Musk Just Made Trump Really Paranoid about JD Vance: Author
During their explosive spat last week, Musk called for Trump's impeachment and urged that Vance take his place.
Wolff, the best-selling Trump biographer, suggested that Musk's demand struck fear into the president and made him even more suspicious of Vance.
The Fire and Fury author noted that Trump has always been ambivalent about Vance, an 'unlikely Republican' whose 'hardcore support is in the tech bro community.' Trump chose Vance as his running mate, Wolff said, in part because Musk made his backing, worth of hundreds of millions of dollars, conditional conditional on that pick.
The president's high-profile fallout with Musk—a 'central pillar' of the tech world's incursion into right-wing politics—leaves him vulnerable and will push him to scrutinize his vice president ever more closely, Wolff said.
'He will set up what we will see as a set of tests that Vance is going to have to endure and pass,' Wolff told host Joanna Coles. '(Vance has) got to profess his absolute loyalty to Trump, or he will just be marginalized within the administration.'
Vance has tried to get ahead of such tests by doing exactly that.
'I'm the vice president to President Trump. My loyalties are always going to be with the president,' he said as Trump-Musk feud was still unfolding, adding, 'I think it's a huge mistake for (Musk) to go after the president like that.'
It remains to be seen if that will satisfy Trump, who, Wolff noted, 'demands flattery on a constant basis.'
Even if Vance is not plotting a tech-bro takeover of the White House, Musk dropped another existential threat on Trump by claiming he 'is in the Epstein files' in an X post he has since deleted.
'The Epstein stuff floats around Trump as a consistent threat, as a consistent silver bullet really,' Wolff said. Trump had a longstanding relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late New York financier and convicted sex offender, from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.
The president has distanced himself from Epstein in the decades since, saying he ended the relationship in the early 2000s and had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Although Musk withdrew his X post, Wolff argued that the billionaire 'could always bring back the threat.'
In a statement to the Daily Beast, White House Communications Director Steven Chung slammed Wolff as 'a blithering idiot who has been widely discredited due to his blatant lies and fabrications.'
'He is an imbecile of the highest order and his Trump Derangement Syndrome-addled brain has caused him to lead a miserable existence devoid of reality,' he continued. 'Nothing he says is the truth and he resorts to outlandish falsehoods in order to stay relevant since Father Time has passed him by 20 years ago.'
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Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Commentary: Trump is reviving crony capitalism
If you're a CEO aiming to do business in the Trump era, set aside a slush fund for paying tribute to the Decider-in-Chief. Okay, so maybe they're not bribes, exactly. But Trump is essentially extorting certain companies to get things he wants from them. Clever CEOs are playing along, whether shareholders like it or not. Exhibit A consists of Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD), which are basically buying export licenses from the Trump administration so they can sell semiconductors in China. Both companies have agreed to pay the US government 15% of their revenues from chip sales in China in exchange for the right to sell there. 'My political head is spinning again with this new pay-to-play plan with Nvidia and AMD,' Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Financial Group, wrote in an Aug. 11 analysis. 'I pray for the sake of American free market capitalism that it stops here." The Nvidia and AMD deals immediately bring to mind competitor Intel (INTC), which hasn't yet agreed to cough up an export toll. Here's a safe guess: It, too, will pay a similar fee for similar privileges. At the moment, Intel is doing damage control. On Aug. 7, Trump directly attacked CEO Lip-Bu Tan, saying on social media that he 'must resign, immediately.' Trump and some other Republicans seem to be concerned that Tan had improper connections with China's military at another firm he ran until 2021. Tan, a US citizen, now plans to meet with Trump to demonstrate his commitment to American interests, according to the Wall Street Journal. Fine. But that's probably not what Trump is looking for. Trump has a feral instinct for detecting vulnerability in adversaries and using that leverage to extract measurable gains. He'll want something more tangible from Tan and Intel than reassurances. Trump's favorite currency is money. Intel probably has no choice but to pay. Nvidia's 15% gratuity to the government for chip sales to China will cost the firm about $3 billion per year. The company's stock dipped on the news, then drifted up. Investors may have first thought only of the bottom line, then decided the payment would be better than losing chip sales to China completely. The hit to AMD would be smaller because its China sales are lower. AMD stock also dipped then rose following the news. Intel stock rose on news of Tan's chat with Trump, as buyers hope the company's damage-control effort pays off. Trump has engineered this whole scenario. In April, Trump tightened restrictions on US chip sales to China, essentially blocking the sale of certain chips. Nvidia said that move would cost the company $5.5 billion in lost revenue. Then, in July, Trump reversed himself and decided to allow such chip sales to China. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has met several times with Trump during the last several months and has become an aggressive advocate for policies that benefit his company. When Trump changed his position in mid-July, it looked as if Huang had simply convinced Trump it was the right move. But the 15% gratuity now makes it look as if a deal was in the works that gave Trump some additional government revenue to crow capitalism is a system in which the rich and well-connected get their way because they have personal sway with decision makers. The Gilded Age, or 'robber baron' era of the late 1800s was perhaps the peak of crony capitalism in the United States. One result was the massive concentration of wealth among leading industrialists, which eventually led to the union movement, the graduated income tax, and much stronger regulation of business. We're not back to the robber baron days — yet. But Trump clearly favors CEOs and companies that do his bidding and help him boast of what he considers victories. Trump often dangles