Apple Inc. is considering acquiring Perplexity AI, with discussions led by M&A head Adrian Perica. However, no formal outreach has occurred. Concurrently, Apple faces a shareholder lawsuit alleging it misled investors about AI advancements, particularly regarding Siri, which has reportedly affected iPhone sales and stock value. Since December 2024, Apple's market value has dropped by nearly $900 billion, with shares down 17.57% this year and 3.13% over the past year.

Apple Eyes Perplexity AI Acquisition While Facing Shareholder Lawsuit Over Exaggerated AI Progress: Report

Meta Platforms is intensifying its AI hiring efforts, with CTO Andrew Bosworth revealing that OpenAI is countering Meta's lucrative job offers to retain its top talent. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman mentioned that Meta is offering $100 million signing bonuses, but Bosworth noted that OpenAI is actively responding to these offers. The demand for elite AI talent is unprecedented, prompting Meta to invest in Scale AI and hire key figures from the AI sector. Despite challenges, Meta's stock performance remains strong across various timeframes.

Meta Tried Luring OpenAI's Top Minds With Massive Paychecks, But Sam Altman 'Neglected To Mention That He's Countering Those Offers,' Says Andrew Bosworth

Deutsche Bank AG believes that historical data shows that the geopolitical risk premium of gold typically peaks in the 8th to 20th trading days after a crisis, with an average increase of 5.5%. Given the current severity of the conflict and the actual deployment of U.S. troops, the rapid decline of the geopolitical risk premium for gold may be a false signal, and preparations should be made for gold to rebuild its risk premium in the coming weeks

Israel and Palestine are in a major conflict, and gold remains "unmoved," which is quite unusual

Meta Platforms Inc. is intensifying its AI recruitment strategy following a failed acquisition of Safe Superintelligence (SSI), a startup co-founded by OpenAI's former chief scientist. The company is now targeting top talents, including SSI CEO Daniel Gross and ex-GitHub CEO Nat Friedman. This shift comes as Meta aims to enhance its superintelligence initiatives, having recently hired Alexandr Wang from Scale AI. The focus is on advancing research in AI, moving beyond chatbots to long-term superintelligence goals.

After Failed SSI Takeover, Meta Now Eyes CEO Daniel Gross And Ex-GitHub Chief Nat Friedman

In the face of an uncertain market, diversified investment strategies have shown strong resilience, while concentrated betting strategies favoring large tech stocks have faced setbacks in recent years. Société Générale's multi-asset investment portfolio has achieved its strongest performance since 2008. Stocks in developed overseas markets, gold, and even Bitcoin have outperformed the S&P 500 index this year, as investors seek returns from opportunities beyond familiar territories

"Various face-slapping" in the first half of the year, "all-weather" rise!

The IPO has risen over 675% in the first 10 days, and Seaport analysts have given Circle a buy rating for the first time, believing that with the improvement of the regulatory environment and the increase in cryptocurrency acceptance, the stablecoin market will experience explosive growth. Circle, as a "top crypto disruptor," is expected to achieve an annual revenue growth of 25%-30%, although its business model faces challenges from interest rate risks

After 10 days of being listed and a 6-fold increase, are there still analysts bullish on Circle?

Despite facing multiple uncertainties such as trade wars, disagreements within the Federal Reserve, and geopolitical crises, the volatility indicators have decreased. Bloomberg pointed out that the "TACO trade" effectively suppressed stock volatility, especially under the influence of Trump's trade remarks and the situation in the Middle East. The market's expectations regarding the political situation have receded, leading to a decline in risk premiums, a normalization of the volatility index, and a sell-off in short-term volatility bonds

"TACO trading" continues to dominate the market

Goldman Sachs equity derivatives expert Shawn Tuteja pointed out in a report that the most important chart in the stock market right now is the ratio of Goldman Sachs' "AI Yield Stock Basket" to the "AI Impaired Stock Basket." Since the tariff suspension in April, this ratio has risen significantly. Tuteja believes that this trade may signal potential risks in the stock market; if the trade continues to be effective, the market is unlikely to see a significant correction; conversely, if the trade starts to close out, the market may face difficulties

The most important chart for the current US stock market

On the 21st, Tesla stated: "Since its establishment, Tesla has been focused on investing in manufacturing and infrastructure in the United States. As of the beginning of this year, we have invested approximately $44 billion in capital expenditures. In just the past fiscal year, we invested about $10 billion in capital expenditures and plan to reinvest approximately $8 billion in this fiscal year."

