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Tesla adds long-time Chipotle executive Jack Hartung to board of directors

Tesla adds long-time Chipotle executive Jack Hartung to board of directors

CNBC16-05-2025

Tesla has appointed long-time Chipotle executive Jack Hartung to its board of directors, effective June 1.
As part of the board, Hartung will join Tesla's audit committee, the electric vehicle company disclosed in a filing with the SEC on Friday.
The addition comes as Tesla battles sinking EV sales and eroding profits, and concerns that CEO Elon Musk is focusing too much attention elsewhere, including in his role leading President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. The company's stock price is down 14% this year.
Musk began his company's earnings call last month by saying that his time spent running DOGE will drop "significantly" by the end of May, though he would still spend one or two days a week on his government work until the end of Trump's term.
Hartung, who was known for taking a disciplined approach to Chipotle's finances during the Covid pandemic, will expand Tesla's board to nine members. Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia was the last addition to the Tesla board in 2022.
The SEC filing on Friday noted that Hartung's son-in-law is a service technician for the EV maker.
Tesla didn't disclose details about Hartung's relationship with Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk's brother. Kimbal Musk sits on Tesla's board and served on the board of Chipotle from 2013 to 2019, during Hartung's tenure.
Hartung held a variety of roles at the fast-casual burrito chain, joining the company in 2002 and rising in ranks to become its CFO. Chipotle went public in 2006 and shares in the company are up by over 100 times since then.
On May 6, Chipotle announced Hartung would step down from his current role as president and strategy chief on June 1, and would stay on in a senior advisory role through early March of next year.
Tesla posted a statement welcoming Hartung to X, which is also owned by Musk.
Hartung serves on the boards of the Chicago street food business Portillo's, beauty and baby care products maker The Honest Company and ZocDoc, a site for booking medical appointments.
Tesla is currently preparing to launch its "retro-futuristic" diner in Los Angeles which had been in development for about 7 years.

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Gal Ben-Naim, Joshua Driskell, Jordi Pujol, and Mike Watson Share Insights on Wealth Management and Estate Planning
Gal Ben-Naim, Joshua Driskell, Jordi Pujol, and Mike Watson Share Insights on Wealth Management and Estate Planning

Los Angeles Times

time42 minutes ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Gal Ben-Naim, Joshua Driskell, Jordi Pujol, and Mike Watson Share Insights on Wealth Management and Estate Planning

