
Bloomberg Technology: Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs on Apple
Bloomberg's Caroline Hyde discusses President Trump's threat to place a 25% tariff on Apple if it doesn't move iPhone production to the U.S. Plus, Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera and AI investor, discusses the skills shortage in advanced manufacturing that makes building iPhones and other tech in the US difficult. And the IPO market begins to heat up, spurring hope for tech startups and their investors.

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Entrepreneur
37 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Self-Made Success
His name carries weight not just in business circles, but also within the walls of public service departments, corporate boardrooms, and humanitarian organizations across the country. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In the heart of America's industrial, civic, and philanthropic landscapes stands Michael Benner—a man whose journey from hands-on law enforcement supplier to nationally recognized entrepreneur speaks volumes of perseverance, patriotism, and purposeful innovation. His name carries weight not just in business circles but also within the walls of public service departments, corporate boardrooms, and humanitarian organizations across the country. The Man Who Rebuilt Stewart Warner One of the most transformative chapters of Benner's life began with Stewart Warner Instruments—a company whose legacy dated back to Henry Ford's early automobile models. In the 1990s, the historic firm faced a steep decline under foreign ownership. With unwavering resolve, Benner and a small team of executives orchestrated a daring management buyout. They mortgaged homes, liquidated personal assets, and secured a $9 million credit line to reclaim the company and its heritage. Under Benner's leadership, Stewart Warner's on-time delivery rates surged from under 50% to over 90%, and backlogged orders were reduced from $2.1 million to just $100,000. The company also earned ISO 9001 certification, joining an elite class of global manufacturers recognized for quality in design and production. Through improved processes, better control of inventory, and decisive action, Benner led the firm back to profitability, preserving a brand that had once equipped Henry Ford's earliest automobiles. At the Forefront of Law Enforcement Innovation Benner's commitment to public service began even earlier, with the founding of Constable Equipment Company. He was a trailblazer in supplying cutting-edge radar systems and safety gear, including thousands of custom-fitted soft body armor vests to police departments across the country. His hands-on engagement—from training officers to attending national security conferences—earned him commendations from the FBI, the Missouri Chiefs of Police, and departments from Chicago to El Paso. Chicago's Police Department, under the leadership of Mayor Jane Byrne and Superintendent Richard Brezeczek, honored Benner with an autographed Jim Beam commemorative decanter with a message of appreciation for his personal efforts inscribed on the roof. His contributions were pivotal in securing over 13,000 body armor vests for officers—an effort that helped modernize safety standards in a rapidly evolving world. Giving with a Heart Full of Purpose Following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Katrina, Benner again rose to the occasion—not in uniform or business attire, but as a citizen and philanthropist. He and his wife Kathy, donated an astonishing $517,817 to the American Red Cross of Central Florida in early 2006. Their gift directly aided over 2,000 displaced individuals and drew personal letters of appreciation from Red Cross leadership. This was no isolated act of generosity. The Benners' gift was one of the largest individual donations received during that time. So valued was their contribution that Red Cross leaders extended invitations to strategic planning meetings, hoping to gain from the couple's wisdom, vision, and community-first values. Their generosity became a beacon of hope amid disaster. A Pioneer of Purposeful Retirement What makes Michael Benner's story uniquely compelling is not just what he built—but how and when he chose to step back. At the age of 50, after decades of relentless drive, Benner made the bold decision to withdraw from daily operations. Inspired by his family's history of health challenges, he opted to prioritize quality time with his grandchildren, manage his personal investments, and nurture the properties he had acquired across Illinois, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona. "I wanted to have as much quality time as possible before dealing with serious health issues," Benner once said. And his foresight proved true. His decision gave him more than 25 years of active, fulfilling life before facing a series of health issues in recent years, including bypass surgery and the onset of Myasthenia Gravis. His retirement was not retreat—it was a redirection. He managed income properties, stayed connected to civic efforts, and laid the foundation for a legacy that would inspire future entrepreneurs to value life as much as labor. A Living Legacy From a boy selling newspapers on Chicago's South Side to a CEO negotiating international operations, Michael Benner's journey is one of grit, grace, and gravitas. His story is one of few that can weave together frontline public safety, historic industrial turnaround, large-scale philanthropy, and personal transformation into a seamless narrative of the American spirit. Today, his name is not only tied to iconic brands and civic honors—it is etched in the lives of the officers he helped protect, the families he helped shelter, and the employees whose futures he fought to secure. Benner isn't just an author, a businessman, or a donor. He's a legacy-builder. And in that role, he continues to write the story of a life well-lived and a future yet to be defined.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Indian manufacturing growth eases to 3-month low in May, PMI shows
