Category: Business

VinFast Investing in India with a new $2 billion EV Plan

VinFast, the electric vehicle manufacturer from Vietnam, has announced its plans to invest an initial $500 million to establish an integrated facility in India and enter the world’s third-largest automobile market.

Through a memorandum of understanding with the state government of Tamil Nadu, VinFast intends to invest up to $2 billion, although no specific timeframe has been provided.

Construction of the facility in Thoothukudi, with a potential annual capacity of 150,000 units, is expected to begin this year. This project is projected to create 3,000-3,500 job opportunities.

Who is Bret Taylor? Named as a Person Wanted for OpenAI Board


Bret Taylor is an American computer programmer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of FriendFeed and Quip, and served as the CEO of Google Maps, Facebook, and Salesforce. He currently serves as a board member of Shopify.

Here’s a timeline of his major achievements:

  • 2003: Graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
  • 2004: Joined Google as a product manager, where he helped to develop Google Maps.
  • 2008: Left Google to co-found FriendFeed, a social media aggregation platform.
  • 2009: FriendFeed was acquired by Facebook for $50 million. Taylor joined Facebook as CTO.
  • 2012: Left Facebook to co-found Quip, a document collaboration platform.
  • 2016: Quip was acquired by Salesforce for $750 million. Taylor joined Salesforce as COO.
  • 2017: Became CEO of Salesforce.
  • 2022: Stepped down as CEO of Salesforce to join Twitter as chairman of the board.
  • 2023: Left Twitter after it was acquired by Elon Musk.

Taylor is a well-respected figure in the tech industry. He is known for his intelligence, his vision, and his commitment to creating a better world through technology. He is also a prolific author and speaker, and he has written widely on the topics of technology, business, and leadership.

In 1983, Buffett wrote down 13 owner-related business principles explaining Berkshire’s Approach – what are they

In 1983, Warren Buffett wrote down 13 owner-related business principles outlining Berkshire Hathaway’s approach to investing and business management. These principles, which remain relevant today, provide a framework for making sound decisions that prioritize long-term shareholder value.

  1. Own a diversified group of businesses that generate cash and consistently earn above-average returns on capital.

This principle emphasizes the importance of diversification to reduce risk and the pursuit of businesses that can generate consistent and sustainable profits.

  1. Avoid management that is obsessed with meeting short-term earnings targets.

Buffett advocates for a long-term focus, prioritizing decisions that enhance the intrinsic value of the company over short-term financial gains.

  1. Avoid companies with bloated balance sheets and excessive debt.

Financial prudence is essential, and excessive debt can hinder a company’s flexibility and ability to withstand economic downturns.

  1. Seek managers who are passionate about their businesses and put shareholders’ interests first.

Effective management is crucial, and aligning the interests of management with those of shareholders ensures long-term value creation.

  1. Don’t make acquisitions to simply increase size or diversify into unrelated businesses.

Acquisitions should be driven by strategic opportunities that enhance the overall value of Berkshire Hathaway.

  1. Don’t overpay for businesses, even if they appear to be attractive.

Disciplined valuation is paramount, and acquiring businesses at inflated prices can erode shareholder value.

  1. Be patient and willing to wait for the right opportunities to arise.

Investing requires patience and discipline, and rushing into decisions can lead to suboptimal outcomes.

  1. Communicate openly and honestly with shareholders.

Transparency and clear communication foster trust and confidence among shareholders.

  1. Behave as partners, not masters, to your shareholders.

Berkshire Hathaway views shareholders as partners in its success, aligning its actions with their interests.

  1. Don’t let your emotions dictate your investment decisions.

Sound investment decisions are based on rational analysis, not emotional impulses.

  1. Remember that the stock market is a tool, not a gambling machine.

The stock market should be used as a means to acquire ownership in valuable businesses, not as a venue for speculative trading.

  1. Understand that stock prices can be irrational in the short term.

Market fluctuations can be unpredictable, and investors should focus on the long-term intrinsic value of businesses.

