Zhang has an attorney.
#sunday #told #angeles
The FBI arrested a suspected Chinese agent at Los Angeles International Airport after she allegedly surveilled the Taiwanese president's U.S.-based son, law enforcement sources told CBS News.
Wanying "Heather" Zhang, an Irvine, California, realtor, was cuffed by federal law enforcement on Sunday before she boarded a flight to Shanghai, China, from LAX, on a charge of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
Zhang's husband Edric Ding, a realtor at the same firm, told CBS News when reached by phone Sunday: "I don't know anything yet," and declined to comment further.
It was not immediately clear if Zhang has an attorney.
#sunday #told #angeles
28 days ago
Disgraced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs isn't exactly living a bare-bones life in prison, according to a report from NBC News published Tuesday.
The rapper has allegedly set up a cushy lifestyle inside New Jersey's Fort Dix correctional institution, where he has fellow inmates catering to his basic needs and is said to have access to contraband liquor and a cellphone.
Culture: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison For Prostitution Charge
"This is not some normal **** you see in jail," a man who lived in the same unit as Combs at the low-security prison told NBC News. "This is some rich ****. It looks crazy, but again, it's Diddy."
The Bad Boy Records boss, who is serving a 50-month sentence for prostitution-related offenses, reportedly pays men to cook for him, make his bed and do his laundry, in addition to someone who gives him what NBC described as "Chinese-style massages."
#diddy #sean #sentenced
The rapper has allegedly set up a cushy lifestyle inside New Jersey's Fort Dix correctional institution, where he has fellow inmates catering to his basic needs and is said to have access to contraband liquor and a cellphone.
Culture: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison For Prostitution Charge
"This is not some normal **** you see in jail," a man who lived in the same unit as Combs at the low-security prison told NBC News. "This is some rich ****. It looks crazy, but again, it's Diddy."
The Bad Boy Records boss, who is serving a 50-month sentence for prostitution-related offenses, reportedly pays men to cook for him, make his bed and do his laundry, in addition to someone who gives him what NBC described as "Chinese-style massages."
#diddy #sean #sentenced
1 month ago
On September 9, 2026, Reuters reported that CEO Brian Niccol's first two years as Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) CEO have succeeded in bringing customers back to the coffee chain. Comparable sales rose 7.9% in the fiscal third quarter for a fourth straight quarter of improvement, but his "Back to Starbucks" restructuring has raised costs and squeezed margins along the way. Global operating margin has fallen to 12.9% from 15.8% two years earlier. Niccol, who marks his second anniversary in the role, now faces pressure to convert the sales recovery into the sustainable profit growth investors are demanding.
Niccol's turnaround strategy has already restored customer momentum at Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX). The "Back to Starbucks" strategy reversed six consecutive quarters of declining comparable sales as the company focused on reducing wait times, simplifying menus, improving store ambiance, and increasing staffing. Starbucks has moved beyond the sales deterioration that preceded Niccol's tenure. It gives investors a stronger foundation for the next phase of the turnaround. If management can sustain traffic gains while improving productivity, the sales recovery could provide a path toward stronger earnings growth.
The China joint venture with Boyu Capital gives Starbucks a more capital-efficient way to participate in China's growth. Starbucks sold control of its China retail operations to Boyu. It retained a 40% stake and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property. The structure reduces Starbucks' direct capital requirements while allowing it to retain economic exposure to the Chinese market. Reuters cited ****** ysts who said the arrangement leaves Starbucks well positioned to convert stronger organic sales growth into profit growth, which could support returns as the recovery progresses.
Starbucks now has an opportunity to turn its customer investments into margin expansion. The firm committed at least $500 million toward labor as part of the restructuring. Niccol prioritized staffing and store improvements to rebuild the customer experience. That spending helped help the sales recovery. But it also pushed global operating margins down to 12.9% from 15.8% over two years. With sales now improving, management can focus more heavily on productivity, cost control, and operating leverage. It creates an opportunity for stronger earnings if it can improve margins without damaging customer traffic.
Labor tensions could undermine Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)' recovery and keep costs elevated. Starbucks has yet to reach a first contract with its U.S. barista union. The union called for a consumer boycott in August. Negotiations or labor actions could disrupt store operations, increase labor costs, and create reputational pressure just as Starbucks tries to improve profitability. Therefore, investors face a risk that labor issues could offset some of the productivity gains management needs to expand margins.
#
Niccol's turnaround strategy has already restored customer momentum at Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX). The "Back to Starbucks" strategy reversed six consecutive quarters of declining comparable sales as the company focused on reducing wait times, simplifying menus, improving store ambiance, and increasing staffing. Starbucks has moved beyond the sales deterioration that preceded Niccol's tenure. It gives investors a stronger foundation for the next phase of the turnaround. If management can sustain traffic gains while improving productivity, the sales recovery could provide a path toward stronger earnings growth.
The China joint venture with Boyu Capital gives Starbucks a more capital-efficient way to participate in China's growth. Starbucks sold control of its China retail operations to Boyu. It retained a 40% stake and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property. The structure reduces Starbucks' direct capital requirements while allowing it to retain economic exposure to the Chinese market. Reuters cited ****** ysts who said the arrangement leaves Starbucks well positioned to convert stronger organic sales growth into profit growth, which could support returns as the recovery progresses.
Starbucks now has an opportunity to turn its customer investments into margin expansion. The firm committed at least $500 million toward labor as part of the restructuring. Niccol prioritized staffing and store improvements to rebuild the customer experience. That spending helped help the sales recovery. But it also pushed global operating margins down to 12.9% from 15.8% over two years. With sales now improving, management can focus more heavily on productivity, cost control, and operating leverage. It creates an opportunity for stronger earnings if it can improve margins without damaging customer traffic.
