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SpaceX is widely expected to be the largest initial public offering (IPO) of all time when it makes its debut on the stock market later this year. Elon Musk's rocket and satellite technology trailblazer is reportedly seeking to raise as much as $75 billion at a staggering $2 trillion valuation. That would make it more valuable than all but five companies -- Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon -- in the S&P 500. SpaceX is expected to use its IPO proceeds to expand Starlink, its popular low-Earth orbit satellite network and high-speed internet service. The space exploration company also plans to use the cash to fund its rocket-development efforts and AI-focused initiatives. SpaceX's public market debut could come as soon as June. Alphabet Google owned a 6.11% stake in SpaceX at the end of last year. Google made its initial investment in SpaceX back in 2015 when the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation start-up was valued at $10 billion. Yet the search king's equity stake may have been diluted when SpaceX merged with Musk's AI start-up xAI in February. Google's ownership position likely now stands at about 5%, according to Bloomberg. At that percentage, Google's stake would be worth a whopping $100 billion if SpaceX can achieve its targeted $2 trillion valuation following its upcoming IPO. Alphabet remains a cash cow. Despite the emergence of AI-powered chatbots from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic, Google continues to maintain its dominant position in the global search market. YouTube likewise remains the leading online video platform. When combined with the company's other advertising, subscription, and device sales, Google generated more than $40 billion in operating income in the fourth quarter alone. Google’s cloud business is booming. Cloud computing is an even faster-growing division for Alphabet. Google Cloud's revenue surged 48% year over year to $17.7 billion in the fourth quarter, driven by soaring demand for AI infrastructure. Better still, Google Cloud is becoming more profitable, with operating income soaring 154% to $5.3 billion.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
