Ripple Managing Director Reece Merrick took to X to announce an extension of the blockchain payment firm’s collaboration with Garanti BBVA, a Turkish financial institution. The latter intends to continue using Ripple’s institutional-grade custody technology to secure major crypto assets, including Bitcoin , Ethereum , and XRP . Ripple’s Metaco Finds a Place with Garanti BBVA In his X post, Merrick described Garanti BBVA Kripto as “our Turkish partner,” citing that the new deal is an extension of an exist ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the journey of a machine learning engineer transitioning from finance to tech, highlighting the challenges faced during the job search process and the importance of networking and support from peers [1][9]. Group 1: Job Market Challenges - The tech industry faced significant layoffs in late 2022, creating uncertainty for new graduates seeking employment [2]. - The individual lacked tech internships, having previously interned in finance, which added to the difficulty of finding a tech role [3]. Group 2: Networking and Support - A close circle of friends provided mutual support during the job search, sharing contacts and information about recruiters [7][8]. - The individual leveraged personal connections, obtaining a referral from a friend's cousin who worked at Snap Inc. [12]. Group 3: Job Application Process - The individual proactively reached out to a recruiter at Snap after not hearing back for a month, demonstrating initiative in the job application process [13][15]. - The interview process at Snap included multiple rounds, totaling about five hours in a single day, showcasing the rigorous selection process for tech roles [16]. Group 4: Career Transition Success - The individual successfully secured a software engineering role at Snap in March 2023 and began working in August 2023, transitioning to a machine learning engineer position [17]. - The smaller size of Snap compared to larger tech companies allows for greater agency and independence in project work [17]. Group 5: Advice for Job Seekers - Recommendations for job seekers include leveraging networks, connecting with recruiters, and preparing thoroughly for interviews [18][19].

Core Insights - The rise of AI and remote work presents significant compliance challenges for HR leaders, necessitating effective strategies to manage these issues [1][11] - Experts predict that AI will be at the center of many compliance risks in 2026, emphasizing the need for proactive measures [2][11] Compliance Risks - Key compliance risks identified include AI governance, worker classification, remote jurisdictional risks, data privacy, and employee monitoring [3] - The overuse of AI raises concerns about data leaks and privacy, as highlighted by the Mobley vs. Workday lawsuit [4] Importance of Auditing - Regular audits, both internal and external, are crucial for understanding AI usage and ensuring compliance [5] - Complacency can lead to significant compliance issues, making it essential for HR to scrutinize existing systems and practices [3] Remote Work Challenges - AI complicates remote work by enabling risks such as impersonation and false credentials, which can be exploited by malicious actors [6] - HR professionals can mitigate these risks through diligent practices like reviewing interview records and tracking employee locations [7] AI Overreliance - Overreliance on AI can lead to a lack of human oversight, resulting in potential legal issues and stagnation in employee growth [9][10] - Companies must balance AI utilization with the development of employee skills to avoid future leadership crises [10] Future Outlook - The discussion underscores the importance of diligence and awareness in HR practices to navigate the evolving landscape of compliance driven by AI [11]

Core Viewpoint - In 2025, Guangdong's social financing scale increased by 2.78 trillion yuan, showing a year-on-year increase of 366.1 billion yuan, which significantly supports the high-quality development of the province [1] Financing Structure - Loans maintained a stable and rapid growth, with a total increase of 1.34 trillion yuan in both RMB and foreign currency loans, representing a year-on-year increase of 238.2 billion yuan, accounting for 48.2% of the social financing scale increment, up by 2.6 percentage points year-on-year [1] - The scale of government bond financing continued to expand, with net financing of local government bonds reaching 616.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 80.7 billion yuan, making up 22.2% of the social financing scale increment, remaining stable compared to 2024 [1] - Corporate direct financing accelerated, with companies raising 353.9 billion yuan through bond and stock issuance, a year-on-year increase of 105 billion yuan, accounting for 12.7% of the social financing scale increment, up by 2.4 percentage points year-on-year [1]

