Connect with us

Business

Battery maker’s surge raises hope of turnaround for EV vehicles sales

Published

on


Stay informed with free updates

The slowdown in demand for electric vehicles is temporary, US battery executives insist, as strong clean car sales in the second quarter in North America suggest drivers remain eager to go green.

This week, battery maker QuantumScape’s shares surged 52 per cent following its disclosure of a $130mn payment from Volkswagen for technology royalties.

Shares in QuantumScape, which makes solid-state batteries rather than conventional EV lithium-ion batteries, had fallen since going public in 2020 via a blank-cheque company.

The announcement was a rare bright spot this year for US battery makers, whose lofty valuations have crumbled amid slowing EV sales and increasing competition for Chinese suppliers such as BYD and CATL.

“I would be foolish to say that I am not worried about the Chinese competitors,” Siva Sivaram, QuantumScape’s chief executive, said in an interview.

The company’s development of solid-state batteries will give EV cars longer range and faster charging times versus the lithium batteries made by Chinese or other competitors, Sivaram argued. But Wall Street analysts have said solid-state batteries have an uncertain path to commercialisation.

The deal with Volkswagen gives QuantumScape about one to two months of free cash flow, Morgan Stanley said in a July 11 report. Volkswagen previously invested $300mn in QuantumScape and controls about 25 per cent of the voting power at the company, Morgan Stanley said, adding that there is no specific timeline for the potential mass production of its battery cells.

“The automotive business has these big ups and downs,” Sivaram said about the sluggish EV sales. “Yes, there is surely a blip. We just have to ride out these blips.”

Tesla, the world’s largest EV company, this month reported a second consecutive decline in quarterly vehicle sales.

But after “a shaky start” to the year, North American EV sales increased 10 per cent in the first six months of 2024 versus last year, according to Rho Motion. Ford said this month its EV sales were up 72 per cent in the first half of the year, making it the second-largest EV seller after Tesla.

Still, battery business valuations have fallen from the market’s 2021 heyday. Silicon-based battery developer Sila Nanotechnologies, which was valued at $3.3bn in a 2021 funding round, raised $375mn in a June fundraising that Joe Fath, a portfolio manager at repeat investor TRowePrice, said was “clearly a down round”.

“The folks who are participating, there is conviction and belief that all ground transportation is going to go electric,” Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of Sila, told the Financial Times. Another of Sila’s repeat investors, Sutter Hill Ventures, made some of the first investments in chipmaker Nvidia and remains on its board, Berdichevsky said.

In EV sales, “we are in an air pocket right now,” said Fath, but he added that the lower valuation for Sila “is not a knock on their progress. It is a knock on the world we were in versus the world we are in today. When you go through environments like this, you have to have a stronger stomach.”

Climate Capital

Where climate change meets business, markets and politics. Explore the FT’s coverage here.

Are you curious about the FT’s environmental sustainability commitments? Find out more about our science-based targets here



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Doris Matsui of California’s 7th District purchases U.S. Treasury Note By Investing.com

Published

on


In a recent transaction, Doris O. Matsui, the congresswoman from California’s 7th congressional district, has made a significant investment in the U.S. Treasury Note due 05/31/2026 (GS). The purchase was made on September 3, 2024, and was reported the following day.

The investment was made through a purchase, indicating an increase in Matsui’s holdings in government securities. The transaction was valued between $500,001 and $1,000,000, marking a substantial addition to her portfolio.

The type of account used for this transaction was not specified in the congressional trade report. However, it is important for investors to note that such investments in government securities are often considered a safe haven, especially during periods of market volatility.

This purchase of a U.S. Treasury Note by Matsui is a notable move, demonstrating her confidence in the stability and future performance of government securities.

As a reminder, the STOCK Act requires all members of Congress to disclose their transactions to ensure transparency and prevent any potential conflicts of interest. Matsui has complied with this requirement by disclosing her recent purchase of the U.S. Treasury Note.

InvestingPro Insights

As investors consider the implications of Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui’s recent investment in U.S. Treasury Notes, it may be beneficial to compare the stability of government securities with the performance of a prominent player in the Capital Markets industry, such as Goldman Sachs (GS). Goldman Sachs has been demonstrating resilience and growth, as evidenced by the latest metrics from InvestingPro.

InvestingPro Data reveals that Goldman Sachs has a market capitalization of $154.9 billion, underlining its significant presence in the industry. Its Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio stands at 14.78, suggesting that the company is trading at a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings. Moreover, the company has experienced a robust 11.74% revenue growth over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, highlighting its ability to expand its financial footprint in a competitive sector.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that Goldman Sachs has not only maintained its dividend payments for 26 consecutive years but has also raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years, indicating a strong and consistent return to shareholders. This consistency in dividend growth, with a 20.0% increase in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, may appeal to investors seeking reliable income streams, similar to those provided by government securities.

For those seeking more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro offers additional insights on Goldman Sachs, including tips related to the company’s cash flow, earnings growth, and analysts’ profitability predictions for the year. There are 13 more InvestingPro Tips available, which can provide investors with a comprehensive understanding of Goldman Sachs’ financial health and market position.

As constituents and market participants monitor Congresswoman Matsui’s investment strategy, the robust performance and strategic financial management of companies like Goldman Sachs may offer an interesting point of comparison for those assessing risk and stability in their own portfolios.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.





