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☆ Online trading platform Webull is set to go public via a $7.3 billion SPAC deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The New York-based online brokerage will combine with SK Growth Opportunities Corporation in the second half of the year, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals. Webull is planning to go public through merging with a special purpose acquisition company in a deal that values the digital investing platform at $7.3 billion. Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, raise capital in an initial public offering and use the cash to merge with a private company and take it public, usually within two years. Webull launched its trading platform in the U.S. in 2018 and enjoyed a huge boost during the Covid-19 pandemic as many Americans became first-time traders during lockdowns. The firm had $370 billion in equity notional volumes and 430 million options contracts traded through its platform in 2023.

Persons: Robinhood, Anthony Organizations: SK Growth, Corporation, Nasdaq, Webull, CNBC, CNBC PRO Locations: York, U.S

☆ Hims & Hers soars 32% on rapid growth in mental health, weight loss and dermatology treatments
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The New York Stock Exchange with a Hims & Hers Health, Inc banner is pictured as a person runs past in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, January 21, 2021. Hims & Hers is an online platform where patients can meet with providers and get personalized support for skincare, mental health, sexual health, weight loss and hair care. For the first quarter, Hims & Hers expects revenue growth of at least 40% from a year earlier to between $267 and $272 million. He said newer specialties like weight loss, mental health and Hers Dermatology are seeing increased adoption, and could each deliver more than $100 million in revenue in 2025. WATCH: Ro CEO on telehealth and the impact of weight loss drugs

Persons: They're, Andrew Dudum, Dudum, Jefferies Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Revenue, Jefferies, Deutsche Bank Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York

☆ 'We definitely are eyeing the public markets': eToro CEO considers IPO after scrapped SPAC deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"We definitely are eyeing the public markets," Assia told CNBC in an exclusive interview last week. "I definitely see us becoming eventually a public company." EToro has already put the work in toward becoming a public company, he suggested, and the question of listing is more a matter of when, not if. Retail investors come to eToro to buy shares of a public company. EToro now has 35.5 million registered users, and over 3 million funded accounts.

Persons: Yoni Assia, Assia, EToro, eToro Organizations: Stock, CNBC, Nasdaq, eToro, EToro Club Locations: Lisbon, Portugal

☆ Starboard nominates directors to Alight’s board. A plan to improve margins could be on the horizon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Activist Commentary: Starboard is a very successful activist investor and has extensive experience helping companies focus on operational efficiency and margin improvement. Additionally, Starboard has extensive experience helping portfolio companies improve margins from a board level and adding one or two of their nominees to the board could expedite this. CEO Issue: Alight's CEO Stephan Scholl is a talented technologist and software expert, but not an experienced operator of a benefits administration company. Like the experienced activist Starboard is, the firm wanted to preserve its options as it speaks privately with Alight. Shareholders would certainly benefit from the addition of two or three Starboard directors to the board.

Persons: Keith D, Dorsey, Matthew C, Levin, Gavin T, Molinelli, Foley Trasimene, William P, Foley, Stephan Scholl, William Foley, Coretha, Denise Williams, Ken Squire Organizations: ExCo, CR Consulting Alliance, FIS, 13D Locations: Boyden, SPACs

☆ Intuitive Machines jumps in wild trading after moon landing
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Intuitive Machines jumped in early trading on Friday after the company's successful first moon landing. The Houston, Texas company confirmed that the IM-1 mission lander was standing upright and sending data back to Earth. "Odysseus has found his new home," Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines' CTO and IM-1 mission director, said from the company's mission control. Intuitive Machines stock initially ripped 40% higher from its previous close of $8.28 a share before paring gains with heavy trading volume. Intuitive Machines went public via a SPAC a year ago and shares had steadily slid to all-time lows near $2 in January.

