January 18, 2026 10:35 PM GMT China Internet | Asia Pacific 2026 Outlook: China's AI Path Is Brighter | M January 18, 2026 10:35 PM GMT China Internet Asia Pacific | Morgan Stanley Asia Limited+ | Idea | | --- | --- | --- | | | Gary Yu | | | | Equity Analyst | | | 2026 Outlook: China's AI Path Is | Gary.Yu@morganstanley.com Eddy Wang, CFA | +852 2848-6918 | | | Equity Analyst | | | Brighter | Eddy.Wang@morganstanley.com | +852 2239-7339 | | | Yang Liu | | | | Equity Analyst | | | | Yang.Liu@morganstanley.co ...

Core Insights - The AIQ ETF outperformed the Nasdaq for most of the year, ending with a 32% increase [2][4] - The ETF is diversified with 86 holdings, reducing the impact of any single stock [4] - A significant portion of the ETF, 72%, is composed of information technology stocks, with major international exposure [5] Performance Analysis - The AIQ ETF managed to outperform the Nasdaq even during market downturns, particularly before the Liberation Day tariffs announcement [4] - Samsung is the largest holding at 5.25% of total assets, while the fund has substantial allocations to top memory chip companies like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix [4][6] Future Outlook - AI stocks are expected to remain strong heading into 2026, with the AIQ ETF already up 3% as of January 16 [7] - Many of the ETF's top holdings are trading at reasonable valuations, suggesting potential for continued growth as the AI boom persists [7]

Deutsche Bank upgraded Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG) from Hold to Buy, signaling growing confidence in the company's future prospects.Coupang's stock experienced a 2.21% increase on the latest trading day, outperforming major indices despite a monthly decline of 8.49%.Analysts predict a short-term earnings pressure with an expected 25% decrease in earnings per share, but project a strong 16.42% revenue growth for the upcoming quarter.Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG) is a leading e-commerce company in South Korea, ofte ...

In this articleGOOGGOOGLNVDABABA9988-HKwatch nowChina's artificial intelligence models may be just "a matter of months" behind U.S. and Western capabilities, Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind told CNBC.The assessment from the head of one of the world's leading AI labs and a key driver behind Google's Gemini assistant, runs counter to views that have suggested China remains far behind. Speaking on CNBC's new podcast, The Tech Download, which launched on Friday, Hassabis said Chinese AI models are cl ...

JB Global Capital, an investment firm, released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. During Q4 2025, JB Global Capital reported an 8.9% decline, largely driven by a sharp drop in Alibaba, its largest holding, while global markets posted modest gains. Despite the quarter’s setback, the fund delivered a strong full-year return of 67.5% and stands at 108.9% since inception, outperforming major benchmarks. The letter explains that 2025 market gains were heavily ...

JB Global Capital, an investment firm, released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. During Q4 2025, JB Global Capital reported an 8.9% decline, largely driven by a sharp drop in Alibaba, its largest holding, while global markets posted modest gains. Despite the quarter’s setback, the fund delivered a strong full-year return of 67.5% and stands at 108.9% since inception, outperforming major benchmarks. The letter explains that 2025 market gains were heavily ...

J P M O R G A N Asia Pacific Equity Research 11 January 2026 China Bubble & Brew What's happening? Our views, and takeaways from the expert call What happened? Our take: back to organic We believe the investment thesis for the China FMD sector is now leaning more towards the organic fundamentals, and away from the external swing factors. With incrementally more evidence and new growth drivers in sight, we expect to see more market discussions on the basics instead of the on-and-off of delivery subsidies. Co ...