Source link

Continue Reading

Business

Fed cuts proposed capital requirements for large US banks in half

Published

on


Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

The Federal Reserve has cut proposed capital requirements for large US banks by more than half after a backlash from the industry and politicians.

Michael Barr, the US central bank’s top regulator, announced a revised plan on Tuesday that imposes a 9 per cent increase in capital requirements on the biggest lenders, down from the 19 per cent proposed last summer.

The revised rules are a win for banks, which had waged a lobbying blitz against the proposal.

They are a blow for Barr, who had hoped to use the package of banking reforms dubbed “Basel Endgame” to address what he viewed as remaining vulnerabilities in the US financial system.

An initial package of reforms called Basel III was implemented in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

Barr characterised the latest changes as a “reproposal”.

This is a developing story



Source link

Continue Reading

Business

Boeing union members angry over size of negotiated 25% raise may sink tentative contract deal

Published

on



Boeing Co. faces growing backlash from rank-and-file workers to a tentative agreement — including a 25% pay raise — it struck with its largest labor union during a marathon weekend bargaining session.

In an exclusive interview, Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, said he understood the angry response from members still seething over a 2014 deal that hiked health care costs and stripped away pensions. He defended the sprawling agreement unveiled Sunday as the best his team could obtain during the final frenzied days of negotiations that included a brief appearance by Boeing’s new Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Ortberg.

“We got as much as we could in collective bargaining, short of a strike,” Holden said. “But rightfully so, members are angry. It’s now in their hands, as it is supposed to be.”

While investors welcomed the preliminary deal — sending Boeing shares up 3.4% in New York on Monday — it’s far from certain that the 33,000-member union will accept the offer. Maintaining labor peace and averting a lengthy strike is crucial to Boeing’s effort to repair its battered balance sheet and improve the quality of work in its factories after years of turmoil. 

The 25% pay boost over four years offered by Boeing is less than the union’s initial 40% demand. However, it stacks up well against other recent labor deals. The company is offering an immediate 11% pay raise that would mean the highest-paid workers make $57.43 an hour. For some labor grades, minimum wages will increase as much as 42.3% when cost-of-living adjustments are included.

The United Auto Workers ended a lengthy strike last year after reaching a deal for a 25% hourly pay raise over a more-than-four-year contract. At Stellantis NV, the top hourly wage will exceed $42 an hour by 2028. At Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., workers got a 23.5% pay boost over four years.

Boeing’s offer also eliminates a controversial bonus for IAM members that was tied to internal measures for productivity, quality and safety. Workers are furious at the change, even though they were frustrated at times with the formula that could be skewed by supplier miscues.

Holden acknowledged that his team had focused on guaranteed wages since members considered it a top priority in meetings over the past two years. “I do understand the frustration in not having annual bonuses,” he added.

Strike Preparations

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers will vote Thursday on whether to accept the deal, and whether to strike. If Boeing’s offer is rejected and two-thirds support the work stoppage, then employees will walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.

“Because they haven’t had a contract negotiation since 2008, the expectations would be high,” said Leon Grunberg, a long-time observer of Boeing labor relations and professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Puget Sound. “But Boeing’s in such a vulnerable place right now that this is probably as generous as they could be.”

From northern California to Idaho, strike preparations are under way, with IAM members making signs along with “burn barrels” to warm picket lines. In online forums, hundreds of employees vented their rage, often in harsh terms, at a deal they say doesn’t do enough to improve their financial standing. 

Leaflets distributed around Boeing’s Everett factory on Monday urged workers to reject “Boeing’s Bad Deal” and to approve authorizing a strike when they vote on Thursday. It demanded the union fight for a 40% wage increase, board seat and pensions.

“Stand strong,” said a handout viewed by Bloomberg. “We deserve a fair deal.”

Holden acknowledged the union got a lot, but not all that it had sought in bargaining the first comprehensive deal in 16 years. But he said he ultimately decided to recommend that members accept Boeing’s offer because he can’t guarantee that a strike would produce a better deal.

“It’s irresponsible to ask people to strike for something I’m unsure we can accomplish,” Holden said. “You have to think of the weight of 33,000 families.”

Ortberg’s Role

Ortberg, who took over as Boeing CEO in early August, has vowed to return focus to the planemaker’s manufacturing roots, after a midair blowout on one of its jets early this year threw a spotlight on its manufacturing and safety record. The new chief had largely stayed out of the contract talks, which kicked off in early March and intensified over the past month when the two sides were holed up in a Seattle hotel.

But he came in for a short meeting on Saturday, weighing in on “job security,” a contentious issue with union leaders pressing Boeing to commit to building its next new plane in the Puget Sound region.

“He did give a commitment on job security,” Holden said. “Then we have work to do to make it worth something.”

Stay on top of the tech world with these Fortune newsletters:
Data Sheet: Get the download on the business of technology with thoughtful analysis on the industry’s biggest names. Sign up.
CIO Intelligence: Stay plugged in on the news and issues shaping the role of the CIO every week. Sign up.
Eye on AI: Learn how artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing the future of business. Sign up.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

paribahis bahsegel bahsegel bahsegel bahsegel resmi adresi

Copyright © 2024 World Daily Info. Powered by Columba Ventures Co. Ltd.