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Elon Musk wants $100m from government for secret plan

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Elon Musk is seeking a hefty $100 million from the U.S. government to support a bold new initiative.

Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, is pursuing funding to establish a network of cutting-edge Megacharging stations along the route between California and Texas, dedicated to powering its revolutionary all-electric semi-truck, aptly named the Semi.

Reports from CleanTechnica and Bloomberg reveal that Tesla’s proposal outlines the construction of nine strategically located charging stations spanning the stretch between Northern California and the southern Texas border. Each of these stations is set to feature an impressive array of eight individual 750-kilowatt chargers, enabling up to eight Semis to charge simultaneously at each of these facilities.

Official requests

Tesla is also rallying Texas state officials to advocate for their cause by sending official requests to the federal government to secure the necessary funding. This initiative comes in the wake of the Semi’s debut in 2022, following its 2017 prototype unveiling, with PepsiCo being among the early adopters, receiving 15 of these groundbreaking vehicles.

The significance of the Semi lies in its distinction as the first all-electric sixteen-wheeler to enter the market. This development aligns with the global imperative to combat climate change by adopting cleaner energy solutions for industrial shipping. Trucks, as highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency, have become the fastest-growing source of hazardous air pollution in the United States, necessitating a transition to cleaner alternatives.

With millions of tons of goods transported daily, largely reliant on fossil fuels, the Tesla Semi represents a transformative step towards reducing pollution and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

While the approval of Tesla’s funding request is anticipated later this year, the company’s commitment to this eco-friendly endeavor remains resolute, even if the government’s support is not secured.

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Money

Dow rises 400 points as trade tensions ease

Dow climbs 400 points as trade tensions ease, Trump signals no plan to fire Fed Chairman Powell.

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Dow climbs 400 points as trade tensions ease, Trump signals no plan to fire Fed Chairman Powell.

In Short

Stocks rose significantly on Wednesday, with the Dow up 461 points amid optimism about reduced U.S.-China tariffs.

Investors reacted positively to President Trump’s comments on trade, improving overall market sentiment after a four-day losing streak.

Stocks saw significant movement on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 461 points, or 1.2%.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also experienced gains of 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively.

Initially, the Dow surged by 1,100 points due to optimism surrounding U.S.-China trade relations.

President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to adopt a less aggressive trade strategy, suggesting that the current 145% tariff on imports from China would be significantly reduced but not eliminated entirely.

Trade agreement

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented on the potential for a beneficial trade agreement between the two nations, expressing a desire for joint efforts to address trade imbalances.

Market reactions reflected relief at the prospect of eased tensions, with Keith Buchanan from Globalt Investments noting that investors were hopeful the worst might be over, though uncertainties remain.

Reports indicated that the U.S. administration was contemplating reducing tariffs on China to between 50% and 65%, contingent upon mutual concessions from both countries.

Stocks affected by trade dynamics, particularly tech companies like Apple and Nvidia, showed marked increases, with Tesla’s shares rising 5% partly attributed to these easing tariff concerns.

Investor sentiment improved further when Trump reaffirmed that he has no intention of dismissing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, a shift from his previous criticism of Powell’s leadership.

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Money

Credit-card firms prepare for economic downturn risks

Credit card companies prepare for economic downturn; rising delinquencies prompt tighter lending despite continued consumer spending.

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Credit card companies prepare for economic downturn; rising delinquencies prompt tighter lending despite continued consumer spending.

In Short

US credit card companies are preparing for a possible economic downturn by tightening lending and increasing reserves, even as consumer spending remains high.

While the wealthy continue to spend, access to credit is diminishing for lower-income individuals, and caution is growing among banks.

Credit card companies in the US are preparing for a potential economic downturn despite current consumer spending levels. Businesses are increasing reserves and tightening lending as delinquencies rise to pre-pandemic levels.

JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup have augmented their rainy day funds to mitigate expected losses. Retail card issuer Synchrony is applying stricter lending criteria, while U.S. Bancorp is targeting wealthier customers to reduce risk.

Although large lenders are still reporting profits, the effects of Trump’s trade war have yet to reflect in financial results. Recent data shows that Americans are spending and borrowing at a faster pace compared to last year.

Travel and entertainment

However, there are warning signs as consumers begin to cut back on nonessential expenditures such as travel and entertainment. The trend of cardholders making only minimum payments is above pre-pandemic levels.

Despite consumers showing confidence in spending in early April, banks remain cautious. They are redirecting their marketing strategies towards affluent households, recognising that the wealthiest individuals account for a significant proportion of total spending.

Conversely, access to credit is tightening for lower-income individuals, with Synchrony reporting declines in active accounts and purchase volumes. American Express, meanwhile, continues to perform well among high-income clients, with strong consumer spending growth reported.

Unemployment rates among white-collar workers remain low, offering some stability in credit card portfolios for certain issuers.

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U.S. shares rebound amid tariff negotiation optimism

U.S. shares rebound over 2.5% amid tariff optimism, despite economic warnings and mixed global market performance.

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U.S. shares rebound over 2.5% amid tariff optimism, despite economic warnings and mixed global market performance.

In Short

U.S. shares rebounded significantly due to optimism over tariff negotiations, with major indexes rising over 2.5%. However, companies continue to face challenges from tariffs and uncertainty in the market, leading to mixed results overseas.

U.S. shares saw a significant rebound on Tuesday, with major indexes increasing by over 2.5%.

This recovery was influenced by optimism regarding tariff negotiations, as noted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who expressed confidence in a potential de-escalation of the trade war with China.

Despite this positive sentiment, companies are still grappling with the effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs.

Defense contractor RTX announced an anticipated $850 million financial impact, and Kimberly-Clark cited a “global geopolitical landscape” for a lowered profit outlook.

Economic forecasts

The International Monetary Fund has revised its economic forecasts for the U.S. and globally, highlighting tariffs as a factor in slower growth.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon indicated that high levels of uncertainty are hindering corporate decisions and impacting asset prices, and the Institute of International Finance warned of a probable U.S. recession later this year.

Gold prices have fluctuated, retreating after reaching a record high on Tuesday, reinforcing its status in uncertain markets.

Tesla’s quarterly earnings did not meet estimates, but the company’s share price remained stable.

Concerns about President Trump’s trade policies and his remarks regarding Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell contributed to market volatility earlier in the week.

In trading results, the Dow Jones increased by 1,017 points or 2.7%, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both rose by 2.7% and 2.5%, respectively.

Treasury yields decreased slightly, and Bitcoin’s value climbed past $91,000.

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