Latest news with #China-related
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Is Bullish on AMD's s AI Push—Here's Why
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:) is one of the . On June 16, Piper Sandler analyst Harsh Kumar raised the price target on the stock to $140.00 (from $125.00) while maintaining a 'Overweight' rating. The firm cited growing optimism in the company's graphics processing unit (GPU) segment and confidence in its ability to continue driving strong results behind the price target raise. Piper Sandler is optimistic about AMD's latest product launches, particularly the new Helios rack system. It believes the system could boost growth in AMD's Instinct AI accelerator business. The firm made these comments shortly after the company revealed its new MI350 AI chips and previewed the upcoming MI400 series. Kumar also highlighted AMD's biggest segment, its client business, which is starting to show signs of improvement. The company's 'pull-ins' reflect how customers are ordering earlier than expected. Kumar further added that AMD's GPU business could revive by the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025 once China-related issues resolve. To conclude, investors are confident about AMD's strategy and upcoming AI products. The firm's revised forecast suggests that the company can sustain ground in the competitive semiconductor market. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) develops and sells semiconductors, processors, and GPUs for data centers, gaming, AI, and embedded applications. While we acknowledge the potential of AMD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Trump's trade and tax policies start to stall U.S. battery boom
Battery manufacturing began to take off in the United States in recent years after Congress and the Biden administration offered the industry generous incentives. But that boom now appears to be stalling as the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers try to restrict China's access to the American market. From South Carolina to Washington state, companies are slowing construction or reconsidering big investments in factories for producing rechargeable batteries and the ingredients needed to make them. A big reason is that higher trade barriers between the United States and China are fracturing relationships between suppliers and customers in the two countries. At the same time, Republicans are seeking to block battery makers with ties to China, as well as those that rely on any Chinese technology or materials, from taking advantage of federal tax credits. The industry is also dealing with a softening market for electric vehicles, which Republicans and President Donald Trump have targeted. The China-related restrictions -- included in the version of Trump's domestic policy bill passed by the House -- would be very difficult for many companies to operate under. China is the world's top battery manufacturer and makes nearly all of certain components. The Trump policy bill highlights a difficult dilemma. The United States wants to create a homegrown battery industry and greatly reduce its dependence on China -- and many Republican lawmakers want to end it altogether. But China is already so dominant in this industry that it will be incredibly hard for the United States to become a meaningful player without working with Chinese companies. To cultivate a domestic industry, experts say, the United States needs to rely on foreign components and know-how as it builds its own supply chains and expertise, much as China did in the auto industry. Among the plants at risk is a $3 billion battery factory Ford Motor is building in Marshall, Michigan, which is set to start making battery cells next year for the company's electric cars. Ford is licensing technology from the Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., which would quickly make it ineligible for federal subsidies under the House bill. A loss of tax credits 'will imperil what we do in Marshall,' William Clay Ford Jr., the company's executive chair, said last month. 'We made a certain investment based upon a policy that was in place,' he added. 'It's not fair to change policies after all the expenditure has been made.' Some companies are already pulling back. This month, the battery maker AESC paused construction of a $1.6 billion electric-vehicle battery plant in South Carolina, citing 'policy and market uncertainty.' Batteries made there, which are meant to power BMW's electric vehicles, also would soon become ineligible for federal subsidies, at least in part because a Chinese company owns a large portion of AESC. Those tax credits amount to roughly $3,375 for the average electric vehicle battery, according to UBS. Across the country, a startup, Group14 Technologies, slowed construction of a battery materials factory in Moses Lake, Washington, after its customers in China balked at paying higher tariffs. Instead, the company is focusing on ramping up production in South Korea, said Rick Luebbe, Group14's CEO. 'What caught the attention of our customers, particularly in China, was the really aggressive back-and-forth where the tariffs went up over 100%,' Luebbe said. 