Pledge to Invest $100 Billion in OpenAI Was ‘Never a Commitment,’ Says Nvidia's Huang
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-01 14:00
(Bloomberg) — Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said the company’s proposed $100 billion investment in OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) was “never a commitment” and that the company would consider any funding rounds “one at a time.” “It was never a commitment,” Huang told reporters in Taipei on Sunday. “They invited us to invest up to $100 billion and of course, we were, we were very happy and honored that they invited us, but we will invest one step at a time.” Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomber ...
Is Starbucks' turnaround plan working? Its CEO thinks so
Youtube· 2026-02-01 10:00
Core Insights - The company has seen positive same-store sales in the US due to a combination of operational excellence, improved customer service, and innovative product offerings like protein coffee and the return of nostalgic items [1][2][9] Operational Improvements - The company has focused on operational excellence through the Green Apron service program, which aims to enhance customer service and empower employees [2][4] - Average wait times for cafe orders have improved from over 5 minutes to below 4 minutes during peak hours, with drive-thru orders also under 4 minutes [3][4] Store Experience and Design - The company is implementing an "uplift" in store design to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with plans for significant remodeling that can be executed quickly [5][6] - There is a commitment to building more stores that reflect the brand's essence, including drive-thru options and a focus on creating a coffee house experience [6][7] Nostalgia and Brand Identity - The company is not merely leaning into nostalgia but is focused on reconnecting with the core values and "soul" of the brand, as exemplified by the return of the 1971 dark roast [8][9] - The rewards program is being personalized using technology, with different levels to engage customers more effectively [10][11] Afternoon Business Opportunity - The company sees a multibillion-dollar opportunity in expanding its afternoon business, aiming to create a strong afternoon peak similar to its morning success [14][17] - There is a recognition of changing consumer behaviors, particularly with the rise of GLP-1 users, which presents an opportunity for protein-forward menu innovations [18][20] Leadership and Security - The CEO has noted the challenges of leading a global brand, including unexpected security concerns due to public passion and scrutiny [22][24] - Despite these challenges, the CEO remains optimistic and focused on the company's turnaround strategy [25][26]
India hands Apple a win by letting foreign firms fund equipment for manufacturers
Reuters· 2026-02-01 09:54
Core Viewpoint - The Indian government has granted Apple a significant advantage by allowing foreign companies to supply machinery to their contract manufacturers in designated areas for five years without restrictions [1] Group 1: Government Policy Impact - The new policy enables foreign companies to provide equipment to contract manufacturers, which is expected to enhance Apple's manufacturing capabilities in India [1] - This move is part of India's broader strategy to attract foreign investment and boost local manufacturing [1] Group 2: Implications for Apple - The policy is likely to strengthen Apple's supply chain in India, potentially leading to increased production and sales in the region [1] - By facilitating easier access to machinery, Apple may be able to scale its operations more efficiently in the Indian market [1]
Volvo Construction Equipment's acquisition of Swecon is completed
Prnewswire· 2026-02-01 09:53
Core Viewpoint - Volvo Construction Equipment has successfully completed the acquisition of Swecon, enhancing its operations in key European markets with a transaction valued at 7 billion SEK [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition encompasses Swecon's business operations in Sweden, Germany, and the Baltics, including sales, rental operations, aftermarket services, and support, along with 1,400 employees [2]. - The strategic intent behind this acquisition is to strengthen Volvo CE's retail operations and service sales, making the retail market a core focus in Europe [2]. Group 2: Financial Impact - In Q1 2026, Volvo CE's earnings will experience a temporary dilution due to a higher cost base in inventory, with an estimated impact of SEK 300 million as a result of the acquired inventory from Swecon [3]. - For the full year of 2024, Swecon's revenues were reported at SEK 10 billion [3].
