US, China to Slash Tariffs During 90-Day Reprieve for Talks…
What Does It Mean – The U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day tariff reduction, de-escalating trade tensions. U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports will decrease from 145% to 30%, including fentanyl-related levies, while China will lower duties on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. This temporary truce, effective May 14, 2025, aims to facilitate negotiations for a broader agreement. The deal, finalized in Geneva, addresses economic disruptions and supports global market stability. Sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and semiconductors remain unchanged. Both nations commit to constructive dialogue on fentanyl. Read more.
Nasdaq 100 Enters Bull Market After US-China Truce…
What Does It Mean – U.S. stock futures and the dollar rose as U.S.-China trade talks in Geneva signaled progress toward de-escalating trade tensions. The S&P 500 futures gained 1.2%, and the Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 1.5%, driven by optimism over potential tariff reductions. The U.S. dollar index strengthened by 0.6%, reflecting market confidence. Treasury yields increased, with 10-year notes at 4.1%, as investors anticipated fewer Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. Gold and haven currencies weakened, while big tech stocks fueled a Nasdaq 100 bull market. Markets await detailed outcomes from the talks. Read more.
Pharmaceutical Stocks Tumble on Trump Plan to Cut US Drug Prices…
What Does It Mean – Asian pharmaceutical stocks fell sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to cut U.S. drug prices by 30-80% via executive order, aligning them with lower global prices. Companies like Takeda, Astellas, and BeiGene saw declines of up to 7.2%, driven by fears of reduced profits in the U.S. market. The order, signed May 12, 2025, targets Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, including weight-loss drugs. Despite initial selloffs, some U.S. pharma stocks rebounded as analysts noted potential implementation challenges and legal hurdles. Read more.
TSMC April Sales Surge After US Tariffs Spur Device Rush Orders…
What Does It Mean – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported a 48% revenue surge in April 2025, reaching $11.6 billion, driven by rush orders for electronic components ahead of U.S. tariffs. The demand spike, particularly for AI and device chips, reflects efforts by firms to secure supplies before tariff implementation. TSMC’s year-to-date revenue hit $40 billion, up 30% from 2024. Despite tariff concerns, TSMC maintains a mid-20% growth forecast for 2025, bolstered by AI revenue doubling. The company’s U.S. expansion, including a third Arizona plant, aims to mitigate tariff impacts. Read more.
Yes, New Zealand still has more sheep than people. But humans are catching up…
The vast number of sheep in New Zealand relative to the country’s scant human population has long been the subject of jokes aimed at New Zealanders abroad. It’s true: The country is one of a handful in the world that’s still home to more sheep than people.
But humans are catching up, according to new figures released Tuesday. With a population of 23.6 million sheep and 5.3 million people, there are about 4.5 sheep for each New Zealander, government statistics agency data showed.
That’s down from 22 sheep per person in 1982, when farming sheep for meat and wool was New Zealand’s biggest earner. Now, years of falling wool prices prompted by a global shift to synthetic fibers have led farmers to change what they do with their land, the sector’s biggest lobby group said.
For close to 150 years, the sheep industry was the backbone of New Zealand’s economy and numbers boomed — peaking in 1982 when there were more than 70 million sheep and just 3.2 million people. Before “Lord of the Rings” brought waves of tourists to the country, images of green fields filled with placid sheep against backdrops of snow-capped mountains dominated the country’s marketing abroad.
But over years of decline for global wool prices since — and despite recent rallies — the national flock has steadily diminished. Now dairy holds the biggest share of New Zealand’s agriculture and horticulture-dominant export market.
“When the facts change, I change my mind.
What do you do?” ~ John Maynard Keynes
Our plan is “the plan will change.”
What is your plan?
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