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Chipmaker AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) has unveiled a range of innovative AI solutions spanning from data centers to personal computers. The AMD Instinct MI300 Series features data center AI accelerators, while the ROCm 6 open software stack introduces new features supporting Large Language Models (LLMs). Additionally, the Ryzen 8040 Series processors come equipped with Ryzen AI capabilities.
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Liquid Alternatives: Investors Get Currency Hedged Versions of Vanguard’s Flagship Japan Fund
Investors seeking currency-neutral exposure to Japanese stocks can invest in the new Vanguard currency-hedged Japan ETFs.
Vanguard has addressed a long-pending demand from European investors for currency-hedged versions of its Vanguard FTSE Japan ETF (VJPN).
The US Dollar hedge version, The Vanguard FTSE Japan USD Hedged ETF (VJPU), is listed on the London Stock Exchange and carries a total expense ratio of 0.20%.
However, the Euro hedge version, the Vanguard FTSE Japan EUR Hedged ETF (VJPE), is listed on the Deutsche Boerse with a total exchange ratio of 0.20%.
Private Equity: Count Vanguard in as a Competitor in the Space
Vanguard, the world’s largest investment firm, has entered the private equity business. The firm will provide PE in a suite of new funds and target pensions, endowments, and other institutions. The company forged a partnership with HarbourVest to offer “qualified” investors with access to new funds. HarbourVest manages roughly $68 billion in assets.
Community Banking: Reich & Tang Reaches Deal with Smiley Technologies
Fintech firm Reich & Tang has reached a deal with Smiley Technologies, a developer and provider of core banking solutions to U.S community banks.
Community banks typically struggle to keep up with their larger competitors on high technology solutions. Smiley Technologies has worked with smaller banks to modernize and streamline core banking applications and services. These services help improve the efficiency of data management.
FinTech: Visa and AirWallex Offer Card-based B2B Payment Solution
Card giant Visa and global fintech leader AirWallex announced a global partnership to offer the Airwallex Borderless Card, a B2B card-based payment solution.
Offered initially only in Australia, the card will be introduced in the UK and Hong Kong later this year.
The companies announced the card at Pause Fest 2020, a leading innovation festival held in Melbourne.
Venture Capital: Chinese VC Investors Home In on Indian Startups
Shunwei Capital, a VC firm founded by Xiaomi founders Lei Jun and Tuck Lye Koh, has co-led a $5.5 million funding round in regional language podcast app Kuku FM. The firm manages assets of $3 billion. Interestingly, smartphone manufacturer, Xiaomi has also invested approximately $6 million in WorkIndia, an online and app-based staff recruitment network.
Digital Assets: Founding Duo of Zima Digital Assets Arrested In $7.5M Criminal Complaint
Founding Duo of Zima Digital Assets Arrested In $7.5M Criminal Complaint. The United States Secret Service arrested John Michael Caruso, 28, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Zachary Salter, 27, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, on January 30, 2020, for allegedly conspiring to commit wire fraud and for money laundering
Private Equity: Black Dragon Capital Buys 100% of Grass Valley, a Media Technology Company
Black Dragon Capital, a private equity firm, has agreed to acquire all of Grass Valley from Belden Inc. (NYSE: BDC), reports TVTechnology. According to a statement, Black Dragon intends to take Grass Valley to the next level with a cloud-enabled, software-based business model. It intends to develop Grass Valley into a market leader in digital media and open and inclusive cloud technology.
ESG: Institutional Investors Press Hedge Funds on ESG Investing
Institutional investors are pushing hedge funds to adopt ESG in their investment decisions. These investors see ESG investing as a way to serve their own long-term interests and wider society. This is the key takeaway of a new report: Sustainable Investing: Fast-Forwarding its Evolution.
Artificial Intelligence: AI To Trawl Medical Data Troves To Identify ‘Cause And Effect’, Sharpen Diagnosis
There is a vast store of data from medical observational studies or randomized controlled trials accumulated over the decades. What if we could deploy an AI algo to scour this data for new illumination on “cause and effect”? Get fresh insight on symptoms and the likely disease?
Hedge Fund: Pershing Square Capital Sells Starbucks Stake
Pershing Square Capital has exited its stake in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX). According to reports, Bill Ackman’s hedge fund announced the divestiture during an investor presentation today.
