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☆ The door is open for Musk's DOGE to achieve a quick win: slashing billions of dollars in fraud in federal programs like Medicare
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-15 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The government lost billions of dollars to fraud and improper payments last year. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have an opportunity to take on fraud in government programs once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. One of Musk and Ramaswamy's aims for DOGE could lead to a relatively early win with bipartisan support: eliminating fraud in federal programs like Medicare. Advertisement"While all fraudulent payments are considered improper, not all improper payments are due to fraud," Brown said. AdvertisementWhere DOGE can play a roleMiller said she expects DOGE to look for "quick wins" soon after Trump takes office.

Persons: Ramaswamy, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald Trump, Musk, Orice Williams Brown, Brown, Linda Miller, —, Miller, Luis, Leder, they're, " Miller, Trump, GAO's Brown, Jamie Raskin, Ronald Reagan's Grace, that's Organizations: Department of Government, CNBC, Office, Experts, Alliance, Boston University, FBI, Department of Justice, White, Trump, Democratic, US, Treasury Department, Ronald Reagan's Grace Commission

☆ Budget deficit swells in November, pushing fiscal 2025 shortfall 64% higher than a year ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-11 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. budget deficit swelled in November, putting fiscal 2025 already at a much faster pace than a year ago when the shortfall topped $1.8 trillion, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday. For the month, the deficit totaled $366.8 billion, 17% higher than November 2023 and taking the total for the first two months of the fiscal year more than 64% higher than the same period a year ago on an unadjusted basis. Outlays totaled $668.5 billion, or nearly $80 billion more from a year ago. On an adjusted basis, the deficit was $286 billion and has totaled $544 billion year to date, an increase of 19%. The Treasury Department expects to pay $1.2 trillion this year in total interest on debt.

Persons: Outlays Organizations: Treasury, Treasury Department, Fed, Social Security Locations: Washington , DC, U.S

☆ Donald Trump Is Inheriting a Weaker Economy, Job Market Than It Seems
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Neil Dutta | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

For Trump, this economy looks like a mirror image of the one he inherited in 2017. The soon-to-be Trump economy is facing down a trio of weak spots that could start to rear their heads pretty soon after Inauguration Day. Yes, the unemployment rate sits at just 4.1%, only a bit higher than its multidecade low. A variety of measures, however, suggest that the low headline unemployment rate overstates the degree of strength in the jobs market. In both cases, the unemployment rate was quite a bit higher, suggesting that the unemployment rate likely overstates the degree of health in the labor market.

Persons: Donald Trump, —, Trump, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, it's, Biden, Kamala Harris, Jerome Powell, They're, Scott Bessent, there's Organizations: Trump, Manufacturing, overinvestment, Mortgage, American, Plan, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Representatives, Biden, Energy, Team Trump, Consumer, Republican, Treasury Locations: Washington, Trump, Germany, China, American, steelmaking, Georgia, Arizona

☆ Can Saudi Arabia keep pace with its ambitious mega-project spending spree?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-25 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Digital render of NEOM's The Line project in Saudi Arabia The Line, NEOMIn Saudi Arabia's northwestern desert, a sprawling construction site replete with cranes and pile drivers sits encircled by a recently-built road. The changes come as the Saudi deficit grows and the outlook for oil demand, along with global oil prices, sees sustained lows. Construction for The Line project in Saudi Arabia's NEOM, October 2024 Giles Pendleton, The Line at NEOMThat begs the question: does Saudi Arabia have enough money to meet its lofty goals? Saudi Arabia has poured tens of billions into projects that have yet to hint of any financial returns." Saudi Arabia has an A/A-1 credit rating with a positive outlook from S&P Global Ratings and an A+ rating with a stable outlook from Fitch.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's NEOM, Giles Pendleton, Andrew Leber, Leber, Mohammed Al, Jadaan Organizations: Saudi, Public Investment Fund, CNBC, Tulane University, Saudi Finance, Fitch, —, P Global, Al Locations: Saudi Arabia, NEOM, Saudi, Neom, Saudi Arabia's, Riyadh

☆ Elon Musk is a showman, not an accountant
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The merch will be 🔥🔥🔥”If you need more evidence of how silly this whole thing is, note (as many commentators did online) that the efficiency department is being overseen by two people. On the campaign trail last month, Musk was asked how much he thought he could cut from the nation’s $6.5 trillion budget. Musk would be lucky to find $200 billion in the federal budget, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said at the Economic Club of New York on Tuesday. Even Trump joked to House Republicans on Wednesday that he can’t get rid of Musk, a source in the room told CNN. And that means Musk himself, as Tesla’s largest individual shareholder, is $55 billion richer today than he was a week ago.