the bait himself. And he clearly realizes that his authority to impose tariffs unilaterally gives him a certain power over CEOs, companies, and even entire countries. Trump threatened Apple with steep tariffs on its imported products earlier this year, unless it started making the iPhone and other products in the United States. That would double or triple the cost of an iPhone, making it financially ruinous. But CEO Tim Cook met with Trump recently to tout other domestic investments. That led to a splashy made-in-America 'announcement' with Cook at the White House on Aug. 6, the kind of publicity stunt Trump revels in. Read more: 5 ways to tariff-proof your finances Trump refused approval for a deal crucial to Paramount's finances until the company agreed to a generous legal settlement involving its CBS subsidiary and canceled the show of comedian Stephen Colbert, a vocal Trump critic. Then Trump's regulators approved the deal. Paramount did what Trump wanted and got the favor it was seeking. Trump has browbeaten Coca-Cola into making soda with real cane sugar, perhaps to reward sugar-industry barons who happen to be political supporters. He has muscled a dozen big law firms into doing pro bono work for his pet causes. Many big companies have rolled back diversity and inclusion policies because Trump finds them offensive. In many cases those firms moved preemptively, on their own, simply to avoid the possibility that Trump would threaten their federal contracts or try to drum up a consumer boycott against them. Trump's method of favor-trading is the velvet glove: seek back-scratching deals first, then attack if he doesn't get them. CEOs are figuring out that it's better to work with Trump behind the scenes than go through the whole painful process of refusing Trump's demands, facing a Trump threat, watching their stock tank, trying to make nice with Trump, and then agreeing to some kind of face-saving deal anyway. Nvidia's Huang is the model Trump-whisperer, making concessions that seem like win-wins and bypassing the confrontational part of the cycle. More CEOs are likely to follow. There are obvious risks. Some of these deals, such as the export gratuities, could be illegal and overturned by the courts, causing more uncertainty for firms than they might face otherwise. CEOs who bed down with Trump may also be betting too heavily on one party and pay the consequences if the other party ever regains power. Their brands could also suffer, as Elon Musk's Tesla has, if consumers begin to view CEOs or their companies as partisan operators. But for now, the money move is to play Trump's game, because it's the only game in town. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Bluesky and X: @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slip with key inflation report on deck
Stocks slipped on Monday as President Trump reportedly granted another 90-day extension for steeper China tariffs and as traders eyed a key inflation reading this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell 0.4%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.2%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq (^IXIC) erased earlier gains to drop 0.3%. Stocks slipped into negative territory following reports from CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post that Trump pushed back his China tariff deadline until Nov. 9 as the US and China continue to negotiate a firmer deal. Additional tariffs on China were previously scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday. Wall Street is coming off a week that saw the Nasdaq Composite notch two consecutive records at its end. The S&P 500, meanwhile, just missed a record close on Friday. Tech stocks overperformed as Apple (AAPL) posted its best week since 2020 on the heels of its White House spotlight with President Trump. Nvidia also closed Friday at a fresh record amid signals from Trump that Big Tech companies could avoid looming chip tariffs. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs But in another tariff-related twist, Trump confirmed on Monday that he would allow Nvidia to sell its H20 chip to China for a revenue cut in exchange. "This [H20] is an old chip that China already has," Trump said on Monday, noting the agreement does not extend to Nvidia's next-generation Blackwell. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that both Nvidia and AMD agreed to give the US government 15% of the money they make from selling certain computer chips to China. Trump has claimed that his tariffs are having a "huge positive impact on the stock market," though Wall Street is still navigating the twists and turns of sweeping duties on dozens of trade partners that went into effect last week. Wall Street will get another glimpse this week into how those tariffs are affecting price pressures in the US. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is set for release on Tuesday, followed by the Producer Price Index on Thursday and retail sales data on Friday. Inflation reaccelerated in June, and economists have warned that the tariffs will likely continue to seep into price data in the coming months. On Monday, Trump clarified that gold (GC-F) will not be tariffed. The precious metal futures market whipsawed last week amid confusion about whether Swiss bars would be subject to levies. Why the Nvidia, AMD revenue-sharing pact with the White House is ripe for a legal challenge Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan reports: Read more here. Trump reportedly signs order granting another 90-day extension on harshest China tariffs US stocks were little changed following reports that President Trump granted China another 90-day tariff deadline extension on Monday. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped 0.1% lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) led the modest declines, falling 0.4% Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. July CPI report expected to show inflation accelerated amid tariff pressures Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal reports: Read more here. Gold at session lows as Trump says precious metal will be not be tariffed Gold (GC=F) futures traded near session lows on Monday afternoon after President Trump said imports of the precious metal will not be tariffed. "Gold will not be Tariffed!" said a statement posted on social media. The precious metal declined more than 2% to trade near $3,404 per ounce. Last Friday gold futures touched intraday record highs amid reports that imports of Swiss gold bars would not be exempt from tariffs. Later in the session the metal trimmed gains after the White House indicated it would clarify "misinformation about the tariffing of gold bars and other specialty products." stock falls 