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Key Takeaways SK Hynix's US listing is more than seven times oversubscribed , highlighting continued institutional confidence despite recent volatility in AI stocks. The US$24.5 billion offering could become the second-largest US IPO by a foreign company , behind Alibaba's 2014 listing. The strong demand suggests investors remain bullish on the long-term AI semiconductor story , even after recent corrections. Institutional investors appear to be viewing the recent pullback as a buying opportunity rather than the end of the AI cycle. The success of this IPO could become an important gauge of global appetite for AI-related investments. Market Insight Over the past two weeks, AI-related stocks have experienced one of their sharpest pullbacks this year. SK Hynix  has fallen around  30% from its record high , while semiconductor stocks globally have come under pressure as investors questioned whether AI-related spending could continue at its current pace. Yet behind the scenes, a v...

Key Takeaways South Korea's heavy exposure to semiconductor giants makes its stock market highly sensitive to shifts in AI sentiment. Investors are becoming more selective , focusing on whether massive AI-related capital spending can generate sustainable long-term returns. The recent correction suggests markets are moving from AI excitement to AI execution , where future earnings matter more than optimistic expectations. Despite the pullback, the Kospi remains the world's best-performing major stock market this year. The next phase of the AI trade will depend on sustained demand, not just strong chip prices. Market Insight South Korea has been one of the biggest winners of the global AI boom. Powered by semiconductor leaders  Samsung Electronics  and  SK Hynix , the  Kospi  more than doubled at one point this year as investors poured into AI-related stocks. Now, that rally is facing its biggest test. The  Kospi  has fallen around  20% from its rec...

Key Takeaways A single statement from Nvidia "our road map is intact" helped restore confidence across global AI stocks. Technology shares rebounded , with the Nasdaq 100 rising 1.3% as investors viewed Nvidia's comments as reassurance that AI spending remains on track. The AI investment story is shifting from valuation concerns to earnings sustainability. Investors are closely watching upcoming earnings from Samsung and AI infrastructure companies  for confirmation that demand remains strong. The next phase of the AI rally will depend less on hype and more on continued capital spending and profit growth. Market Insight Sometimes, a single sentence can move billions of dollars. That was exactly what happened after  Nvidia  reassured investors that  "our road map is intact,"  responding to concerns over reports of delays involving AI server deployments. The comment quickly eased fears that the AI infrastructure boom might be slowing. Technology stocks rebounded a...

Key Takeaways Singapore's manufacturing PMI climbed to 51.3 , its highest level since  2018 , driven by strong AI-related semiconductor demand. Technology funding surged to S$3.78 billion in June , signalling growing investor confidence in Singapore's AI ecosystem. Wall Street's AI rally continued , providing a supportive backdrop for Singapore's technology and manufacturing sectors. AI is expanding beyond chipmaking , with nationwide workforce upskilling initiatives accelerating digital transformation. Singapore is emerging as a key beneficiary of the global AI investment cycle , supported by manufacturing, capital inflows and innovation. Market Insight While much of the world's attention remains on AI giants such as  NVIDIA ,  Microsoft  and  OpenAI , another beneficiary is quietly emerging —  Singapore . Recent economic data suggests the city-state is becoming one of Asia's biggest winners from the global artificial intelligence boom. From semiconductor ...

Key Takeaways The S&P 500 delivered its strongest quarterly performance since 2020 , adding more than  US$8 trillion  in market value over the past three months. Technology and semiconductor stocks led the rally , with chipmakers recording their best quarter on record as AI-driven demand remained robust. Resilient US economic data  reinforced optimism that corporate earnings can continue supporting elevated equity valuations. Lower oil prices and easing Middle East tensions  improved investor sentiment, while analysts expect any market pullback to be a pause rather than the end of the bull market. Large-cap AI leaders and mid-cap cyclical stocks  remain among analysts' preferred investment themes. Market Overview US equities finished the second quarter on a strong note, extending one of the market's most remarkable recoveries in recent years. The  S&P 500  completed its  best quarterly performance since 2020 , while the  Nasdaq 100 ...

