Nov 12th, 2023 – Oracle (ORCL,0.4 units) and Microsoft (MSFT) have entered into a multi-year agreement to enhance artificial
intelligence (AI) services. Microsoft is leveraging Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) alongside Microsoft Azure
infrastructure for AI model inference, powering Bing’s everyday conversational searches.. This collaboration
enables Oracle to empower new global experiences, improving access and speed for Bing’s search results
through the combined use of both AI infrastructures.
Novo Nordisk (NVO, 1 unit) announced the primary results of SELECT, its landmark cardiovascular outcomes trial
investigating the effects of once weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with established cardiovascular and
overweight disease. The trial shows a groundbreaking 20% reduction in cardiovascular events over five years in
overweight adults reducing risks of heart-related events and mortality. Novo Nordisk aims for label updates in the
US and EU, with an expected 2024 decision post-FDA priority review of SELECT data.
Recent events on the Israel-Hamas front may impact defense related stocks in our portfolio, such as General
Dynamics Corp (GD, 0.2 units), Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT, 0.1 units), and Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC,
0.1 units).
- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of a Hamas commander, Ahmed Siam, accused of
holding around a thousand people blocked in the Rantisi hospital in Gaza. The IDF accused Hamas of using
civilians as human shields for terrorist purposes. - “It is the Americans who are fueling Israel’s war machine against Gaza. ” This was stated by Iranian
President Ebrahim Raisi at Tehran airport before departing for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the summit on the
Middle East crisis. - Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen responded to French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for Israel to halt
raids on Gaza, stating that there was ‘no justification for killing women and children.’ Cohen defended Israel’s
actions, claiming they operate within international law and that they will continue until Hamas is
eliminated and the abducted citizens return.”
Author: Diego Russo