Apple Shuts Down First Store in China

Apple Shuts Down First Store in China

Declining sales push Apple to rethink its presence in China while expanding in global markets.

 

Topic
Sales Slowdown

Global Expansion

 

 

 

 

Sales Slowdown

In China, Sales Slowdown and Strategic Shifts

Apple announced the closure of its first-ever retail store in China, Parkland Mall, Dalian.

Effective August 9, due to changes in the mall’s business environment.

This marks a significant retreat from a market that hosts over 10% of Apple’s global store network, totaling more than 530 worldwide.

China’s economy faces deflationary pressures, with weak consumer spending and declining property values.

These conditions have impacted retail performance.

Apple’s Q2 2024 revenue in China fell by 2.3% to $16 billion, missing estimates of $16.8 billion.

Despite the closure, Apple will continue operating its other Dalian location at Olympia 66 Mall,

Staff from the closing branch were offered positions elsewhere.

The company reiterated its commitment to online and physical customer experiences,

though it’s becoming more selective about retail locations post-COVID.

 

 

Global Expansion

Amid Evolving Priorities

Balancing this closure, Apple is moving forward with new store openings,

including a new location at Uni Walk Qianhai in Shenzhen on August 16.

More sites are planned in Beijing and Shanghai next year.

Recent openings include stores in Anhui (January), Osaka (July), Miami (January), and Malaysia (2023).

Beyond China, Apple is expanding in Detroit, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India.

However, the overall pace of physical store expansion has slowed since the pandemic.

Instead, Apple prioritizes online store launches in emerging markets,

modernizes older outlets, and relocates underperforming stores.

Alongside the Dalian closure, Apple also announced upcoming shutdowns in Bristol (UK),

Partridge Creek (Michigan), and Hornsby (Australia).

Notably, several major brands, such as Coach, Sandro, and Hugo Boss,

have also exited Parkland Mall in recent years, signaling broader retail shifts in the region.

 

 

 

 

Apple Shuts Down First Store in China

Samsung Expands with Tesla as Tough U.S. Tariffs Loom

Samsung Expands with Tesla as Tough U.S. Tariffs Loom: On a busy economic day,
Samsung announced a major strategic deal with Tesla worth $16.5 billion to supply advanced chips through 2033,
while the U.S. administration confirmed that the new tariffs will go into effect without delay at the start of August
reflecting notable shifts in the global industrial and trade landscape.

 

 

Contents

Samsung

U.S. Commerce Secretary

 

 

Samsung Signs $16.5 Billion Deal with Tesla to Produce Advanced Chips Through 2033

Samsung Electronics, the South Korean semiconductor giant, has signed a massive $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to manufacture semiconductors.
The agreement, which spans from July 26, 2024, through the end of 2033,
represents a significant boost for Samsung’s foundry unit,
which seeks to strengthen its position in the global market.

Samsung will execute the project at its new plant in Taylor,
Texas, and expects it to boost foundry sales by up to 10% annually.
Due to commercial confidentiality, the company did not disclose full details of the deal.

Analysts view the agreement as a sign of Tesla’s confidence in Samsung’s technical capabilities,
particularly in 2nm chip manufacturing.
They believe it could soon pave the way for additional partnerships with other major tech firms.

This deal comes amid intensifying competition between Samsung and Taiwanese semiconductor titan TSMC,
which are racing to lead the AI chip and electric vehicle applications market.

It’s worth noting that Samsung and Tesla have previously collaborated on autonomous driving chips,
including Tesla’s “Autopilot” chips, reflecting a continued strategic alliance in advanced technologies.

 

 

 

 

U.S. Commerce Secretary: No Extension for New Tariff Deadline – Enforcement Begins August 1

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed on Sunday that the deadline to begin enforcing
The newly increased tariffs on U.S. trade partners
set for August 1 — are final and will not be extended or granted any grace period.

