Michael M. Santiago | Getty Pictures
It has been simply over three weeks into the second time period of U.S. President Donald Trump, and the flurry of bulletins from the White Home exhibits no signal of abating.
The administration is ready to pause enforcement of the Overseas Corrupt Practices Act, President Trump has eliminated the director of the federal government ethics workplace, and (gasp!) even the common-or-garden penny isn’t spared, with Trump ordering a halt to penny manufacturing.
For buyers, the dismantling of ethics rules would undoubtedly elevate questions. How would U.S. corporations now conduct themselves, particularly in markets the place corruption is extra rampant? Will extra brown envelopes be slipped underneath tables, all within the identify of retaining or successful enterprise? Will the rule of regulation be outdated by the quantity of enterprise introduced in by an organization?
There aren’t any straight solutions to those questions, however anticipate to listen to specialists and economists’ two cents within the coming days.
Nicely, no less than when the penny continues to be round.
— Lim Hui Jie
What that you must know at the moment
Altman declines $97.4 billion provide for OpenAI by Musk-led buyers
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is main a gaggle of buyers in providing to purchase management of OpenAI for $97.4 billion, CNBC confirmed. The provide is for the nonprofit that oversees the factitious intelligence startup behind ChatGPT. Nonetheless, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote on a publish on X, “no thanks however we are going to purchase twitter for $9.74 billion if you need.” Musk then replied to the OpenAI chief on X calling him a “swindler.“
Asian economies scramble to appease Trump as he ratchets up tariff threats
Because the specter of U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs looms, a number of Asian economies that take pleasure in substantial commerce surpluses with Washington are scrambling to barter favorable options with him to keep away from being slapped with larger duties. Trump mentioned Friday that he would announce reciprocal tariffs — duties that match these levied on U.S. items by respective international locations — as quickly as Tuesday, to take impact instantly.
Chinese language corporations are seeing a report rise in dividend payouts
Chinese language corporations are engaging buyers with report dividend payouts and share buybacks amid rigorous company governance reform, with some market watchers saying extra are on the horizon. Goldman Sachs estimates that Chinese language corporations’ money distribution may hit $3.5 trillion this 12 months to notch a brand new excessive.
Markets shrug off tariff fears
U.S. shares rose on Monday, powered by main tech names and as merchants regarded previous the newest U.S. tariff risk from President Donald Trump. The Dow Jones Industrial Common added 0.38%, led by a 4.8% acquire in McDonald’s. The S&P 500 gained 0.67%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.98%. Asia markets had been extra combined on Tuesday, with South Korean markets in constructive territory and Chinese language markets falling.
BYD rolls out driver help tech with DeepSeek’s assist, shares attain report excessive
Chinese language electrical automobile big BYD shares hit a report excessive in Hong Kong buying and selling Tuesday after the corporate mentioned it was debuting driver help expertise with the assistance of DeepSeek. Shares rose greater than 4% Tuesday morning to an all-time excessive of 345 Hong Kong {dollars} ($44.24), earlier than paring positive aspects.
[PRO] Merchants decrease charge minimize expectations
Buyers are reducing their expectations even additional for rate of interest cuts out of the Fed this 12 months, as they develop extra involved about tariffs and the impact they might have on inflation. Economists have warned {that a} wide-scale commerce battle may considerably elevate costs, and customers look like apprehensive as properly.
And eventually…
Tim Boyle | Getty Pictures Information | Getty Pictures
What the tip of the penny means for the financial system, your piggy financial institution, and the best way America costs gadgets
President Donald Trump has ordered the Treasury to cease minting new pennies, which may have an effect on costs, money customers, and people cash nonetheless underneath your sofa cushions.
Consultants predict a gentle inflationary affect, as extra costs are rounded to the closest 5 cents. Individuals on the backside of the financial ladder will most likely really feel any penny pinch essentially the most, as they’re both unbanked or unable to entry debit or bank cards or a digital pockets.