Amazon has cut at least 100 white-collar roles in its robotics division, marking another round of layoffs as the company continues to streamline operations and lean further into artificial intelligence. Robotics Division Affected Amazon.com Inc.  confirmed that staff were laid off across its robotics unit, which designs warehouse automation systems and robotic conveyance technologies. At least 100 white-collar jobs were affected, according to sources familiar with the matter. The robotics division focuses on: Warehouse automation systems Robotic arms and sorting technology Efficiency improvements in fulfillment centres Key Point: Amazon is trimming robotics staff as part of broader AI-driven efficiency restructuring. Layoffs Continue After Massive Cuts This follows: January 2026:  About 16,000 job cuts October 2025:  Around 14,000 white-collar roles eliminated In total, Amazon has trimmed roughly  30,000 corporate positions , nearly 10% of its white-collar workforce....

Quick Summary US official says  DeepSeek trained its latest AI model on Nvidia’s Blackwell chips Blackwell exports to China are  currently banned under US export controls Chips allegedly clustered in  Inner Mongolia data centre Could intensify US-China tensions over AI semiconductor restrictions What Happened A senior Trump administration official said Chinese AI start-up  DeepSeek  trained its upcoming AI model using  Nvidia ’s most advanced chip,  Blackwell , despite US restrictions. Key points: US policy states:  “We are not shipping Blackwells to China.” Blackwell exports to China are barred under Commerce Department controls The chips are believed to be located in DeepSeek’s  Inner Mongolia data centre Nvidia declined to comment. DeepSeek and the US Commerce Department did not respond to requests. Why This Is Significant The  Blackwell  is Nvidia’s top-tier AI chip — central to training frontier AI models. If confirmed, this de...

South Korea’s export engine is accelerating again — powered by the global AI boom — even as uncertainty lingers over US tariff policy. Early February Trade Snapshot According to preliminary customs data (first 20 days of February): Exports (working-day adjusted): +47.3% YoY January full-month: +34% (revised) Unadjusted exports:  +23.5% Imports:  +11.7% Trade surplus:  US$4.95 billion Notably, the surge came  despite fewer working days  due to the Lunar New Year holiday — suggesting underlying momentum remains strong. Semiconductors: The AI Effect The standout driver: Semiconductor exports: +134% YoY Computer peripherals: +129% Petrochemicals: +11% The strength reflects sustained global demand for AI servers, data centres, and high-performance chips. The AI investment cycle is now cushioning broader trade volatility. Autos Drag as Tariffs Bite Weak spots: Auto exports: -27% Auto parts: -21% Sector-specific US duties on autos and steel remain in place under separa...

Quick Summary TSMC’s January revenue surged past NT$400 billion , beating expectations US payrolls data delayed  to Feb 11 due to government shutdown Microsoft now trades cheaper than IBM on forward P/E  for the first time in 10 years AI capex remains the market’s key pressure point Before the Bell: Futures Check US stock futures were steady after the Dow hit another record high: Nasdaq 100 futures:  +0.03% S&P 500 futures:  +0.09% Dow futures:  +0.05% TSMC Leads the AI Supply Chain Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co  reported  January revenue of NT$401.26 billion , up: +36.8% year-on-year +19.8% month-on-month Key takeaway:  AI-driven demand continues to flow straight into foundry earnings, reinforcing TSMC’s position at the core of the global AI buildout. Jobs Data Delay Adds Uncertainty The  January Nonfarm Payrolls report  has been pushed to  Feb 11  due to the partial US government shutdown. Report will include...

