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Summary follows...

This is the latest variant of the 911 GT3 – the SC model. It marries the chassis and drivetrain of the GT3 with the body of a 911 Cabriolet. The author is initially skeptical: For him, a GT3 should be about precision, feedback, and driving dynamics – a convertible seems like a betrayal.

• Body: Carbon fiber hood, front wings, and doors (from the ST).
• Weight: 1,497 kg (about 70 kg more than the coupe).
• Roof: Fully electric, opening in 12 seconds at up to 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Suspension: Carbon fiber anti-roll bars, drop links, shear panel – all carbon.
• Transmission: Only 6-speed manual (dual-mass flywheel instead of single-mass).
• Engine: 503 hp, 9,000 rpm, naturally aspirated – still fantastic.
• Price: Approximately £200,500 (about £35,000 more than the coupe).

• Seats: Foldable bucket seats, no rear seats.
• Headrests: Not removable (unlike the coupe).
• Door cards: Lightweight from the ST.
• Drive modes: Normal, Sport, Track – including damper adjustment.
• Wind deflector: Electric.

The author drives the GT3 SC at Portimão racetrack – deliberately provocative, as the convertible is actually intended for country roads.

• Engine and Gearbox: Excellent – the naturally aspirated engine revs eagerly to 9,000 rpm, the manual gearbox with flat-shift is thrilling.
• Handling: Precise, balanced, but not quite as sharp as the coupe. Slightly more compliance and a hint of sluggishness.
• Body stiffness: The missing roof structure is noticeable – the convertible feels less direct and has slightly softer suspension.
• Verdict: Despite all criticism, the SC is a fantastic car – it brings you closer to one of the world's great engines. Not ideal for purists, but understandable.

Maybe – but even then it would be better than 99% of other sports cars. The author admits he would judge owners harshly at first, but deep down he understands. Bottom line: A GT3 for enthusiasts who love open-top driving.

Dr. Irina Conboy (formerly UC Berkeley, now CSO at Generation Lab) discusses her latest study on selective targeting of cancer and senescent cells and the future of systemic rejuvenation.

• The triple combination (DMA) of dichloroacetate (DCA), metformin, and ABT263 (navitoclax) was tested in 18–20-month-old mice – equivalent to a 65–70-year-old human.
• From treatment start, mice lived ~41% longer; relative to total lifespan, the extension was ~10–12%.
• Importantly, the main goal was not lifespan extension but eliminating cancer and senescent cells together without harming healthy cells.
• Mice showed improved treadmill performance and no increase in frailty – despite a chemo-like intervention.

• Cancer and senescent cells have damaged mitochondria and heavily depend on glycolysis.
• DCA forces cells to push pyruvate into mitochondria and use oxidative phosphorylation.
• Metformin inhibits mitochondrial electron transport (complex I), worsening the energy crisis.
• ABT263 blocks BCL survival proteins, allowing cytochrome C release and triggering apoptosis.
• Crucially, healthy cells have enough functional mitochondria and survive; diseased cells die selectively.

• ABT263 was used at only one-tenth of the usual dose to avoid thrombocytopenia (low platelets).
• In vitro tests on various human cells showed: cancer and senescent cells were eliminated, while healthy liver and neuronal cells remained largely unaffected.
• The authors view DMA not as a classic senolytic or chemotherapeutic, but as a dual-capacity therapy against both pathogenic cell types.

• Generation Lab is developing an injectable substitute for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) that antagonizes age- and disease-elevated blood proteins and promotes tissue repair.
• The drug "One Generation" consists of two FDA-approved components and is being prepared for clinical trials.
• A potential indication is prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
• Dr. Conboy advises against biohacking with the combination until safety and dosing are validated in clinical trials.

Summary follows...

Universal Music Group (UMG) – Stock Analysis at €14

Universal Music Group's stock has dropped 50% over the past year, from around €28 to €14. Bill Ackman (Pershing Square) previously offered €30 per share, which the board rejected as undervalued. The stock now trades well below that level. This summary covers the business, finances, Ackman's thesis, and current valuation.

• UMG owns the rights to most major music IPs and represents 9 of the top 10 global artists (e.g., Taylor Swift).
• The market is growing, especially streaming. Partnerships with Spotify, Tencent, and expansion in India.
• Only missing major artist: Bad Bunny.

• Revenue growth has slowed; profits stable but below expectations.
• Free cash flow is disputed: management reports ~€1.5 billion, but after investments (catalog purchases, acquisitions like Downtown), it shrinks to about €700 million.
• Debt increased from €5.4 billion to almost €13 billion; equity barely grew due to dividend payouts.
• Dividend yield currently ~3.7% (€1 billion payout).

• Plan: Merge UMG with Pershing Square, increase leverage, buybacks, move listing to the US (higher P/E).
• Price target: €74 by December 2030 (5x return).
• Criticism: Ackman essentially wanted to buy the stock using the company's own money – effectively only €1.50 equity per share, the rest from UMG itself.
• The board rejected the offer; Ackman sold his stake before the official rejection.

• UMG is using the Spotify sale proceeds (€2.7 billion) for share buybacks.
• True free cash flow growth is limited, as UMG cannot negotiate better streaming deals (split 70/30).
• The stock trades at a discount of over 50% to intrinsic value, typical for European holding structures (e.g., Vivendi).
• Relatively speaking, UMG offers a 3.7% dividend and modest growth (~4%) for an 8% total return – but not a classic value investment.
• Risk: further price decline; becomes interesting at €10 (10% dividend yield).

• Not an absolute bargain – cash flow is weaker than reported.
• Relatively attractive for income-oriented investors comfortable with stagnation.
• A catalyst like Ackman's plan (US listing, higher leverage) is off the table for now.

• The 10-year yield is approaching 5.2%, the 30-year near 5.12%. The market signals that the Fed’s rates are not high enough.
• Inflationary forces (tariffs, Middle East conflict, AI buildout) persist. Expectations drive prices higher.

• Historically, rising long yields eventually trigger a growth scare (e.g., 2023 banking crisis), which brings yields back down.
• Currently we are in the up phase: markets fear inflation more than recession.

• High yields pressure long-duration assets — including cryptocurrencies.
• Bitcoin has not outperformed the S&P 500 for years; its valuation is at 2021 levels.
• Altcoins suffer more: they are a zero-interest-rate phenomenon. Liquidity is tight (global net liquidity ~$25 trillion vs. $30 trillion in 2021).

• The analyst admits being perplexed: Bitcoin at ~$84,000. Technically a golden cross appears, but a drop below the May high would be bearish.
• Opportunity cost: If Bitcoin yields similar returns to the S&P over five years, investors question the extra risk.

• The Fed must hike aggressively to calm long yields — but it hasn’t.
• Current policy is too accommodative (Fed funds rate 4% vs. 2-year yield 4.9%).
• Without a real growth scare or crisis, bond vigilantes will keep revolting.

• Watch yields: They dictate direction for risk assets.
• A crisis (like the pandemic) is needed to boost liquidity and crypto sustainably. Until then, crypto remains an underperformer.