American asset manager steering alternative investments
Nvidia has opened an independent inquiry after CEO Jensen Huang has acknowledged an extramarital relationship with Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive whom U.S. intelligence has concluded was recruited by Chinas intelligence services. Huang has apologised; the board says it has no reason to believe company secrets or national security were compromised and he will remain CEO during the review.
Nvidia has announced memorandums with six Wall Street firms to assemble about $500 billion to finance AI infrastructure — data centres, GPU clusters and related compute — for customers that lack cash or credit. Executives are pitching compute as an investable asset class while analysts warn depreciation risk and competition from China could erode collateral value.
The London & Valley Water consortium has proposed a slate of non‑executive directors for Thames Water to secure government backing for a rescue. The appointments include Liz Barber and Clive Selley, aimed at restoring governance and public trust as the government weighs nationalisation options.
A mix of mortgage rates remaining elevated and inventory growth is shaping US and UK housing markets. Cash sales have cooled, financed buyers are gaining ground, and prices show modest changes in several markets. Analysts warn of continued affordability challenges and potential further rate-related pressure.
The United States faces rising government bond yields amid fears of a debt sustainability crisis. A recent intervention by Washington seeks to calm markets as inflation pressures persist, while AI-driven corporate debt adds to demand for risk-free Treasuries. Analysts warn that the debt trajectory could reshape global finance if policy paths remain unchanged.
Nvidia has acquired a minority stake in Cloverleaf Infrastructure and has announced a partnership to help build data‑centre sites. The move follows Nvidia’s recent $1.5 billion investment in an Ohio data‑centre project and signals the company is directly financing and developing the power and site infrastructure that supports demand for its AI chips.
The London stock market is losing more firms to private equity, with Bodycote being taken private by Veritas and Gamma Communications and Capricorn also likely to go private. The wave follows EasyJet’s FTSE 100 promotion and highlights a broader exodus that has seen several UK-listed names depart this year. The trend reflects a shift in market dynamics, potential increased valuations, and investor pressure.
The SEC has filed a lawsuit to enforce an administrative subpoena against Institutional Shareholder Services, with the agency seeking records on proxy recommendations and votes as Trump-era oversight intensifies. ISS contends First Amendment concerns, while regulators say the probe remains in fact-finding.
The House has found Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein. The full House approved the contempt resolution by unanimous consent after the Oversight Committee voted 41–0 to recommend the action. The matter has been referred to the Justice Department for possible criminal review.
The Oversight Committee has moved to refer the Epstein-related contempt against a private-equity chief to the Justice Department. Black has refused to hand over nondisclosure agreements or appear for deposition. The committee’s action comes amid bipartisan support and follows an earlier voluntary interview; a deposition was delayed but ultimately not attended.
Analyst Torsten Slok warns that if households use AI agents to optimize cash returns, banks could lose cheap deposits, pressuring lenders and the wider financial system. The scenario hinges on scale and user adoption of agentic finance tools.
Ken Griffin has pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, including $2 billion to build a 35‑acre Wynwood campus in Miami and $1 billion for priorities at CMU’s Pittsburgh campus. Construction on the Miami site is slated for 2027, with student enrollments planned to begin in 2028; the computer science school will be renamed for Griffin.
AI-related debt issuance is rising amid higher yields and rate expectations. Investors worry about distressed bonds as hyperscalers and AI firms fund data-center buildouts, potentially triggering wider market stress even as equities hold firm. IMF warns of sovereign-bond risks.
Apollo Global Management is finalising a near-10% stake in Mubadala Capital, strengthening cross-border asset management links as it expands into European credit through ECC. The moves follow earlier reports of a Mubadala deal and reflect a broader push by Western investors into the Middle East and Europe’s long-term financing needs.
Leon Black has filed a defamation suit against Representative Robert Garcia, alleging false statements linked to Epstein’s crimes. The suit follows Black’s congressional testimony denying knowledge of Epstein’s activities and accuses Garcia of lying to the public. The case seeks $7.25 million in damages and is part of ongoing Oversight Committee battles.