'YouTube Doesn't Allow Spam, Scams Or Other Deceptive Practices,' CEO Neal Mohan Says As Platform Shuts Popular AI Channels - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
Benzinga· 2026-02-01 09:47
YouTube is taking aggressive steps to remove AI-generated spam content that could undermine its position as a top destination for advertisers and streaming viewers.YouTube Deletes Popular AI ChannelsThe video platform shut down more than a dozen popular AI channels, including videos featuring talking cats and religious figures, according to an analysis by Kapwing, a video editing platform, as reported by Business Insider.Some of the channels were drawing millions of views before being removed.AI Content Flo ...
Budget 2026: Who gains or loses in India infrastructure push, derivatives tax?
The Economic Times· 2026-02-01 09:47
Sitharaman further detailed plans to unlock the economic potential of urban regions by mapping city economic regions (CERs) tailored to their unique growth drivers. “An allocation of Rs 5,000 crore per CER over five years is proposed for implementing their plans through a challenge mode with a reform-cum-results based financing mechanism,” she said.India announced measures to invest nearly $133 billion to turbocharge its infrastructure overhaul and boost manufacturing for sectors from textiles to electronic ...
Prediction: These Will Be the Best-Performing AI Stocks in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-01 09:44
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential for three AI stocks to perform exceptionally well in 2026, driven by ongoing demand for AI technologies and specific company advancements. Group 1: Nvidia - Nvidia is predicted to be the safest and potentially the biggest winner among AI stocks due to the rise of agentic AI adoption, which is expected to significantly boost demand for its products [3][4]. - The launch of the Rubin GPU platform, which could reduce inference costs by 10x and require four times fewer GPUs for training, is anticipated to create substantial demand [6][7]. - Nvidia's growth bottleneck is expected to ease as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ramps up its advanced packaging capacity, with Nvidia securing approximately 60% of this capacity [7]. Group 2: Broadcom - Broadcom is identified as the second-best positioned AI chipmaker, benefiting from the trend of hyperscalers seeking to build custom AI chips, holding an estimated 60% market share in the AI server ASIC market [8][10]. - The transition of data centers to million-GPU clusters is expected to drive significant sales growth for Broadcom's networking products, particularly the Tomahawk 6 switches [10]. - Broadcom has a substantial $73 billion AI-related backlog, which is projected to translate into strong revenue and earnings growth in 2026 [11]. Group 3: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms has shown robust advertising revenue growth, with a 24% year-over-year increase in Q4, driven by improvements in ad ranking models [12][13]. - The company is focusing on the AI smart glasses market, where sales have more than tripled in 2025, positioning itself as a leader in this growing segment [15]. - Although the shift in investment focus towards AI glasses may not yield immediate bottom-line improvements in 2026, it is expected to provide a catalyst for stock performance in the future [16].
Got $5,000? These Are 3 of the Cheapest Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy Right Now
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-01 09:44
Core Viewpoint - Many AI stocks are perceived as expensive, but there are several undervalued options with significant growth potential [1][2]. Group 1: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - AMD's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 39.7, and its trailing P/E ratio is 131.6, indicating a high valuation at first glance [3][4]. - The stock's PEG ratio is notably low at 0.5, suggesting it is one of the cheapest AI stocks available [3]. - AMD anticipates revenue from AI data centers to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 80% in the next three to five years [5]. - The company is gaining market share in server CPUs and is making progress in the GPU market with its Instinct MI350 Series [6]. Group 2: Micron Technology - Micron's PEG ratio is just below 0.7, and shares trade at 12.3 times forward earnings, indicating it is not an expensive commodity [7]. - The company has secured contracts for its entire 2026 high-bandwidth memory (HBM) supply, reflecting strong demand and supply constraints [9]. - Micron expects the total addressable market for HBM to reach $100 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of approximately 40% [9]. Group 3: Nvidia - Nvidia's PEG ratio is 0.7, and it is expected to experience strong growth over the next five years, making its current valuation more justifiable [10]. - The company projects annual AI infrastructure spending to reach $3 trillion to $4 trillion by the end of the decade, driven by emerging technologies [12]. - Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs are currently the most powerful AI chips, with plans to launch even more advanced Rubin GPUs later this year [13].
