MONEY MASTER

Shares of  NVIDIA Corp  fell in premarket trading as escalating Middle East tensions raised concerns about energy costs and broader semiconductor supply chain risks. Key Takeaways Nvidia fell 1.3% in premarket; down 4.7% YTD Chip stocks broadly weaker amid oil shock fears Main risk is rising energy costs, not direct production shutdowns Asian semiconductor suppliers hit hardest Chip Sector Under Pressure Advanced Micro Devices Inc.  and  Broadcom Inc.  both declined in premarket trading. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.  dropped over 4% in Taiwan trading. Key Point: The immediate threat is not factory shutdowns — it’s higher energy and transportation costs squeezing margins. Semiconductor fabrication facilities are extremely energy intensive. Sustained increases in electricity and fuel costs could materially impact production economics. Asia Bears the Brunt Asian chip suppliers have fallen sharply due to heavy reliance on Middle East energy flows thro...

GlobalFoundries and Intel Lead Gains U.S. chipmakers surged Friday after reports that the Trump administration is preparing a new policy to  force domestic production to match imports . GlobalFoundries (GFS):  +8.4% Intel (INTC):  +4.4% Both companies have significant U.S. manufacturing capacity, positioning them to benefit from the proposed rules. The Proposal: A 1:1 Ratio for Chips According to the  Wall Street Journal , the administration wants U.S. semiconductor firms to produce  the same number of chips domestically as customers import from abroad . Companies unable to match imports with U.S. output would face  tariffs . The policy is seen as an  extension of Trump’s earlier plan  to impose 100% tariffs on foreign-made chips, with exemptions for firms building in the U.S. Firms would have a grace period to meet quotas while new fabs ramp up. National Security at the Core The White House argues the U.S. must reduce reliance on  foreign su...

The US Commerce Department has launched new  national security investigations  into imports of medical equipment, robotics, and industrial machinery, a move that could pave the way for higher tariffs across critical sectors. Scope of the Section 232 Investigations The probes, opened on  Sept 2  but only disclosed Wednesday, fall under the  “Section 232” authority , which allows tariffs if imports are deemed a national security risk. Covered items include: Medical supplies : Face masks, N95 respirators, gloves, gowns, IV bags, syringes, infusion pumps, wheelchairs, crutches, hospital beds. Medical devices : Pacemakers, insulin pumps, coronary stents, heart valves, hearing aids, prosthetics, blood glucose monitors, CT and MRI scanners. Robotics & machinery : Programmable mechanical systems, industrial stamping and pressing machines, welding and cutting tools, autoclaves, ovens, and laser/water-cutting equipment. Probes Aim to Gauge Supply Chain Reliance The Co...

  Key Takeaways China may import up to  10 million tonnes  of soybeans from Argentina and Uruguay in 2025/26, a record level. Already  2.43 million tonnes  booked for Sept 2025–May 2026 shipments. Shift reduces reliance on the US, reinforcing Beijing’s long-term food security strategy. Bumper harvests in Argentina (50.9m tonnes) and Uruguay (4.2m tonnes) underpin higher supply. Brazil remains the dominant supplier, but diversification dilutes US market share further. Strategic Shift in Supply Chains China, the world’s largest soybean importer, is accelerating diversification of its supply base away from the US amid escalating trade tensions. This move follows years of Beijing’s policy to  reduce exposure to US farm products , a strategy that gained momentum after tariffs were first imposed during Donald Trump’s initial presidential term. The US traditionally relied on  Q4 sales  to China—its peak export window following harvest. Notably, China has...

  Key Takeaways: De minimis exemption abolished : All imported packages, regardless of value, now face tariffs, ending a decades-old rule that exempted shipments under  US$800 . Impact on e-commerce : Online retailers like Shein and Temu face higher costs and paperwork, potentially eroding their price advantage. Winners and losers : US textile and manufacturing industries gain tariff protection, while consumers and small businesses importing via online platforms face higher prices. Revenue and enforcement : White House estimates  US$10 billion annually in new tariff revenues , with CBP already collecting nearly  US$500 million  since China/Hong Kong exemptions ended in May. Transition risks : Supply chain disruptions likely as postal agencies and express carriers adapt; full ad valorem duty collection required by  Feb 28, 2026 . Policy Shift The  de minimis exemption , dating back to 1938, allowed small-value imports duty-free. Raised to US$800 in 2015...

