Core Insights - VEON Ltd. has launched a new Network Operations Center (NOC) for Beeline Uzbekistan in Tashkent, enhancing its digital infrastructure and customer service capabilities [1][3] - The company also introduced BuildX, a new software development and AI company aimed at contributing to Uzbekistan's digital economy [1][5] Group 1: Network Operations Center (NOC) - The NOC will oversee more than 5,850 base stations and ensure connectivity for 7.7 million customers as of September 2025 [3] - It operates as a proactive monitoring center, detecting outages in real time and enabling rapid repairs [3] - The Beeline Uzbekistan network was recognized as the most consistent network in Uzbekistan according to independent analysis by Opensignal [3] Group 2: Security Operations Center (SOC) - Beeline Uzbekistan has established a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC) to monitor and respond to cybersecurity threats [4] - The SOC collaborates with IT and development teams to maintain a secure digital environment for customers and partners [4] Group 3: BuildX Initiative - BuildX will focus on developing scalable, export-ready technology solutions, enhancing Uzbekistan's position as a technology hub in Central Asia [5] - The company plans to recruit and train local engineers and data scientists, contributing to the development of national talent in advanced digital skills [7] - BuildX will collaborate with universities, startups, and technology partners to foster innovation and strengthen the local tech ecosystem [7] Group 4: Government Support and Vision - The Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan emphasized the country's ambition to become a regional technology hub, supported by robust policies for digital transformation [6] - VEON's initiatives, including the NOC and BuildX, align with Uzbekistan's vision for a digital future and economic growth [6][7] Group 5: Company Overview - VEON operates across five countries, providing connectivity to nearly 150 million users and digital services to over 140 million users [8] - Beeline Uzbekistan serves 7.7 million customers with mobile connectivity and has a total of 7.9 million monthly active users across its digital services [8]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are significant, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid capacity and rising electricity prices [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is highlighted as a critical player in the AI energy sector, owning essential energy infrastructure assets that are poised to benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and benefiting from the onshoring trend driven by tariffs [5][6] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a significant cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened by debt [8][10] - It also has a substantial equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium costs [9][10] Market Trends - The article discusses the broader trends of AI, energy, tariffs, and onshoring, indicating that this company is strategically aligned with these developments [6][14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, reinforcing the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12] Future Outlook - The potential for significant returns is emphasized, with projections suggesting a possible 100% return within 12 to 24 months for investors who act quickly [15][19] - The company is described as undervalued, trading at less than seven times earnings, which presents a compelling investment opportunity in the context of the AI and energy sectors [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growing interest in cheap stocks as investors seek to avoid high valuations in equity markets, highlighting a shift towards value stocks that have underperformed in recent years and are showing signs of recovery [1]. Group 1: Market Trends - The iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF increased by 3.9% in the fourth quarter, while the iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF gained only 2.3%, indicating a renewed focus on value stocks [2]. - The S&P 500 is expected to continue its double-digit rallies, but future gains may be more challenging, with a potential shift towards value stocks as the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates [2]. - Dennis DeBusschere, chief market strategist at 22V Research, noted that productivity improvements could allow the economy to grow at 2.5% without inflation issues, benefiting fundamental factors and procyclical equities [3]. Group 2: Investment Methodology - The methodology for identifying the best cheap stocks involved selecting U.S.-listed stocks with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of less than 15 and an upside potential of over 60% as of January 16, focusing on those popular among elite hedge funds [6]. - The strategy of imitating top stock picks from hedge funds has historically outperformed the market, with a quarterly newsletter returning 427.7% since May 2014, surpassing its benchmark by 264 percentage points [8]. Group 3: Company Highlights - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ:VEON) has a forward P/E of 13.77 and an upside potential of 60.23%, with 12 hedge fund holders. The company confirmed that its subsidiary Kyivstar has over 3 million registered users for satellite connectivity in Ukraine [9][10]. - Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) has a forward P/E of 6.98 and an upside potential of 105.13%, with 27 hedge fund holders. The company announced a cost-cutting initiative, laying off 15% of its workforce to transition to leaner teams utilizing AI and automation [16][17].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. stock market has performed well over the past year but has underperformed compared to international markets during the same period [1] Group 1: Market Performance - U.S. equities are still considered promising despite their underperformance relative to international markets [1] Group 2: Investment Focus - The company, Pearl Gray, is a proprietary investment fund and independent market research firm focusing on Fixed-Income and Capital Flows [1] - The analysis extends to equity REITs, Investment Fund Appraisal, and Bank Risk Analysis [1]

