Nvidia: DeepSeek AI ‘Excellent’, Trumps Global Tariff Pledge & UK Pension Shakeup
Jan 28, 2025
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In this discussion, Mary Nicola, a strategist at Bloomberg Markets Live, analyzes the impact of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup releasing a groundbreaking open-source model. She highlights how this innovation challenges major players like Nvidia, leading to significant market sell-offs. The conversation also touches on President Trump's bold tariff proposals and their potential effects on US trade. Additionally, Nicola discusses the UK's plans to utilize pension fund surpluses to stimulate economic growth, reflecting evolving market dynamics.
DeepSeek's new AI model has significantly impacted the tech market, leading to a $1 trillion sell-off and concerns for established companies' valuations.
The UK government's plan to allow pension fund investments aims to unlock £50 billion for growth while raising concerns about potential economic risks.
Deep dives
DeepSeek's Disruption of the Tech Market
The emergence of DeepSeek's artificial intelligence model has caused a significant upheaval in the tech market, resulting in a $1 trillion sell-off among global tech stocks. Investors are increasingly concerned that DeepSeek's low-cost AI developments undermine the competitive edge of established Silicon Valley companies, leading to skepticism about the sustainability of their current valuations. Notably, NVIDIA experienced a staggering 17% drop in stock price, wiping out $589 billion from its market capitalization, sparking a wider reevaluation of capital expenditures and profitability across the tech sector. Experts suggest that firms must now justify their valuations and adapt to a rapidly changing landscape dominated by innovative competitors like DeepSeek.
Impact of Tariffs on Market Dynamics
U.S. President Donald Trump's recent plans to impose tariffs on imported goods, particularly computer chips and pharmaceuticals, aim to bolster domestic production and protect American industries. The announcement of these broader tariffs, which Trump intimated would be significantly higher than the previously discussed 2.5%, has fueled market volatility and influenced currency exchange rates. Following Trump's directives, the dollar gained strength against major currencies, while commodities like copper and aluminum saw declines. Analysts argue that Trump's approach may re-energize American manufacturing but could also escalate tensions in trade relations with other countries.
UK's Pension Fund Policy Shifts
The UK government's proposal to allow companies to invest surplus pension funds back into their core businesses could greatly enhance capital investment. With over £1.1 trillion in defined benefit pension assets, the move aims to unlock £50 billion for reinvestment in domestic growth initiatives. However, experts caution against the risks involved, as the current surplus situation may not be sustainable and could shift to deficits due to economic fluctuations. This policy change reflects a broader strategy to encourage firms to leverage their financial resources for growth while acknowledging the inherent financial risks.
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On today's podcast:
(1) A Chinese AI startup called DeepSeek has released a new open-source AI model called R1 that can mimic human reasoning, rivalling or outperforming leading US developers on industry benchmarks.
(2) Nvidia's plunge, fueled by investor concern about Chinese artificial-intelligence startup DeepSeek, erased a record amount of stock-market value from the world’s largest company.
(3) President Donald Trump said he wants to enact across-the-board tariffs that are “much bigger” than 2.5%, the latest in a string of signals Monday that he’s preparing widespread levies to reshape US supply chains.
(4) The US Senate confirmed Scott Bessent as the next secretary of the Treasury, becoming the chief economic spokesman for President Donald Trump and his sweeping agenda of tax cuts, deregulation and trade rebalancing.
(5) The UK plans to allow companies to invest pension funds surpluses in order to unlock billions of pounds to help drive economic growth, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will tell executives at some of Britain’s biggest firms on Tuesday.