Investor.Coffee (12.11.2023): CDN Healthcare Deal, U.S. Dollar Gains Strength on Japan’s Nikkei Rebound

DIAGNOS Inc. (TSXV: ADK | OTCQB: DGNOF), a company we have followed for several years out of Montreal, announced a landmark move for the Canadian healthcare sector this morning. DIAGNOS Inc., a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven health solutions, has announced a significant distribution agreement with global ophthalmic leader EssilorLuxottica. This exclusive Canadian contract, unveiled on December 11, 2023, signifies a pivotal moment for DIAGNOS, cementing its place in the market with its cutting-edge retinal analysis technology.

Renowned for its effectiveness in the early detection of eye conditions, DIAGNOS’s technology will now reach a broader audience through EssilorLuxottica’s expansive network, promising an enhancement in the quality of eye health care. The three-year agreement, which includes a renewal option, entails a per-patient exam payment model to DIAGNOS. André Larente, DIAGNOS’ President, highlighted this partnership’s role in broadening the accessibility of their innovative technology, aligning with their mission to foster visual health in Canada and globally.

Market Watch: Global and US Economic Indicators

As the business day commences, futures indicate a downtrend, shadowing a dip in commodities like oil and gold. In the U.S., we are awaiting the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting and upcoming inflation data, which will shed light on the possibility of a soft landing for the economy. European shares are also experiencing a downturn, while Japan’s Nikkei has seen a rebound. The U.S. dollar is gaining strength against the Japanese yen.

U.S. Central Bank’s Interest Rate Decision

The U.S. Federal Reserve is set to release its interest rate decision on Wednesday, following last month’s unchanged benchmark rate. Wall Street is increasingly optimistic about maintaining the status quo in December, as efforts to curb inflation without triggering a recession seem fruitful.

In recent global and U.S. economic updates, the market is witnessing a downward trend in futures, mirroring declines in commodities such as oil and gold. Investors in the U.S. are particularly focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting and the release of inflation data, which are crucial in assessing the prospects of a soft economic landing. Meanwhile, European shares are experiencing a downturn, in contrast to Japan’s Nikkei which has shown a rebound. The U.S. dollar is strengthening against the Japanese yen.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is poised to announce its decision on interest rates this Wednesday, following a period of unchanged rates. There’s a growing sentiment on Wall Street that the Fed might maintain the current rates in December, buoyed by successful measures to control inflation without pushing the economy into recession.

Some Business News Highlights:

• In corporate developments, French AI company Mistral AI, founded by ex-employees of Meta and Google, has raised €385 million in a second funding round, marking a significant milestone. This funding, led by investors such as Andreessen-Horowitz and LightSpeed Ventures, positions Mistral AI as a key player in the global AI landscape. The company also launched Mixtral 8x7B, an AI platform intended to compete with leading AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard.
• In the healthcare sector, U.S. insurer Cigna (NYSE: CI) has ended its merger talks with Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), citing price disagreements, and instead announced a significant $10 billion share buyback plan. This development follows several years after regulatory interventions blocked major consolidations in the health insurance sector.
• In the tech industry, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) is expanding its footprint in Vietnam, partnering with leading tech companies in the country. This expansion, announced by NVIDIA’s CEO, focuses on AI and digital infrastructure, aligning with Vietnam’s ambitions to advance in chip design and manufacturing, especially in the context of ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.
• In the energy sector, Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) has confirmed its acquisition of CrownRock, an energy producer in the Permian basin, in a $12 billion deal. This acquisition is a strategic move for Occidental’s growth in the energy sector.
• TC Energy Corp.’s (TSX: TRP | NYSE: TRP) Coastal GasLink project is currently facing legal challenges due to construction delays, which could significantly impact its financial liabilities. This comes as the C$14.5 billion project was completed at over double its initial budget.
• In corporate leadership news, Tellurian Inc. (NYSE American: TELL) has announced a major change by removing its chairman and co-founder, Charif Souki, from his executive role. This change is part of the company’s strategy to improve its prospects, particularly focusing on its Driftwood LNG project.
• Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) is under pressure from Nordic pension funds to respect collective bargaining rights for its employees. Concurrently, the company is defending its use of “Autopilot” and “self-driving” terminology amid regulatory examination in California.