This Stock Is 96% Off of Its All-Time High, But 1 Wall Street Analyst Thinks It Can Gain 236% This Year
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-01 09:35
Core Viewpoint - Peloton Interactive is viewed as a potential turnaround story despite a significant decline in stock value, with Wall Street analysts projecting a price increase of up to 236% over the next 12 to 18 months [2][12]. Company Challenges - Interest in Peloton products has decreased, leading to ongoing downsizing efforts to align with changing demand, resulting in declining revenue [3]. - The company has experienced leadership instability, having gone through several CEOs, with Peter Stern currently leading and implementing various changes to boost engagement and revenue [4]. Turnaround Strategy - Peloton's turnaround strategy focuses on four key elements: providing member value, attracting new members, keeping existing members engaged, and achieving operational excellence [5]. - The company aims to capitalize on the health and wellness market, emphasizing its premium products and community engagement as core components of its strategy [6]. Recent Developments - Peloton has reported two consecutive quarters of positive net income and generated $67 million in free cash flow in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 [8]. - The company is investing in artificial intelligence to enhance user experience, including new voice capabilities and personalized workout guidance through Peloton IQ [9]. - Despite these efforts, revenue continues to decline, with a 6% year-over-year drop in the first quarter, alongside decreases in membership and subscription numbers [10]. Market Outlook - Wall Street analysts are cautiously optimistic about Peloton's future, forecasting flat revenue for the second quarter but a full-year decrease of 2% [11]. - Peloton's stock is trading at a low price-to-sales ratio of under 1, indicating potential for growth if the company can demonstrate solid progress [12].
We went to Starbucks' first investor day in 3 years, toured its new café model, and saw its comeback plan in action
Business Insider· 2026-02-01 09:14
Core Insights - Starbucks is undergoing a significant transformation under CEO Brian Niccol, who aims to revitalize the brand through the "Back to Starbucks" initiative, which has already led to changes in customer service, menu offerings, and café design [2][3]. Group 1: Store Concepts and Expansion - The new "Ristretto" store concept aims to reduce average build costs by approximately 20% while optimizing the overall footprint [6]. - Starbucks plans to open 600 to 650 new stores globally in the current fiscal year, with projections of over 2,000 new stores by fiscal year 2028, including around 400 company-owned locations in the US [7]. Group 2: Customer Experience Enhancements - The company is introducing a signature lounge chair and plans to add 25,000 additional seats to US company-operated stores by the end of the fiscal year, aiming to enhance customer comfort and satisfaction [16]. - Digital menu boards will be rolled out in all US company-operated stores over the next 18 months, separating morning and afternoon menus to better cater to customer preferences [20]. Group 3: Menu Innovations - New menu items include global flavors such as ube macchiato and a reformulated Chai latte with mango cold foam, along with a variety of bakery items [24]. - Starbucks is expanding its wellness offerings to meet diverse customer demands throughout the day [21]. Group 4: Technology Upgrades - The company is implementing new front and back-end technologies, including a revamped mobile app and a new point-of-sale system, to streamline operations and improve order speed [28]. - The Mastrena III espresso machine, set to launch in 2027, will halve the time required to brew espresso while maintaining quality [29]. Group 5: Investor Engagement - During the Investor Day event, executives faced questions regarding long-term plans, operating margins, and the recent sale of 60% of its China business, indicating investor interest in the company's strategic direction [38]. - Despite initial optimism, shares slid about 1% during the presentations, reflecting investor caution [37]. Group 6: Overall Strategy - Starbucks aims to reignite momentum by making its cafés more inviting and focusing on menu innovation, indicating a belief that its comeback is now actionable rather than theoretical [42].