MONEY MASTER

Intel  heads into its April 23 earnings with  rising investor expectations , but the key question remains whether  AI-driven CPU demand can offset ongoing margin weakness . Revenue Stable, But Margins Under Pressure Intel is expected to deliver  Q1 revenue around US$12.4 billion , slightly above the midpoint of its guidance range. However, the real concern lies in profitability: Gross margin guided at 34.5% , down from  39.2% a year ago EPS near breakeven (~US$0.00)  vs  US$0.13 last year This highlights  continued pressure from costs, utilisation, and product mix , despite improving demand signals. AI CPUs: A Key Growth Driver Intel’s near-term bullish case centers on  AI-related CPU demand , particularly its Xeon processors. A key development is its partnership with  Alphabet , which reinforces: Intel’s role in  AI data centre infrastructure Growing demand for  AI inference and general-purpose computing Investors will watch c...

 Global Markets Wall Street ended lower for a second straight session on Wednesday as losses in AI-linked stocks weighed on sentiment. Nvidia and Oracle led the declines, while Micron fell despite upbeat AI-driven growth guidance. Alibaba, by contrast, surged after unveiling its most advanced AI model, Qwen3-Max, alongside new overseas data centers and a partnership with Nvidia. Investor confidence was tempered by Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious tone. Powell warned that rate cuts must proceed carefully to avoid reigniting inflation, moderating expectations for additional easing following last week’s 25 bp reduction. Attention now turns to Thursday’s Q2 GDP figures and Friday’s PCE inflation data for policy cues. The Dow Jones shed 0.37%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.28%, and the Nasdaq dropped 0.33%. US Treasury yields firmed, with the 10-year at 4.14%. Malaysia Markets The ringgit weakened, with USD/MYR rising 75 pips to 4.2080 as uncertainty over Fed policy direction pressured se...

President-elect Donald Trump has named venture capitalist David Sacks as the "White House AI & Crypto Czar," signaling the administration’s focus on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency as critical areas of policy innovation and economic growth. The Announcement In a post on Truth Social , Trump outlined Sacks' dual mandate: Artificial Intelligence (AI): Position the U.S. as the global leader in AI innovation while protecting free speech and addressing concerns over big tech bias. Cryptocurrency: Develop a comprehensive legal framework to provide clarity for the industry and foster its growth in the U.S. “David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas,” Trump wrote. “He will safeguard free speech online and steer us away from big tech bias and censorship.” Why This Matters Growing Importance of AI and Crypto: Both sectors are seen as pillars of future economic competitiveness. The appointment reflects the administration’s recogniti...

The AI stock rally is facing scrutiny, but for some investors in Asia, the recent market downturn presents a buying opportunity. Despite the region’s tech stocks experiencing their steepest two-day drop ever, confidence in AI’s long-term potential remains strong among money managers. Key Highlights: Attractive Tech Giants: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), Samsung Electronics Co, and SK Hynix Inc continue to be favored by investors, who see the recent dip as a chance to maintain or even expand their positions in these AI-driven tech leaders. Investment Outlook: William Yuen, Investment Director at Invesco Hong Kong Ltd, noted that the recent price drop has made these stocks more attractive, suggesting that his firm may add to their positions if further sell-offs occur. AI Trade at a Crossroads: The ongoing debate centers on whether the AI trade has peaked or if it’s merely at a pause. Analysts are questioning whether the industry’s lofty expectations will be met, especia...