Booking reported better-than-expected first-quarter gross bookings, indicating continued strength across the travel industry https://t.co/LxCsx9xygQ ...

Core Insights - WEBUY GLOBAL LTD. has launched Altitude, an AI-powered premium travel advisory brand, which generated approximately US$400,000 in travel bookings shortly after its grand opening on January 26, 2026, indicating strong initial market demand [1][2]. Group 1: Product and Technology - Altitude combines immersive 4D experience screens, AI-driven personalization tools, and inspiration-led digital engagement to enhance the travel planning experience [2][5]. - The platform aims to redefine how travelers explore destinations by integrating advanced visual technology with AI insights [5][9]. Group 2: Market Demand and Trends - Outbound travel from Singapore is recovering, with approximately 9.8 million outbound trips in 2023, reaching about 92% of pre-pandemic levels, and a 24% increase in average expenditure per trip compared to pre-COVID levels [3]. - Luxury travel spending has increased by approximately 37%, with 73% of Singaporean travelers planning to boost their international travel spending, indicating a growing demand for premium travel experiences [4]. Group 3: Business Model and Strategy - Altitude's business model is designed to be scalable and technology-enabled, focusing on experiential and personalized travel services [9]. - WEBUY GLOBAL LTD. is committed to building an integrated travel ecosystem across Southeast Asia, leveraging innovation and regional partnerships [6].

Company Overview - Inflection has made its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker INFQ, raising $550 million through a SPAC merger to capitalize on the quantum computing opportunity [1][3][4]. Quantum Computing Phase - Inflection is currently in "phase one" of the quantum revolution, focusing on quantum sensing applications, with plans to develop large language models by 2028 [4][7]. Real-World Applications - The company has secured a deal with NASA to deploy sensors for gravity sensing, which can track environmental changes such as polar ice melting and aquifer depletion [9][10]. - Quantum technology is also being positioned as a backup for GPS timing systems, which are critical for synchronizing trades on the New York Stock Exchange [12]. Competitive Advantage - Inflection's use of neutral atoms as a flexible quantum modality allows for significant performance improvements in quantum sensing applications, contributing to projected revenues of $29 million in 2024 and $50 million in booked business for 2025 [14][15]. Geopolitical Context - The competition in quantum technology is intense, with the U.S. and China both investing heavily. The U.S. government recognizes quantum technology as a critical area for national security [17][18]. Future Risks - Quantum computers may eventually pose a risk to the security of blockchain technologies, including Bitcoin, due to their ability to solve complex calculations more efficiently than classical computers [19][20].

Market Overview - US equity futures resumed their selloff after a brief bounce, with S&P 500 futures down 0.5% and Nasdaq 100 contracts falling 1.0%, driven by concerns over AI disruption [1] - All major tech stocks in the "Magnificent 7" are lower, with notable declines in Nvidia (-0.9%) and Alphabet (-1.5%) [3] - Energy, financials, industrials, and defensive sectors showed pockets of outperformance amid the broader market decline [1] Corporate News - Activist investor Elliott has built a significant stake in Norwegian Cruise Line, leading to a rise of over 7% in its shares [4] - Apple is set to hold a product launch on March 4, which may impact its stock performance [3] - ImmunityBio shares rose 6% after receiving encouragement from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to submit a regulatory package for its bladder cancer therapy [4] - Masimo shares surged 34% following reports of a nearly $10 billion acquisition deal by Danaher [4] AI and Technology Sector - Investors are cautious about the profitability of AI spending, with concerns about competition and potential disruptions to various industries [6][7] - A record number of investors believe companies are overspending on AI, with 25% citing an "AI bubble" as a top market risk [10] - Despite selloff concerns, two-year forward earnings estimates for software stocks have risen, indicating resilience in the sector [11] Economic Indicators - Upcoming economic data includes the ADP employment change, Empire State manufacturing survey, and NAHB housing market index for February, which could influence market sentiment [1][22] - The UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2%, leading to increased expectations for a Bank of England rate cut [16] Commodities and Geopolitical Factors - Oil prices rose due to geopolitical tensions, particularly military drills by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting Brent crude prices [13][48] - Gold prices have declined, with spot gold dropping toward $4,900 an ounce amid a risk-off sentiment [1][48]

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Fixed Income and Central Bank Sentiment - Japanese government bond yields declined as market expectations for an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan cooled, with the 30-year JGB yield falling 4.5 basis points to 3.44% and the 2-year yield dropping 1.5 basis points to 1.25% [2][9]. Corporate Activism and Leadership Shakeups - Starboard Value LP is intensifying its campaign at Tripadvisor, holding over 9% of the company and planning to nominate a majority of candidates for its eight-person board to drive operational and strategic changes [3][9]. - Thomas Pritzker has resigned as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels following reports of his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, marking a significant leadership change as the company navigates a competitive post-pandemic environment [4][9]. Commodities and Energy Markets - The commodities sector saw volatility, particularly in precious metals, with gold prices falling over 1% to $4,922.09/oz and silver dropping more than 3% to $73.82/oz, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [6][9]. - The energy market experienced a modest recovery, with WTI crude futures rising more than 1%, suggesting renewed buyer interest and stabilizing demand [7][9]. Technology and Geopolitics - A report indicates that non-listed firms now account for nearly 70% of financial AI patent applications, with analysts warning that China's advancements in AI could lead to a "global tech shock," challenging U.S. technological dominance [8][9]. Trade and Diplomacy - Japan's transport ministry announced it will ease regulations for importing U.S.-made cars to reduce trade friction, and plans to send a special envoy to the first Board of Peace meeting regarding Gaza, reflecting Japan's efforts to balance domestic economic interests with international commitments [10]. Alternative Assets - The collectibles market achieved a milestone with a Pokemon card selling for a record $16.49 million at auction, highlighting the strength and high valuations in the alternative asset market [11].

