Key Takeaways
- Alphabet's Google is poised to supply up to 1 million specialized AI chips to Anthropic, a deal valued in the high tens of billions of dollars, significantly deepening their AI partnership.
- Applied Materials (AMAT) announced a 4% workforce reduction, expecting to incur $160 million to $180 million in restructuring charges.
- Federal Reserve discount-window loans saw an increase to $7.35 billion in the week ending October 22, up from $6.02 billion, indicating a rise in short-term funding needs for banks.
- Ford Motor Company (F) anticipates a profit hit of up to $2 billion due to a fire at a key aluminum supplier, though the CEO expects to recover most lost production next year.
- Eli Lilly (LLY) has partnered with Cipla to expand the availability of its popular weight-loss drug, tirzepatide, in India under a new brand name, Yurpeak.
In a series of significant corporate and economic developments, Alphabet's Google (GOOGL) is reportedly finalizing a monumental deal to supply up to 1 million of its specialized AI chips to AI startup Anthropic. This partnership, valued in the high tens of billions of dollars, will see Anthropic expand its use of Google Cloud for training and serving its Claude AI models, reinforcing Google's position in the competitive AI infrastructure market. The move is seen as crucial for Anthropic's scaling capabilities and its ongoing competition with other major AI developers.
Meanwhile, the semiconductor equipment giant Applied Materials (AMAT) announced plans for a workforce reduction affecting approximately 4% of its global staff. The company projects related charges of $160 million to $180 million, primarily for severance, with most costs expected in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 and the reduction plan concluding in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. This restructuring comes as companies continue to adjust to evolving market conditions.
On the macroeconomic front, Federal Reserve discount-window loans increased to $7.35 billion in the week ending October 22, up from $6.02 billion in the prior week. This uptick in borrowing from the Fed's primary credit program suggests a heightened demand for short-term liquidity within the banking system.
Automotive titan Ford Motor Company (F) is facing a substantial financial setback, anticipating a profit hit of up to $2 billion due to a recent fire at Novelis, a key aluminum supplier. The incident is expected to disrupt Ford's business for several months, although CEO Jim Farley expressed confidence in recovering most lost production by next year. Separately, Farley noted that the impact of tariffs on the company is now at a more "reasonable level," despite previous projections of significant tariff-related costs.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Eli Lilly (LLY) has forged an agreement with Cipla to enhance the availability of its blockbuster weight-loss drug, tirzepatide, in India. Under the new partnership, Cipla will market the drug under the brand name Yurpeak, aiming to broaden access beyond major metropolitan areas. This strategic move capitalizes on the growing market for weight management therapies in India.
In other corporate news, French car parts supplier Valeo (VLEEY) reported strong third-quarter sales of 5.0 billion euros, surpassing market expectations, with Europe showing particular strength. Additionally, Coca-Cola (KO) initiated a recall of certain 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola, and Sprite in Texas due to potential foreign material contamination, specifically metal. The Class II recall, affecting over 4,000 units, was initiated by Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.