M360 Roundup - Volume 76

February 24th - 28th, 2025

Cole LaCour

President Trump confirmed that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will take effect on March 4, along with an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports

The S&P 500 is down 4.13%, the Nasdaq is down 7.31%, and the Dow Industrials is down 1.33% WTD

The 10-Yr U.S. Treasury yield has decreased -0.189% to a current yield of 4.239%, whereas the 30-Yr U.S. Treasury yield decreased -0.150% to a current yield of 4.526%

Crude oil prices decreased 0.81% to a current $69.57/bbl while bitcoin decreased 15.36% to a current $81,512.07/coin

U.S. growth stocks, particularly the Magnificent 7, are historically overvalued, while international value stocks appear significantly undervalued, suggesting a potential shift in market performance favoring cheaper foreign alternatives [WSJ]

A major market rotation is underway, with U.S. tech giants, including the Magnificent 7, lagging while international stocks, particularly in Europe and China, surge—driven by shifting geopolitical dynamics, economic policies, and investor repositioning [WSJ]

The U.S. economy is increasingly reliant on the top 10% of earners, whose rising wealth and spending have outpaced inflation, while the majority of Americans struggle with high prices and slower financial growth [WSJ]

Apple's announced $500 billion U.S. investment over four years aligns with its expected spending, supporting domestic suppliers, AI server production, and manufacturing diversification, though much of it may not be entirely new [WSJ]

Bain Capital is weighing a sale of automation software provider Rocket Software at a $10B valuation, including debt

UK-based Arjun Infrastructure Partners is in advanced talks to acquire a minority $3.9B portfolio of assets in Brookfield-owned French data center operator Data4

Ben & Jerry's founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are in talks to buy back the ice cream brand from UK consumer goods giant Unilever at a several billion dollars valuation

Asian investment firm PAG is considering a potential $1.2B sale of its 54% stake in India-listed Nuvama Wealth Management

French PE firm Ardian agreed to acquire another 10% stake in Heathrow Airport from Spanish infrastructure group Ferrovial, Canadian pension CDPQ, and UK pension Universities Superannuation Scheme for $1.1B to raise its stake to 32%

U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 2.3 million barrels as refineries increased capacity use, while gasoline and distillate stocks rose, defying analyst expectations of a crude stockpile increase [WSJ]

BP is shifting back to oil and gas, cutting over $5 billion in green investments to boost fossil fuel production, reduce debt, and regain investor confidence after its clean energy bet failed to deliver competitive returns [WSJ]

Eni plans to increase shareholder returns through higher dividends and buybacks, grow hydrocarbon production by 3-4% annually, and expand earnings in its renewable and mobility divisions while maintaining steady capital expenditure [WSJ]

Microsoft is urging the Trump administration to ease AI chip export restrictions on U.S.-friendly nations, warning that strict controls could push countries toward relying on China for AI infrastructure [WSJ]

Amazon is launching Alexa+ next month, a generative AI-powered upgrade included with Prime, offering more natural conversation, smart-home integration, and personalized services to compete with advanced AI assistants [WSJ]

A measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, largely affecting unvaccinated individuals, has resulted in the first U.S. measles-related death since 2015, prompting public health officials to ramp up vaccination efforts to contain its spread [WSJ]

Eli Lilly plans to invest $27 billion in four new U.S. manufacturing plants, creating thousands of jobs, as it seeks to boost domestic production and secure favorable tax policies under the Trump administration [WSJ]
Sen. Chuck Grassley has launched an inquiry into UnitedHealth’s Medicare billing practices, citing concerns over potential fraud and overpayments, as federal scrutiny on Medicare Advantage intensifies amid Republican budget-cutting efforts [WSJ]

PayPal is leveraging its large consumer base and Venmo to drive growth amid increasing competition, aiming for over $2 billion in Venmo revenue by 2027 while expanding partnerships to enhance its merchant services [WSJ]

The Trump administration is moving to drop the CFPB’s lawsuit against Capital One and other enforcement actions, raising concerns over the agency’s future role in financial regulation as its nominee pledges continued consumer protection [WSJ]