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There are growing calls to investigate Elon Musk.

Good morning.

While the business elite usually do their damnedest to stay out of the public spotlight, Elon Musk damn near courts it – often to his detriment.

The world’s richest person is under renewed scrutiny as a new biography airs new information, including Starlink’s connection to military operations.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren is already calling for an investigation into those new claims. And the book has only been on shelves for a few hours.

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MARKET MOVERS

*Stock data as of the market close. Commodities and crypto data in USD.

Market News: Vitol, the largest shareholder of Viva Energy, is set to sell a $714 million tranche of shares in the oil company. Shares slid as the market digested the news that Vitol would trim its stake to 30% – down from 36% – at a discount.

THE QUICK SYNC

  • Apple has unveiled the new iPhone 15, Apple Watch and updated Airpods. (CNBC)

  • American banks have amassed US$1.2 trillion in ‘risky’ brokered deposits (WSJ)

  • The world is at the beginning of the end for fossil fuels, with the EPA projecting consumption to peak in 2030. (Financial Times)

  • Donald Trump is facing a second ‘long shot’ legal challenge to his presidential candidacy (CNN)

TRADING FLOOR

M&A:

  • Gina Rinehart's $500m move on Liontown disrupts the $6.6bn takeover bid. (SMH | Capital Brief)

  • Carlyle Group is collaborating with RBC Capital Markets to craft a preliminary bid for Affinity Education. (AFR)

  • IFM's potential bid for Atlas Arteria could face a hurdle from investors reluctant to further invest in toll roads. (The Australian)

  • Rothschild & Co has been chosen to conduct a strategic evaluation of IonOpticks as the company looks for a partner to accelerate its growth. (AFR)

  • AustralianSuper is set to invest $2.5bn in acquiring a minority stake in the US-based company Vantage Data Centers. (Capital Brief)

  • Vitol initiated a $714m block trade in Viva Energy, representing a 16.1% stake in the company. (The Australian)

  • Bendigo treads carefully in the ANZ-Suncorp merger appeal. (Capital Brief)

  • Lightsource BP could have an estimated value of approximately $1bn. (The Australian)

Capital Markets:

  • Taiwan chip giant TSMC will invest up to $100 million in Arm IPO (CNBC)

  • Nido is set to join the ASX as its brokers finalize the last portion of its $99.2m book build. (AFR)

  • Recce Pharmaceuticals is raising $11m to enhance research, manufacturing capabilities, and extend its US presence. (BNA)

  • PainChek was in search of a $3m equity investment. (AFR)

VC:

  • Amp, an e-commerce startup, has secured US$18.5m (A$28.5m) in a series A, having only launched last year. (AFR | Startup Daily)

  • Flagship, a merchandise data startup, has raised $2m in a Seed round led by Sydney VC Tidal Ventures. (Startup Daily)

Others:

  • Platinum's Andrew Clifford and Regal's Phil King are torn over the future opportunities in China. (Capital Brief)

  • Morgan Stanley examines the value Solomon Lew could create if retail brands within Premier Investments were sold. (The Australian)

  • The ongoing hostility between Magellan Financial and Keybridge Capital's Nick Bolton remains strong. (AFR)

  • Webull is shifting its focus to Australia, aiming to compete in a market still largely controlled by CommSec. (Capital Brief)

  • Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer may add as much as $US500bn ($777bn) to the company’s market value. (SMH | Capital Brief)

  • Sympli has conducted the first electronic conveyancing transaction from a provider other than the $2bn ASX-listed PEXA. (SMH)

  • ASX explorers could consolidate amid tightening capital markets and robust commodity prices. (AFR)

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THE WATERCOOLER