Labor tensions could undermine Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)' recovery and keep costs elevated. Starbucks has yet to reach a first contract with its U.S. barista union. The union called for a consumer boycott in August. Negotiations or labor actions could disrupt store operations, increase labor costs, and create reputational pressure just as Starbucks tries to improve profitability. Therefore, investors face a risk that labor issues could offset some of the productivity gains management needs to expand margins.
#
1 month ago
Volkswagen announced a steep cut to its full-year profit outlook on Friday, citing roughly €10 billion ($11.5 billion) in one-time charges concentrated at its troubled Porsche division, amid mounting pressure from U.S. tariffs and a weakening Chinese auto market on the world's second-largest automaker.
The company said it now expects an operating return on sales of up to 1% for 2026, down from its previous guidance of 4% to 5.5%. Volkswagen also said full-year revenue is expected to fall to about €315 billion, from €321.9 billion in 2025.
The bulk of the charges — about €6 billion — stem from revised mid-term ******* umptions for Porsche, in which Volkswagen holds a 75.4% stake. The sports car brand has been hit by U.S. tariffs and a collapse in demand for foreign luxury vehicles in China. On top of that, Volkswagen said it would book a further €2 billion in impairments in the second half of the year, covering China-related writedowns as well as restructuring charges such as costs from early-retirement schemes and the pending divestiture of its Osnabrück plant in Germany, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Volkswagen stock closed down 5.6% following the announcement. Shares of Porsche and Volkswagen's top shareholder Porsche SE fell 3.3% and 4.9%, respectively.
The company cautioned that "further deterioration in the market environment, especially in China, as well as an accelerated shift in demand in favour of battery-electric vehicles" would drag down results, with its Audi and Volkswagen passenger car brands bearing the brunt. Volkswagen noted that its outlook ******* umes tariffs remain unchanged and does not account for possible future effects from the war in the Middle East.
#charges #tariffs #full
The company said it now expects an operating return on sales of up to 1% for 2026, down from its previous guidance of 4% to 5.5%. Volkswagen also said full-year revenue is expected to fall to about €315 billion, from €321.9 billion in 2025.
The bulk of the charges — about €6 billion — stem from revised mid-term ******* umptions for Porsche, in which Volkswagen holds a 75.4% stake. The sports car brand has been hit by U.S. tariffs and a collapse in demand for foreign luxury vehicles in China. On top of that, Volkswagen said it would book a further €2 billion in impairments in the second half of the year, covering China-related writedowns as well as restructuring charges such as costs from early-retirement schemes and the pending divestiture of its Osnabrück plant in Germany, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Volkswagen stock closed down 5.6% following the announcement. Shares of Porsche and Volkswagen's top shareholder Porsche SE fell 3.3% and 4.9%, respectively.
The company cautioned that "further deterioration in the market environment, especially in China, as well as an accelerated shift in demand in favour of battery-electric vehicles" would drag down results, with its Audi and Volkswagen passenger car brands bearing the brunt. Volkswagen noted that its outlook ******* umes tariffs remain unchanged and does not account for possible future effects from the war in the Middle East.
#charges #tariffs #full
1 month ago
Volkswagen has dramatically cut its 2026 profit outlook as deteriorating business in China, restructuring costs and a multibillion-euro writedown at Porsche pile pressure on Europe's largest automaker.
The German carmaker now expects an operating margin of no more than 1% this year, down from its previous forecast of at least 4%, according to Bloomberg. Volkswagen shares fell more than 7% following the announcement, dragging other automakers lower.
VW expects around €10 billion ($11.5 billion) in charges this year, including restructuring costs ****** ociated with workforce reductions and writedowns on Chinese ****** ets. The total includes a €6-billion writedown related to Porsche, reflecting revised long-term expectations for the sports-car maker.
Excluding the exceptional charges, Volkswagen said its operating margin would be around 4%.
China represents one of the biggest challenges. Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz said the market has contracted by around 20%, with no stabilization currently in sight. Chinese automakers are simultaneously taking domestic market share and expanding into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles.
#porsche
The German carmaker now expects an operating margin of no more than 1% this year, down from its previous forecast of at least 4%, according to Bloomberg. Volkswagen shares fell more than 7% following the announcement, dragging other automakers lower.
VW expects around €10 billion ($11.5 billion) in charges this year, including restructuring costs ****** ociated with workforce reductions and writedowns on Chinese ****** ets. The total includes a €6-billion writedown related to Porsche, reflecting revised long-term expectations for the sports-car maker.
Excluding the exceptional charges, Volkswagen said its operating margin would be around 4%.
China represents one of the biggest challenges. Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz said the market has contracted by around 20%, with no stabilization currently in sight. Chinese automakers are simultaneously taking domestic market share and expanding into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles.
#porsche
1 month ago
On September 9, 2026, Reuters reported that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) CEO Jim Farley criticizing the automaker's business relationships with Chinese battery maker CATL and Chinese automakers Geely and BYD as raising "profound concern."
It specifically flagged Ford's licensed CATL battery technology at its Marshall, Michigan plant, its joint venture with Geely in Spain, and its decision not to move Lincoln Nautilus production out of China until 2030. Ford responded that Duffy's letter was "a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines," noting that it owns the Marshall plant, controls its operations, and employs the workforce there, unlike companies that simply import Chinese-made batteries.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) can argue that its CATL partnership still solidifies U.S. battery manufacturing rather than becoming more dependent on Chinese imports. Ford owns and operates its Marshall, Michigan battery plant. It allows the company to manufacture batteries domestically while licensing CATL technology. That structure could help Ford expand its U.S. EV production capacity and reduce the need to import finished Chinese battery packs.
