News
Each day, DailyAlts tracks major developments across the alternative investment world. Our content is procured from primary contacts in the industry and secondary sources across the web. Our goal is to give readers the most up-to-date news and engaging experience to open new doors and areas of knowledge. Our stories cover nine separate verticals of the alternative investment industry.
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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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Nuveen Real Estate Buys 100 New Properties in 12 Markets
Nuveen Real Estate is one of the largest real estate investment firms in the world, and they keep getting bigger. As part of their continued expansion, they are moving aggressively into industrial real estate in the United States. Nuveen announced this week that they are acquiring a significant national logistics portfolio exceeding 100 properties across 12 markets.
How AI, Drones, U-Cal and Salesforce Watch Out for Sharks
Great whites are rising in number. So are their encounters with humans. It’s, therefore, a challenge to devise early warning systems for our beaches. But a solution for spotting sharks with AI (artificial intelligence) is now possible thanks to Salesforce and the University of California.
These Hot New ETFs Protect Your Downside…And…Someone’s Taking Out A Patent on Them
There’s a new category of ETFs out there known as Defined Outcome ETFs. Also known as Buffer ETFs, these funds are seeing a rush of inflows as investors try to shield themselves from market volatility. In so doing, they also look to protect themselves from losses, while keeping open the potential for gains.
Could Crypto ETFs Finally Come In From The Cold?
The SEC will give a ‘yes-or-no’ ruling on its approval of the bitcoin-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) from Bitwise Investments by October 13. “We’re closer than we’ve ever been before to getting a bitcoin ETF approved,” said Matt Hougan, MD, and global head of research, Bitwise. The SEC’s approval would be a landmark event in the evolution of cryptocurrencies.
#Fuelherfuture: Crowdfunding Platform Kiva Hits $1 Billion In Lending to Female Entrepreneurs
Crowdfunding loans platform Kiva celebrates the $1 billion mark in lending to women entrepreneurs with a tie-up with Pepsi.
Kiva, the crowdfunding loans platform, created a new initiative, #FuelHerFuture with Pepsi. From October 7 to October 13, 2019, Pepsi will provide a credit of $25 to anyone who makes a loan on the Kiva platform. The credit must be utilized to lend to a female borrower of their choice.
World Federation of Exchanges Asks FCA to Reconsider Ban on Crypto-Derivatives
The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) is an industry group for exchanges and central counterparties (CCPs). It has asked the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) not to impose its crypto-derivatives ban on sale to retail customers. However, it said it fully supported the regulator’s intention to protect vulnerable customers.
MUFG First in Japan to Issue Aussie Dollar-Denominated Green Bonds
MUFG’s green bonds amounting AU$500 million (US$337 million) were oversubscribed twice over. Australian institutional investors purchased most of the flotation.
MUFG issued this latest tranche of its green bonds in Australian dollars in a nod towards climate-conscious Australian investors. The AU$500 million bond offering comprised both fixed and floating rate bonds of five years maturity.
US Blacklists Chinese AI Organizations Including Leading Startups
The US government punished China for its “repression” of Muslim minorities by blacklisting Chinese AI organizations and security bureaus.
In rather sensitive timing just ahead of high-level trade discussions in Washington this week, the US took a hard line on allegedly brutal suppression of ethnic minorities in China by banning certain Chinese AI startups.
Private Equity Firm Highview Capital Acquires Gold Star Foods, Plans Merger
Highview Capital announced it has acquired Gold Star Foods, a specialized food distributor to K-12 child nutrition programs. After the deal closes, Gold Star will merge with an existing Highview portfolio company called Good Source Solutions. The portfolio firm operates in similar segments.
Coinbase CEO Lambasts US Attitude to Facebook’s Libra
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong assailed the US’ approach to Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency in the light of the threat from China’s stablecoin.
“Now that China is looking into creating a stablecoin, I wonder if the U.S. will reconsider its ridiculous response to Libra, Armstrong tweeted. “There are many cryptocurrencies, and Libra is just one of them. But the way the U.S. government reacted, it’s like they almost want to be left behind.”
An ETF To Take Advantage Of “One Of The Largest Infrastructure Build-Outs In History”
According to Goldman Sachs, cities will be on the frontlines of climate adaptation. Urban adaptation will have to follow.
The FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NYSEArca: NFRA) is an infrastructure-focused ETF. It tracks the performance of the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index. Investors looking for ESG-positive investments could consider infrastructure given its relevance in urban adaptation following climate change.
Brookfield Business Partners to Sell Big Stake in North American Palladium
Brookfield Business Partners announced a plan to sell its 81% interest in North American Palladium. The real state giant is selling the Canadian mining company and only global pure-play palladium producer to Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats). The deal will see Implats buy all outstanding NAP stock from Brookfield for roughly $750 million.
Is China Coin Rushing to Beat Libra Cryptocurrency?
China Coin will try to beat Facebook’s Libra to the market. Chinese financial experts believe that Libra would have such an impact on the economy that they are pushing their government to beat the rival cryptocurrency to the market. The “crypto space race” kicked off in July when multiple outlets reported that China was considering its own coin.
Martin Taylor and Hedge Fund Crake Asset Management Start Trading
Martin Taylor shut down Nevsky Capital three years ago. But he’s proven that top-performing managers – rare as they are – can stay away for too long. Taylor has returned to the markets with Crake Asset Management. The firm started trading last week after it raised $1.6 billion.
Inevitable That Central Banks Will Start Issuing Digital Currency: Fed’s Harker
A digital central bank currency could be in the works after the implementation of the new FedNow real-time payments system.
America’s own digital central bank currency is all but ‘inevitable,’ said Patrick Harker, Philadelphia Fed Reserve president.
Three Takeaways from the New KKR Consumer Report
The report examines consumer behavior at this point in the economic cycle KKR has posted a new report titled The New Consumer. Paula Campbell Roberts, the Director of Global Macro and Asset Allocation Team, lead the KKR research. The report examines the condition and behavior of the consumer at this stage of the economic and…
Park Square Capital: Private Credit Investors in Favor of ESG-positive Deals
Park Square Capital, a US$10 billion investor in private credit, is a signatory to the UNPRI.
ESG in private credit deals is making steady progress as investors wise up to the risks from ignoring Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
UBS: Fintech Darling Robinhood’s Business Model in Serious Jeopardy
Robinhood has a $7.6 billion valuation thanks to its strong support from Millennials. Launched in 2013, the Fintech startup undercut discount brokerages with free trades and a sleek look that attracted first-time investors.
Breakdown of “Community Banking in the 21st Century”
During last week’s Fed-sponsored conference, new data emerged from the Community Banking in the 21st Century survey.
In the survey introduction, Bret Afdahl Chairman, Conference of State Bank Supervisors, wrote:
“For the first time in years, compliance costs are not the top financial concern for community banks. Instead, it is funding.”
And the risk they fear most?
Cybersecurity.
Blackrock Hires New HR Chief (And Other People on the Move)
BlackRock hires always generate headlines. The latest high-profile news is that the world’s largest asset manager has appointed Manish Mehta to the role of global head of human resources. Reuters first reported the news after accessing a company memo. He will also join the company’s global executive committee and will report to BlackRock head Larry Fink.
Vista Equity Partners May Sell Partial Stake in Fintech Giant Finastra
Vista Equity Partners may look to sell up to 50% of its stake in Fintech firm Finastra. The private equity shop could reach a deal worth more than $10 billion, including debt. Reports indicate that Vista Equity Partners is working with Goldman Sachs to locate potential buyers.
Bitcoin Beat Tech Stocks This Year; Yes You Heard That Right
Bitcoin is the best performing asset year to date. After a power-packed rally during the first nine months of the year, the crypto is up 114% at $8,308.
In comparison, ‘also-ran’ traditional investments fared as follows: Tech stocks +31%; S&P500 +21%; Gold +17%; 10-year T-bond +1.6%.
Had it not been for a recent correction from the high of $12,900 in June, Bitcoin’s returns might have been even more impressive.
Hedge Elliott Management May Join Apollo Global Management to Save EP Energy Corp.
The EP Energy bankruptcy might have a pair of saviors. Apollo Global Management and Elliott Management have put together a rescue plan for the bankrupt firm. A deal would allow Apollo to keep control of the oil and gas developer.
Apollo Decentralized Exchange Enters Beta Trial for Digital Assets
The Apollo Decentralized Exchange (DEX) is open for business. Apollo Foundation has announced the launch of what it calls “a proprietary software package for the exchange of digital assets in peer-to-peer networks.”