In an interview with Fox News, Lutnick stated:

“There are no extensions. No grace periods.
The tariffs are set for August 1, and they will be enforced. Customs will begin collecting.”

However, he noted that President Donald Trump, who continues negotiations with EU officials in Scotland,
remains open to dialogue even after the tariffs go into effect.

Lutnick added that European officials are hopeful for an agreement and that the outcome depends directly on President Trump.
Who is personally leading the negotiations?

The United States has finalized trade agreements with five countries ahead of the deadline:
The UK, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan.
These countries agreed to impose tariffs above the new base rate of 10%,
First introduced in April to most trade partners
but still below the punitive levels threatened by the Trump administration for those refusing to reach a deal.

 

Samsung Expands with Tesla as Tough U.S. Tariffs Loom

Trump Announces Largest Trade Deal with Europe

Trump Announces Largest Trade Deal with Europe Worth $750 Billion: Trump announces a historic trade agreement with the European Union worth $750 billion.
in a move expected to reshape the global trade landscape.

 

Content:

 

 

Agreement Details:

On Sunday, July 27, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the conclusion of a trade agreement he described
as the largest in the history of economic relations between the United States and the European Union.
He confirmed that the agreement includes a European commitment to purchase American energy products worth up to $750 billion.

Trump also explained that the deal includes commitments to buy “huge quantities”

of American cars and military equipment—supporting local industries

and boosting employment across several key sectors within the United States.

The President added that the agreement involves reducing car tariffs to just 15%,
paving the way for increased trade flows between the two sides—especially in the automotive sector,
which has been heavily impacted by trade barriers.

 

Strategic Shift

Trump emphasized that the agreement marks a qualitative transformation in trade relations with the European Union
and lays the foundation for a new phase of economic cooperation.

He added, “This is not just a deal; it’s the biggest ever,” highlighting its strategic and economic significance.

The deal is expected to directly impact global energy and automotive markets,

amid anticipation for the EU’s official and economic responses to the agreement in the coming days.

 

 

Trump Announces Largest Trade Deal with Europe Worth $750 Billion

Critical week for global markets as Rate Decisions Loom

Critical week for global markets as Rate Decisions Loom: Markets are bracing for a high-impact week
packed with essential data and central bank decisions.
With the Fed and Bank of Canada in focus, and key indicators like GDP, inflation, and jobs on the radar,
assets from gold to oil and major currency pairs are poised for sharp moves.

 

Content

Economic Calendar

Gold

USDJPY

OIL

EURUSD

Nvidia

 

 

Economic Calendar

Monday, July 28, 2025

13:00 – UK
CBI Realized Sales Index

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

17:00 – USA
JOLTS Job Openings Report

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

15:15 – USA
ADP Non-Farm Employment Change
15:30 – USA
Preliminary GDP (Quarterly)

16:45 – Canada
Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report

16:45 – Canada
Bank of Canada Interest Rate Statement

17:30 – Canada
Bank of Canada Press Conference

21:00 – USA
Federal Funds Rate Decision

21:00 – USA
FOMC Statement

21:30 – USA
Federal Reserve Press Conference

Thursday, July 31, 2025

04:30 – China
Manufacturing PMI

15:30 – Canada
Monthly GDP

15:30 – USA
Core PCE Price Index (Monthly)

15:30 – USA
Weekly Unemployment Claims

Friday, August 1, 2025

15:30 – USA
Average Hourly Earnings (Monthly)

15:30 – USA
Non-Farm Payrolls

15:30 – USA
Unemployment Rate

17:00 – USA
ISM Manufacturing PMI

 

 

Gold

Gold prices fell sharply in the last two days of last week, driven by market expectations
The Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates unchanged this week.
This strengthened the US dollar and weighed negatively on gold.

Gold closed at $2,336, near the significant support level of $2,321. If this level is broken,
downward pressure could persist toward the next demand zone around $2,280.

However, if a bullish reversal pattern appears at current levels early in the week, a rebound toward $2,363 may occur.