Persons: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, ”, he’s, Vivek Ramaswamy, ” Trump, Elon, Vivek, Trump, Musk, ments on Organizations: New, New York CNN, bro, “ Department, Government, Ford, United Airlines, Republican Congress Locations: New York, le

☆ Hollywood Is Leaving Los Angeles: Remote Work Comes to TV, Movies
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

AdvertisementLately, creative workers are increasingly chasing their Hollywood dreams in production hubs far from Hollywood. FilmLA, which issues permits for production in the region, found that Greater Los Angeles' share of US-produced TV and film projects declined from 23% in 2021 to 18% last year. Brin said Lexington had attracted 30 film and TV projects so far this year, representing more than $2 million in local spending. Actually being on a set is only one part of entertainment production. While the power of Los Angeles is dispersing, no single "new Hollywood" is coming to take its place.

Persons: Joe Gallegos Jr, he'd, Bailee Madison, Lukasiak, Pat Boone, Gallegos, JJ Abrams, HBO Max —, he's, It's, Patrick Adler, Taner Osman, couldn't, Tiffany FitzHenry, Lisa Brin, Brin, Noah Hawley, Maddy Bilder, Yorgos, Guy, Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Tyler Mitchell, I've, Bilder, Adler, Otis, FitzHenry, hasn't, Keisha Perry, Cedric, I'm, She's, Lucia Moses Organizations: Netflix, HBO, of Labor Statistics, Westwood Economics, Planning Associates, Dallas, Miami, Hollywood, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Marvel, Otis, Creative, Lex Studios, Austin, Austin Film Society, Southwest, Sony, Universal Pictures, Ampere, Technology, ScreenIt, LA, Westwood, Gallegos, Business Insider's Media Locations: New Mexico, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, La La, Hollywood ., America, California, Atlanta, Hollywood, LA, Georgia, Kentucky, Lexington, New York, Ireland, Budapest, South Africa, Hungary, Australia, North America, Saudi Arabia, Miami

☆ The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% pace in the third quarter, less than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Jeff Cox | Jeff Cox Is A Finance Editor With Cnbc.Com Where He Covers All Aspects Of The Markets | Monitors Coverage Of The Financial Markets | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. economy posted another solid though slightly disappointing period of growth in the third quarter, propelled higher by strong consumer spending that has defied expectations for a slowdown. The economy accelerated at a 3% pace in the second quarter. Personal consumption expenditures, the proxy for consumer activity, increased 3.7% for the quarter, the strongest performance since Q1 of 2023. The release comes with the Federal Reserve poised to lower inflation rates further despite the seemingly strong economy and inflation that remains above target, though far from its peak in mid-2022. Markets widely expect the Fed to cut another quarter percentage point off its benchmark short-term borrowing rate when policymakers conclude their two-day meeting on Nov. 7.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Gross, Commerce Department, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S

☆ U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% pace in the third quarter, less than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The economy accelerated at a 3% pace in the second quarter. The U.S. economy posted another solid though slightly disappointing period of growth in the third quarter, propelled higher by strong consumer spending that has defied expectations for a slowdown. Personal consumption expenditures, the proxy for consumer activity, increased 3.7% for the quarter, the strongest performance since Q1 of 2023. "You've got the perfect combination of strong growth and slowing inflation. The personal savings rate decelerated in the third quarter to 4.8%, down from a 5.2% level that had been revised up sharply.