Apple may finally be making the  decisive AI move the market has been demanding . According to reports,  Apple  has confirmed a long-rumoured partnership with  Google , integrating  Gemini  into the next generation of  Siri . The upgraded AI assistant is expected to roll out later this year, marking a strategic shift in Apple’s approach to artificial intelligence. Why This Deal Matters For years, investors have criticised Apple for  lagging behind Big Tech peers in AI , especially as companies like Google, Microsoft and Nvidia raced ahead with large language models and AI platforms. The Gemini partnership addresses three key concerns at once: Speed to market:  Apple gains access to a best-in-class AI model instead of building everything internally Product relevance:  Siri has long been viewed as inferior to competing assistants Monetisation potential:  Opens the door to  AI-driven subscription services Wedbush analyst Dan Ives ...

Aggressive Price Cuts Shake AI Industry Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has announced steep discounts of up to 75% on its AI model usage during off-peak hours , according to an update on its website. The  move is expected to pressure global AI leaders like OpenAI and Google  to further lower their prices. Key Pricing Details Off-peak hours (1630 GMT – 0030 GMT)  will see: 75% reduction in API costs for DeepSeek’s R1 model 50% reduction for the V3 model While these hours are considered “off-peak” in Beijing (0030 – 0830 local time), they  coincide with peak daytime hours in the U.S. and Europe , potentially intensifying competition. Market Impact & Competitive Pressure DeepSeek’s rapid expansion and aggressive pricing strategy have already disrupted global AI markets , contributing to last month’s tech stock selloff. OpenAI and Google have responded by introducing their own price cuts  for their AI offerings. The company is now reportedly  accelerating the l...

Nvidia Corp, once seen as an unstoppable force in AI, is showing signs of vulnerability as investor fears over DeepSeek’s competition linger . The  stock plunged 17% in a single day , wiping out  $590 billion in market value , and remains  12% below its January high  despite a  $300 billion AI spending commitment from Big Tech . 🚨 DeepSeek Disrupts Nvidia’s AI Dominance 🔹  Chinese AI startup DeepSeek claims to achieve high performance with fewer Nvidia chips , raising concerns over AI hardware demand. 🔹  Investors are now hesitant to “buy the dip” —a sharp contrast to previous Nvidia sell-offs. 🔹  The stock only saw buying interest after falling 21% , a rare occurrence in Nvidia’s meteoric rise. 💬  Gene Munster (Deepwater Asset Management):   "DeepSeek was a wake-up call. Nvidia went from an impenetrable story to one that can shift dramatically." 📌  Why It Matters:  Investors fear  AI demand may not be as insatiable ...

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has reclaimed its position as China’s tech darling , surging  46% since mid-January and adding a staggering  $87 billion in market value .  Investors are rallying behind Alibaba’s aggressive AI expansion , positioning it ahead of Tencent, Baidu, and JD.com in 2025’s tech race. 🚀 Alibaba's AI-Powered Revival 🔹  Alibaba’s AI push is fueling its best stock performance in years , surpassing the  Hang Seng Tech Index’s 25% gain  in the same period. 🔹  Strategic AI investments in Moonshot and Zhipu  have solidified Alibaba’s position as a  key AI player in China . 🔹  Its Qwen 2.5 Max model outperformed Meta’s Llama and DeepSeek’s V3 , marking a  breakthrough moment for Alibaba in generative AI. 💬  Andy Wong (Solomons Group):   "DeepSeek’s emergence has sparked a new AI catalyst, and Alibaba has the strongest earnings growth prospects in this space." 💡 Apple Collaboration Fuels the Surge 📌  A...

The   US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)   has launched a broad   antitrust probe   into   Microsoft , scrutinizing its   software licensing ,   cloud computing ,   cybersecurity , and   artificial intelligence (AI)   businesses. The investigation, approved by   FTC Chair Lina Khan , comes ahead of her anticipated departure in January. Key Focus Areas: Azure Cloud Services: Allegations of  punitive licensing terms  that discourage customers from switching to rival platforms. Competitors like  Google  claim Microsoft imposes a  400% markup  for running  Windows Server  on non-Microsoft clouds. AI Integration: The FTC is examining Microsoft’s  AI tools  integrated into  Office  and  Outlook  and its  $650 million deal  with  Inflection AI . Monopoly Concerns: Microsoft’s dominant position in  productivity software  and operating systems is un...