23% after lowering revenue guidance Inc. (AI) stock tumbled as much as 30% on Monday morning after the software company reported a steep sales miss and as its founder's health issues are spurring a search for a successor. Shares were down 23% in afternoon trading. The company released preliminary results late Friday showing revenue well below analysts' estimates as it undergoes a reorganization of its sales operation. Guidance for the fiscal first quarter also came in lighter than expected. Bloomberg reported that CEO Tom Siebel attributed what he called "completely unacceptable" results to recent health issues that prevented him from actively helping to sell the company's software. Several weeks ago, he said the company would begin to search for a successor. As Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi noted today, problems appear to be company-specific — not an indicator of the overall AI trade. "But I think now is probably the time to pivot away from some of the pure plays and go to more of bank shots on AI, and names like that would be in the industrials that, you know, aren't even tech stocks, but are benefiting from all of the infrastructure spending," John Campbell of Allsprings Global Investments said on Opening Bid. Read more here. Bitcoin surges above $120,000, ethereum rises as investors pile into crypto Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged on Monday to trade near record highs as investor enthusiasm and momentum around crypto grew. The digital token reached $122,000 on Monday before easing to around $120,000. The gains come as inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have grown and public companies have been adding bitcoin to their balance sheets. Bitcoin wasn't the only cryptocurrency getting a bid; ethereum (ETH-USD) touched 2021 levels on Monday. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap has surged roughly 190% since the April market lows. Companies have been adding ethereum to their balance sheets as a way to gain exposure to the tech infrastructure behind decentralized finance and digital assets, such as stablecoins. The move higher in crypto also comes as stocks hover near record highs on expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September and President Trump's next Fed chair pick will likely bring looser monetary policy. Intel stock jumps with CEO Lip-Bu Tan reportedly set to meet with President Trump Intel (INTC) stock jumped more than 4% ahead of CEO Lip-Bu Tan's reported visit to the White House after President Trump called for his resignation. Citing unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Tan is set to meet with Trump Monday to explain his personal and professional background and to propose ways that Intel and the government can collaborate. Intel did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's questions regarding the reported meeting. Read the full story here. Tesla stock rises as EV maker applies for electricity supply license in UK Tesla (TSLA) stock surged 3% on Monday after the EV maker applied for a license to provide electricity to UK households and businesses. Apart from making electric vehicles and robotaxis, Tesla also provides Megapack batteries. The company's energy business grew 30% year over year last quarter, accounting for its largest margins. If the electricity supply license application submitted to the UK energy regulator Ofgem is approved, Tesla would be allowed to compete with other energy firms in the region. Micron jumps after memory chipmaker raises Q4 financial guidance Memory chipmaker Micron (MU) — which supplies its semiconductors to Nvidia (NVDA) to use in its products — saw its stock jump more than 4% Monday after raising its financial outlook for its fourth quarter, which ends Aug. 28. The company said it expects to see adjusted revenue of $11.1 billion to $11.3 billion, up from its prior projected range of $10.4 billion to $11 billion. Micron expects to report quarterly adjusted earnings per share of $2.78 to $2.92, more than its previous range of $2.35 to $2.65. "This revised guidance reflects improved pricing, particularly in DRAM, and strong execution," the company said in a statement. Micron's DRAM chips are one type of memory chip used in devices like personal computers and smartphones. Stocks steady at the open US stocks were steady at the open on Monday after the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) notched two consecutive records last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose nearly 0.1%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (^IXIC) hovered above the flat line. Chip stocks were in focus Monday after Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) reportedly inked deals with the US government to sell their chips to China in exchange for sharing 15% of their revenues from the country. Nvidia shares fell less than 1% on Monday, while AMD shares lost over 1.5%. Looking ahead this week, investors are awaiting a key inflation reading and the upcoming summit between President Trump and Russian President Putin. Paramount seals $7.7 billion exclusive US rights deal with UFC Paramount has agreed to a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to become the exclusive US broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The agreement is Paramount's largest since David Ellison took over as chair and CEO last week, following the completion of Skydance's takeover of the company. Under the contract, Paramount will stream all 13 of UFC's marquee events and 30 Fight Nights annually on its streaming platform from 2026, with selected events also broadcast on CBS, the Financial Times reported. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). AMC tops revenue estimates as blockbuster titles boost theater attendance AMC (AMC) stock jumped 8% in premarket trading after the movie theater chain reported attendance in the second quarter grew nearly 26% as blockbusters drew in moviegoers. Reuters reports: Read more here. Nvidia, AMD stocks decline after chipmakers agree to pay US 15% cut of China chip sales Shares of Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) fell on Monday after the two companies agreed to pay the US government 15% of the revenue for certain chip sales to China. Nvidia stock was off by 0.4% premarket, while AMD stock dropped 1.4% as investors digested the unusual deal in which the chipmakers will essentially pay for export licenses. While the details are still being worked out, the chips in question reportedly include Nvidia's H20 AI chip and AMD's MI308 chips, which previously faced export controls from the Trump administration. