TRG Fast Facts

By TRG Advisors on February 28, 2025

Weekly data-driven insights on the markets and economy

Eli Lilly expands

Eli Lilly announced on Wednesday a $27 billion investment to build four new U.S. manufacturing sites, boosting its total U.S. manufacturing investments to more than $50 billion. This move aims to meet the soaring demand for its weight loss and diabetes injections, while also developing new drugs for other conditions. The new sites will create more than 3,000 jobs and extend Eli Lilly’s global manufacturing network for future therapies.ⁱ

Consumer confidence caves

On Tuesday, the Conference Board reported that consumers grew more pessimistic about the economic outlook in February due to concerns about a slowing economy and rising inflation. The Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 98.3, the lowest reading since June 2024, and the largest monthly drop since August 2021.ⁱⁱ

Bitcoin backslides

On Tuesday, Bitcoin fell below the $90,000 level, weakened by sell pressure in equities as the crypto market awaits its next catalyst. The price of bitcoin dropped by 7% down to $86,915.13, according to Coin Metrics, marking its lowest level since November. This decline puts the blue-chip coin 20% off its all-time high reached on President Trump’s inauguration day.ⁱⁱⁱ

Tariffs on track

President Trump announced on Monday that sweeping U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will go forward when the monthlong delay expires next week. Trump emphasized that the tariffs are on schedule and reiterated his plan to impose reciprocal tariffs, claiming the U.S. has been taken advantage of by foreign nations. President Trump signed executive orders on February 1 imposing 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada, as well as 10% duties on Canadian energy.^iv

Apple’s $500 billion AI investment

Apple announced on Monday that it plans to open a new factory for AI servers in Texas as part of a $500 billion investment in the U.S. The 250,000-square-foot facility in Houston will produce servers for Apple Intelligence, its AI personal assistant, and is expected to begin operations in 2026. This investment will also include hiring around 20,000 new employees across the U.S., focusing on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI and machine learning.^v

Prime time for James Bond

Amazon announced last Thursday that the company will take creative control over the James Bond movie franchise. Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli—who have long produced the James Bond films—will now give creative control to MGM Studios, which Amazon acquired for $8.45 billion in 2021. This move is expected to be a significant boost for Amazon’s media and entertainment business, including its Prime Video streaming service.^vi

ⁱKim Constantino, Annika. “Eli Lilly plans at least $27 billion in new U.S. manufacturing investments.” CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/26/eli-lilly-to-invest-27-billion-in-new-us-manufacturing.html. Accessed February 26, 2025.
ⁱⁱCox, Jeff. “February consumer confidence posts biggest drop since 2021 in latest sign of slowing economy.” CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/25/february-consumer-confidence-comes-in-lighter-than-expected-in-latest-sign-of-slowing-economy.html. Accessed February 25, 2025.
ⁱⁱⁱMacheel, Tanaya. “Bitcoin drops to a 3-month low below $90,000 in risk-off move.” CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/25/crypto-market-today.html. Accessed February 25, 2025.
^ivBreuninger, Kevin. “Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico ‘will go forward.’” CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/24/trump-says-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-will-go-forward.html. Accessed February 25, 2025.
^vBrowne, Ryan. “Apple to open AI server factory in Texas as part of $500 billion U.S. investment.” CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/24/apple-to-open-texas-ai-server-factory-in-500-billion-us-expansion.html. Accessed February 25, 2025.
^viPalmer, Annie. “Amazon to gain creative control of James Bond franchise from Broccoli family.” CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/20/amazon-wins-creative-control-of-james-bond-franchise-from-broccoli-family.html. Accessed February 25, 2025.