Tokens from Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX) and Render (RNDR) were the leaders among altcoin majors with 6%-8% gains. The only token of the CD20 index with a negative daily return was Uniswap (UNI), which slightly shed some of its Thursday gains that were spurred by the decentralized exchange’s plan to launch its own layer-2 network.

The crypto rally happened as equities also gained, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 closing the week at record highs. The U.S. dollar index paused below 103 after steeply strengthening over the past week as traders repriced expectations of further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts following solid U.S. jobs reports and hotter inflation readings.

Crypto-related stocks also reflected the positive sentiment. Bitcoin miners including MARA Holdings (MARA), Riot Platforms (RIOT) and Bitdeer (BTDR) soared 5%-10%, while U.S. crypto exchange giant Coinbase (COIN) ended the day up 7%.
MicroStrategy (MSTR), the largest corporate holder of BTC with nearly $16 billion of the asset, surged 16% to its highest price since March 2000. The company’s share price premium versus its bitcoin holdings also broadened to the widest since 2021.
China fiscal policy update may move crypto
Macroeconomic factors influencing crypto prices have shifted away from monetary policy to the U.S. election outcome, Coinbase analysts David Duong and David Han said in a Friday report.
The key catalyst for crypto volatility might be the upcoming China fiscal policy update by the finance minister slated for early Saturday UTC. Investors anticipate more financial stimulus for the ailing Chinese economy and financial markets, which could reverberate in the digital asset market, the Coinbase report noted.

“As most markets will be closed during this next briefing, we expect traders could turn to crypto markets as a way to express their (proxy) views on the size and strength of China’s fiscal announcements,” the authors said.
Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, noted that recent U.S. economic data shows a resilient economy and jobs market, allaying past concerns over an imminent recession.
“This sets the stage for risk assets to perform well into year-end, and it may take little to drive crypto prices higher,” Thielen said. “A significant move is likely on the horizon, and diligent traders will be well-positioned to capture it.”

Read more at: Finance

1. Commercial Vehicles (CV) business: This entity will encompass all activities related to the manufacturing and sale of commercial vehicles, along with its related investments.
2. Passenger Vehicles (PV) business: This entity will comprise the passenger vehicle businesses, including India PV, Electric Vehicles (EVs), and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), along with their related investments.

This decision has sparked widespread discussion and debate, particularly regarding its potential impact on the company’s share price.

Tata Motors Demerger Rationale:

Tata Motors justifies the demerger by highlighting the distinct nature of its CV and PV businesses. The company argues that while there are limited synergies between the two segments, there are significant opportunities to be unlocked by focusing on each business independently.

For the CV business, a separate listing is expected to enhance its agility and responsiveness to the dynamic commercial vehicle market. Additionally, it could potentially attract investors specifically interested in the growth potential of the Indian CV segment.

On the other hand, the PV business, encompassing the high-growth passenger vehicle and EV segments, might benefit from a separate listing that reflects its distinct growth trajectory and potentially attracts investors focusing on future mobility solutions.

Impact on Share Price:

The announcement of the demerger has led to a surge in Tata Motors’ share price. In the days following the announcement, the stock price witnessed a rise of over 5%, exceeding the ₹1000 mark for the first time.

However, analysts differ in their opinions on the long-term impact of the demerger on share price.

Positive Outlook:

Some analysts believe that the demerger could unlock value for shareholders by allowing investors to better assess and value the distinct growth prospects of each business segment. This separate valuation could potentially lead to higher valuations for both entities compared to the combined entity. Additionally, the increased focus and agility of each business unit could lead to improved operational efficiencies and profitability, ultimately benefiting the share price in the long run.

Cautious Approach:

Other analysts adopt a more cautious approach, highlighting potential risks associated with the demerger. Concerns include the short-term disruption caused by the separation process, the potential loss of synergies between the businesses, and the risk of the CV business being delisted from major indices like Nifty and Sensex, impacting its visibility and liquidity.

Looking Forward:

The ultimate impact of the demerger on Tata Motors’ share price remains to be seen. While the initial reaction has been positive, the long-term trajectory will depend on the successful execution of the demerger process, the performance of each individual entity, and the broader market conditions.

One thing is certain: the demerger marks a significant turning point for Tata Motors and will undoubtedly be closely watched by investors, analysts, and the automotive industry as a whole.

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A recent report highlights a surge in retail investor activity as significant catalysts approach in the cryptocurrency market, including the bitcoin halving, the Dencun upgrade of the Ethereum blockchain, and the potential approval of spot ether ETFs.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, platforms like The Block, Paypal, and Robinhood observed increased trading volumes. JPMorgan analysts suggest that retail investors played a significant role in driving the market rally witnessed in February.

