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AAPL

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is reportedly preparing to allow sideloading of apps on iPhones and iPads in Europe to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company has until March 7 to adjust its App Store model and is working on a way to split the App Store between the EU and the rest of the world. This follows Apple CEO Tim Cook's meeting with EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager and ongoing EU antitrust investigations into Apple's businesses.

Portfolio Pulse from Rounak Jain

January 16, 2024 | 8:49 am

IHS

IHS Holding Limited (NYSE:IHS), also known as IHS Towers, and Wendel Group have reached a settlement agreement regarding ongoing litigation. Additionally, IHS Towers plans to propose changes to its Articles of Association to enhance corporate governance and shareholder engagement. These changes will be presented for approval at the 2024 AGM.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Newsdesk

January 16, 2024 | 7:51 am

TSLA

Tesla CEO Elon Musk seeks at least 25% voting control to comfortably grow AI/robotics at Tesla, stating he would otherwise build products outside the company. Musk currently holds approximately 13% of Tesla shares. Analysts Gary Black and Dan Ives are optimistic that the board will resolve the voting rights and compensation issues, with Black suggesting a share buyback could help Musk reach the desired ownership level. Ives believes Tesla's AI potential is undervalued and predicts a $1 trillion market cap for Tesla in 2024. A pending lawsuit by shareholder Richard Tornetta challenges Musk's 2018 compensation package, alleging excessive influence over the board.

Portfolio Pulse from Anan Ashraf

January 16, 2024 | 3:12 am

RIO

Rio Tinto (RIO) reported a 3% increase in total copper equivalent production in Q4 2023, driven by the Gudai-Darri mine reaching capacity and increased ownership in Oyu Tolgoi. Iron ore production rose 2%, and aluminium production increased 9% with the Kitimat smelter at full capacity. The company formed the Matalco JV, acquired a 50% stake for $0.7 billion, and completed the acquisition of PanAmerican Silver's stake in Agua de la Falda. Challenges included a 16% drop in refined copper production and a 7% decrease in TiO2 production. Rio Tinto settled an SEC suit for $28 million and sold the Lake MacLeod operation for $251 million.

Portfolio Pulse from Charles Gross

January 15, 2024 | 9:41 pm

AAPL

MASI

Apple Inc. (AAPL) has avoided an import ban on its Apple Watch models after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection ruling favored a redesign to address a patent dispute with Masimo Corporation (MASI). The redesign, which is not final and could be challenged by the ITC, involves a software update that removes the blood oxygen saturation feature. This dispute is over alleged patent infringement by Apple's Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches on Masimo's blood-oxygen reading patents. Apple's wearables division, which includes the Apple Watch, generated $8.28 billion in Q3 2023, accounting for 9% of its total revenue.

Portfolio Pulse from Piero Cingari

January 15, 2024 | 6:31 pm

BUD

TGT

Chamath Palihapitiya, a billionaire investor, announced the creation of an incubator named 8090, which aims to use AI and offshoring to develop enterprise software at a significant discount. He suggested that this could disrupt the software market by reducing the need for businesses to pay subscription fees to software providers. Mark Cuban responded to Palihapitiya's announcement with a cautionary note about tax implications related to R&D with foreign developers, referencing Sec 174. The article also mentions past public disagreements between Palihapitiya and Cuban, including debates over political ideologies affecting business and consumer behavior.

Portfolio Pulse from Chris Katje

January 15, 2024 | 2:38 pm

BIDU

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) has clarified that it has not engaged in any business collaboration or provided tailored services to the authors of an academic paper or their affiliated institutions. The paper mentioned Baidu's ERNIE Bot among other large language models. Baidu emphasized its commitment to compliance with laws and best practices in operating its AI products.

Portfolio Pulse from Charles Gross

January 15, 2024 | 1:10 pm

BA

Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) faces further delays in resuming 737 Max jet deliveries to China after an incident involving an Alaska Airlines aircraft, which led China Southern Airlines to conduct additional safety inspections. The delay adds to the challenges Boeing has been facing in China, where deliveries have been halted since two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX 8. The Chinese market is significant for Boeing, expected to account for 20% of global airplane deliveries over the next two decades. The recent incident with Alaska Airlines' MAX 9 has increased uncertainty around the timing of deliveries to China.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Neuro

January 15, 2024 | 7:38 am

F

TSLA

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, mocked Ford's patent filing for technology that enables vehicle repossession by disabling features like air conditioning or autonomously moving the car to a repossession agency. The patent, filed in February 2023, was intended as a solution for uncooperative owners during repossession. The story resurfaced on Twitter, prompting Musk's comment. Ford previously stated they do not plan to deploy the feature, and Benzinga has reached out for further clarification.

Portfolio Pulse from Anan Ashraf

January 15, 2024 | 6:40 am

AAPL

BA

BABA

BAC

C

JPM

MSFT

WFC

Major indexes ended higher last week, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow seeing gains. Inflation rose to 3.4% YoY in December, potentially affecting markets and Fed policies. JPMorgan Chase reported strong earnings, while Bank of America saw revenue decline, Wells Fargo's profits increased, and Citigroup announced job cuts. The SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs. Microsoft overtook Apple as the most valuable company, Tesla's sales growth outpaced legacy automakers, and Cathie Wood disclosed a significant personal investment in Bitcoin. Alibaba faced scrutiny from Congresswoman Laurel Lee's stock sale, Solana's price dropped, and Boeing dealt with a 737 MAX 9 incident.

Portfolio Pulse from Michael Cohen

January 13, 2024 | 3:03 pm