Market Overview - The A-share market is experiencing typical index fluctuations and structural differentiation, with the Shanghai Composite Index up 0.27% and the Shenzhen Component Index up 0.24%, while the ChiNext Index slightly decreased by 0.17% [1] - The market's flat index performance contrasts sharply with the significant volatility in industry sectors, indicating a shift towards niche opportunities and a multi-faceted market dynamic [1] Fund Flow Dynamics - The trading volume in both markets increased to 1.91 trillion yuan, showing strong willingness for new capital inflow, characterized by a "buy low, sell high" behavior [1] - Funds are flowing out of sectors with short-term gains, such as telecommunications (-1.79%) and electronics, and rapidly entering new hotspots like defense and military (+2.77%) and power equipment (+2.56%) [1] Key Focus Areas - The high-end manufacturing sectors, particularly defense and photovoltaic industries, are the main focus of the market, driven by multiple converging factors [1] - The strength of the military industry is underpinned by long-term expectations for accelerated development in high-end equipment and aerospace during the 14th Five-Year Plan, with commercial space initiatives providing tangible catalysts [2] Technological Narratives - The expansion of technological narratives is creating new valuation spaces, particularly in the photovoltaic sector, where concepts like "space photovoltaics" are capturing market imagination [2] - Discussions around advanced photovoltaic technologies required for space environments are effectively outlining potential new growth curves for the industry [2] Global Macro Trends - The rise in the non-ferrous metals sector reflects a long-term demand logic driven by new energy vehicles and storage, alongside a bet on global inflation resilience and rising resource prices [3] - The recent highs in lithium carbonate futures and strengthening international gold prices provide short-term price support for this sector [3] Future Market Outlook - The keyword "structural" will be crucial for understanding market trends in the near future, with a macro backdrop of adequate monetary policy and ample market liquidity suggesting limited systemic risk [3] - However, the increasing speed of sector rotation may complicate investment strategies, making it essential to focus on core sectors with strong industrial trends while being aware of potential short-term adjustments in leading technology growth sectors [4] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to adopt a strategy of "focusing on main lines while maintaining balanced allocations," keeping a close watch on sectors like defense, AI chip localization, and new energy technology innovations [4] - In periods of volatility in growth sectors, low-valuation and high-dividend sectors such as banking and coal may present defensive value [4]

Economic Data - Markets experienced a rise, with the Dow gaining 306 points (+0.63%), S&P 500 up 37 points (+0.55%), Nasdaq increasing by 211 points (+0.91%), and Russell 2000 growing by 17 points (+0.64%) [1] - The delayed November Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report indicated Personal Spending increased by 0.3%, which was 10 basis points lower than expected, following a previous drop of 30 basis points to 0.1% [2] - Year-over-year PCE rose to 2.8%, recovering from a 10 basis point dip the prior month, with core PCE also reflecting the same year-over-year increase [3] Company Earnings - Intel (INTC) reported earnings of 15 cents per share, nearly doubling the anticipated 8 cents, with revenues of $13.67 billion surpassing the Zacks consensus of $13.37 billion; however, shares fell by 6.5% due to lowered revenue guidance amid ongoing supply constraints [4] - Intel's Data Center segment grew by 9% year-over-year to $4.7 billion, despite a 7% decline in Cloud computing [5] - Capital One (COF) missed Q4 earnings estimates at $3.86 per share compared to the expected $4.12, but revenues of $15.58 billion exceeded the $15.37 billion forecast; the company also announced the acquisition of AI-based FinTech Brex for $5.15 billion [6] - CSX (CSX) saw its share price increase despite missing Q4 earnings estimates, reporting earnings of 39 cents per share, which was 3 cents below consensus, and revenues of $3.51 billion, slightly below the expected $3.55 billion, attributed to subdued industrial demand [7]