Persons: Odysseus, Tim Crain Locations: U.S, Houston , Texas

☆ Intuitive Machines stock has surged 300%. How Wall Street reads the moon-fueled rally
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

NASA TVMuch like Intuitive Machines' spacecraft, its stock has been flying to the moon the past week. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Intuitive Machines stock trading around its IM-1 moon mission. Only a handful of Wall Street analysts cover the $1 billion space company. Along with Canaccord Genuity analyst Austin Moeller, Sullivan and Sheppard were unanimous in their reads that retail, not institutional, investors are driving the current Intuitive Machines' rally. Intuitive Machines and NASA leaders showcase a mockup of the company's Nova-C lunar lander during a presentation on May 31, 2019.

Persons: It's, We've, Cantor Fitzgerald's Andres Sheppard, Sheppard, Josh Sullivan, Canaccord, Austin Moeller, Sullivan, Aubrey Gemignani, NASA Canaccord's Moeller, they'll, Moeller Organizations: NASA, Wall, CNBC, Wall Street, FactSet, Payload Locations: Texas, U.S

☆ Lunar company Intuitive Machines' stock surges 50% to trade above SPAC debut price
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Intuitive Machines jumped for a third consecutive trading session, surpassing their post-SPAC debut price, as the company's first mission completed further milestones as it approached the moon. Intuitive Machines' stock surged as much as 65% in trading Tuesday to an intraday high of $12.05, north of the $10.03 a share price that shares traded at after the company completed its SPAC merger in February 2023. Since its inaugural moon mission launched last week, the company's share price has more than doubled. In a series of daily updates since Friday, the Texas-based lunar company said its cargo lander "continues to be in excellent health" and is preparing to enter the moon's orbit on Wednesday. The company noted that entering lunar orbit, also known as "lunar orbit insertion," will be the mission's "largest challenge to date."

Persons: Odysseus Organizations: SpaceX Locations: Texas

☆ Intuitive Machines stock jumps 16% after company says moon mission is in 'excellent health'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander "Odysseus" deploys from the upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to begin the IM-1 mission. Shares of Intuitive Machines jumped for a second consecutive day after the company issued an update that said its moon lander mission "is in excellent health." The Texas-based lunar company launched its inaugural cargo mission, known as IM-1, on a SpaceX rocket early Thursday morning. Intuitive Machines' stock jumped as much as 30% in early trading Friday before paring gains to trade up about 16% from its previous close of $6.70 a share. Since IM-1 launched, Intuitive Machines' stock is up 75% as of Friday's trading high.

Persons: Andrew Chanin, that's, Chanin Organizations: SpaceX, CNBC, NASA Locations: Texas

☆ Donald Trump just got the green light to return to Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Months after leaving the White House, former President Donald Trump began plotting his return to Wall Street. US regulators have finally given the green light to a controversial merger between Truth Social owner Trump Media & Technology Group and a blank-check company. ‘This is a meme stock’Moreover, there are major questions about the sky-high valuation being placed on this media company. He described that valuation as “crazy” because Trump Media is generating little revenue and burning through cash. One of the final remaining hurdles is for Digital World shareholders to approve the merger in an upcoming vote.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Jay Ritter, Ritter, Devin Nunes, Eric Swider, “, Matthew Tuttle, he’s, Tuttle, — Organizations: New, New York CNN, White, Wall, Trump, Truth Social, Trump Media & Technology Group, Securities and Exchange, Trump Media, SEC, University of Florida, Republican, New SEC, ” Trump Media, Big Tech, Digital, Tuttle Capital Management Locations: New York, Trump, Atlantic City

☆ Intuitive Machines stock spikes as lunar company's first moon mission begins
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Intuitive Machines spiked in early trading on Thursday, as the space company began its first mission to the moon's surface earlier in the morning. A SpaceX rocket launched Intuitive's IM-1 mission successfully. The cargo lunar lander, loaded with research, is headed for the moon and Intuitive expects to make a landing attempt next week. Intuitive's stock rose as much 25% in trading before pairing gains to trade about 22% up from its previous close at $4.98 a share. "You could make money a whole lot of ways – but this isn't just about making money.

Persons: Steve Altemus Organizations: SpaceX, Kennedy Space Center, CNBC Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida

☆ Moon company Intuitive Machines begins first mission after SpaceX launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander launched from Florida on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, beginning the IM-1 mission. Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander "Odysseus" deploys from the upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to begin the IM-1 mission. NASA leadership emphasized before the launch that "IM-1 is an Intuitive Machines' mission, it's not a NASA mission." After landing, Intuitive Machines aims to operate Odysseus on the surface for up to seven days. Last month, U.S. company Astrobotic got its first moon mission off the ground but encountered problems shortly after launch.

Persons: Paul Hennessy, Trent Martin, Odysseus, it's, Joel Kearns, Kearns, Russia —, ispace, Astrobotic, didn't Organizations: SpaceX, Kennedy Space Center, Anadolu, Getty Images, Machines, SpaceX's, NASA, Payload, Artemis, Nasdaq, Marshall Space, Center, Soviet Union —, U.S Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, Getty Images Texas, U.S, Florida, United States, Wednesday's, Japan, Russia, Soviet Union, China, India

☆ DWAC shares soar as merger with Trump social media company appears closer
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

This photo illustration shows an image of former President Donald Trump next to a phone screen that is displaying the Truth Social app, in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2022. jumped 15% Thursday morning after the special purpose acquisition company announced Wednesday night that it is close to completing its proposed merger with Trump Media and Technology Group, former President Donald Trump's social media company. That SPAC first began merger talks with Trump's media group, which operates the Truth Social platform, in October 2021. Shvartsman last week was hit with a new money laundering count related to transfers he allegedly conducted after netting a profit of $18.2 million from selling DWAC stock. Shares of DWAC have rallied in recent months as Trump has emerged as the likely Republican nominee for president in November.

Persons: Donald Trump, Donald Trump's, DWAC, Eric Swider, Michael Shvartsman Organizations: Corp, Trump Media, Technology Group, The Securities, Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, SEC, Shvartsman, Trump, Republican Locations: Washington ,, Florida, New York

☆ Cramer's Lightning Round: Taiwan Semiconductor is a 'great company'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Digital World Acquisition's year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Taiwan Semiconductor's year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Celestica's year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon PDD Holdings' year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Comfort Systems USA's year-to-date stock performance.

Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor, PDD Holdings, Systems, Comfort Systems Locations: Taiwan

☆ Trump Media SPAC insider trading defendant hit with new money laundering count
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A man already charged with insider trading related to a shell company's planned merger with Donald Trump's social media firm was hit with a new money laundering count in Manhattan federal court. The new indictment details two money transfers Shvartsman conducted after netting a profit of about $18.2 million from selling Digital World Acquisition Corp . Shvartsman, his brother Gerald Shvartsman and Bruce Garelick were indicted in June on securites fraud charges related to their sale of DWAC securities in fall 2021 and other conduct. The trio of investors allegedly bought DWAC securities after learning on a confidential basis that the so-called special purpose acquisition company was eyeing a merger with Trump Media and Technology Group. TMTG includes the social media platform Truth Social, which is one of the former president's favorite methods for communicating with supporters online.

Persons: Michael Shvartsman, Donald Trump's, Shvartsman, Gerald Shvartsman, Bruce Garelick, DWAC Organizations: Federal, Corp, Trump Media, Technology Group, TMTG, Prosecutors Locations: New York, Manhattan

☆ How Trump's 'I'm rich!' boasts are coming back to bite him in court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Laura Italiano | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The day before awarding Carroll $83.3 million in damages — Trump's penance for calling her a lying "whack job" when she told the world he'd sexually assaulted her — jurors heard, firsthand, how rich he was. AdvertisementTrump's "I'm rich" boasts hurt him in both the Carroll verdict and the upcoming fraud trial verdict, Snell said. Punitive damages in defamation cases are supposed to have a deterrent effect, to stop the defamation from happening again. AdvertisementTrump's wealth also illustrates why the jury imposed enormous punitive damages compared to the $18.3 million to compensate Carroll. The Carroll jury also heard Trump boast about the value of his "brand."

