Alphabet Inc.’s $GOOGL Google is once again under scrutiny in the European legal arena, as a senior adviser to the European Union’s highest court issued an opinion favoring the European Commission’s landmark 2018 antitrust ruling. This development marks a pivotal moment in Google’s legal battle to overturn a record-breaking €4.34 billion ($4.98 billion) fine for abusing its dominant position in the mobile operating system market through Android.
Indian equity benchmarks Sensex $^BSESN and Nifty 50 $^NSEI surged nearly 1% on Monday, led by strong gains in the IT and oil sectors. The rally was supported by value-buying and improved investor sentiment across global markets, despite continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Lower crude oil prices provided additional support for domestic equities, helping India’s markets outperform many Asian peers.
Coinbase Global Inc. $COIN, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, continues to gain institutional credibility and market traction. Founded in 2012 and listed publicly in 2021, the company reached a major milestone in May by becoming the first crypto-native firm to be added to the S&P 500 Index $^SPX. Following this development, Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its 12-month price target for Coinbase from $253 to $292, citing both trading performance and expanding non-trading revenue streams.
Airbus SE $AIR.PA has revised its long-term forecast for commercial aircraft demand, projecting robust growth for the air transport industry over the next two decades. On Thursday, the European aerospace manufacturer announced that it expects 43,420 new jet deliveries between 2025 and 2044, a 2% increase from its previous annual forecast. This upward revision, unveiled to investors and suppliers, reflects enduring optimism in passenger traffic growth and fleet modernization, despite persistent trade and geopolitical uncertainties.
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., China’s flagship telecom and technology firm, has acknowledged that its chip manufacturing capabilities trail behind U.S. counterparts by roughly one generation. However, the company is aggressively ramping up investments in advanced semiconductor research. According to statements made by CEO Ren Zhengfei in an interview with People’s Daily, Huawei is leveraging cluster computing and composite chip design to bridge the technological divide. This marks a strategic pivot by the Shenzhen-based firm, which remains at the center of U.S.-China tech rivalry and export control tensions.
The U.S. dollar (USD) is heading for its first weekly loss in nearly a month, pressured by a combination of underwhelming domestic economic data and a lack of progress in critical trade negotiations. Investor focus has turned sharply toward the upcoming U.S. nonfarm payrolls (NFP) report, expected later Friday, which could significantly influence expectations for Federal Reserve policy. Market sentiment remains fragile as concerns mount over the broader implications of the Trump administration’s tariff strategy and its effects on growth.
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. $0293.HK is facing new operational and pricing challenges at its low-cost subsidiary, HK Express, due to a steepening decline in airfares across regional routes. The pressure comes as intensified competition follows the opening of Hong Kong International Airport's third runway in November 2024, enabling a surge in available flight slots.
Australia’s residential property market surged again in May 2025, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase in home values. Fueled by falling borrowing costs and renewed expectations of further interest rate reductions, housing prices reached an all-time national high. According to real estate analytics firm Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the average dwelling value in Australia rose 0.5% month-over-month to AUD 831,288 (approx. USD 536,015). This price level surpasses the previous peak and reflects a 3.3% annual increase.
Global equity markets declined on Wednesday as cautious sentiment prevailed ahead of a key earnings release from Nvidia Corp. $NVDA, a bellwether for the technology sector. Simultaneously, the US dollar (USD) strengthened against major currencies, buoyed by resilient domestic economic indicators that underscored the relative strength of the American economy.
French IT services giant Capgemini $CAP.PA has announced a strategic partnership with German software leader SAP $SAP to implement Mistral AI technology across sectors with high data sensitivity. The collaboration is designed to deliver secure, industry-tailored artificial intelligence solutions in environments with strict compliance and security requirements.
Microsoft Corporation $MSFT announced on Wednesday that its Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) filed a lawsuit against the creators of Lumma Stealer malware. This legal action follows the detection of nearly 400,000 Windows-based computers worldwide infected with this sophisticated data-stealing software over the past two months. Lumma Stealer targets sensitive information from users’ browsers and applications, including cryptocurrency wallets, posing a significant threat to global cybersecurity.
VF Corporation $VFC, the Denver-based apparel and footwear company behind brands like Vans, The North Face, and Timberland, reported fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of market expectations. The miss, attributed to a challenging macroeconomic environment and declining discretionary spending, triggered a premarket selloff that sent shares down approximately 11%.
