Observe. Think. Chat. Do. Trade. Repeat…
The company now stands among other tech giants like Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft, which have also achieved a market cap of over $2 trillion ($3 trillion for in Nvidia Apple and Microsoft).
Amazon’s shares have experienced a significant increase in the past year.
Global semiconductor stocks experienced volatility on Tuesday following a decline in Nvidia’s shares from the previous trading sessions.
Shares of chip firms in Europe and Asia fell in early trade as investors reacted to Nvidia losing more than $500 billion in market capitalization over three trading days. Some of the stocks recouped losses, however, as shares in the U.S. chipmaking giant recovered around 6 – 6.5% as of Tuesday 25th June 2024.
This follows a significant drop in Nvidia’s share value, which fell 13% over three consecutive sessions from the record highs achieved on Thursday 20th June 2024.
On Monday 24th June 2024, Nvidia’s stock closed down 6.7%, marking its second-largest decline of the year, yet the shares began to recover in early trading on Tuesday 25th June 2024.
Last week, the company surpassed Apple and Microsoft to become the most valuable U.S. company, achieving a market capitalization of over $3.4 trillion. However, by the end of Monday, Nvidia’s market value had declined by more than $540 billion from its intraday record on Thursday 20th June 2024.
Nvidia reported that the demand for its highly sought-after artificial intelligence graphics processing units (GPUs) continues to be strong.
Companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta are investing billions of dollars in these chips to enhance their data centres and cloud services.
Nvidia shares fell a little under 7% on Monday 24th June 2024, the chipmaker’s third down day in a row. The stock is down 13% from its peak last week.
Other stocks that also experienced drops on Monday were some of the biggest gainers of late due to their exposure to the artificial intelligence (AI) feeding frenzy.
Investors may be taking profits and locking in gains in Nvidia and similar momentum stocks after a number of extremely busy trading months.
In the past week, it’s fallen more than 10%.
Crypto investment products reportedly notched a second consecutive week of outflows, according to analysts. Last week, they saw their lowest trading volumes globally since the U.S. Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024.
The Sahm Rule is a real-time evaluation tool based on monthly unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Named after economist Claudia Sahm, it forecasts the onset of a recession when the three-month moving average of the national unemployment rate (U3) increases by 0.50% or more compared to its lowest point in the preceding 12 months.
This simple yet effective indicator helps policymakers monitor economic cycles and respond accordingly
Sahm has reportedly stated that the Fed is taking a significant risk by not implementing gradual rate cuts now. Last week, Federal Reserve officials significantly reduced their forecasts for rate cuts this year, shifting from three anticipated reductions noted in the March 2024 meeting to just one.
According to the creator of a well-established rule for predicting recessions, the Federal Reserve is risking an economic contraction by not lowering interest rates immediately.
In just a little over a year it has all but tripled its market valuation and become a go to investment on Wall Street and around the world.
Nvidia’s market capitalization has recently individually surpassed the total value of the German, French, and U.K. stock markets.
With a market cap exceeding $3.4 trillion, Nvidia now stands above these significant European stock markets in valuation.
The S&P 500 retreated on Thursday 20th June 2024, having momentarily surpassed the 5500 for the first time ever, as Nvidia, a favourite stock with Wall Street investors, relinquished its earlier gains.
The S&P 500 index fell 0.25% to end at 5473. Earlier in the session, the S&P 500 gained around 0.34% to hit a new all-time high.
The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.79% to finish at 17721. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) jumped around 299 points, to close at 39134.
Nvidia lost ground and handed the Market Cap crown back to Microsoft after briefly enjoying the accolade for just 2 days. At one point, Nvidia trimmed around $240 billion off its Market Cap as investors took profits.
Will Nvidia regain the crown in the coming weeks? Probably.
Claude has joined the ranks of widely used chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Founded by former OpenAI research leaders, Anthropic has secured backing from major tech entities like Google, Salesforce, and Amazon. Over the past year, the company has completed numerous funding rounds, reportedly amassing approximately $7.3 billion.
The announcement comes after Anthropic introduced its Claude 3 series of models in March, followed by OpenAI’s GPT-4o in May 2024. Anthropic has stated that Claude 3.5 Sonnet, the initial model from the new Claude 3.5 series, surpasses the speed of its predecessor, Claude 3 Opus.
