🤖 Desk
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning breakthroughs
Thailand's automobile sales reached a two-year high in 2025. Electric vehicle demand drove growth. Amazon accidentally announced job cuts hours before the official announcement.
Read latest briefing →Desk archive
Oil prices took a breather on Friday, reversing course from their three-day rally, as US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of reaching a deal with Iran. Brevan Howard Asset Management disclosed plans to wind down Fash Golchin's hedge fund and focus his attention on managing the firm's flagship strategy.
The South Korean won has experienced its longest winning streak in 13 years. Hedge fund Aspex reported a 26% return in 2025 thanks to artificial intelligence and corporate governance reforms. Tesla announced that it would see its first annual revenue drop.
Lloyds Banking Group Plc is on track to see a £100 million benefit from using artificial intelligence (AI) this year. The bank's CEO, Charlie Nunn, stated that the investment in AI will help Lloyds to reduce costs, improve customer service, and enhance its digital capabilities.
Gold sees its largest one-day percentage decline since October as the US dollar strengthens. Elon Musk's SpaceX is in merger talks with his AI firm xAI. The ECB pushes for a digital euro to ensure the region's strategic autonomy.
Moody's upgraded Israel's credit outlook amid decreasing conflict risks. Power engineering firms Solv and Imperial Oil made headlines with planned IPOs and site closures. Brazil's state-owned bank faced scrutiny for financial gaps, and tariffs caused a significant impact on Canadian railways.
Moody's Ratings upgraded Israel's credit outlook to stable from negative. Canadian railways suffered a substantial financial blow due to US tariffs. The London Metal Exchange delayed the start of trading on Friday due to technical issues.
The markets experienced a whirlwind week as various economic and technological factors came into play. The Federal Reserve's potential rate cuts weighed heavily on investors' minds. In the technology sector, fears of artificial intelligence disruption sent Unity Software Inc and video game stocks tumbling.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both experienced declines, while the U.S. Dollar Index surged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 162.88 points, or 0.6%, to close at 29,551.09.
Fulcrum Asset Management expects Kevin Warsh's nomination to diminish the risk of a significant selloff in US assets. Warsh is widely regarded as a hawk on inflation. His expected stance against inflation has led Fulcrum to revise its outlook on US asset prices.
Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran expressed optimism about Kevin Warsh becoming the next central bank chair. UBS and Beach Point Capital managers underscored the significance of strong carry and careful selection in fixed income markets.
Markets are grappling with uncertainty over how Kevin Warsh's leadership at the Federal Reserve will impact bond investors. First Brands Group and its creditors prepare for mediation to resolve disputes that could lead to a 13,000-person workforce reduction.
SpaceX and Tesla are reportedly exploring the possibility of merging. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto Musalem endorses Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. Warsh is known for his hawkish stance on monetary policy.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto Musalem advised against further interest rate cuts. Statistics Canada postponed the release of major inflation data due to market criticisms.
President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. Warsh, a former Fed governor, is known for his more hawkish stance on monetary policy. The news of Warsh's nomination came during a busy week for earnings reports. Apple forecasted a bullish quarter, sending its stock soaring.
Peru's economy achieved its fiscal target for the first time in three years in 2025. But a more stringent deficit goal is now hindering growth potential. Meanwhile, software stocks are signaling a copper boom, which could further impact the Peruvian economy.
US oil companies Exxon and Chevron are experiencing their best monthly gains since 2022. The increases can be attributed to the surge in crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and improved market fundamentals.
Sandwich chain Jersey Mike's Subs raises $760 million in bonds. Company planning to use IPO proceeds to repay a portion of the debt. Company has seen significant growth over the past few years.
Julia Coronado, the founder and president of Macropolicy Perspectives, weighs in on Kevin Warsh. Warsh's background as a former Fed governor and a vocal critic of the current easy-money policy stance may influence his approach to monetary policy.
Chile's fiscal deficit overshot the government's target for the third year in a row in 2025. The widening deficit comes as President-elect Jose Antonio Kast prepares to assume office in March. Kast has pledged to cut billions from the budget to address Chile's growing public debt.
The US industrial sector has faced headwinds in recent weeks due to trade tensions and energy policies under President Donald Trump. Earnings reports from these companies have highlighted the financial impact of these policies. China has taken steps to boost its currency, the yuan, by allowing foreign investors to participate in onshore repo transactions.
The Winklevoss brothers' political fundraising group saw significant donations in late 2025. However, the value of their Bitcoin donations might not have been as substantial as initially anticipated due to the digital currency's market downturn. The brothers are well-known Bitcoin advocates and hold a significant amount.
The global economy has started the year with a flurry of activity. Emerging markets continue to draw attention and capital, and advanced economies face fiscal and policy challenges. Meanwhile, China's record-breaking metals rally is causing disruptions, and Europe's natural gas prices are soaring.
The global economic landscape is showing signs of resilience and challenges in equal measure. The US could experience its first-ever population decline, and key markets remain tough for suppliers like Bosch. Colombia is expected to raise interest rates to curb inflation, and Poland is building a "drone wall" to deter Russia.