Core Viewpoint - China's leading chipmakers are accelerating production plans for advanced semiconductors to meet rising domestic AI demand despite U.S. export restrictions [1] Group 1: Industry Developments - Companies like Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co. (SMIC) and Hua Hong Semiconductor are expanding or planning to start production of advanced chips, including 7-nanometer and 5-nanometer technologies [2] - The national initiative aims to increase advanced chip production to 100,000 wafers within one to two years, up from under 20,000 currently, with a long-term goal of adding 500,000 additional wafers by 2030 [3] Group 2: Challenges and Risks - Uncertainty exists regarding the achievement of production targets due to U.S. export restrictions that limit access to advanced chipmaking equipment, with foreign machines still outperforming domestic alternatives [4] - Ongoing U.S.-China tensions, particularly regarding semiconductor exports, could impact the supply chain for AI and other technology sectors [5][6]

Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv China has not yet received any Nvidia H200 chips, US official said February 24, 20268:11 PM UTCUpdated ago By Reuters Sign up here. Reporting by Alexandra Alper Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Purchase Licensing Rights Read Next US warned Ukraine not to hit US interests in strikes on Russia energy infrastructure, envoy says ago Asia Pacificcategory Pakistan, ...

Core Viewpoint - The approval process for Nvidia's export of H200 chips to China is still pending final clearance from the U.S. government, despite President Trump's initial approval [1][5]. Group 1: U.S. Government Review - The U.S. government is reviewing licenses for chip sales to ensure appropriate conditions are attached, with the Commerce Department having completed its analysis [2]. - The State Department is advocating for tougher restrictions and is conducting a national security review before granting licenses to Chinese customers [2][3]. Group 2: Impact on Nvidia and Competitors - Chinese customers are delaying orders for Nvidia's H200 chips as they await clarity on licensing approvals and conditions [4]. - The delay in final approval could significantly impact Nvidia's market position and revenue, as competitors like Alibaba are developing their own AI chips to reduce reliance on Nvidia [6]. Group 3: Market Potential and Developments - Nvidia's CEO believes the Chinese market for their chips could be worth $50 billion annually, following a deal secured with Trump [5]. - Initial approvals for the import of Nvidia's H200 chips were granted to three major Chinese internet firms, indicating some progress in the approval process [7]. - Reports suggest that a Chinese AI startup, DeepSeek, is seeking to purchase Nvidia's top-tier chips, despite concerns over demand [8].

Despite President Donald Trump‘s approval of Nvidia Corp.‘s (NASDAQ:NVDA)  export of H200 chips to China, the sales are reportedly still pending final clearance from the U.S. government.State Dept Review Delays China Chip SalesThe U.S. government is now reviewing the licenses to ensure that appropriate conditions are attached. The Commerce Department has completed its analysis, but the State Department is reportedly pushing for tougher restrictions, as per a report by the Financial Times on Wednesday. The S ...

Market Overview - US stocks have reached new record highs, primarily driven by the tech sector, with upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies like Tesla, Meta, and Microsoft being closely monitored [1] - The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain current interest rates, shifting focus back to economic conditions, while also facing scrutiny regarding its leadership and ongoing investigations [2][37] Company-Specific Developments - Amazon has announced a reduction of 16,000 jobs, bringing total layoffs to 30,000 over three months, as part of efforts to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy [3][4] - The CEO of Amazon indicated that AI advancements will further reduce workforce needs as the company automates more processes [4] - Starbucks reported a 4% increase in same-store sales in the US for the first time in two years, although overall earnings missed expectations [34] - GE Vernova's stock is under pressure despite solid fourth-quarter results and raised guidance, primarily due to a key metric, EBITDA, missing expectations [35] Sector Insights - The tech sector's positioning has been neutral, with expectations of growth slowing in the coming quarters, yet the current setup for mega-cap tech growth appears positive [10][11] - The labor market is showing signs of slowing, with hiring rates at pandemic lows, indicating a cautious approach from companies amid economic uncertainty [16][18] - The dollar's weakness is seen as a mixed factor for corporate earnings, providing a translation benefit but lacking in volume growth [26][28] Earnings Season and Economic Outlook - Earnings season is underway, with expectations for a broadening of growth across sectors, as evidenced by the increase in sectors reporting positive growth [25] - The market is currently in a "wait and see" mode regarding hiring, with expectations that hiring will gradually pick up as earnings improve [21][24]

Group 1: Dollar and Economic Implications - The dollar index has fallen below a key technical level, reaching a four-year low, indicating a potential for further weakness in the intermediate term, with a target of 95.00 [2][5][10] - A weaker dollar enhances export competitiveness for U.S. companies, particularly benefiting the tech sector, which is heavily investing in AI [6][7][10] - The current economic environment is described as strong, with the economy "firing on all cylinders," although there are long-term concerns regarding the dollar's status as the reserve currency [9][10] Group 2: AI Investment Trends - The AI sector is experiencing significant momentum, with major funding initiatives, including SoftBank's aim to raise an additional $30 billion for OpenAI [14] - Companies like Anthropic are gaining attention for their rapid advancements in AI technology, which are expected to boost confidence and spending in the market [14][15] - The overall sentiment in the AI trade is bullish, with indications that spending trends are accelerating rather than slowing down [15]