Tech stocks retreat as rhetoric heats up, though precise timing remains vague President  Donald Trump  told reporters aboard Air Force One that U.S. tariffs on certain imports—including chips and steel—could eventually reach  200% to 300% . “If they don’t open here, they have to pay… in some cases, 200%, 300%,” he said, adding that initial rates would be lower before stepping up over time. Wall Street Reacts Semiconductor giants slid:  AMD  down ~1.3%,  Broadcom  ~1.1%,  NVIDIA  ~0.9%. The  Nasdaq Composite  dipped ~0.1% amid growing concern over sudden tariff risk. High Stakes for U.S. Manufacturing Previous remarks indicated a ~100% tariff on  ON Semiconductor  imports—with exemptions tied to companies relocating production to the U.S. With soaring proposed tariffs, export-heavy chipmakers could face staggering cost barriers unless policy clarifies quickly. What to Watch Tariff architecture : Trump said specifics might a...

The US and European Union (EU) have sealed a  hard-fought trade agreement  imposing a  15% tariff on most EU exports , including automobiles, just days before higher levies were set to hit on Aug 1. Key Details: The deal prevents a looming trade war that threatened  US$1.7 trillion in cross-border commerce . Tariffs cover cars, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors; steel and aluminium remain under a  50% duty . The EU pledged to purchase  US$750B in US energy products , invest  US$600B  in the US, and buy “vast amounts” of military equipment. The 15% rate is  half of the threatened 30% , but still higher than the EU’s initial zero-tariff hopes. Market Reaction: S&P 500 futures:  +0.4% Euro:  Strengthened vs. USD European stock futures:  +0.9% Why It Matters: Averts a major hit to global supply chains and investor sentiment. Seen as a political win for Trump, who called it “the biggest of all the deals.” EU leaders described ...

The  Trump administration’s sweeping 50% copper import tariff , set to take effect on  August 1 , will reportedly cover  all refined copper , according to Bloomberg sources — a move poised to shake global commodity markets and intensify inflationary pressure across key industries. Why It Matters: Refined copper is a critical material powering everything from  electric grids  and  automobiles  to  electronics  and  construction . By targeting the  largest category of US copper imports , the administration is signaling its intent to  revive domestic production  — but potentially at the cost of higher prices and tighter supply. “This is far-reaching and will have widespread implications for manufacturing and infrastructure,” said one analyst familiar with the developments. Additional Tariff Targets: The scope is also expected to include  semi-finished copper products , broadening the tariff’s impact even further. The pro...

President Trump’s new 25% import tariffs on foreign cars  are poised to deal a major financial hit to Germany’s top carmakers — with  Porsche AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG  taking the brunt of the impact. What’s Happening: New tariffs take effect April 3 , potentially slashing around  25% of Porsche and Mercedes’ 2026 projected operating earnings , according to Bloomberg Intelligence. The  estimated hit: €3.4 billion (US$3.7 billion or RM16.2 billion) . Automakers may have to  raise prices or shift more production to the US  to absorb the blow. Market Reaction: Porsche shares fell 5% ,  Mercedes down 5.2% ,  BMW -4.9% ,  Volkswagen -4.3% , and  Aston Martin tumbled 8.9%  in London. The tariffs  threaten Europe’s export-heavy auto industry , particularly  German brands , which ship a large portion of their high-margin vehicles like the  Porsche 911  and  Mercedes S-Class  to the US. Industry Concern...

  Stock Market Decline: The  S&P 500  has entered  correction territory , falling over  10%  from its recent peak, as  President Trump's trade war  intensifies. The latest round of tariffs, including threats against the EU,  Canada , and  China , has caused a significant pullback in US equities, particularly affecting industries reliant on trade. Key Developments: European Union  retaliates against  Trump's tariffs , implementing duties on US goods, especially  alcoholic beverages .  Trump  responded with an increased  200% tariff  threat on  wine and champagne  from the EU. Canada  also escalated the situation with  25% tariffs  on  $30 billion of US goods , particularly  steel and aluminum  exports. Investors  reacted by selling off, pushing the  S&P 500  into correction territory and seeing  a $5 trillion drop  in market value o...

The Malaysian manufacturing sector recorded its sixth consecutive month of contraction , with the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI falling to 49.2 , the lowest reading in seven months, according to MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd (MIDF Research) . Key Highlights Sector Weaknesses New Orders : Experienced the sharpest decline in seven months , reflecting weak domestic demand. Output and Inventory Levels : Declined further, indicating broad-based challenges. Backlogs of Work : Stabilized, reaching a four-month high , due to limited production capacity. Export and Supply Chain Trends Export Orders : Showed growth, likely driven by rising demand in the Asia-Pacific region . Supply Chain Disruptions : Persisted for the seventh consecutive month , worsened by the Red Sea crisis , causing longer delivery times. Cost Pressures Higher Commodity Prices and the weaker ringgit drove up costs, though input price inflation eased to a nine-month low. Employment and Business Confidence Employment...