The Wealth Management & Estate Planning roundtable is produced by the LA Times Studios team in conjunction with Axos Securities, LLC; IDB Bank; Lagerlof, LLP; and Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation. Ongoing market developments across multiple sectors have helped to open up new private wealth management products and services to a broader array of people and families. This, along with a surge among high-net-worth families exploring ways to better manage their finances and making plans for their estates in today's economic environment, is an indicator of just how important the wealth management process has become. To take a closer look at the latest trends, best practices and concerns across the wealth management landscape, we turned to four of the region's leading experts on the topic, who graciously weighed in for a discussion and shared insights on the state of wealth management in 2025. Q: How would you describe the current investment environment in 2025 and what do you consider to be the best investment approach in general terms? Gal Ben-Naim, Head of Private Banking Group, California, IDB Bank: The first half of this year has really been about uncertainty and volatility, and it's causing a lot of investors, even the seasoned ones, to feel nervous. We expected some economic and market transitions with an incoming administration, but I think most investors have been surprised by the extent of what we've seen – including the worst day in the stock market since COVID. While tariffs are front and center, our broader economy is really a reflection of compounding factors – geopolitical uncertainty and conflict, inconsistent messaging on inflationary trends and a softening labor market. Our team at IDB believes that healthy portfolio diversification with a focus in alternative assets that don't solely rely on market activity. While this has been an unusually complicated environment, it's given us a chance to really understand the value of our approach in minimizing downside to our clients and continue to support mid- and long-term planning. Mike Watson, Head of Securities, Axos Securities, LLC: The 2025 investment environment is defined by persistent volatility, tighter monetary policy and rapid technological disruption. In this landscape, the best approach is a disciplined, diversified strategy with a strong focus on quality assets, risk management and long-term value creation. Flexibility and a global perspective are more important than ever. Jordi Pujol, Managing Director, Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation: It's more clear we've transitioned to a post-speculation cycle. With capital no longer as cheap, investors can no longer rely on rising multiples to justify weak underwriting. In 2025, the most resilient portfolios are focused, yield-conscious and grounded in fundamental cash flow. They are not driven purely by momentum or narrative, but rather by defensible moats and process-oriented scalability. Cash yield, margin of safety and strategic defensibility have replaced passive diversification as the cornerstones of disciplined investing. Private markets have notably shifted from 'growth at any price' to 'performance at the right price.' Investors are paying less for vision and more for repeatability of outcomes. Growth stories need to be backed up by real traction, recurring processes and sustainable/scalable growth. This environment demands real-time valuation discipline and quarterly stress testing of private holdings. Think forward when modeling but underwrite like the exit is tomorrow. Backward-looking assumptions and forward-looking hype no longer suffice. Q: What are the most critical strategies high-net-worth individuals should prioritize in today's economic environment? Joshua Driskell, Managing Partner, Lagerlof, LLP: High-net-worth individuals should prioritize flexibility, tax efficiency and multigenerational planning. With inflation, interest rate fluctuations and potential changes in tax law, building a nimble structure is essential. That includes diversifying asset classes, stress-testing estate plans under higher estate or capital gains tax regimes, and taking advantage of current exemptions before they sunset. Establishing irrevocable grantor trusts, family limited partnerships and charitable vehicles can preserve wealth while achieving strategic goals. Proactive wealth transfers, such as installment sales to defective trusts or GRATs, can lock in valuation discounts and freeze estate value. Most importantly, integrate estate and investment planning with family governance to promote cohesion and legacy continuity. Pujol: In today's environment, high-net-worth individuals should prioritize three things: ownership in assets they understand, tax-efficient structures informed by valuation foresight, and optionality through enhanced liquidity. Long-term capital growth is not about chasing trends or the cliched shiny objects but about staying positioned for the right opportunities. We're seeing a move away from over-diversified portfolios toward intentional ownership, where control, structure and timing drive outcomes. This means more alternatives, a mix of private and public holdings, and tax-minimizing structures. Ownership in assets you'd fight to keep, that's the new diversification. I also like the 'cockroach' approach, which is building portfolios that survive the panoply of circumstances the world is throwing at us by selecting traditional and non-traditional asset classes, making sure that correlation is low. I also think cash yields make liquidity an asset and not a drag on returns; it's strategic capital with a clear purpose of optionality. When opportunities arise, those with dry powder and a defined investment playbook are positioned to act quickly and decisively. The most successful families today follow a clear investment policy that outlines the investment discipline before emotions take over. In this environment, structure and readiness matter more than broad diversification. Ben-Naim: It's not as simple as building your wealth across stocks, bonds and cash anymore. In the past seven to 10 years, we've helped many of our clients increase their alternative asset exposure – ranging from equity and debt investment in commercial real estate, direct lending and hedge funds – from 5% to about 20%, with very positive results due to the less volatile and emotions-driven public market. Our current cycle has also highlighted the importance of hedging strategies. Investors should work closely with their advisors to identify safeguards on the equity market as well as private market entry points that will create protections on the downside, while maintaining participation on the upside. We've seen very positive outcomes as a result of these strategies. Many of our clients who have been allocating