Core Insights - Nvidia has emerged as a significant value creator in the technology sector, driven by investments in artificial intelligence (AI), resulting in substantial increases in revenue, margins, and cash flows, with a current market valuation of $4.6 trillion [1] Group 1: Market Potential and Demand - Goldman Sachs projects that global AI-related infrastructure spending could reach between $3 trillion and $4 trillion by 2030, indicating strong future demand [2] - Chinese regulators have granted "in-principle approval" for major companies like Alibaba and ByteDance to prepare for Nvidia H200 orders, with both companies reportedly looking to order over 200,000 units each [2][3] Group 2: Financial Performance - For Q3 fiscal 2026, Nvidia reported revenue of $57 billion, reflecting a 62% year-over-year increase, with a GAAP margin of 73.4% [5] - Over the past six months, Nvidia's stock has increased by 7%, suggesting a potential opportunity for accumulation despite a relatively subdued uptrend [5] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships and Growth Drivers - Nvidia is positioned for sustained growth, driven by structural demand for accelerated computing and AI applications, as indicated by CEO Jensen Huang [6] - The company has established partnerships with major firms such as Alphabet, Microsoft, Oracle, and xAI to enhance AI infrastructure in the U.S., and has collaborated with Intel on custom data center and PC products [6]

Market Overview - U.S. equities are showing a modest advance as investors navigate a busy week with crucial corporate earnings reports and a Federal Reserve meeting [1] - Major U.S. market indexes are trending positively, with the S&P 500 up 0.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 170 points (0.3%), and the Nasdaq Composite also gaining 0.6% [2] Sector Performance - A shift in sector performance is noted, with a rotation towards energy, materials, staples, and industrials, which had previously lagged behind technology and communications stocks [3] - The technology sector is projected to contribute 60% of total earnings per share (EPS) growth in 2026, driven by AI infrastructure buildout, while the financials sector is also expected to be a strong contributor [4] Industry News - The airline sector faced declines due to widespread flight cancellations from a winter storm, with United Airlines down 0.9% and Southwest Airlines up 0.5% [5] - Natural gas futures surged by 4.5% due to cold weather following the winter storm [5] Upcoming Events - The Federal Reserve's FOMC meeting is set for January 27, with interest rate decisions expected to maintain the current range of 3.50-3.75% [7] - Earnings season is intensifying, with 103 S&P 500 companies reporting this week, including major tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla [8][9] Economic Data - November durable goods orders increased by 5.3%, indicating a resilient economy, which may temper expectations for immediate Fed rate cuts [11] - The U.S. Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index for January is due for release, along with updates to the Producer Price Index (PPI) [11] Stock Movements - CoreWeave shares jumped 9.7% after Nvidia invested $2 billion in the company, while USA Rare Earth shares rose 11.4% following U.S. government investment commitments [13] - Microsoft stock gained 1.5%, while Nvidia slipped 0.5%. Apple is noted as the worst performer among the "Magnificent Seven" in 2026 [14] - Intel shares fell approximately 6% after a poor outlook, and Capital One Financial Corporation slid 7.6% after a profit miss [14] Geopolitical Influences - Geopolitical developments, including tariff threats and potential government shutdowns, are contributing to market uncertainty [15]

Market Overview - The market is showing resilience despite the Dow's struggles, with strong earnings reported across various sectors, leading to bullish sentiment on equities and commodities [2][3] - Upcoming earnings reports from major companies like Apple, Meta, Tesla, and Microsoft are anticipated to significantly influence market narratives [2] Artificial Intelligence Focus - The World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as a key theme, with a notable increase in token usage for AI computing power, which grew almost 20 times last year [3] - Investment strategies are evolving, with a shift towards more diversified approaches rather than just focusing on top names in thematic areas like AI and chips [4][12] Investment Strategies - Investment opportunities are categorized into three buckets: growth sectors (e.g., AI, electricity infrastructure), income generation (especially in light of potential Fed rate cuts), and diversification through assets with low correlation to stocks and bonds [5][6] - ETFs are being developed with sophisticated strategies, such as those that incorporate option overlays to mitigate fluctuations while providing income [7][8] Specific ETFs and Themes - The Bali ETF focuses on income generation through covered call strategies while also providing growth exposure to US equities [9] - The BAI ETF, the largest AI-focused ETF, actively manages its investments to include not only mega-cap tech but also smaller, under-the-radar AI companies and semiconductor stocks [10][12] Metals Market Insights - The metals market is experiencing significant movements, with gold surpassing $4,900 per troy ounce and silver reaching over $100 for the first time, driven by both precious metal investment and industrial demand [13][14] - Silver is positioned well due to its dual role as a hedge against inflation and its strong industrial applications, particularly in manufacturing and electricity [15]

Group 1 - US stocks experienced mixed performance, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining approximately 0.6%, while the S&P 500 rose slightly and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.2% [1] - All three major indexes recorded back-to-back weekly losses, indicating a turbulent market environment [1][2] - Intel reported worse-than-expected first quarter guidance, leading to a quarterly loss and a significant drop in shares by over 16% [2] Group 2 - There are signs of progress in US-China relations, with TikTok and ByteDance closing a deal with Oracle to operate in the US, and Chinese tech companies preparing to order Nvidia's H200 chips [4] - Investors are anticipating a significant earnings week ahead, along with the Federal Reserve's meeting and interest rate decision [5]