What is the “Internet of Things?”
According to some estimates, by next year, there will be twice as many devices connected to the Internet than there are people in the world! By the end of the decade, that number may hit 50 billion and The Internet of Things (IoT) market is estimated to be valued at $7.1 trillion. The following major companies are shaping the IoT space and are worth looking at for exposure to this important trend. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Google is a major player in the IoT market through its home automation efforts. The tech titan has made many acquisitions in this industry in the past few years. Most notably, Google acquired the home automation company, Nest, for $3.2 billion earlier this year. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) Apple is determined to make a harmonious user experience for all the devices in your home. Apple’s initiative, HomeKit, is a new framework for communicating with and controlling connected devices in a user’s home. Some have speculated that this will be Apple’s next disruptive move. Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ: SWKS) Skyworks is a major supplier of connectivity chips to some of the biggest players in the tech world, like Apple and Samsung. The company has been investing in IoT initiatives at a feverish pace and will likely grow its market share. Philips (NYSE: PHG) The light bulb game is set to change and Philips is ahead of the curve. Incandescent bulbs are slowly being phased out, in favour of LED bulbs, and Philips is offering products that can be controlled through your smartphone. Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) Intel has always been a major force in providing other tech giants with processors and chips. To keep up with the IoT industry change, Intel has released a new type of super-efficient chip that can be used in wearable devices. Goldman Sach’s IoT Predictions If you would like to check out even more promising IoT companies, here’s a list of Goldman Sach’s top picks for stock best positioned to take advantage of the IoT trend. Interestingly enough, Goldman did not include Apple or Google on this list. Original infographic from: PostsScapes.com on But fast forward to the end of last week, and SVB was shuttered by regulators after a panic-induced bank run. So, how exactly did this happen? We dig in below.
Road to a Bank Run
SVB and its customers generally thrived during the low interest rate era, but as rates rose, SVB found itself more exposed to risk than a typical bank. Even so, at the end of 2022, the bank’s balance sheet showed no cause for alarm.
As well, the bank was viewed positively in a number of places. Most Wall Street analyst ratings were overwhelmingly positive on the bank’s stock, and Forbes had just added the bank to its Financial All-Stars list. Outward signs of trouble emerged on Wednesday, March 8th, when SVB surprised investors with news that the bank needed to raise more than $2 billion to shore up its balance sheet. The reaction from prominent venture capitalists was not positive, with Coatue Management, Union Square Ventures, and Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund moving to limit exposure to the 40-year-old bank. The influence of these firms is believed to have added fuel to the fire, and a bank run ensued. Also influencing decision making was the fact that SVB had the highest percentage of uninsured domestic deposits of all big banks. These totaled nearly $152 billion, or about 97% of all deposits. By the end of the day, customers had tried to withdraw $42 billion in deposits.
What Triggered the SVB Collapse?
While the collapse of SVB took place over the course of 44 hours, its roots trace back to the early pandemic years. In 2021, U.S. venture capital-backed companies raised a record $330 billion—double the amount seen in 2020. At the time, interest rates were at rock-bottom levels to help buoy the economy. Matt Levine sums up the situation well: “When interest rates are low everywhere, a dollar in 20 years is about as good as a dollar today, so a startup whose business model is “we will lose money for a decade building artificial intelligence, and then rake in lots of money in the far future” sounds pretty good. When interest rates are higher, a dollar today is better than a dollar tomorrow, so investors want cash flows. When interest rates were low for a long time, and suddenly become high, all the money that was rushing to your customers is suddenly cut off.” Source: Pitchbook Why is this important? During this time, SVB received billions of dollars from these venture-backed clients. In one year alone, their deposits increased 100%. They took these funds and invested them in longer-term bonds. As a result, this created a dangerous trap as the company expected rates would remain low. During this time, SVB invested in bonds at the top of the market. As interest rates rose higher and bond prices declined, SVB started taking major losses on their long-term bond holdings.
Losses Fueling a Liquidity Crunch
When SVB reported its fourth quarter results in early 2023, Moody’s Investor Service, a credit rating agency took notice. In early March, it said that SVB was at high risk for a downgrade due to its significant unrealized losses. In response, SVB looked to sell $2 billion of its investments at a loss to help boost liquidity for its struggling balance sheet. Soon, more hedge funds and venture investors realized SVB could be on thin ice. Depositors withdrew funds in droves, spurring a liquidity squeeze and prompting California regulators and the FDIC to step in and shut down the bank.
What Happens Now?
While much of SVB’s activity was focused on the tech sector, the bank’s shocking collapse has rattled a financial sector that is already on edge.
The four biggest U.S. banks lost a combined $52 billion the day before the SVB collapse. On Friday, other banking stocks saw double-digit drops, including Signature Bank (-23%), First Republic (-15%), and Silvergate Capital (-11%).
Source: Morningstar Direct. *Represents March 9 data, trading halted on March 10.
When the dust settles, it’s hard to predict the ripple effects that will emerge from this dramatic event. For investors, the Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen announced confidence in the banking system remaining resilient, noting that regulators have the proper tools in response to the issue.
But others have seen trouble brewing as far back as 2020 (or earlier) when commercial banking assets were skyrocketing and banks were buying bonds when rates were low.
