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Wall Street analysts expect Nvidia’s Q1 earnings on Wednesday (after the bell) to be “messy” and include disappointments on key metrics.

However, the expected near-term weakness is hardly a reason to bail on NVDA shares – they’re telling clients heading into the company’s release.

Note that Nvidia stock has already rallied some 45% in less than two months.

US export regulations to weigh on Nvidia’s Q1 earnings

Street has muted expectations for Nvidia’s first-quarter as the AI darling is caught in the crosshairs of rising trade tensions between the US and China.

The multinational has already announced that tightened export restrictions on its H20 chip under the Trump administration are making it lose market share in China and will result in a $5.5 billion charge in its fiscal Q1.

Plus, the financial consequences of those restrictions in their entirety will only unravel over time. So, NVDA could resort to a cautious guidance on Wednesday as well.

That said, Nvidia shares remain worth owning for the long term, particularly if “the management is convincing that supply of racks and non-rack Blackwell is improving, and that there’s potential for H2 acceleration,” said Joseph Moore – a Morgan Stanley analyst in a report this week.

AI demand could push NVDA shares up in the second half of 2025

Long-term investors should look past the upcoming quarterly release because Google announced a series of artificial intelligence initiatives at its I/O developer conference earlier this month.

Additionally, San Francisco based Anthropic has recently launched “Claude 4” – its latest and most advanced AI model to date.

Together, these developments signal continued demand for Nvidia products, argued BofA analysts in their recent note, adding “if you can’t see the usage/adoption of AI has hit an explosive inflection in the past two months … I don’t know what to tell you.”

Despite a sharp rally in recent weeks, NVDA stock is down some 10% versus its year-to-date high.

Nvidia remains committed to removing the China overhang

Investors should also focus on recent reports that Nvidia could soon launch a toned-down version of its most-popular Blackwell chip to bypass export restrictions and resume business in China.

If these rumours prove true, NVDA shares will likely respond with a big move to the upside.

That’s part of the reason why Piper Sandler analysts also recommend that investors “weather the uncertainty” and remain invested in this AI stock ahead of its Q1 earnings release.

Expectations are for Nvidia to report per-share earnings of 80 cents for its first quarter today, up some 38% on a year-over-year basis.

Heading into the quarterly update, Wall Street has a consensus “buy” rating on Nvidia stock with the average price target of about $163 indicating a potential upside of more than 20% from current levels.

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Stocks

Australia clears Woodside’s North West Shelf LNG plant to operate through 2070

Australia has granted approval to Woodside Energy’s proposal to extend the operational lifespan of its North West Shelf gas plant until the year 2070.

This decision comes after an extensive six-year review process that was marked by considerable delays, multiple appeals, and strong opposition from environmental organisations, Reuters said in a report.

The approval allows the continuation of operations at the significant natural gas facility located off the coast of Western Australia for an additional period, extending its initial planned decommissioning date.

Review process

Woodside Energy, a major Australian petroleum and natural gas company, sought the extension for its flagship North West Shelf project, which has been a key supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global markets for decades.

The lengthy review process involved rigorous environmental impact assessments and consideration of stakeholder concerns, including those raised by green groups who voiced concerns about the project’s long-term environmental implications and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite these objections, the government ultimately sided with Woodside Energy, paving the way for continued gas production and export from the North West Shelf well into the latter half of the 21st century.

The extension is expected to have significant implications for Australia’s energy sector, LNG exports, and its efforts to meet emissions reduction targets.

Located on Western Australia’s Burrup Peninsula, the North West Shelf facility stands as Australia’s largest and oldest liquefied natural gas plant, playing a crucial role in supplying Asian markets.

Environmental concerns

Environment Minister Murray Watt said in a statement that the approval for the project extension would include stringent conditions, especially concerning the impact of air emission levels.

Following the announcement, Woodside shares experienced a 4% surge in the afternoon, building on gains made throughout the trading day.

The current project approval is scheduled to expire in 2030.

Woodside submitted its extension application in 2018, which became subject to both state and federal reviews. This was due to conflicting priorities concerning energy security and the project’s environmental consequences.

