MONEY MASTER

  Elon Musk has once again pushed the boundaries of Tesla’s long-term vision, saying the company’s humanoid  Optimus  robots could be available to the public by  end-2026 , once reliability, safety and functionality reach acceptable levels. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the CEO of  Tesla  reiterated his view that humanoid robots could eventually account for  as much as 80% of Tesla’s valuation , implying a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity. Musk has previously suggested Optimus could add  US$20 trillion  to Tesla’s market value over time — a claim that has kept investors divided between those viewing it as visionary optionality and those seeing it as excessive narrative risk. Where Optimus Actually Stands Today Despite the bold rhetoric, Optimus remains in an  early deployment phase : Robots are currently performing  simple, repetitive tasks inside Tesla factories More complex industrial use is expected later this y...

Key Takeaway:  Elon Musk’s AI venture  xAI  is expanding its ongoing funding round to  US$20 billion , with major backers including  Nvidia ,  Apollo Global Management , and  Diameter Capital , underscoring Wall Street’s growing appetite for AI infrastructure investments. Deal Overview xAI is reportedly  doubling its fundraising target  to  US$20 billion  (RM84.4 billion), combining  US$7.5 billion in equity  and  up to US$12.5 billion in debt  through a  special purpose vehicle (SPV) , according to Bloomberg sources. The SPV will purchase  Nvidia processors  and  lease them to xAI  for its  Colossus 2 data center  in  Memphis  over five years. This structure allows financiers to recoup returns through hardware-backed rental income, reducing direct corporate exposure. Nvidia’s Strategic Role Nvidia (NVDA.US)  is contributing  up to US$2 billion  in the e...

  Key Takeaways: Larry Ellison’s fortune jumped  US$70 billion overnight , bringing his net worth to  US$364 billion . Now within  US$20 billion  of Elon Musk (US$384 billion), per  Bloomberg Billionaires Index . Boost driven by  Oracle’s 26% after-hours surge  — its largest single-day gain since 1999. Oracle shares already  up 45% YTD  prior to results, powered by  cloud growth outlook . Oracle Fuels Ellison’s Wealth Spike Larry Ellison, co-founder, chairman, and CTO of  Oracle Corp , saw his fortune jump to  US$364 billion  after the company’s blowout quarterly results. Oracle posted a  major increase in bookings  and delivered an  aggressive cloud infrastructure outlook , sending shares soaring  26% in extended trading . That after-hours move represents Oracle’s  largest single-day surge since 1999 , adding an unprecedented  US$70 billion to Ellison’s net worth. If sustained, it will b...

Elon Musk escalated his fight in the AI sector as  xAI  and  X (formerly Twitter)  filed suit against  Apple (AAPL US)  and  OpenAI  in the  U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas . The complaint alleges that Apple and OpenAI colluded to stifle AI competition in the App Store, favoring ChatGPT over rival models like xAI’s  Grok .   Investor Takeaway : Apple : Near-term financial impact limited, but regulatory/legal overhang could grow if Musk’s claims gain traction. Tesla : Lawsuit not material to fundamentals, but potential xAI stake keeps optionality alive — seen positively by Wedbush’s Dan Ives. AI Landscape : Lawsuit signals intensifying battles over who controls  AI access points  — hardware (Apple), distribution (App Store), and model development (OpenAI, xAI). Key Allegations Apple allegedly gave  preferential treatment to OpenAI’s ChatGPT  in the App Store. Musk argues this bias "thwarts c...

Billionaire Elon Musk’s newly launched America Party is shaping up to be more than just political noise—it could become Donald Trump’s biggest 2026 midterm disruption. While still in its early days, the America Party is making waves with bold anti-establishment messaging, a tech-driven war chest, and a promise to represent the “80% in the middle.” Here are 8 reasons why Trump’s team should be paying close attention: 1. Musk Could Split the Right By appealing to disenchanted conservatives, centrists, and independents, Musk risks pulling voters from the GOP in key swing districts. A third-party contender doesn’t have to win—just take enough votes to cost Republicans the margin. 2. He’s Loaded—And Ready to Spend With a $361 billion fortune and US$239 million already spent via America PAC in 2024, Musk plans to bankroll challengers to pro-Trump Republicans. His target? Those who supported a controversial bill that added up to $5 trillion to national debt. 3. X Marks the Spotlight As the ow...

Tesla stock is ticking up ahead of its  Q1 delivery report , even as analysts brace for a sharp miss of up to  90,000 vehicles . While this might sound alarming, a similar scenario played out last year — and the lesson then could give investors reason to  stay patient rather than panic . Delivery Data at a Glance Expected Q1 2025 deliveries:  ~ 380,000 vehicles Earlier estimates:  ~ 470,000 vehicles Gap:  ~ 90,000 vehicles short Last year Q1 deliveries:  ~ 387,000 vehicles Current TSLA premarket price:   $263  (+1.5%) despite weak EU sales European Weakness, Political Backlash & Model Transition In  France , Tesla sold  3,157 cars  in March — down  37% YoY Quarterly French sales:  ~7,000 vehicles , down  41% YoY Weak U.S. and EU sales have raised concerns that  Elon Musk’s political stances  may be alienating environmentally conscious, left-leaning customers Tesla’s  Model Y refresh  may a...