'At that point, folks said, 'You know what, maybe we'll just hold off.'' Trump and his aides have said they want companies to manufacture more in the United States. They also want more U.S. mining of critical minerals, many of which form the building blocks of batteries. But they have criticized electric vehicles and wind and solar energy, which drive demand for batteries. Ben Dietderich, an Energy Department spokesperson, said the administration was investing in projects that would deliver a return on investment for Americans but did not directly address batteries. The administration 'is working to develop more secure supply chains for critical energy infrastructure,' Dietderich said. A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, said the administration would 'shore up America's supply of critical minerals' by investigating imports of such materials on natural security grounds, mining for them offshore and repealing regulations. Domestic battery makers have other problems besides the U.S. posture toward China. Chief among them is that electric vehicles have not become as popular in the United States as many companies had expected. As a result, many companies delayed, canceled or scaled back projects, even before Trump increased tariffs and Republican lawmakers sought to eliminate tax credits. Companies canceled more than $6 billion in planned U.S. battery factories in the first quarter, according to Rhodium Group, a research firm that tracks investments with Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research. The Republican policy bill would further erode demand for electric cars -- and, by extension, the batteries that power them -- by scrapping a $7,500 tax credit available to many people who buy or lease them. If that tax credit goes away, all planned U.S. battery plants will become unnecessary and more than two-thirds of existing capacity could shut down, according to an analysis by the Princeton University-led REPEAT Project. Jennifer Granholm, the energy secretary under President Joe Biden, said scrapping clean-energy incentives would cost jobs and undermine U.S. energy security by making the country more dependent on China. 'For there to be an effective industrial strategy, you have to make America irresistible for investment,' said Granholm, a former governor of Michigan. 'You can't play a game with no offense.' She said lawmakers should differentiate between Chinese equipment that could pose a threat to national security, such as devices that connect to the internet, and more basic materials like screws. Others say the United States should welcome foreign investment, including from China, and learn from it. 'Restricting our market is just a first-order bad idea,' said Ann E. Harrison, an economist and former dean of the business school at the University of California, Berkeley. Competition drives innovation and efficiency, without which companies often struggle to survive in the long term, she said. 'The Chinese are already so far ahead,' Harrison said. 'At this point, I don't see us making the leap without fewer constraints.' Group14, the startup, now expects to start production at its Washington state plant early next year, instead of this summer. The company makes a material that is designed to be a substitute for graphite, a key battery component that is almost entirely produced or processed in China. 'We can pull that back forward if there's resolution on tariff uncertainty and we see that wave of demand pick back up again,' Luebbe said. A spokesperson for AESC said the company planned to restart construction in South Carolina once the market stabilized. The company has already spent more than $1 billion developing the site. It also makes batteries for energy storage systems in Tennessee. BMW expects to start making electric vehicles nearby in late 2026, as planned, a spokesperson, Phil Dilanni, said. He declined to say where the batteries would come from. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Copyright 2025
CNBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Meta Platforms, AMD, Cisco, Roku, MGM Resorts and more
Here are some of the stocks making the biggest moves in midday trading Monday. Meta Platforms – Shares of the social media giant jumped 2% after Meta said it would bring advertising to WhatsApp . The company will also start monetizing WhatsApp's Channels feature through search ads and subscriptions. MGM Resorts – The casino operator's shares advanced more than 7% after BetMGM LLC – which is jointly owned by MGM and Entain – updated its guidance for the full year. Net revenue for BetMGM is now expected to be at least $2.6 billion, up from the earlier outlook of $2.4 billion to $2.5 billion. Energy stocks – Shares of large energy companies slipped. Oil prices declined following reports that Iran wants to end hostilities with Israel. APA Corp dropped nearly 3%, while EOG Resources and ConocoPhillips lost about 2%. Cisco – The tech stock popped 2% after Deutsche Bank upgraded it to buy from hold, saying it's trading at an "undemanding" valuation . Analyst Matt Niknam said Cisco's targets are looking more realistic as it stands to benefit from growing demand for artificial intelligence. U.S. Steel — U.S. Steel shares jumped 5% after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday approving its merger with Japan's Nippon Steel. The companies also signed a national security agreement that includes a golden share for the U.S government. Although U.S. Steel did not specify what powers the government would wield with its share, Trump said on Thursday that the golden share gives the U.S. president " total control ." Roku — The streaming platform jumped almost 8% after announcing an exclusive partnership with Amazon that gives advertisers access to what the two called "the largest authenticated footprint in connected TV ." The agreement enables advertisers to reach roughly 80 million U.S. households