Tesla plans to reinvest approximately $8 billion in this fiscal year

According to reports, the United States and the European Union are about to reach a "reciprocal trade agreement" on multiple non-tariff trade disputes, covering areas such as digital regulation, environmental policy, and industrial cooperation. This includes: U.S. tech companies receiving enforcement exemptions during negotiations over the European Digital Markets Act in the U.S. and Europe; both sides will strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding and critical minerals. However, the absence of tariff issues in the draft adds uncertainty to the prospects of the agreement

Report: The US and Europe are about to reach an agreement on "non-tariff trade disputes."

Apple executives are discussing the acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI to address the demand for AI talent and technology. Although the discussions are in the preliminary stage, a formal acquisition offer may not be made. If the deal goes through, Apple could develop its own AI search engine, reducing its reliance on Google. Currently, Google is the default browser supplier for Apple devices, generating approximately $20 billion in annual revenue, but it is facing antitrust scrutiny. Perplexity AI stated that it is unaware of the discussions, and Apple has not commented

Apple explores acquiring Perplexity to compete for AI talent

The Federal Reserve pointed out in its latest monetary policy report that the decrease in the number of immigrants has led to a slowdown in the growth of labor supply, although the job market remains robust. The report mentioned that the labor market has returned to a balanced state, with the unemployment rate remaining low. Regarding the future direction of interest rates, there are differing opinions among Fed officials; San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly leans towards a rate cut in the fall, while Governor Christopher Waller believes a cut could happen as early as July

The Federal Reserve report states that labor supply is slowing, and officials have differing opinions on the future direction of interest rates

The Trump administration has requested Japan to increase its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, leading Japan to cancel high-level talks with the United States. The "2+2" security dialogue originally scheduled for July 1 has been postponed due to U.S. demands and is related to Japan's upcoming Senate elections. Japan feels uneasy about the current state of bilateral relations, believing that the risks of holding a meeting before the elections outweigh the benefits. Tensions between the U.S. and Japan are escalating at a time when the U.S. is urging allies to increase defense spending

Report: The Trump administration suddenly demands Japan to increase defense spending, and Japan cancels high-level talks with the U.S

After the White House's response, market sentiment has eased somewhat. Oil prices and gold have retreated, while European stocks, Asian markets, and cryptocurrencies have risen. U.S. stock futures have limited declines, U.S. Treasuries remain stable, and the dollar has fallen for two consecutive days

Trump's statement eases tensions, crude oil and gold retreat, European stocks rise broadly, and U.S. stock futures dip slightly before the market opens

Alphabet's stock fell nearly 4% on Friday, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 0.2% decline. This drop was influenced by a pending 4.1 billion euro fine from the EU for stifling competition with its Android OS. The Court of Justice of the EU's advocate-general recommended dismissing Alphabet's appeal against the fine, which, while non-binding, is often followed by the court. Although the fine was reduced from over 4.3 billion euros, a loss in the appeal would highlight Alphabet's vulnerability to anti-competitive lawsuits.

Why Alphabet Stock Flopped on Friday

Trump: If Powell cuts interest rates by one or two percentage points, the United States could save up to $1 trillion in spending per year. Risk Warning and Disclaimer: The market has risks, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account the specific investment goals, financial situation, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article align with their specific circumstances. Investment based on this is at one's own risk

Trump: If Powell cuts interest rates by one or two percentage points, the United States could save up to $1 trillion in spending in a year

In a recent podcast, Motley Fool analysts discussed Walmart and Amazon's potential plans to launch their own stablecoins, which could impact payment giants like Visa and Mastercard. They also highlighted Roku and Amazon's expanding partnership and recommended dividend stocks Whirlpool and Owens Corning. The podcast touched on market resilience amid geopolitical tensions and the upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate decision. The analysts emphasized the benefits of stablecoins for cross-border transactions and the need for a clearer regulatory framework for their adoption.

Big Retail, Stablecoins, and Dividends. Oh My!

Waymo has applied for a permit to test its self-driving vehicles in New York City, aiming to operate in Manhattan with a human safety driver. The application faces strict regulations, including a $5 million insurance policy and mandatory human operators. Meanwhile, Tesla prepares for its robotaxi launch in Austin, TX, set for June 22, with rides in Model Y SUVs equipped with Full Self-Driving software and a safety monitor. CEO Elon Musk emphasizes safety and potential rapid scaling of the service if the pilot is successful.