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made the deal at the White House last Wednesday, the same day Apple (AAPL) agreed to increase its US investment to $600 billion, ostensibly to help the company avoid tariffs, as the Trump administration looks to monetize trade policy. An Nvidia spokesperson told Yahoo Finance: 'We follow rules the U.S. government sets for our participation in worldwide markets. While we haven't shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide. America cannot repeat 5G and lose telecommunication leadership. America's AI tech stack can be the world's standard if we race." As for other chip stocks, Intel (INTC) and Qualcomm (QCOM) shares rose, while Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) fell modestly. Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Earnings: (BBAI), (MNDY), Oklo (OKLO), Plug Power (PLUG) Economic calendar: No notable releases. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Nvidia, AMD revenue deal brings 'monetization of US trade policy' Yahoo Finance poll: Americans face new, complex financial challenges Earnings live: stock tanks, AMC to report Debate over Fed rate cuts heats up: What to watch this week Fed's Bowman makes case for 3 interest rate cuts in 2025 Intel CEO to visit White House on Monday Citi strategists raise S&P 500 target on resilient earnings Bitcoin Nears Record as Treasury Investors Boost Crypto Market BofA poll shows record number of investors say stocks overvalued Lithium market soars as CATL shuts one of world's biggest mines stock tanks after the company reports earnings stock plunged aorund 20% in premarket trading on Monday after the Israeli-based software company reported earnings. In the second quarter, reported earnings of $0.03 per share and revenue of $299 million. While revenue beat analyst expectations of $293 million, GAAP profits fell short, as Wall Street was looking for $0.20 per share, per S&P Global Market Intelligence. Investors have been looking for signs that economic uncertainty is pushing companies to pull back their spending on technology and software. The company's operating loss fell to $11.6 million from $1.8 million a year ago, and the operating margin fell to negative 4% from 1% last year. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here US gold futures fall as traders await clarification on tariffs US gold futures (GC=F) in New York fell 2% as traders waited for the White House to clarify its tariff policy. Last week, the US Customs and Border agency surprised the market by ruling that 100oz and 1kg gold bars would face tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Target still in the bear camp Good WSJ story this morning on Target (TGT) and its many challenges, one of them finding its next CEO. I wrote more on this a couple months ago. I would expect an abysmal quarter (another one) from Target when it reports second quarter earnings on August 20. The company is not only dealing with operational challenges, but it has totally lost the value perception battle with Walmart. I don't see these dynamics changing this year, and maybe not until deep into 2026 provided an outside CEO is brought in to run a full assessment of the business. Bitcoin near a fresh record Bitcoin looks to be breaking out of its recent trading range, nearing a fresh record this morning. There doesn't appear to be a clear catalyst for the pop today, though this Sunday X post from bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor may have stoked the bulls. It suggests he will continue to be a buyer of bitcoin — perhaps no surprise, but the crypto market likes to be coddled. "If you don't stop buying Bitcoin, you won't stop making Money," Saylor wrote. crashing Shares of (AI) are getting crushed pre-market to the tune of 30%. And the rout is 100% deserved. Late Friday the company said it sees preliminary first fiscal quarter revenue of $70.2 million to $70.4 million, about 33% below the mid-point of its prior guidance for $100 million to $109 million. Sales would be down 19% from the prior year. The adjusted operating loss will be $57.7 million to $59.9 million, roughly twice the $23.5 million to $33.5 million loss that it had expected. I don't think there is anything to read into the AI trade here — this seems very company-specific, and tied to a sales reorg. Why the Nvidia, AMD revenue-sharing pact with the White House is ripe for a legal challenge Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan reports: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan reports: Read more here. Trump reportedly signs order granting another 90-day extension on harshest China tariffs US stocks were little changed following reports that President Trump granted China another 90-day tariff deadline extension on Monday. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped 0.1% lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) led the modest declines, falling 0.4% Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. US stocks were little changed following reports that President Trump granted China another 90-day tariff deadline extension on Monday. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped 0.1% lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) led the modest declines, falling 0.4% Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. July CPI report expected to show inflation accelerated amid tariff pressures Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal reports: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal reports: Read more here. Gold at session lows as Trump says precious metal will be not be tariffed Gold (GC=F) futures traded near session lows on Monday afternoon after President Trump said imports of the precious metal will not be tariffed. "Gold will not be Tariffed!" said a statement posted on social media. The precious metal declined more than 2% to trade near $3,404 per ounce. Last Friday gold futures touched intraday record highs amid reports that imports of Swiss gold bars would not be exempt from tariffs. Later in the session the metal trimmed gains after the White House indicated it would clarify "misinformation about the tariffing of gold bars and other specialty products." Gold (GC=F) futures traded near session lows on Monday afternoon after President Trump said imports of the precious metal will not be tariffed. "Gold will not be Tariffed!" said a statement posted on social media. The precious metal declined more than 2% to trade near $3,404 per ounce. Last Friday gold futures touched intraday record highs amid reports that imports of Swiss gold bars would not be exempt from tariffs. Later in the session the metal trimmed gains after the White House indicated it would clarify "misinformation about the tariffing of gold bars and other specialty products." stock falls 23% after lowering revenue guidance