🤝 Intel, meet Qualcomm

Qualcomm potential deal with Intel, Europe's tight squeeze, and robot poker players | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH     Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for September 24th in 3:15 minutes.   💸 You can never have too many options. Just make sure you [read our free guide to trading US-listed options]( first, so you can make the most of them. [Read the guide]( Today's big stories - Qualcomm sidled up to Intel, in what could become the tech industry’s biggest-ever takeover - Three investments that have historically picked up when rates go down – [Read Now]( - The eurozone’s private sector dropped off by more than expected, dashing hopes of a recovery across the region Neighbourly Chat [Neighbourly Chat] What’s going on here? Qualcomm [knocked]( on rival Intel’s door to propose a friendly takeover – one that’d be the biggest in the history of tech. What does this mean? Intel was once a heavy hitter, but the tech firm is now struggling through its roughest period in five decades. Not only did it fail to ride the AI boom by not building souped-up smart chips, but its main chip business has been lagging behind the competition, too. So its valuation – which once peaked at $500 billion – now hovers closer to $90 billion. But Qualcomm sees the potential. The chip designer has approached the old-timer with a takeover bid, one that would be even heftier than Microsoft’s record-setting $69 billion deal to scoop up Activision. Problem is, even if Intel bites, the deal could attract scrutiny from regulators tasked with moderating monopolies – attention that’s burned many tech giants recently. Why should I care? For markets: Home-grown chips. Qualcomm designs chips but doesn’t manufacture them itself like Intel, and chipmaking is a costly business. Qualcomm’s “capital expenses” – spending on fixed assets like buildings and equipment – was $1.5 billion last year. That’s just over 4% of its sales, while Intel’s spending on the same thing totaled $26 billion: nearly half of its revenue. So you could imagine that Qualcomm might want to ditch Intel’s chip making arm entirely if the deal goes through. But Qualcomm – and other chip designers – have a vested interest in keeping Intel’s cogs churning. Otherwise, they’ll end up even more reliant on Taiwanese TSMC when they want to turn chip designs into reality. The bigger picture: No one puts Intel in the corner. Plot twist: Qualcomm’s not the only one interested in Intel. Private equity firm Apollo Global Management has reportedly [stepped up]( with as much as $5 billion to pour into the firm. That could keep Intel operating under its own steam for longer rather than acquiescing to a takeover. You might also like: [How to make money on big merger deals](. Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Neighbourly Chat&utm_campaign=daily-global-24-09-2024&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Three Investments That Thrive After The Fed’s First Rate Cut [Three Investments That Thrive After The Fed’s First Rate Cut]( The Federal Reserve [cut interest rates]( for the first time since March 2020 last week. What’s more, the [central bank]( opted for a 0.5 percentage point trim instead of the standard 0.25. Now, history doesn't necessarily repeat itself – but it often rhymes. So I’ve taken a look back in time to see [which investments have performed well]( when interest rates are first cut, and put together something of a cheat code for post-trim ideas. That’s today’s Insight: [three investments that have tended to thrive when rates are first cut](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( Strike while the free how-to guide’s hot “Strike price” might sound like a scoring technique for an obscure Olympic sport. But actually, it’s the make or break for your options trading strategy – and you’ll want to know exactly what it means and how to use it, along with all the other jargon terms you’ll come across. So [we’ve teamed up with IG]( to put together a series of guides designed to help you hone a killer options trading technique, no matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a well-versed pro. This one [walks you through the basics](, giving you a practical rundown on how options work, explaining key terminology, and what they could do for your existing portfolio. So if you’re ready to get fluent in options contracts, [check out the guide for free here](. [Get The Guide]( Sweater Weather [Sweater Weather] What’s going on here? Growth in the eurozone’s private sector [came in]( shockingly low, as the last days of summer faded into a fall – literally. What does this mean? The Paris Olympics might’ve gotten the European economy moving this summer, but those cheers are now a distant memory and there’s nothing to distract from the region’s shortcomings. Germany’s manufacturing industry – usually the backbone of the European economy – is suffering from poor demand and fierce competition. That’s partly why the European private sector (think services and manufacturing) shrank in September for the first time since March. In fact, September’s measure fell to a shocking 48.9 – far worse than economists’ predictions of a small drop to 50.5, and enough to indicate that the economy’s shrinking. Why should I care? The bigger picture: Actions not just words. Europe’s top challenges – from lackluster tech innovation to geopolitical vulnerabilities – aren’t just short-term hurdles: they’re existential threats that need addressing right away. That’s why the former president of the European Central Bank chimed in recently with a potential plan. The idea is for Europe to focus on three clear goals: boost innovation by making it easier for tech companies to grow, lower energy costs while staying competitive in clean energy, and reduce reliance on foreign resources by building up its own industries and defense. And with the latest data suggesting that the region is only falling further behind, Europe might be wise to listen. For markets: Drama Queen. As if Europe needed any more drama, Italian bank UniCredit has just arranged to more than double its stake in Commerzbank. It’s working toward a full-blown takeover of the German bank, eager to diversify away from Italian markets. The German government is less than thrilled, though. With its 12% stake now dwarfed by UniCredit’s 21%, it’s – understandably – reluctant to let a foreign bank influence one of Germany’s biggest financial institutions. You might also like: [Why it might be time to think about European real estate again](. Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Sweater Weather&utm_campaign=daily-global-24-09-2024&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." – Eleanor Roosevelt (the former First Lady of the United States) [Tweet this]( 🤝 Tom and Jerry, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. You're a stellar fintech brand looking to get your name out there, and we're a newsletter with [hundreds of thousands of brainy, switched-on readers](. Let's become the next picture-perfect duo: [Talk to the team](. [Get Your Name Out There]( 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Euro summer isn't over, yet. Five southern European cities great for [late summer sun](. 2. The metaverse could change everything. Prepare yourself for a [new investing landscape.](* 3. Show me your cards. How a Russian AI bot farm raked in millions from [online poker](. 4. AI-enhanced investing is here. Unlock the [control of a brokerage, smarts of AI, and guidance of an advisor]( with Magnifi.* 5. Eating smart. Here’s a diet that’s great for [cognitive health](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🌍 Finimize Live 🤩 Grab your tickets... All events in UK time.♟️[Game-Changing Strategies For Options Traders](: 5pm, October 15th 🚀 [2024 Modern Investor Summit](: 2pm, December 3rd ❤️ Share with a friend Thanks for reading {NAME}. If you liked today's brief, we'd love for you to share it with a friend. You stay classy, {NAME} 😉 We’d love to hear your thoughts. [Give feedback]( Want to advertise with us too? [Get in touch]( Image Credits: Image credits: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock | Midjourney Preferences: [Update your email]( or [change preferences]( [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( from all Finimize Emails 😴 Crafted by Finimize Ltd. | 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AG All content provided by Finimize Ltd. is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to represent trade or investment recommendations. You signed up to this mailing list at finimize.com or through one of our partners. © Finimize 2021 [View Online](