Anti-Clickbait News Summaries for February 15, 2025
Extreme weather drives cocoa and coffee prices to record highs in 2025
Hi! Itβs Jack and The Stock Insider team with the best, non-partisan daily newsletter related to politics, the US stock market, and business. π
The Podcast:
The Markets:
Futures Highlights
A mixed picture in the futures markets todayβwith natural gas leading with a strong gain while energy metals like crude oil and gold post notable losses. Equity index futures remain mostly flat with minor moves.
π’ Natural Gas: Last 3.7260 | Change +0.0980 | +2.70%
π’ Nasdaq 100: Last 22203.50 | Change +90.25 | +0.41%
βͺ S&P 500: Last 6134.00 | Change -1.25 | -0.02%
βͺ Russell 2000: Last 2287.50 | Change -0.50 | -0.02%
π΄ Dow: Last 44637.00 | Change -174.00 | -0.39%
π΄ Crude Oil: Last 70.57 | Change -0.72 | -1.01%
π΄ Gold: Last 2893.70 | Change -51.70 | -1.76%
Forex & Bonds Overview
Currencies and crypto are edging higher with EUR/USD leading the gains, while major treasuries continue to slide as yields fall. The bond sector experienced the steepest declines, reflecting broader market caution.
π’ EUR/USD: Last 1.0487 | Change +0.0023 | +0.22%
π’ BTC/USD: Last 97660.20 | Change +156.10 | +0.16%
π’ GBP/USD: Last 1.2585 | Change +0.0020 | +0.16%
π΄ USD/JPY: Last 152.28 | Change -0.51 | -0.33%
π΄ 30-Year Treasury: Last 4.693 | Change -0.039 | -0.82%
π΄ 10-Year Treasury: Last 4.472 | Change -0.053 | -1.17%
π΄ 5-Year Treasury: Last 4.324 | Change -0.062 | -1.41%
Major News Movers
The stocks are showing dramatic swings todayβfrom WRDβs extraordinary surge to TWLOβs steep drop. Notable winners like DKNG, ABNB, and MRNA led the upward move, while significant losses were recorded by TWLO, COIN, and INTC.
π’ WRD: +83.46%
π’ DKNG: +15.16%
π’ ABNB: +14.45%
π’ MRNA: +3.35%
π’ NVDA: +2.63%
π’ GME: +2.51%
π’ AAPL: +1.27%
π’ META: +1.11%
π’ TSM: +1.03%
βͺ TSLA: -0.03%
π΄ AMZN: -0.73%
π΄ PANW: -0.92%
π΄ WMT: -0.96%
π΄ INTC: -2.20%
π΄ COIN: -7.98%
π΄ TWLO: -15.01%
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Beyond the Paywall:
Events Affecting The Markets Today & Beyond
Most Impactful News Summaries
Today:
Below is a detailed breakdown of the types of events one might normally watch for and what our research reveals for today, Saturday, February 15, 2025:
1. Trading Day vs. Announcement Day
Weekend Impact:
The US stock market is closed on Saturdays. Because of this, most companies and regulatory agencies tend not to schedule their key market-moving announcements (such as earnings releases, monetary policy statements, or major economic data releases) for Saturdays.Implication:
While companies can still release press statements or other news over the weekend, these announcements typically come with less fanfare and are often timed to influence the upcoming trading week rather than todayβs market conditions.
2. Corporate Earnings & Company Announcements
Earnings Releases:
Major corporations typically schedule their earnings releases during weekdays. Although there are occasional weekend announcements, our deep research did not uncover any widely reported or anticipated earnings releases set exactly for today.Other Corporate News:
There is also no indication from our sources that any significant merger announcements, major guidance updates, or other corporate actions are planned for today that could move sentiment on a broad scale.