Market Skepticism Grows Over Trump Administration’s Cost-Cutting Claims Just weeks into  President Donald Trump’s second term ,  Elon Musk  has taken center stage in Washington, aggressively pushing  cost-cutting initiatives  through the newly created  Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) . Yet, despite bold claims of budget savings,  bond markets remain unconvinced . Bond Market Challenges Musk’s Spending Cut Narrative Musk  boasted of saving $55 billion  through swift agency shutdowns, including the  US Agency for International Development (USAID)  and the  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau . However,  market analysts estimate the actual savings at only a third of that amount —far from the scale needed to tame a  $1.8 trillion fiscal deficit . The  10-year US Treasury yield  has fluctuated between  4.3% and 4.7% ,  failing to decline  despite the administration’s cost-cutting rhetor...

Once a strong Tesla supporter,  Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment CEO Ross Gerber  now warns that  Tesla's stock (TSLA) could plunge 50% in 2025 . Having sold  $60 million worth of Tesla shares , he cites growing concerns over Tesla’s  declining popularity, autonomous driving setbacks, and CEO Elon Musk’s shifting priorities . Tesla's stock has already  dropped 16% this year , and Wall Street firms like  JPMorgan  have set a  $135 price target , implying a  60% downside . Key Reasons Behind Gerber’s Bearish Outlook: 1️⃣  Autonomous Taxi Network is Unrealistic  – Musk’s goal of launching self-driving taxis in Austin by June seems  impossible to achieve . 2️⃣  Self-Driving Technology Lacks LIDAR  – Tesla's reliance on cameras over LIDAR raises  concerns about safety and functionality . 3️⃣  Musk’s AI Focus is Hurting Tesla  – With Musk prioritizing AI and  spending less time at Tesla , car...

Elon Musk has endorsed former Congressman Ron Paul as a potential Federal Reserve Chair , advocating for a  full audit of the Fed’s monetary policy decisions and foreign transactions , marking a bold step in Trump’s push for government transparency and efficiency. 🔹 Key Developments 🔹  Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE)  aims to shrink government operations, with Musk emphasizing that  all government agencies, including the Fed, must be fully transparent . 🔹  Ron Paul calls for a detailed audit of the Fed , beyond its current financial reviews, to include: ✔️  Monetary policy decisions ✔️  Overseas transactions and bailouts ✔️  International banking activities 💬  Ron Paul:   "I want to know the background of policy — why they do these things, and what all they are doing." 🏦 Fed Under Fire: What’s at Stake? 📌  Musk’s endorsement and Paul’s audit demand could shake the Fed’s long-standing independence. 📌...

As the U.S. faces the possibility of a  government shutdown  after midnight Friday, key government functions hang in the balance. The debate centers around a  spending package  rejected by Republican lawmakers, following pressure from  Elon Musk ,  Vivek Ramaswamy , and  President-elect Donald Trump’s "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) . Key Impacts of a Potential Shutdown 1. Holiday Travel Chaos Air-traffic controllers and TSA agents  would continue working without pay, potentially causing: Longer security lines  as seen during the 2018 shutdown. Delays at major airports like New York’s LaGuardia. 2. Stock Market and IPOs IPO Freeze : The  Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)  would furlough over 90% of its staff, halting initial public offerings and reducing market oversight. Stock Market : Historically, shutdowns have been seen as  noise  by investors. For example, the  S&P 500 Index (SPX)  g...

  Key Highlights: Historic Milestone: Elon Musk's net worth reached an unprecedented  $447 billion , making him the first individual in history to cross the  $400 billion mark , according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Catalysts for Wealth Growth: SpaceX Insider Share Sale:  A recent transaction boosted Musk’s net worth by  $50 billion , valuing SpaceX at approximately  $350 billion . Tesla's Rally:  Tesla Inc shares surged to an all-time high of  $424.77 , marking a  71% increase in 2024  and contributing significantly to Musk's fortune. Largest Single-Day Wealth Jump: Musk’s net worth increased by a record-breaking  $62.8 billion in one day , driven by Tesla’s rally and SpaceX’s valuation boost. Broader Implications: Musk’s wealth growth has propelled the combined fortunes of the world’s richest 500 individuals past  $10 trillion , equivalent to the GDP of Germany, Japan, and Australia combined. Key Factors Driving Tesl...

Elon Musk cemented his role as a political heavyweight in 2024, donating at least $274 million to support Donald Trump’s successful presidential bid and other Republican efforts. This record-breaking contribution makes Musk the most prolific political donor of the election cycle, far surpassing investor Timothy Mellon, who contributed $197 million. Massive Contributions Propel Trump’s Campaign Musk’s largest donations went to America PAC , the super PAC he founded, which received $238.5 million from him, including $75 million in the campaign’s final weeks. America PAC spent $159 million to boost Trump’s campaign, funding canvassing operations and digital ads on platforms like Facebook and Google. Musk incentivized voter engagement with daily $1 million giveaways to battleground state voters and smaller rewards for virtual petition signatures promoting free speech and gun rights. These practices prompted legal scrutiny but remained active through Election Day. Targeting Key Issues Musk...

Elon Musk's Neuralink is set to launch a   new feasibility trial   to evaluate its   brain implant and robotic arm   technology. The study aims to test the   safety and effectiveness   of Neuralink's wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) and surgical robot. Key Highlights: PRIME Study Focus: The trial will involve  patients with quadriplegia , enabling them to control external devices through thought alone. Participants from the ongoing  PRIME trial  will be included in this new feasibility study. Global Expansion: Neuralink recently received approval from  Health Canada  to conduct trials, recruiting six paralyzed patients for the study in collaboration with Canadian neurosurgeons. In the  U.S. , Neuralink has already implanted the device in two patients, with one using it to play video games and explore 3D design. Technology in Action: Neuralink reports successful functionality in patients, demonstrating the potential of it...