Core Insights - VEON Ltd. announced that Kyivstar has surpassed 3.0 million registered users for Direct to Cell satellite connectivity services, representing over 10% of its mobile subscribers [1][2] Group 1: Service Adoption and Impact - Since the launch of the service on November 24, 2025, more than 1.2 million SMS messages have been delivered via satellite connectivity, highlighting its importance in southern and eastern Ukraine [2] - The technology has been predominantly utilized in five cities: Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Dnipro, emphasizing the need for reliable communication in these regions [2] Group 2: Company Statements and Future Plans - Kaan Terzioğlu, VEON Group CEO, stated that the rapid adoption of Starlink Direct to Cell services reflects the critical need for enhanced resilience in Ukraine and the demand for satellite-based connectivity [3] - Starlink Direct to Cell is available free of charge to all 4G smartphone users on the Kyivstar network, which includes approximately 15.5 million subscribers, without requiring changes to device settings [3] Group 3: Expansion and Testing - VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan has successfully tested Starlink Direct to Cell services, planning to introduce SMS services in 2026, pending regulatory approval [4] Group 4: Company Overview - VEON operates across five countries, providing connectivity and digital services to nearly 150 million connectivity users and 140 million digital users, aiming to drive economic growth through technology [5] - Kyivstar Group Ltd. plans to invest USD 1 billion in Ukraine from 2023 to 2027, focusing on infrastructure, technological development, and strategic acquisitions [6]

Core Insights - VEON's subsidiary, Kyivstar, has launched a 5G test zone in Lviv, marking its first local pilot project in Ukraine [1] - The pilot aims to assess network performance in urban conditions, with plans for gradual expansion to other cities like Kharkiv and Borodianka, and later Kyiv and Odesa in 2026 [2][3] - Kyivstar is investing USD 1 billion from 2023 to 2027 to enhance Ukraine's connectivity and digital infrastructure, including 5G and other advanced technologies [5][8] 5G Pilot Project - The 5G pilot in Lviv is a collaborative effort with the Ukrainian government, focusing on populous cities with existing infrastructure [3][4] - Full-scale 5G rollout will be considered post-war, while Kyivstar continues to enhance its 4G network, achieving peak speeds over 1 Gbps in some areas [3][4] - The 5G network in Ukraine will operate on two frequency bands: 3500 MHz for high speeds and 700 MHz for broader coverage, with peak download speeds exceeding 2.4 Gbps during testing [6] Company Commitment and Strategy - Kyivstar's CEO emphasized the company's role in driving digital transformation in Ukraine, including partnerships for satellite connectivity [5] - The company has conducted extensive preparations to ensure 5G activation does not interfere with military communications, having previously tested 5G in February 2024 [5] - Kyivstar's investments are aimed at supporting Ukraine's recovery and enhancing digital services, including a sovereign Ukrainian language model [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - VEON Ltd. and Rakuten Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore strategic collaboration in next-generation connectivity and digital services, focusing on cloud-native network infrastructure [1][2][3] Group 1: Collaboration Framework - The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation on modern, software-driven telecom networks and scalable digital platforms [2] - The collaboration will assess opportunities in key technology areas such as Open RAN architectures, AI-powered network intelligence, and global IoT connectivity [2] Group 2: Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to leverage Beeline Kazakhstan's market position and Rakuten Symphony's expertise to modernize connectivity infrastructure and develop advanced digital services in Kazakhstan [3] - The collaboration reflects a commitment to enhancing efficiency, resilience, and customer experience through next-generation network architectures [4] Group 3: Company Backgrounds - VEON provides connectivity and digital services to nearly 150 million connectivity users and 140 million digital users across five countries [5] - Beeline Kazakhstan serves 11.9 million mobile customers and around one million fixed internet customers, with a focus on digital solutions [6] - Rakuten Group operates in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications, serving 2 billion members globally [7][8] Group 4: Innovation and Technology - Rakuten Symphony aims to disrupt traditional telecom models with open interface platforms that enable rapid service deployment at lower costs [9] - The collaboration with Beeline Kazakhstan is part of a broader strategy to enhance network evolution and digital service ambitions within the VEON Group [4]