“It shows marked improvement in grasping nuance, humour, and complex instructions, and is exceptional at writing high-quality content with a natural, relatable tone,” the company said in a blog post.
It can also write, edit and execute code in a real time workspace open for the user to engage.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have been reaching all-time highs with remarkable frequency, notching nearly thirty record days in 2024, including four in the past week. Despite this stellar performance, a considerable number of investors remain hesitant. Let’s explore the reasons behind this paradox.
The recollection of the 2022 bear market continues to trouble investors. The swift escalation of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve at that time generated widespread uncertainty and apprehension. This has led many investors to maintain a cautious stance, concerned that the past may repeat, even amidst a surging market. Maybe less of us expected the AI driven stock buying frenzy to scale such highs so quickly?
Investors are inherently sceptical. Amidst a relentless market rally, uncertainty emerges. Can this be sustained? Is a correction looming? This scepticism may hinder investors from wholeheartedly participating in a bull market, despite what the statistics indicate.
Investment isn’t solely a game of numbers; it’s equally a matter of emotions (although it shouldn’t be). Investors bearing the scars of past losses may find their emotional baggage weighing heavily on their decisions. The fear of experiencing another market crash can cloud rational judgement, leading them to forgo opportunities for potential gains.
The stock market’s significant rise from the lows of 2022 has convinced some that the phase of ‘easy money’ is over. Investors who did not capitalize on the early stages of the rally might think they have missed out, causing hesitation to engage fully. That’s where I am right now – but waiting for a ‘pullback’.
For individuals caught between caution and the fear of missing out (FOMO), the following strategies could be considered.
Distribute your investments among various asset classes. Diversification serves to reduce risk and acts as a safeguard against the unpredictability of the market.
Keep in mind that investing is akin to a marathon, not a sprint. It’s important to concentrate on long-term objectives instead of short-term market movements.
Inform yourself about market cycles, historical patterns, and the effects of monetary policy. This should empower more informed decision-making.
Consult a financial advisor who can guide you based on your individual circumstances and risk tolerance.
The current stock market rally, though not widely embraced, offers both opportunities and challenges. Investors are tasked with finding the right balance between exercising caution and capitalizing on potential growth. As the market climbs, it’s essential to be aware of our biases and emotions. Only then can we approach the rally with a more informed viewpoint.
Disclaimer: This article provides general insights and should not be considered personalised financial advice. Always consult a professional before making investment decisions.
On Tuesday 18th June 2024, Nvidia’s shares rose by 3.6%, increasing its market cap to $3.34 trillion and overtaking Microsoft, now valued at $3.32 trillion. Earlier in the month, Nvidia’s valuation reached $3 trillion for the first time, surpassing Apple.
So far this year, Nvidia’s shares have surged over 170% and saw further gains after announcing first-quarter earnings in May 2024. Since the close of 2022, the stock has increased more than ninefold, paralleling the rise of generative artificial intelligence.
Apple’s shares dropped by 1.1% on Tuesday, resulting in a market value of $3.29 trillion for the tech giant.
Nvidia commands roughly 80% of the market share for AI chips in data centres, a sector that has expanded rapidly as companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta have competed to acquire the necessary processors for constructing AI models and managing growing workloads.
In the latest quarter, Nvidia’s data centre business saw a 427% increase in revenue from the previous year, reaching $22.6 billion and comprising approximately 86% of the company’s total sales.
Established in 1991, Nvidia initially focused on hardware, selling gaming chips for running 3D games. The company has also ventured into cryptocurrency mining chips and cloud gaming services.
However, in the last two years, Nvidia’s stock has soared as investors recognised its pivotal role in the AI boom, a trend that continues to accelerate. This surge has increased the net worth of co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang to an estimated $117 billion, ranking him as the 11th richest individual globally, according to Forbes.
But is the rise too fast and is it time for a share price valuation adjustment in its meteoric rise, to bring it back down to Earth?
Advisors’ hesitations stem from Bitcoin’s price volatility and its relatively brief history. Bitcoin ETFs serve as a conduit between cryptocurrency and conventional finance. According to a BlackRock spokesperson – financial advisors are cautiously, but progressively, embracing the long-anticipated Bitcoin ETFs since their launch.