Private Equity: Carlyle Group Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings
Carlyle Group (NYSE: CG) is the last of the “Big Money” private equity and asset managers to report fourth-quarter earnings. It was a solid quarter for the Washington DC-based alternative investment manager, although it fell shy of last year’s results. The 2018 quarter had the extra benefit of $32 million of $32 million of net insurance recoveries, high transaction fees, and catch-up management fees that were not duplicated in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Venture Capital: The Futuristic Call That Strapped the TSLA Stock To A Booster Rocket
Whatever the description for the chart and TSLA’s price action, it’s worthwhile to look at the catalyst that sent the stock soaring over 40% higher in the last two trading sessions.
FinTech: Another Consolidation Among Legacy Payment Players; Worldline Buys Ingenico
With new-fangled fintech disruptors snapping at their heels, two legacy payment processor giants in Europe have joined forces in an $8.6 billion mega-deal. French payment company Worldline will acquire domestic rival Ingenico to create the industry’s number four player.
Artificial Intelligence: AI Fintech AiX Wants To Put Voice Brokers Out of Business
London-based fintech AiX has developed an artificial intelligence-based chatbot system that ‘talks’ to human traders at banks and institutions. It relies on natural language processing and cognitive reasoning to function as a human voice broker.
Liquid Alternatives: The KraneShares ESG China ETF Lists in London
Kraneshares, the asset management company that believes “the relationship between the US and China will be the most important economic partnership of our lifetimes,” and specializes in China-facing ETFs, launched the KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders UCITS ETF (KESG).
Digital Assets: Another Effort To Put Munis on the Blockchain – ConsenSys Rises to the Challenge
ConsenSys will attempt to put the stubbornly traditional municipal bonds market on the blockchain. A previous shy at the task by Neighborly, whose backers included Laurene Powell Jobs, proved stillborn.
ConsenSys will tokenize the $3.8 trillion municipal bonds (munis) market.
Alternative Investments: Steve Cohen’s Mets Bid Might Come to an End
Steven Cohen and his pursuit of the New York Mets might be coming to a close. According to MarketWatch, the hedge fund manager is walking away from the Wilpons. Cohen reportedly sought an 80% stake in the National League franchise. However, the Wilpons reportedly changed terms of the deal, a factor that fueled Cohen’s departure from negotiations.
Private Equity: Humana Enters JV to Open New Medicare Advantage Centers
Humana (NYSE: HUM), the U.S. insurance giant, has launched a joint venture with a private equity firm. The agreement will see Humana launch new primary-care centers for Medicare Advantage enrollees. Humana’s deal is with Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe.
FinTech: Jenfi Has an Innovative Lending Model For SMBs in Southeast Asia
The Jenfi fintech targets small businesses that are underbanked…even in Singapore. It has an Innovative Lending Model For SMBs in Southeast Asia. Jeffrey Liu and Justin Louie, who worked together at the GuavaPass startup, started Jenfi.
Hedge Funds: Starboard Value Pressures for Changes at eBay, Deal at Green Dot
Starboard Value is pushing for eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) to sell or spin off its Classifieds Group. The hedge fund took a stake in the company one year ago beside fellow activist Elliott Management. Both firms have pushed for spending cuts and the divestiture of assets like online ticket marketplace StubHub.
FinTechs: UK the Epicenter of Fintech in Europe, says Report
UK the Epicenter of Fintech in Europe, says Report. The fintech sector in the UK raked in a record $4.9 billion in investments during 2019, despite political turmoil from Brexit.
Artificial Intelligence: How to Invest in The Next Big Thing
Buy a piece of the looming tsunami of growth in the AI market by investing today. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the fourth industrial revolution. The steam engine heralded the first industrial revolution, the second was mass manufacturing through electricity, and the third was computers. According to data from Fortune Business Insights, the size of the global AI market may grow to $202.6 billion by 2026, up from $20.7 billion in 2018. (USA Today)
Liquid Alternatives: The First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF Will Skim Merger Spreads
The First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF Will Skim Merger Spreads. It’s a hedge fund type, actively managed ETF. But don’t balk at its fees.
Digital Assets: Israeli CyberSecurity Firm GK8 Dares Hackers With $250K Bounty
GK8 has dared hackers to burgle a bounty of $125K stored in a cold wallet, with the promise of another payout of a $125K bonus. The first person to crack the GK8 system could, therefore, earn about 28 bitcoin for their efforts. GK8 promises unhackable custody for crypto-assets that is NEVER connected to the Internet.