Plenty of Apples to Go Around; Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to invest $500bn in US expansion

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has announced plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, marking its largest-ever domestic investment.

The initiative will focus on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering, and advanced manufacturing, creating around 20,000 new jobs across multiple states, with the vast majority focused on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI and machine learning.

“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

As part of the investment, Apple will open a new manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, dedicated to producing servers for Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI-powered personal assistant system.

The 250,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in 2026 and will create thousands of jobs. The new AI servers will power Private Cloud Compute, Apple’s secure AI cloud processing system.

Apple is also doubling its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion, supporting domestic manufacturing and chip production. The iPhone maker said a significant portion will go toward silicon production at TSMC’s Fab 21 facility in Arizona, where Apple is the largest customer.

Additionally, Apple will launch a Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, partnering with universities such as Michigan State to train businesses and workers in AI-driven smart manufacturing techniques.

The investment also includes expanding Apple’s R&D centers nationwide, with a focus on custom silicon, AI, and machine learning.

The company’s investments will expand data center capacity in North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada to support its growing AI infrastructure.

Wedbush described the move by Apple as strategic, as the company continues “diversifying its manufacturing strategy in both the US and globally while also playing well into Trump’s US investment theme given the $500 billion Project Stargate announced earlier this year.

“Cook continues to prove that he is 10% politician and 90% CEO and times like this he will be using his strong ties globally to make sure its smoother waters for Cupertino ahead despite the market agita around AAPL’s growth initiatives with Trump heading down the tariff threat path,” added the firm.

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Dow Down; FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) to Sell Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly to Dow Jones

FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NOTE), a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS technology provider of policy and global intelligence, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to divest two portfolio companies within its Global Intelligence business, Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly, to Dow Jones, a global news and information provider and division of News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA), for total consideration of $40 million, continuing FiscalNote’s ongoing strategic shift to focus on its core Policy platform. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to receipt of antitrust clearance in Austria and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to any financing condition.

The resulting net proceeds provide FiscalNote a return of capital that helps reduce its senior term loan and strengthens its balance sheet while further simplifying the business as it reduces complexity and drives more productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

Oxford Analytica, acquired by FiscalNote in February 2021, produces geopolitical analysis and provides advisory services to help customers understand and respond to political, economic, and societal risks. Dragonfly, acquired by FiscalNote in January 2023, provides forward-looking global security intelligence and data that customers utilize to keep operations, personnel, and assets safe. The Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly businesses have offered their products independently of FiscalNote’s core products. Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly are each primarily based in the United Kingdom.

Commenting on this transaction, Josh Resnik, FiscalNote’s CEO & President, said, “We have committed to driving product-led growth, expanding profitability, and improving our balance sheet. With today’s announcement, we are continuing to deliver. This divestiture enables us to pay down a significant portion of our senior term loan, resulting in a cumulative paydown of more than 60 percent in the past year. Beyond strengthening our financial position, this move will streamline operations, expand Adjusted EBITDA margins, and accelerate our path to positive free cash flow. It also will further sharpen our focus on our core Policy solutions – including PolicyNote, our cutting-edge AI-powered policy management solution – to drive growth. Make no mistake: we are executing a proven playbook in a market where we lead, and we will deliver enduring growth and sustained, long-term value for customers and shareholders – just as we said we would.”

Solomon Partners is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig, LLP is serving as legal counsel to FiscalNote on the transaction.