Currently, it is estimated that approximately 80% of Bitcoin ETF purchases are being made by self-directed investors who decide their own allocation, frequently via an online brokerage account.
The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK), which will rebalance soon, is guided by an index that will adjust based on the market cap value at Friday’s close. According SPDR Americas Research, the recalibration will reportedly position Microsoft as the leading stock, followed by Nvidia, and then Apple.
Without caps, each of the three stocks would exceed a 20% weight in the index. However, the index’s diversification rules restrict the total weight that stocks constituting at least a 5% share of the fund can hold.
The index concluded at 5473, while the Nasdaq Composite soared to 17857. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 188.94 points, finishing at 38778.
These gains occurred after XLK announced it was rebalancing its fund in favour of Nvidia. The major technology exchange-traded fund will get 20% weighting and billions in investor demand it was announced.
It started the week on a decline after a not-so-good weekend, with its volatility making it challenging to hold its price level. Despite this, Bitcoin recorded a minor gain on Monday 17th June 2024, in early trade, with its price on international exchanges standing at roughly $66,000.
The tech-centric index rose slightly by 0.12%, finishing at 17688. The S&P 500 dipped slightly to close at 5431 and ending its four-day streak of gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 57.94 points, closing at 38589.
During the 2024 annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, Musk, who reportedly identifies as ‘pathologically optimistic,’ declared that Tesla is not just entering a ‘new chapter,‘ but is on the brink of beginning an entirely ‘new book,’ with Optimus poised to play a pivotal role.
Tesla initially revealed its intention to develop humanoid robots at the AI Day event in 2021, showcasing a performer in a unitard as a stand-in for a sleek, gender-neutral robot prototype.
At the shareholder meeting, Musk was reserved about Optimus’ present capabilities. He suggested that, in the future, these robots could operate in a manner akin to Star Wars’ R2-D2 and C-3PO, undertaking tasks such as cooking, cleaning, factory work, or even teaching children.
In terms of shareholder value, Musk speculated that Optimus might play a key role in boosting Tesla’s market capitalization to $25 trillion eventually. No time scale was put forward.
And, don’t forget about the development of the robot taxi and of the fully autonomous vehicle.
Tech led AI frenzy feed the new moves to all-time highs!
At its annual developer conference on Monday 10th June 2024, the company launched its highly anticipated venture into AI. Apple is playing catch-up in the AI race and this announcement cheered its loyal followers.
Analysts predict that the introduction of new AI features will prompt consumers to update their devices, as these features are exclusive to the latest models.
This is the perfect business model – new products driven by new features, this time it’s ‘AI’ for Apple Intelligence. I wish I thought of it – ‘A‘ for Apple and ‘I‘ or Intelligence. Not just any intelligence, this is Apple intelligence.
So, now we have Apple AI – let’s see what Apple’s version of AI really is.
The S&P 500 index climbed to a new high to close at 5375, while the Nasdaq Composite finished the day at 17343. Both indices also hit new intraday highs. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by around 120 points to close at 38747.
Investors seemed to be cashing in on Nvidia, a leader in artificial intelligence, and shifting focus to Apple, which recently introduced new features likely to drive a surge in iPhone upgrades.
Apple’s stock reached a new high during the trading session, its first since December 2023, with around a 7% increase. Nvidia’s stock declined by 0.7% as some profit taking ensued.
Reportedly to use it on your phone, you’ll need at least the high-end iPhone 15 Pro from this year’s lineup.
According to Apple’s website, Apple Intelligence will also be compatible with devices equipped with the M1 chip, including the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and Macs.
Apple Intelligence, set to launch in beta this autumn, will offer a variety of features. It will be able to proofread and rewrite your text in different tones, create personalized emojis known as ‘Genmoji,‘ and search for specific messages on your iPhone.
Additionally, it will summarize and transcribe phone calls, manage priority notifications, and integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT for enhanced Siri responses.
Nothing new here then, just AI features already available elsewhere. Hopefully it will have a decent Apple AI make-over when it finally and fully arrives across all Apple products and platforms.