Ford's improving financial performance gives the firm more flexibility to manage the political pressure. The automaker raised its full-year adjusted EBIT guidance to $10 billion-$11 billion after second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with record Bronco sales and a stronger product mix supporting the improvement. Stronger operating earnings could give Ford more resources to adjust its battery strategy if policymakers impose more restrictions on Chinese technology.
The company's existing U.S. manufacturing footprint could become a competitive advantage if Washington tightens restrictions on Chinese automotive technology. Ford has already invested in domestic battery production instead of relying entirely on imported battery packs. Model e losses have narrowed for three consecutive quarters. If policymakers force automakers to cut Chinese supply-chain reliance, Ford can use its existing U.S. factories to adapt faster than rivals that depend heavily on Chinese parts.
#ford #catl #motor
It specifically flagged Ford's licensed CATL battery technology at its Marshall, Michigan plant, its joint venture with Geely in Spain, and its decision not to move Lincoln Nautilus production out of China until 2030. Ford responded that Duffy's letter was "a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines," noting that it owns the Marshall plant, controls its operations, and employs the workforce there, unlike companies that simply import Chinese-made batteries.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) can argue that its CATL partnership still solidifies U.S. battery manufacturing rather than becoming more dependent on Chinese imports. Ford owns and operates its Marshall, Michigan battery plant. It allows the company to manufacture batteries domestically while licensing CATL technology. That structure could help Ford expand its U.S. EV production capacity and reduce the need to import finished Chinese battery packs.
Ford's improving financial performance gives the firm more flexibility to manage the political pressure. The automaker raised its full-year adjusted EBIT guidance to $10 billion-$11 billion after second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with record Bronco sales and a stronger product mix supporting the improvement. Stronger operating earnings could give Ford more resources to adjust its battery strategy if policymakers impose more restrictions on Chinese technology.
The company's existing U.S. manufacturing footprint could become a competitive advantage if Washington tightens restrictions on Chinese automotive technology. Ford has already invested in domestic battery production instead of relying entirely on imported battery packs. Model e losses have narrowed for three consecutive quarters. If policymakers force automakers to cut Chinese supply-chain reliance, Ford can use its existing U.S. factories to adapt faster than rivals that depend heavily on Chinese parts.
#ford #catl #motor
1 month ago
Up until now, Nvidia's (NASDAQ:NVDA) top-tier AI chips – particularly its powerful GPUs – have easily been the best in the world. That's why they've been in such demand all over the world.
Well... all over the world, except for China. U.S. export controls on sensitive technology prohibit the company from selling its top-of-the-line GPUs and other AI chips to Chinese customers.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
That created an uneven playing field that's benefited Nvidia's main Chinese rival, Huawei. And an announcement Huawei made today may indicate that the Chinese chipmaker is about to make a serious play for Nvidia's crown.
Here's what was said and what it means for Nvidia investors.
#chips
Well... all over the world, except for China. U.S. export controls on sensitive technology prohibit the company from selling its top-of-the-line GPUs and other AI chips to Chinese customers.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
That created an uneven playing field that's benefited Nvidia's main Chinese rival, Huawei. And an announcement Huawei made today may indicate that the Chinese chipmaker is about to make a serious play for Nvidia's crown.
Here's what was said and what it means for Nvidia investors.
#chips
1 month ago
The intelligence report, circulated across the US military this spring in the midst of the war with Iran, immediately set off alarm bells: A Chinese ship in the Middle East was transporting components of a nuclear weapons program.
The US military swung into action with plans to intercept the vessel, according to four sources familiar with the episode. According to two of the sources, armed members of the US military were preparing to board the ship. Military planes were in the air, one of those sources and another source familiar with the incident said.
It was only just before the planned operation that officials dug deeper into the report put together by a special operations command ****** yst and found it had been generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) — and that a chatbot the ****** yst had used inaccurately identified the material the ship was carrying. CNN was not able to learn what the misidentified cargo was.
The report, according to one of the sources, was “entirely false.” But it also “almost started a war,” the source said. Any US operation against a Chinese vessel could have risked spiraling into an armed conflict between the two nations.
Across the US military and the intelligence community, officials are pushing to weave AI into nearly every facet of their work, from ****** yzing the huge volumes of raw intelligence the US collects and selecting targets for strikes, to more mundane applications like managing budgeting, logistics and supply chains.
#intelligence #ship #familiar
The US military swung into action with plans to intercept the vessel, according to four sources familiar with the episode. According to two of the sources, armed members of the US military were preparing to board the ship. Military planes were in the air, one of those sources and another source familiar with the incident said.
It was only just before the planned operation that officials dug deeper into the report put together by a special operations command ****** yst and found it had been generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) — and that a chatbot the ****** yst had used inaccurately identified the material the ship was carrying. CNN was not able to learn what the misidentified cargo was.
The report, according to one of the sources, was “entirely false.” But it also “almost started a war,” the source said. Any US operation against a Chinese vessel could have risked spiraling into an armed conflict between the two nations.
Across the US military and the intelligence community, officials are pushing to weave AI into nearly every facet of their work, from ****** yzing the huge volumes of raw intelligence the US collects and selecting targets for strikes, to more mundane applications like managing budgeting, logistics and supply chains.
#intelligence #ship #familiar
1 month ago
A woman from a low-income family in China crossed over into Hong Kong to get to a concert she had spent months saving up for.
It was a trip that Beijing’s vast surveillance apparatus didn’t miss. Now her family face the prospect of losing their government benefits for splurging on “high-end consumption.”
The incident has sparked massive debate across Chinese social media over whether those receiving benefits are also entitled to small luxuries. It’s also a reminder of the staggering extent of the Chinese government’s surveillance system, one turbocharged by advances in AI and the embrace of digital payments.
The story first surfaced in a post on popular site Red Note in early September by a user who said they were the young woman’s cousin.
