Mar 12, 2024

I recently heard about Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s comments on China, which have raised concerns about Malaysia’s foreign policy stance. Anwar emphasized the importance of maintaining friendly relations with China, given its status as Malaysia’s top trading partner and leading investor. However, this has sparked questions about Malaysia’s balance between the U.S. and China, especially as it prepares to chair ASEAN in 2025.

There has also been news about a bipartisan bill requiring China’s ByteDance to divest TikTok, with a requirement for ByteDance to cut its ownership of TikTok to below 20% within 180 days of the bill becoming law. The domestic politics of TikTok are complex, and what happens next with its actual business could prove even more interesting.

In the realm of private equity deals, there have been significant developments, with companies securing substantial funding. Additionally, Reddit has set its IPO terms and is offering a chance for some of its users to buy in at the IPO price.

In other news, there has been a resurgence in short-volatility bets, with investors sinking vast sums into strategies that rely on enduring equity calm. There is also growing demand for options from retail investors, leading to speculation and increased volatility in the market.

Lastly, Mexico’s economy is experiencing a significant transformation, with a construction boom and a surge in public works projects driving an investment boom in the country. This growth has been attributed to a more aggressive approach to managing industrial policy and the near-shoring of manufacturing supply chains. While these developments are positive, there are concerns about potential challenges from the US and the need for prudent economic management.

Stay Well!