Wall Street Roundup
Aramco’s dividend payment, Boeing’s inquiry, Reddit IPO, Altman’s return to OpenAI as CEO, and Powell’s congressional testimony are recent global business events.
Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil firm Aramco pays dividends despite a 24.7 percent earnings drop in 2023. IPO plans for Reddit are $748 million. Boeing is under investigation by the US Justice Department after an Alaska Airlines incident. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman survives coup attempt. US Fed chairman Jerome Powell suggests reducing inflation. World Street has this and more.
Payout party
The Saudi state-owned oil firm Aramco maintained its dividend distribution despite a 24.7 percent drop in net profit to $121.3 billion in 2023 due to reduced oil prices and volumes. Despite diversification initiatives, the government remains dependent on oil money.
Aramco’s 2023 earnings were its second-highest ever despite decreasing from $161.1 billion in 2022. The business announced $97.8 billion in dividends, up 30%.
Rendezvous on Reddit
Reddit Inc. and its investors want to raise $748 million in one of the largest IPOs of the year. Bloomberg reports the social networking platform and certain stockholders will sell 22 million shares for $31 to $34. The corporation sought a $6.5 billion IPO valuation.
Boeing probe
Boeing was investigated by the DOJ after a panel on one of its planes blew off on an Alaska Airlines trip in early January, The New York Times reported. The airline said it was helping the investigation.
“The DOJ usually investigates events like this. We are complying and do not feel we are under investigation “Alaska Airlines stated.
Coup outcome
OpenAI’s non-profit board commissioned an independent review that determined CEO Sam Altman’s actions “did not mandate removal”. He rejoins the board after surviving a November 2023 boardroom revolt.
In a news statement, board chair Bret Taylor said WilmerHale law firm interviewed board members, staff, and analyzed over 30,000 documents to find Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman “are the right leaders for OpenAI”.
The Powell Pivot
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues are considering relaxing their inflation stance eight months after raising interest rates to their highest level in two decades.
Powell told Congress last week that the central bank needs “just a bit more evidence” that inflation is approaching its 2 percent objective before lowering borrowing costs. “We’re nearing that point,” he added.
China’s revival?
China’s consumer prices rose for the first time since August, ending a string of decline that has hampered development. The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 0.7 percent gain in the consumer price index in February, following January’s greatest reduction since 2009.
Recession relief
Business spending kept Japan’s economy from entering a recession last year. This is good news for the Bank of Japan as it contemplates its first interest rate rise since 2007. Japan’s GDP grew 0.4 percent annually in the fourth quarter, according to the cabinet office.
This upward revision reflects stronger economic resilience ahead of the central bank’s policy meeting next week, but the data shows that inflationary pressures are still limiting consumer spending.
The Growth Gambit
Estancia Capital Partners LP is buying a minority stake in UK Savings Fintech Flagstone, a cash deposit platform, to boost its savings services. Flagstone said the private equity firm’s £108 million ($139 million) investment will help it consolidate and expand domestically and internationally.
This investment will also reward Flagstone’s investors. The sale did not reveal Estancia’s interest in the Arizona firm.
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Estancia Capital Partners LP is buying a minority stake in UK Savings Fintech Flagstone, a cash deposit platform, to boost its savings services. Flagstone said the private equity firm’s £108 million ($139 million) investment will help it consolidate and expand domestically and internationally.
This investment will also reward Flagstone’s investors. The sale did not reveal Estancia’s interest in the Arizona firm.
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