Markets

Daredevil skydiver Felix Baumgartner, 56, known for his record-breaking supersonic jump from the stratosphere, died on July 17th in a paragliding accident in Italy. Baumgartner lost control near Porto Sant’Elpidio, crashing into a hotel swimming pool area. Initial reports suggest he felt unwell before the flight, and a cardiac arrest is being investigated as a possible cause. Baumgartner’s legacy includes being the first to wingsuit fly across the English Channel and his groundbreaking 2012 Stratos project where he broke the sound barrier in freefall.

BGI Group CEO Yin Ye highlights the overwork of Chinese healthcare professionals, attributing China’s comparable national health to the US, despite significantly lower healthcare spending (6% vs 19% of GDP), to this dedication. He points out the pressure leading to perceived poor bedside manner caused by high patient volumes. Yin also discusses longevity, predicting centenarian lifespans for those born in the 2000s, while raising ethical concerns surrounding immortality and resource allocation.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid, a Saudi royal, died at 36 after a 20-year coma resulting from a car accident. Dubbed the “Sleeping Prince,” his case highlights the limits of wealth in the face of severe trauma. Despite millions spent on care and brief moments of responsiveness, he never fully recovered. His death contrasts with the case of Munira Abdulla, who awoke after 27 years in a coma. The Prince’s passing raises ethical questions about long-term life support and the difficult decisions families face.

Pulse Seismic Inc. (OTCQX:PLSDF) announced strong Q2 2025 results with revenue up 172% to $41.1 million in H1 and net earnings reaching $22.9 million. The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.0175 per share and a special dividend of $0.20 per share, totaling $11.0 million. Pulse Seismic boasts $25.9 million in cash, an 86% EBITDA margin, and generated $27.2 million in shareholder free cash flow in H1 2025. They also hold Canada’s largest licensable seismic data library.

CoStar Group (CSGP) reported strong Q2 2025 results, with revenue up 15% to $781 million. Adjusted EBITDA surged 108% to $85 million. Apartments.com drove net new bookings to a record $93 million, up 65% from Q1. Homes.com’s sales team grew significantly, and member agents secured 62% more listings. “Boost” was launched on Homes.com, enhancing property exposure. CoStar raised its full-year revenue guidance to $3.135-$3.155 billion and adjusted EBITDA to $370-$390 million. They expect Q3 revenue between $800 to $805 million

Interpublic Group (IPG) launched Agentic Systems for Commerce (ASC), an AI-powered platform optimizing brand performance across digital sales. ASC leverages data from Intelligence Node to provide insights into consumer behavior, monitoring SKU-level data like searches, shelf position, pricing, and inventory. Led by Dr. Jeriad Zoghby and supported by Yaniv Sarig, ASC has shown double-digit improvements in impressions and sales among early adopters. This strategic move signifies IPG’s expansion into AI-driven commerce solutions, aiming for higher-margin opportunities beyond traditional marketing services.

Global YouTube star MrBeast, boasting approximately 800 million followers across platforms, will debut on Chinese platform Kuaishou with a livestream on July 26th. Ranked #1 on Forbes’ Top Creators list, MrBeast is known for his visually spectacular, challenge-based content featuring cash giveaways and philanthropy. He is reportedly planning a large-scale program in China later this year, highlighting the growing trend of Western influencers expanding into the Chinese market. His content style involves time-intensive extreme challenges and lucrative cash prizes.

Coca-Cola reported a 1% increase in net revenue for Q2 2025, reaching $12.54 billion, with a significant 63% jump in operating income. Net profit attributable to shareholders was $3.81 billion. The company addressed rumors of a formula change, announcing the launch of a cane sugar-sweetened Coca-Cola product in the U.S. this fall. This cane sugar option will complement, not replace, existing products, offering consumers greater choice. The announcement follows reports of discussions with Donald Trump regarding the formula.

ECGI Holdings’ Uplist Ventures gained affiliate membership to TCA Venture Group, granting access to a network that has invested $280M in 545 companies, yielding $2.1B in follow-on funding and 126 exits. Uplist gains curated access to early and growth-stage startups, diversifying its portfolio which currently includes AI (Payday Fantasy), apparel (TrueToForm), equestrian lifestyle (Pacific Saddlery), and agri-tourism (Vintner’s Caldera Ranch). This alliance aims to enhance investment opportunities, rollup strategies, and potential IPOs.

Guo Ying, known online as “Cat Grandma,” has passed away at 92. Her granddaughter, Meiyao, shared the news, highlighting Guo Ying’s impact on her life and the online community. Meiyao had been documenting her grandmother’s life since 2018, showcasing her English skills, makeup experiments, and family photos. Guo Ying was remembered for her optimism, resilience, and generosity. Meiyao expressed gratitude for the support and will keep her grandmother’s videos online as a tribute.