funds to private markets have been largely shielded from the recent volatility. Now, they are even taking steps to allocate more funds into these verticals. Q: How should investors rebalance their portfolios in response to shifting interest rates and market volatility? Watson: In today's dynamic environment, rebalancing decisions should be made with a clear understanding of how shifting interest rates and market volatility affect different asset classes. Rather than attempting to time the market or make reactive moves, investors should work closely with a qualified investment advisor who can assess their overall investment time horizon, risk profile and long-term goals. An advisor can provide guidance on when and how to adjust asset allocations, evaluate the impact of interest rate changes on fixed income and equity risk and returns, and implement a disciplined, tax-efficient rebalancing approach. With full visibility into an investor's financial profile, an advisor is able to provide holistic guidance. Professional oversight ensures that adjustments are strategic, not emotional, and aligned with broader financial objectives. Q: What planning opportunities exist when a trust changes from a grantor trust to a non-grantor trust? Driskell: When a trust converts from grantor to non-grantor status – often due to a death or other triggering event – it opens both risks and planning opportunities. Income tax liability shifts from the grantor to the trust itself or its beneficiaries. Advisors should evaluate whether the trust will accumulate or distribute income to manage compressed trust tax brackets. Capital gain planning becomes especially important. Trustees may consider investing in tax-efficient assets or making distributions to lower-bracket beneficiaries. Basis tracking must be updated, especially for assets with low carryover basis. In some cases, trust modification, decanting or converting to an incomplete non-grantor (ING) trust may optimize results. Coordinating with CPAs and estate counsel at the transition point is essential for tax and fiduciary compliance. Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes you see individuals make when managing their wealth, and how can they avoid them? Watson: There are a number of common mistakes. One is the lack of having a long-term plan and clear strategy. The solution for this is to develop a comprehensive financial plan, revisited regularly, aligned with your life goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Another mistake we see is emotional decision-making. This can be avoided by staying disciplined, relying on objective advice and using a rules-based rebalancing strategy to manage volatility. Neglecting tax efficiency is a mistake that can be avoided by optimizing asset location, using tax-deferred accounts, harvesting losses strategically and engaging in proactive estate planning. Another misstep is over-concentration in a single asset or sector. Investors should diversify across asset classes, industries and geographies to reduce risk. Another mistake to avoid is failing to plan for liquidity needs. It is important to maintain a liquidity buffer for emergencies, major purchases or investment opportunities. Finally, another of the biggest mistakes we see is when people ignore succession and estate planning. It is always good to engage advisors early to create trusts, wills and governance structures that reflect your values and intentions. Avoiding these pitfalls requires proactive planning, trusted advice and the discipline to think generationally, not just transactionally. Q: How do you advise clients to balance risk and reward when pursuing long-term growth? Ben-Naim: In my experience, more than 80% of portfolio performance comes from asset allocation. The other 20% comes from the strategic selection of managers. These should be top-tier professionals and sponsors who have long-demonstrated success. Your advisor should not only provide guidance on the makeup of your portfolio but also serve as a reliable conduit, connecting you to well-vetted sponsors – hedge funds, private equity firms and other alternative investment opportunities that can provide buffers in downcycles, participation in bull markets and demonstrate confident returns in five-to-seven-year cycle. For us at IDB, this network of sponsors and managers is of critical importance. We've found that our clients respond incredibly well to our ongoing introductions to high-performance opportunities from both our broker-dealer partner IDB Capital, our joint venture IDB Lido Wealth and outside partners. Pujol: Don't chase high risk, high reward; engineer low risk, high conviction through long-term thinking. At Objective, we believe true risk isn't just about market volatility, it's often about overpaying for uncertain outcomes or fads. Long-term growth starts with disciplined entry and should correlate with what you want to own five years down the line. Valuation at entry isn't just for compliance, it's the defense and roadmap for future position adjustments. We often guide clients to model three – cases, low, base and high – because if you only plan for the base case, you've handicapped your understanding of potential outcomes. The best investors price in imperfection, protect capital on the downside and let time handle the compounding on positive trends. In private markets, we also help clients structure investments with asymmetric outcomes, where a 1× downside supports a 3× upside. That can include preference stacks, convertibility on notes and milestone upside through derivatives like warrants. We always model worst-case cash burn first; if it still makes sense at the bottom, everything else is upside. Valuation is your testing ground. Use it to see clearly and act with conviction. Q: What role does philanthropy play in wealth management today, especially among younger affluent clients? Watson: Philanthropy plays a significant role in wealth management today, especially among younger affluent clients who increasingly seek to align their wealth with their values. Tools like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), Trust Accounts and strategic charitable giving offer flexible and tax-efficient ways to support causes they care about. These options allow clients to create lasting impact while maintaining control over their giving strategy, making philanthropy a key part of their overall financial and legacy planning. Q: What are the latest trends in estate planning that individuals and families should be aware of? Driskell: Several emerging trends are reshaping estate planning. First, many families are accelerating wealth transfers ahead of the 2026 estate tax exemption sunset. Tools like SLATs, IDGTs and GRATs are increasingly popular for capturing today's favorable tax climate. Second, planners are focused on trust