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has seen a 30% surge in the past month, while the Coindesk 20 index registered a 24% increase, according to CoinDesk indices data.

The renewed interest from retail investors is attributed to anticipation surrounding upcoming crypto events. While the market has already priced in the first two catalysts, analysts remain cautious about the approval of spot ether ETFs by the SEC in May, estimating only a 50% chance of approval.

This uptick in retail participation is evident in on-chain cumulative bitcoin flows, with smaller wallets showing increased activity—a sign of heightened retail investor engagement.

JPMorgan notes that platforms like The Block, PayPal, and Robinhood, as well as crypto exchange Coinbase, all experienced heightened trading activity and increased investor flows during the final quarter of 2023.

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• Walmart’s Secret Weapon Revealed: Shocking Revenue Surge & Game-Changing Acquisition!

Walmart disclosed on Tuesday a significant 6% uptick in quarterly revenue, driven by robust holiday season sales and a notable surge in global e-commerce activity. Additionally, the retail behemoth announced its intention to acquire Vizio, a leading smart TV manufacturer, for $2.3 billion, aiming to bolster its advertising business.

Despite consumer caution in spending, Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer, John David Rainey, highlighted the company’s sustained sales momentum, particularly in electronics and televisions. Notably, Walmart exceeded analysts’ expectations with adjusted earnings per share of $1.80, surpassing the anticipated $1.65, and revenue of $173.39 billion, exceeding the expected $170.71 billion.

However, Walmart’s net income for the period ending January 31 declined to $5.49 billion, compared to $6.28 billion in the corresponding period last year. Looking ahead, Walmart projects a 4% to 5% increase in consolidated net sales for its fiscal first quarter, with adjusted earnings forecasted to range from $1.48 to $1.56 per share.

For fiscal 2025, the retailer anticipates a 3% to 4% rise in consolidated net sales and adjusted earnings of $6.70 to $7.12 per share.

Walmart’s resilience in the face of inflationary pressures has been noteworthy, leveraging its reputation for value to attract customers across various income brackets. Expansion into revenue diversification, including advertising, third-party marketplace, and subscription-based services like Walmart+, has significantly contributed to its success.

Comparable sales for Walmart U.S. grew by 4%, while Sam’s Club saw a 1.9% increase, inclusive of fuel sales. Global e-commerce sales experienced a robust 23% year-over-year surge, surpassing $100 billion, with substantial growth in the U.S. market fueled by curbside pickup and home delivery services.

The planned acquisition of Vizio is poised to further augment Walmart’s advertising business, positioning the company for sustained growth in lucrative high-margin segments.

Despite ongoing market uncertainties, Walmart remains optimistic about its future prospects, with strategic investments planned for store expansions and upgrades. The company’s commitment to employee welfare is evident in its recent announcement of store manager wage increases and a 3-for-1 stock split.

Walmart’s stock closed at $170.36 on Friday, reflecting an 8% increase year-to-date, outperforming the broader market. With a robust financial performance and strategic initiatives in place, Walmart appears well-positioned for continued growth in the foreseeable future.

Walmart to Buy Smart TV maker Vizio

In a strategic move, Walmart has announced its acquisition of smart TV manufacturer Vizio alongside its impressive fourth-quarter results.

Despite a slight slowdown in consumer spending, America’s retail giant surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, with consumers flocking to the chain for value, particularly online. E-commerce sales surged by an impressive 23% year-over-year, crossing the $100 billion mark.

Following the financial update, Walmart’s shares surged nearly 3% in premarket trading, fueled by the retailer’s decision to raise its annual dividend by 9%.

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The repercussions of this recession will be felt most harshly by the general public, but it also marks a challenging period for Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who had briefly enjoyed respite amid internal turmoil within the Labour Party over controversial statements made by some of its election candidates.

This economic setback deals a severe blow to the Prime Minister’s pledges made just over a year ago, with only the commitment to halve inflation being fulfilled thus far – a factor largely influenced by the decisions of the Bank of England regarding interest rates. The failure to substantially reduce NHS waiting lists, coupled with the unresolved issue of Channel crossings despite some incremental progress, underscores the government’s struggles to deliver on its promises.

Furthermore, the recession raises doubts about the feasibility of achieving decreasing debt over the next five years, as much of the plan relies on unsustainable spending projections. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faces additional challenges, as recent forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility reveal limited scope for significant tax cuts in the upcoming Budget.

Both Sunak and Hunt now confront a narrative of recession for the next three months until the release of the next quarterly growth figures. With a second Budget on the horizon and growth anticipated to rebound later in the year, speculation mounts that the Prime Minister may opt for an autumn rather than spring election, given the prevailing economic circumstances.

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