Good morning. I'm Yiani executive editor Brian Zazi coming to you straight from [music] our newsroom in New York City. It's a darn busy morning for markets and for me I'm declaring today hot take Thursday.Here's what's up in the investing world. One so much chatter on X about whether to begin buying crashed out software stocks like Salesforce [music] workday service. Now retail investors appear game to catch falling knives.Look at [music] this rapid buying retail investors are doing of software stocks per n ...

Core Insights - Shenzhen is facing competition from other cities like Hangzhou, which has emerged as an "innovation capital" with strong tech companies, prompting local government to initiate a "defense battle" for its innovation status [1][2] - The city has developed a highly efficient "entrepreneurial assembly line" that allows startups to quickly move from idea to product launch without needing extensive manufacturing knowledge [1][2][10] - The influx of capital from various sources, including professor funds and government-backed investments, has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, although challenges such as talent imbalance and increased competition are emerging [2][14][17] Government Support and Policies - Shenzhen's government has implemented numerous supportive policies, including low-interest loans and housing assistance, to alleviate the financial burdens on startups [5][12] - The "six ones" initiative in Nanshan district provides comprehensive support for early-stage entrepreneurs, addressing their needs from housing to funding [5][12] - Despite the generous policies, some entrepreneurs feel that the support is more of a bonus rather than a necessity for survival, emphasizing the importance of product viability over government assistance [7][12] Talent and Workforce - The talent pool in Shenzhen is strong in hardware but lacks sufficient software expertise, leading to a reliance on hiring from cities like Beijing and Shanghai for core algorithm development [7][8][12] - The city has a high density of young talent, particularly in AI hardware, but struggles to attract top-tier software engineers, resulting in higher salary premiums for such positions [7][8][12] Entrepreneurial Ecosystem - Shenzhen's entrepreneurial ecosystem is characterized by a network of hardware solution companies that facilitate the rapid development of prototypes and products for startups [9][10] - The city has a well-established supply chain that supports hardware development, allowing entrepreneurs to outsource various components of their projects efficiently [9][10] - Crowdfunding has become a significant avenue for startups to gain visibility and funding, with many successful projects emerging from Shenzhen [10][11] Investment Landscape - The investment landscape in Shenzhen is vibrant, with significant interest from venture capital firms, particularly in the "AI + hardware" sector, as traditional software investments face uncertainty [14][17] - A three-tiered funding structure has emerged, comprising venture capital, professor-led funds, and government investments, creating a comprehensive support network for entrepreneurs [17][18] - Entrepreneurs are under pressure to secure funding quickly, as the current capital influx is seen as a temporary opportunity that may not last beyond 2026 [18][19]

Europe’s software companies are set for slower earnings growth than their hardware counterparts this year, compounding fears in global markets that AI will reshape software firms’ business models https://t.co/Dm87XY0CUr ...

Core Insights - Zebra Technologies will present at the Citi Global Industrial Tech & Mobility Conference on February 17, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time [1] - The company is recognized as a leader in digitizing and automating workflows, providing solutions across various industries including retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and healthcare [1] Financial Announcements - Zebra Technologies is set to report its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on February 12, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET) [1] - The company announced strong third-quarter results for the period ending September 27, 2025, attributing success to solid demand, lower-than-expected tariffs, and effective operational execution [1]

Market Overview - The current leadership rotation in the market is seen as healthy, with over 68% of the S&P 500 above its 200-day moving average, indicating a strong market condition [2] - The S&P 500 has 17% of its components making new highs, while only 3% are making new lows, suggesting positive market momentum [3] Sector Performance - The technology sector, particularly software stocks like Salesforce and Adobe, is experiencing significant challenges, with Salesforce being highlighted as a major laggard [3][8] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a milestone of 50,000, with a third of its components making new highs, reinforcing the notion of a strong secular bull market [4][5] Earnings Insights - Earnings growth remains a key narrative, but the market reaction to earnings reports has been mixed, with companies like Meta and Microsoft facing sell-offs despite solid earnings [6][7] - Upcoming earnings reports from companies such as Apploven, Unity Software, and Data Dog are anticipated to provide further insights into the software sector's performance [11] Investment Strategies - There is a shift towards more stable, dividend-paying stocks in the current market environment, with companies like Coca-Cola and Exxon Mobil being recommended for long-term investment [18][20] - The focus is on identifying individual companies within the software sector that can differentiate themselves and provide guidance to alleviate market fears [12][14] Future Outlook - The market is expected to remain volatile, with attention on upcoming economic indicators such as unemployment numbers and CPI inflation data [8] - The potential for recovery in the software sector is contingent on individual company performance and market sentiment towards technology stocks [10][12]

