TSMC’s Record Profits, Pepsi Beats, and Neuralink’s Federal Loophole Gambit

Dear Money Master,

Welcome to this week’s financial roundup! 🎯 Inflation is sending mixed signals around the globe, Japan’s is cooling, the UK’s is overheating, and the U.S. is holding steady, confusing central bankers and investors alike. Meanwhile, the crypto world is under siege as criminals have already stolen $2.8 billion in 2025 alone, surpassing last year’s total.

But the most jaw-dropping story? Elon Musk’s Neuralink claimed status as a “small disadvantaged business” in a federal filing, right before securing a $9 billion valuation. Critics are calling foul.

In tech, defense startup Hadrian raised $260M to supercharge naval shipbuilding, and in earnings, TSMC, Pepsi, and Netflix all beat expectations with strong numbers and bullish outlooks.

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - July 18th, 2025

🌍 Economics:

1. Japan’s Inflation Cools to 3.3% in June 🧊
   Core CPI fell from a 29-month high of 3.7%, matching forecasts, largely due to softening rice prices. Still, this marks the 39th consecutive month inflation stayed above the BoJ’s 2% target. Read More

2. U.K. Inflation Heats Up to 3.6% in June 🔥
   Surpassing forecasts of 3.4%, the spike pushed core inflation to 3.7%. The pound edged up 0.2% on the data, signaling possible future rate hikes by the Bank of England. Read More

3. U.S. Wholesale Prices Flat in June 🏭
   The Producer Price Index showed no monthly change, contradicting expectations of a 0.2% rise. Core PPI also stalled, suggesting tariffs haven’t yet impacted prices broadly. Read More

💻 Technology:

1. Neuralink Declares Itself a “Disadvantaged Business” 🤯
   Elon Musk’s Neuralink applied for federal programs under SBA’s “small disadvantaged business” label, just before a $9B valuation round. Read More

2. Defense Startup Hadrian Raises $260M Led by Thiel 🛠️
   The aerospace and naval supplier will expand its footprint with a new factory in Arizona. Founders Fund and Lux Capital led the Series C round. Read More

3. Crypto Theft Surges to $2.8 Billion in First Half of 2025 💸
   A rise in hacks and physical assaults has already topped 2024’s full-year total. Losses could surpass $4 billion by year-end if trends persist, says Chainalysis. Read More

💹Earnings:

1. TSMC Posts 61% Profit Surge as AI Demand Soars 🚀
   The chipmaker crushed Q2 expectations with record earnings. It forecasts Q3 revenue to reach up to $33B, driven by AI chip demand. Read More

2. Netflix Raises Revenue Outlook Amid Global Growth 🎬
   The company now expects up to $45.2B in 2025 revenue. Strong ad sales, currency tailwinds, and subscriber gains are fueling the upward revision. Read More

3. Pepsi Beats Q2 Earnings Despite Profit Decline 🥤
   PepsiCo posted EPS of $2.12, ahead of the $2.03 consensus. Net income dropped to $1.26B due to restructuring costs but core sales stayed solid. Read More

To your financial empowerment, The Money Masters Team

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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of actions taken based on the information provided. Always conduct your own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.