Persons: Dow Jones, You've, Dan North, Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump, Harris, — Trump Organizations: Gross, Commerce Department, Treasury, Allianz Trade North America, Federal Reserve, Fed, Republican Locations: U.S

☆ Insana: Musk, Paulson seek sharp U.S. budget cuts. This ‘shock therapy’ isn’t likely to work
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Ron Insana | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

They have thrown economies into a tailspin, causing deep recessions and social upheaval. Elon Musk and hedge fund manager John Paulson are calling for cuts to the U.S. budget if former President Donald Trump is re-elected and they join his cabinet. Both have both endorsed slashing budgets, with Musk this week calling for a $2 trillion reduction. The other question involves the impact of sharp budget cuts on the U.S. economy. Musk has suggested the economy – and, by extension, Americans — would need to endure short-term pain for long-term gains.

Persons: Elon Musk, Elon, John Paulson, Donald Trump, Trump, Paulson, Musk Organizations: SpaceX, Tesla, Ridley High School, Social Security, Congressional Locations: Folsom , Pennsylvania, U.S

☆ Trump headlines Madison Square Garden rally after vulgar, racist remarks from allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Madison Square Garden, in New York, U.S., October 27, 2024. Andrew Kelly | ReutersRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump headlined a rally at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sunday that began with a series of vulgar and racist remarks by allies of the former president. Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, told Reuters that the joke about Puerto Rico "does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign." Harris's campaign in an email said the Madison Square Garden rally was "mirroring the same dangerously divisive and demeaning message" as Trump. Trump's 2016 presidential opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has accused him of "re-enacting" a pro-Nazi rally that was held at Madison Square Garden in 1939 on the eve of World War Two.

Persons: Donald Trump, Andrew Kelly, Trump, Billy Joel, Kamala Harris, Harris, Hulk Hogan, Rudy Giuliani, Eric, Don Jr, Giuliani, Tony Hinchcliffe, Ricky Martin, Danielle Alvarez, Harris's, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump's, Elon Musk, Elon, Musk Organizations: Madison, Reuters Republican, New, Knicks, Democratic, Republican, New York City, Reuters, Puerto Ricans, Trump, Nazi, Garden, Congressional, Office Locations: New York, U.S, Caribbean U.S, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican, Puerto, United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Madison, York, America

But they are on the same side on fracking — a key energy and environmental issue in the biggest battleground state in the election. Comfortable majorities of Pennsylvania voters support fracking, according to multiple recent polls. Bair said he gets “very frustrated” when he hears the Trump camp “beating this drum” that Harris wants to end fracking. “She’s not going to ban fracking. You’re not going to be able to make good policy decisions about it.”Gray’s message to those who advocate to ban fracking: “Go without gas.

Persons: — John Stewart, Robert Bair, Donald Trump’s, Kamala Harris, Harris, Bair, —, Katie Blume, Erik McGregor, ”, Trump, ” Stewart, Stewart, Biden, Walz, “ She’s, She’s, “, Donald Trump, Jeff Swensen, Devon Johnson, Johnson, Frank Gray, Blume, ” Blume, fracking, ” Gray, you’ve, you’re, You’re Organizations: Cameron Energy Co, Conservation Voters, NBC News, Biden, Residents, Trump, Shell Chemicals, Keystone XL, Steamfitters Union Local, fracking Locations: HOWE, Pa, Pennsylvania, U.S, Exton, Monaca, Canada, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, fracking

☆ U.S. deficit tops $1.8 trillion in 2024 as interest on debt surpasses trillion-dollar mark
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Biden administration rang up a budget deficit topping $1.8 trillion in fiscal 2024, up more than 8% from the previous year and the third highest on record, the Treasury Department said Friday. Even with a modest surplus in September, the shortfall totaled $1.833 trillion, $138 billion higher than a year ago. The deficit came despite record receipts of $4.9 trillion, which fell well short of outlays of $6.75 trillion. Government debt has swelled to $35.7 trillion, an increase of $2.3 trillion from the end of fiscal 2023. Interest expense for the year totaled $1.16 trillion, the first time that figure has topped the trillion-dollar level.

Organizations: Biden, Treasury Department, Social Security, Treasury, Congressional, Office

☆ Global government borrowing is set to top $100 trillion — and shows no signs of slowing down
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Global government borrowing is set to hit $100 trillion this year, the International Monetary Fund said. In a report, it warned mushrooming public debt raises the chances of a "broader financial crisis." AdvertisementGlobal public debt is on track to surpass $100 trillion this year for the first time — and the increase threatens a wider financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund warned. The IMF also warned of a "severely adverse scenario," in which global debt could balloon to 115% of global GDP by 2026 because of "weaker growth, tighter financing conditions, fiscal slippages, and greater economic and policy uncertainty." The debt looks set to grow further with both presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, pledging to spend big if they enter the White House.

