Business
Asian stocks today: Markets mostly in red amid tech bubble concerns; HSI down over 300 points, Kospi adds 1.3% – The Times of India
Asian stock markets traded mostly in red on Friday as the week closed, following a mix of positive and worrying developments.In Hong Kong, HSI fell 304 points or 1.14%, reaching 26,447. Shanghai and Shenzhen also traded in red shedding 0.51% and 1.85%, respectively. Japan’s Nikkei was down 470 points or 0.97% at 10:10 AM IST.Meanwhile, Kospi traded in green jumping 49 points or 1.39% to reach 3,598. While news of a Middle East ceasefire and major AI investments lifted sentiment, concerns over a possible US government shutdown and fears of a tech bubble weighed on investors.Markets saw some records this week, with gold and bitcoin also hitting highs. Yet experts warn that some companies may now be overvalued, sparking talk of a market correction.Investor confidence received a boost after ChatGPT-maker OpenAI signed multi-billion-dollar chip deals with South Korea’s Samsung and SK hynix, along with US firm AMD. The deals add to the hundreds of billions already flowing into the artificial intelligence sector, driving stock prices higher. US chip leader Nvidia’s market value soared past $4 trillion.Gold also surged to record levels above $4,000 on Wednesday, as investors sought a safe haven. Adding to market uncertainty, the US government shutdown is expected to enter its third week, with little sign of compromise. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said a weekend session was unlikely, according to Semafor.Donald Trump criticised Democrats over the shutdown at a cabinet meeting. Democrats are reportedly preparing for a shutdown lasting several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to extend healthcare subsidies due to expire on December 31, as per a CNN report.
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Trump administration in advanced talks for a rescue package for Spirit Airlines, source says
A Spirit commercial airliner prepares to land at San Diego International Airport in San Diego, California, U.S., January 18, 2024.
Mike Blake | Reuters
The Trump administration is in advanced talks for a financing package for Spirit Airlines as the carrier is facing the risk of a liquidation, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Spirit had been facing a potentially imminent liquidation, people familiar with the matter told CNBC last week, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters that had not yet been made public. The Dania Beach, Florida-based carrier in August filed for its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in less than a year, after it struggled to increase revenue to cover rising costs.
President Donald Trump hinted at potential government aid on Tuesday, telling CNBC’s “Squawk Box“, “Spirit’s in trouble, and I’d love somebody to buy Spirit. It’s 14,000 jobs, and maybe the federal government should help that one out.”
The White House didn’t immediately comment.
“We are hopeful that the government will recognize the needs for emergency funds especially in the current economic environment,” a spokesperson for the Associated of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Spirit’s cabin crews, said in a statement. “The last thing our economy needs is tens of thousands more people out of work and the last thing the travelling public needs is fewer choices in air travel.”
The terms of the financing deal weren’t immediately known. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that the talks were in an advanced stage.
The U.S. airline industry accepted more than $50 billion in taxpayer aid to weather the Covid-19 pandemic, which is still its biggest-ever crisis, but those funds weren’t handed to one specific airline. Some of the aid gave the U.S. government stock warrants for airlines.
Airlines also received a government bailout following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but that money was also for more than one company. The U.S. in 2008-2009 also bailed out the auto industry during the financial crisis and took stakes in manufacturers.
The Trump administration has taken equity stakes in some companies it deemed critical to national security like Intel and USA RareEarth, though Spirit stands out as it is in bankruptcy.
In February, Spirit said it expected to exit bankruptcy in late spring or early summer, telling a U.S. court that it would shrink and focus its planes on high-demand routes and travel periods. Pilot and flight attendant unions had also made concessions, including going on furlough in recent months, in a bid to help Spirit survive.
But jet fuel prices have nearly doubled in some parts of the U.S. since then, further adding to challenges for Spirit and the rest of the airline industry.
As a low-fare airline that also faces competition from larger carriers with their own no-frills, basic economy offerings, it has grown harder for Spirit to cover expenses. Spirit had introduced extra-legroom seats and other premium options to try to cater to higher-spending customers.
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