design that balances asset protection with beneficiary flexibility, including directed trusts and decanting statutes. Third, digital assets – from crypto to intellectual property – require new planning considerations. Finally, estate plans increasingly incorporate non-tax goals, such as family harmony, stewardship and values-based legacy planning. Tailored education and engagement for the next generation is also a growing priority to reduce conflict and enhance readiness for wealth transfer. Q: What estate planning tools are most effective for minimizing tax burdens across generations? Pujol: Standard structuring tools still work, but their true power lies in how and when they're used. For example, gifting pre-appreciated assets during downturns or before liquidity events allows wealth to grow outside the estate at a compressed tax cost. Planning with discount studies for minority positioning can allow you to apply discounts for lack of marketability and control, reducing the taxable value of gifted interests while preserving real economic value. Certain traditional trust structures, including those based on annuity techniques, remain effective planning tools. Their impact can be significantly enhanced by aligning transfers with existing tax benefits, such as Qualified Small Business Stock treatment. When minority interests are gifted at trough valuations and supported by appropriate discounts for lack of marketability and/or control, substantial equity can be shifted into tax-efficient vehicles at reduced reported values. Capture step-ups early may save IRS bills later. This clearly shows compliance valuation is not just part of the plan, it's a real economic multiplier. With early planning, millions in future value can be transferred before massive tax consequences. Driskell: Irrevocable trusts are a cornerstone of multigenerational tax planning. Grantor trusts, such as Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs), allow parents to sell appreciating assets without triggering income tax, removing future growth from the estate. Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) offer access to income while locking in the current exemption amount. Generation-skipping trusts minimize estate tax exposure across multiple generations. Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs) and Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) are useful for freezing asset values. Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and valuation discounts further enhance tax efficiency. Coordinating these strategies with lifetime gifts and charitable giving can significantly reduce long-term tax burdens. Q: In what ways should wealth managers prepare clients for potential ripple effects from trade restrictions between major economies? Watson: Wealth managers should prepare clients for potential ripple effects from trade restrictions by helping them assess and adjust their portfolios to mitigate risk. First, they should review global diversification to ensure clients are not overly exposed to any single economy, industry or region, especially those directly impacted by trade restrictions and geopolitical crises. This may involve shifting exposure from vulnerable sectors or countries to more resilient ones. They should also consider incorporating alternative assets that may offer protection in times of geopolitical instability, such as commodities or real assets. Additionally, wealth managers can guide clients on cash flow management and ensure liquidity needs are met, as trade restrictions could lead to economic slowdowns or disruptions in supply chains. Lastly, they should help clients stay informed and proactive, adjusting investment strategies in response to evolving trade dynamics and market conditions. Q: What unique considerations should business owners factor into their estate and succession plans? Pujol: Succession isn't a single event, it's a system that needs to be built, maintained and regularly tested. Business owners and family heads should structure continuity plans with updated valuations, clearly defined buy-sell mechanisms, and governance that depends less on future intentions or personalities and more on thoughtful planning. Uncertainty is one of the biggest threats to enterprise value. If business plans aren't baked into legal documents, the business is exposed to potential family disputes, tax inefficiencies and legal ambiguity. Transfers are also easier when numbers have been agreed to in advance. Plan as if you'll leave tomorrow and revisit that plan at least once a year. More families are treating succession planning like an annual checkup. During year-end valuation work, they run liquidation or 'liquidity fire-drill' scenarios to spot issues and test their transition plans. Some are also using structures to manage control and distributions effectively across family members more dynamically. Like outdated software, if a succession plan isn't reviewed and updated regularly, it's more likely to break when you need it most. Driskell: Business owners face unique risks and opportunities in estate planning. Key considerations include ensuring continuity of control, managing valuation and liquidity issues, and minimizing transfer tax liability. Proper use of buy-sell agreements, voting and non-voting share structures, and family-limited partnerships helps preserve operations while transferring economic value. Owners should explore gifting or selling interests to irrevocable trusts while leveraging valuation discounts. Planning for management succession is equally vital – aligning legal structure with leadership readiness. Owners often underestimate the need to separate governance from ownership. Coordinating business succession with estate liquidity planning (via insurance or redemption strategies) ensures family and business stability. Q: What defensive investment strategies are you recommending in light of the geopolitical instability and trade disputes? Ben-Naim: We consistently review our clients' allocations and advise on defensive strategies that can help ensure a buttoned-up portfolio. These strategies can range from diversifying asset classes to withstand major public market fluctuations, tax incentive investing and hedging. When considering geopolitical instability, our diversification philosophy is much the same. Now is an opportunity to really consider your geographic exposures and to look to consistently performing and emerging markets outside of the U.S. to realize opportunities. Of course, not all markets are winners and investing in a new region requires vetting, oftentimes with boots on the ground. But with careful research, you can make intelligent entry points. For example, despite the war, Israel proved to have a very strong public market in the past 18 months. Other markets, including India and Vietnam, are expected