through the Amazon platform. Advanced Micro Devices — The chipmaker added more than 9% after a price target increase from Piper Sandler. After AMD's quarterly pre-quarter close call on Friday, Piper said it expects AMD's artificial intelligence business to surge after the third quarter when China-related charges have passed, and noted increased conviction among investors about a key hyperscaler client. EchoStar — The satellite company jumped 45% after Bloomberg News reported late Friday that President Donald Trump had pushed the head of the Federal Communications Commission to resolve a spectrum dispute. The company has threatened to file for bankruptcy protection and claims FCC threats blocked its ability to decide on a 5G network buildout. Celsius — The energy drink company rallied close to 6% after TD Cowen upgraded the stock to buy from hold , saying its "growth story is heating back up" and shares should trade higher this year. The investment bank said it is confident in the Celsius brand, the smooth integration of the company's Alani Nu acquisition and wider distribution next year. Victoria's Secret — Shares added about 2% following a report that activist investor Barington Capital Group has built a stake in the retailer. Barington intends to push Victoria's Secret to overhaul its board and refocus its business, The Wall Street Journal said, citing a letter the firm sent to Victoria's Secret Chairwoman Donna James. Sage Therapeutics — Sage soared 35% after agreeing to be acquired by Supernus Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth $12 a share, or $795 million. The deal would diversify Supernus' revenue base and add FDA-approved postpartum depression drug treatment Zurzuvae, according to a statement. Sage shareholders would receive $8.50 a share in cash and a non-tradable contingent value right payable upon certain specific milestones worth up to $3.50 per share. Sarepta Therapeutics — The biopharmaceutical company plunged about 45% after Sarepta reported the death of a second patient receiving its Elevidys gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sarepta halted shipments of Elevidys and is taking steps to improve safety for non-ambulatory patients. — CNBC's Jesse Pound, Michelle Fox and Christina Cheddar Berk contributed reporting.
CNBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: U.S. Steel, Roku, Celsius, Sarepta Therapeutics and more
Check out the companies making headlines before the opening bell on Wall Street. U.S. Steel — U.S. Steel shares jumped 5%s after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday approving its merger with Japan's Nippon Steel. The companies also signed a national security agreement that includes a golden share for the U.S government. Although U.S. Steel did not specify what powers the government would wield with its share, Trump said on Thursday that the golden share gives the U.S. president " total control ." Roku — The streaming platform jumped 8.5% after announcing an exclusive partnership with Amazon that gives advertisers access to what the two called "the largest authenticated footprint in connected TV ." The agreement enables advertisers to reach roughly 80 million U.S. households through the Amazon platform. Advanced Micro Devices — The chipmaker added more than 2% after a price target increase from Piper Sandler. After AMD's quarterly pre-quarter close call on Friday, Piper said it expects AMD's AI business to surge after the third quarter when China-related charges have passed, and noted increased conviction among investors about a key hyperscaler client. EchoStar — The satellite company jumped more than 40% after Bloomberg News reported late Friday that President Donald Trump had pushed the head of the Federal Communications Commission to resolve a spectrum dispute. The company has threatened to file for bankrupty protection and claims FCC threats blocked its ability to decide on a 5G network buildout. Celsius — Shares of the energy drink company rallied about 4% after TD Cowen upgraded the stock to buy from hold , saying its "growth story is heating back up" and shares should trade higher this year. The investment bank said it confident in the Celsius brand, smooth integration of the company's Alani Nu acquisition and wider distribution next year. Victoria's Secret — Shares added 3% following a report that activist investor Barrington Capital Group has built a stake in the retailer. Barrington intends to push Victoria's Secret to overhaul its board and refocus its business, the Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources. Sage Therapeutics — Sage soared 35% after agreeing to be acquired by Supernus Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth $12 a share, or $795 million. The deal would accelerate diversify Supernus' revenue base and add FDA-approved postpartum depression drug treatment Zurzuvae, according to a statement. Sage shareholders would receive $8.50 a share in cash and a non-tradable contingent value right payable upon certain specific milestones worth up to $3.50 per share. Sarepta Therapeutics — The biopharmaceutical company plunged more than 37% after Sarepta reported the death of a second patient receiving its Elevidys gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sarepta halted shipments of Elevidys and is taking steps to improve safety for non-ambulatory patients. — CNBC's Jesse Pound and Michelle Fox contributed reporting.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
As LA immigration protests spread across the US, will Trump go Taco again?