  1. Always strive to make decisions that will protect and enhance Berkshire Hathaway’s intrinsic value.

Every decision should be evaluated based on its impact on the company’s long-term value and its ability to deliver superior returns to shareholders.

These 13 owner-related business principles provide valuable insights into Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy and Berkshire Hathaway’s approach to business. By adhering to these principles, investors can make informed decisions that prioritize long-term value creation and sustainable financial success.

How much of Netflix does Reed Hastings own? and how much of the voting rights?

According to the most recent information available, Reed Hastings owns approximately 2% of Netflix’s outstanding shares. This makes him one of the company’s largest individual shareholders. However, the exact amount of his ownership can fluctuate due to market transactions and other factors.

In terms of voting rights, Hastings’ ownership translates to approximately 3.9% of the company’s voting power. This is because each share of Netflix’s Class B common stock carries 10 votes, while each share of Class A common stock carries only one vote. Hastings holds primarily Class B shares, which gives him a disproportionate amount of influence over the company’s governance.

It is important to note that Hastings’ ownership stake in Netflix has changed over time. He has sold some of his shares in the past, and he may continue to do so in the future. However, he has also stated that he is committed to remaining a significant shareholder in Netflix for the long term.

Here is a summary of Reed Hastings’ ownership of Netflix:

  • Shares owned: Approximately 2% of outstanding shares
  • Voting power: Approximately 3.9% of voting power

Value Investing for New Investors – The Warren Buffett Approach

Value investing is a timeless investment strategy that has been used by some of the most successful investors in history, including Warren Buffett. Value investors look for stocks that are trading below their intrinsic value, with the belief that these stocks will eventually revert to their fair market value and provide a profit for investors.

This ebook is designed to introduce new investors to the basics of value investing. It will cover the following topics:

  • What is value investing?
  • The history of value investing
  • The principles of value investing
  • How to identify undervalued stocks
  • How to construct a value investing portfolio
  • Common mistakes to avoid when value investing

What is Value Investing?

Value investing is an investment strategy that involves buying stocks that are trading below their intrinsic value. Intrinsic value is the true worth of a stock, based on its underlying fundamentals.

Value investors believe that the stock market is often irrational and that stock prices can fluctuate wildly, even when the underlying fundamentals of a company remain strong. This can create opportunities for value investors to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value.

The History of Value Investing

The history of value investing can be traced back to Benjamin Graham, who is considered the father of value investing. Graham was a professor at Columbia University and a successful investor. He wrote a number of books on value investing, including The Intelligent Investor and Security Analysis.

Graham’s teachings were popularized by his student, Warren Buffett. Buffett is one of the most successful investors in history, and he has used value investing principles to generate billions of dollars in wealth for himself and his shareholders.

The Principles of Value Investing

The principles of value investing are simple, but they can be difficult to apply in practice. The following are some of the key principles of value investing:

  • Buy stocks that are trading below their intrinsic value. This is the core principle of value investing. Value investors believe that stocks that are trading below their intrinsic value will eventually revert to their fair market value and provide a profit for investors.
  • Invest for the long term. Value investing is a long-term investment strategy. It takes time for the market to recognize the true value of a stock. Value investors are willing to be patient and wait for the market to catch up.
  • Have a margin of safety. A margin of safety is the difference between the intrinsic value of a stock and its current market price. Value investors want to buy stocks with a large margin of safety to reduce their downside risk.

How to Identify Undervalued Stocks

There are a number of ways to identify undervalued stocks. One common method is to look at a company’s financial statements and valuation ratios.

Value investors typically look for stocks with strong financial statements and low valuation ratios. For example, value investors may look for stocks with a low price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) or a high dividend yield.

How to Construct a Value Investing Portfolio

Once you have identified a number of undervalued stocks, you need to construct a value investing portfolio. This involves diversifying your investments across a variety of sectors and industries. It also involves managing your risk by investing in a variety of stocks with different valuation ratios.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Value Investing

There are a number of common mistakes that investors make when value investing. Some of the most common mistakes include:

  • Buying stocks without understanding the underlying business. It is important to understand the business model and competitive landscape of any stock before investing.
  • Investing in stocks that are too risky. Value investors should focus on investing in stocks with a large margin of safety to reduce their downside risk.
  • Selling stocks too early. Value investing is a long-term investment strategy. Investors should be patient and wait for the market to recognize the true value of a stock.

Conclusion

Value investing is a time-tested investment strategy that has been used by some of the most successful investors in history. By following the principles of value investing, new investors can position themselves for long-term success.

Additional Resources

If you are interested in learning more about value investing, here are a few additional resources:

  • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
  • Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd
  • The Essays of Warren Buffett by Lawrence Cunningham
  • The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle
  • The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing by Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, and Michael LeBoeuf

Business Insider: A Case Study in Advertising Overload

Business Insider is a popular business news website, but it is also notorious for its excessive advertising. The site is cluttered with ads, making it difficult to read and navigate.

There are a number of reasons why Business Insider has so much advertising. First, the site is free to use, and advertising is its primary source of revenue. Second, Business Insider’s target audience is businesses, which are willing to pay a premium for advertising on a site that reaches a large number of decision-makers.

However, the amount of advertising on Business Insider is so high that it actually detracts from the user experience. The ads are often intrusive and distracting, and they can make it difficult to find the information you are looking for.

Here are a few specific examples of how Business Insider’s advertising overload can make the site difficult to read:

  • Pop-up ads: When you first visit Business Insider, you are bombarded with pop-up ads for various products and services. These ads can be difficult to close, and they can block your view of the content you are trying to read.
  • Native advertising: Business Insider also uses native advertising, which is a type of advertising that is designed to blend in with the surrounding content. This can make it difficult to distinguish between ads and real articles.
  • Video ads: Business Insider also uses video ads, which can be very distracting. These ads often play automatically, and they can be difficult to mute.

Overall, Business Insider’s advertising overload makes the site difficult to read and navigate. The ads are often intrusive and distracting, and they can make it difficult to find the information you are looking for.

How Much of Automattic Does Matt Mullenweg Own

Matt Mullenweg owns approximately 40-50% of Automattic, according to various sources. This makes him the company’s largest shareholder.

Mullenweg founded Automattic in 2005, and the company has grown to become one of the largest and most successful tech companies in the world. Automattic owns a number of popular products and services, including WordPress.com, WooCommerce, and Jetpack.

Mullenweg has been a vocal advocate for open source software, and Automattic is a major contributor to the WordPress open source project. Mullenweg has also said that he is committed to keeping Automattic a private company.

Who is the Current CEO of Universal Music Group

Lucian Charles Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music Group (UMG), was born on February 29, 1960. As of today, October 4, 2023, he is 63 years old.

Grainge is a British-American record executive who has been the CEO of UMG since 2011. He is the longest-serving CEO of a major music company in history and has been credited with transforming the music industry into a digital one by embracing streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.

Under Grainge’s leadership, UMG has become the world’s largest music company, with a market share of over 30%. The company has also become a major player in the music publishing industry, acquiring the rights to some of the most popular songs of all time.

Grainge is a highly respected figure in the music industry, and he has been named one of the most powerful people in the business by Billboard magazine on multiple occasions. He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

How Many Employees Work at Oracle

Oracle had 164,000 employees on May 31, 2023. This is a 14.69% increase from the previous year.

Oracle is a multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in cloud computing, enterprise software, and computer hardware. It is the second-largest software company in the world by revenue, and it is one of the largest technology companies in the world by employee count.

Temu Sales in Single-Month in the US is Now Equal to Shein

Temu, a discount e-commerce platform, has caught up to its rival Shein in single-month sales in the US, according to a report by TechNode.

Temu is a relatively new player in the US market, having launched in September 2021. However, it has grown rapidly, thanks to its aggressive marketing campaigns and low prices.

In August 2023, Temu spent more than $300 million on advertising, making it one of the biggest spenders on advertising in the US. This investment has paid off, as Temu has consistently been the top downloaded app in the US in recent months.

Temu’s parent company, PDD, has said that it is planning to continue investing in Temu for the next three years, even if it means making losses. This suggests that Temu is here to stay, and that it is likely to continue to challenge Shein for dominance in the US e-commerce market.

The rise of Temu is a sign that the US e-commerce market is becoming increasingly competitive. Shein has been the dominant player in the market for several years, but Temu is now challenging its position. This is good news for consumers, as it means that they have more choices and lower prices.

It will be interesting to see how the competition between Temu and Shein plays out in the coming months and years. Both companies are investing heavily in the US market, and both have strong brands and loyal customer bases. It is likely that the two companies will continue to grow rapidly, and that they will both play a major role in the US e-commerce market for many years to come.

CrowdCube Fees – Fees for Investors and Companies Raising Money on the Platform


Crowdcube charges two main types of fees:

  • For companies raising money on the platform:
    • A success fee of 7% (excluding VAT) on the amount successfully raised.
    • A completion fee of 0.75% – 1.5% of all funds raised, depending on the size of the raise.
  • For investors investing on the platform:
    • An investment fee of 2.49%, with a minimum fee of £2.49 and a maximum fee of £250.
    • A success fee of 5% on any profit made on investments.

Crowdcube also charges some additional fees for certain services, such as due diligence and marketing support.

Here are some examples of how Crowdcube’s fees would work:

  • Company raising £1 million: The company would pay a success fee of £70,000 and a completion fee of between £7,500 and £15,000, for a total of between £77,500 and £85,000.
  • Investor investing £10,000 in a company that goes on to be successful: The investor would pay an investment fee of £249 and a success fee of £500, for a total of £749.

It is important to note that Crowdcube’s fees are subject to change, so it is always best to check the latest pricing information on the Crowdcube website before launching a campaign or investing in a company.

ASML – Q3 2023 Earnings Report – Tough Reading for the Semiconductor Business

$ASML‘s Net Bookings are under pressure amidst the industry down-cycle, however, the equipment giant expects “significant growth” in 2025 – as per today’s Q3 report.

Q3 2023 (y/y)

Net Bookings -70%

Net Sales +15%

*Lithography systems +30%

EBIT +13%

*Margin 32.7% (33.5)

Net Income +11%

*Margin 28.4% (29.4)

EPS +12% FCF -23%

Industry Cycle Bottom? “The semiconductor industry is currently working through the bottom of the cycle and our customers expect the inflection point to be visible by the end of this year” – CEO, Peter Wennink

Two-Year Outlook “Based on our current perspective, we take a more conservative view [on 2024] and expect a revenue number similar to 2023. But we also look at 2024 as an important year to prepare for significant growth that we expect for 2025.” – CEO, Peter Wennink

How Much of Microsoft does Bill Gates Currently Own

Bill Gates currently owns about 1.38% of Microsoft’s shares. This makes him the largest individual shareholder in the company. However, his ownership stake has declined significantly over the years. In the late 1980s, Gates owned over 40% of Microsoft’s shares.

Gates has sold millions of shares of Microsoft stock over the years to fund his charitable foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He has also donated shares directly to the foundation.

Despite his reduced ownership stake, Gates remains a major figure at Microsoft. He serves as a technology advisor to the company and is still active in its decision-making process.

What is the NNN Reit – and Who Are Their Tenants

NNN REIT, or National Retail Properties, Inc., is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in owning and operating single-tenant, net-lease retail properties. This means that the company owns retail properties where there is only one tenant occupying the building, and the tenant is responsible for all of the operating expenses, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

NNN REIT is one of the largest publicly traded REITs in the United States, with a portfolio of over 3,400 properties in 49 states. The company’s tenants include a wide range of national retailers, such as Walgreens, CVS, Chipotle, and Starbucks.

NNN REIT is a popular investment for investors who are looking for a steady stream of income. The company has a long history of dividend growth, and it has increased its dividend for 34 consecutive years. NNN REIT’s shares are also traded on the New York Stock Exchange, which makes them liquid and easy to sell.

New KakaoBank Investment in Indonesia’s Superbank – Takes 10% Stake

South Korea’s KakaoBank has acquired a 10% stake in Indonesia’s Superbank, a digital bank backed by Grab and Singapore Telecommunications. This investment marks KakaoBank’s first overseas expansion and is expected to strengthen the bank’s position in the Southeast Asian market.

KakaoBank is known for its innovative digital banking products and services, and it is expected to bring its expertise to Superbank to help it grow its business and reach more customers in Indonesia. The investment is also seen as a sign of KakaoBank’s confidence in the Indonesian market, which is one of the largest and fastest-growing digital economies in the world.

Did LiveChat Rebrand as Text.com?

Yes, that’s correct. LiveChat, a popular live chat and customer service platform, has rebranded to Text.com. The company announced the rebrand on August 4, 2023, citing a desire to better reflect its expanded focus on messaging and customer engagement.

Text.com will continue to offer LiveChat’s core features, such as live chat, chatbots, and customer messaging. However, the company will also focus on developing new features and integrations that support messaging across a wider range of platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.

The rebrand comes at a time when messaging is becoming increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. According to a recent study by Statista, over 80% of businesses now use messaging to communicate with customers.

Text.com is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, given its expertise in messaging and customer service. The company has a large and growing customer base, including over 20,000 businesses in over 150 countries.

The rebrand is also a sign of Text.com’s ambition to become a leader in the broader customer engagement market. The company is investing heavily in new features and integrations, and it is also expanding its sales and marketing team.

It remains to be seen how the rebrand will impact Text.com’s business in the long term. However, the company has a strong foundation to build on, and it is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of messaging-based customer engagement.

What is Google’s Gross Profit Per Employee

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported gross profit of \$280.126 billion in the fiscal year 2022. As of March 31, 2023, Google had 163,959 employees, which means that the company’s gross profit per employee in 2022 was \$1,708,512.

Google’s gross profit margin is calculated by dividing the company’s gross profit by its revenue. In 2022, Google’s gross profit margin was 62.44%.

Google’s gross profit is generated from its advertising business, which includes search ads, display ads, and video ads. The company also generates revenue from its cloud computing business, its hardware business, and its other businesses.

Google’s gross profit per employee is one of the highest in the tech industry. This is due to the company’s strong competitive position in the online advertising market and its ability to generate high-margin revenue from its cloud computing business.

Unity Technologies – How Many Shares Does Larry Page Own

Larry Page owns approximately 23.8 million shares of Unity Technologies, according to the company’s June 29, 2023, 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). His stake in the company is valued at over $2.3 billion, based on Unity’s closing stock price on August 4, 2023.

Page became a shareholder in Unity Technologies in 2019, when he led a $120 million investment round in the company. He is also a member of Unity’s board of directors.

Unity Technologies is a software company that develops a platform for creating and operating real-time 3D content. The company’s platform is used to create video games, movies, television shows, and other interactive experiences.

Unity Technologies is a publicly traded company, and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “U.”

How Many Shares in On Running Does Roger Federer Own

Roger Federer owns approximately 3% of On Running, according to a 2021 report in Sportico. This stake is worth over $300 million, based on the company’s current market capitalization.

Federer became an investor in On Running in 2019, and he also has a partnership with the company to develop his own line of running shoes, the Roger Pro.

On Running is a Swiss company that manufactures high-performance running shoes. The company’s shoes are known for their lightweight and comfortable design.

On Running is a publicly traded company, and its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “ONON.”