Saturdays: Catching Up on Complex Problems and Injustices

The article discusses various non-financial topics, including the complexities and injustices of the world, Americans' views on drinking alcohol, and issues related to electric vehicles, transportation, energy, the environment, and animals. It highlights concerns about the US automakers, the need for EV charging stations, Tesla's price drop, and the impact of climate change on urban areas and the world. Additionally, it discusses the use of drones for various purposes, such as tagging whales and fighting screwworms, and the need to rebuild NOAA.

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) reported a 1% return for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025, as the weak US dollar largely offset gains in stocks and energy assets. Net assets rose to C$731.7 billion ($530.3 billion) from C$714.4 billion, according to a statement released on Thursday [1].

Chief Executive Officer John Graham attributed the volatility in global markets during the first quarter of the fiscal year to shifting trade dynamics and broader geopolitical uncertainty. While the rebound in stock markets and strong results from the pension plan’s external manager program boosted returns, the weakening of the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar amid tariff-related uncertainty offset these gains [1].

CPPIB's exposure to the US dollar represented 52% of its foreign currency exposure, totaling C$552.4 billion during the period. The pension plan made notable investments during the quarter, committing around C$525 million to macro-themed strategies and equity trades and agreeing to allocate $193 million to a single-asset continuation fund managed by New Mountain Capital. Additionally, CPPIB invested $300 million into the debt issuance of Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI to finance the construction of its second data center in Memphis, Tennessee [1].

The article also highlights significant developments in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. General Motors (GM) and Ford have announced billion-dollar investments in EV production, signaling their support for electric vehicles despite the loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit. GM has plans to restart production of its Chevrolet Bolt EV for 2027, while Ford is introducing a new modular production process for EVs aimed at reducing manufacturing costs [2].

The U.S. public charging station network has seen renewed activity following the restart of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. This program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allows states to prioritize installing new public fast charging stations along major transportation routes. The industry's confidence in the vehicle electrification movement is evident in the fresh burst of activity from automakers and supply chain stakeholders [2].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-14/canada-s-largest-pension-earns-1-after-weak-us-dollar-hit-gains
[2] https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2025/ev-production-ford-gm-nevi/825101