3. Government & Policy Announcements
Federal Reserve & Regulatory Bodies:
Announcements from the Federal Reserve (or related policy bodies) are almost always scheduled on weekdays. No scheduled policy changes or economic data releases (such as jobs reports or inflation readings) are reported for today.Political/Holiday Considerations:
Itβs worth noting that while today is a Saturday with no direct policy announcements, the upcoming week includes the Presidentsβ Day holiday (on Monday, February 17, 2025), which will lead to a closed market then and could delay any policy follow-ups until after the holiday.
4. Indirect Influences & Unscheduled Developments
Overnight Developments:
Although no major scheduled events are on the calendar, investors always keep an eye on any unexpected newsβbe it geopolitical shifts, natural events, or sudden corporate disclosuresβthat might break over the weekend. As of now, no such breaking news or unexpected announcements have been flagged for today.Weekend Press Releases:
It is common for companies to release news over the weekend to get ahead of the regular trading session. However, our comprehensive search shows no notable press releases expected today that are likely to have a major impact.
Most Impactful News Summaries:
Jackβs note: I recently feel like Iβm running an AI newsletterβ¦
About Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Chinaβ¦
Iβm really trying to be non-partisan.
These articles are simply the most influential.
π
Perplexity launches freemium deep research tool to compete with Google and OpenAI
Perplexity has launched a new in-depth research tool called Deep Research, available for free with limited daily queries. This follows similar releases from Google and OpenAI, all named Deep Research, aimed at providing detailed answers with citations for professional use.
Perplexity's tool is designed to perform expert-level tasks quickly, completing most queries in under three minutes. In a recent AI benchmarking test, it scored 21.1%, outperforming competitors like Google and OpenAI's other models, but falling short of OpenAI's Deep Research score of 26.6%.
While OpenAI's Deep Research requires a $200 monthly subscription, Perplexity offers a freemium model. The company claims its tool is faster and more accessible for casual researchers, while OpenAI focuses on analytical depth for enterprise needs.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/15/perplexity-launches-its-own-freemium-deep-research-product/
Trump administration prioritizes nuclear power in energy strategy
President Trump has focused on increasing fossil fuel production since taking office, signing orders to boost oil and gas exploration while restricting renewable energy projects. He declared a national energy emergency to support fossil fuels.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasizes nuclear power as a key energy source. He aims to promote advanced nuclear technology and small modular reactors, which are faster and cheaper to deploy than traditional large-scale reactors.
Trump has requested uranium be reclassified as a critical mineral to unlock federal funding for domestic projects. The U.S. is working to increase its uranium production, reducing reliance on imports, especially from Russia.
New tariffs in 2025 may boost XRP adoption in international transactions
New tariffs introduced by the administration could impact the cryptocurrency market, particularly XRP. Tariffs may disrupt trade, leading financial institutions to seek cheaper international money transfer methods, potentially increasing XRP's adoption.
As tariffs make U.S. dollars scarcer, international buyers might turn to XRP for transactions. This shift could boost demand for XRP, as it offers a more accessible alternative for purchasing goods from the U.S.
Financial institutions may also consider holding more XRP as a hedge against economic disruptions caused by tariffs. While XRP's volatility remains a concern, its role in international money transfers could encourage banks to increase their holdings.
Source: https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/02/15/3-ways-xrp-could-benefit-from-new-tariffs-in-2025/
Trump blames Biden for rising inflation as rates hit 3% in January
Inflation has risen to 3% in January, prompting former President Donald Trump to blame "Biden inflation." This marks a shift from the previous trend where inflation had dropped to 2.4% last September.
Trump's economic policies, including tariffs, are expected to worsen inflation, according to consumer surveys. Many Americans anticipate inflation to rise to 4.3% in the next year.
As inflation persists, Trump may need to adjust his tariff strategies or face voter backlash. Unlike Biden, he has set less rigid goals for his trade policies, allowing for easier adjustments.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/this-week-in-trumponomics-somebody-elses-inflation-150013810.html
DeepSeek's AI model challenges North American firms with lower costs and increased competition
Chinese AI company DeepSeek announced its model rivals top North American models at a lower cost. This raises concerns about the high spending on AI by tech firms, questioning whether such investments will yield significant returns.