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures showed a positive bias during the Presidents' Day holiday, with S&P 500 futures up approximately 0.4% and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures climbing 0.3% [1] - The tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 futures also gained 0.4%, reflecting optimism from the previous trading session [1] Economic Indicators - Headline inflation has cooled to 2.4%, with core inflation dropping to 2.5%, the lowest since early 2021, reinforcing expectations for a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve as early as June [2] - The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has stabilized near 4.07%, providing a supportive backdrop for equities [2] Major Index Performance - The S&P 500 finished at 6,836.17, up less than 0.1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 49,500.93, adding roughly 48 points [3] - The Nasdaq Composite slipped by 0.2% to 22,546.67, primarily due to a pullback in the semiconductor sector [3] - The Russell 2000 showed significant year-to-date strength, up over 6.6% as investors rotate into small-cap value plays [3] Upcoming Market Events - Palo Alto Networks is set to release its quarterly results on Tuesday, followed by Analog Devices and Booking Holdings on Wednesday [4] - Walmart will report its fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 earnings on Thursday, with analysts expecting revenue growth of 5.4% [5] - The Federal Reserve will release minutes from its recent policy meeting, along with upcoming U.S. GDP and PCE inflation data, which may signal potential rate cuts [5] Corporate News - Rivian Automotive saw a significant stock increase of over 26% due to analyst upgrades and rumors of expanded electric vehicle partnerships [6] - Coinbase Global surged 16.46% following a completed share buyback tranche and increased crypto-asset volatility [6] - Constellation Brands experienced an 8.04% decline after announcing a leadership transition [7] - Nvidia shares were down 2.2% ahead of its earnings call on February 25th [7] - AppLovin rebounded 6.4% amid discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on SaaS business models [7]

Core Insights - Expedia Group (EXPE) reported a strong fourth-quarter 2025 performance with adjusted EPS of $3.78, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.29% and marking a 58% year-over-year increase [1] - The company's revenues reached $3.55 billion, surpassing consensus estimates by 4.22% and reflecting an 11.4% year-over-year growth [1] - Expedia ended the quarter with 94 million booked room nights, a 9% increase from 86.4 million in the prior year, while gross bookings rose 11% to $27 billion, driven by robust demand in both the U.S. and international markets [1] B2B and Advertising Performance - The B2B segment showed exceptional growth, with gross bookings increasing by 24% to $8.66 billion and revenues climbing 24% to $1.29 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.64% [2] - Adjusted EBITDA for B2B reached $308 million, surpassing estimates by 1.27%, although the margin decreased by 60 basis points year-over-year to 23.9% due to investments in new product lines and partner capabilities [2] - The B2B segment benefited from double-digit growth across all regions, with the Rapid Application Programming Interface being a significant contributor [3] Advertising Growth - Advertising revenues rose 19% to $305 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 16.36%, as the company achieved a record number of active advertising partners [4] - Expedia Group Advertising revenues grew 19% to $208 million, while trivago advertising revenues surged 47% to $97 million, driven by the introduction of new ad formats [4] B2C Segment Dynamics - The B2C segment also performed well, with gross bookings growing 5% to $18.34 billion and revenues increasing 4% to $2.16 billion, surpassing estimates by 1.91% [5] - Despite geopolitical challenges in Asia impacting regional performance, B2C adjusted EBITDA reached $679 million, exceeding estimates by 13.23%, with a margin of 31.5%, up 560 basis points year-over-year [7] - Lodging revenues grew 11% to $2.82 billion, beating estimates by 4.48%, while air revenues declined 3% to $94 million, missing estimates by 13.27% [8]

Core Insights - The current quarter is witnessing significant corporate earnings growth, yet the focus is shifting towards the potential threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) [1][3] - Mentions of AI disruption in management calls have nearly doubled compared to the previous quarter, indicating rising investor concern [1] - Despite strong earnings growth, the S&P 500 has remained stagnant due to fears surrounding AI's impact on future earnings [4] Earnings Performance - Fourth-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies are up 12% year-over-year, surpassing the initial expectation of 8.4% [3] - Over 75% of companies have reported positive earnings surprises, which is above average [3] Market Reactions - CBRE Group Inc. experienced a 20% stock selloff after its CEO suggested AI could reduce long-term demand for office space [2] - Stocks perceived to be at risk from AI have seen significant declines, with UBS Group AG reporting a 40% to 50% drop in affected stock baskets over the past year [7] Sector Impact - Media, software, and staffing sectors are identified as the most vulnerable to AI disruption, with financial and professional services also being affected recently [5] - In contrast, companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and SK Hynix Inc. are benefiting from AI-related demand, contributing to record highs in Asian markets [6] Short Selling Trends - Short interest in stocks at risk from AI has increased, with the percentage of shares out on loan rising from about 2% to over 5% in the UBS basket [11] - Stocks such as Randstad NV and Ubisoft Entertainment SA are among those with heightened short interest [11] Capital Expenditure Trends - Despite concerns about AI disruption, capital spending by major tech companies (Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle) surged by 72% in 2025 and is projected to increase by another 63% this year [12] - A potential catalyst for easing market fears would be a reduction in capital spending announcements from these hyperscalers [13]

Canadian Car Visits To U.S. Fall 27% In January—As Trump Slump Hits One-Year Milestone https://t.co/ZxN8fXU1ZW ...