Inc. (AI) stock tumbled as much as 30% on Monday morning after the software company reported a steep sales miss and as its founder's health issues are spurring a search for a successor. Shares were down 23% in afternoon trading. The company released preliminary results late Friday showing revenue well below analysts' estimates as it undergoes a reorganization of its sales operation. Guidance for the fiscal first quarter also came in lighter than expected. Bloomberg reported that CEO Tom Siebel attributed what he called "completely unacceptable" results to recent health issues that prevented him from actively helping to sell the company's software. Several weeks ago, he said the company would begin to search for a successor. As Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi noted today, problems appear to be company-specific — not an indicator of the overall AI trade. "But I think now is probably the time to pivot away from some of the pure plays and go to more of bank shots on AI, and names like that would be in the industrials that, you know, aren't even tech stocks, but are benefiting from all of the infrastructure spending," John Campbell of Allsprings Global Investments said on Opening Bid. Read more here. Inc. (AI) stock tumbled as much as 30% on Monday morning after the software company reported a steep sales miss and as its founder's health issues are spurring a search for a successor. Shares were down 23% in afternoon trading. The company released preliminary results late Friday showing revenue well below analysts' estimates as it undergoes a reorganization of its sales operation. Guidance for the fiscal first quarter also came in lighter than expected. Bloomberg reported that CEO Tom Siebel attributed what he called "completely unacceptable" results to recent health issues that prevented him from actively helping to sell the company's software. Several weeks ago, he said the company would begin to search for a successor. As Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi noted today, problems appear to be company-specific — not an indicator of the overall AI trade. "But I think now is probably the time to pivot away from some of the pure plays and go to more of bank shots on AI, and names like that would be in the industrials that, you know, aren't even tech stocks, but are benefiting from all of the infrastructure spending," John Campbell of Allsprings Global Investments said on Opening Bid. Read more here. Bitcoin surges above $120,000, ethereum rises as investors pile into crypto Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged on Monday to trade near record highs as investor enthusiasm and momentum around crypto grew. The digital token reached $122,000 on Monday before easing to around $120,000. The gains come as inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have grown and public companies have been adding bitcoin to their balance sheets. Bitcoin wasn't the only cryptocurrency getting a bid; ethereum (ETH-USD) touched 2021 levels on Monday. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap has surged roughly 190% since the April market lows. Companies have been adding ethereum to their balance sheets as a way to gain exposure to the tech infrastructure behind decentralized finance and digital assets, such as stablecoins. The move higher in crypto also comes as stocks hover near record highs on expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September and President Trump's next Fed chair pick will likely bring looser monetary policy. Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged on Monday to trade near record highs as investor enthusiasm and momentum around crypto grew. The digital token reached $122,000 on Monday before easing to around $120,000. The gains come as inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have grown and public companies have been adding bitcoin to their balance sheets. Bitcoin wasn't the only cryptocurrency getting a bid; ethereum (ETH-USD) touched 2021 levels on Monday. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap has surged roughly 190% since the April market lows. Companies have been adding ethereum to their balance sheets as a way to gain exposure to the tech infrastructure behind decentralized finance and digital assets, such as stablecoins. The move higher in crypto also comes as stocks hover near record highs on expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September and President Trump's next Fed chair pick will likely bring looser monetary policy. Intel stock jumps with CEO Lip-Bu Tan reportedly set to meet with President Trump Intel (INTC) stock jumped more than 4% ahead of CEO Lip-Bu Tan's reported visit to the White House after President Trump called for his resignation. Citing unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Tan is set to meet with Trump Monday to explain his personal and professional background and to propose ways that Intel and the government can collaborate. Intel did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's questions regarding the reported meeting. Read the full story here. Intel (INTC) stock jumped more than 4% ahead of CEO Lip-Bu Tan's reported visit to the White House after President Trump called for his resignation. Citing unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Tan is set to meet with Trump Monday to explain his personal and professional background and to propose ways that Intel and the government can collaborate. Intel did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's questions regarding the reported meeting. Read the full story here. Tesla stock rises as EV maker applies for electricity supply license in UK Tesla (TSLA) stock surged 3% on Monday after the EV maker applied for a license to provide electricity to UK households and businesses. Apart from making electric vehicles and robotaxis, Tesla also provides Megapack batteries. The company's energy business grew 30% year over year last quarter, accounting for its largest margins. If the electricity supply license application submitted to the UK energy regulator Ofgem is approved, Tesla would be allowed to compete with other energy firms in the region. Tesla (TSLA) stock surged 3% on Monday after the EV maker applied for a license to provide electricity to UK households and businesses. Apart from making electric vehicles and robotaxis, Tesla also provides Megapack batteries. The company's energy business grew 30% year over year last quarter, accounting for its largest margins. If the electricity supply license application submitted to the UK energy regulator Ofgem is approved, Tesla would be allowed to compete with other energy firms in the region. Micron jumps after memory chipmaker raises Q4 financial guidance Memory chipmaker