Persons: —, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Trump Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Service, IMF, Treasury, Social Security Locations: China, United States, Israel, Ukraine

In September, the Harris campaign’s spending on ads about crime plummeted to just $28,000, less than 1% of its monthly broadcast TV ad spending. In August, the Harris campaign spent $7.8 million on broadcast TV ads about abortion, about 15% of its total spending that month. Economic themes also dominated Harris campaign advertising throughout August and September. In August, the Trump campaign spent about $15.5 million on broadcast TV ads about immigration, or about 41% of its monthly broadcast TV outlays. In September, that total fell dramatically to just $10,500, less than 1% of the Trump campaign’s total broadcast TV spending.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Harris ’, Joe Biden, Roe, Wade, Trump, –, Biden Organizations: CNN, White, Trump, Democratic, San, Republican, Keystone State, Michigan, Georgia, Republicans Locations: California, San Francisco, Housing, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia , Wisconsin , Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, Keystone, Peach, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nebraska

☆ Israel’s economy is paying a high price for its widening war
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

London CNN —In late September, as Israel’s nearly year-long war widened and its credit rating was downgraded yet again, the country’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said that, while Israel’s economy was under strain, it was resilient. Israel’s economy could shrink even more than that, based on a worst-case estimate by the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University. Before the October 7 attack and ensuing Israel-Hamas war, the International Monetary Fund forecast that Israel’s economy would grow by an enviable 3.4% this year. Smotrich, the finance minister, is confident that Israel’s economy will bounce back once the war ends, but economists are concerned the damage will far outlast the conflict. Florion Goga/ReutersOther sectors of Israel’s economy, while less important than tech, have been hit much harder.

Persons: London CNN —, Bezalel Smotrich, ” Smotrich, Hassan Nasrallah, ratcheting, Karnit, ‘, Menahem Kahana, ”, “ Israel, “, Smotrich —, Flug, Ahmad Gharabli, Fitch, —, Coface, Avi Hasson, Hasson, Florion Goga, Yaron Liberman, ” Liberman Organizations: London CNN, CNN, West Bank, United Nations, BMI, Fitch Solutions, Institute for National Security, Tel Aviv University, International Monetary Fund, of Israel, Getty, Bank of Israel, Israel Democracy Institute, Institute for National Security Studies, Moody’s, Startup Nation Locations: Lebanon’s, Beirut, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel’s, Iran, AFP, Egypt, Syria, Golan, Jerusalem's Old City, United States, Tel Aviv, housebuilding . Tourism

☆ How immigration reform will supercharge the labor market, reduce national debt by over $600 billion in the next 2 decades: Research Affiliates CIO
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Christine Ji | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Research Affiliates CIO Chris Brightman believes immigration reform is needed to boost the economy. One proposed policy is projected to energize the labor market and liquidate $0.6 trillion in debt. But to one chief investment officer, immigration policy isn't a matter of political debate — it's an economic nonnegotiable. A declining population brings with it a declining labor force. Immigration policy solutionsBrightman sees the need for more friendly immigration policies such as providing permanent residency to immigrants who graduate from US universities.

Persons: Chris Brightman, —, Brightman, they're Organizations: Research, Service, Social Security, Medicare, Immigrants, Penn Wharton Budget, Immigration Locations: Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, outlays

☆ Russia's economy faces 'near stagnation' with sanctions whittling down annual GDP growth, European economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russia's economy is staring at "near stagnation," according to Anders Åslund. That's according to Anders Åslund, a Swedish economist who says Russia's economy is taking a bigger hit from Western sanctions than some believe. "My own view is that the current sanctions regime shaves off 2-3% of GDP each year, condemning Russia to near stagnation. AdvertisementRussia's GDP technically grew 3.6% last year, with another 3.2% real GDP growth expected in 2024, according to estimates from the International Monetary Fund. Consumer prices rose 8.5% year-per-year the week of September 17, according to official figures from Russia's Economic Development Ministry.

