Global Markets Waver as Rate Cut Hopes Dim, Tech Giants Shift Focus

Group 1: Gold Market - Gold prices have declined to $4,061.30 per troy ounce due to diminishing expectations for a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut in December following stronger-than-expected jobs data and hawkish Fed commentary [2][3][8] - Money markets indicate a lower probability for a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Fed in December, with odds falling to around 36-48.9% [3] Group 2: Asian Stock Markets - The Taiwan Weighted Index (TAIEX) fell by 3.1% to close at 26,570.68, driven by heavy losses in U.S. markets and concerns over stretched valuations in technology stocks [4][8] - China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.4%, reaching its lowest point in a month amid global market uncertainties [5][8] Group 3: Foxconn's Strategic Shift - Foxconn is nearing its maximum outsourcing capacity for electric vehicle (EV) volumes while significantly ramping up its production of artificial intelligence (AI) servers, currently manufacturing 1,000 AI racks weekly [6][8] - The company has partnered with OpenAI to advance the design and manufacturing of next-generation AI infrastructure hardware, with plans to invest $2 billion to $3 billion annually in AI over the next three to five years [7][8] Group 4: SoftBank's AI Investments - SoftBank Corp. has priced ¥46 billion ($292 million) in bonds, contributing to record bond sales this year as part of its aggressive fundraising for AI investments [9] - Total bond issuances and loans by SoftBank have reached approximately $24 billion this year, earmarked for strategic AI initiatives including a planned $30 billion equity stake in OpenAI [9]