 

 

USDJPY

The USDJPY pair posted notable gains at the end of last week,
supported by a strong US dollar driven by optimism over a potential trade agreement
With the EU and expectations of rate stability this week.

The pair is trading around 147.65, with projections pointing toward a continued
climb to the technical peak at 149.02, followed by 150.00.

 

 

Oil

Oil prices declined recently due to news of increased supply,
causing prices to retest the support area at $65 per barrel.

If this level breaks, further declines could extend to $62, then to the key psychological support at $59.

Conversely, if prices hold above $65,
a bullish rebound could take prices back toward $67 if a US-EU trade deal materializes.

 

 

 

 

EURUSD

Despite the US dollar regaining strength against a basket of currencies, it failed to post significant gains against the euro,
mainly due to the absence of an explicit trade agreement.

The pair is trading at 1.1740, after retesting the role-reversal zone at 1.1708,
which could support a bounce toward the previous high at 1.1827.

However, this outlook may shift if positive US employment data is released or the Fed confirms holding rates steady.
That could drive the pair below 1.1708, opening the door for a further decline toward the next support at 1.1618.

 

Nvidia Stock

Nvidia’s stock continues to reach new highs, supported by strong company growth and increasing product demand.
The stock has reached the level of $173.50, and the upward trend is expected to continue in the coming period
after the recent correction wave has been absorbed, supporting a technical target of $185.00.

 

 

Critical week for global markets as Rate Decisions Loom

Trump and von der Leyen Edge Toward Historic Deal

Trump and von der Leyen Edge Toward Historic Deal: A Pivotal Meeting in Scotland Amid Hopes for a US-EU Trade Breakthrough
 Political and economic circles are closely watching a high-stakes meeting in Scotland between Trump and the President of the European Commission,
in a move that could reshape transatlantic trade relations.

 

Contents

 

 

Trump

Anticipated Summit Between Trump and von der Leyen in Scotland Amid Expectations of a US-EU Trade Deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Scotland on Saturday in preparation for a meeting with US President Donald Trump,
amid strong signs that both sides are nearing a new trade agreement.

Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday evening and expressed his eagerness to meet von der Leyen,
calling her “a highly respected leader,” during a visit that includes golf and high-level bilateral meetings.

The US President noted a 50% chance of reaching a framework trade agreement between the United States and the European Union,
emphasizing that Brussels has shown “great enthusiasm” for concluding a deal.
He added that the potential agreement would be the largest of his administration—surpassing the recently signed $550 billion deal with Japan.

While the White House has not released any details regarding the nature of the meeting or the terms of the agreement,
The European Commission previously announced that a negotiated solution with Washington is close.
Meanwhile, EU countries are preparing to impose retaliatory tariffs worth €93 billion (around $109 billion) should the talks fail.

 

Wall Street

Wall Street Wraps Up a Winning Week Amid Strong Earnings and Renewed Trade Hopes

US stock indices ended Friday’s session higher, closing out the week with new record highs driven
by better-than-expected earnings and positive developments on the global trade front.

The S&P 500 rose by 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite added about 0.2%, reaching historic intraday peaks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208 points, or 0.47%, approaching its highest closing level at 45,014 points.

The gains were supported by strong quarterly results, with major companies like Alphabet (Google’s parent company)
and Verizon beating analysts’ estimates. Alphabet’s shares rose 4% during the week, while Verizon climbed 5%.

According to FactSet data, 169 companies in the S&P 500 have reported results so far, with over 82% exceeding expectations.

On the trade policy front, President Trump’s announcement of a “massive” agreement with Japan involving reciprocal 15% tariffs boosted market optimism.
He also mentioned reaching a preliminary deal with Indonesia and expressed confidence in finalizing more trade agreements ahead of the August 1 deadline.

 

 

 

Trump and von der Leyen Edge Toward Historic Deal

From $13 to $120000: How Did Bitcoin Become a Cornerstone of the Financial Future?