Globally, the Middle East continues to experience intense conflict with no resolution in sight. The UK’s manufacturing sector is showing signs of recovery, which could bolster the sector in the coming year. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a critical week with a COVID-19 inquiry and a key parliamentary vote on asylum policy. The EU has reached a provisional deal on AI regulation, which includes governing biometric surveillance. Bosch is adapting to changing auto sector demands, leading to significant job cuts. Signa Development Finance’s potential insolvency proceedings highlight ongoing market challenges. Lastly, BP Plc’s Bilbao Plant sale to Gunvor reflects BP’s strategic transformation and commitment to becoming a net-zero company.

We kicked off our morning by tweeting our Top 10 Trending columns and videos for the last week that we encourage you to review:

1. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #1 Position, READ: #TechnologyMetals Week-in-Review: The British Stake Claim in #Quebec and the #Uranium Boom in North America https://bit.ly/47jhbmH cc: @IN8News @Energy_Fuels @F3Uranium @Ucore @FirstPhosphate @CriticalMnlInst #criticalminerals
2. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #2 Position, READ: The #CriticalMineralsInstitute Report (CMI 11.2023): #Neodymium price is down 33% over the Past Year, Record Plug-In #EV Car Sales for September https://bit.ly/3QV2dfE cc: @IN8News #RareEarths #Lithium #ElectricVehicles @CriticalMnlInst #criticalminerals
3. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #3 Position, READ: Harris Administration’s $3.5 Billion Investment in U.S. #Battery Manufacturing and #CleanEnergy Transition https://bit.ly/46hagJe cc: @IN8News #criticalminerals #Biden @CriticalMetals_ @CriticalMnlInst
4. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #4 Position, READ: Update on the #Teck and #Glencore deal: “Never Fear, the Feds are Here” https://bit.ly/4a1fUlR cc: @IN8News #MetallurgicalCoal @TeckResources @Glencore
5. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #5 Position, READ: Exploring the Future of #Battery Technology and #CriticalMinerals https://bit.ly/3G4HSQ1 cc: @IN8News @CriticalMnlInst @FirstPhosphate
6. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #6 Position, WATCH: Progress in #Pathogen Defense, Dr. Carolyn Myers Discusses #FendX’s Collaboration with Dunmore for #REPELWRAP™ https://youtu.be/rLDSZ8KMBqs via @YouTube #Nanotechnology #PathogenRepellent #VirusRepellent #DiseaseControl @FendXTech $FNDX.C $FDXTF
7. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #7 Position, WATCH: Greg Fenton on how #Zentek’s Advancement in #Aptamer Technology is Revolutionizing #Biotech https://youtu.be/LJrNda7ZHRQ via @YouTube #PathogenDetection #ZenGUARD #HVACFilters @ZentekLtd $ZTEK $ZEN.V
8. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #8 Position, WATCH Jack Lifton interviews Mark Chalmers on #EnergyFuels Strategic Path to Dominance in the North American #RareEarths Market https://youtu.be/a1xrRJB5hAw via @YouTube #Uranium #cirticalminerals @Energy_Fuels $UUUU $EFR
9. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #9 Position, WATCH: Terry Lynch on @PowerNickel’s collaboration with #CVMR Corporation for developing Canada’s first #CarbonNeutral #Nickel mine https://youtu.be/xOtY6U7ovRE via @YouTube #CriticalMinerals #BatteryMetals $PNPN.V $PNPNF @terrybali
10. Top 10 Trending on #InvestorNews, in the #10 Position, READ: Who might follow #PatriotBattery Metals #lithium exploration success in Canada in 2024? https://bit.ly/48fFh1P via @YouTube #criticalminerals @BrunswickExplo1 @WinsomeRes