Australia’s leading gas producer, Woodside, is establishing the foundation to connect new gas fields to its LNG plant through this extension. This development is projected to release as much as 4.3 billion metric tons of carbon emissions throughout its operational lifespan.

Government decision and partnerships

The Western Australia state government granted approval for the contentious project in December, a decision reached after an extensive review process that included the consideration of approximately 800 appeals submitted by environmental activists and concerned citizens.

The sheer volume of appeals underscored the significant public interest and debate surrounding the proposed development.

Prior to the federal general election held in May, the federal government exhibited a cautious approach to the project, twice postponing its final decision.

Faced with declining production from its original offshore gas fields in the North West Shelf, a decades-long extension allows Woodside to proceed with the development of its long-dormant Browse offshore project, which will supply gas to the Karratha plant.

The North West Shelf venture is a partnership that includes Woodside and the following companies: BP, Chevron, Shell, Japan’s Mitsui & Co and Mitsubishi Corp, and China’s CNOOC.

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Stocks

Big, beautiful, or both? Musk questions Trump tax bill’s fiscal prudence amid deficit fears

Elon Musk has publicly expressed his disapproval of President Donald Trump’s recently passed House tax bill, a sweeping piece of legislation that the billionaire entrepreneur says runs contrary to his own efforts to curtail government spending.

Musk’s critique adds a high-profile voice to the growing chorus of concerns surrounding the bill’s fiscal impact.

In an interview with CBS News, an excerpt of which was released Tuesday night, Musk, who recently announced he is stepping back from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a body that quickly became emblematic of the second Trump administration’s cost-cutting vision—did not mince words.

He stated he was “disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”

The full interview is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning this weekend.

The legislation in question, frequently referred to by President Trump as his “big, beautiful bill,” encompasses a wide array of tax cuts.

Having narrowly passed the US House of Representatives last week, it now heads to the Senate for further deliberation.

Musk, the prominent chief executive officer of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, appeared to align his concerns with those of some Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate.

These legislators argue that the bill’s price tag is too high and are demanding more significant reductions in government spending to offset its cost.

Echoes of fiscal conservatism and legislative hurdles

The sentiment expressed by Musk mirrors the fiscal conservatism voiced by certain Republican factions.

Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, highlighted the considerable distance yet to be covered before the bill might find acceptance in the upper chamber.

When asked about a timeline for the Senate’s work, Johnson remarked, “We are so far away from an acceptable bill, it’s hard to say.”

However, the legislative path forward is complicated not only by calls for further cuts but also by opposition from other Republicans to existing provisions within the House version.

Some object to measures such as restrictions on Medicaid benefits and the proposed swift elimination of clean-energy tax incentives, indicating a challenging road ahead for the bill in the Senate.

Musk, offering his personal take on the ambitious legislation during the CBS interview, quipped, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”

This pithy remark encapsulates the tension between the bill’s expansive scope and its potential fiscal consequences.

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Stocks

Europe markets open: Stoxx 600 hovers near flatline; focus on German data, US Fed, Nvidia results

European stock markets exhibited a cautious and mixed start to Wednesday’s trading session, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 index hovering near flat territory as investors braced for a significant influx of economic data from across the continent.

Currency markets saw both the British pound and the euro soften against the US dollar, while global attention turned towards upcoming US Federal Reserve meeting minutes and highly anticipated earnings from chip giant Nvidia.

Shortly after the opening bell, the pan-European Stoxx 600 was trading flat, reflecting a general lack of strong directional conviction among investors.

National bourses showed slight variations: London’s FTSE 100 and the French CAC 40 were marginally higher, indicating a touch of resilience.

Germany’s DAX, which had impressively scaled a record high in Tuesday’s session, was trading around 0.1% higher, suggesting it was holding onto its recent strong gains.

This tentative market mood comes as participants anticipate a swathe of economic indicators due for release throughout the day.

Key data points include German import prices, final French gross domestic product (GDP) figures, employment data from both France and Germany, and an update on Turkish economic confidence.

