MONEY MASTER

Tackling High Power Demand The computing chips that power artificial intelligence are among the most energy-hungry technologies today.  Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) , the world’s largest contract chipmaker and key supplier to Nvidia, is spearheading efforts to make AI chips as much as  10 times more energy efficient . At a Silicon Valley conference on Wednesday, TSMC showcased its strategy to redesign chips using AI-driven software tools that can deliver significant efficiency gains. For context,  Nvidia’s flagship AI servers consume up to 1,200 watts under heavy workloads — equivalent to the continuous power needs of about  1,000 US homes . Chiplet Designs and AI Tools The push centers on a new generation of designs where multiple  “chiplets”  — smaller specialized components — are combined into a single advanced package. To optimize these complex designs, TSMC is working closely with electronic design automation (EDA) leaders  Cadence...

Stock Surge Kelington Group Bhd ( KGB ) shot up nearly  +5% to RM4.39  on Tuesday morning — a  new all-time high  — as  investors cheered news of a potential foothold in Europe . Current price (9:30am) : RM4.34 YTD Gain : ▲24% Market Cap : >RM3B European Breakthrough Kelington received a  letter of intent  from an  existing Malaysian client  for a  semiconductor hook-up project in Dresden, Germany , potentially worth up to  €50 million (RM244M) . Hook-up  refers to the installation of utility and process systems in wafer fabs. RHB Research sees this LOI as a "precursor to a contractual agreement" with work  set to begin immediately . Big Picture: Riding the Chip Boom Kelington is capitalizing on the  EU’s Chips Act , which is driving a boom in semiconductor fabs across Europe.  Major players like  TSMC, Intel , and the  European Semiconductor Manufacturing Consortium  are fueling demand for engi...

At least US$1 billion worth of banned Nvidia AI chips  have reportedly made their way into China through unauthorized channels in the months following tighter U.S. export restrictions, according to the  Financial Times . The smuggled chips include  high-end B200 processors , which are barred from sale in China under U.S. national security controls. Key Highlights: Banned but available : Despite restrictions,  Nvidia’s B200, H100, and H200 chips  are widely available in  China’s gray market , with multiple distributors from  Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Anhui  provinces involved. Black market surge : The chips reportedly surfaced in  May  and were sold to  data center suppliers serving Chinese AI firms , even as U.S. policy aimed to cut China off from advanced AI hardware. Southeast Asia's role : Countries in  Southeast Asia , including  Thailand , have become key  transit points  for these restricted chips, according...

If you thought Nvidia had peaked, think again. The  AI chip titan  just printed a fresh all-time high, closing Thursday at  $159.34 , with an intraday peak of  $160.98 . The stock is now up  nearly 13% over the past month , and its  market cap? A jaw-dropping $3.89 trillion  — yes, that makes Nvidia the  most valuable company on the planet . What’s Powering the Beast? Let’s break it down: 1.  Macro Tailwind: Strong Jobs Data Wall Street bulls charged ahead Thursday after  labor market numbers crushed expectations , cooling recession fears. The  S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100? Both pushing record highs.  Tech stocks, especially the Magnificent Seven, led the charge. 2.  AI Is Still the Hottest Trade on Earth Dan Ives of Wedbush is betting Nvidia and Microsoft could  both hit $4 trillion market caps this summer , with room to grow beyond $5 trillion in the next 18 months. Call them the  cornerstones of the AI revolutio...

In a key step toward thawing tech tensions, the US has relaxed export restrictions on chip design software for Chinese firms, following a new trade agreement with Beijing. Germany’s Siemens AG — one of the world’s top suppliers of electronic design automation (EDA) tools — confirmed that it has been notified by the US Commerce Department that it no longer requires government licenses to supply its software to Chinese customers. The move marks a reversal of earlier restrictions imposed in May, when Washington cracked down on EDA software sales in response to China’s controls on rare-earth mineral exports. Under last week’s trade pact, the US agreed to resume exports of  EDA software, ethane, and jet engines  — provided that China expedites its approval process for outbound shipments of critical minerals. What This Means: Full access restored : Siemens has resumed unrestricted business in China for its chip software segment. Eyes on Cadence and Synopsys : The two other leading E...

Macnica Holdings Inc , Japan’s top chip distributor, is pursuing acquisitions in   China, Southeast Asia, India, and South Korea   to boost its market presence amid growing industry consolidation pressures. The company seeks to navigate the challenges of   US-China technological rivalry ,   export controls , and   supply chain disruptions , according to   President Kazumasa Hara . With a  22% market share  in Japan, Macnica aims to achieve  30% by 2030  organically. However, in  growth regions  like  China and Southeast Asia , acquisitions involving  billions of dollars  are "very likely." The firm recently acquired competitor  Glosel Co  but is focusing its expansion efforts abroad rather than domestically. Macnica plans to reduce its reliance on  semiconductors , which currently account for  90% of sales , by exploring sectors such as  cybersecurity ,  self-driving car networks , a...