Anthropic launches employee share sale at $350 billion valuation
Anthropic is initiating a share sale for current and former employees, allowing them to sell shares at a valuation of approximately $350 billion, following a recent $30 billion fundraising round. The company has set aside between $5 billion and $6 billion for the sale, contingent on the number of eligible employees who choose to participate. Employees who have worked at Anthropic for at least 12 months will be eligible to sell their shares, with the final amount raised depending on their interest.
End of Cheap Money Signals Shift in Interest Rates
Damian Pudner highlights that the era of historically cheap money is ending, prompting a potential shift to higher equilibrium interest rates that could challenge financial markets and government finances. For nearly a decade, low borrowing costs shaped economic behavior, but as government borrowing reaches record levels and competition for capital intensifies, the underlying price of money may be on a higher trajectory. Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill warns that policymakers face the risk of misjudging the neutral rate, complicating efforts to manage inflation without tightening too aggressively.
Elon Musk Plans Record IPO for SpaceX
Elon Musk is planning the largest initial public offering in history for SpaceX, which is expected to generate substantial fees for existing investors and financial institutions. This move has raised concerns among other companies that are also considering their own listings.
Novo Nordisk shares drop 16.7% after trial failure
Novo Nordisk's shares fell by 16.7% following disappointing results from the Phase III REDEFINE 4 trial of its obesity drug CagriSema, which failed to demonstrate non-inferiority in weight loss compared to Eli Lilly's Zepbound. Patients receiving CagriSema achieved a weight loss of 20.2% after 84 weeks, while those on Zepbound lost 23.6%. This setback further solidifies Eli Lilly's lead in the competitive weight-loss drug market.
New York Fed Reports Rising Inflation Pressures in December
The New York Federal Reserve reported an increase in its inflation measure for December, indicating rising price pressures in the economy. This follows a trend where inflation eased to 2.4% in January 2026, down from 3% in January 2025, but still above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. The report suggests that despite claims of a significant economic turnaround, underlying inflationary pressures remain a concern.
Electrical Equipment Firms Report Record Orders Amid Data Center Demand
Electrical equipment manufacturers, including Vertiv Holdings Co., Eaton Corp., and GE Vernova Inc., reported record orders in the final quarter of last year, driven by surging demand from data centers. This demand has resulted in significant backlogs for companies specializing in power connection components, which are critical for data center operations.
Moody's warns of data centre accounting gaps
Moody's has issued an alert highlighting significant gaps in data centre accounting practices among major technology firms, suggesting that tens of billions in leasing liabilities may be concealed. This warning comes as tech companies ramp up investments in infrastructure, with Amazon announcing a $12 billion commitment to build data centres in Louisiana, expected to create 540 full-time jobs.
