ETF 需求和減半事件預期推動比特幣飆升

由於現貨比特幣交易所交易基金（ETF）的需求增加，比特幣週一飆升 4%，達到近 67,000 美元。貝萊德和富達投資的現貨比特幣 ETF 在交易後 50 天內獲得了巨大的人氣，而投資者預計 4 月份的「減半」事件將減少新代幣的發行，並可能支撐價格。

Bitcoin Surges Amidst ETF Demand, Anticipation of Halving Event

比特幣在 ETF 需求和減半事件的預期下飆升

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) experienced a notable resurgence on Monday, gaining 4% and approaching the $67,000 mark (£53,153). This upward trajectory was fueled by sustained demand for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

比特幣（BTC-USD）週一出現顯著復甦，上漲 4%，逼近 67,000 美元大關（53,153 英鎊）。這種上升趨勢是由對現貨比特幣交易所交易基金（ETF）的持續需求所推動的。

In less than 50 days of trading, BlackRock's (BLK) and Fidelity Investment's spot Bitcoin ETFs — IBIT and FBTC, respectively — have emerged as the most popular offerings from these asset managers, according to data shared by Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.

根據彭博ETF 分析師Eric Balchunas 分享的數據，在不到50 天的交易中，貝萊德(BLK) 和富達投資的現貨比特幣ETF（分別為IBIT 和FBTC）已成為這些資產管理公司最受歡迎的產品。

Investors are also eagerly anticipating Bitcoin's upcoming "halving" event in April, during which the issuance of new tokens will be halved. This anticipated supply constraint is expected to further support prices amidst growing demand.

投資人也熱切期待比特幣即將在4月的「減半」事件，在此期間新代幣的發行量將減半。在需求不斷增長的情況下，預期的供應限制預計將進一步支撐價格。

Baidu Stock Soars on Apple AI Partnership Rumors

百度股價因蘋果人工智慧合作傳聞而飆升

Shares of e-commerce giant Baidu (9888.HK) witnessed a surge following reports that Apple (AAPL) had engaged in preliminary discussions with the Chinese company regarding the utilization of its AI technology.

有報導稱，蘋果(AAPL)已與中國公司就利用其人工智慧技術進行初步討論後，電子商務巨頭百度(9888.HK)的股價飆升。

According to Cailian Press, a Chinese media outlet, Baidu is poised to become Apple's local generative AI model provider for the iPhone 16, the Mac computer operating system, and the upcoming iOS 18 mobile operating system.

根據中國媒體財聯社報道，百度有望成為蘋果 iPhone 16、Mac 電腦作業系統以及即將推出的 iOS 18 行動作業系統的本地生成式 AI 模型供應商。

Apple's search for a generative AI partner in China stems from the Asian nation's requirement that such models undergo vetting by its cyberspace regulator prior to public release, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources.

根據《華爾街日報》引述匿名消息人士的報道，蘋果在中國尋找生成式人工智慧合作夥伴源自於亞洲國家的要求，即此類模型在公開發布之前必須經過其網路空間監管機構的審查。

Direct Line Shares Drop as Ageas Withdraws Offer

Ageas 撤回要約，Direct Line 股價下跌

Direct Line (DLG.L) shares experienced a downturn after the insurer asserted its confidence in its standalone prospects following the announcement by Belgium's Ageas (AGS.BR) that it would not be submitting an offer for the company, despite two unsuccessful attempts to engage with the board.

Direct Line (DLG.L) 的股價經歷了低迷，此前該保險公司聲稱對其獨立前景充滿信心，此前比利時富通保險(Ageas) (AGS.BR) 宣布不會向該公司提出收購要約，儘管兩次嘗試均未成功與董事會。

"As communicated at Direct Line Group's 2023 preliminary results on 21 March 2024, the board believes under Adam Winslow's leadership the company is well-positioned to drive material improvement in performance that is expected to unlock significant value for Direct Line Group shareholders," the London-listed insurer stated.

「正如Direct Line Group 於2024 年3 月21 日發布的2023 年初步業績中所傳達的那樣，董事會相信，在Adam Winslow 的領導下，公司處於有利位置，能夠推動業績的實質性改善，預計將為Direct Line Group 股東釋放巨大價值。” - 上市保險公司表示。

In February, Ageas had confirmed its exploration of a potential £3.1bn offer for Direct Line Insurance Group.

今年 2 月，Ageas 確認正在探索以 31 億英鎊收購 Direct Line Insurance Group 的潛在要約。

"We had hoped to reach agreement on a jointly recommended firm offer together with the Direct Line board," said Ageas chief executive Hans De Cuyper.

Ageas 執行長 Hans De Cuyper 表示：“我們原本希望與 Direct Line 董事會就聯合推薦的確定要約達成協議。”

"However, I am convinced that, given the circumstances, we took the right decision not to make an offer, staying true to who we are and what we stand for in terms of maintaining a friendly approach and respecting our financial discipline."

「然而，我相信，考慮到目前的情況，我們做出了不提出報價的正確決定，忠於我們的身份和立場，保持友好的態度並尊重我們的財務紀律。”

Kingfisher Profits Plunge, Warns of Earnings Decline

翠豐集團利潤暴跌，警告獲利下滑

Kingfisher (KGF.L), the owner of B&Q, disclosed a substantial decline in annual profits of over a quarter and issued a warning of a further steep drop in earnings this year as it undertakes a comprehensive overhaul of its French operations in an effort to revive its fortunes.

百安居母公司翠豐 (KGF.L) 披露，年度利潤大幅下降超過四分之一，並警告今年盈利將進一步大幅下降，因為該公司對其法國業務進行了全面整頓，以期重振其命運。

For the year ending January 31, the group reported a 25.1% decrease in underlying pre-tax profits to £568m. Kingfisher, which also owns the Screwfix chain and brands such as Castorama and Brico Depot in France, noted a 5.9% decline in like-for-like sales in France and a 7.7% drop elsewhere in Europe.

截至 1 月 31 日的財年，該集團的基本稅前利潤下降了 25.1%，至 5.68 億英鎊。 Kingfisher 還擁有法國的 Screwfix 連鎖店以及 Castorama 和 Brico Depot 等品牌，該公司指出，法國的同類銷售額下降了 5.9%，歐洲其他地區的銷售額下降了 7.7%。

In contrast, the UK and Ireland exhibited more resilience, with sales increasing by 0.8%, resulting in an overall group-wide sales decline of 3.1%.

相比之下，英國和愛爾蘭表現出更強的韌性，銷售額成長了0.8%，導致集團整體銷售額下降了3.1%。

Despite a modest improvement in sales declines to 2.3% during the early stages of the new financial year, the group cautioned that profits are anticipated to fall once more, ranging between £490m and £550m in 2024-25, below the £560m estimate by analysts.

儘管新財年初期銷售額略有改善，下降至2.3%，但該集團警告稱，預計2024-25 年利潤將再次下降，範圍在4.9 億英鎊至5.5 億英鎊之間，低於2024-25 年預測的5.6 億英鎊。分析師。