US President Donald Trump's militarised response to immigration protests in Los Angeles has triggered backlash — reviving questions over whether he will backtrack, as he has often done under pressure. As protests spread nationwide, all eyes are on the White House. Will Trump follow the Taco pattern — Trump Always Chickens Out? read more US President Donald Trump speaks as he participates in a roundtable discussion with the Fraternal Order of Police at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 5, 2025. File Image/Reuters The ongoing protests in Los Angeles which were sparked by immigration enforcement raids were met with a swift federal response from Washington. United States President Donald Trump's move to deploy thousands of US troops to the city has resulted in a legal battle. At the heart of the controversy lies a simple question with complex implications: will Trump once again reverse course if opposition continues to mount? Trump's decision to send military personnel into LA — overriding objections from California officials — has reopened scrutiny into a longstanding pattern of policy flip-flops, especially when resistance grows or market impacts deepen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This pattern, so familiar that it has come to be known by the acronym TACO — Trump Always Chickens Out — is now being put to the test once again. How Trump got the Taco tag The term 'TACO' surged into public discussion in May 2025 after journalist Robert Armstrong used it in a Financial Times opinion column analysing Trump's trade strategies. It gained immediate traction for encapsulating a familiar political behaviour: the President often makes aggressive pronouncements or policy moves, only to withdraw them later under pressure. Armstrong wrote that the market was realising that 'the US administration does not have a very high tolerance for market and economic pressure, and will be quick to back off when tariffs cause pain.' He dubbed this the 'Taco theory.' Since then, commentators and financial analysts have pointed to multiple episodes that fit this mold. Among the most cited were the rapid pause in 'Liberation Day' tariffs just a week after their announcement, Trump's public call to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell followed by his retreat from that stance, and an agreement to scale back China-related tariffs after initial escalation. Financial Times' Katie Martin cited three such turnarounds that had tangible impacts on market performance. Other reports, like Shannon Pettypiece's for NBC News, documented as many as ten specific trade reversals: from duties on European wine and Canadian goods to proposed levies on iPhones and children's toys. As protests and unrest continue across California and spread to other cities like Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and New York, the question resurfaces: will Trump remain committed to this path, or will the 'Taco theory' play out once more? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why Trump's federal deployment in questionable The Trump administration has defended its decision to deploy a significant military presence to Los Angeles, but the move has drawn sharp criticism for both its legal footing and fiscal cost. According to a Pentagon estimate presented to Congress, the deployment is expected to cost approximately $134 million over a 60-day period. This figure includes expenses related to housing, transportation, and food for the personnel involved. Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, a Pentagon official serving as a special assistant to the secretary of defense, shared the cost breakdown during testimony before a House subcommittee. The funding for this operation is being drawn from the Department of Defense's Operations & Maintenance budget. A total of 4,700 personnel have been activated as part of this mobilisation: 4,000 members of the California National Guard and 700 Marines. Though Marines have yet to be seen actively engaged on the streets, the presence of National Guard troops — especially near federal buildings and ICE operations — has been confirmed. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth appeared before lawmakers to defend the decision, asserting that 'every American citizen deserves to live in a community that's safe, and ICE agents need to be able to do their job.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hegseth argued that the 60-day deployment timeline was intentional: 'We stated very publicly that it's 60 days because we want to ensure that those rioters, looters and thugs on the other side assaulting our police officers know that we're not going anywhere.' Hegseth also accused demonstrators of being in the country illegally and claimed the deployment was meant to protect law enforcement personnel who were being attacked. Why Trump's decision is being brought to court The troop deployment has exposed a significant clash between the federal executive branch and California's Democratic leadership. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent critic of the Trump administration, has openly opposed the military presence in his state. Speaking in a nationally televised address, Newsom described the moment as a 'war' being waged not just against protesters, but against the foundational principles of American democracy. 'California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived,' Newsom declared, warning that Trump's tactics reflect a larger attempt to centralise power in the White House and bypass the established norms of federalism. Newsom further added, 'He's declared a war. A war on culture, on history, on science, on knowledge itself. He's delegitimising news organisations, and he's assaulting the First Amendment.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Asserting that 'it's time for all of us to stand up,' Newsom urged peaceful resistance while criticizing Trump's actions as fundamentally anti-democratic. Simultaneously, California filed a legal challenge to the troop deployment, arguing that federal intervention in state matters without consent violates the principles of state sovereignty. In response, a judge opted not to issue an immediate ruling, instead granting several days for the administration to continue its actions ahead of a scheduled hearing. Adding to the friction, Trump claimed he had spoken to Newsom about the protests. The Governor disputed this directly on social media, writing: 'There was no call. Not even a voicemail.' He added, 'Americans should be alarmed that a President deploying Marines onto our streets doesn't even know who he's talking to.' Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, pressed the administration over the legal grounds for military deployment. Representative Pete Aguilar cited federal law that allows presidential use of troops only under limited conditions such as foreign invasion, rebellion, or inability to enforce federal law using regular means. 'Which authority is triggered here to justify the use?' he asked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hegseth responded vaguely: 'I don't know. You just read it yourself so people can listen themselves, but it sounds like all three to me.' He reiterated claims that demonstrators were undocumented and violent, though evidence of this was not independently confirmed during the hearing. Representative Betty McCollum challenged why Marines were being sent to LA now when a similar response was not undertaken during the 2020 unrest in Minneapolis. Hegseth defended the decision, referencing leadership requests: 'The police chief said she was overwhelmed, so we helped.' However, it remains unclear which official Hegseth was referring to. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell had earlier issued a statement expressing concern over the deployment, saying it complicated efforts to de-escalate tension and posed logistical challenges due to lack of coordination. Will Taco Trump repeat himself? Trump has not ruled out invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the most severe emergency powers available to a U.S. president. From the Oval Office, he said: 'If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We'll see.' Trump also stoked further controversy by appearing to support the idea of Newsom's arrest if he were to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. 'I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,' the president told reporters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The broader context includes years of tension between Trump and California leadership, particularly Newsom. Trump has previously threatened to withhold wildfire aid, intervened in homelessness policy debates, and warned California residents that 'your children are in danger' due to illegal immigration. His rhetoric often includes insults — calling the governor 'New-scum' — and incendiary policy declarations. The recent protests, which began in response to ICE raids, have remained concentrated in downtown Los Angeles but are now being echoed in major cities across the US. Reports of teargas and violent clashes, including the torching of vehicles and highway blockades, have only heightened national interest. While Trump has so far stood firm on the military deployment, historical precedent suggests the possibility of a reversal. The president's record — be it trade threats, economic tariffs, or even high-profile dismissals — shows a consistent pattern of retreat when faced with sustained opposition or political cost. With inputs from agencies