These releases will provide further insights into the health and trajectory of the European economy.

Currency watch: pound and euro dip against dollar

In foreign exchange markets, the British pound was trading 0.2% lower against the US dollar on Wednesday morning.

This movement put sterling on track for its second consecutive day of losses versus the greenback, though it’s important to note that the pound has still appreciated by a significant 7.7% against the dollar year-to-date.

Similarly, the euro was also trading 0.2% lower against the US currency, potentially extending its losses for a second day.

Despite this recent dip, the euro has recorded a gain of more than 9% against the US dollar since the beginning of the year.

Global focus: Fed minutes and Nvidia’s numbers awaited

Global investors are keenly awaiting the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s May meeting, which are due later on Wednesday.

These minutes will be scrutinized for any fresh clues regarding the central bank’s thinking on inflation, interest rates, and the overall economic outlook.

While no major corporate earnings were expected out of Europe on Wednesday, market participants on both sides of the Atlantic are closely monitoring the upcoming earnings report from US chipmaking behemoth Nvidia.

The company’s results, due after Wall Street’s closing bell, are widely seen as a key barometer for the tech sector and broader market sentiment.

Asia-Pacific recap and US market cues

The trading backdrop from the Asia-Pacific region was mixed on Wednesday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was last seen trading 0.3% higher, while South Korea’s Kospi added a more substantial 1.8%.

However, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.2% after the country reported a higher-than-expected rise in inflation.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was also down 0.4%.

On Wall Street, stock futures were flat ahead of Wednesday’s trading session.

This followed broad gains on Tuesday, as investors reacted positively to US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of 50% tariffs on European Union imports, a development that markets absorbed as they reopened after the Memorial Day holiday.

German import prices show unexpected contraction

Adding to the day’s economic narrative, fresh data from Germany revealed an unexpected development in import prices.

Figures from the Federal Statistical Office showed that German import prices fell by 0.4% year-on-year in April.

This was a surprise, as analysts polled by LSEG data had been anticipating an annual rise of 0.2%.

The previous month, March, had seen import prices in Germany rise by 2.1%, making the April contraction particularly noteworthy.

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Stocks

Thames Water hit with record £123m fine by Ofwat for pollution and dividend payouts

The national water regulator Ofwat has imposed a record £122.7 million penalty on Thames Water following two separate investigations into the company’s operations and dividend practices.

The fine, which is the largest ever issued by the regulator, includes £104.5 million for serious failings in the company’s wastewater management and a further £18.2 million for breaching rules around dividend payments.

Ofwat said the penalties were a response to “unacceptable” damage caused to the environment and customers, marking the first time it has fined a company over paying dividends regardless of performance.

Thames Water found guilty of failures in wastewater ops, and improper dividend payouts

The most serious penalty, amounting to £104.5 million, relates to multiple breaches connected to Thames Water’s wastewater operations.

The regulator found the company failed to properly build, maintain, and operate essential infrastructure, which led to repeated pollution incidents and service failures.

In addition, Ofwat imposed an £18.2 million fine for improper dividend payments made in October 2023 and March 2024.

The watchdog ruled that £37.5 million in interim dividends and a further £131.3 million paid to Thames Water Utilities Holdings Limited were in violation of regulatory guidelines.

The regulator highlighted that these payments were made despite the company being in significant financial difficulty, with Ofwat now placing Thames Water in a “cash lock up,” prohibiting further dividends without regulatory approval.

Significance of the penalty

Ofwat’s chief executive, David Black, strongly criticised the company’s conduct. “This is a clear-cut case where Thames Water has let down its customers and failed to protect the environment,” he said.

Our investigation has uncovered a series of failures by the company to build, maintain and operate adequate infrastructure to meet its obligations.

Black added that Thames Water failed to propose any adequate redress package to address the environmental harm caused, leaving Ofwat no option but to impose significant financial penalties.

In response, a spokesperson for Thames Water stated the company “takes its responsibility towards the environment very seriously,” and noted that efforts are already underway to address storm overflow issues highlighted in the investigations.

They also defended the dividend payments, citing a review of the firm’s legal and regulatory obligations.

