🤖 Desk
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning breakthroughs
Indonesian stocks experienced a significant turnaround on January 29, 2026. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) recovered from losses following announcements by regulators regarding increased free-float requirements. The Indonesian sovereign wealth fund Danantara's recent move to secure a $1 billion loan also contributed to the market's recovery.
Read latest briefing →Desk archive
N Nvidia Corporation and Reliance Industries Ltd. have recently announced adjustments to their business ties with China and Russia, respectively. The impact of these decisions extends beyond the individual companies. Nvidia's delay in exports to China could hinder the advancement of AI technology in the country, while Reliance's reduction in Russian oil imports could influence the global oil market prices.
Deutsche Bank AG, Germany's largest lender, reportedly began the new quarter on a strong note. The bank's net profit for the fourth quarter is expected to come in at around €1.7 billion ($1.92 billion) Deutsche Bank announced plans for a new €1 billion share buyback program.
Saudi Arabia's economic landscape undergoes notable transformations as the Kingdom reevaluates its ambitious projects. European banks report record profits, China strengthens its investment regulations, and Bosnia-Herzegovina prepares for a bond market comeback.
The Federal Reserve's Monetary Policy Committee (FOMC) kept interest rates unchanged on January 29, 2026, as expected. The decision comes after a series of rate hikes in 2025, aimed at curbing inflation, which had caused some concerns for the global economy. In the technology sector, South Korean electronics giant Samsung reported a staggering 50% year-on-year increase in semiconductor profit for the fourth quarter of 2025. The surge is largely attributed to the continued demand for chips
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. It was the first visit by a British leader in eight years and aimed to deepen bilateral relations. The two leaders discussed a range of topics, including trade, climate change, and global security.
A perfect storm of surging commodity prices, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions is creating uncertainty in global markets. Copper has rallied to a record high, while natural gas prices have experienced historic volatility. Meanwhile, a dispute between BHP and CMRG could result in a significant financial hit for the mining giant.
Record wave of AI spending is fueling the growth of companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. One of the primary drivers is the increasing adoption of AI in various industries. Cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are investing heavily in AI.
Indonesian stocks experienced their worst two-day sell-off in nearly three decades following an MSCI warning over market investability. However, some investors, like Mohit Mirpuri of SGMC Capital, have not sold their positions and remain optimistic.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer embarked on an official visit to China on March 22, 2023, marking his first trip abroad since assuming office. The visit comes amidst heightened tensions between the UK and China over several issues, including human rights, trade, and geopolitical matters. The British delegation's primary objectives include reducing friction in the services industry and securing greater market access.
Sands China Ltd., the local unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp., experienced a significant drop in shares after reporting weaker-than-expected profits in Macau. The news sent the shares of the parent company plummeting by 10% in extended trading on Thursday. Sands China's stock experienced its biggest decline since last April, dropping as much as 9.8% in Hong Kong.
MSCI Inc. has raised concerns about the valuations of Indonesian companies. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) saw a steep decline on Wednesday. Indonesia's richest man, Widjajapranoto, suffered a loss of around $5 billion.
The Philippine economy experienced its weakest growth since the pandemic. South Korea announced plans to accelerate housing supply in the Greater Seoul area to address skyrocketing apartment prices.
Goldman Sachs downgraded its stance on Indonesian stocks. The investment bank cited potential outflows that could result from MSCI's concerns about the market's investability. The downgrade comes amid growing concerns about Indonesia's economy.
Insurers in Taiwan have been reducing their offshore currency hedge positions. The move comes in the wake of a regulatory overhaul and the US dollar's recent selloff. The trend is not limited to life insurers, with commercial banks and securities firms also reducing their hedge positions in recent months.
Stonepeak Partners' portfolio company Rinchem is reportedly negotiating with lenders to accept losses as part of a debt restructuring plan. The restructuring plan is aimed at providing the necessary financial resources to complete the acquisition of Dupré.
Ken Shinoda, portfolio manager at DoubleLine Capital, suggested Jerome Powell is the leading candidate to retain his position as the Federal Reserve chair. The S&P 500 index took a hit as technology giants reported their earnings for the third quarter.
Japan experienced a significant bond selloff last week, with Norway's sovereign wealth fund trimming its holdings in major US tech stocks. Concerns over a global deluge of government debt and central bank balance-sheet reduction intensified. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled potential rate cuts due to labor market weakness or waning tariff inflation.
Samsung's chip business recorded a profit of 11.2 trillion won ($10.1 billion) in the December quarter. This is up from 2.1 trillion won in the same period the previous year. The surge in demand for memory chips, a key component in AI systems, has led to increased sales and profits.
PicPay's IPO was priced at the top of the marketed range. The company has been rapidly expanding its operations in the Brazilian market. The Batista family controls PicPay through its investment firm Batista Simples Holding.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged. This was the first rate decision since Powell received a grand jury subpoena in connection with a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the fed. Meanwhile, Venezuela's interim leader grappled with conflicting demands from foreign investors, the Trump administration, and her own supporters regarding her plans for the oil sector.
Jeffrey Rosenberg of BlackRock and Carvana's CEO Ernie Garcia III faced contrasting market fortunes this week. Rosenberg downplayed speculation about a potential Federal Reserve rate cut. Garcia grappled with a short seller report that sent Carvana shares tumbling.
Fintech companies Alkami Technology and First Brands are grappling with financial challenges and exploring potential restructuring options, including the possibility of sales. Some creditors of First Brands, which is currently in bankruptcy proceedings, have grown wary of the firm and have sought more information about its assets. A sale could bring much-needed capital to the company and help it address the concerns of its activist investor. These deals could have far-reaching implications for the companies' employees, customers and investors.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed the central bank's independence during a news conference following the decision to leave interest rates unchanged. The statement came in response to increasing political pressure on the Fed to lower rates to boost the economy. President Trump has publicly criticized the Fed for raising rates during his presidency.