Zoe Ember

Chinese automotive brand Lynk & Co made headlines at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday, announcing that its latest model, the Lynk & Co 900, has received more than 40,000 pre-orders prior to its official launch scheduled for April 28. This strong pre-launch interest highlights the growing momentum of Lynk & Co within the competitive automotive market.

Thoma Bravo, a technology-focused investment firm, is in preliminary negotiations to acquire Jeppesen, Boeing’s navigation division $BA. According to Bloomberg News, an official announcement regarding the deal is expected later this week. This sale is part of a broader strategy by Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, aimed at optimizing operations and reducing debt through divestitures of non-core assets.

American steel powerhouse U.S. Steel $X and Japanese industrial leader Nippon Steel $5401.T have found themselves in the global spotlight following recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump. His comments underscored not only the importance of a potential deal between these corporate giants but also the growing impact such transactions may have on U.S.-Japan trade relations.

The semiconductor industry is navigating a period marked by exceptional challenges. Geopolitical tensions, evolving AI infrastructure investments, and the emergence of disruptive new players are reshaping the sector. Market leaders such as Taiwan’s TSMC $2330.TW, Nvidia $NVDA, and Dutch tech giant ASML $ASML find themselves at the center of analyst scrutiny as they face unprecedented headwinds.

The meteoric rise of Shein, a global ultra-fast fashion e-commerce powerhouse, has profoundly reshaped the economic and urban dynamics of several districts on the outskirts of Guangzhou, southern China’s largest city. These neighborhoods, now informally dubbed “Shein villages,” exemplify how digital retail giants can mold local economies and urban development. Through a finely-tuned supply chain and agile manufacturing, Shein has become a prime example of the digital apparel industry’s evolution.

In recent months, the semiconductor market has found itself under the microscope as the United States considers imposing new tariffs. This week brings further intrigue as ASML $ASML , a leading provider of chipmaking equipment, prepares to release its quarterly financial results. With former President Donald Trump advocating for investments in domestic chip manufacturing, the sector faces heightened uncertainty and shifting global dynamics.

South Korea's steel industry is facing new challenges amid shifting international trade dynamics. POSCO and Hyundai Steel have come under the spotlight following news of potential major investments in the United States, a strategic response to the U.S's imposition of steel tariffs.

Electric vehicle giant Tesla has unexpectedly suspended new orders for its flagship models, the Model S and Model X, on its Chinese website. This development, reported by Reuters, has also been observed on Tesla’s mini-program on the popular social media platform WeChat.  

Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, is making impressive strides even amid challenging global trade conditions. Recent forecasts indicate that the company's operating profit for the quarter ending in February could rise by 14% to reach 125.9 billion yen (approximately 866 million USD) compared to the same period last year. This projected increase not only sets a new record for the second quarter but nearly doubles the profit growth of 7.4% registered in the first quarter. These encouraging results come despite the adverse effects of new US tariffs that have disrupted various segments of international trade.

Brazilian state-owned oil giant Petrobras has once again found itself at the epicenter of economic and political debates. Responding to a government request to lower diesel prices, Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard stated that the company is unwilling to transfer international price volatility to the domestic Brazilian market amidst global economic uncertainty.  

American investment fund Davidson Kempner and British firm Pioneer Point Partners have announced an ambitious project to build a state-of-the-art data center in Portugal, with planned investments amounting to 8.5 billion euros (approximately 9.35 billion dollars) by 2030. This large-scale initiative is designed to meet the growing demand from major technology companies and organizations engaged in artificial intelligence (AI). The project, known as Start Campus, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of digital infrastructure as businesses around the world increasingly rely on cloud computing and advanced AI capabilities.

Generali is set to broaden its horizon in the financial sector as it embarks on a promising cooperation with Natixis Investment Manager, a subsidiary of BPCE. In a recent interview with Italy’s renowned daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, CEO Philippe Donné reassured that the proposed asset management alliance would not turn contentious with the Italian government. This development underscores a commitment to constructive dialogue and mutual benefit, aligning with Italy’s evolving approach towards financial regulation.