Quick Peek:

1. Weight-Loss Wonder: Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug trial results skyrocket its shares.

2. TikTok Treasure: The bizarre market of preloaded TikTok phones.

3. Meta’s Mega Bet: A $65 billion play on AI, VR, and data centers.

4. EV Tariff Tensions: BMW and Chinese automakers fight back in EU courts.

5. Live Sports Boom: Amazon Prime Video doubles down on live sports.

6. X Marks the Debt: Banks prepare to offload $3 billion tied to Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition.

7. FEMA Fallout: Trump proposes a controversial overhaul of disaster relief.

Weight-Loss Wonder: Novo Nordisk’s Obesity Drug Sparks Market Frenzy

Novo Nordisk’s experimental obesity drug, amycretin, delivered groundbreaking trial results, patients lost up to 22% of their body weight at the highest dose, over 36 weeks, while those receiving a placebo experienced an average weight gain of 2.0% during the same period. Shares soared as the drug’s dual-action targeting GLP-1 and amylin hormones positions it to rival Eli Lilly in a market poised to hit hundreds of billions by the next decade.

While the gastrointestinal side effects were mild, the potential returns for investors are anything but. Novo Nordisk’s success underscores the power of innovation in tackling obesity.

[Read the full article here.]

Speaking of market surprises…

TikTok Treasure: The Unexpected Gold Rush for Preloaded Phones

In the wake of TikTok's removal from app stores, people are increasingly selling old smartphones with the app installed for up to $50,000. This trend has emerged following the app's removal from U.S. app stores due to legal issues surrounding its future in the country, creating a booming market on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. This bizarre trend highlights how regulatory uncertainty can fuel unprecedented demand for a commodity most thought was obsolete.

Sellers are advised to erase personal data carefully, but this digital gold rush is a reminder that even software can create lucrative secondhand markets.

[Read the full article here.]

And while TikTok thrives in the secondary market, another giant is betting on the future…

Meta’s Mega Bet: Investing $65 Billion in Tomorrow’s Tech

Meta is going all-in on data centers and AI, with plans to invest up to $65 billion in 2025. This investment marks a substantial increase from the $35 billion to $40 billion spent in 2024. This move aims enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities and infrastructure, reflecting Meta's aggressive strategy to solidify its position in the competitive AI landscape dominated by companies like Google and Microsoft

A major portion of the funding will be allocated to building a 2-gigawatt data center, which is expected to be large enough to cover a significant area of Manhattan. The stakes are high, but if successful, this strategy could transform how we connect, work, and play.

[Read the full article here.]

From virtual reality to electric mobility…

EV Tariff Tensions: BMW and Chinese Automakers Push Back

The European Union has imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, with rates ranging from 7.8% to 45.3%. BMW specifically faces a 20.7% tariff rate for its electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman models manufactured in China. BMW, along with Chinese EV makers such as BYD, Geely, and SAIC, has filed a challenge against these tariffs at the General Court of the European Union. While these measures aim to protect local manufacturers, they risk higher prices for consumers and escalating trade disputes.

[Read the full article here.]

Meanwhile, in the streaming world…

Live Sports Boom: Amazon’s Bold Play for Prime Video Profits

Amazon’s Prime Video is pivoting from scripted content to live sports, investing $3 billion annually in broadcasting rights for the NBA, NFL, and more. Amazon Prime secured an 11-year deal valued at $77 billion alongside Disney and Comcast to broadcast NBA games

This strategy taps into live sports' unmatched ad revenue potential, aiming to make Prime Video profitable by 2025.

[Read the full article here.]

Shifting from entertainment to the challenges of big finance…

X Marks the Debt: Banks Offload $3 Billion from Musk’s Buyout

Banks are preparing to sell $3 billion in senior debt tied to Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X), at a discounted rate reflecting the platform’s volatility. This move comes as part of their efforts to manage approximately $13 billion in debt incurred during Musk's buyout in 2022.

[Read the full article here.]

Finally, a proposal shaking up disaster relief…

FEMA Fallout: Trump’s Controversial Overhaul Proposal

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency that coordinates the federal government's response to disasters that overwhelm local and state resources, providing assistance to affected individuals and communities. This announcement came during his visit to North Carolina, where he assessed damage from Hurricane Helene.

Trump criticized FEMA's performance, suggesting dismantling FEMA, proposing disaster relief be managed directly by states, arguing this would be more efficient and cost-effective. Critics warn that particularly in disaster prone regions, like Florida, which frequently experiences severe weather events such as hurricanes, may face immense financial challenges in managing disaster recovery.

[Read the full article here.]

Fill the French Press