 

From $13 to $120000: How Did Bitcoin Become a Cornerstone of the Financial Future?

Bitcoin, which began as a rebellious idea in 2008, has evolved into a financial asset that drives global stock markets
and redraws the boundaries of monetary sovereignty.
>While its fellow cryptocurrencies collapsed in 2022, Bitcoin survived and regained momentum,
standing today on the brink of a historic transformation —
one embraced by governments and backed by major institutions.

 

Contents

 

 

The Evolution of Bitcoin

From the Margins to the Mainstream

When Bitcoin emerged in 2009, it was merely an open-source project

authored by a mysterious figure known as “Satoshi Nakamoto.”

By 2013, its price had jumped from $13 to over $747,
fueled by growing public enthusiasm for a decentralized digital currency capable

of processing transactions without intermediaries or fees.
Though it never became a practical everyday payment tool,
Bitcoin retained its appeal — not due to usability,

But because of its status as a scarce financial asset resembling digital gold.

 

Scarcity First, Then Institutions

Bitcoin’s uniqueness lies in its limited supply of 21 million coins

and its issuance rate, which halves approximately every four years.
Over time, investors began to see it as a hedge against inflation

and a new kind of digital bond to diversify portfolios alongside stocks and bonds.
Today, companies like BlackRock and Fidelity manage Bitcoin-related

ETFs that trade on traditional exchanges
make it easier for individuals to access this emerging asset via familiar platforms.

 

Regulation Backed by Trump

Bitcoin’s acceptance on Wall Street wouldn’t have been possible without regulatory support.
In July 2025, President Donald Trump signed the first federal law to regulate stablecoins,
establishing legal frameworks that classify blockchain-based assets as digital commodities.
This move boosted institutional confidence and revived discussions

around a strategic Bitcoin reserve — akin to a national gold reserve.

 

Bitcoin: An Asset, Not a Currency

Despite being labeled a currency, Bitcoin’s use in daily transactions remains limited due to high network fees,
slow processing times, and extreme price volatility.
Unlike stablecoins pegged to the US dollar,
Bitcoin lacks the stability for routine payments but excels as an investment and hedging instrument.

 

A Strong Comeback After the 2022 Crash

The crypto market collapsed in 2022, with major players like FTX bankrupting.
However, Bitcoin rebounded to reach new highs in 2024–2025,
fueled by renewed investor confidence and Trump’s return to the White House.
Today, it trades above $120,000, positioning itself as more than a speculative digital asset.

 

The Future of Bitcoin

Lingering Concerns

Despite the rise, skepticism persists.

Bankers like Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, still call it “a massively hyped fraud,”
even as his bank accepts Bitcoin ETFs as collateral for loans.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank maintains that Bitcoin’s rally is nothing more than a “final artificial breath.”

 

Toward a New Financial Future?

Bitcoin could move from the financial periphery to the core if institutional inflows continue.
A broader and more diverse investor base, coupled with advanced hedging tools,
may reduce volatility and embed Bitcoin into the architecture of the global financial system 

despite the ongoing controversy surrounding it.

 

 

From $13 to $120000: How Did Bitcoin Become a Cornerstone of the Financial Future?

What is Online CFD Trading?

What is Online CFD Trading?: CFD (Contracts for Difference) trading is one of the most popular investment methods
in global financial markets due to its flexibility and the ability to profit in both rising and falling markets.
But what exactly is this type of trading, and how does it work

 

Content

What are CFDs

How Does Online CFD Trading Work

Advantages

Risks

Is This Type of Trading Right for You

Summary

 

 

 

 

What are CFDs?

Contracts for Difference are derivative financial instruments that allow traders to speculate
on price movements of various assets without actually owning them.
These assets include stocks, currencies, commodities, indices, and even cryptocurrencies.
When trading CFDs, you agree with the broker to exchange the difference in the asset’s price
from when the position is opened until it is closed—whether that results in a gain or a loss.

