Market Performance - The Hong Kong stock market showed active performance on February 16, with major indices such as the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng Tech Index, and Hang Seng Composite Index closing higher. The Hang Seng Index closed at 26,723 points, up 0.59% [1][2] - The Hang Seng Tech Index closed at 5,367.28 points, up 0.13%, while the Hang Seng Composite Index closed at 4,096.09 points, up 0.43% [1][2] Semiconductor Sector - The semiconductor sector in Hong Kong exhibited structural differentiation, with stocks like Zhaoyi Innovation and Lanke Technology reaching new highs, with Zhaoyi Innovation's stock price peaking at 435 HKD per share, up over 17% [2][3] - Major storage chip manufacturers are raising chip prices, with Kioxia expected to implement a revised pricing policy for North American customers starting Q1 2026, anticipating an average sales price increase of approximately 50% [2][3] AI Application Sector - The AI application sector in Hong Kong continued its upward trend, with Haizhi Technology Group's stock reaching a high of 125.6 HKD per share, closing at 120 HKD per share, up 29.59% [3] - MINIMAX-WP's stock hit a new high, rising 24.56%, while Zhiyu closed at 508 HKD per share, up 4.74% [3] Non-Ferrous Metals Sector - The non-ferrous metals sector strengthened, with the Wind Hong Kong Non-Ferrous Metals Index rising by 3.64%. Stocks like China Nonferrous Mining and Luoyang Molybdenum Co. saw gains of over 5% [3] - Other stocks in this sector, including Lingbao Gold and Jiangxi Copper, also experienced significant increases, with some rising over 3% [3] Gold Market - The gold market is experiencing a seasonal uptick in demand due to the traditional peak sales period before the Spring Festival, alongside diverse needs for gifting and investment, leading to increased gold consumption [5] Analyst Insights - Analysts from Huatai Securities noted that the Hong Kong market remains volatile, influenced by factors such as the US stock market, domestic consumption during the Spring Festival, and advancements in AI [6] - Recommendations include balanced allocation in the Hong Kong market, with a focus on semiconductor hardware, specialty consumption, and electrical equipment in the short term [6]

Core Insights - The storage industry is emerging from a downturn and entering a "super cycle" driven by AI demand, as indicated by the recent earnings reports from major storage companies [1] Group 1: Key Signals from Earnings Reports - Inventory levels have dropped below the "warning line," with SK Hynix's inventory turnover days decreasing from a peak of 233 days in Q1 2023 to just 127 days, indicating potential supply chain shortages [2] - Average Selling Prices (ASP) are experiencing significant recovery, with Samsung's DRAM ASP soaring by 40% quarter-over-quarter and SK Hynix's NAND prices increasing by 32% [2] - Major companies are aggressively increasing capital expenditures in response to surging demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), with SK Hynix's capital spending projected to rise from 7 trillion KRW in Q4 2024 to 12 trillion KRW by Q3 2025 [2] Group 2: Market Trends and Price Movements - HBM4 production is exceeding expectations, which will influence future market share in AI computing [3] - The industry outlook is extremely optimistic, with projections for a long-term "storage super cycle," as noted by Nanya Tech's president, who claims the current cycle is better than the 2017-2018 cloud server boom [3] - The Memory Indicator from Bank of America has risen to 124, indicating an upward cycle, compared to an average of 103 in the first half of 2025 [4] Group 3: Current Market Conditions - DRAM spot prices remain high, with 16Gb DDR5 prices at $38, a year-on-year increase of 709%, and 16Gb DDR4 prices reaching $78, up 2445% year-on-year [6] - Despite some OEMs indicating temporary assembly line halts due to rising storage costs, overall sales data from Taiwan shows significant month-over-month growth exceeding 20% and year-on-year doubling for several manufacturers [7] - SSD prices have surged, with a weekly increase of 40% and a monthly increase of 60%, reflecting market concerns about potential shortages in the second half of the year [9] Group 4: Insights from Semicon Korea - The recent Semicon Korea event showcased a booming industry, with equipment suppliers benefiting from record capital expenditures by major players like Samsung and SK Hynix [10] - HBM production is time-consuming, requiring extensive equipment to maintain high output levels, which may impact supply timelines [12] - The adoption of Hybrid Bonding technology may face delays, as manufacturers prefer existing methods for HBM production [12]