The woman, surnamed Huang, had “worked hard doing manual labor and saved up from the subsidies” to pay for the concert ticket and expenses of traveling to Hong Kong, around 235 miles (380 kilometers) from her home in Jiangxi province, the post said.
#hong #family #government #benefits
It was a trip that Beijing’s vast surveillance apparatus didn’t miss. Now her family face the prospect of losing their government benefits for splurging on “high-end consumption.”
The incident has sparked massive debate across Chinese social media over whether those receiving benefits are also entitled to small luxuries. It’s also a reminder of the staggering extent of the Chinese government’s surveillance system, one turbocharged by advances in AI and the embrace of digital payments.
The story first surfaced in a post on popular site Red Note in early September by a user who said they were the young woman’s cousin.
The woman, surnamed Huang, had “worked hard doing manual labor and saved up from the subsidies” to pay for the concert ticket and expenses of traveling to Hong Kong, around 235 miles (380 kilometers) from her home in Jiangxi province, the post said.
#hong #family #government #benefits
1 month ago
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York filed a civil forfeiture complaint on Sep. 14 seeking approximately $61 million in cryptocurrency linked to black-market sales of Iranian crude oil.
According to the DOJ, the funds were allegedly meant to support the Iranian government and its military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. The U.S. government has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
A civil forfeiture complaint is a legal action in which the government seeks to seize money or property it believes was involved in or resulted from criminal activity. It is not a criminal charge, the allegations are not proven until a court rules in the government's favor.
Related: Cathie Wood dumps $65 million in crypto ahead of CLARITY vote
The complaint alleges that two Chinese companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, used trading accounts at Binance to launder proceeds from sanctioned Iranian oil sales. Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume.
#government
According to the DOJ, the funds were allegedly meant to support the Iranian government and its military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. The U.S. government has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
A civil forfeiture complaint is a legal action in which the government seeks to seize money or property it believes was involved in or resulted from criminal activity. It is not a criminal charge, the allegations are not proven until a court rules in the government's favor.
Related: Cathie Wood dumps $65 million in crypto ahead of CLARITY vote
The complaint alleges that two Chinese companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, used trading accounts at Binance to launder proceeds from sanctioned Iranian oil sales. Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume.
#government
1 month ago
Saudi Arabia suspends Yanbu oil loadings after halting its East-West pipeline, sending Brent back to $108.
Asia's Oil Crunch Sends Regional Benchmarks to Record Highs
- Asia's oil industry is facing a double whammy of supply shortages and better-than-expected demand, with crude differentials across the region gradually climbing towards record highs.
- Futures prices on China's Shanghai Futures Exchange rose to $138 per barrel on Tuesday, the highest reading on record, as Chinese refiners scramble to put their hands on available October supply.
- Saudi Aramco's announced halt in Yanbu loadings could see some recovery in exports from Saudi terminals in the Gulf, however these flows would be massively constrained by unprecedented freight rates.
#record #highs #supply #west
Asia's Oil Crunch Sends Regional Benchmarks to Record Highs
- Asia's oil industry is facing a double whammy of supply shortages and better-than-expected demand, with crude differentials across the region gradually climbing towards record highs.
- Futures prices on China's Shanghai Futures Exchange rose to $138 per barrel on Tuesday, the highest reading on record, as Chinese refiners scramble to put their hands on available October supply.
- Saudi Aramco's announced halt in Yanbu loadings could see some recovery in exports from Saudi terminals in the Gulf, however these flows would be massively constrained by unprecedented freight rates.
#record #highs #supply #west
1 month ago
Alluvium ***** et Management, an ***** et management company, released its "Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. The second quarter reflected a sharp shift from geopolitical uncertainty and oil market volatility to a powerful equity rally led by semiconductor companies. Despite the broader market strength, the Fund declined 1.4% in EUR terms, 2.2% in USD terms, and 3.9% in AUD terms. Portfolio results were mixed, with Alphabet benefiting from strong Cloud growth, while Robert Half, H&R Block and other holdings posted solid gains. However, cable businesses and several healthcare and consumer holdings weighed on performance. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund highlighted Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA). Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is a Chinese multinational company that focuses on cloud computing, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. On September 14, 2026, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) closed at $109.23 per share. Over the past month, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) declined 14.03%, and its shares lost 32.08% over the past 52 weeks. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) has a market capitalization of $268.48 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $91.99 and $192.67.
Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund stated the following regarding Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) was down 21.3%. Its results were all about AI, and how its investments are paying off, and management's confidence to make further investments. So the only disappointing news (if you can call it that), was that free cash is being chewed up by capital expenses to the point where it has become negative. The results were generally well received. Share price fluctuations are par for the course, especially for Alibaba. We are not fussed. As a consequence of the falling share price, its maintainable earnings yield (on our numbers) has increased to 7.7% and it is trading at a circa 30% discount to our valuation. The Fund's current position is 2.6%."
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) ranks 30 on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 97 hedge fund portfolios held Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) at the end of the second quarter which was 102 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
#alibaba #baba #alluvium #quarter
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund highlighted Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA). Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is a Chinese multinational company that focuses on cloud computing, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. On September 14, 2026, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) closed at $109.23 per share. Over the past month, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) declined 14.03%, and its shares lost 32.08% over the past 52 weeks. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) has a market capitalization of $268.48 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $91.99 and $192.67.
Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund stated the following regarding Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) was down 21.3%. Its results were all about AI, and how its investments are paying off, and management's confidence to make further investments. So the only disappointing news (if you can call it that), was that free cash is being chewed up by capital expenses to the point where it has become negative. The results were generally well received. Share price fluctuations are par for the course, especially for Alibaba. We are not fussed. As a consequence of the falling share price, its maintainable earnings yield (on our numbers) has increased to 7.7% and it is trading at a circa 30% discount to our valuation. The Fund's current position is 2.6%."