Persons: Anders Åslund, —, Putin, Åslund, SWIFT Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Syndicate, International Monetary Fund, Labor, Economic Development Ministry, Soviet Union, Wealth Fund Locations: Swedish, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Soviet

Tom Carpenter“I saw an uptick in people traveling with their pets early in 2024,” said Heather Eisenstadt, founder of Top Dog Pet Travel, a central Florida agency specializing in pet-friendly bookings. While analysts don’t track pet travel outlays specifically, some airlines and hotels appear eager to welcome more furry guests — aware that many visitors will pay a premium for it. Some pet owners say they wouldn’t make use of it anyway. Hosts on both platforms set their own pet fees. But the 41-year-old warehouse supervisor from Allentown, Pennsylvania, sees hotel pet fees of up to $200 as reasonable.

Persons: Tom Carpenter, “, Mori, Tom Carpenter’s, Tom Carpenter “, ”, Heather Eisenstadt, Taylor, Eisenstadt, Morgan Stanley, Simeon Gutman, they’re, “ There’s, Patrick O’Brien, “ You’re, ” “, Annette Sacks, Annette Sacks ’, ” Carpenter, Airbnb, techs, Conrad Washington, Avery Price doesn’t Organizations: “, Carpenters, American Pet Products Association, American Airlines, Airlines, U.S . Department of Transportation, United, Delta Air Lines, Bark Air, Westchester County Airport, Hotels, Embassy, Conrad, Conrad Washington D.C, Tiffany, Humane Society Locations: Washington, Florida, Europe, Paris, U.S, Blairstown , New Jersey, Chihuahua, New, Westchester, Los Angeles, London, Blairstown, NJ, Hampton, Atlanta, Virginia, Allentown , Pennsylvania

☆ The shipbuilding empire fueling China's naval rise is a juggernaut, but tough questions remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

China's massive shipbuilding industry is key to its military's naval modernization. But military corruption and future maintenance issues raise questions about long-term sustainability. AdvertisementChina's shipbuilding industry is at the core of its efforts to modernize its navy, producing new warships at astonishing speeds. This important national ambition gives tremendous support to China's shipbuilding empire. Over the years, there have been signs of extensive corruption documented within the shipbuilding industry, as well as other parts of China's defense industry.

Persons: —, Gerald R, it's, it'll, Brian Hart, Matthew Funaoile, Funaoile, That's, Mike Sweeney, Sweeney Organizations: Service, of Naval Intelligence, Navy, Department of Defense, US Navy, Ford, Pentagon, Liberation Army Navy, Getty, Jiangnan Shipyard, Zhonghua Shipyard, China Power, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Getty Images, CSIS, Business, China State Shipbuilding Corporation, PLA, People's Liberation Army, Planet Labs PBC, U.S . Navy, Maxwell, Defense Locations: China, Fujian, Jiangnan, Getty Images China, Dalian, Huangpu Wenchong, Hong Kong, Hudong, Shanghai, Beijing, Wuhan

☆ Why Trump’s trade hero turned against tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Vice President Kamala Harris has lambasted Trump’s tariff plan as a tax, but President Joe Biden has maintained tariffs Trump put in place during his presidency. We used trade policy, or tariffs, as a form of reciprocity, where we said, OK, our tariffs are pretty high. So that’s what led to all these trade agreements, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT, which became the WTO (World Trade Organization), NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and other free trade agreements that we’ve reached. He began to entertain this idea of reciprocity, of trying to reduce foreign tariffs by offering cuts in our tariffs. How do those tariffs compare with the late 19th century tariffs?

