The joint venture Stargate brings together the efforts of major tech players — OpenAI, $SFTBY , and $ORCL — to create specialized artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in the United States. This strategic collaboration, exclusively aimed at supporting OpenAI, the developer of the popular ChatGPT, showcases the companies' desire to strengthen their positions in the AI technology market and secure resources for scaling their operations.
Stargate is a high-tech initiative aimed at creating a next-level infrastructure for data processing required for complex AI tasks. The data centers developed within this project will exclusively serve OpenAI, enabling the company to focus on perfecting its AI models without the risk of running out of computing power.
The AI-focused startup Perplexity has announced the launch of its new agent-based assistant for Android devices. This move is designed to compete with larger market players such as OpenAI, as well as existing assistants like $AAPL Apple's Siri and $AMZN Amazon's Alexa.
The partnership with $NVDA and entrepreneur Jeff Bezos highlights the high potential of this new tool. Perplexity Assistant can perform a variety of tasks, including booking restaurant tables, ordering taxis through apps, and setting reminders. Available in the $GOOGL Google Play Store in 15 languages, it is accessible to a broad audience.
Amid ongoing global discussions on cybersecurity and data protection, $PYPL has faced serious allegations resulting in a hefty fine. The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) released findings from an investigation that detailed significant breaches in the protection of customer data. Let's explore the key aspects of the case and the potential implications for the company.
An in-depth review revealed systemic issues in PayPal's approach to data protection. Let's delve into the main problems:
The U.S. Department of Labor released a new report last week, attracting significant attention from financial market participants. Let’s delve into the key points of this report and examine the possible implications for the Federal Reserve's (Fed) future policy decisions.
For the week ending January 18, the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. rose by 6,000, reaching 223,000 after seasonal adjustments. This slight increase indicates that the labor market remains stable and does not signal any major deterioration. Economists had initially forecast 220,000 claims for the same period, suggesting the new data is only marginally above expectations.
Although the overall level of layoffs remains low, opportunities for unemployed workers remain limited. Employers continue to exercise caution when expanding their workforce, hinting at the ongoing uncertainty in the broader economic environment.
This week, the UK's $^FTSE index reached an all-time high but stalled on Thursday, showing a modest decline of 0.1%. Investors are closely monitoring US President Donald Trump's actions to forecast how his trade policies might affect the market. Meanwhile, shares of CMC Markets have seen a downturn due to an unfavorable forecast.
Let's look at the main factors influencing the FTSE 100 index dynamics:
1. Current Market Situation. The blue-chip index, which reached a historic peak on Wednesday, showed a decline the next day. This can be attributed to investors seeking clarity in Trump's trade policy. The absence of immediate high tariffs on his first working day provided temporary reassurance to the markets.
Poland’s energy sector is actively evolving, driven by rising demand for reliable energy sources and the transition to a more sustainable ecosystem. One of the recent notable developments in this context is the preliminary agreement between Poland’s largest electricity producer, $PGE.WA, and power plant operator ZE PAK regarding the potential purchase of the PAK CCGT gas power plant project. Additionally, the deal covers nuclear energy development, marking a significant milestone for the industry.
According to the published information, the deal between PGE and ZE PAK covers two key directions:
1. Potential Purchase of the PAK CCGT Project: The gas-fired power plant is a crucial asset that will contribute to Poland's energy transition. PGE has secured exclusive negotiation rights until the end of June, highlighting the strategic importance of this asset.
This week, $005930.KS introduced its latest Galaxy S25 smartphone series, featuring Qualcomm chips and advanced AI from Google. The company's primary goal is to strengthen its market position, surpassing both $AAPL and Chinese manufacturers.
Samsung has always been synonymous with innovative technology, and the Galaxy S25 is no exception. The new device is equipped with state-of-the-art $QCOM Qualcomm chips, ensuring powerful performance and energy efficiency. These chips allow the device to handle resource-intensive applications and games without compromising speed.
$GOOG Google's AI model is integrated into the smartphone system to enhance user experience. It helps automatically manage device settings and provides additional features like intelligent power management and voice control.
A significant event has occurred in the Australian retail world as shareholders of $MYE and $PMV.AX approved the merger of their brands, heralding substantial shifts in the market. With a gross deal value of AUD 864 million, it stands as one of the largest in the sector and presents fresh prospects for both participants.
The merger decision received strong backing from the majority of shareholders of both companies: over 96% of Myer's votes supported the merger, while Premier's shareholders approved with over 99%. This move unlocks new opportunities for the two retail giants to combine and expand their product offerings and geographic presence.
This Wednesday, Wall Street indices demonstrated positive momentum, with the tech sector leading the charge. The S&P 500 Index, a key benchmark for investors, reached a record intraday high. This performance was largely driven by strong quarterly earnings from major tech companies and President Donald Trump's announcement of an artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investment plan.
Wall Street markets reflected the impact of earnings reports from industry giants such as Netflix, Nvidia, and Microsoft. These companies not only delivered outstanding financial results but also renewed investor interest in the rapidly expanding AI-focused tech sector.
In recent weeks, the cryptocurrency community has found itself in the spotlight as the new leadership of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took a significant step that could reshape the regulatory framework for crypto assets in the country. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, measures have been taken that may substantially influence the cryptocurrency market. The decision to establish a task force to develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies marks a critical point for all industry stakeholders.
Donald Trump’s inauguration as the President of the United States, alongside his campaign promises to become a "crypto president," signaled potential shifts in cryptocurrency regulation. Since taking office, Trump has openly criticized the restrictive approach of the previous administration under Joe Biden, which had intensified scrutiny on cryptocurrencies and filed legal actions against major crypto companies like $COIN and Kraken. The SEC accused these companies of violating financial market regulations.
On Wednesday, $ORCL stock surged nearly 9% on the Frankfurt stock exchange. This dramatic rise was sparked by a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced Oracle’s plans to make significant investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure in collaboration with global tech leaders like OpenAI and $SFTBY. These developments also supported a 3% rise in Oracle shares in after-hours trading on Tuesday, building on the 7% gain during the regular trading session.
Under a new joint venture named Stargate, Oracle and its partners plan to invest a staggering $500 billion. This initiative underscores Oracle’s confidence in the long-term potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future of business and the global economy. Such a substantial financial commitment is expected to have far-reaching consequences, solidifying Oracle’s position as a leader in the tech industry while opening up new avenues for strategic growth.
The Indian rupee, one of Asia's key currencies, is demonstrating a positive outlook as trading opens on Wednesday. Its strengthening is tied to the broad uptick in most Asian currencies against the US dollar. However, the rupee's path will be influenced by demand for the US dollar from importers and speculators, which may place pressure on the currency in the short term.
1. Asian Currency Dynamics
Most regional currencies are appreciating against the US dollar, creating a favorable environment for the rupee. This trend, observed from the previous trading session, continues into Wednesday. The growth of Asian currencies reflects strengthening regional economies, supporting increased demand for the rupee.
