Core Viewpoint - The current focus in tech capital markets is on debt financing rather than equity, driven by significant capital expenditures for AI development among major tech companies [1][3]. Group 1: Debt Financing Trends - The four major tech companies—Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft—are expected to spend nearly $700 billion in 2023 on capital expenditures and finance leases to support AI initiatives [2]. - UBS projects that global tech and AI-related debt issuance, which more than doubled to $710 billion last year, could rise to $990 billion by 2026 [4]. - Morgan Stanley anticipates a $1.5 trillion financing gap for AI development, primarily to be filled by debt as companies move away from self-funding [4]. Group 2: Major Corporate Debt Issuances - Oracle plans to raise between $45 billion and $50 billion in 2023, having already sold $25 billion in high-grade debt [6]. - Alphabet has increased its bond offering to over $30 billion, following a previous $25 billion debt sale [6]. - Amazon has filed for a mixed shelf registration to potentially raise both debt and equity, while Meta is exploring external financing options to enhance cash flow [7]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Investor Sentiment - The corporate debt market has seen a "monumental" increase, with significant sales from companies like Oracle and Alphabet [5]. - Despite the high demand for tech bonds, there are concerns about the sustainability of this debt influx, as it may lead to higher yields and costs for other borrowers [21][22]. - The concentration of tech companies in corporate bond indexes raises concerns about market stability, with tech now comprising about 9% of investment-grade corporate debt indexes [19]. Group 4: IPO Market Outlook - There have been no notable IPO filings from U.S. tech companies in 2023, with attention focused on potential public offerings from SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic [9][11]. - Analysts expect around 120 IPOs this year, raising approximately $160 billion, a significant increase from the previous year [11]. - The current market conditions are not favorable for venture-backed startups, with volatility and geopolitical concerns keeping many on the sidelines [12].

Core Insights - Restaurant Brands International reported strong quarterly earnings and revenue, exceeding expectations due to robust international growth [1][2] Financial Performance - The company reported a fourth-quarter net income of $113 million, or 34 cents per share, down from $259 million, or 79 cents per share, a year earlier [1] - Adjusted earnings were 96 cents per share, slightly above the expected 95 cents [7] - Net sales increased by 7.4% to $2.47 billion, with organic revenue growth of 6.5% after excluding currency fluctuations and refranchising sales [2] Same-Store Sales - Same-store sales rose by 3.1%, driven by strong international performance [2] - Outside the U.S. and Canada, same-store sales increased by 6.1%, with international Burger King restaurants achieving 5.8% growth, surpassing analyst expectations of 3.7% [3] Segment Performance - Tim Hortons reported a same-store sales growth of 2.9%, below the projected 3.8%, contributing 46% to overall revenue [5] - Burger King achieved a same-store sales growth of 2.7%, exceeding the expected 2.4% [5] - Popeyes experienced a decline in same-store sales of 4.8%, worse than the anticipated 2.4% decrease [5] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to expand its international presence, including a joint venture for Burger King China, where CPE owns approximately 83% and Restaurant Brands retains a 17% stake [4] - To address challenges at Popeyes, the company appointed Burger King veteran Peter Perdue to lead the U.S. and Canadian business and named Matt Rubin as the new chief marketing officer [6] - Further growth strategies will be discussed at the investor day in Miami on February 26 [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Kremlin has confirmed the blocking of Meta's WhatsApp in Russia, promoting a state-backed messaging service called Max as an alternative [1][2]. Group 1: Government Actions - The Russian government has attempted to fully block WhatsApp to drive users towards Max, which is described by WhatsApp as a "surveillance app" [2]. - Russia's telecoms watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has accused WhatsApp and Telegram of not complying with local data storage laws and failing to prevent their platforms from being used for criminal activities [4]. Group 2: User Impact - WhatsApp has stated that isolating over 100 million users from secure communication is a backward step that could lead to less safety for people in Russia [3]. - The move against messaging services is part of a broader strategy to push users towards domestic platforms that are easier to control and monitor [3]. Group 3: Criticism and Implications - Critics argue that the Russian government's strategy aims to restrict freedom of expression and privacy, while also monitoring public sentiment regarding the war in Ukraine [5].

A vehicle fills up with fuel at a gas station in Havana on January 28, 2026.The Kremlin on Thursday said it is actively discussing what help it can provide to fuel-starved Cuba, dismissing U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat to sanction countries that send oil to the Caribbean island."We wouldn't want any escalation, but on the other hand, we don't have much trade right now," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti.His comments came in re ...