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) ranks 30 on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 97 hedge fund portfolios held Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) at the end of the second quarter which was 102 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
#alibaba #baba #alluvium #quarter
1 month ago
The yuan-denominated crude oil futures trading in China hit this week their highest level since the contract was launched in 2018 as escalating threats to Middle East's oil supply and increased purchases by Chinese refiners push prices higher.
Launched in March 2018, the INE crude oil futures contract (SC) is a physical-settlement contract priced and traded in Chinese yuan on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange.
The crude futures soared to as much as 929.4 yuan, or $138.50 per barrel, on the exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The price spike followed the intensified concerns about supply from the Middle East after the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia was attacked by drones late last week, forcing the Kingdom to temporarily shut it down.
The international crude oil benchmarks also rallied at the start of this week. As of Tuesday, no timeline has been given as to when the pipeline would come back and continue helping Saudi Arabia bypass the Strait of Hormuz with shipments out of the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
#contract #east #saudi
Launched in March 2018, the INE crude oil futures contract (SC) is a physical-settlement contract priced and traded in Chinese yuan on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange.
The crude futures soared to as much as 929.4 yuan, or $138.50 per barrel, on the exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The price spike followed the intensified concerns about supply from the Middle East after the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia was attacked by drones late last week, forcing the Kingdom to temporarily shut it down.
The international crude oil benchmarks also rallied at the start of this week. As of Tuesday, no timeline has been given as to when the pipeline would come back and continue helping Saudi Arabia bypass the Strait of Hormuz with shipments out of the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
#contract #east #saudi
1 month ago
OpenAI acquired Glass Imaging, a startup developing AI-powered smartphone camera technology, in a deal valued at over $300 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. The purchase price represents a significant jump from the roughly $100 million valuation Glass Imaging carried in a funding round last year.
Glass Imaging was founded in 2019 by Ziv Attar and Tom Bishop, two former Apple engineers who worked on the company's Portrait Mode feature. The Los Altos, California-based company had raised about $30 million from investors including GV, Alphabet's venture arm, and Insight Partners before the acquisition.
Glass Imaging's approach differs from conventional AI photo editing: instead of processing images after the fact, the company teaches neural networks the specific optical properties of each camera system so that picture quality is improved as the shot is taken, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company's goal is to produce image quality comparable to a DSLR camera from a smartphone. Its zoom-imaging technology was featured in a line of phones from Chinese smartphone brand Honor.
OpenAI's plans for Glass Imaging are unclear. The company is also developing a device with Jony Ive, the former Apple designer behind the iPhone. OpenAI brought on Ive in 2025 through its $6.5 billion purchase of io Products, and his responsibilities span hardware development alongside broader efforts to define how AI products will look and function.
A spokesperson for OpenAI had not provided a statement by the time of publication, according to TechCrunch. The company has made several other acquisitions recently, including an internet talk show called TBPN and an open-source developer tools startup, according to The Wall Street Journal. OpenAI is also preparing for an initial public offering expected next year.
#according #journal
Glass Imaging was founded in 2019 by Ziv Attar and Tom Bishop, two former Apple engineers who worked on the company's Portrait Mode feature. The Los Altos, California-based company had raised about $30 million from investors including GV, Alphabet's venture arm, and Insight Partners before the acquisition.
Glass Imaging's approach differs from conventional AI photo editing: instead of processing images after the fact, the company teaches neural networks the specific optical properties of each camera system so that picture quality is improved as the shot is taken, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company's goal is to produce image quality comparable to a DSLR camera from a smartphone. Its zoom-imaging technology was featured in a line of phones from Chinese smartphone brand Honor.
OpenAI's plans for Glass Imaging are unclear. The company is also developing a device with Jony Ive, the former Apple designer behind the iPhone. OpenAI brought on Ive in 2025 through its $6.5 billion purchase of io Products, and his responsibilities span hardware development alongside broader efforts to define how AI products will look and function.
A spokesperson for OpenAI had not provided a statement by the time of publication, according to TechCrunch. The company has made several other acquisitions recently, including an internet talk show called TBPN and an open-source developer tools startup, according to The Wall Street Journal. OpenAI is also preparing for an initial public offering expected next year.
#according #journal
1 month ago
The yuan-denominated crude oil futures trading in China hit this week their highest level since the contract was launched in 2018 as escalating threats to Middle East's oil supply and increased purchases by Chinese refiners push prices higher.
Launched in March 2018, the INE crude oil futures contract (SC) is a physical-settlement contract priced and traded in Chinese yuan on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange.
The crude futures soared to as much as 929.4 yuan, or $138.50 per barrel, on the exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The price spike followed the intensified concerns about supply from the Middle East after the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia was attacked by drones late last week, forcing the Kingdom to temporarily shut it down.
The international crude oil benchmarks also rallied at the start of this week. As of Tuesday, no timeline has been given as to when the pipeline would come back and continue helping Saudi Arabia bypass the Strait of Hormuz with shipments out of the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
#crude #futures #middle #saudi
Launched in March 2018, the INE crude oil futures contract (SC) is a physical-settlement contract priced and traded in Chinese yuan on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange.
The crude futures soared to as much as 929.4 yuan, or $138.50 per barrel, on the exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The price spike followed the intensified concerns about supply from the Middle East after the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia was attacked by drones late last week, forcing the Kingdom to temporarily shut it down.