Micron (MU) — which supplies its semiconductors to Nvidia (NVDA) to use in its products — saw its stock jump more than 4% Monday after raising its financial outlook for its fourth quarter, which ends Aug. 28. The company said it expects to see adjusted revenue of $11.1 billion to $11.3 billion, up from its prior projected range of $10.4 billion to $11 billion. Micron expects to report quarterly adjusted earnings per share of $2.78 to $2.92, more than its previous range of $2.35 to $2.65. "This revised guidance reflects improved pricing, particularly in DRAM, and strong execution," the company said in a statement. Micron's DRAM chips are one type of memory chip used in devices like personal computers and smartphones. Memory chipmaker Micron (MU) — which supplies its semiconductors to Nvidia (NVDA) to use in its products — saw its stock jump more than 4% Monday after raising its financial outlook for its fourth quarter, which ends Aug. 28. The company said it expects to see adjusted revenue of $11.1 billion to $11.3 billion, up from its prior projected range of $10.4 billion to $11 billion. Micron expects to report quarterly adjusted earnings per share of $2.78 to $2.92, more than its previous range of $2.35 to $2.65. "This revised guidance reflects improved pricing, particularly in DRAM, and strong execution," the company said in a statement. Micron's DRAM chips are one type of memory chip used in devices like personal computers and smartphones. Stocks steady at the open US stocks were steady at the open on Monday after the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) notched two consecutive records last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose nearly 0.1%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (^IXIC) hovered above the flat line. Chip stocks were in focus Monday after Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) reportedly inked deals with the US government to sell their chips to China in exchange for sharing 15% of their revenues from the country. Nvidia shares fell less than 1% on Monday, while AMD shares lost over 1.5%. Looking ahead this week, investors are awaiting a key inflation reading and the upcoming summit between President Trump and Russian President Putin. US stocks were steady at the open on Monday after the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) notched two consecutive records last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose nearly 0.1%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (^IXIC) hovered above the flat line. Chip stocks were in focus Monday after Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) reportedly inked deals with the US government to sell their chips to China in exchange for sharing 15% of their revenues from the country. Nvidia shares fell less than 1% on Monday, while AMD shares lost over 1.5%. Looking ahead this week, investors are awaiting a key inflation reading and the upcoming summit between President Trump and Russian President Putin. Paramount seals $7.7 billion exclusive US rights deal with UFC Paramount has agreed to a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to become the exclusive US broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The agreement is Paramount's largest since David Ellison took over as chair and CEO last week, following the completion of Skydance's takeover of the company. Under the contract, Paramount will stream all 13 of UFC's marquee events and 30 Fight Nights annually on its streaming platform from 2026, with selected events also broadcast on CBS, the Financial Times reported. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). Paramount has agreed to a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to become the exclusive US broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The agreement is Paramount's largest since David Ellison took over as chair and CEO last week, following the completion of Skydance's takeover of the company. Under the contract, Paramount will stream all 13 of UFC's marquee events and 30 Fight Nights annually on its streaming platform from 2026, with selected events also broadcast on CBS, the Financial Times reported. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). AMC tops revenue estimates as blockbuster titles boost theater attendance AMC (AMC) stock jumped 8% in premarket trading after the movie theater chain reported attendance in the second quarter grew nearly 26% as blockbusters drew in moviegoers. Reuters reports: Read more here. AMC (AMC) stock jumped 8% in premarket trading after the movie theater chain reported attendance in the second quarter grew nearly 26% as blockbusters drew in moviegoers. Reuters reports: Read more here. Nvidia, AMD stocks decline after chipmakers agree to pay US 15% cut of China chip sales Shares of Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) fell on Monday after the two companies agreed to pay the US government 15% of the revenue for certain chip sales to China. Nvidia stock was off by 0.4% premarket, while AMD stock dropped 1.4% as investors digested the unusual deal in which the chipmakers will essentially pay for export licenses. While the details are still being worked out, the chips in question reportedly include Nvidia's H20 AI chip and AMD's MI308 chips, which previously faced export controls from the Trump administration. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made the deal at the White House last Wednesday, the same day Apple (AAPL) agreed to increase its US investment to $600 billion, ostensibly to help the company avoid tariffs, as the Trump administration looks to monetize trade policy. An Nvidia spokesperson told Yahoo Finance: 'We follow rules the U.S. government sets for our participation in worldwide markets. While we haven't shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide. America cannot repeat 5G and lose telecommunication leadership. America's AI tech stack can be the world's standard if we race." As for other chip stocks, Intel (INTC) and Qualcomm (QCOM) shares rose, while Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) fell modestly. Read more here. Shares of Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) fell on Monday after the two companies agreed to pay the US government 15% of the revenue for certain chip sales to China. Nvidia stock was off by 0.4% premarket, while AMD stock dropped 1.4% as investors digested the unusual deal in which the chipmakers will essentially pay for export licenses. While the details are still being worked out, the chips in question reportedly include Nvidia's H20 AI chip and AMD's MI308 chips, which previously faced export controls from the Trump administration. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made the deal at the White House last Wednesday, the same day Apple (AAPL) agreed to increase its US investment to $600 billion, ostensibly to help the company avoid tariffs, as the Trump administration looks to monetize trade policy. An Nvidia spokesperson told Yahoo Finance: 'We follow rules the U.S. government sets for our participation in worldwide markets. While we haven't shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide. America cannot repeat 5G and lose telecommunication leadership. America's AI tech stack can be the world's standard if we race." As for other chip stocks, Intel (INTC) and Qualcomm (QCOM) shares rose, while Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) fell modestly. Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Earnings: (BBAI), (MNDY), Oklo (OKLO), Plug Power (PLUG) Economic calendar: No notable releases. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Nvidia, AMD revenue deal brings 'monetization of US trade policy' Yahoo Finance poll: Americans face new, complex financial challenges Earnings live: stock tanks, AMC to report Debate over Fed rate cuts heats up: What to watch this week Fed's Bowman makes case for 3 interest rate cuts in 2025 Intel CEO to visit White House on Monday Citi strategists raise S&P 500 target on resilient earnings Bitcoin Nears Record as Treasury Investors Boost Crypto Market BofA poll shows record number of investors say stocks overvalued Lithium market soars as CATL shuts one of world's biggest mines Earnings: (BBAI), (MNDY), Oklo (OKLO), Plug Power (PLUG) Economic calendar: No notable releases. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Nvidia, AMD revenue deal brings 'monetization of US trade policy' Yahoo Finance poll: Americans face new, complex financial challenges Earnings live: stock tanks, AMC to report Debate over Fed rate cuts heats up: What to watch this week Fed's Bowman makes case for 3 interest rate cuts in 2025 Intel CEO to visit White House on Monday Citi strategists raise S&P 500 target on resilient earnings Bitcoin Nears Record as Treasury Investors Boost Crypto Market BofA poll shows record number of investors say stocks overvalued Lithium market soars as CATL shuts one of world's biggest mines stock tanks after the company reports earnings stock plunged aorund 20% in premarket trading on Monday after the Israeli-based software company reported earnings. In the second quarter, reported earnings of $0.03 per share and revenue of $299 million. While revenue beat analyst expectations of $293 million, GAAP profits fell short, as Wall Street was looking for $0.20 per share, per S&P Global Market Intelligence. Investors have been looking for signs that economic uncertainty is pushing companies to pull back their spending on technology and software. The company's operating loss fell to $11.6 million from $1.8 million a year ago, and the operating margin fell to negative 4% from 1% last year. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here stock plunged aorund 20% in premarket trading on Monday after the Israeli-based software company reported earnings. In the second quarter, reported earnings of $0.03 per share and revenue of $299 million. While revenue beat analyst expectations of $293 million, GAAP profits fell short, as Wall Street was looking for $0.20 per share, per S&P Global Market Intelligence. Investors have been looking for signs that economic uncertainty is pushing companies to pull back their spending on technology and software. The company's operating loss fell to $11.6 million from $1.8 million a year ago, and the operating margin fell to negative 4% from 1% last year. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here US gold futures fall as traders await clarification on tariffs US gold futures (GC=F) in New York fell 2% as traders waited for the White House to clarify its tariff policy. Last week, the US Customs and Border agency surprised the market by ruling that 100oz and 1kg gold bars would face tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US gold futures (GC=F) in New York fell 2% as traders waited for the White House to clarify its tariff policy. Last week, the US Customs and Border agency surprised the market by ruling that 100oz and 1kg gold bars would face tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Target still in the bear camp Good WSJ story this morning on Target (TGT) and its many challenges, one of them finding its next CEO. I wrote more on this a couple months ago. I would expect an abysmal quarter (another one) from Target when it reports second quarter earnings on August 20. The company is not only dealing with operational challenges, but it has totally lost the value perception battle with Walmart. I don't see these dynamics changing this year, and maybe not until deep into 2026 provided an outside CEO is brought in to run a full assessment of the business. Good WSJ story this morning on Target (TGT) and its many challenges, one of them finding its next CEO. I wrote more on this a couple months ago. I would expect an abysmal quarter (another one) from Target when it reports second quarter earnings on August 20. The company is not only dealing with operational challenges, but it has totally lost the value perception battle with Walmart. I don't see these dynamics changing this year, and maybe not until deep into 2026 provided an outside CEO is brought in to run a full assessment of the business. Bitcoin near a fresh record Bitcoin looks to be breaking out of its recent trading range, nearing a fresh record this morning. There doesn't appear to be a clear catalyst for the pop today, though this Sunday X post from bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor may have stoked the bulls. It suggests he will continue to be a buyer of bitcoin — perhaps no surprise, but the crypto market likes to be coddled. "If you don't stop buying Bitcoin, you won't stop making Money," Saylor wrote. Bitcoin looks to be breaking out of its recent trading range, nearing a fresh record this morning. There doesn't appear to be a clear catalyst for the pop today, though this Sunday X post from bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor may have stoked the bulls. It suggests he will continue to be a buyer of bitcoin — perhaps no surprise, but the crypto market likes to be coddled. "If you don't stop buying Bitcoin, you won't stop making Money," Saylor wrote. crashing Shares of (AI) are getting crushed pre-market to the tune of 30%. And the rout is 100% deserved. Late Friday the company said it sees preliminary first fiscal quarter revenue of $70.2 million to $70.4 million, about 33% below the mid-point of its prior guidance for $100 million to $109 million. Sales would be down 19% from the prior year. The adjusted operating loss will be $57.7 million to $59.9 million, roughly twice the $23.5 million to $33.5 million loss that it had expected. I don't think there is anything to read into the AI trade here — this seems very company-specific, and tied to a sales reorg. Shares of (AI) are getting crushed pre-market to the tune of 30%. And the rout is 100% deserved. Late Friday the company said it sees preliminary first fiscal quarter revenue of $70.2 million to $70.4 million, about 33% below the mid-point of its prior guidance for $100 million to $109 million. Sales would be down 19% from the prior year. The adjusted operating loss will be $57.7 million to $59.9 million, roughly twice the $23.5 million to $33.5 million loss that it had expected. I don't think there is anything to read into the AI trade here — this seems very company-specific, and tied to a sales reorg. Sign in to access your portfolio