Environment secretary Steve Reed the government has launched the toughest crackdown on water companies in history.

“Last week we announced a record 81 criminal investigations have been launched into water companies. Today Ofwat announce the largest fine ever handed to a water company in history,” he said.

The era of profiting from failure is over. The Government is cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Mounting debt and risk of nationalisation continue to loom

The fines come as Thames Water struggles to remain solvent amid soaring debt, operational issues, and growing public scrutiny.

The company, which serves 16 million people across London and southern England, narrowly avoided de facto nationalisation earlier this year after securing a £3 billion emergency loan in February.

That deal allowed the company to continue operating for at least another year, giving it time to restructure its nearly £20 billion in debt.

However, the newly announced fines were not included in its financial planning for the next regulatory period, casting fresh doubt on its financial future.

The firm, which employs around 8,000 people and is responsible for supplying water to about a quarter of the UK’s population, had been forecast to run out of funds by March.

The emergency loan staved off immediate collapse, but some lenders opposed its terms, while critics, including Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard, argued the loan was not in the public interest.

Customers are set to face a 31% rise in water bills from April.

Ofwat has clarified that the penalties announced this week will not impact customer bills.

As pressure mounts to clean up its operations and win back public trust, Thames Water must now balance financial survival with an urgent need to fix long-standing infrastructure issues and avoid further environmental damage.

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World News

Can the US Steel-Nippon deal really deliver 70,000 jobs as Trump claims?

United States Steel Corp (NYSE: X) has rallied more than 20% in recent sessions on the back of Trump’s approval for its long overdue deal with the Tokyo based Nippon Steel (TYO: 5401).

According to the US President, the said transaction, details of which have eluded the media so far, will see the Japanese steelmaker invest some $14 billion in the US that he believes will help create as many as 70,000 jobs in the country.

However, experts remain wary of that number as the math just doesn’t seem to add up here.

US Steel doesn’t employ half as many employees currently

There are several reasons why Trump’s claim that the US Steel – Nippon agreement will create about 70,000 jobs will prove a miscalculation over time.

For starters, the NYSE listed firm currently has a total of about 20,000 employees only – and that’s including the non US based positions.

Adding 70,000 jobs, as the President claims this deal will over time, would mean a more than five times increase in the company’s current domestic workforce.

This scale of expansion is quite unprecedented and will require a massive increase in the overall production capacity. Note that the steel stock is now up more than 60% year-to-date.

Labour unions are not happy with the US Steel – Nippon deal

Investors are recommended to take the President’s claim of 70,000 new jobs with a pinch of salt as he hasn’t yet offered more colour on how these jobs would be created, whether they’d be direct hires at US Steel or indirect jobs in related industries.

Without a clear breakdown, the number appears speculative only, especially since it’s not backed by Nippon or even the unions.

In fact, the United Steelworkers union has expressed doubts about the deal, noting that the Japan’s behemoth did not consult it before announcing that transaction.

If labour unions are not fully on board, it could lead to resistance or delays in job creation, making it incrementally more challenging for the merged company to hit that 70,000 number.

Global steelmakers have been turning to automation

Investors should also note that modern steel production relies heavily on automation, reducing the need for large-scale hiring.

So, Nippon may invest $14 billion, part of which will reportedly go to setting up a new steel mill in the US – but even the new facilities may not require as many workers as the White House has recently claimed.

Finally, the regulatory hurdles could limit the scope of US Steel – Nippon transaction in terms of creating new jobs in the United States.

Given these variables, President Trump’s claim of 70,000 new jobs seems highly optimist and very difficult to achieve under current industry conditions.

That may be part of the reason why Nippon stock is slipping following his announcement.

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World News

Top 2 US stocks to buy for exposure to Bitcoin’s ongoing rally

Chasing a Bitcoin rally has historically been a risky move, but “the current environment appears fundamentally different,” says Chris Brendler, a Rosenblatt analyst.

Bitcoin has rallied to record levels in recent sessions on the back of a 90-day trade truce between the US and China. Plus, Moody’s recent downgrade of the US credit rating has driven capital into the digital store of value as well.