 

How Does Online CFD Trading Work?

This type of trading is conducted through specialized online platforms provided by brokerage firms.

The basic steps are:

Choosing the asset, such as a company’s stock, a currency, or a commodity.

Determining the direction: Buy (if you expect the price to rise) or Sell (if you expect it to fall).

Setting trade size: the number of units you want to trade.

Using leverage (optional): Increase your position size using less capital.

Managing the trade: using stop-loss and take-profit tools.

Closing the position: to realize the difference between the opening and closing prices as a profit or loss.

 

Advantages of CFD Trading

Profit from both rising and falling markets.

Flexible leverage: can magnify profits (but also increases risk).

A wide variety of tradable assets.

24-hour trading in some markets.

Advanced trading platforms and precise technical analysis tools.

 

 

 

What Are the Risks?

Despite its advantages, CFD trading carries significant risks:

Greater losses due to leverage.

Rapid market volatility can lead to unexpected outcomes.

Overnight fees are incurred when keeping trades open for long periods.

No actual ownership of the asset, meaning no access to related benefits (like dividends).

 

Is This Type of Trading Right for You?

CFD trading may suit you if you seek short—to medium-term opportunities and understand risk management and technical analysis well.
However, starting with a demo account or consulting a financial expert is advisable if you’re a beginner.

 

Summary

Online CFD trading offers significant profit opportunities in global markets,
However, it requires a deep understanding and a well-thought-out strategy.
The key to success lies in balancing ambition with professionalism.

 

What is Online CFD Trading?

Goldman Sachs Returns to ETFs After 8 Years

Goldman Sachs Returns to ETFs After 8 Years: Goldman Sachs Group has resumed
its role as a lead market maker for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) after an eight-year hiatus,
reentering a space now increasingly dominated by high-frequency trading firms.

 

Contents
New Partnership
The Role of Market Makers
Trading Firms Fill the Gap
A Highly Profitable Infrastructure
Capital Group

 

 

 

A New Partnership for Goldman Sachs

The bank has assumed this role for the CG US Large Growth ETF,
listed on the exchange under the ticker CGGG, with an estimated value of $34 million.
The fund was launched by Capital Group at the end of June.
This marks Goldman Sachs’ first public return to a business it had largely exited in the U.S. back in 2017,
According to informed sources who requested anonymity.
The move reportedly stems from increasing client demand.
The bank has not issued an official comment on the matter.

 

 

The Role of Market Makers in ETFs

Lead market makers play a fundamental role in the structure of ETFs.
They are responsible for pricing buy and sell orders and occasionally help finance new funds.
Being designated as a “lead market maker” reflects a commitment
to providing ongoing liquidity,
which typically requires substantial capital and strong trading support.

It’s worth noting that Goldman Sachs’ withdrawal in 2017 coincided with regulatory changes
following the financial crisis,
which pushed many banks to scale back or exit this space altogether,
according to Bloomberg News reports at the time.

 

 

 

 

High Frequency Trading Firms Fill the Gap

In the absence of traditional banks, firms like Jane Street,
Susquehanna Financial Group and Citadel Securities
emerged as dominant forces in the secondary trading of ETFs.

Data shows that Jane Street is the lead market maker
for over 800 ETFs listed on exchanges such as NYSE Arca, Cboe, and Nasdaq.
Citadel covers over 450 ETFs, Virtu Financial oversees more than 700,
and Susquehanna services over 600, according to figures compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence.

 

 

A Highly Profitable Infrastructure

Athanasios Psarofagis, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, stated:

“When you analyse the revenues of firms like Jane Street and Citadel,
It becomes clear that the real profitability lies not in the ETF products themselves,
but in the surrounding infrastructure—market making, operational services,
and trading. It’s a highly competitive space, but large banks are well-positioned to thrive in it.”