to perform with higher GDP growth compared to the U.S. and present an exciting outlook. Q: How do you see AI and automation impacting wealth management in the next 5-10 years? Pujol: AI is beginning to reshape wealth management, but it's not a replacement for advisors, it's another tool in the toolbox. Used well, it can accelerate diligence, surface outliers, stress test assumptions and generate models in seconds. But the truth is clients don't need more spreadsheets; they need clarity, context and judgment. All this comes from the human touch and experience. The advisors who will lead in the next decade are those who treat AI like an enhancement of their own skills, not like a replacement. At Objective, we use AI to flag inconsistencies, improve our communication and stress test our thinking. Then we bring in the human element to synthesize, challenge and advise. AI can compute outcomes, but it's useless without an experienced human interpreter. In the end, it's not about replacing insight, it's about removing noise so advisors can focus on the decisions that actually matter. AI enhances great advisors, but it will never make poor ones great. Watson: AI and automation are set to significantly impact wealth management in the next 5-10 years, likely accelerating the commoditization of basic advisory services. As technology advances, routine tasks such as portfolio rebalancing, tax optimization and risk assessment will become increasingly automated, making them more accessible and efficient at a lower cost. This will force traditional wealth advisors to rethink their value proposition, as many investment-related services will be handled by AI-driven platforms. To remain competitive, advisors will need to expand their offerings beyond just investments, focusing more on personalized financial planning, estate and tax strategies, and holistic wealth management. By integrating AI and automation into their practice, wealth managers can enhance their operational efficiency, but to truly differentiate themselves, they will need to provide high-touch, value-added services that help clients navigate complex financial decisions and life transitions. Q: How can advisors better engage younger generations in the wealth transfer conversation to avoid conflict and ensure legacy continuity? Pujol: If you want heirs to act like stewards instead of recipients, don't just write a will, start a conversation. The earlier families involve younger generations, the more likely wealth becomes a tool for continuity. We've seen families use business valuations, portfolio reviews and cash flow summaries to bring clarity to the 'why' behind the wealth and to tell the full story to their heirs. These tools take emotion out of the equation and turn complex financial decisions into documented, teachable moments. A detailed valuation can start the conversation a trust document cannot. One strategy that works well is forming a Family Investment Committee before the age of 18. You can even give heirs mock capital, or even small portfolios, and let them pitch investments quarterly, benchmarking their results against the real portfolio. Valuation reports and shared KPIs can turn wealth into something they understand and feel responsible for. The more context you provide while living, the fewer misunderstandings arise after you're gone. Driskell: Engaging younger generations early promotes transparency, reduces conflict and builds legacy alignment. Advisors should encourage family meetings to share the purpose behind planning decisions, including family values and long-term goals. Incorporating educational components – like basic financial literacy, investment principles and trust mechanics – empowers beneficiaries and fosters stewardship. Structuring trusts to provide phased access, beneficiary-directed investment input or co-trustee roles can build confidence and responsibility. Additionally, encouraging philanthropy and impact investing can bridge generational gaps. Above all, advisors must create space for open dialogue, ensuring younger family members feel heard and respected. This relational foundation is often more critical than the legal structures themselves. Watson: Advisors can better engage younger generations in the wealth transfer conversation by fostering early, inclusive and values-driven dialogue within families. Rather than treating wealth as a taboo or distant topic, advisors should encourage clients to involve heirs in strategic conversations about family values, financial goals and the purpose behind the wealth. This helps build trust, reduce the risk of conflict and ensures that the next generation feels informed and empowered rather than surprised or unprepared. Advisors can also offer educational resources and facilitate family meetings to bridge knowledge gaps and align expectations. By acting as neutral facilitators and emphasizing transparency, advisors play a key role in preserving both family harmony and the long-term continuity of the legacy. Q: For those concerned that their heirs might abuse their inheritance, what trust strategies are there? Driskell: Discretionary trusts with independent trustees remain a powerful tool to prevent misuse of inherited wealth. These trusts allow the trustee to make distributions based on the beneficiary's needs rather than mandatory rights. Incentive provisions can be included to reward education, employment or sobriety. Spendthrift clauses protect trust assets from creditors and poor financial decisions. Advisors may recommend staggered distributions or milestone triggers to gradually release funds. For families with ongoing concerns, directed trusts or trust protectors can provide oversight and flexibility. Ultimately, thoughtful drafting and selecting a fiduciary who understands family dynamics are key to protecting both wealth and relationships. Q: As a trusted advisor, what advice can you share for longer-term portfolio asset allocation? Ben-Naim: Now more than ever, high-net-worth investors have access to more asset classes, opportunities and strategies. While this is exciting, it's important to understand the implications of your holdings and to allocate your portfolio in a way that will withstand external fluctuations. It can be nearly impossible to understand the implications of your full portfolio holdings and how they may fluctuate throughout a market cycle or in response to a macroeconomic, geopolitical or industry event. I strongly recommend working with an advisor with a fiduciary responsible to you and your best interests, as well as intimate working knowledge of your profile, family, businesses and interests in order to create the right plan. The right financial advisor will not only know and understand you and your allocations but will also prioritize consultancy and communication to ensure holistic success.

