alphaAI's Friday Finance Fix | Friday, Nov. 24th, 2023

Welcome to our Friday Finance Fix Newsletter, where we bring you the latest updates on key financial developments shaping the economy and markets.‍

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Corporate America's Profit Surge:

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The end of the earnings recession brings good news for Corporate America. In the most recent financial quarter, S&P 500 companies experienced a 5.6% increase in earnings compared to the previous year, with the consumer discretionary sector leading the way, boasting per-share profit jumps of over 40%. This turnaround follows a trend of falling profits that began in late 2022 and persisted through the first half of this year.

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Sources: Axios

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Sam Altman's Return to OpenAI:

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OpenAI, a major player in the global AI industry, witnessed a whirlwind of events as Sam Altman returned as CEO after being fired and subsequently courted by Microsoft. The abrupt change in leadership led to a revamp of the company's board, now led by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor. Altman's return follows significant internal support, with over 700 employees signing a letter threatening to resign if he wasn't reinstated. The reasons behind Altman's initial dismissal remain unclear, leaving the industry speculating on the internal dynamics at OpenAI.

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Sources: Bloomberg, LinkedIn, Twitter

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US Consumers' Mixed Signals:

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As Black Friday festivities commence, US consumers project a mixed outlook for the holiday season. Despite planning to spend an average of $1,652, an increase from the previous year, cautious spending is evident, especially in the toy and game sector. Consumers are on the lookout for deals amid inflation concerns, favoring off-price retailers like Ross, HomeGoods, and T.J. Maxx over traditional department stores. Economic indicators to watch in the New Year include late credit-card payments and a potential spending slowdown.

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Sources: Deloitte, The Wall Street Journal, LinkedIn, The Wall Street Journal

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Binance Outflows Amid CEO's Legal Woes:

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Cryptocurrency exchange Binance faces turmoil as users withdraw over $1 billion in the wake of CEO Changpeng Zhao's legal troubles. Zhao and others were charged with violating the Bank Secrecy Act, leading Binance to agree to a staggering $4.3 billion settlement. The significant outflows signal a loss of confidence in the platform, emphasizing the vulnerability of the cryptocurrency market to regulatory challenges.

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Source: CNBC‍

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Warren Buffett's Generous Donation and Berkshire's Resilience:

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Before Thanksgiving, Warren Buffett made headlines by donating over $870 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock to family foundations. In a reassuring letter to shareholders, the 93-year-old investor emphasized Berkshire's enduring strength, dispelling concerns about its future without his leadership. Buffett's donations, part of a long-standing commitment to philanthropy, aim to secure the legacy of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns a diverse range of well-established businesses.

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What about alphaAI?

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