 

Capital Group Welcomes Its Partnership with Goldman Sachs

Capital Group, the issuer of the CG US Large Growth ETF,
expressed enthusiasm over Goldman Sachs’ return.
Scott Zeiffer, Head of ETF Products and Capital Markets at the firm, commented:

“We are always looking to build partnerships with high-quality liquidity providers.
With the rapid growth in the ETF space, it’s exciting to see Goldman Sachs
take on the role of lead market maker for our fund.”

 

 

Goldman Sachs Returns to ETFs After 8 Years

Alphabet Expands Spending to Support the AI Race

Alphabet Expands Spending to Support the AI Race

Despite strong financial results, Alphabet is heading toward a significant increase in capital spending to keep up with rapid developments in artificial intelligence.

 

Contents

 

 

 

 

Revenue Growth

Revenue Growth Drives Alphabet to Double Down on Investments

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, delivered strong financial performance in Q2 2025, with revenues surging to $81.7 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $79.6 billion. Notably, the company raised its capital expenditure guidance for the year to $85 billion, up by $10 billion from the previous plan.

This shift comes in response to rising demand for cloud computing services and AI models. CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized that robust infrastructure is essential to stay competitive with rivals such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta. He also noted that further increases in capital spending are expected in 2026.

Google’s cloud unit proved its strength, generating $13.6 billion in revenue and $2.83 billion in operating profit, making it one of Alphabet’s key new growth engines—despite being the third-largest provider after Amazon and Microsoft.

 

 

Investor Concerns

Investor Concerns Over Profitability Amid Rising Competition

Despite the positive results, the increase in spending raised concerns among some investors about the potential impact on profit margins.
Alphabet’s stock initially fell about 2% in after-hours trading following the announcement, but later rebounded to post gains of 2.5%.

The company is banking on its Gemini model to lead its AI offerings, aiming to integrate it across various products and into the enterprise market. However, its adoption still lags behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT, prompting Alphabet to intensify efforts to attract top AI talent—especially in light of fierce competition from companies like Meta.

At the same time, YouTube reported strong advertising revenues of $9.8 billion, driven by growth in connected TV and podcasting.
Meanwhile, Waymo continued expanding its self-driving services, though its revenues of $373 million fell short of expectations.

Regulatory challenges also remain. Google is facing federal rulings accusing it of illegal monopolistic practices in search and some advertising technologies. A critical decision by Judge Amit Mehta is expected in the coming weeks, potentially adding a new dimension to Alphabet’s challenges in maintaining its tech leadership.

 

 

Alphabet Expands Spending to Support the AI Race

Trade Optimism Lifts Global Markets, Oil and Indices Rise

Trade Optimism Lifts Global Markets, Oil and Indices Rise: Oil prices rose on Wednesday,
supported by government data showing a sharp decline in U.S. crude inventories.
Investors await positive developments in trade agreements between the United States and its international partners.

 

Content

Details

Details

Brent crude increased by 0.6% to $68.94 per barrel. In comparison,
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.8% to $65.77 per barrel,
Following a four-session losing streak driven by concerns over weakening global energy demand amid ongoing trade tensions.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that U.S. crude inventories fell by approximately 3.17 million barrels last week,
exceeding expectations of a 1.6 million barrel decline,
With commercial stockpiles dropping to around 419 million barrels—9% below the five-year average
estimates of a tighter supply-demand balance gained traction.

In global markets, progress in trade talks boosted risk appetite and pushed equity indices higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Wednesday up 1.14% (or 507 points) at 45,010 points.
The S&P 500 gained 0.78% to 6,358 points, marking its eighth consecutive record close,
while the Nasdaq rose 0.61% to 21,020 points.

In Europe, stock indices climbed during Thursday’s trading,
driven by growing confidence in a pending trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union.
Germany’s DAX rose 1.1%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.4%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 gained 0.8%.

 

Trade Optimism Lifts Global Markets, Oil and Indices Rise