Persons: CNN —, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Biden, Read, Douglas Irwin, Irwin, William McKinley —, Trump, IRWIN, there’s, It’s, we’ve, William McKinley WOLF, William McKinley, McKinley, they’ve, Bush, H.C ., William Jennings Bryan, that’s, they’re, it’s, Britain WOLF Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Democrats, Trump, Dartmouth College, Commerce, US Trade, Trade, WTO, World Trade Organization, American Free Trade, of Congress, University, Virginia’s, Federal, WOLF, Peterson Institute for International, Republican Party Locations: China, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Homestead , Pennsylvania, H.C, Buffalo, trillions, United States, it’s China, Britain, Japan

☆ Why remote work has staying power: It's 'still kicking,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

watch nowSuch arrangements were rare before the pandemic, economists said. While remote work opportunities have waned from their peak, they appear to have stabilized well above their pre-pandemic levels, economists said. "Remote work is not going away," Nick Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University who studies workplace management practices, recently told CNBC. Why remote work has enduredRemote work has endured largely because it benefits both workers and employers, economists said. Remote work also opens up the pool of potential candidates during hiring, Bunker said.

Persons: Taiyou, Nick Bunker, Nick Bloom, Bunker, Bloom Organizations: Digitalvision, North America, Stanford University, CNBC, Finance, Workers, Research Locations: U.S

☆ There's a hidden risk lurking for AI stocks in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Depreciation costs could lead to AI stock price declines and valuation scrutiny, according to Baird's Ted Mortonson. AdvertisementThe lurking problem is that the useful lifetime of AI GPU chips can be a lot shorter than many expect, especially as AI chips go through an ever-accelerating innovation cycle, leading to higher-than-expected depreciation expenses that ultimately drag down profits. For example, the bank expects Alphabet to record $28 billion in depreciation costs in 2026, which is 24% more than current consensus estimates of $22.6 billion. AdvertisementBut even that has its limits because of how quickly Nvidia is releasing new GPU chips. And for Mortonson, it all comes back to the return on invested AI capital.

Persons: Ted Mortonson, —, doesn't, outlays, Ross Sandler, Baird, Morton, Sandler, Mortonson, there's Organizations: Barclays, Service, Companies, Nvidia, Business

☆ Let them eat lobster! France spent over $500,000 on a state dinner for King Charles
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Entertaining the King of England is an expensive business, France is finding out. A sumptuous lobster dinner held to welcome Britain’s King Charles III to Paris last September cost the French president’s office nearly €475,000 ($515,000), according to accounts published on Monday by France’s public auditor. The state dinner included outlays of more than €166,000 ($180,000) for catering and €42,000 ($46,000) for drinks, on top of other costs including furniture, flowers and table decorations. King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, attended the banquet as part of a three-day state visit to France, which had been postponed from earlier in 2023 because of widespread protests over Macron’s pension reforms. During the trip, King Charles praised the “indispensable relationship” between the UK and its neighbor in a historic speech to the French senate chamber.

Persons: Britain’s King Charles III, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Mick Jagger, Hugh Grant, Arsene Wenger, ”, Narendra Modi Organizations: London CNN, Paris, European Union, Indian, France Locations: England, France, of Versailles, French, Versailles, Louvre

☆ A big cloud hangs over Big Tech earnings: Is all this AI spending worth it?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In his Sunday column , Jim Cramer wrote that these earnings reports will test that rotation narrative. Another way to help "take the sting away" is management teams providing a rationale behind the spending, Jim also wrote Sunday. Alphabet's second-quarter capex of $13.2 billion was up 91% year over year and higher sequentially from $12 billion in the first quarter. Alphabet's full-year capex spending is expected to total nearly $50 billion, according to estimates compiled by FactSet. Investors fretting about AI spending is not entirely new.

Persons: –, Jim Cramer, Jeff Marks, Jim, Alphabet's, Sundar Pichai, FactSet, Apple, Meta's, Goldman Sachs, Jim Covello, Covello, Jim Cramer's Organizations: Big Tech, Microsoft, Apple, KeyBanc, Markets, Google, Meta, stoke, Wall Street, Wedbush Securities, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: capex

☆ Inflation is inching closer toward the Fed’s 2% target
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Yet another favorable piece of economic data shows that price hikes are slowing and that long-unruly inflation appears to be tamed. On a monthly basis, the price index increased by 0.1%, also landing in line with expectations. Falling energy prices, which dropped 2.1% from May, continued to help put a damper on overall inflation in June, as did goods prices, which dropped 0.2%. Food and services inflation increased just 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively, for the month. Taking inflation out of the equation, real spending was still up for the month, rising 0.2%.

Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, Commerce Department, Commerce

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