Original CrowdFunz.com 美地众筹 2025年01月04日 05:22
1. Biden Blocks $14.1 Billion Nippon Steel Takeover of US Steel
2. Vertical Farming Company’s Valuation Plummets
3. Getty Explores Merger with Shutterstock
4. U.S. Student Loan Borrowers Face Challenges
5. Microsoft to Invest $80 Billion in Data Centers
6. Zero-Day Options Becoming Increasingly Popular
7. U.S. Approves $3.64 Billion Missile Sale to Japan
1. Biden Blocks $14.1 Billion Nippon Steel Takeover of US Steel
Today, President Biden announced that he would block Nippon Steel’s $14.1 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel. This highly anticipated deal has created tensions between the U.S. and Japan.
Biden stated that for national security reasons, major stakes in U.S. Steel should be held by large American companies. If foreign shareholders control U.S. Steel, national security and the supply chain could be threatened.
U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have issued a joint statement announcing their intent to challenge Biden’s decision legally to protect their rights.
U.S. Steel’s stock dropped by 5.8% today.
______
2. Vertical Farming Company’s Valuation Plummets
Sources reveal that Plenty Unlimited, a vertical farming startup backed by billionaires like Jeff Bezos, is in talks for a new funding round targeting $125 million.
Plenty had previously raised over $1 billion, with shareholders including Eric Schmidt and SoftBank. However, due to a sharp drop in valuation, the previous investors’ stakes may now only be worth $15 million in the new funding round.
The company is undergoing a major strategic shift, moving away from producing various vegetables and fruits to focusing on higher-yield crops like strawberries.
One Madison Group, a New York investment firm, will lead the new round of financing.
______
3. Getty Explores Merger with Shutterstock
Sources have revealed that Getty Images Holdings is considering a merger with its competitor Shutterstock.
Getty Images is valued at approximately $910 million, while Shutterstock is valued at about $1 billion. Over the past year, Getty’s stock has dropped 56%, and Shutterstock’s has fallen by 37%.
The growing demand for photos, videos, and media, combined with increased time spent online and the rise of AI in the media industry, has led to this consideration.
Both companies are still discussing the structure of a potential merged company.
______
4. U.S. Student Loan Borrowers Face Challenges
With the rising cost of tuition and declining enrollment numbers, more U.S. colleges are closing down, and many American families are questioning the return on investment for higher education.
After a three-year suspension, the U.S. government resumed federal student loan repayments in October 2023. Biden’s administration introduced a one-year extension, ensuring that borrowers wouldn’t face severe penalties for missed payments.
However, Biden’s policy ended in September 2024. If payments are overdue by more than 90 days, borrowers will be reported to credit bureaus.
Student loan forgiveness may become even more difficult under a potential Trump administration, and both university enrollment and loan applications will face challenges moving forward.
______
5. Microsoft to Invest $80 Billion in Data Centers
Microsoft today announced plans to invest $80 billion in data centers over the next fiscal year, highlighting the significant capital expenditure required to support AI innovation.
Over half of this budget will be deployed before June 2025, laying the foundation for AI innovation and applications.
Microsoft and cloud infrastructure providers like Amazon are making large investments to expand their computing power. In fiscal year 2024, Microsoft’s capital expenditures exceeded $50 billion, with the majority directed toward server farm development.
Most of the data center investments will go toward purchasing hardware from companies like Nvidia and Dell.
______
6. Zero-Day Options Becoming Increasingly Popular
CBOE data shows that in the fourth quarter of 2024, the daily trading volume of zero-day-to-expiry (0DTE) options exceeded 1.5 million, accounting for 51% of all S&P 500 options. This marks a threefold increase compared to the same period in 2021, when 0DTE options represented less than half of the total options traded.
The popularity of 0DTE options is attributed to volatility events like the upcoming U.S. presidential election, with more retail traders using options for hedging and speculation, making index options trading extremely widespread.
Critics argue that the rise of 0DTE options could increase the frequency of sudden market volatility.
______
7. U.S. Approves $3.64 Billion Missile Sale to Japan
The U.S. Department of State has approved the sale of air-to-air missiles worth $3.64 billion to Japan, emphasizing the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
This missile sale includes up to 1,200 AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 medium-range air-to-air missiles, along with related equipment, spare parts, and support materials.
The missiles are compatible with Japan’s current fleet of F-15 and F-35 fighter jets.
______
This content is sourced from Financial Times, Bloomberg, and The Real Deal, among other financial news outlets.