January 15, 20262:12 AM UTCUpdated ago By Liam Mo and Brenda Goh Qwen and Alibaba logos are seen in this illustration taken, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab BEIJING, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Alibaba (9988.HK), opens new tab on Thursday launched significant upgrades to its Qwen artificial intelligence app, saying it could now execute tasks such as order food delivery and make travel bookings as it more aggressively pushes into consumer-facing AI. The new f ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has achieved a 60% gross margin, indicating a strong profitability potential moving forward [4] - Cost savings of approximately $135 million have been realized since the new CEO's appointment, with further opportunities for strategic long-term savings identified [7][11] - The adjusted EBITDA margin is projected to be around 8% for 2025, with expectations to exceed previous low double-digit margins in the future [43][44] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has introduced a new entry-level bed priced at $1,599, which offers features comparable to higher-end models, aiming to attract a broader customer base [18][19] - The focus on comfort, value, and durability has been emphasized in product development, responding to customer feedback [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is observing a shift in consumer behavior towards seeking value in products, with an emphasis on quality and longevity rather than just low prices [57] - The millennial generation is increasingly prioritizing sleep and wellness, presenting a significant market opportunity for the company [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is undergoing a transformation with a focus on cost efficiency, product innovation, and modernizing marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement [6][27] - There is a strategic shift towards optimizing the store footprint, with potential slight reductions in store numbers while enhancing the customer experience [45][46] - The company is exploring alternative distribution channels beyond direct-to-consumer, including potential wholesale opportunities [49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledges the volatility in the mattress industry but sees "green shoots" of opportunity, indicating cautious optimism for recovery [56] - The company aims to develop a business model that can thrive independently of macroeconomic conditions, focusing on delivering value to customers [56] Other Important Information - Significant changes have been made to the management team, including new appointments in marketing and finance, to drive the turnaround strategy [38][39] - The company has amended and extended its debt covenants to provide flexibility for executing its turnaround plan [33][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key changes in the management team? - The company has made significant changes, including appointing a new CMO and CFO, while also reallocating existing personnel to leverage their expertise in new roles [38][39] Question: How does the company plan to address its debt situation? - The company amended and extended its debt to align covenants with its operational plans, allowing for necessary changes and improvements [33][34] Question: What is the outlook for the mattress industry? - The management sees potential for growth despite current volatility, with a focus on delivering value and quality to meet evolving consumer demands [56][57]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has achieved a 60% gross margin, indicating a strong profitability potential [5] - Cost savings of approximately $135 million have been realized since the new CEO took over, with further opportunities for strategic long-term savings identified [7][8] - The guidance for 2025 implies an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 5%, with expectations to exceed pre-COVID low double-digit margins over time [39][42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has introduced a new entry-level bed priced at $1,599, which offers features comparable to higher-end models, aiming to attract a broader customer base [17][18] - The focus on product transformation includes simplifying offerings to enhance customer experience and value perception [16][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is observing a shift in consumer behavior towards seeking value, with customers increasingly looking for quality products at reasonable prices [55] - The mattress industry is experiencing volatility, with signs of potential recovery but also significant uncertainty in consumer confidence [54][55] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming its marketing strategy to modernize its approach and improve customer engagement through digital channels [25][26] - There is an emphasis on optimizing the store footprint rather than expanding, with plans for slight reductions and relocations to enhance sales efficiency [44][45] - The company is exploring alternative distribution channels beyond its traditional direct-to-consumer model, including tests with other retail partners [48][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledges the need for a turnaround across product, marketing, distribution, and balance sheet areas, with a clear plan to manage debt and improve cash flow [32][33] - The CEO expresses optimism about the potential for growth in the premium mattress segment, particularly among millennials who prioritize sleep and wellness [56] Other Important Information - The company has made significant changes to its management team, introducing new leadership in marketing and finance to drive customer-focused innovation [37][38] - The partnership with Leggett & Platt remains strong, with the company prepared for potential industry consolidation and supply chain adjustments [50][51] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key changes in the management team? - The company has made several changes, including appointing a new CMO and CFO, while also repositioning existing staff to leverage their expertise in new roles [37][38] Question: How does the company plan to address its debt situation? - The company amended and extended its debt to align covenants with its operational plans, allowing for necessary changes and improvements [32][33] Question: What is the outlook for the mattress industry? - The CEO sees green shoots of opportunity within the industry but emphasizes the need for the company to thrive independently of macroeconomic conditions [54][55]