The international crude oil benchmarks also rallied at the start of this week. As of Tuesday, no timeline has been given as to when the pipeline would come back and continue helping Saudi Arabia bypass the Strait of Hormuz with shipments out of the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
#crude #futures #middle #saudi
1 month ago
New vehicle sales in Indonesia surged by a further 32% year-on-year to 81,756 units in August 2026, up from weak year-earlier sales of 61,771 units, according to wholesale data compiled by the local automotive industry ***** ociation, Gaikindo. The market last month was driven higher by strong demand for trucks and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
In the first eight months of 2026, the country's vehicle market expanded by 20% to 599,491 units, after declining by 11% to 499,315 units a year earlier, with sales of light passenger vehicles rising by over 13% to 437,374 units, while commercial vehicle sales increased by 42% to 162,117 units, driven by a 54% surge in light- and medium-duty trucks to 131,813 units.
The truck market this year has been supported by government plans to procure vehicles to support the development of rural cooperatives and improve local logistics networks nationwide.
Sales of BEVs almost doubled to 103,300 units year-to-date, up from 53,100 units in the same period a year earlier, driven by Chinese brands and supported by government tax incentives.
GDP growth moderated to 5.3% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, down from a peak of 5.6% in the first quarter, underpinned mainly by strong government spending and investment. Private consumption growth slowed to 5.1% from 5.5%, after the central bank hiked its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 5.75% in the second quarter to support the rupiah and rein in rising inflation. Government spending grew by 16%, down from a peak of 22%, driven by social programmes and rising fuel subsidy costs.
#year
In the first eight months of 2026, the country's vehicle market expanded by 20% to 599,491 units, after declining by 11% to 499,315 units a year earlier, with sales of light passenger vehicles rising by over 13% to 437,374 units, while commercial vehicle sales increased by 42% to 162,117 units, driven by a 54% surge in light- and medium-duty trucks to 131,813 units.
The truck market this year has been supported by government plans to procure vehicles to support the development of rural cooperatives and improve local logistics networks nationwide.
Sales of BEVs almost doubled to 103,300 units year-to-date, up from 53,100 units in the same period a year earlier, driven by Chinese brands and supported by government tax incentives.
GDP growth moderated to 5.3% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, down from a peak of 5.6% in the first quarter, underpinned mainly by strong government spending and investment. Private consumption growth slowed to 5.1% from 5.5%, after the central bank hiked its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 5.75% in the second quarter to support the rupiah and rein in rising inflation. Government spending grew by 16%, down from a peak of 22%, driven by social programmes and rising fuel subsidy costs.
#year
1 month ago
September's debate over Chinese and American AI spending puts Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) on opposite sides of the same investment question. Both report strong demand for computing services. Shareholders still need that demand to justify the infrastructure bill.
September 7 coverage of Jefferies' ***** ysis highlighted differences in spending intensity. The companies' own results suggest a more useful test than choosing a winner from headline capital expenditures: distinguish operating progress from cash committed ahead of future growth.
Alibaba's August 20 report showed June-quarter AI Cloud and Compute Services revenue increasing 45% to RMB48.44 billion. Segment adjusted EBITA reached RMB5.63 billion. The reporting group now combines its former Cloud Intelligence Group with T-Head, so investors should use the company's recast comparisons.
That operating improvement supports the case that computing demand can generate returns. It does not mean the spending cycle has already paid for itself. Group capital expenditures reached RMB67.68 billion, while free cash flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, was negative RMB44.67 billion for the quarter.
The opportunity is to keep expanding customer demand and utilization as new infrastructure becomes available. The risk is that cash outlays remain elevated while weaker returns elsewhere in the group reduce the room for error. Cloud growth alone cannot settle the value of the entire business.
#spending #cash #Services
September 7 coverage of Jefferies' ***** ysis highlighted differences in spending intensity. The companies' own results suggest a more useful test than choosing a winner from headline capital expenditures: distinguish operating progress from cash committed ahead of future growth.
Alibaba's August 20 report showed June-quarter AI Cloud and Compute Services revenue increasing 45% to RMB48.44 billion. Segment adjusted EBITA reached RMB5.63 billion. The reporting group now combines its former Cloud Intelligence Group with T-Head, so investors should use the company's recast comparisons.
That operating improvement supports the case that computing demand can generate returns. It does not mean the spending cycle has already paid for itself. Group capital expenditures reached RMB67.68 billion, while free cash flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, was negative RMB44.67 billion for the quarter.
The opportunity is to keep expanding customer demand and utilization as new infrastructure becomes available. The risk is that cash outlays remain elevated while weaker returns elsewhere in the group reduce the room for error. Cloud growth alone cannot settle the value of the entire business.
#spending #cash #Services
1 month ago
Chinese financial services firm GF Securities has cautioned that NAND prices will stabilize by the end of the year. For NAND king SanDisk (SNDK), this is particularly relevant as ******* yst Jeff Pu said, "We maintain our high‑teen QoQ NAND price expectation for 3Q26 but expect softening in 4Q26 to low single‑digit QoQ, pressured by weaker mobile demand and elevated mobile/PC inventories. Hyperscaler NAND inventory remains healthy at ~14 weeks (vs. ~15‑week normal), but the softer pricing outlook could slow pull‑ins."
This follows almost one-and-a-half years of strong NAND price growth, as AI drove a significant rise in enterprise SSD demand for training datasets, inference workloads, and model updates, among other use cases.
Dear ******* eX Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 21
How to Play IBM Stock as It Teams Up with NASA to Launch a New Open-Source Model
Nvidia's Jensen Huang Just Delivered a Huge Vote of Confidence to CoreWeave and Nebius
#nand
This follows almost one-and-a-half years of strong NAND price growth, as AI drove a significant rise in enterprise SSD demand for training datasets, inference workloads, and model updates, among other use cases.
Dear ******* eX Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 21
How to Play IBM Stock as It Teams Up with NASA to Launch a New Open-Source Model
Nvidia's Jensen Huang Just Delivered a Huge Vote of Confidence to CoreWeave and Nebius
#nand
1 month ago
Sept 14 (Reuters) - DeepSeek plans to hire Yan Wentao, a partner at venture-capital firm GL Ventures, as its first chief financial officer, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as the Chinese AI startup prepares for a potential initial public offering.
