The United States is reportedly preparing to cancel key export waivers that have allowed global semiconductor giants—Samsung Electronics $005930.KS, SK Hynix $000660.KS, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company $2330.TW —to supply advanced chipmaking equipment to their fabrication plants in China. This shift comes amid escalating strategic competition between the U.S. and China and could signal a renewed tightening of export controls on sensitive technologies.
Amid escalating trade-related headwinds, Hasbro Inc. $HAS —one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers—has announced a 3% reduction in its global workforce, equivalent to approximately 150 jobs. This move is part of a broader effort to counterbalance mounting operational costs and manage tariff impacts stemming from higher U.S. duties on toy imports from China.
Canada’s housing construction activity remained stable in May 2025, defying market expectations of a sharp decline. According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of housing starts stood at 279,510 units, down just 0.2% from April’s upwardly revised figure of 280,181 units.
Metro Bank $MTRO.L, a UK-based retail and commercial lender, has reportedly been approached by private equity firm Pollen Street Capital regarding a potential takeover, according to Sky News. The interest marks a pivotal moment for one of Britain’s most scrutinized challenger banks, which has struggled with profitability, regulatory pressures, and investor confidence since its establishment in 2010.
Gold $XAUUSD prices climbed to their highest level in a week on Thursday, supported by a resurgence in Middle East tensions and cooler U.S. macroeconomic data, which reignited market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. The yellow metal continues to serve as a safe-haven asset amid geopolitical instability and signs of a slowing U.S. economy.
On Wednesday, leading investment bank Oppenheimer $OPY initiated coverage of QXO $QXO stock, assigning an “Outperform” rating with a target price of $27 per share. This initiation follows QXO's recent completion of a foundational acquisition — the purchase of Beacon Roofing Supply $BECN, a key player in North American building materials distribution. The move underscores QXO’s strategic ambition to consolidate its position and ultimately target $50 billion in revenue within the construction supply sector.
Inspired by overwhelming online success in the United States, South Korean cosmetic startups are aggressively expanding their footprint in the world's largest consumer market. Despite facing tariff-related headwinds, these companies remain confident that the mass popularity of Korean beauty products, or “K-beauty,” will outweigh the economic impact of tariffs. Brands such as Tirtir, d'Alba, Torriden, and Beauty of Joseon are actively negotiating supply agreements with major US retail chains, signaling strong ambitions to capture a larger share of the lucrative American market.
Marvell Technology $MRVL, a prominent semiconductor company, announced on Thursday a revenue forecast for the second quarter exceeding Wall Street’s estimates. This optimistic outlook is primarily driven by robust demand for Marvell’s specialized chips powering artificial intelligence (AI) applications within data centers.
Amid ongoing volatility caused by the US-China trade war, retail companies have experienced significant fluctuations in their stock valuations. The unpredictability of President Donald Trump's trade policies has prompted board members and owners of retail firms, whose share prices have been adversely affected, to consider privatization as a strategic response. The recent move by Skechers $SKX, which transitioned into a private company earlier this month, exemplifies a growing trend where retail firms seek stability away from public market pressures.
China Mobile Ltd. $600941.SS, the state-owned telecommunications giant, is pursuing a strategic acquisition of Hong Kong Broadband Network $1310.HK in a deal valued at HKD 7.8 billion (approximately USD 996 million). The offer, initially seen as nearing completion, now faces renewed complexity as HKBN signals its openness to alternative bids to maximize shareholder returns.
Informatica $INFA has re-entered the M&A spotlight as fresh interest from Salesforce $CRM and other potential buyers fuels speculation about a possible sale. According to a source familiar with the matter cited by Reuters, the data management software provider is weighing strategic alternatives amid revived takeover discussions.
TD Bank $TD, one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, revealed a plan to reduce its workforce by 2% as part of an extensive restructuring program. The announcement comes in the wake of a historic anti-money laundering (AML) agreement, underscoring the bank's commitment to regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. This restructuring aims to cut costs and accelerate investments in digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), under the new leadership of CEO Ray Chun.