Core Viewpoint - VEON Ltd. has launched Islamic banking operations through its subsidiary, Mobilink Microfinance Bank, in response to increasing customer demand for Shariah-compliant financial services in Pakistan [1][4]. Group 1: Launch and Expansion - Mobilink Bank inaugurated its first dedicated Islamic banking branch in Karachi, with plans for a second branch in Peshawar and a phased rollout across the country [2]. - The State Bank of Pakistan granted Mobilink Bank an Islamic Banking license earlier in 2025, enabling the launch of these services [2]. Group 2: Strategic Goals - The launch of Islamic banking services aligns with Mobilink Bank's strategy to enhance financial inclusion for individuals, micro-entrepreneurs, and small businesses in Pakistan [3]. - The Islamic banking portfolio will include Shariah-compliant deposit and financing products tailored to meet everyday financial needs and support business growth [3]. Group 3: Market Context - As of September 2025, Islamic banking assets in Pakistan reached approximately PKR 12.7 trillion (around USD 44 billion), representing 21.6% of total banking sector assets, with deposits accounting for 26.5% of total deposits [4]. - Year-on-year growth for Islamic banking assets and deposits was reported at 28.3% and 29.7%, respectively, indicating strong momentum and rising customer adoption in the sector [4]. Group 4: Company Commitment - The Chairman of Mobilink Bank emphasized the commitment to inclusive, customer-centric financial services, highlighting the strong demand and potential for Islamic banking in Pakistan [4]. - The President and CEO of Mobilink Bank noted that expanding into Islamic banking allows the company to meet the needs of a significant segment of the population through transparent, faith-aligned products [4].

Core Points - VEON Ltd. has transferred its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) listing to the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is Nasdaq's highest listing tier, indicating the company's improved financial profile and capital markets presence [1][2] - The transfer to the Nasdaq Global Select Market, along with VEON's recent inclusion in the S&P Global Broad Market Index and the MSCI Ukraine Index, enhances the visibility and accessibility of VEON shares to global institutional investors [3][4] - The CEO of VEON emphasized that the listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market reflects the company's growing scale and financial discipline, and aims to deepen investor understanding of its digital operator model [4] Company Overview - VEON is a digital operator providing converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 150 million connectivity users and over 140 million digital users across five countries, impacting more than 6% of the world's population [5]

Core Insights - VEON Ltd. announces that Kyivstar has acquired 100% of LLC SUNVIN 11, adding 12.9 MW of solar generation capacity to its energy resilience investments [1] - This acquisition marks Kyivstar's first investment in renewable energy, contributing to Ukraine's national grid [1][2] - The investment is part of a broader commitment by Kyivstar and VEON to invest USD 1 billion in Ukraine from 2023 to 2027 [4] Company Developments - The acquisition will enhance Kyivstar's operational and financial stability by partially hedging against energy cost volatility [2] - The solar facility is expected to improve Kyivstar's overall carbon footprint [2] - CEO Oleksandr Komarov emphasizes that this investment supports the development of renewable energy in Ukraine and enhances service reliability for customers [3] Strategic Goals - The investment aligns with Kyivstar's and VEON's strategy to bolster energy resilience and connectivity in Ukraine [4] - The company plans to invest in various sectors, including infrastructure, technological development, and innovative digital businesses [5] - VEON operates across five countries, providing services to nearly 150 million connectivity users and 120 million digital users [6]