Just As Tesla Lined Up Its Big Move, Waymo Went Bigger

On Friday, among the top 20 transactions in the US stock market, Tesla had a transaction volume of $34.899 billion, closing up 0.03%, and signed a contract with Shanghai to build its first grid-side energy storage station, investing 4 billion yuan. NVIDIA had a transaction volume of $34.706 billion, closing down 1.12%. Circle Internet's stock price rose 20.39%, with a transaction volume of $21.087 billion, up 80% for the week, and Seaport gave it a "Buy" rating with a target price of $235. Apple closed up 2.25%, with a transaction volume of $19.041 billion, but user feedback indicated issues with smart devices experiencing update loops

Top 20 trading volumes in US stocks on June 20: Stablecoin first stock Circle rose 80% this week

On Friday (June 20), the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury bond fell to 4.3751%, a cumulative decline of 7.11 basis points this week, with a trading range of 4.4443%-4.3377%. The yield on the 2-year Treasury bond dropped to 3.9077%, a cumulative decline of 5.87 basis points this week, with a trading range of 3.9749%-3.8824%. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced that the FOMC had held steady for four consecutive times, and the economic outlook summary sharply dropped to its lowest point this week

Semiconductor ETFs faced significant declines following reports of potential trade restrictions on China by the Trump administration. Key players like TSMC, Nvidia, and ASML saw drops in their stock prices, impacting major ETFs such as the VanEck Semiconductor ETF and iShares Semiconductor ETF. The market's reaction underscores the sensitivity of semiconductor assets to policy changes, prompting investors to consider ETFs with greater U.S. exposure or those tracking beneficiaries of reshoring amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

TSMC, ASML, Nvidia Drag Down Chip ETFs Amid Trump-Era Policy Revival

Federal Reserve: U.S. bank deposits last week were $18.253 trillion, up from $18.207 trillion the previous week

"Hot Director" Waller believes that interest rates should be cut as early as July, suggesting that the one-time impact of tariffs on prices should be ignored. Even if there are future shocks from Middle Eastern events, rate cuts can be paused again. Richmond Fed President Barkin believes there is no rush to cut rates, stating that they are not yet ready to rule out inflation risks from tariffs. San Francisco Fed President Daly believes that having more information may lead to a rate cut this fall. Economists evaluate Waller's remarks: the Federal Reserve is closer to cutting rates, but clearer economic evidence is needed

The divergence among Federal Reserve officials regarding interest rate cuts has become public: some call for July, some expect this fall, while others are not in a hurry

Federal Reserve's Daly: So far, the U.S. economy and FOMC monetary policy are in good shape

The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index preliminarily closed down 0.9%, with a cumulative decline of about 1.4% this week. Popular Chinese concept stocks generally fell, with XPeng down 6.1%, JD.com down 3.3%, Bilibili and WeRide down over 2%. Others like Li Auto, Baidu, Tencent, and Pinduoduo all fell over 1%. Some stocks like ZEEKR and Donis saw gains of no more than 0.8%. Chinese concept ETFs YINN, KWEB, and CQQQ preliminarily closed down over 1%

Tesla has filed a federal lawsuit against former engineer Zhongjie "Jay" Li, alleging he stole trade secrets related to the company's Optimus humanoid robot program to launch a competing startup, Proception. The lawsuit claims Li downloaded proprietary data before leaving Tesla and that Proception's products closely resemble Tesla's designs. Tesla seeks damages and a permanent injunction against Proception, emphasizing the significant investment in the Optimus project and the importance of protecting its intellectual property.

Tesla Sues Ex-Engineer's Startup Over Alleged Theft Of Billion-Dollar Robot Tech: 'Defendants Took A Shortcut: Theft,' Musk's Company Says

Investor caution dominated Wall Street this week amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and President Trump's criticism of Fed Chair Powell. The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 4.25%-4.5%, projecting two rate cuts in 2025. Powell defended the decision, citing persistent inflation and new pressures from tariffs. Oil prices steadied near $73 per barrel, while the Senate's tax bill led to a sell-off in renewables. Conversely, Coinbase surged 27% after a bill for stablecoin regulation passed.

Wall Street Wavers As Geopolitical Tensions Flare, Trump Renews Attacks On Fed Chair Powell: This Week In Markets

U.S. stocks fell, with the Nasdaq down over 100 points. Darden Restaurants reported Q4 earnings of $2.98 per share, exceeding estimates, and projected fiscal 2026 EPS between $10.50 and $10.70. Gorilla Technology shares surged 36% after strong earnings, while Accenture shares dropped 6% post-results. Commodities saw gold down 0.7% and oil down 0.2%. European markets rose, while Asian markets closed mixed. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index remained unchanged at -4.0.

Gold Moves Lower; Darden Restaurants Earnings Top Views

Meta Platforms Inc. had discussions to acquire AI search startup Perplexity AI before making a $10 billion investment in Scale AI, but the deal did not materialize. According to insiders, the details of the negotiations were not disclosed, and Perplexity recently completed a new round of financing with a valuation of $14 billion. This negotiation indicates that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to surpass competitors in the AI race through deals and hiring

Before Meta made a significant investment in Scale AI, it had discussed acquiring Perplexity

President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Tom Barkin: believes that the FOMC is not in a hurry to cut interest rates. Not yet ready to rule out inflation risks from tariffs. If U.S. inflation surges, it cannot be ignored, and the price index is still above the target. Currently, there are no urgent factors in the data that require the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates

Meta is seeking to hire Daniel Gross, the CEO of the artificial intelligence startup Safe Superintelligence, despite its founder Ilya Sutskever rejecting Meta's acquisition proposal. Meta is also in talks to hire former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and plans to take a stake in their joint venture NFDG. This move aims to enhance Meta's artificial intelligence lab and attract leaders with relevant experience

Meta seeks to hire artificial intelligence startup CEO Ilya Sutskever

Alibaba Cloud is launching its second data center in South Korea by the end of June to enhance its AI infrastructure, investing at least $53 billion over three years. This expansion follows the establishment of its first center in Seoul in 2022. Despite missing revenue estimates for the fourth quarter, Alibaba Cloud reported an 18% revenue increase, indicating strong growth. The move is part of Alibaba's strategy to diversify beyond China amid regulatory challenges and geopolitical tensions.

Alibaba Expands AI Cloud Footprint In South Korea With New Data Hub Launching In June

Deep-pocketed investors are showing a bullish trend towards PDD Holdings, with significant options activity indicating potential market movements. Recent data reveals 9 extraordinary options activities, with 44% of investors bullish and 44% bearish. The targeted price range for PDD is between $85.0 and $115.0. Currently, PDD's stock is trading at $102.68, with a slight increase of 0.42%. Analysts have set an average price target of $115.25, with varying ratings from different firms. Options trading carries risks, and traders are advised to stay informed and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on PDD Options

The latest monetary policy report released by the Federal Reserve to Congress on Friday stated that the U.S. inflation rate has risen, and the labor market remains robust, but it hinted that the impact of Trump's tariff measures may just be beginning to show, reiterating the Fed's view that it can wait for clearer circumstances before taking action. The Fed stated in the report: "The impact of increased import tariffs on U.S. consumer prices this year is highly uncertain, as trade policies continue to evolve, and it is still too early to assess how consumers and businesses will respond. Although the effects of tariffs cannot be directly observed from official consumer price statistics, the patterns of net price changes for various goods this year suggest that tariffs may be one of the reasons for the recent rebound in goods inflation." The report also noted that despite the uncertainties, the financial system has remained "resilient."

Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Report: It is still too early to assess the impact of tariffs on the economy

The Federal Reserve pointed out that the labor market conditions are "robust," with employment growing at a "moderate" pace and the unemployment rate remaining low. The overall financial system remains resilient, despite experiencing considerable volatility in April. The report reiterated the stance of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and other officials that the current monetary policy stance is conducive for decision-makers to remain patient and wait for a clearer economic outlook

Federal Reserve Semiannual Monetary Policy Report: The labor market has become balanced, reiterating a wait-and-see approach for clearer prospects

Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Report: Tariffs have impacted the confidence of households and businesses, and the effects of tariffs have not yet been reflected in official data; it is still too early to assess the economic impact of tariffs. Some early signs indicate that tariffs have driven inflation upward

Tesla has seen unusual options activity, with 1000 trades detected. 37% of investors are bullish while 48% are bearish. The total put volume is $31.7 million and call volume is $40.3 million. The predicted price range for Tesla is between $5.0 and $960.0. Currently, TSLA is down 0.92% at $319.08, with analysts giving an average target price of $401.0. Ratings vary, with Goldman Sachs maintaining a Neutral rating at $285, while Wedbush has an Outperform rating at $500.

Tesla Unusual Options Activity For June 20

Meta collaborates with sports eyewear brand Oakley to launch AI smart glasses, named "Oakley Meta HSTN." The product is equipped with a hands-free high-definition camera, open-ear speaker, and waterproof features, priced at $499, with pre-sales starting on July 11. Meta plans to debut in North America, Australia, and some European countries, and expand to the markets of Mexico, India, and the UAE by the end of the year. This move marks Meta's further expansion in the wearable technology field

Meta will collaborate with the sports eyewear brand Oakley to launch AI smart glasses

Amazon (AMZN) is expected to become a strong competitor in the robotics and artificial intelligence sectors, as its stock price volatility is relatively low, making it a more attractive investment option than Tesla (TSLA). Analysts point out that the risk factors faced by Tesla are becoming increasingly prominent, while Amazon has deployed over 750,000 robots in its logistics network and continues to expand its AI business. It is estimated that by 2032, Amazon could save $7.1 billion annually through robotics and AI applications

Amazon's robot army may crush Tesla in the AI competition

According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, on the last trading day (June 18, the day the Federal Reserve announced to hold steady), the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) was reported at 4.28%, down from 4.31% the previous day. The effective federal funds rate on the last trading day was reported at 4.33%, unchanged from the previous day

Financial giants are making bearish moves on Meta Platforms (META), with 50 unusual options trades analyzed. 24% of traders are bullish, while 44% are bearish. The trading volume indicates a price focus between $5.0 and $860.0. Currently, META is trading at $695.78, with analysts giving a consensus target price of $723.0. Ratings include Overweight from JP Morgan ($735), Wells Fargo ($664), and B of A Securities ($765). Options trading is riskier but offers higher profit potential, requiring traders to stay informed and manage risks effectively.

Smart Money Is Betting Big In META Options

Silver prices have surged 27% this year to a multi-year high. The price surge has sparked a "silver rush" across the United States, with investors flocking to coin shops, metal dealers, and jewelry stores to cash in their silver coins, silverware, and silver bars. Some even rummage through coin jars in search of silver coins minted before 1965

From Jewelry Boxes to Safes: The Silver Craze Turns Americans into "Silver Hunters"

Tesla plans to open its first showrooms in India in July, officially entering the world's third-largest automotive market. The first model will be the rear-wheel-drive version of the Model Y SUV exported from its factory in China. Although Elon Musk is optimistic about the Indian market, progress has been slow due to tariff disputes and local manufacturing requirements. The pre-tax price of the model is expected to exceed $56,000, which may face challenges in a price-sensitive market. Tesla needs to adjust its positioning strategy in the Indian market

Tesla's debut in India is imminent! Opening in July, the Chinese-made Model Y is exploring high prices

Federal Reserve Governor Waller stated that interest rate cuts may be achieved before July. Brent crude oil fell due to discussions in Iran about limiting uranium enrichment. An Iraqi armed group threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. intervenes. Japan's issuance of ultra-long-term government bonds was reduced by 3.2 trillion yen, with no plans for bond repurchases. U.S.-Japan trade negotiations face challenges. SK is collaborating with Amazon to invest $5 billion in building data centers, and Tesla has signed a contract for China's first grid-side energy storage project. The Nikkei 225 index slightly declined, the Shanghai Composite Index fell slightly, and the Hang Seng Index rose by 1.26%

Global news you need to know before the U.S. stock market opens on Friday

Federal Reserve Governor Waller stated that a rate cut may occur at the July meeting. Trump claimed that Apple will purchase a large number of immigrant "golden cards," and Apple executives are considering using generative AI to design chips. Home Depot launched a takeover bid for GMS, and Texas Instruments plans to invest $60 billion in the United States. Montreal Bank acquired Burgundy Asset Management, and Amazon, along with SK Group, is investing $5 billion to build AI data centers. Accenture's Q3 revenue increased by 7.5% year-on-year. Ford recalled 197,432 vehicles, and the EU Court ruled that Google abused its dominant market position

Daily US Stock Market News Briefing (June 20, Friday)

Tesla plans to launch a pilot program for its autonomous taxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 22, with approximately 10 Model Y SUVs deployed for road testing. Despite multiple delays in the project timeline, CEO Elon Musk expressed confidence in the safety measures, stating that a professional team will be equipped for remote monitoring and intervention. Tesla's approach differs from that of other companies, utilizing a unique technological path and facing challenges related to network stability and communication interruptions

Tesla Robotaxi trial is imminent, 10 Model Y vehicles hit the road in Austin

Federal Reserve Governor Waller: Interest rate cuts may occur as early as the July meeting

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed regret for underestimating Elon Musk's potential to misuse government power to hinder competition, particularly regarding OpenAI's $500 billion "Stargate" data-center deal. Musk allegedly lobbied against the project unless it included his startup, xAI. Following Altman's comments, Musk labeled him as "Scam Altman" on social media. Altman warned that such tactics could harm domestic capacity but remains optimistic about the Stargate project's progress. Additionally, OpenAI is reconsidering its relationship with Microsoft amid concerns over anticompetitive practices.

Sam Altman Says He 'Didn't Think' Elon Musk Would Abuse Government Power, Tesla CEO Hits Back With 'Scam Altman' Jibe

Not friendly to insurance companies themselves