Core Viewpoint - GameStop Corp (NYSE:GME) shares are experiencing an upward trend as broader market indices show strength, with a focus on the upcoming fourth-quarter earnings report, where analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) of 31 cents and revenue of $1.47 billion [1] Group 1: Earnings Expectations - GameStop is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings, with analysts estimating an EPS of 31 cents and revenue expectations at $1.47 billion [1] - In the previous third quarter, GameStop reported an EPS of 24 cents, surpassing the analyst estimate of 18 cents [2] Group 2: Short Interest Data - Recent data indicates a decrease in short interest for GameStop, falling from 66.88 million to 65.62 million shares, which represents 16.04% of the company's float [3] - It would take approximately 13.98 days for short sellers to cover their positions [3] Group 3: Technical Analysis - GameStop is currently trading 3.8% below its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 1.7% above its 100-day SMA, indicating short-term pressure while maintaining a longer-term base [4] - Over the past 12 months, GameStop shares have declined by 10.33%, positioning the stock closer to its 52-week low than its high [4] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 37.70, indicating neutral territory, while the MACD is at -0.1190, below its signal line at 0.0781 [4] Group 4: Stock Price Activity - As of the time of publication, GameStop shares were up 1.71% at $22.96 [5] - Key resistance level is identified at $24.00, while key support is at $22.00 [5]

Core Insights - BlackRock CEO Larry Fink emphasizes that AI could exacerbate wealth inequality unless more individuals participate in market growth, indicating a fracture in the traditional model of global capitalism [1][2] Group 1: Wealth Distribution and Economic Anxiety - Fink highlights that the majority of wealth has accrued to asset owners rather than wage earners, raising concerns about economic anxiety stemming from a perception that capitalism is not benefiting enough people [2] - He warns that AI may replicate and intensify this trend, concentrating wealth among companies and investors who can leverage these technologies [2][3] Group 2: K-shaped Economic Outcomes - The emergence of "K-shaped" outcomes is noted, where leading firms advance while others lag behind, exemplified by Walmart's high valuation juxtaposed with Saks' bankruptcy [3] - Fink points out that rising market capitalization with narrow ownership can create a sense of distance from prosperity for those outside the ownership circle [3] Group 3: Market Participation - Despite the US having one of the highest market participation rates globally, approximately 40% of the population lacks exposure to capital markets, with even lower rates observed internationally [4] - Fink describes a scenario where billions observe economic growth without participating, often saving in low-yield bank accounts instead of investing [4] Group 4: Investment Strategy - Fink advises long-term market investment, asserting that staying invested has historically proven more beneficial than attempting to time the market [5] - He notes that over the past two decades, investments in the S&P 500 have increased more than eightfold, with significant market gains occurring during turbulent times [5]

Group 1: Oil Market Impact - Crude prices are expected to remain a dominant force, with Brent already above $113 a barrel, raising stakes for markets [1] - Escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, could lead to further supply disruptions, impacting global growth and inflation [2] - A prolonged supply shock, especially with disruptions in LNG exports from Qatar, could ripple through corporate earnings expectations [2] Group 2: Federal Reserve Commentary - Federal Reserve commentary is crucial as rate expectations shift, with key policymakers scheduled to speak [4] - Markets are repricing the policy outlook, with fading expectations for rate cuts and discussions about potential hikes [4] - Deutsche Bank suggests the Fed will remain cautious due to sticky inflation in core goods and a stable labor market [5] Group 3: Economic Data and Corporate Earnings - The economic calendar is relatively quiet, but flash PMI readings and consumer sentiment data will be monitored for signs of inflation expectations [6] - Earnings reports from companies like GameStop, PDD Holdings, Paychex, Chewy, and Carnival Corporation could lead to stock-specific volatility [7] - Options markets are indicating heightened volatility around Coinbase and Lululemon, while Nvidia remains a focus due to its AI-driven momentum [8]

Group 1 - The company completed an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) of approximately 2.5 million American Depositary Shares (ADSs) at an average price of $104.41 per ADS, totaling USD $260 million [1] - A new ASR agreement has been entered into with a different financial institution to repurchase up to USD $300 million of its ADSs, with an initial delivery of 591,774 ADSs expected in March 2026 [2] - The total number of shares repurchased under the new ASR will depend on the daily volume-weighted average price of the ADSs during the agreement term, with final settlement expected in the second quarter of 2026 [3] Group 2 - FEMSA operates in the retail industry through its Proximity Americas Division, which includes OXXO, and Proximity Europe, which includes Valora, as well as a Health Division and digital financial services initiatives [4] - The company is the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by volume through Coca-Cola FEMSA [4] - FEMSA employs over 392,000 individuals across 18 countries and is recognized in various sustainability and ESG indexes [4]