Core Insights - Grindr was close to going private after majority owners sought to remove it from the public market, but discussions ended and one owner sold shares [1][6] Transaction Summary - Majority owner James Lu sold 1.45 million shares of Grindr for a total transaction value of $14.6 million [2] - Post-transaction, Lu holds only 4,455 shares directly, while indirect holdings are reduced to 18,432,101 shares [2][8] Company Overview - Grindr Inc. operates a social networking and dating app for LGBTQ communities, utilizing a dual revenue model of advertising and premium subscriptions [5] - As of February 14, 2026, Grindr's market capitalization is $1.86 billion, with a revenue of $411.55 million and a one-year price change of -45.54% [4] Recent Developments - Lu and fellow majority owner Raymond Zage previously proposed a buyout at $18 per share, significantly above the current price, but negotiations were terminated due to financing concerns [6][9] - The company is under investigation for potential breaches of fiduciary duties related to the termination of buyout negotiations [9] Subscription Service Pilot - Grindr is testing a new subscription service called "Edge," which offers AI-powered features, with proposed prices reaching as high as $499, significantly higher than its current highest subscription of $44.99 [9][10]

Group 1 - The 2026 Spring Festival Gala will feature a horse-themed artistic installation designed to immerse the audience in a joyful and auspicious atmosphere, reflecting the vitality of the Year of the Horse [1] - The visual director, Jiang Yuhao, highlighted that the installation consists of over 300 modules and 5,584 individual flipping units, creating a dynamic representation of eight galloping horses [1] - The stage design aims to evoke a sense of "thousands of horses galloping in the same direction," aligning with the theme "The Steed Gallops, Unstoppable" [3] Group 2 - The artistic installation, inspired by the horse motif, creates a stage space that symbolizes the spirit of perseverance and progress, integrating elements from traditional Chinese culture [5] - The design incorporates advanced technologies such as AI, AR, and XR to create an immersive visual experience where the audience feels part of the scenery [5] - The horse-patterned installation features a three-sided design that can change materials to gold, silver, and red, producing a variety of color reflections through controlled flipping and lighting effects [3]

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival Gala will feature a unique stage design that incorporates an artistic installation of eight galloping horses, created using advanced technology and modular components [1] Group 1: Stage Design and Technology - The stage will be constructed from 5584 individual flipping modules, forming an artistic representation of eight galloping horses [1] - The design aims to create an immersive atmosphere of joy and auspiciousness, reflecting the theme "The Steed Gallops, Unstoppable" [1] - The installation utilizes a CNC matrix system with over 300 modules, allowing for dynamic color changes through lighting effects [1] Group 2: Cultural Significance and Innovation - The design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing resilience and progress through the zodiac horse element [1] - The gala will integrate technologies such as AI, AR, and XR to create a three-dimensional immersive visual experience [1] - The stage's structure will allow for various material transformations, including gold, silver, and red, enhancing the visual spectacle [1]

Core Viewpoint - The collaboration between Jia Zhangke and the AI video generation model Seedance 2.0 resulted in a unique short film, showcasing the integration of AI in filmmaking without concerns of technology replacing traditional cinema [1] Group 1: AI in Filmmaking - The short film "Jia Ke Zhang Dance" features two versions of Jia Zhangke, both generated by Seedance 2.0, highlighting the advancements in AI technology [1] - The film reflects a journey from black and white to color, and from silent to sound, illustrating the historical evolution of cinema alongside technological advancements [1] - Jia Zhangke expresses that the rapid development of AI, from producing low-quality outputs to generating high-quality videos from simple prompts, is remarkable [1] Group 2: Perspective on Technology - Jia Zhangke does not fear that AI will replace filmmaking, emphasizing that cinema has always coexisted with new technologies [1] - The invention of the camera was once met with skepticism, yet it has become a staple in everyday life, indicating that the focus should be on how technology is utilized [1]

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival Gala will feature a unique stage design centered around the theme of "Galloping Steeds," incorporating advanced technology to create an immersive visual experience for the audience [1][3][5]. Group 1: Stage Design and Technology - The stage will include an artistic installation of galloping horses, designed to immerse viewers in a joyful and auspicious atmosphere for the Year of the Horse [1]. - The visual director, Jiang Yuhao, highlighted that the stage features a CNC matrix installation made up of over 300 modules and 5,584 individual flipping units, creating a dynamic representation of eight galloping horses [1]. - The stage design will evoke a sense of "thousands of horses galloping in the same direction," aligning with the gala's theme and utilizing a CNC matrix that can change materials among gold, silver, and red [3]. Group 2: Cultural Elements and Visual Effects - The artistic installation draws inspiration from traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing resilience and progress through the horse zodiac element [5]. - The gala will leverage technologies such as AI, AR, and XR to create a three-dimensional immersive visual effect, allowing the audience to feel as if they are part of the scenery [5].

