Asian stocks ended mostly higher on Tuesday as traders evaluated the potential turbulence in the trade tariff environment following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on reciprocal tariffs.It is believed that a uniform 15 percent tariff, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, would benefit some Asia-Pacific economies that have faced much steeper tariff rates earlier. But the uncertainty may worsen if the Trump administration continues imposing new tariffs under alternative laws.On Monday, Trump warned coun ...

ZF Friedrichshafen is seeing stronger orders for hybrid and combustion-engine components as the pace of electric vehicles (EV) adoption moderates. Michael Frick, CFO of ZF, told Bloomberg the company is shifting from an EV-first approach to supplying components across electric, hybrid and internal combustion engine platforms. The German automotive supplier’s move is intended to bolster the balance sheet and improve refinancing prospects. ZF faces refinancing needs exceeding €13bn ($15.31bn) by the end ...

The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (NYSEMKT:VEA) and the SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT:SPDW) both aim to track the performance of developed markets outside the United States, providing diversified exposure across Europe, Asia, and Canada. This comparison looks at how the two funds stack up on cost, yield, risk, holdings, and portfolio quirks to help investors decide which may appeal more for international equity allocation. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VEA SPDW Issuer ...

The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ:VXUS) and the iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEMKT:IEMG) both aim to provide diversified international equity exposure, but their approaches and underlying indexes set them apart. This comparison examines how each fund’s costs, returns, risk, and portfolio makeup may appeal to different investor objectives. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VXUS IEMG Issuer Vanguard iShares Expense ratio 0.05% 0.09% 1-yr return (as of Feb. ...

Micron Stock Is Riding the AI Surge. How the Memory Trade Could Turn Sour. - Barron'sSkip to Main ContentThis copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.# Micron Stock Is Riding the AI Surge. How the Memory Trade Could Sour.By [Adam Clark]ShareResize---ReprintsIn this art ...

Group 1: Diplomatic Relations and Investment - A high-ranking aide to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited South Korea to stabilize bilateral relations amid trade tensions related to President Trump's demands for increased Korean investment in U.S. manufacturing [2][3] - The visit is seen as a "fact-finding mission" to assess if South Korea can meet legislative deadlines for a $350 billion investment package by the end of February [3] Group 2: Trade Agreement Status - South Korea's Ministry of Trade confirmed that the KORUS FTA is operational and unaffected by recent legal changes in the U.S., following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed certain tariffs unlawful [4][10] - The ruling nullified a 15% reciprocal tariff on Korean exports, but a new 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act poses ongoing concerns [5][10] Group 3: Impact on Key Sectors - The reaffirmation of the KORUS FTA is beneficial for major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which are dealing with U.S. semiconductor subsidies and export controls [6] - The automotive sector, particularly Hyundai Motor and Kia, remains vulnerable due to the potential for a 25% auto tariff, which could significantly impact their revenue from the U.S. market [6][7] Group 4: Legislative Challenges - The U.S. delegation plans to meet with South Korean National Assembly members to address delays in passing the Strategic Investment Memorandum of Understanding, with divisions between the Democratic Party and the People's Power Party over fiscal responsibilities [8] - The U.S. State Department has indicated that legislative delays create an unfavorable mood in Washington, but the visit suggests both sides are seeking a rational resolution to avoid escalating trade barriers [9]

Core Viewpoint - Memory-chip manufacturers, including Micron Technology, SK Hynix, and Samsung Electronics, are experiencing significant growth due to the surge in demand driven by artificial intelligence applications. However, historical trends indicate that this growth may lead to overproduction and a subsequent market downturn [1]. Group 1: Industry Growth - Micron Technology is investing approximately $200 billion to expand its facilities in response to the booming memory-chip market [1]. - The demand for memory chips is being significantly fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence, positioning memory-chip makers as key beneficiaries in the tech sector [1]. Group 2: Market Risks - The rapid increase in production capacity among memory-chip manufacturers raises concerns about a potential oversupply in the market, which could lead to a painful crash similar to past industry cycles [1].

Trade Relations and Government Response - South Korea's government is shifting to a collaborative defense of national trade interests, planning intensive consultations with major exporters and industry associations to address private sector concerns in discussions with the U.S. [2][9] - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for reciprocal tariffs as unlawful, but the Trump administration quickly responded with a new 10% global tariff, potentially increasing to 15% [3][9] Investment Commitments and Legislative Pressure - The South Korean government is under pressure to expedite a $350 billion investment commitment in the U.S., with delays in legislation potentially triggering higher tariffs [4][9] - The success of negotiations with U.S. trade officials will depend on South Korea's ability to fast-track investment-related legislation through the National Assembly [6] Impact on Key Industries - The Korean stock market is facing challenges, particularly for companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as the tech sector prepares for the implications of new global tariffs [5] - Hyundai Motor and Kia are navigating a complex environment with existing Section 232 auto tariffs remaining in place despite recent legal victories regarding other duties [5][9]

Market Overview - Asian shares ended mostly higher, supported by easing AI concerns and positive U.S. economic data, despite thin trading volumes due to Lunar New Year holidays in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan [1] - The dollar remained firm, while gold prices rose above $5,000 an ounce amid reports of potential U.S. military strikes against Iran [2] - Oil prices extended gains after a more than 4% increase on Wednesday [2] Japan - The Nikkei average increased by 0.57% to 57,467.83, and the broader Topix index rose by 1.18% to close at 3,852.09, driven by tech stocks [3] - SoftBank and Tokyo Electron saw gains of 2.6% and 2.9%, respectively, while Advantest fell by 3.6% due to a ransomware cybersecurity incident [3] South Korea - The Kospi average surged by 3.09% to 5,677.25, marking a record high as traders returned from the Lunar New Year holiday [4] - Major semiconductor stocks led the gains, with Samsung Electronics up 4.9%, SK Hynix up 1.6%, and Hyundai Motor up 2.8% [4] Australia - Australian markets reached a four-month high, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 jumping 0.88% to 9,086.20, marking a fourth consecutive session of gains [6] - National Australia Bank rose by 2.4% following strong quarterly results, while BHP increased by 1.8% after reporting higher earnings and revenue for the half-year ended December 31, 2025 [6] New Zealand - New Zealand's S&P/NZX-50 index ended up 1.49% at 13,444.20 after a dovish hold from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand [7] U.S. Economic Data - U.S. industrial production growth for January exceeded market expectations, while new orders for manufactured durable goods declined less than expected in December [8] - Housing starts reached a five-month high, contributing to positive sentiment in the tech sector, particularly following Meta's announcement to deploy millions of Nvidia chips [8]

Live from New Delhi. This is inside with Haslinda Amin, where we will dig into India's fast rising artificial intelligence ambitions and the shockwaves hitting the country's storied I. T.giants. As India hosts one of the world's biggest AI summits. We speak live with Schneider Electric CEO Olivia Bloom, ServiceNow president and CEO Omid Zaveri and Fractal Analytics co-founder and CEO.Trick on the Alarm, uncanny about how this technology is reshaping the world. And we bring you more from our conversations wi ...