Apple isn’t leading in AI… yet – it’s just following for now!
The company, known for its compact single-board computers, has set its share price at 280 pence each. Conditional dealing of Raspberry Pi shares will commence on Tuesday, allowing specific investors, such as institutional buyers, to begin trading.
Based on the pricing of its shares, the company is valued at around £542 million.
This is a rare win for London’s stock exchange which has struggled to attract technology listings in recent time, losing out to the U.S.
In early morning trading Tuesday 11th June 2024 – Raspberry Pi shares climbed over 30%
According to the World Gold Council, the gold mining sector is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain production growth as the reserves of this precious metal become scarcer.
Discovering new gold deposits is becoming increasingly challenging as many potential areas have already been scouted, leaving limited unexplored territories. Large-scale gold mining requires extensive exploration and development, often spanning 10 to 20 years before a mine becomes operational.
Approximately 10% of global gold discoveries produce enough metal for mining operations. The success rates for exploration are quite low, and the chances of a discovery advancing to the stage of mine development are minimal.
Despite record first-quarter mine production in 2024, the overall trend is concerning. Since around 2016-2018, global gold production has plateaued, with no sustained growth.
In 2023, mine production increased by a mere 0.5% compared to the previous year. The growth rates have steadily declined over the past decade.
Globally, around 187,000 metric tons of gold have been extracted. China, South Africa, and Australia are at the forefront of production. The United States Geological Survey estimates that there are approximately 57,000 tonnes of minable gold reserves remaining.
The process of obtaining government permits has grown increasingly difficult, with bureaucratic procedures causing delays in mining operations. Additionally, remote mining projects necessitate infrastructure such as roads, power, and water, which adds to the costs and complexity.
In summary, the glittering seams of gold are thinning. Miners grapple with scarcity, regulatory hurdles, and the diminishing promise of new discoveries.
As we dig deeper, the quest for gold becomes a delicate balance between ambition and reality.
Infineon is capitalizing on the AI surge, aiming to generate billions in revenue through the sale of premium chips.
As AI applications proliferate, encompassing data centre servers and integrated chipsets for PCs and mobile devices, the demand for AI chips is skyrocketing. This trend has only one direction, and that is up.
Infineon is certainly one to watch – it may just become the next major player in the industry.
Others to watch: ARM Holdings, AMD and Intel
Artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker Nvidia passed Apple’s market cap’ to become the world’s second most valuable company after Microsoft.
Nvidia’s shares have surged 24% following its impressive earnings report in May, in contrast to Apple’s shares, which have increased by only 5% this year amid a slowdown in sales growth in recent months.
This announcement coincides with the recent launches of new artificial intelligence chips by rivals Nvidia and AMD on Sunday and Monday 2nd and 3rd June 2024 – as they compete for dominance in the rapidly growing industry.
Intel is making efforts to catch up with Nvidia and AMD, having been relatively absent from the AI surge that led tech giants such as Meta, Microsoft, and Google to purchase a significant number of Nvidia chips.
This comes half a year after Intel’s release of its 5th Gen Intel Xeon processors for data centre workloads and a couple of months following the announcement of the Gaudi 3 processor for AI model training and deployment.
Intel also disclosed that the Gaudi 2 and Gaudi 3 AI accelerators are priced lower than those of its competitors.
Furthermore, Intel shared architectural details of its forthcoming Lunar Lake processors, aimed at expanding the AI PC category. These processors, slated for release in the third quarter, are set to rival Nvidia’s and AMD’s offerings tailored for AI PCs.
While Nvidia and AMD focus on chip design, Intel stands out by both designing and manufacturing its chips. Nevertheless, Intel’s foundry business has faced challenges, with its operating loss widening to $7 billion in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The firm asserts that this new AI technology will allow customers to not only monitor but also automatically address issues affecting network quality.
Describing itself as the ‘Google Maps’ of the internet, Cisco ThousandEyes offers a comprehensive, end-to-end perspective of every user and application across all networks.
Established 15 years prior, the company has been heavily investing in AI technology in recent years.
ThousandEyes is now implementing significant AI-centric modifications to its platform, which are designed to enhance its clients’ oversight of network quality and robustness.