Latest news with #Dialog
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Secretive, Peter Thiel-Founded ‘Tech Bilderberg' Group Is Moving Up in the World
A secretive group founded by Palantir mogul Peter Thiel is planning to expand its influence in Washington, D.C., according to a report from Axios. The group, called Dialog, wants to establish a permanent physical campus in the capital, where it can carry on its invite-only meetings involving major power players. Working off information provided by a source with knowledge of the group's activities, Axios claims that Dialog—which it says is 'often compared to a tech-era Bilderberg'—has plans for a 'major expansion' that includes the new physical hub in D.C. It reports: Dialog leaders are in active discussions to buy a physical venue in Virginia, just outside Washington, to serve as a permanent hub for its off-the-record meetings, the tipster says. The decision to buy land, then build, within commuting distance of the capital shows the group isn't just kissing President Trump's ring, but plans to be engaged in Washington long after this term. As you might expect, there's not a whole lot of information available about Dialog or what it's all about. Online descriptions make it sound like a pared-down, less transparent, Intellectual Dark Web-tinged version of Davos—where well-connected folks sit around and discuss naughty ideas that the American peasantry just wouldn't get. Axios writes that a source invited to participate in the event described it as 'offering global elites the chance to talk candidly across ideological lines, away from their phones and the pressures of social media, the news media, and their stakeholders.' Simone Collins, one half of that notorious pronatalist couple that had an unfortunate media glow-up a while back, previously worked as the managing director of the group. A website that appears to belong to Dialog lends itself to the group's secretive vibe. There is pretty much nothing on the site except an email address and the tagline: 'leaders join Dialog to discuss topics off-the-record.' We used that email to ask about the group's plans. Gizmodo also reached out to Thiel via Palantir. The rich and powerful have always used exclusive, secretive clubs to advance their own agendas, so it definitely tracks that the newest band of tech oligarchs would want their own forum from which to plot world domination, or whatever it is that they're plotting. The group's founder, Thiel, is a major player in business, tech, and politics, and has flitted in and out of the spheres of influence connected to the current administration. Many of his associates and friends currently have positions in the government, and Palantir continues to work for the Trump White House while making money hand over fist. Dialog was also founded by Auren Hoffman, another tech bigwig and angel investor. It's unclear how Dialog matches up in terms of 'coolness' to other secretive groups. Yale's Skull and Bones Society (also known as the 'Brotherhood of Death'), where multiple presidents have been members, and Prescott Bush, according to legend, helped steal Geronimo's skull, obviously ranks pretty high. Then there's the Bohemian Grove, the weird California retreat where powerful dudes get together to pee in the woods, wear ceremonial robes, and reportedly worship a giant owl statue. Your mileage may vary on how cool (or not) that is. The Bilderberg Group itself, while ominous, has always just seemed like a boring, albeit nefarious, business meeting, where the world's leaders get together to discuss how best to keep the globe's winners winning. Given that Dialog is staffed by a cadre of professional nerds, it seems unlikely that it's particularly cool—but there's no way to tell.
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Scoop: Dialog, a secretive forum, plans D.C.-area campus
Dialog — a secretive, invite-only network founded two decades ago by Peter Thiel and Auren Hoffman, the star investors and entrepreneurs — is preparing a major expansion, including a real estate purchase to build a campus in the D.C. suburbs, a source familiar with the group's plans tells Axios. Why it matters: Dialog, often compared to a tech-era Bilderberg, has quietly become one of the most elite, and mysterious, gatherings for CEOs, elected officials, and intellectual heavyweights. Dialog leaders are in active discussions to buy a physical venue in Virginia, just outside Washington, to serve as a permanent hub for its off-the-record meetings, the source says. The decision to buy land, then build, within commuting distance of the capital shows the group isn't just kissing President Trump's ring, but plans to be engaged in Washington long after this term. A source invited to participate in Dialog said that amid "rising demand for quieter reflection in an always-on world, Dialog bills itself as offering global elites the chance to talk candidly across ideological lines, away from their phones and the pressures of social media, the news media, and their stakeholders." "Given declining trust in institutions and anti-establishment fervor," this source added, "the group actively keeps its inner workings secretive and hidden from public scrutiny," the source said — adding that the group's "secretive nature allows participants to share controversial and concerning ideas that they would not be comfortable sharing elsewhere." Zoom in: The next flagship Dialog gathering will be in the spring. Smaller retreats are planned sooner, including one in the Middle East this fall. The group is also in talks to acquire at least one smaller, like-minded membership organization "to scale its reach into additional elite circles," the source said. The backstory: Past Dialog participants, who cut across a wide swath of elite influencers, include Elon Musk, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Larry Summers, Chamath Palihapitiya, Henry Kravis, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), Eric Schmidt, Grover Norquist, Anne-Marie Slaughter, Robert Hur and Sophia Bush. Also, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jared Kushner, Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Reema Al-Saud, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, European Commission Vice Chair Kaja Kalla s, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, chess champ and activist Garry Kasparov, pastor and author Rick Warren and CFR president emeritus Richard Haass. The intrigue: Dialog has no public-facing website and avoids media coverage — it has never publicly shared a list of participants The off-the-record events, typically limited to 100 guests, have been held at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Arizona and the San Clemente Palace Venice, among other exclusive and secluded sites. Past participants tell Axios the retreats feature small, moderated conversations with assigned seats and absolute confidentiality, "to ensure participants can challenge themselves intellectually and spiritually," as our source put it. A given session could have the likes of Reid Hoffman, Ted Cruz, Jared Polis, Lori Gottlieb, and Eric Schmidt discussing AI's energy demands, the future of health care, and political realignments. Other topics have included caring for aging parents, love, mental health and the afterlife.
