Markets & Headlines - 2/15/25
Weekly Markets
A grace period until April 1 eased market tensions this week. Gains were led by positive earnings led be M7 except for $GOOG and $TSLA. Chinese shares gained as PBOC further reduced requirement ratio. $HSI rose 7% this week. Europe continued to catch up to US shares. Two months into 2025, market is getting around to higher-for-longer rates. CME FedWatch shows 22% staying still, 38% 25bps rate cut, and 27% 50bps cut. Despite Trump-Modi summit, $SENSEX continued its decline.
Headlines
• ‘I’m on Trump time:’ Kellogg says Russia-Ukraine peace plan could come in days or weeks
Kellogg says Europe may not be present, but the region’s interests would be taken into account.
• As Trump eyes more tariffs, South Korea remains safe haven for GM and Hyundai
Korea produced 8.6% of vehicles sold in the US last year without tariffs.
• As top officials meet at security summit, Europe must step-up on defense or risk being sidelined
• Russia’s Putin could be NATO’s ‘Man of the Year’ as he’s strengthened the alliance, Trump ally says
• More Musk-like ‘Dexits’ pose fresh threat to Delaware’s corporation crown
Delaware-exit. Nevada and Texas are the popular alternatives.
• Wall Street’s diversity dilemma deepens as JPMorgan’s Dimon sounds off on ‘stupid’ DEI expenses
Jamie Dimon, an advocate of DEI programs, suddenly says he will not waste money in bureaucracy.
• Trump Administration Approves Texas Deepwater Oil Export Project
The port proposed by Sentinel Midstream LLC is able to handle 1m barrels of oil daily.
• Elon Musk says xAI’s Grok 3 chatbot to be unveiled on Monday
• Apple aims to bring AI features and spatial content app to Vision Pro, Bloomberg reports
The features will be rolled out through a software update.
• Pope Francis, in hospital, won’t lead usual Sunday prayer, Vatican says
He is receiving treatment for a respiratory tract infection.
• Zelenskiy says draft US minerals deal ‘does not protect’ Ukraine
Sources say the US proposed taking ownership of 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals.
• Thousands rally in Serbia as anger over corruption swells
• Broadcom, TSMC Weigh Possible Intel Deals That Would Split Storied Chip Maker