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's issuance of a 100-year sterling bond signifies a trend of increased borrowing among tech companies to finance AI and data center expansions, reflecting a late-cycle exuberance in credit markets [1][4][6]. Group 1: Bond Issuance Details - The 100-year bond is part of a larger borrowing initiative totaling approximately $20 billion, which includes multiple currencies and maturities [2]. - The bond offering attracted nearly 10 times the demand for the £1 billion ($1.37 billion) sale, with a coupon set at 120 basis points above 10-year gilts [3]. - Alphabet joins a select group of issuers of sterling-denominated century bonds, which typically attract institutional investors like pension funds [3][10]. Group 2: Market Context and Implications - The issuance reflects unprecedented levels of debt being raised in both public and private markets to support AI growth, with total tech debt issuance expected to reach around $3 trillion over the next five years [4][7]. - The bond issuance is seen as a strategic move to diversify funding sources and tap into the demand from UK insurance and pension funds, avoiding over-reliance on the USD market [8][11]. - Analysts suggest that the issuance of a 100-year bond may indicate market froth and could signal a peak in the current investment cycle, despite being a well-executed deal [6][7]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment and Risks - Investors are betting on Alphabet's ability to innovate and sustain its business model over the next century, which is a significant leap given the rarity of such long-term corporate debt [9][10]. - The bond's yield of just over 6% in a volatile political environment raises questions about the long-term viability of such investments, especially as tech companies face evolving market dynamics [11][12]. - The contrast between corporate and sovereign debt is highlighted, with corporate borrowers facing greater risks related to market performance and technological changes [12].

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's issuance of a 100-year sterling bond signifies a trend of increased borrowing among tech companies to finance extensive data center and AI infrastructure projects, reflecting late-cycle exuberance in credit markets [1][4][6]. Group 1: Bond Issuance Details - The 100-year bond is part of a larger borrowing initiative totaling approximately $20 billion, which includes multi-currency offerings across dollars, euros, and Swiss francs [2][3]. - The bond attracted nearly 10 times the demand for its £1 billion ($1.37 billion) offering, with a coupon set at 120 basis points above 10-year gilts [3]. - This issuance places Alphabet among a select group of entities that have issued sterling-denominated century bonds, typically associated with governments rather than corporations [3]. Group 2: Market Context and Implications - The deal reflects unprecedented levels of debt being raised in both public and private markets to support AI expansion, with Alphabet's capital expenditure expected to reach $185 billion this year [4][6]. - The issuance is seen as a strategic move to diversify funding sources and tap into the demand from UK insurance and pension funds, avoiding over-saturation in the USD market [8][11]. - The bond issuance is perceived as a signal of market exuberance, with concerns about long-term data center demand and rapid technological changes potentially impacting the sector [6][7]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment and Future Outlook - Investors view the bond as a long-term bet on Alphabet's ability to innovate and sustain operations over the next century, despite the rarity of such long-term corporate debt [9][10]. - The issuance is expected to provide diversification benefits for pension funds, contrasting with other issuers like EDF and the Mexican government [10]. - There are cautions regarding the untested nature of 100-year bonds, especially in a volatile political and economic environment, as tech companies are currently trading at all-time highs [11][12].

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of Schroders by Nuveen will create one of the largest asset management groups globally, significantly impacting the fund management industry [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Nuveen, the investment management arm of TIAA, will acquire Schroders for £9.9 billion ($13.5 billion) [1]. - The acquisition price is set at up to 612 pence per share [1]. Group 2: Market Impact - Following the announcement, shares of Schroders increased by over 28% in morning trading [2]. - The combined entity will manage nearly $2.5 trillion in assets, including $414 billion in private markets assets [2].

Core Viewpoint - Adyen's stock has experienced a significant decline of up to 20% following the release of its earnings for the second half of 2025, despite reporting a year-on-year net revenue increase of 17% to 1.27 billion euros ($1.51 billion) [1][2] Group 1: Financial Performance - The company reported a net revenue increase of 17% year-on-year, reaching 1.27 billion euros ($1.51 billion) [1] - Growth in both EMEA and North America was recorded at 17% each [1] - Net revenue growth from APAC clients accelerated slightly to 14%, primarily driven by strengthened relationships with existing customers [2] Group 2: Market Reaction - The stock price fell by 18.3% as of 9:37 a.m. local time, marking a potential significant single-day drop for the company [1] - This decline could represent the largest single-day drop since a 39% fall in August 2023 [2] Group 3: External Factors - The reported revenue gains were moderated by slower growth from APAC-headquartered online retailers and a weaker U.S. dollar [1]

Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz Group reported a significant decline in full-year profit and anticipates challenging conditions ahead due to competition from Chinese rivals and global tariff costs [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company posted a full-year operating profit of 5.8 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in 2025, marking a 57% decrease from the previous year and falling short of analyst expectations of 6.6 billion euros [2]. - The earnings were impacted by foreign exchange challenges, competition in China, and a reported 1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) hit from tariff costs [2]. Strategic Response - The chairman of the board of management stated that the financial results remained within guidance due to a focus on efficiency, speed, and flexibility [3]. - The company plans to implement further cost cuts in 2026 and introduce a series of new products, aiming for an 8% to 10% profit margin in its auto division [3]. - Following the announcement, shares of the Munich-listed company fell by 5.3% during morning trading [3].

Core Insights - SoftBank reported a $2.4 billion gain in its Vision Fund for the December quarter, driven by an increase in the value of its investment in OpenAI, which helped mitigate losses from other investments [1][2] - The Vision Fund's strategy focuses on investing in AI companies that are expected to be category leaders, positioning SoftBank at the forefront of technological development [1] - SoftBank has made a significant investment of approximately $40 billion in OpenAI, which is considered one of its core investments [2] Company Performance - SoftBank's shares experienced a surge this week, attributed to strong results from its telecommunications unit and a rise in the stock price of Arm, another key investment [2]