Core Viewpoint - The global storage chip industry is experiencing an unprecedented "super cycle" driven by the explosive demand for AI infrastructure, leading to significant price increases in core categories such as DRAM, NAND, and HBM. This situation has made the profitability of end-device and infrastructure manufacturers a focal point for capital markets [1]. Group 1: Lenovo's Financial Performance - Lenovo Group is set to release its Q3 financial report for the fiscal year 2025/26, which is considered a critical indicator of how well end-device manufacturers can withstand cost pressures amid soaring global storage chip prices [1]. - Bloomberg forecasts Lenovo's Q3 revenue to reach approximately $20.76 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of about 10.4% from $18.8 billion [1]. - Despite achieving an adjusted net profit of $512 million in Q2 (a 25% year-on-year increase), analysts have lowered the average net profit expectation for Q3 to about $463 million due to significant fluctuations in storage chip costs [2]. Group 2: Supply Chain and Inventory Strategy - Lenovo's unique supply chain strategy has garnered significant market attention, as the company has strategically accumulated storage chips, with inventory levels approximately 50% higher than normal, potentially supporting production until the end of 2026 [3]. - The operational profit margin for Lenovo's Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), which includes personal computers and related businesses, was reported at 7.3% in Q2, and the market is keenly observing whether this performance can be sustained in Q3 [2]. - IDC has warned that hardware inflation caused by storage shortages could lead to a decline in global PC shipments by as much as 8.9% in 2026, highlighting the potential risks in the market [3].

Core Insights - The Shanghai Putuo District Urban Operation Management Center has announced a tender for the construction of a comprehensive management service platform for government models, with a total budget of 18,990,000 yuan [1][3]. Procurement Requirements - **Item One: Software Development** - Quantity: 2 - Budget: 5,730,000 yuan - The project includes the development of application software, which encompasses a government model capability service platform, a gateway service platform, a document indexing and annotation service platform, a technical service portal, and general intelligent application development [2][4]. - **Item Two: Hardware Procurement** - Quantity: 2 - Budget: 13,260,000 yuan - This includes the procurement and installation of AI servers and switch equipment [3][5][6].

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of a new AI automation tool by Anthropic has triggered a significant sell-off in software stocks, leading to a substantial decline in the Goldman Sachs software index, with approximately $2 trillion wiped off since its peak [1]. Group 1: Market Reaction - The sell-off in software stocks has been extensive and is now affecting hardware stocks as well, with notable declines in companies like NVIDIA and Google, while Microsoft has shown a slight rebound [3]. - The negative sentiment surrounding software stocks has become a global phenomenon, indicating a broad market reaction to the current state of the software industry [2]. Group 2: Investor Sentiment - Some investors are beginning to consider this sell-off as a potential buying opportunity, suggesting that a rally could occur if software stocks decline too much, as many are currently in oversold territory [4]. - There is a growing discussion among investors about whether it is wise to attempt to "catch a falling knife" in the current market environment [4].

Core Insights - Square has launched the second generation of its Square Register, enhancing speed, power, and reliability for businesses [1] - The new Square Register is 40% faster than its predecessor, designed for high-volume commerce and improved customer experiences [1] Product Improvements - The second generation features a more powerful processor, expanded memory, and upgraded Wi-Fi antenna, resulting in quicker launching, loading, and navigation [1] - The device is built for durability with an IP54 rating and a reinforced card dip slot to withstand spills and dust [1] Market Adoption - In the U.S., 62% of Food and Beverage sellers generating $500k or more in annual GPV utilized the original Square Register last year [1] - The new Square Register is available for purchase starting at $899, compatible with existing Square accessories and the broader Square ecosystem [1] Customer Feedback - Businesses like Kona Coffee Roasters have reported that the enhanced speed and responsiveness of the new Square Register improve service quality and customer satisfaction [1] Strategic Partnerships - Square has partnered with 7 Leaves Cafe to support its expansion across 44 locations in the U.S. using Square's commerce platform [2] - The company has renewed its Corner Store lease in San Francisco's Mission District, launching new programming to support local businesses [2] - Square has expanded its partnership with Thrive to simplify multi-channel inventory management for retailers, integrating with platforms like Shopify [2]

Group 1 - The recent selloff in global software stocks was triggered by the launch of a new AI "agent" by Anthropic, which surprised investors and highlighted the market's increasing discrimination between AI winners and losers [3] - Walmart became the first retailer to surpass a market valuation of $1 trillion, with its shares rising nearly 26% over the past year, positioning it among tech giants [2] - Novo Nordisk's shares fell almost 20% after the company warned about its profit outlook for the year due to intense competition in the weight-loss drug market [5] Group 2 - Major Wall Street indexes experienced a decline of about 1%, with Nasdaq futures remaining negative, indicating a broader market concern [4] - The ISM manufacturing index showed a sharp increase, suggesting signs of accelerating economic activity, alongside brisk business loan growth reported by the Fed [5] - Upcoming reports include ISM's service sector data and ADP's private sector jobs report, which are anticipated to provide further insights into the economic landscape [6]