High-ranking Tesla executive departs after decade-long run at the company: 'It's hard to put into words'
High-ranking Tesla executive departs after decade-long run at the company: 'It's hard to put into words'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

High-ranking Tesla executive departs after decade-long run at the company: 'It's hard to put into words'

Another longtime high-ranking Tesla employee has left the company. Mark Westfall, who led a team of 50 engineers working on energy products, announced in April that he had left Tesla, Electrek reported. He worked on such projects as Supercharger, Powerwall, and Megapack. Westfall had worked at the electric vehicle pioneer for 10 years. "It's hard to put into words what Tesla has meant to me," Westfall wrote on LinkedIn. "I never imagined the places this job would take me, or the impact I would be able to have." According to Electrek, Westfall left to become director of engineering at Redwood Materials, which itself has many ties to Tesla. The company buys scrap materials from Tesla's battery-manufacturing process, which it then recycles to create new battery materials. Tesla co-founder and board member JB Straubel founded Redwood, and several of its executives are former Tesla employees. Westfall became the latest high-ranking employee to leave Tesla so far in 2025. It has also said goodbye to the head of its Indian market, a vice president of software engineering, the technical program manager for its Cortex supercomputer, and two of its top automotive designers. This mass departure of talent comes at a time when Tesla's business has been slipping. The company's 2025 first-quarter sales numbers are down globally, and its net income dropped 71% from Q1 2024. Overall, however, EV sales continue to grow as more people discover the environmental and economic benefits of switching to an EV. Although some models cost more up front than their gas-powered counterparts, EVs typically have much lower maintenance costs and don't require regular, costly fill-ups. The ownership costs can come down even more when an owner pairs their EV with solar panels, which allow EV drivers to rely less on public charging stations and avoid reliance on the grid for recharging at home. Those interested in solar can save up to $10,000 on installation costs by using EnergySage's free service to compare local, vetted installers. What do you think of Tesla and Elon Musk? Elon is the man Love the company; hate the CEO I'm not a fan of either I don't have an opinion Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Asian shares rally ahead of US-China trade talks
Asian shares rally ahead of US-China trade talks