DeepSeek's open-source model allows other companies to quickly develop similar AI capabilities, increasing competition. Many existing AI models offer comparable features, making it unclear if any single model provides a strong competitive edge.
Investors are cautious as AI stocks have been volatile. Microsoft claims its AI business generates $13 billion annually, but this is modest compared to its total revenue. Companies without strong financial backing face greater risks in the uncertain AI market.
Source: https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/02/15/why-big-tech-may-have-a-much-bigger-problem-than-j/
Tech roundup: Taiwan Semiconductor leads AI chip market as robotaxi initiatives progress
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company holds a dominant 92% share in advanced AI chip production, according to recent data. This highlights its critical role in the global technology supply chain.
Tesla, Uber, and Lyft are advancing their robotaxi initiatives despite mixed public reception. This follows increased regulatory scrutiny after a fatal incident involving a Cruise robotaxi, which has since exited the market.
OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman stated that the company is not for sale, responding to Elon Musk's interest in acquiring it. Meanwhile, T-Mobile has launched a free satellite messaging service for all U.S. customers, including those from competitors.
Source: https://qz.com/top-chipmakers-robotaxis-elon-musk-sam-altman-openai-1851763737
Trump launches AI project Stargate in Texas as Musk threatens OpenAI bid withdrawal
President Trump has launched a major artificial intelligence project called Stargate, which is now under construction in Texas. Additional data center locations are expected to be announced soon.
Elon Musk has stated he will withdraw his $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI if the company does not convert to a for-profit model.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Vice President JD Vance's recent speech on AI in Paris, discussing the potential benefits of the technology.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/ai-newsletter-trumps-stargate-ambitions
Crypto executives rally support from Republicans against FDIC banking restrictions
Crypto executives are gaining support from Republicans in Congress as they voice complaints about being cut off from banking services. They describe this situation as "Operation Choke Point 2.0," alleging coordinated pressure from regulators during the Biden administration.
Nathan McCauley, CEO of Anchorage Digital, testified about losing banking access in 2023, which led to layoffs and operational challenges. The FDIC is facing scrutiny for its role in urging banks to sever ties with crypto firms, with new investigations underway.
Under Trump's administration, there are signs of a shift in policy towards crypto. The SEC is considering easing restrictions on banks holding digital assets, and Trump has appointed a crypto czar, signaling a more favorable environment for the industry.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/15/crypto-trump-gop-leadershipo-gang-up-on-fdic-over-debanking-.html
Microsoft invests $80 billion in generative AI to boost growth and cloud services
Microsoft is investing heavily in generative AI, focusing on expanding its data center infrastructure. The company plans to spend $80 billion this year to enhance its AI capabilities and support its Azure cloud platform.
Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI has been crucial, with an estimated $13 billion invested. This collaboration allows Microsoft to integrate advanced AI models into its services, including Bing and Microsoft 365, and ensures exclusive access to OpenAI's technology.
The company's AI business has seen significant growth, generating $13 billion in annual revenue, a 175% increase from last year. Microsoft aims to leverage AI to boost its cloud revenue, which is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
Source: https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/02/15/heres-how-generative-ai-factors-into-microsofts-pl/
DeepSeek gains global attention for AI model leveraging Chinese language features
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI start-up, is gaining global recognition for its open-source large language model. Its success is attributed to the integration of Chinese characters during pre-training, which enhances logical processing and efficiency.
Chinese characters are noted for their high information density, allowing for effective data encoding. This feature may improve the model's ability to understand complex concepts and context.
While DeepSeek has not revealed its training data, it is believed to include a wide range of materials, such as literature and internet slang. This diverse input likely strengthens the model's linguistic capabilities.