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FACT FOCUS: Trump exaggerates, misstates facts on Washington crime
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration will take over policing the nation's capital city in what the Republican said is an effort to bring down rising crime rates in Washington, D.C. But Trump exaggerated or misstated many of the facts surrounding public safety in Washington, where the crime rate has fallen in recent years, while leaving out much of the context. Here's a closer look at the facts: Statistics rebut Trump's claims about violence crime in Washington TRUMP: 'It's getting worse, not getting better. It's getting worse.' THE FACTS: Statistics published by Washington's Metropolitan Police contradict the president and show violent crime has dropped in Washington since a post-Pandemic peak in 2023. According to the data, homicides, robberies and burglaries are down this year when compared with this time in 2024. Overall, violent crime is down 26% compared with this time a year ago. A recent Department of Justice report shows that violent crime is down 35% since 2023, returning to the previous trend of decreasing crime that puts the district's violent crime rate at its lowest in 30 years. That report shows that when compared to 2023 numbers, homicides are down 32%, armed carjackings are down 53% and assaults with a dangerous weapon are down 27%. The city's statistics have come into question, however, after authorities opened an investigation into allegations that officials altered some of the data to make it look better. But Mayor Muriel Bowser stands by the data and said Trump's portrait of lawlessness is inaccurate. 'We are not experiencing a spike in crime," Bowser said on MSNBC Sunday. "In fact, we're watching our crime numbers go down.' Murders in 2023 in Washington were high, but not the highest ever TRUMP: "Murders in 2023 reached the highest rate, probably ever. They say 25 years, but they don't know what that means because it just goes back 25 years." THE FACTS: In 2023, the District of Columbia recorded 274 murders in a city of about 700,000, its highest number in 20 years. But the city's own crime statistics from the 1970s, 80s and 90s, when the population was smaller, show much higher numbers of homicides. In 1990, for instance, the city reported 498 homicides. The next year saw 509, and 460 in 1992. Decades of statistics on crime in the city is available online. Washington murder rate compared to international capitals TRUMP: 'The murder rate in Washington today is higher than that of Bogota, Colombia, Mexico City. Some of the places that you hear about as being the worst places on Earth, much higher. This is much higher." THE FACTS: It's true, but Trump isn't telling the whole story. Washington does have a higher homicide rate than many other global cities, including some that have historically been considered unsafe by many Americans. But Trump is leaving out important context: the U.S. in general sees higher violent crime rates than many other countries. While Washington is one of America's most dangerous big cities, others have higher crime rates. Trump blames cashless bail for crime without evidence TRUMP : "This dire public safety crisis stems from a public safety crisis that is directly from the abject failures of the city's local leadership. The radical left City Council adopted no cash bail. By the way, every place in the country where you have no cash bail is a disaster." THE FACTS: Data has not determined the impact of cashless bail on crime rates. Studies, many of which focus on recidivism of defendants rather than crime rates, have shown mixed results. A 2024 report published by the Brennan Center for Justice saw 'no statistically significant relationship' between bail reform and crime rates. The nonprofit looked at crime rate data from 2015 through 2021 for 33 cities across the U.S., 22 of which had instituted some type of bail reform. Researchers used a statistical method to determine if crime rates had diverged in those with reforms and those without. Ames Grawert, the report's co-author and senior counsel in the Brennan Center's Justice Program, said this conclusion 'holds true for trends in crime overall or specifically violent crime.' Similarly, a 2023 paper published in the American Economic Journal found no evidence that cash bail helps ensure defendants will show up in court or prevents crime among those who are released while awaiting trial. 'I don't know of any valid studies corroborating the President's claim and would love to know what the Administration offers in support,' Kellen Funk, a professor at Columbia Law School who studies pretrial procedure and bail bonding, told The Associated Press in a July 25 fact check. 'In my professional judgment I'd call the claim demonstrably false and inflammatory.' The Trump administration has cited a 2022 report from the district attorney's office in Yolo County, California, that looked at how a temporary cashless bail system implemented across the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in courts and jails impacted recidivism. It found that out of 595 individuals released between April 2020 and May 2021 under this system, 70.6% were arrested again after they were released. Funk, contacted Monday, noted that Washington D.C. reformed its cash bail system in the 1990s. 'What the President is declaring to be an 'emergency' is a system that has functioned much better than cash-based bail systems for nearly thirty years now, including during the recent historic lows in reported crime in the District,' he said, adding that 'the D.C. bail system has served as a model for bipartisan bail reform efforts in New Jersey and New Mexico over the past decade.' ___ Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin in New York contributed reporting. ___ Find AP Fact Checks here:
