📖 Alphabet and Microsoft opened the books

Microsoft and Google-owner Alphabet both announced their quarterly results | The mining industry might be witnessing its biggest deal in years | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH     Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for April 26th in 3:15 minutes.   ⚖️ Women are still paid less than men on average. That makes it just about impossible to invest as much as men – so we’ve worked with [CFA Institute to build a guide]( that makes a difference. [Read it for free]( Today's big stories - Microsoft and Alphabet topped expectations, and Google’s parent announced its first dividend ever - Seven tips for keeping more money in your pockets, instead of the taxman's – [Read Now]( - Mining giant BHP Group made a big bid for Anglo American, (almost) all in the pursuit of copper Equal Billing [Equal Billing] What’s going on here? Microsoft and Google-owner Alphabet shared the stage late on Thursday to [reveal]( their much-awaited results. What does this mean? As two of the biggest companies in the S&P 500, Microsoft and Alphabet’s success or failure could just about sink or float the index. Well, it’s not time for life jackets just yet. Microsoft’s revenue came in at $62 billion – 17% higher than the same period a year ago – and profit was sufficiently buoyant too, rising 20%. To top it off, the firm’s crucial cloud business, Azure, delivered 31% sales growth, overachieving on the 28% that analysts expected. Alphabet kept up just fine, with revenue of $81 billion – up 15% from a year ago – and profit that sailed past expectations. Google Search, YouTube, and Google Cloud didn’t miss a stroke, either. But Alphabet’s first-ever dividend made the biggest splash, helping send the stock up more than 12%. Why should I care? For markets: The race is on. Not content to watch a small fry lead the next generation of technology, Microsoft and Alphabet have been rolling out their own AI services. So far, investors have been impressed with how Microsoft’s integrated its Copilot AI into its existing software suite. Google’s rollout, meanwhile, hasn’t been as smooth. And of course, there’s the worry that as folk use AI chatbots more, they’ll visit Google Search – a key source of revenue – much less. The bigger picture: Standards are high. If the Magnificent Seven chuck too much cash at AI, shareholders may worry about reckless spending or feeble bottom lines. Too little, and they could complain that the firms aren’t devoting enough time and money to the cause. That’s a hard balance to strike, made worse by the fact that inflation is pushing bond yields higher, making stocks look less attractive in comparison. That means investors won’t need much of a nudge to ditch expensive tech stocks if their results disappoint even a little. You might also like: [AI and investing in the new technological revolution.]( Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Equal Billing&utm_campaign=daily-global-26-04-2024&utm_source=email) Analyst Take How To Save A Million (And Keep The Taxman Away) [How To Save A Million (And Keep The Taxman Away)]( [Photo of Reda Farran, CFA] Reda Farran, CFA, Analyst Tax-exempt individual investment accounts have become [a favorite tool]( of savers – thanks to the perks they deliver later in life. Because you stash your already-taxed earnings into these kitties, you don’t face another hit when you withdraw them. And, sure, the government restricts how much money you can sock away each year in these accounts, but that hasn’t stopped some investors from building balances worth well over $1 million. That’s today’s Insight: [seven tips for building wealth with a Roth IRA or an ISA](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY GRAYSCALE When it comes to crypto, you need a specialist [Crypto]( has been grabbing more than its fair share of attention this year. No wonder: [bitcoin]( hit its highest price ever – above $73,000 per coin – this March. [Grayscale]( is the world’s biggest crypto asset manager*, with over a decade of experience operating crypto-focused funds. The company is on a mission to “transform disruptive technologies of the future into investment opportunities today.” So far, so good: Grayscale manages a suite of [different crypto investment products]( spanning single-asset, multi-asset, and thematic exposures. [Discover the specialist when it comes to crypto investments](. [Find Out More]( *Based on AUM as of 3/31/2024 DisclosuresPast performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal. Visit Grayscale.com for important risk disclosures. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. If you want your brand featured here, [get in touch.]( Decent Proposal [Decent Proposal] What’s going on here? Mining giant BHP Group [proposed]( a buyout of British mining company Anglo American, in what would be the biggest mining deal in years. What does this mean? Anglo’s the proud owner of some of South America’s most coveted copper mines, as well as an 85% stake in diamond specialist De Beers. But despite usually having enough copper to wire an industrial city and diamonds to propose a million times over, Anglo was forced to cap production a few months back due to operational hiccups. Add in the threats facing the diamond market from lab-made rivals, and Anglo’s share price steadily declined last year. That was BHP’s cue to table a £31 billion ($39 billion) offer – 14% higher than Anglo’s valuation from before the announcement. Mind you, the dotted line is far from signed: the news could attract rival bidders, and governments might take issue with one entity controlling a tenth of the world’s copper. Why should I care? For markets: The industry’s copp(er)ed on. That deal would make BHP the world’s biggest copper producer, and it’s the perfect time to hold that title. The metal is essential for renewable energy projects – so now that governments and companies are switching from fossil fuels, miners are dialing up their copper plans. They haven’t caught up with demand yet, though: supply is still too low, and without any sign of a sudden influx, copper’s price could hit the roof. The bigger picture: The bare commodities. The energy transition, escalating geopolitical tensions, and demographic shifts are creating unpredictable and lasting change in the global economy – not least by nudging inflation and, in turn, interest rates upward. So with no guarantee that yesteryear’s investments can hold up in tomorrow’s world, investors might want to scope out commodities. Their prices often rise as inflation does, so they may well pick up just as stocks and bonds let investors down. You might also like: [Here’s why you might want to invest in commodities.]( Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Decent Proposal&utm_campaign=daily-global-26-04-2024&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "Love, like a chicken salad or restaurant hash, must be taken with blind faith or it loses its flavor." – Helen Rowland (an American journalist and humorist) [Tweet this]( Connect your brand with the next generation of investors Our one-million-strong international financial community has some big plans. They want to [develop their investing skills]( and discover [expert tools]( that could help them trade better, all in a bid to achieve their dreams of financial freedom. [Your brand could help them]( do just that: whether you provide information, tools, or tricks, [you could help retail investors]( around the world make smarter decisions. So [showcase your mojo]( in this very spot, and [introduce yourself to over a million engaged investors]( – you might even help us change the world of finance for the better. [Get Your Name Out There]( 💸 Dollar doubters, watch out Investors started the year by predicting that the [US dollar]( would fall. Instead, it’s [climbed more than 4%]( against all major developed and emerging-market counterparts, according to a Bloomberg currency index. [Here's why – and whether or not the greenback's good luck will stick](. [Read The Quicktake]( 🎯 On Our Radar 1. A TikTok ban is on the table. [Chefs and restaurant owners]( might miss the algorithm more than teenagers and influencers. 2. Bitcoiners and gold bugs both believe their favorite investment towers above the rest. Here's why [mixing the two could spell good news]( for your portfolio.* 3. Green energy is the first step. Costa Rica is fueled by 99% renewable energy – but [it’s still not enough](. 4. Today’s top companies won't necessarily rule the roost tomorrow. [Brush up your investing skills]( with this rundown.** 5. Sexism and the City. Inside a high-profile barrister’s pursuit to [make women finally feel safe at work](. *Stocks is a derivative product offered by Change Securities B.V. that replicates the performance of your favourite companies’ shares - full or fractional. **See important disclosures [here](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. 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