Trump revives Greenland purchase proposal to boost Arctic security
Donald Trump has revived his 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark, calling U.S. ownership essential for Arctic security. This comes as he prepares to take office again, with his son visiting Greenland to discuss the matter.
Initially dismissed as absurd, Trump's interest has prompted Denmark to announce a $1.5 billion defense investment in Greenland. This shift indicates a potential change in Denmark's approach to its territory's security amid concerns over China's influence in the Arctic.
Greenland's strategic location is crucial for U.S. defense, particularly against Russian submarine threats. Trump's rhetoric aims to enhance U.S. interests in the region without direct financial costs, highlighting the importance of unconventional diplomatic strategies.
Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trumps-greenland-gambit-masterclass-statecraft
Populist leaders worldwide adopt Trump-style policies in second term
Populist leaders worldwide are adopting policies similar to those of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is now in his second term. This trend is evident in countries like Canada, Italy, and Argentina, where leaders echo Trump's "America First" approach.
In Canada, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre proposed a "Canada First" defense policy, which includes cutting foreign aid. This mirrors Trump's past actions, such as freezing international assistance upon taking office. Other leaders, like Hungary's Viktor Orban and Argentina's Javier Milei, are also aligning with Trump's anti-establishment rhetoric.
These leaders are pushing for reduced international cooperation, with some considering withdrawing from global organizations like the World Health Organization. This shift reflects a broader movement among right-wing politicians to challenge established norms and prioritize national interests over global collaboration.
Extreme weather drives cocoa and coffee prices to record highs in 2025
Extreme weather is expected to cause food price volatility in 2025, following a significant rise in cocoa and coffee prices, which have more than doubled in the past year. Analysts from Inverto link these increases to unexpected weather patterns.
In 2024, the global temperature reached record highs, impacting crop yields. Cocoa prices rose by 163%, while coffee prices increased by 103%. Other commodities, like sunflower oil, orange juice, and butter, also saw sharp price hikes.
Experts warn that ongoing extreme weather will continue to disrupt agricultural production and supply chains, leading to further food price increases.
Tech giants develop chips to challenge Nvidia's AI dominance
Nvidia dominates the AI chip market, holding about 80% share and reporting over $35 billion in revenue recently. The companyβs powerful GPUs are essential for AI tasks, leading to significant growth and high profit margins.
However, major tech companies like Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI are developing their own chips to reduce reliance on Nvidia. This shift could impact Nvidia's revenue growth as these firms seek cost efficiencies with in-house alternatives.
Despite this competition, Nvidia's established reputation and diverse product offerings may help maintain its market position. The company continues to innovate and could benefit from expanding its ecosystem as the AI sector evolves.
Source: https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/02/15/are-tech-giants-about-to-say-checkmate-nvidia/
Meta updates policies and faces internal backlash after Trumpβs return to power
Meta is changing its policies after Donald Trump returned to the White House. CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to support "free expression" but faces internal criticism. The company has ended its diversity program and relaxed content moderation rules, raising employee concerns.
Zuckerberg met with Trump in early February to discuss the tech industry. Meta is also increasing its conflict with Apple over a 2021 privacy update that affected its ad business. The company has filed complaints against Apple in Brazil.
Leadership has shifted, with Joel Kaplan now in charge of policy decisions. Kaplan has ties to Republicans, contrasting with former policy head Nick Clegg, who supported banning Trump from Facebook. Trump's praise for Meta's new direction adds to the uncertainty within the company.
Trump administration plans to approve Texas oil export port project
The Trump administration plans to approve the Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port, which can ship 1 million barrels of oil daily. This project, proposed in 2019, has faced delays but is now moving forward, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The port, located off Brazoria County, Texas, will allow large oil tankers to load quickly. Environmental activists have raised concerns about the project's impact on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
In contrast, the Biden administration previously authorized the Texas GulfLink project and another nearby facility capable of exporting 2 million barrels daily.