Finimize - 🤝 Apple meets AI

What’s going on here?

Apple inched closer to producing AI-compatible computer chips, designed to bring the Mac back.

What does this mean?

Apple released MacBooks fitted with cutting-edge M3 chips just five months ago. And while the company is no stranger to rolling out a marginally sharper model before the old one’s had its fifteen minutes, the next Mac reveal is shaping up to be a bonafide upgrade. Apple is preparing to produce the M4 chip, which is predicted to run AI solutions from the Mac itself instead of the cloud. Come June, Apple should reveal a lineup of souped-up features, powered by those faster chips. Investors aren’t waiting until then, mind you: the stock was sent 4.3% higher on Thursday.

Why should I care?

Zooming out: Macs need a repair job.

After reaching a peak in 2022, Mac sales fell 27% up until last September. The launch of the M3 chip didn’t do much to help after that, either, probably because the difference between the predecessor processors was hard to spot. No wonder, then, that Apple’s reportedly sidling up to major AI experts like Baidu, determined to make up the difference by catching up to Microsoft and Google when it comes to cutting-edge software. Regulators might get in the way, though: Apple’s already under scrutiny from the US and Europe’s anti-competition watchdogs, and they’ll be making sure today’s tech giants don’t use the same tactics in the budding AI industry.

The bigger picture: Goldman’s backing small fry.

The Magnificent Seven might be birds of a feather, but their stocks sure aren’t flocking together. So now, Goldman Sachs’ asset management division recommends that investors take their Big Tech profit and funnel it into small-cap tech stocks with promising AI ambitions instead. Smaller companies aren’t just more affordable, but they might become targets for bigger firms on the hunt for smart acquisitions. Plus, savvy investors may just hit on the next big AI pioneer.

What’s going on here?

The UK economy’s tiny uptick in February might have saved it from a major issue.

What does this mean?

The UK economy managed to grow by 0.1% in February, just as expected. That might not sound impressive, but combined with January’s figure being revised from 0.2% to 0.3%, it means the country has grown for two months in a row. That matters: an economy is classed as being in a recession when it shrinks for two quarters in a row, and the UK managed that undesirable run last year. So unless the trend suddenly kicks into reverse, it seems like the country has managed to ditch that hard-to-shake recession.

Why should I care?

For markets: Shine the crystal balls.

Inflation in the UK seems on track to hit the Bank of England’s (BoE) 2% target later this year. Traders can’t decide when that will translate into interest rate cuts, though. After the worse-than-expected US inflation data this week, they reduced their bets to two rate cuts this year for the UK. Yet, some economists still think there could be four. The BoE’s own forecasting skills aren’t much better: a review revealed significant shortcomings on Friday, telling the central bank it needs to redo its model. In fairness, the BoE hasn’t been any less on the mark than other central banks, so it’s no wonder they’re all being cautious about cutting rates on the back of data.

For you personally: Iced coffee and avocado toast, please.

UK wages are now outpacing inflation, so Brits can indulge in little luxuries – or at least, afford the basics with more breathing room. And with the National Insurance tax being cut this month, there will be some extra padding in workers’ paychecks. Combine that with falling mortgage rates, a result of interest rate cut predictions, and there might be a few more house viewings booked in the coming months.