New Straits Times
03-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dialog's earnings stay steady amid strong storage demand
KUALA LUMPUR: Dialog Group Bhd's earnings remain stable, supported by improved occupancy and spot rates at its independent tank terminals, driven by sustained regional demand for storage. Kenanga Research said the completion of legacy engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contracts, which had been affected by cost escalations, should pave the way for at least a breakeven performance in the coming quarters. "For now, we believe the market's expectations are sufficiently conservative, and there remains upside potential in its medium-term earnings outlook. "That aside, the anticipated upturn in plant maintenance and turnaround activities in downstream Malaysia from financial year 2026 (FY26) could benefit its core plant maintenance segment," it added. Kenanga Research said Dialog's recent joint venture, which includes a US$330 million terminal usage agreement tied to the Pengerang Biorefinery project, was a positive surprise, as no additional capacity expansion beyond previously announced plans had been factored in. However, it said the internal rate of return (IRR) is expected to be lower at 9.5 per cent, compared to 11–13 per cent for earlier projects. "This could partly be due to a higher capex-to-capacity ratio of RM5,217 per cubic metre, versus RM4,846 per cubic metre for Pengerang Terminals 2, which has a capacity of 1.3 million cubic metres," it added. Based on a weighted average cost of capital of 6.3 per cent, Kenanga Research estimates a discounted cash flow valuation accretion of RM0.02 per share, while the annual earnings contribution is projected at RM16 million, or four per cent of its FY25 forecast. Notably, it said the project is environmental, social and governance-aligned, serving as a storage hub for sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogenated vegetable oil and bionaphtha. Kenanga Research has maintained an "Outperform" call on Dialog, with a target price of RM1.96. The firm continues to favour Dialog due to the ongoing margin recovery in its plant maintenance, EPCC and specialist product businesses.
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dialog JV inks US$330mil terminal usage deal with Pengerang Biorefinery
KUALA LUMPUR: Dialog Group Bhd's 25 per cent indirectly owned joint venture, Pengerang Terminals (Two) Sdn Bhd (PT2), has signed a terminal usage agreement with Pengerang Biorefinery Sdn Bhd. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, Dialog said the agreement will enable PT2 to provide storage and handling facilities for Pengerang Biorefinery's feedstocks and products. The agreement, signed on July 29, involves a US$330 million expansion at PT2's deep-water terminal in Johor to support the biorefinery's upcoming operations. The project includes the development of 272,000 cubic metres of dedicated storage capacity, with shared facilities factored into the cost. Backed by a 25-year take-or-pay agreement, the expansion will begin immediately and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2028. "This development reinforces Dialog's midstream investments and supports its broader strategy of generating long-term recurring income," the company said. Pengerang Biorefinery is a joint venture between Petronas Mobility Lestari Sdn Bhd (42.5 per cent), Enilive SpA (42.5 per cent), a subsidiary of Italy's Eni SpA, and Japan's Euglena Co Ltd (15 per cent). The biorefinery will be capable of processing 650,000 tonnes of raw materials annually to produce sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil. PT2 is jointly owned Dialog Equity (Two) Sdn Bhd (25 per cent), PRPC Utilities and Facilities Sdn Bhd, a Petronas subsidiary (40 per cent), Vopak Terminal Pengerang BV (25 per cent), and Johor state-owned Permodalan Darul Ta'zim Sdn Bhd (10 per cent). Dialog said the expansion will be funded through a mix of internally generated funds and borrowings and is not expected to have a material financial impact for the financial year ending June 30, 2026. "However, it is expected to contribute positively to the group's future earnings," it said.
New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Hibiscus, Dialog to benefit from oil price spike, but gains may not last
KUALA LUMPUR: Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd could see its profit after tax and minority interest (Patami) rise by 20 per cent for every US$5 per barrel increase in Brent crude, according to CGS International. In a sector research note, the firm identified Hibiscus as the most sensitive to oil price movements among the companies under its coverage. "Hibiscus has the highest earnings sensitivity to crude oil price changes in our coverage universe and also one of the highest share price correlations to Brent," it said. The firm said upstream players such as Hibiscus and Dialog Group Bhd stand to benefit from the recent surge in oil prices but cautioned that the rally may reverse if tensions ease and fundamentals take hold. In contrast to Hibiscus, Dialog is expected to benefit more modestly due to its diversified earnings base. "About 35 per cent of Dialog's Patami is linked to its upstream operations, while its tank terminal segment provides earnings stability," the firm said. "Dialog's share price has historically been negatively correlated with Brent, as higher oil prices typically signal supply shortages that reduce tank utilisation. "However, in the past week, the correlation has been positive due to strong utilisation from OPEC+ overproduction. The recent increase in oil prices is icing on the cake," it added. CGS maintains Dialog as its top sector pick, citing its lower risk profile and long-term growth from expanding its tank terminal portfolio, particularly with two contracts in progress at Pengerang. The firm reiterated its "overweight" rating on the energy sector, driven by strong fundamentals and attractive valuations of individual stocks. A key rerating catalyst would be Iranian retaliation that disrupts regional oil production or closes the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. "A de-escalation in tensions, combined with rising supply and weaker demand, could trigger a pullback in oil prices and sector earnings," it said.