Market Overview - Asian stocks experienced a decline, with Japan, South Korea, and India showing significant losses due to heightened fears of a US-Israel escalation with Iran following President Trump's ultimatum [1] - Gold prices plummeted by 7.5%, erasing all gains made in 2026, as the Iran crisis and concerns over interest rates diminished demand for bullion [1] - Oil prices rose amid volatility, remaining near recent highs after Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz [1] - Bitcoin fell below $68,000 as fears related to Iran triggered a broader risk-off sentiment in the market [1] - Copper prices dropped to a three-month low, reflecting diminished risk appetite due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, raising concerns about growth and inflation [1] Economic Impact - The conflict has disrupted shipments of essential commodities, including petrochemicals, fertilizers, sulfur, and helium, which could lead to serious global economic repercussions [2] - Major US indexes saw significant declines, with the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow dropping approximately 2.0%, 1.5%, and 1.0% respectively, marking a fourth consecutive weekly loss as oil futures surged [3] - Investors are closely monitoring upcoming economic data, including consumer sentiment reports and import price indices, for indications of public reaction to the Middle East conflict and its impact on inflation [4][5] Energy Sector - The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that over 40 energy sites across nine Middle Eastern countries have been severely damaged due to the conflict, risking prolonged disruptions to global supply chains [1] - Goldman Sachs has raised its Brent oil price forecasts, anticipating higher oil prices for an extended period due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions [1]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the Southeast Asia private capital market Core Insights - Southeast Asia's macroeconomic outlook has improved modestly, with growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 revised upward to 4.5% and 4.4% respectively, driven by stronger-than-expected performance in key markets [6] - Despite improved macro forecasts, private capital markets have not rebounded, with venture capital (VC) activity contracting due to structural constraints rather than macroeconomic deterioration [6][12] - Private equity (PE) has shown resilience, with capital deployment in line with historical norms, particularly in B2B and infrastructure-linked sectors [7][68] - Liquidity remains a significant constraint, with subdued exit activity across both VC and PE, highlighting the need for deeper exit pathways to drive ecosystem maturity [8] Market Overview - The Asian Development Bank has revised growth forecasts for Southeast Asia, reflecting stronger performances in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, while the Philippines faces softer growth expectations [6] - VC deal activity in Southeast Asia fell 33.9% year-over-year to $6.3 billion across 805 transactions in 2025, indicating a continued contraction [12] - The region's venture ecosystem is maturing, with a lack of consistent distributions to limited partners (LPs) due to a weak exit environment [13][34] Dealmaking - VC deal activity has seen a significant decline, with pre-seed/seed activity falling to its lowest share of total deals in the past decade, indicating reduced experimentation in the ecosystem [20] - The median VC deal value increased from $2.7 million in 2024 to $4 million in 2025, reflecting a trend where fewer companies are raising capital but those that do are securing larger rounds [25] - Singapore continues to dominate the VC landscape, with its share of total regional deal value rising steadily since 2020, indicating a structural consolidation of capital [46] Exits - VC exit activity remained subdued in 2025, with only 58 exits recorded, reflecting a thin pipeline of scaled, exit-ready assets [105] - Acquisitions accounted for the majority of VC exits, with software companies representing the largest share of exits [107][109] - PE exit activity also showed a decline, with 32 exits and a total exit value of $5.7 billion, primarily through trade sales or secondary buyouts [118] Fundraising - Fundraising pressures persist in the private capital markets, with nondomestic LP participation moderating and governance scrutiny remaining elevated [6] - The report highlights a growing backlog of late-stage companies operating in a constrained liquidity environment, with limited pathways for realizing elevated private valuations [36]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article emphasizes the potential for significant long-term growth in specific segments of the AI computing power investment landscape, despite short-term volatility in stock prices due to various factors [5] - The article highlights that the GTC conference and OFC conference have a synergistic effect, suggesting that the optical interconnection sector is likely to benefit from these developments [5] Group 2 - Ping An Bank reported a 10.4% decline in revenue and a 4.2% decrease in PPOP for 2025, with retail profit contribution showing signs of recovery [5] - CITIC Bank achieved a revenue of 212.5 billion, a slight decrease of 0.55%, but a net profit increase of 2.98%, with a dividend payout ratio rising to 31.75% [5] - Greentown Service's revenue reached 19.16 billion, up 7.1%, with a core operating profit increase of 24.6% and a dividend payout ratio of 75% [7] - Wanwu Cloud reported a revenue of 37.27 billion, a 2.7% increase, with a core net profit of 2.13 billion, reflecting a growth of 0.8% [7] - Wancheng Group achieved a revenue of 51.46 billion, a significant increase of 59.17%, and a net profit growth of 358.09% [7] - Tianshili's revenue was 8.236 billion, with a net profit of 1.105 billion, showing a 16% increase, despite a 3% decline in overall revenue [8]

Core Insights - Alibaba Group's workforce decreased by approximately 34% in 2025, primarily due to the sale of Sun Art and a shift towards artificial intelligence [1][3] - The company ended December 2025 with 128,197 employees, down from 194,320 the previous year [2] - The workforce reduction was significantly influenced by the divestiture of Sun Art Retail Group and the exit from the department store chain Intime [3] AI Focus and Financial Goals - Alibaba introduced its most advanced AI model, Qwen3.5-Max-Preview, which ranked as the top Chinese system on a major benchmarking platform [4] - The company is expanding its Qwen model family and launching enterprise-focused tools like the Wukong AI service, while also increasing cloud and storage prices to enhance monetization [5] - Alibaba aims to generate over $100 billion annually from cloud and AI within five years, investing over $53 billion in AI infrastructure and reorganizing to focus on enterprise customers and AI services [6] Market Position and Valuation - There is strong demand for AI products and increasing usage across Alibaba's platforms, positioning its expanding AI ecosystem as a significant long-term revenue source [7] - First Eagle views Alibaba's stock as undervalued based on its AI potential, believing that the current valuation reflects its e-commerce business while the AI segment offers additional upside not yet fully recognized by the market [7]

Alice Walton is the world’s richest woman on the 2026 #ForbesBillionaires list.The only daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, the heiress sits among the world’s wealthiest thanks to her stake in the retail giant.Walton and French L'Oréal heiress Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers are the only two women worth more than $100 billion.See how they rank among the richest people on the planet: https://t.co/u1RNTgDRhk (Illustration: Neil Jamieson for Forbes) ...

The startup era is back, but this time founders are using AI to avoid one of their biggest early costs—hiring employees. A report this week by the Bank of America Institute found the number of “high propensity businesses,” or businesses the Census Bureau identifies as likely to hire employees, jumped by 15.1% year over year in January. Meanwhile, the number of business applications with explicit plans to hire employees fell by 4.4%. The trend comes amid the record-high investment small companies are ma ...