BENGALURU (Reuters) - India's manufacturing growth slowed to a three-month low in May as demand softened amid price pressures and geopolitical tensions but job creation hit a record high, a survey showed on Monday. Solid manufacturing growth has helped India's economy outperform its major peers. Asia's third-largest economy grew 7.4% last quarter from a year earlier, the fastest expansion since early 2024 and much quicker than a Reuters poll median estimate of 6.7%. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, fell to 57.6 in May from 58.2 in April, lower than a preliminary estimate of 58.3, but still well above the 50.0 level that separates growth from contraction. "India's May manufacturing PMI signalled another month of robust growth in the sector, although the rate of expansion in output and new orders eased from the previous month," said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC. The expansion in new orders - a key gauge of demand - eased to a three-month low but remained historically strong, supported by healthy domestic consumption and international sales. Output growth decelerated to its weakest pace since February, though manufacturers maintained positive sentiment about the year ahead. Job creation was one major bright spot, with manufacturers increasing hiring at the fastest pace in the survey's history, with permanent positions being created more frequently than temporary roles. "The acceleration in employment growth to a new peak is certainly a positive development," Bhandari said. Cost pressures intensified during May, with input price inflation climbing to a six-month high. Manufacturers passed these costs on to customers, with output price inflation among the highest in over 11 years. Growing price pressures could complicate monetary policy decisions for the Reserve Bank of India, which has already cut its key repo rate by a cumulative 50 basis points this year as overall inflation remains below the RBI's 4.0% target. The central bank is expected to cut interest rates on June 6 for a third consecutive meeting and once more in August, a Reuters poll showed last week. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Evolution of the CFO: From Financial Steward to Strategic Visionary
Change is afoot, but that's a good thing Gone are the days when CFOs merely managed balance sheets and ensured fiscal discipline. Today's CFO is a dynamic strategist at the heart of shaping business direction and fueling growth. Beyond budget oversight they are architects of financial resilience: securing resources for talent acquisition, technological advancements, supply chain stability and innovation. To thrive in this new reality, CFOs are obliged to seamlessly balance ongoing financial health with long-term value creation. Their mission includes inspiring confidence among shareholders, proving to them that their investments will flourish, while simultaneously demonstrating the ability to uphold commitments to financial institutions. Achieving these objectives demands real-time financial intelligence and a well-integrated ecosystem of technology, collaborative teams and agile processes. These pursuits also mean that Finance can no longer operate in isolation. Growth depends on collaboration, integration and agility to respond to complexity. Companies are only as strong as their weakest link, and the CFO must ensure that the entire value chain — not just individual components — drives competitive advantage. Strategic planning, a focus on digital transformation, ESG initiatives and prudent M&A activities are now all within their remit. The CFO's mission is clear: Stay adaptive, break down silos and secure the financial foundation for sustainable success. The Office of the CFO: A symphony of strategic functions Since a CFO does not operate in isolation, the Office of the CFO is more than a designation — it is an interconnected framework of specialised teams and functions that collectively support financial leadership. While fundamental finance operations such as Procurement, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable remain vital, the CFO's broadened responsibilities now demand deeper alignment with IT, Legal, Supply Chain, Customer Service departments and beyond. Especially when it comes to the tech strategy of a company, 84% of CFOs surveyed say that they are going to become more involved in these kinds of decisions.1 These aren't fragmented departments; they are critical components of an integrated effort to enhance efficiency, optimise profitability and build a sustainable and competitive advantage. Financial leadership today transcends numbers. It's an intricate dance of collaboration, foresight and execution that shapes a company's future. Elevating insights & impacts with the right tech stack This Office of the CFO requires unparalleled visibility into the organisation's financial and operational landscape. Advanced technology is the backbone of this transformation, and enables real-time decision-making, meticulous forecasting, accurate predictive analytics and all-encompassing risk management. While hesitation toward emerging fintech remains, not least due to very real risks, comprehensive suite-based platforms can provide a secure and streamlined alternative by resolving concerns of system complexity and vulnerability, all while enhancing strategic agility. And as with all realms of technology, AI is making its way into fintech as well. It redefines what financial leadership means by providing CFOs with the ability to make smarter, faster and more data-driven decisions. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI identifies patterns within vast datasets and uncovers actionable insights that propel growth and mitigate risk. AI revolutionises forecasting by enhancing accuracy through the synthesis of financial and non-financial data. In working capital management, it empowers teams to optimise cashflow, which can ensure liquidity with unparalleled precision. Merger and acquisition activities are supported by AI capabilities that accelerate due diligence by efficiently interpreting complex financial documents and thereby enabling streamlined decision-making. Another example is contract management, where AI can detect critical clauses or risks, which in turn results in simplified negotiations and reduces legal exposure. Yet, AI is not a substitute for human expertise. Its true strength lies in augmenting Finance teams by automating routine processes and improving data integrity. It provides humans with mental and temporal space to focus on strategic innovation, resulting in a formidable force that drives efficiency, agility and transformative growth. By embracing this synergy, the Office of the CFO can unlock new opportunities and reshape, future-proof the entire business. 1. 'The CFO's Changing Role: 5 Data Points from the 2023 CFO Outlook Survey', CFO Magazine, Feb. 3, 2023