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☆ Ex-CFO pleads guilty to stealing from SPACs to trade meme stocks, cryptocurrencies
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | Industry Insight | Saw Law Firms Move Past The Pandemic Into A More Client-Focused Service Environment | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies African Gold Acquisition Corp FollowNEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - A former chief financial officer of multiple special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $5 million from them, and losing almost all of it trading meme stocks and cryptocurrencies. Cooper Morgenthau, 35, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan federal court. African Gold said at the time it terminated Morgenthau after learning about his "improper withdrawals" and attempts to conceal them. In pleading guilty, Morgenthau "admitted that he breached the trust that he owed to his public and private investors," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in Manhattan said in a statement. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Turo IPO Won’t Stay Parked Forever
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Laura Forman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Tech investors looking to explore a new lane of the ride-share market will get their chance. But first, they will want to be a little patient. Nearly 12 months after car-share platform Turo filed for its initial public offering, the company has yet to pull the trigger on its listing. Competitor Getaround has lost over 90% of its value since closing its merger with special-purpose acquisition company InterPrivate II Acquisition Corp. earlier this month. The Nasdaq is down 34% this year, and fellow tech companies like Instacart have also delayed highly anticipated public offerings.

ETMeta up on J.P. Morgan rating upgradeDigital World Acquisition down on CFO exitFutures down: Dow 1.16%, S&P 1.05%, Nasdaq 0.60%Dec 16 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main stock indexes were set to extend losses on Friday as fears of a looming recession, sparked by the Federal Reserve's relentless battle against inflation, hammered sentiment. The Bank of England and the European Central Bank were the latest ones to indicate an extended rate-hike cycle on Thursday. The simultaneous expiration of stock options, stock index futures and index options contracts later in the day, known as triple witching, could cause volatility through the trading session. ET, Dow e-minis were down 384 points, or 1.16%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 41.25 points, or 1.05%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 68.5 points, or 0.6%. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Ankika Biswas and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Donald Trump's superhero trading cards timed the market all wrong
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Jon Sarlin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Los Angeles CNN —Donald Trump’s entrance into the NFT world came at the worst possible moment. It bears noting, however, that despite the bad timing Trump’s NFT collection has shot to the top of NFT marketplace OpenSea’s ranking and has raked in more than $1.4 million since its launch. On the Trump Digital Trading Cards website, the Trump collection claims to be “sold out” and the floor price for a single card has risen to $177.99, according to analytics site CoinGecko. SPACs boomed in 2020 with celebrities and investors piling in, but rising interest rates and a troubled stock market has led to a dramatic fall in SPAC value. Trump’s entrance into the SPAC world came after the boom.

☆ Getaround stock crashes after carsharing company goes public in SPAC deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Barbara Collins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Carsharing company Getaround made its public market debut Friday through a merger with blank-check company InterPrivate II Acquisition Corp. The company saw its share value drop more than 65%, reflecting the chilly environment for both SPACs and ridesharing companies. SPACs, or special purpose acquisition companies, raise capital through an IPO to acquire or merge with existing companies, aiming to eventually take the companies public in a two-year time frame. For SPACs that did go public, they haven't fared well: the CNBC SPAC Post Deal Index has fallen over 60% in the past year. Public ridesharing companies have been struggling as well.

☆ Turkey's MNG Airlines to go public on NYSE
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 7 (Reuters) - Turkey's MNG Airlines will list on the New York Stock Exchange through a merger with Golden Falcon Acquisition Corp (GFX.N), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), the Turkish cargo carrier said on Wednesday. The merger has a pro-forma enterprise value of $676 million, and has been approved by the boards of both the companies, MNG said in a statement. Golden Acquisition Corp, which went public in 2020, is headed by Chief Executive Officer Makram Azar, a former Barclays banker, and counts Xavier Rolet, a former London Stock Exchange CEO, as an independent director. Istanbul-based MNG Airlines started operations in 1996, and serves corporate customers across 41 countries with more than 3,500 flights per year. Reporting by Rahat Sandhu in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ One of the best bets in real estate is no longer a sure thing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The sure thing that's no longer a sure thing. But the shine is starting to come off what is considered one of the safest, and smartest, bets in real estate. The two largest single-family rental REITs — Invitation Homes and American Homes for Rent — have recently seen their ratings downgraded by Wall Street analysts, Insider's Alex Nicoll reports. More on the potential deal, which also might have participation from a former Wall Street CEO. If you want to leave Wall Street but don't know where to start, read this.

☆ X-energy to go public via $2 billion blank-check deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 6 (Reuters) - X-energy has agreed to merge with blank-check firm Ares Acquisition Corporation (AAC.N) in a deal valued at around $2 billion, the companies said on Tuesday. Founded in 2009, X-energy develops small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation. The deal is expected to generate cash proceeds of about $1 billion for X-energy from the trust account of the special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Ares, assuming no redemptions. A SPAC is a listed shell company that merges with a private company, taking it public in the process. After the deal closes, which is expected in the second quarter of 2023, the combined entity will be named X-Energy Inc.

☆ Cramer's lightning round: I can't recommend Penn Entertainment right now
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

They're good guys, but I cant recommend the stock right now." Loading chart...Digital World Acquisition Corp : "It's one of the SPACs that's not making money. The SPACs that aren't making money are stocks I don't like." Loading chart...ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd : "I've been against the shipping services since they first started ships. Loading chart...CME Group Inc : "Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

☆ Fintech Circle terminates $9 bln deal with Bob Diamond-backed SPAC
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency operator Circle Internet Financial said on Monday it has decided to end a $9 billion deal with blank-check firm Concord Acquisition Corp (CND.N), nearly ten months after an earlier agreement was amended. Circle is the principal operator of stablecoin USDC and reported a net income of $43 million and nearly $400 million in cash in the third quarter. Earlier valued at $4.5 billion, Boston-based Circle had amended its agreement with Concord, which is backed by former Barclays (BARC.L) boss Bob Diamond, in February and doubled its valuation. Blank-check vehicle 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp II (VCXA.O) said in August it mutually ended its $1.25 billion merger deal with crypto mining and infrastructure company Prime Blockchain. loadingReporting by Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Trump Media deal partner says shareholders approve delay of merger with Truth Social parent
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

DWAC needed 65% of its shareholders to approve an extension of the deadline to merge with Trump Media until September 2023. If a merger were to take place, it would give hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to Trump Media. Internal documents have shown that Trump Media also considered mergers and partnerships with other right-wing-friendly platforms, including Rumble and Parler. Over the weekend, Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, reinstated Trump on the social media platform. The special purpose acquisition vehicle has also been dealing with the fallout from a Trump Media executive's whistleblower complaint to federal regulators.

☆ Trump-Tied SPAC DWAC wins shareholder support for one year extension
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DWAC shares jumped on news of the approval and were trading at $23.42, up 8.60% after the meeting was ended. Tuesday's meeting was scheduled after Orlando extended the Nov. 3 meeting to give investors more time. On Sept. 26, DWAC had only 43% of shareholders' approval, according to a document seen by Reuters. At stake is a $1.3 billion cash infusion that Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) which operates Trump's Truth Social app, stands to receive from DWAC. Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss with additional reporting by Echo Wang Editing by Tomasz JanowskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ HyperloopTT to go public via SPAC led by former Disney execs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 22 (Reuters) - High-speed transportation systems maker Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) said on Tuesday it would list its shares in the United States through a deal with a blank-check firm at a pre-money valuation of $600 million. The special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Forest Road Acquisition Corp II (FRXB.N), which is led by former Disney executives Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer, is expected to provide the combined company $330 million in net proceeds if the SPAC shareholders do not withdraw their money before the deal closes. HyperloopTT, which makes vacuum tube-based ground transportation systems with airplane speeds, has agreed to a SPAC merger at a time when the market's appetite for such deals have fizzled, as the economic outlook worsens with rising interest rates and inflation. The current shareholders and convertible note holders of HyperloopTT will hold $289 million worth of common shares in the company after the deal closes, the company said. A SPAC is a listed company without any business operations, formed to solely raise money and merge with other companies.

☆ Grindr shares soar in post-SPAC debut as advocates weigh progress of LGBTQ inclusion within finance world
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The group of performers, some known for appearances on the competition show "RuPaul's Drag Race," performed on a rainbow stage set in the front of the New York Stock Exchange. It was part of a celebration of LGBTQ dating app Grindr's public-markets debut following a merger with blank-check company Tiga Acquisition. The New York Stock Exchange was lined with rainbow markers and pride flags in recognition of the event. Before the opening bell, New York Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin spoke about the importance of an LGBTQ-centered company's place in the equities market. watch now'The power of the app'The excitement around Grindr's debut does not diminish the difficulties of the current bear market.

☆ Grindr Plans to Focus on Monetization, Subscription Prices After Going Public
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

The company will list on the New York Stock Exchange under a new name, Grindr Inc.Vanna Krantz, Grindr CFO. Ms. Krantz said she plans to review subscription prices, which currently start at $19.99 a month for paid accounts. Once the company is public, Ms. Krantz will be responsible for further building out Grindr’s finance function. Ms. Krantz said she would focus on further improvement when it comes to forecasting. The year-over-year loss was largely driven by one-time costs associated with going public, such as legal, consulting and audit fees, Ms. Krantz said.

☆ Trump Media merger partner loses board member days before pivotal shareholder meeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Mike Calia | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Truth social network logo is seen displayed behind a woman holding a smartphone in this picture illustration taken February 21, 2022. DWAC's CEO, Patrick Orlando, has adjourned the meeting multiple times in recent months as he seeks shareholder approval to delay his company's merger with Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns the Truth Social app, by about a year. Will Wilkerson, a former Trump Media executive, turned over documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission and filed a whistleblower complaint, claiming misrepresentations by the companies. Trump Media has also blamed regulators for the delay of its merger with DWAC. He has about 4 million followers on Truth Social.

☆ Trump-linked stocks slip after initial gains from 2024 bid
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC.O), the blank-check company looking to take Trump's social media venture Truth Social public, fell 4.8% in early trading. It was still the most trending ticker on retail investor-focused social media forum Stocktwits. Earlier this week, DWAC reminded stockholders to vote in favor of extending the completion deadline for the proposed deal with Truth Social. Trump's Truth Social said in August it would join Rumble's new ad platform as its first publisher. Artificial intelligence solutions company Remark Holdings (MARK.O), which has been linked to the former president on social media sites, fell 2.6%.

REUTERS/Octavio JonesNEW YORK, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump's entry on Tuesday into the 2024 presidential race confirmed the world's "worst kept secret" and created another variable for markets that some investors say remains a low priority for now. Trump's announcement, meanwhile, came as little surprise to investors, as the former president had telegraphed the possibility he might run again for some time. DIVIDED WE HURTUnlike during Trump's previous bid, the discord within the Republican party also worried some investors. The Republican president has claimed credit for the rise, tweeting often about Wall Street's performance. Both stocks rallied earlier this month on reports Trump was considering a third bid for the White House.

☆ Trump-tied stocks jump as former president launches 2024 White House bid
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Shares of companies tied to former U.S. President Donald Trump jumped on Wednesday after he launched a bid to regain the presidency in 2024. Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC.O), the blank-check company looking to take Trump's social media venture Truth Social public, jumped 9% in premarket trading. DWAC was also the most trending ticker on retail investor-focused social media forum Stocktwits. Trump's Truth Social announced in August it would join Rumble's new ad platform as its first publisher in August. Artificial intelligence solutions company Remark Holdings (MARK.O), which has been linked to the former president on social media sites, gained 5.7%.

☆ Trump's 2024 presidential bid is a wrinkle du jour for markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( David Randall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Octavio JonesNEW YORK, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump's entry on Tuesday into the 2024 presidential race confirmed the world's "worst kept secret" and created another variable for markets that some investors say remains a low priority for now. Trump, who has mounted relentless attacks on the integrity of U.S. voting since his 2020 election defeat, announced his bid at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, seemingly with the aim of pre-empting potential Republican rivals. Trump's announcement, meanwhile, came as little surprise to investors, as the former president had telegraphed the possibility he might run again for some time. Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC.O), the blank-check company looking to take Donald Trump's social media venture public, fell 8.8% on Tuesday, while software developer Phunware Inc (PHUN.O), which was hired by Trump's 2020 re-election campaign to build a phone app, slid 4.7%. Both stocks rallied earlier this month on reports Trump was considering a third bid for the White House.

☆ Shares of Truth Social merger partner fall after Trump's candidates underwhelm in midterm elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 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. Shares of the blank check company set to take Trump Media and its Truth Social platform public fell sharply Wednesday after candidates endorsed by the former president disappointed in high-profile midterm election races. Another presidential run could drive traffic to Trump's Truth Social platform, as the ex-president has agreed to post exclusively on the social media platform for eight hours before posting it anywhere else. DWAC has been working to secure enough shareholder support to extend the deadline for the merger with Trump Media until Sept. 2023, with the vote being pushed back multiple times. The merger also faces a criminal probe into possible securities violations over discussions that took place between DWAC and Trump Media prior to the deal announcement.

☆ Stocks slip as control of Congress remains unclear
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Stocks dipped, with the Dow sliding nearly 300 points, or 0.9%, in late morning trading. One stock in particular that had been surging in anticipation of a sweeping victory for the GOP got hit hard Wednesday. The market rallied sharply during the past three days following a historic surge for stocks in October. Still, as the midterm dust settles, investors may now shift their attention back to inflation and the economy. “Markets have performed remarkably similar during periods of a Republican or Democratic controlled Congress.”

☆ Taiwan’s virtual beauty brand struggles on Wall Street debut
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN Business —Taiwan’s latest entrant to Wall Street has had a rough ride since it went public a week ago. Perfect Corp. lends its technology to beauty and fashion brands. Perfect Corp. founder and CEO Alice Chang said she spoke to CNN Business while wearing the company's "digital makeup" on a conference call. The question was: “How can I link the virtual beauty with the real world beauty?” Chang recalled. Perfect Corp. is one of a handful of Taiwanese companies to list in the United States in recent years, according to Dealogic data.

☆ Trump-linked SPAC stock goes bonkers ahead of midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The blank check firm that might merge with former President Donald Trump’s media company has soared in the past week due to expectations that Trump may soon announce a 2024 presidential run. Digital World Acquisition Corp., a so-called special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, soared an astonishing 66% on Monday. Digital World Acquisition Corp., or DWAC for short, announced plans in October 2021 to acquire Trump Media & Technology Group, owner of the Truth Social app, a right-leaning alternative to Twitter. Still, the big move in DWAC shares is a bit curious, if for no other reason than the fact that a deal with Trump’s company may not actually happen. But despite some partisan hopes that a deal will actually occur, the numerous delays and other legal headaches have weighed on DWAC shares.

Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) jumped over 6% following a report that the company was planning to begin large-scale layoffs this week. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 1 2Unofficially, the S&P 500 climbed 0.96% to end the session at 3,806.90 points. S&P 500 by market capOf the 11 S&P 500 sector indexes, eight rose, led by communication services (.SPLRCL) which was up 1.83%, followed by a 1.73% gain in energy (.SPNY). Advancing issues outnumbered falling ones within the S&P 500 (.AD.SPX) by a 2.8-to-one ratio. The S&P 500 posted 18 new highs and 15 new lows; the Nasdaq recorded 93 new highs and 221 new lows.

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