Still, Brendler sees BTC prices pushing further to the upside in the back half of 2025.

Why is Rosenblatt bullish on Bitcoin?

Rosenblatt analyst Chris Brendler is convinced that the Trump administration favourable stance on cryptocurrencies is changing the global attitude towards cryptocurrencies.

President Trump has even signalled plans of setting up a strategic BTC reserve, leading to “rising interest from global pools of capital that are starting to seriously consider investing in Bitcoin,” he added in a research note.

However, Brendler argued that institutional ownership of the world’s largest crypto by market cap remains modest only while the “sovereign/corporate interest is just getting started” to forecast a continued increase in demand and, therefore, sustainable momentum in BTC moving forward.

If his Bitcoin price prediction proves true, following are the two stocks that could benefit the most.

Mara Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: MARA)

Chris Brendler expects Mara shares to benefit from a continued increase in Bitcoin price as it tends to trigger a rebound in hashprice.

Mara Holdings is a “pure-play” crypto miner, meaning its core business is generating Bitcoin.

So, a higher price tag on the digital asset translates to better revenues and improved profitability for MARA.

A healthy bottom-line in turn enables the Nasdaq listed firm to reinvest into expanding its mining operations, improving efficiency, and adopting new technologies like immersion cooling, which reduces costs and enhances performance.

Other Wall Street analysts agree with Brendler’s bullish view on Mara stock as well.

The consensus rating on the mining company currently sits at “buy” with the mean target of about $20 indicating potential upside of about 45% from here.

Terawulf Inc (NASDAQ: WULF)

Rosenblatt also sees Terawulf shares rallying on the back of continued upside in BTC in the back half of 2025 for similar reasons as Mara Holdings.

The hybrid miner stands to benefit from a Bitcoin price increase as it often unlocks upside in the entire crypto sector. Investors tend to flock to crypto-related stocks when the digital asset is doing well, driving higher demand and stock price appreciation for the likes of WULF.

Chris Brendler is constructive on the Nasdaq listed firm even though it came in shy of profit and revenue estimates in its latest reported quarter.

That said, Wall Street also currently has a consensus “buy” rating on Terawulf stock with upside to $6.79 on average.

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World News

Poorest nations face $22bn China debt bill in 2025, risking cuts to vital services

The world’s most vulnerable economies are facing a mounting financial crisis, with debt repayments to China reaching record highs in 2025, according to new research by the Lowy Institute.

The Australian thinktank’s report warns that 75 of the poorest nations are collectively due to repay $22 billion to Beijing this year—more than two-thirds of the total $35 billion owed to China globally.

“Now, and for the rest of this decade, China will be more debt collector than banker to the developing world,” the report said.

The report describes the situation as a “tidal wave” of repayments that is likely to strain national budgets already under pressure from slow economic growth, rising inflation, and climate-related costs.

These repayments, many of which stem from infrastructure loans issued under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), are now threatening public spending in critical sectors like health and education, the report said.

Belt and Road Initiative legacy under scrutiny

China’s Belt and Road Initiative, launched under President Xi Jinping, was intended to expand Beijing’s global influence by investing in roads, railways, ports, and energy projects, especially across the Global South.

Between 2013 and 2016, China became the world’s largest bilateral lender, with its annual overseas lending peaking at more than $50 billion.

The initiative helped fund national development projects in countries often excluded from Western financing, but many of these loans are now maturing.

The Lowy report notes that as repayments increase and fresh Chinese lending dwindles, developing nations are left in a tight fiscal bind.

“China’s lending has collapsed exactly when it is needed most, instead creating large net financial outflows when countries are already under intense economic pressure,” the report said.

Is Beijing trapping countries in debt?

Beijing has repeatedly denied using debt for political gain, but the Lowy Institute says the current repayment cycle offers China significant leverage, particularly as Western donors scale back foreign aid.

The report highlights that some nations—including Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Solomon Islands—secured large Chinese loans soon after switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

Other countries continue to receive support due to their geopolitical importance or mineral resources.

