Read Sunday ☕️

Last Week’s Headlines

Economy & World News

• BOE Cuts Interest Rate to 4.25% Amid Growth Concerns and Trade Uncertainty
  The Bank of England lowered its key rate by 25 basis points as economic sluggishness and Trump’s tariffs weigh on the outlook, with policymakers split on the size and need for the cut.

• Fed Holds Rates Steady, Cites Rising Economic Uncertainty
  The Federal Reserve kept interest rates at 4.25%–4.5%, noting recent market volatility and warning that uncertainty around the economic outlook has increased further.

• EU Threatens $113B in Tariffs on US Goods if Trade Talks Stall
  The European Union is preparing retaliatory tariffs on up to €100 billion ($113B) worth of American products, as negotiations with the US stall and tensions escalate over ongoing tariff investigations and limited progress on trade reforms.

• New Grads Face Tough Job Market, Rising Underemployment, and Student Loan Pressure
  With unemployment at 5.8% and underemployment at 41.2% for recent grads, internship postings down, and student loan repayments resuming, the Class of 2025 enters a job market that’s frozen in uncertainty and less forgiving than years past.

• Supreme Court Reinstates Trump-Era Ban on Transgender Military Service
  The court's unsigned order permits discharges and enlistment denials of transgender individuals while litigation continues, overriding a lower court that found the policy lacked justification for reversing Biden’s inclusive stance.

• India Responds to Militant Attack with Cross-Border Operation
  Following the deadly assault in Pahalgam that killed 26, India launched a retaliatory operation, vowing accountability, while Pakistan denounced it as an “act of war”, escalating regional tensions.

Public Markets

• Ford Beats Q1 Estimates but Suspends 2025 Outlook Amid Tariff Concerns
  Ford Motor Company reported a 64% drop in net income to $471 million in Q1 2025, surpassing Wall Street expectations with $40.7 billion in revenue. However, the automaker suspended its full-year guidance due to an anticipated $2.5 billion impact from tariffs, of which it aims to offset $1 billion, resulting in a projected $1.5 billion hit to earnings before interest and taxes.

• Palantir Shares Drop Despite Strong Q1 Growth and Raised Outlook

  Palantir Technologies reported a 39% year-over-year revenue increase to $884 million in Q1 2025, with U.S. commercial revenue up 71% and government revenue rising 45%. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $3.89–$3.90 billion, citing strong demand for its AI software. However, shares fell 12% as investors had anticipated even stronger results following a significant stock rally earlier in the year.

• OpenAI to Remain Under Nonprofit Control Amid Corporate Restructuring
  Despite its transition into a commercial entity, OpenAI confirmed its nonprofit arm will retain control, aiming to balance profit potential with ethical oversight amid external pressure from civic and research communities.

• Paul Tudor Jones Warns of New Market Lows Despite Tariff Rollback
  The famed investor told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that markets could hit new lows even if Trump halves tariffs on China, citing ongoing volatility following last month’s historic import levies.

• Disney to Open New Theme Park on Yas Island Without Investing Capital
  Disney has partnered with UAE-based Miral to launch its seventh theme park resort, with Imagineers leading creative design while Disney earns royalties without direct capital investment.

• Trump Meme Coin Creates Billionaires—But Most Holders Lose Out
  While 58 wallets profited over $10M each from the $TRUMP meme coin—totaling $1.1B in gains—764,000 wallets are in the red, as the top 25 holders prepare for a private event at Trump National Golf Club.

• Apple Eyes AI-Powered Search to Replace Google in Safari
  As its $20B deal with Google faces legal scrutiny, Apple is exploring AI search engine integrations—including OpenAI, Perplexity, and Anthropic—to revamp Safari and adapt to shifting consumer behavior.

• Lyft Boosts Buyback to $750M Amid Strong Consumer Demand
  CEO David Risher says there's “nothing to worry about” as Lyft posts its 16th straight quarter of gross bookings growth and raises its share repurchase program to $750 million following strong earnings.

• Google to Pay $1.4B to Texas Over Data Privacy Violations
  In one of the largest state settlements ever, Google will pay $1.4 billion to resolve claims it unlawfully tracked user data, following a similar $1.4B settlement with Meta last year over biometric privacy breaches.

Real Estate & Private Equity

•  Pershing Square Boosts Stake in Howard Hughes with $900M Investment
  Bill Ackman returns as executive chairman and Ryan Israel becomes CIO as Pershing Square raises its ownership to 46.9% of Howard Hughes, securing new board rights and a $3.75M quarterly fee amid a long-standing strategic relationship.

• Coatue Launches Tech Fund Backed by Bezos and Dell with $50K Minimum
  Coatue Management is opening access to high-growth tech investments, allocating 20–50% to private companies, with $1B in seed capital from Jeff Bezos and Michael Dell's family offices and a $50,000 entry point for individuals.

M&A, IPO’s, Bankruptcies

• 3G Capital to Take Skechers Private in $9B Deal
  Skechers will be acquired for $63 per share, a 30% premium to its recent average, as 3G Capital bets on the global footwear brand despite tariff uncertainty and heavy exposure to China.

• Hinge Health Reports 50% Revenue Surge Ahead of IPO
  The digital health company posted $123.8 million in Q1 revenue and a net profit, signaling strong momentum as it prepares for a public market debut without yet disclosing its IPO price range.

• Comcast Spins Off Cable Networks Under New Brand ‘Versant’
  Comcast is launching Versant to manage assets like USA, MSNBC, and CNBC, positioning it as a house of brands focused on digital growth and strategic acquisitions beyond traditional media.

• Masimo Exits Consumer Audio in $350M Deal with Harman
  After a $1B misstep with Sound United, Masimo is selling its audio unit to Samsung's Harman for $350M, marking a retreat from consumer products under pressure from activist investor Politan Capital.

• Coinbase Acquires Deribit for $2.9B to Dominate Crypto Derivatives
  In its largest deal yet, Coinbase is buying Deribit for $2.9 billion in cash and stock to expand globally and cement its position in the booming crypto derivatives market, amid a regulatory shift favoring digital assets under the Trump administration.