Persons: Donald Trump's, Jean Carroll, Donald Trump, Carroll, Roberta Kaplan, Trump, Letitia James, I'm, Tristan Snell, General's, Snell, Trump's, —, Kaplan, J, Erik Connolly, Connolly, Stephanie Keith, There's, We've, that's, Forbes, Timothy A, Clary, didn't, Chris Mattei, Alex Jones, Mattei, Arthur Engoron, Engoron Organizations: Carroll, Trump, New York Attorney, New, New York, Trump University, Disney, Benesch, NEW, Manhattan Federal Court, E, MSNBC, Trump Organization, Forbes, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Manhattan, Smartmatic, New York City, AFP, New York

☆ How 'naked greed' caused best friends and Forge co-founders to go to war over control of their latest startup Destiny XYZ
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Darius Rafieyan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In a lawsuit filed this week viewed by Business Insider, Ramadurgam claims he was the victim of a Machiavellian scheme perpetrated by a power-hungry CEO and his "handpicked henchmen." In his statement to Business Insider, Prasad tells a different story of a co-founder who was "checked out" of the company. In an interview with Business Insider, Ramadurgam disputed Prasad's claims, saying that he missed only about 15 work days in 2022 for meditation retreats. In his lawsuit he claims Prasad was motivated by "naked greed." "I just don't see how you can honestly, with integrity make the argument that I should have 0% stake in the company," Ramadurgam said in an interview.

Persons: Sohail Prasad, Samvit Ramadurgam, Ramadurgam, Prasad, Destiny, Ramadurgan Organizations: Business, Prasad, Silicon, Forge, Coinbase, Plaid, SEC Locations: Silicon Valley, Forge, Ramadurgam's

☆ SEC to vote today on tough new rules for blank-check 'SPAC' companies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"Functionally, the SPAC target IPO is being used as an alternative means to conduct an IPO," Gensler said in a March 2022 statement on the proposed regulations. SPACs: Much more disclosures will be requiredThe new rules will: 1) Expand disclosure requirements regarding SPAC sponsors, SPAC sponsor compensation, conflicts of interest, dilution, and the target company. After a blank-check SPAC goes public, it will usually announce within two years the acquisition of a target company, which is known as a de-SPAC transaction. It would, for example, make the target company legally liable for any statement made about future results by assuming responsibility for disclosures. The SPAC market has already collapsed2020 and 2021 were record years for SPAC IPO filing.

Persons: Gary Gensler, Tom Williams, Gensler, He's, Forbes Organizations: Financial, Securities and Exchange Commission, Cq, Inc, Getty, The Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, IPOs, Bloomberg, Lordstown Motors Locations: Rayburn, SPACs

☆ Cramer's Lightning Round: RxSight is 'losing too much money'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon U.S. Silica's year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Tetra Tech's year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon RxSight's year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Praxis Precision Medicines' year-to-date stock performance. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Getty's year-to-date stock performance.

Persons: they're Organizations: Tetra Tech, Medicines, Precision Medicines

☆ Trump SPAC has tripled since the Iowa caucuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Digital World’s share price spiked 88% to 19-month highs on Monday alone. Since Trump’s landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses on January 15, Digital World shares have more than tripled. That in turn drives the share price even higher, creating further losses for short-sellers. Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, expressed shock at the stock spike for Digital World. Neither Trump Media & Technology Group nor Digital World responded to requests for comment.

Persons: that’s, Donald Trump, That’s, Ron DeSantis, Trump, ”, Matthew Tuttle, Tuttle, –, what’s, Jay Ritter, “ It’s, ” Ritter, Ritter, “, he’s, ” Tuttle Organizations: New, New York CNN, Truth Social, Trump Media & Technology Group, Florida, Trump, New Hampshire, Tuttle Capital Management, University of Florida, GameStop, SEC, & $ Locations: New York, United States, New, Iowa, “ After Iowa

☆ Digital World Shares Surge as Republican Primary Field Narrows
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Matthew Goldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corporation, the cash-rich shell company that plans to merge with former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, soared as much as 70 percent on Monday, a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination and brought Mr. Trump even closer to securing it. The jump reflected investors’ enthusiasm around Trump Media & Technology Group, the beleaguered company that has been trying since 2021 to merge with Digital World, a special purpose acquisition company. Digital World raised roughly $300 million in its September 2021 initial public offering — money that the Trump company needs to run its business. Digital World’s shares had already more than doubled since Mr. Trump won the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15.