These include Pakistan, Laos, Kazakhstan, and mineral-rich states like Argentina, Brazil, and Indonesia.

The scale and pattern of lending, combined with Beijing’s opaque financial practices, have prompted warnings from analysts about the potential for subtle political influence.

Last month another analysis by the Lowy Institute found that Laos was now trapped in a severe debt crisis, in part because of over-investment in the domestic energy sector, mostly financed by China.

Debt burden complicates China’s own challenges

China’s position as a creditor is further complicated by its own economic headwinds.

With domestic growth slowing and its financial sector under stress, Beijing is under pressure to recover funds from overseas while managing its international reputation.

The report suggests this could lead to inconsistent approaches to debt restructuring, leaving debtor nations in uncertainty.

Moreover, the lack of transparency around Chinese lending remains a persistent issue.

The Lowy Institute’s estimates are based on World Bank data but are likely conservative.

AidData’s 2021 report claimed that China’s “hidden debt” could be as high as $385 billion, given the number of off-book and opaque financial agreements made with developing countries.

Risk of a deepening crisis

As the repayment deadlines approach, many countries face difficult trade-offs between servicing debt and funding basic development needs.

Budget cuts in health, education, and climate mitigation risk undoing years of progress.

With limited options for new borrowing, nations may increasingly seek debt relief or restructuring—but that too depends on Beijing’s willingness to engage.

In the absence of coordinated international support, experts warn that the debt pressures building across the developing world could deepen inequality and spark social unrest, with implications that go far beyond fiscal spreadsheets.

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World News

Europe markets open: FTSE 100 leads gains, Stoxx 600 up; focus on UK inflation

European stock markets presented a somewhat mixed but generally positive picture at Tuesday’s open, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 index ticking higher.

London’s FTSE 100 notably outperformed, surging as trading resumed after a long Bank Holiday weekend, buoyed by a temporary reprieve in US-EU trade tensions.

However, concerns over rising UK food inflation and cautious German consumer spending tempered broader optimism.

Approximately 15 minutes into the trading day, the Stoxx Europe 600 index was trading 0.2% higher, indicating a modest overall advance.

However, performance across national bourses varied.

The UK’s FTSE 100 index of blue-chip shares jumped impressively, up 75 points, or 0.85%, to 8792 points, approaching a two-month high.

This relief rally in London was largely attributed to news that US President Donald Trump had delayed his threatened hike on EU tariffs to 50% until July, temporarily cooling fears of an escalating trade war.

Leading the FTSE 100 risers were engineering group Melrose (+3.8%), followed by technology firm DCC (+2.4%) and aerospace giant Rolls-Royce (+2%).

In contrast, mainland European markets showed more restraint.

France’s CAC 40 declined by 0.2%, while Germany’s DAX held steady, suggesting a more cautious investor stance on the continent.

Economic undercurrents

Despite the cheer in London’s equity market, fresh economic data highlighted ongoing inflationary pressures in the UK.

Food inflation rose by 2.8% year-on-year in May, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

This marked the fourth consecutive month of price increases in this category, up from 2.6% year-on-year growth in April and exceeding the three-month average of 2.6%.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, stated on Tuesday that “fresh food prices were the main driver of the price rises, with wholesale beef prices increasing.”

She argued that increased costs being levied on businesses were having a clear inflationary impact.

“With retailers now absorbing the additional £5bn in costs from April’s increased Employer National Insurance contributions and National Living Wage, it is no surprise that inflation is rearing its head once again,” Dickinson said.

Meanwhile, in Germany, consumer sentiment showed signs of improvement in May, as per the GfK Consumer Climate report released on Tuesday.

This marked the third consecutive month of an upward trend for the index, partly driven by slowing inflation and “good wage settlements.”

However, despite this improvement, overall sentiment remained low, and analysts noted that consumers were hesitant to make discretionary purchases.

This reluctance was attributed to the ongoing threat of US tariff policies.

“The unpredictable customs and trade policy of the US government, turbulence on the stock markets and fears of a third consecutive year of stagnation are reasons why the consumer climate remains weak,” commented Rolf Bürkl, consumer expert at the NIM, in a statement on Tuesday.