Financial Performance - Business First (BFST) reported revenue of $83.09 million for the quarter ended December 2025, reflecting a 7.1% increase year-over-year [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.79, up from $0.66 in the same quarter last year [1] - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $81.5 million, resulting in a surprise of +1.95% [1] - The company achieved an EPS surprise of +9.72%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.72 [1] Key Metrics - Net Interest Margin stood at 3.7%, matching the two-analyst average estimate [4] - Efficiency Ratio was reported at 63.1%, higher than the average estimate of 60.7% based on two analysts [4] - Total Other Income reached $12.23 million, surpassing the two-analyst average estimate of $11.48 million [4] - Net Interest Income was reported at $70.86 million, compared to the average estimate of $69.13 million by two analysts [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Business First have returned +5.1% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Group 1: Market Overview - US stocks experienced a decline, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average retreating approximately 0.5%, the S&P 500 falling nearly 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite dipping below the flat line [1][7] - The S&P 500 is set for back-to-back weekly losses as investor sentiment shifts following a brief period of gains [3] Group 2: Intel's Financial Performance - Intel reported a disappointing first quarter guidance, resulting in a quarterly loss as it struggled to meet demand for server chips used in AI data centers, leading to a nearly 15% drop in its shares [2][11] - The company's overall revenue for the third quarter declined 10% year over year to $2.6 billion, missing Wall Street estimates of $2.7 billion, although adjusted profits rose to $1.77 per share, surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.27 [10][11] Group 3: Booz Allen Hamilton's Growth - Booz Allen Hamilton's stock rose 7% in premarket trading as the company indicated a reacceleration of contracts following government cost-cutting efforts [8] - The company's sales backlog increased by 2% year over year to $38 billion in the third quarter, with the CEO expressing optimism about growth prospects in both national security and civil business sectors [9] Group 4: Emerging Market Trends - Emerging-market stocks and currencies are experiencing significant inflows as investors seek to diversify away from US assets, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index on track for its longest winning streak since May [20][22] - Asian technology shares are driving the rally, while other regions are also showing strong performance, with the MSCI EM Latin America Index closing at its highest since April 2018 [21] Group 5: Natural Gas Market - US natural gas futures saw a decline after a record-breaking three-day rally, dropping as much as 7.6% to $4.660 per million British thermal units, despite a previous surge of 63% [25][26]

Core Insights - The investment strategy focuses on acquiring strong businesses at undervalued prices, emphasizing the importance of quality and economic fundamentals [1] Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The company has a diversified portfolio that includes sectors such as telecom, banking, payments, and technology, indicating a broad investment approach [1] - The emphasis is placed on holding high-quality businesses and expanding knowledge about their competitive advantages [1] - The investment strategy prioritizes companies with large user bases and cross-selling opportunities, which are seen as underappreciated potential [1] Group 2: Performance Metrics - The annual return from January 1, 2022, to December 18, 2025, is reported at 15.07% CAGR, translating to a total return of 74.3%, which outperforms the market's 10.82% CAGR and 50.15% total return [1] Group 3: Investment Approach - The valuation method focuses on EBIT plus R&D investments, reflecting a belief in the potential of certain R&D initiatives [1] - The company does not endorse traditional "Buy" and "Sell" recommendations, instead advocating for a "Strong Buy" threshold for exceptional businesses and categorizing others as "Strong Sell" to generate cash for future investments [1] - A "Hold" position may be initiated for high-quality businesses if pricing is not favorable, indicating a flexible approach to market conditions [1]

Core Viewpoint - Donald Trump has initiated a $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, alleging that the bank debanked him and his business interests for political reasons after his presidency ended [1][5]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County court, relating to events surrounding the transition of power to Joe Biden following the 2020 election, which Trump claims was rigged [3]. - Trump asserts that he and his businesses were cut off from millions of dollars and faced disruptions while trying to open new bank accounts [2]. Group 2: JPMorgan Chase's Response - JPMorgan Chase has denied the allegations, stating that it does not close accounts for political or religious reasons, but rather due to legal or regulatory risks [5]. - The bank expressed regret over the lawsuit but maintains that it believes the suit lacks merit [5]. Group 3: Context and Comparisons - The case has similarities to a recent dispute in the UK involving Nigel Farage and NatWest regarding account closures, highlighting ongoing tensions between financial institutions and political figures [5]. - Trump is also pursuing a separate $10 billion defamation case against the BBC related to the editing of a speech he made during the Capitol protests [6].