Reuters reported last week that Hangzhou-based DeepSeek had hired Chinese brokerage CITIC Securities to prepare for a possible listing on Shanghai's technology-focused STAR Market.
A CFO typically plays a central role in managing investor communications, financial controls, capital allocation and disclosure processes required for a listing.
The appointment of Yan, who has dealmaking experience, to the role would be a significant step in DeepSeek's transformation from a research-focused lab bankrolled by its founder's hedge fund into a more conventional corporate structure.
The sources on his planned appointment could not be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the issue.
#reuters #capital #role #sept
Reuters reported last week that Hangzhou-based DeepSeek had hired Chinese brokerage CITIC Securities to prepare for a possible listing on Shanghai's technology-focused STAR Market.
A CFO typically plays a central role in managing investor communications, financial controls, capital allocation and disclosure processes required for a listing.
The appointment of Yan, who has dealmaking experience, to the role would be a significant step in DeepSeek's transformation from a research-focused lab bankrolled by its founder's hedge fund into a more conventional corporate structure.
The sources on his planned appointment could not be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the issue.
#reuters #capital #role #sept
1 month ago
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) is considering making its debut in China's domestic bond market as soon as this year, with CFO Marcelo Bacci saying the company is preparing for a potential Panda bond issuance. The move would be strategically significant because China accounts for roughly half of Vale's revenue, making renminbi financing a natural extension of its relationship with its largest market. Bloomberg reported that Vale is still ****** sing the market, including whether it can obtain a maturity longer than the typical two-, three-, or five-year terms available to international issuers.
The timing is also favorable for Vale because China's Panda bond market is expanding rapidly. Reuters reported that foreign issuers have increasingly turned to Asian bond markets to diversify funding sources, while Chinese yuan bond issuance has reached record levels in 2026. For Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE), the potential transaction therefore looks less like a necessity for raising capital and more like an effort to diversify its investor base, potentially lower funding costs, and build a longer-term financing relationship with Chinese investors.
The strongest bullish argument is that Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) could potentially lower and diversify its cost of capital by accessing a large pool of Chinese investors at a time when renminbi funding remains relatively inexpensive. Reuters noted that Chinese onshore and offshore yuan bond markets have experienced record issuance this year, with foreign borrowers increasingly using these markets to diversify away from traditional funding currencies. If Vale can achieve competitive pricing, a Panda bond could provide an additional funding channel alongside its established dollar financing, reducing its dependence on a single market.
The move could also create a better natural match between Vale's revenues and its financing currency. Because China represents approximately half of Vale's revenue, raising at least some debt in renminbi could provide a degree of currency alignment with its Chinese business exposure. More importantly, establishing itself as a repeat issuer could strengthen Vale's relationships with Chinese banks and institutional investors, potentially giving it access to another source of capital when global dollar markets become less attractive.
There is also a broader strategic benefit. China is actively expanding the Panda bond market and encouraging international companies to use it. Official Chinese data showed that more than 160 billion yuan of Panda bonds were issued during the first half of 2026, up 69% year over year, demonstrating that the market is becoming more established and liquid. Vale entering this market could therefore position the company early in a growing financing ecosystem rather than waiting until it becomes more crowded.
#chinese #bond #panda #China
The timing is also favorable for Vale because China's Panda bond market is expanding rapidly. Reuters reported that foreign issuers have increasingly turned to Asian bond markets to diversify funding sources, while Chinese yuan bond issuance has reached record levels in 2026. For Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE), the potential transaction therefore looks less like a necessity for raising capital and more like an effort to diversify its investor base, potentially lower funding costs, and build a longer-term financing relationship with Chinese investors.
The strongest bullish argument is that Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) could potentially lower and diversify its cost of capital by accessing a large pool of Chinese investors at a time when renminbi funding remains relatively inexpensive. Reuters noted that Chinese onshore and offshore yuan bond markets have experienced record issuance this year, with foreign borrowers increasingly using these markets to diversify away from traditional funding currencies. If Vale can achieve competitive pricing, a Panda bond could provide an additional funding channel alongside its established dollar financing, reducing its dependence on a single market.
The move could also create a better natural match between Vale's revenues and its financing currency. Because China represents approximately half of Vale's revenue, raising at least some debt in renminbi could provide a degree of currency alignment with its Chinese business exposure. More importantly, establishing itself as a repeat issuer could strengthen Vale's relationships with Chinese banks and institutional investors, potentially giving it access to another source of capital when global dollar markets become less attractive.
There is also a broader strategic benefit. China is actively expanding the Panda bond market and encouraging international companies to use it. Official Chinese data showed that more than 160 billion yuan of Panda bonds were issued during the first half of 2026, up 69% year over year, demonstrating that the market is becoming more established and liquid. Vale entering this market could therefore position the company early in a growing financing ecosystem rather than waiting until it becomes more crowded.
#chinese #bond #panda #China
1 month ago
General Motors is developing a domestic battery supply chain it expects to complete within two to three years, even as the company currently relies on some Chinese-sourced materials for its existing battery production.
Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president of battery and sustainability, told CNBC that the company's near-term goal is full domestic sourcing. "We're developing a supply chain such that, two years from now, three years from now, it will be domestic," Kelty said. "That's what we're aiming for — when we get into market, we've got a domestic source for that."
Kelty's comments center on sodium-ion battery cells that GM is developing with Denver-based startup Peak Energy for use in stationary energy storage systems for homes, businesses, and data centers. GM expects to reach commercial production of those cells around 2029, according to CNBC. A GM spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the company would apply the same domestic sourcing priority to battery cells for future electric vehicles.
