digital currency initiative Top Block

After this year's acquisition frenzy, BlackRock may seek to further expand in the private equity market. The momentum of BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company, may continue, because it is expected that the company will seek further expansion in the fields of private credit, real estate, infrastructure or private equity. BlackRock announced last week that it plans to acquire private credit company HPS Investment Partners for about $12 billion, which is BlackRock's third major acquisition this year. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, said that the transaction will enable the two companies to provide the integration of private equity and open market investment products. Financial sources and analysts said that in the future, BlackRock may enhance its influence in the private equity market through further acquisitions. Goals may include expanding private credit or increasing private equity, so that BlackRock can better compete with large enterprises in alternative investment fields.German Chancellor Angela Scholz called for a vote of confidence to pave the way for the February 23rd election.Bureau of Labor Statistics: In November's inflation report, the housing index rose by 0.3%, accounting for nearly 40% of the growth of all projects in that month.

The core inflation in the United States remained stable, increasing by 0.3% for the fourth consecutive month, and the CPI in the United States continued to rise in November, which aggravated people's concerns that the process of curbing inflation was stagnant. Data released on Wednesday showed that the core CPI excluding food and energy costs rose by 0.3% for the fourth consecutive month. Compared with a year ago, it has increased by 3.3%. After the data is released, it is still very likely that Fed policymakers will cut interest rates at next week's meeting. Although the price pressure has dropped from the peak during the pandemic recovery, the recent progress has stabilized. This, coupled with the fading concerns about the labor market, helps explain why several Fed officials advocate a more gradual rate cut.Analyst Anstey: Today's CPI data will hardly change anyone's prospects. However, those who still think that the Fed will remain inactive next week may reconsider, because inflation is not worse than expected. This seems to give the green light to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on December 18th.Apple introduced Siri with ChatGPT, and on Wednesday, Apple released software updates for iPhone, iPad and Mac, including Siri with ChatGPT. This is also a major victory for OpenAI, because it shows its most important products to millions of iPhone users.

Polish and Estonian Prime Ministers held talks to discuss regional security and other issues. Polish Prime Minister Tusk met with Estonian Prime Minister michal in Warsaw on December 11th, local time. The two countries discussed the issues of aid to Ukraine, regional security and cooperation, and Poland's taking over the rotating presidency of the European Union. Michal pointed out at a news conference that it is necessary for NATO member countries to spend more than 2.5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, and Estonia has already exceeded 2% of GDP in 2022. Michal pointed out that NATO countries are still lacking in air defense and ammunition production capacity, which must be solved quickly. Tusk said that he shared the same attitude with michal on regional security and aid to Ukraine, and he hoped that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could be ended in a way acceptable to all. (CCTV News)MetLife and General Atlantic are planning to form a reinsurance joint venture. It is reported that MetLife and General Atlantic are forming a reinsurance joint venture, which is the latest trend that insurance companies and alternative fund management companies jointly improve the return on low-risk insurance assets. Chariot Reinsurance, the joint venture, will have an initial equity of more than $1 billion, with MetLife and General Atlantic Insurance each holding about 15%. In addition, the insurance company Chubb will also become one of the major investors in the joint venture. The joint venture will be established in the first half of 2025, led by Cynthia Smith, who recently served as the head of the regional welfare business of Metropolitan Insurance Group.Analyst Anstey: Today's CPI data will hardly change anyone's prospects. However, those who still think that the Fed will remain inactive next week may reconsider, because inflation is not worse than expected. This seems to give the green light to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on December 18th.