In view of the general economic situation, people seem to think it advisable to save.

The GfK Consumer Climate report, which surveyed around 2,000 German consumers between May 1 and May 12, was jointly published by NIQ and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions.

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World News

Samsung to invest in US health-care software and device company Exo? What we know

Samsung is actively pursuing strategic moves on multiple fronts to bolster its technological prowess and market reach, with its investment arm reportedly in talks to back US health-care innovator Exo Imaging Inc., even as Samsung Electronics finalizes a major acquisition in the HVAC sector.

Samsung Electronics Co.’s investment division, Samsung Ventures Investment Corp., is reportedly among a consortium of firms looking to invest in Exo Imaging Inc., a US-based company specializing in health-care software and devices.

According to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg, Samsung Ventures may participate in a private fundraising round for Exo.

This round is said to be led by Sands Capital, Bold Capital, and Qubit Health Capital.

The sources, who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the information, indicated that Santa Clara, California-based Exo could secure approximately $100 million in total funding from this round.

In a significant development tied to this potential investment, Qubit Health Chairman Omar Ishrak is also reportedly set to join Exo’s board.

Ishrak brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as chief executive officer at Medtronic Plc and headed General Electric Co.’s health-care business.

Furthermore, Exo is said to be in discussions for a potential partnership with Samsung Medison Co., a Samsung subsidiary renowned for its ultrasound diagnostic devices and its sales of digital X-ray systems and scanners.

These discussions, along with the investment details, are reportedly ongoing, and the specifics could change, the people familiar with the matter cautioned.

When approached for comment, Samsung declined, while Exo, Sands Capital, Bold Capital, and Qubit Health Capital did not respond to requests. Ishrak also did not immediately respond.

Samsung Electronics acquires FläktGroup for €1.5 billion

In a separate but significant strategic maneuver, Samsung Electronics announced on May 14 its agreement to acquire all shares of FläktGroup, a leading global provider of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) solutions, from European investment firm Triton for €1.5 billion.

This acquisition underscores Samsung’s commitment to expanding and fortifying its presence in the rapidly growing global applied HVAC market.

“Through the acquisition of FläktGroup, an applied HVAC specialist, Samsung Electronics has laid the foundation to become a leader in the global HVAC business, offering a full range of solutions to our customers,” stated TM Roh, Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics.

Our commitment is to continue investing in and developing the high-growth HVAC business as a key future growth engine.

FläktGroup, headquartered in Herne, Germany, boasts over a century of technological expertise and design capabilities.

The company offers a diverse range of products and solutions tailored to various customer needs, supplying high-reliability and high-efficiency HVAC systems to a wide array of buildings and facilities.

These include critical environments such as data centers requiring stable cooling, museums and libraries managing sensitive historical artifacts, high-traffic airports and terminals, and large hospitals where hygiene, temperature, and humidity control are paramount.

FläktGroup’s strength in data centers and specialized industries

FläktGroup has established a strong reputation in the global large-scale data center market, achieving high customer satisfaction through its product performance, reliability, and service support.

This has translated into substantial revenue growth for the company over the past three years.

FläktGroup’s data center solutions feature industry-leading liquid cooling and air cooling products, which have enabled customers to reduce energy consumption and contribute to achieving lower carbon footprint goals.

Last year, FläktGroup’s innovative technologies were recognized with the DCS Cooling Innovation of the Year Award at the DCS Cooling Awards.

Trevor Young, CEO of FläktGroup, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:

We are extremely pleased that FläktGroup has become a part of Samsung Electronics. FläktGroup, as a global top-tier HVAC specialist with over a century of expertise, has been relied on by global large clients for its technological and product innovations. Now, with Samsung Electronics’ global business foundation and investment, we expect to further accelerate our growth.

Beyond data centers, FläktGroup has cultivated a diverse portfolio of over 60 large customers, including leading pharmaceutical companies, biotech and food and beverage firms, and gigafactories, showcasing its broad market applicability and established client base.

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