Nvidia strikes deal with South Korea to supply AI chips, Apple and Amazon report strong earnings

Group 1: Nvidia's Expansion in South Korea - Nvidia has secured a significant deal to supply 260,000 AI chips to major South Korean companies, including Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai, as the country aims to enhance its sovereign AI capabilities [5][37] - This move is part of Nvidia's strategy to expand its influence beyond China and solidify its position in the global AI market [8][10] - The chips will be utilized in various applications, including smart factories and autonomous vehicles, indicating a strong demand for AI technology in South Korea [38] Group 2: Performance of Major Tech Companies - Apple and Amazon have reported strong earnings, contributing to a significant increase in their stock prices, with Amazon adding approximately $300 billion in market value following its earnings report [2][11] - Amazon's AWS segment experienced a growth of around 20%, surpassing Wall Street's expectations of 18%, and is expected to continue accelerating spending in AI-related areas [13][14] - The overall performance of major tech companies, including Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet, has been positive, with a notable increase in AI spending across the sector [17][18] Group 3: Market Reactions and Economic Indicators - The stock market is showing mixed signals, with the Dow trading flat while S&P and NASDAQ futures are up, reflecting investor optimism following strong earnings reports from major tech firms [3][53] - Geopolitical developments, particularly the recent meeting between President Trump and China’s Xi Jinping, are influencing market stability, although long-term tensions remain [20][24] - Gold prices are experiencing significant fluctuations, with a notable increase in demand driven by central banks and institutional investors, indicating a shift in market dynamics [27][32] Group 4: Earnings Reports from Energy and Consumer Goods Companies - Chevron reported strong earnings of $185 per share, exceeding estimates, and attributed its success to the recent acquisition of Hess, which boosted production [48] - Exxon, despite reporting adjusted earnings of $188 per share, faced challenges with free cash flow falling to $6.3 billion, raising concerns about its ability to cover dividends and buybacks [50] - Colgate Palm Olive's organic sales growth was below expectations at 0.4%, indicating pressure from weak demand in Asia and consumer spending [52]