Core Viewpoint - The consensus in the capital markets has shifted to the understanding that while AI continues to evolve rapidly, the methods of betting on AI are becoming systematically ineffective [1][3]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The S&P 500 index experienced its worst weekly performance since November, stabilizing only after mild inflation data was released [2]. - The recent market volatility is not driven by macroeconomic data changes but by a deeper fear that AI is transitioning from a growth engine to a risk amplifier for assets [2]. Group 2: Impact on Valuation - The emergence of AI is not a signal of its failure but a necessary evolution of investment logic [3]. - AI's impact is causing a decline in the marginal value of labor, affecting industries heavily reliant on high-skilled white-collar workers, leading to a revaluation of profit margins in sectors like software and financial services [7]. - The recent sell-off has primarily affected light-asset industries, where profit margins have been recalibrated due to AI's influence [7]. Group 3: Shifts in Investment Preferences - As AI disrupts high-paying white-collar jobs, sectors like energy, essential consumer goods, and U.S. Treasuries are emerging as new safe havens for capital [8]. - This shift is not merely a style rotation but a re-evaluation of "irreplaceability," with energy becoming more akin to a public good due to increased demand from data centers [8]. - Essential consumer goods are gaining strength as they remain stable in demand despite AI advancements, providing defensive value in uncertain times [8]. Group 4: Future Investment Landscape - The investment landscape in 2026 will not be about abandoning AI but rather about identifying asset forms that are least likely to encounter issues during AI's expansion [10]. - The focus will shift from companies that merely tell the best AI stories to those whose demand remains intact or grows passively, even with widespread AI adoption [10]. - Industries that are capital-intensive, resource-constrained, or have physical or regulatory barriers are re-entering the core asset category, while those relying on human premiums and complex processes face stricter scrutiny [10]. Group 5: Conclusion on AI's Role - The key takeaway for investors is not whether AI will continue to develop, but how it is differentiating the risk attributes of assets [12]. - AI is still a crucial long-term variable, but it no longer guarantees high valuations or returns, as it can create both winners and losers [12].

Group 1 - The Hong Kong stock market experienced a V-shaped rebound on the last trading day before the Spring Festival, with the Hang Seng Index rising by 0.5% and the Hang Seng Tech Index increasing by 0.1%, despite a mid-session drop of nearly 2% [2] - The semiconductor sector showed strong performance, with Lattice Semiconductor rising over 14% and GigaDevice Semiconductor (603986) increasing by over 9%. Tech stocks generally performed well, with Tencent Music up nearly 5%, Baidu and Midea Group (000333) rising over 1%, and Tencent increasing by 0.2% [3] Group 2 - Institutional reports indicate that the Hong Kong stock market has short-term rebound potential, driven by increased foreign investment in Chinese assets and a rush to buy Hong Kong tech IPOs. Notably, the materials technology company Woer Heat Material (002130) is set to officially list on February 13, attracting cornerstone investors like Jump Trading [4] - Earlier, Lattice Semiconductor's Hong Kong IPO also drew interest from several long-term funds, including UBS Asset Management, JPMorgan Asset Management, and abrdn [4] - Industrial analysis from Industrial Securities suggests embracing the spring market with a strategy focused on "tech bottoming, cyclical recovery, and beta in dividends." Current market sentiment indicators show that short-selling transactions account for about 19.2% of the market, indicating a relative low in market sentiment and potential for a short-term rebound [4]

Market Overview - The Hong Kong stock market experienced a V-shaped rebound on the last trading day before the Spring Festival, with the Hang Seng Index rising by 0.5% and the Hang Seng Tech Index increasing by 0.1% despite a drop of nearly 2% during the session [1][3]. Gold and Silver Market - Gold and silver stocks saw a collective rise, with Luoyang Molybdenum up over 6% and Zijin Mining and Ganfeng Lithium both rising over 4%. However, spot gold and silver prices fell sharply, with spot silver dropping over 3% and spot gold falling below $5,000 to touch $4,980 per ounce [3][6]. AI and Semiconductor Sector - AI concept stocks surged, with MINIMAX-WP soaring by 24.6% and Zhizhu rising by 4.74%, both reaching new highs since their listings. Douyin concept stock Duoxiangyun saw a peak increase of 40%. The "first AI stock to eliminate illusions," Chenghai Technology Group, experienced a dramatic rise of 32% within the first five minutes of trading, closing up 29.6% with a market value of HKD 48.1 billion. On February 13, Chenghai Technology Group's stock price increased by over 200% on its first trading day, marking it as the best-performing new stock of the year [3][4]. Institutional Insights - Institutions indicate that the Hong Kong stock market has the potential for short-term rebound momentum. Foreign capital is increasingly allocating to Chinese assets, particularly in the tech sector, with notable IPOs such as Wolong Nuclear Materials scheduled for February 13. The IPO of Lanke Technology attracted significant long-term investments from major firms like UBS Asset Management and JPMorgan Asset Management. According to Industrial Securities, the current market sentiment is at a relatively low point, with short-selling transactions accounting for approximately 19.2%, indicating potential for a short-term rebound [4][5].