Persons: Donald J, Ron DeSantis, Trump, ”, Kristi Marvin Organizations: Acquisition Corporation, Gov, Republican, Trump Media & Technology Group Locations: Florida, Iowa

☆ Nobody wants to touch a SPAC, says Bullpen's Davidson
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNobody wants to touch a SPAC, says Bullpen's DavidsonDuncan Davidson, Bullpen Capital founding partner, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss why he expects a second wave of IPOs in 2024, why he believes that the SPAC craze is over, and more.

Persons: Bullpen's Davidson Duncan Davidson Organizations: Capital

☆ Trump-linked SPAC surges: DWAC pops more than 80%
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTrump-linked SPAC surges: DWAC pops more than 80%Hosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.

Persons: Brian Sullivan, “ Organizations: Trump, CNBC

☆ The IPO market should pick up in 2024. Here are the hottest companies set to make their debut
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

After a tepid year in the IPO market, investors are hopeful 2024 will bring about a return to form. But the IPO market cratered in 2022 after the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hiking campaign collapsed investor demand for growth stocks. But happier days could be ahead for the IPO market in 2024. According to Linqto's 2024 IPO Sentiment Survey released Thursday, only a little more than half, 52%, of 2,500 traders polled are anticipating a significant recovery in the IPO market this year, suggesting "cautious optimism" ahead. "There's a lot more optimism for the IPO market," said Akshata Bailkeri, head of research at EquityZen, a platform for pre-IPO activity.

Persons: Akshata Bailkeri, Bailkeri, Wilson, EquityZen's Bailkeri, Shein, Shein confidentially, Reddit, that's, Andrew Low Ah Kee, Low Ah Kee, Ah Kee, Skims Skims, Kim Kardashian, Andy Muir, Muir, Jordan Brand, Amer, Roxanna Islam, Troy Gayeski, Gayeski, EquityZen's Organizations: Robinhood, Ford, Amer Sports, CNBC, U.S, Reuters, National Football League, Commerce, Nike, Wilson, FS Investments, U.S . Census, World Bank Locations: Snowflake, IPOs, Silicon, China, Opendoor, U.S

☆ Today's GenAI models are cost and energy pigs. Quantum tech could fix that.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Julie Bort | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Zapata, a startup spun out of Harvard, uses quantum physics math to train GenAI models with less data. AI models must be regularly fed. AI models also require hefty, energy-consuming GPU chips. Since founding that year, Zapata has 18 patents and patents pending on its AI tech, it says. And quantum tech could be among the alternatives.

Persons: Zapata, Andretti, —, Guido Appenzeller, Christopher Savoie, Mario, Michael Andretti's SPAC, it's, GenAI Zapata, OpenAI, hasn't Organizations: Andretti Racing, Service, America, Intel's Data, CNBC, Nvidia, Andretti Global, Andretti, Corp, Zapata, BMW, Computer, Fujitsu, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Comcast Ventures, Ventures, Bloomberg Locations: Harvard, Zapata, Savoie

☆ Ad industry veteran John Nardone and PE firm GTCR are hunting for acquisitions to build the next big adtech rollup
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A little over two years after selling adtech company Flashtalking to Mediaocean for $500 million , John Nardone is on the hunt for his next big adtech exit, he confirmed to Business Insider. Private equity firm GTCR is poised to be the financial sponsor on such a deal. Nardone intends to become CEO of the roll-up company and expects to bring on his own management team. Days before the agreement closed, "Vista swooped in and stole the deal," Nardone said. Before Flashtalking, Nardone sold the adtech company [x+1] to fellow adtech firm Rocket Fuel for around $230 million , and he helped take the digital marketing and research company Modem Media public.

Persons: John Nardone, Mediaocean, GTCR, Nardone, Innovid, — Innovid, Stephen Master, GTCR's Organizations: Business, Vista Equity Partners, Media Locations: Mediaocean, —

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