Unlike conventional lithium iron phosphate chemistry, sodium-ion cells are built around sodium from soda ash — a resource the U.S. holds in abundance — sidestepping the lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains that China currently controls. Kelty added that sodium-ion cells handle a broader span of temperatures, which means they can function without the active thermal management that drives up the cost and complexity of stationary storage installations.
"The better thing to do is try to leapfrog, come up with a different technology that's actually better that we can actually source here," Kelty told CNBC.
#battery #supply #years #we 're
Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president of battery and sustainability, told CNBC that the company's near-term goal is full domestic sourcing. "We're developing a supply chain such that, two years from now, three years from now, it will be domestic," Kelty said. "That's what we're aiming for — when we get into market, we've got a domestic source for that."
Kelty's comments center on sodium-ion battery cells that GM is developing with Denver-based startup Peak Energy for use in stationary energy storage systems for homes, businesses, and data centers. GM expects to reach commercial production of those cells around 2029, according to CNBC. A GM spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the company would apply the same domestic sourcing priority to battery cells for future electric vehicles.
Unlike conventional lithium iron phosphate chemistry, sodium-ion cells are built around sodium from soda ash — a resource the U.S. holds in abundance — sidestepping the lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains that China currently controls. Kelty added that sodium-ion cells handle a broader span of temperatures, which means they can function without the active thermal management that drives up the cost and complexity of stationary storage installations.
"The better thing to do is try to leapfrog, come up with a different technology that's actually better that we can actually source here," Kelty told CNBC.
#battery #supply #years #we 're
2 months ago
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Angel investor and All-In Podcast host Jason Calacanis warned that allowing Chinese electric vehicles into the U.S. could devastate domestic automakers even as their low prices attract consumers, reacting to Sen. Elissa Slotkin's (D-Mich.) claim that President Donald Trump could loosen barriers as part of a China deal.
"This would be the end of the US automotive industry — but consumers will love to buy these cars," Calacanis wrote in an X post on Wednesday. He added, "Everywhere I go, from the Middle East to Europe to Mexico, the streets and Uber fleets are filled with dirt-cheap Chinese EVs," calling such U.S. access "a disaster."
This would be the end of the US automotive industry — but consumers will love to buy these cars
But…. You'll probably die in one since they're not very safe
Everywhere I go, from the Middle East to Europe to Mexico, the streets and uber fleets are filled with dirt cheap… https://t.co/LGUwforT6a
— jason (Jason) September 10, 2026
#calacanis #chinese #Europe #uber
Angel investor and All-In Podcast host Jason Calacanis warned that allowing Chinese electric vehicles into the U.S. could devastate domestic automakers even as their low prices attract consumers, reacting to Sen. Elissa Slotkin's (D-Mich.) claim that President Donald Trump could loosen barriers as part of a China deal.
"This would be the end of the US automotive industry — but consumers will love to buy these cars," Calacanis wrote in an X post on Wednesday. He added, "Everywhere I go, from the Middle East to Europe to Mexico, the streets and Uber fleets are filled with dirt-cheap Chinese EVs," calling such U.S. access "a disaster."
This would be the end of the US automotive industry — but consumers will love to buy these cars
But…. You'll probably die in one since they're not very safe
Everywhere I go, from the Middle East to Europe to Mexico, the streets and uber fleets are filled with dirt cheap… https://t.co/LGUwforT6a
— jason (Jason) September 10, 2026
#calacanis #chinese #Europe #uber
2 months ago
This one started bowling shoe ugly and ended up Sam the Chinese Crested Dog ugly, with Bradley Hanner proving why he is the definition of the 26th man on a Major League roster. Gerrit Cole gave up more home runs, three of em while not making it out of the fifth inning, but Hanner wasn't any better, allowing two dingers while five men crossed the plate against him. All this is to say the Yankees were kicked around Saturday afternoon, losing 12-2 to the Mets
I don't know what it is about Gerrit Cole. He's always been a little bit homer ***** e, especially since coming to Yankee Stadium. Fastballs in the zone lead to some kinds of nasty contact, but the thing that's really been different about him since returning from Tommy John is how many pitches he's keeping in the zone. He's got the lowest walk rate of his career, and indeed he didn't walk a single batter today. He also has the highest Zone%, or, throws more pitches in the strike zone than any other season of his career.
In his last two starts he's allowed seven home runs. Only three today, though they still counted for four runs like last weekend against the Padres.
Part of this is just random variance, enough monkeys at enough typewriters for long enough. Any time you talk about two games' worth of data, you have to throw up your hands at the universe. He's also been stung by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth, Francisco Lindor…guys that have been around the block. Lindor especially looked keyed up to swing in the game's first AB, the first dinger Cole allowed today. Former Baby Bomber Luis Torrens and rookie Carson Benge also homered off Cole to build a 4-0 lead.
View Link
#today #enough #lindor
I don't know what it is about Gerrit Cole. He's always been a little bit homer ***** e, especially since coming to Yankee Stadium. Fastballs in the zone lead to some kinds of nasty contact, but the thing that's really been different about him since returning from Tommy John is how many pitches he's keeping in the zone. He's got the lowest walk rate of his career, and indeed he didn't walk a single batter today. He also has the highest Zone%, or, throws more pitches in the strike zone than any other season of his career.
In his last two starts he's allowed seven home runs. Only three today, though they still counted for four runs like last weekend against the Padres.
Part of this is just random variance, enough monkeys at enough typewriters for long enough. Any time you talk about two games' worth of data, you have to throw up your hands at the universe. He's also been stung by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth, Francisco Lindor…guys that have been around the block. Lindor especially looked keyed up to swing in the game's first AB, the first dinger Cole allowed today. Former Baby Bomber Luis Torrens and rookie Carson Benge also homered off Cole to build a 4-0 lead.
View Link
#today #enough #lindor
