Record Dividend Payments in Q1 2024

Companies paid a record amount in dividends to shareholders in the first quarter of 2024, with an increase of 2.4% from the same period in 2023. Alibaba and Meta made their first-ever dividend payments, contributing to half of the growth.

Stock Market Performance and Economic News

Nasdaq reaches record high as Powell reassures investors; U.S. producer prices rise in April; investors await Consumer Price Index report; tech stocks perform well; Home Depot and Alibaba shares decline; Biden announces tariff increases on Chinese imports; GameStop shares rally; AMC Entertainment and Koss Corp also see gains.

Chinese Government's Praise of Taylor Swift's Singapore Concert

The Chinese government newspaper Global Times published a glowing tribute to Taylor Swift for choosing Singapore as her only 'Eras Tour' stop in the region. Swift's popularity in China is highlighted, along with her influence on fans and her collaboration with regime-friendly businesses like Alibaba. The article praises Swift for not scheduling tour stops in China and promotes the visa-free travel agreement between China and Singapore.