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

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Asian shares rally ahead of US-China trade talks

HONG KONG (AP) — Shares rose in Asia on Monday ahead of the second round of trade talks between Washington and Beijing, due later in the day in London. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained 1.1% to 38,137.09 as the government reported that the Japanese economy contracted by 0.2% in the January-March quarter. In South Korea, the Kospi added 1.9% to 2,865.52. Chinese markets rose even though the government reported that exports slowed in May, growing 4.8% from a year earlier after a jump of more than 8% in April. Exports to the United States fell nearly 10% compared with a year earlier. China also reported that consumer prices fell 0.1% in May from a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month of deflation. Hong Kong's Hang Seng picked up 1.4% to 24,119.64 while the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.4% to 3,397.13. Australia's market was closed for a public holiday. On Friday, stocks gained ground on Wall Street following a better-than-expected report on the U.S. job market. The gains were broad, with every sector in the S&P 500 rising. That solidified a second consecutive winning week for the benchmark index, which has rallied back from a slump two months ago to come within striking distance of its record high. The S&P 500 rose 1% to 6,000.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1% to 42,762.87 while the Nasdaq gained 1.2%, to 19,529.95. Technology stocks, with their outsized values, led the broad gains. Chipmaker Nvidia jumped 1.2% and iPhone maker Apple rose 1.6%. Tesla rose 3.7%, regaining some of the big losses it suffered on Thursday when Trump and Musk sparred feverishly on social media. Circle Internet Group, the U.S.-based issuer of one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, rose 29.4%. That adds to its 168% gain from Thursday when it debuted on the New York Stock Exchange. U.S. employers slowed their hiring last month, but still added a solid 139,000 jobs amid uncertainty over President Donald Trump's trade war. The closely watched monthly update reaffirmed that the job market remains resilient, despite worries from businesses and consumers about the impact of tariffs on goods going to and coming from the U.S. and its most important trading partners. President Donald Trump's on-again-off-again tariffs continue to weigh on companies. Lululemon Athletica plunged 19.8% after the maker of yoga clothing cut its profit expectations late Thursday as it tries to offset the impact of tariffs while being buffeted by competition from start-up brands. Lululemon joins a wide range of companies, from retailers to airlines, that have warned investors about the potential hit to their revenue and profits because of tariffs raising costs and consumers potentially tightening their spending. Hopes that Trump will lower his tariffs after reaching trade deals with other countries are a main reason the S&P 500 has rallied back so furiously since dropping roughly 20% two months ago from an all-time high. The economy is absorbing the impact from tariffs on a wide range of goods from key trading partners, along with raw materials such as steel. Heavier tariffs could hit businesses and consumers in the coming months. The U.S. economy contracted during the first quarter. Recent surveys by the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, found that both American manufacturing and services businesses contracted last month. On Tuesday, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forecast 1.6% growth for the U.S. economy this year, down from 2.8% last year. The uncertainty over tariffs and their economic impact has put the Federal Reserve in a delicate position. In other trading early Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 3 cents to $64.55 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gave up 5 cents to $66.42 per barrel. The U.S. dollar retreated to 144.42 Japanese yen from 144.85 yen. The euro edged higher, to $1.1422 from $1.1399.

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