The financial head of Dutch chipmaking equipment giant ASML – following a year of double-digit sales growth for the company’s machines – said he expects the firm’s already declining sales to China to fall even further, as trade restrictions prevent shipments of the firm’s most advanced units to Chinese clients and demand for other models is likely to taper off after an earlier rush. China’s share ...
The financial head of Dutch chipmaking equipment giant ASML – following a year of double-digit sales growth for the company’s machines – said he expects the firm’s already declining sales to China to fall even further, as trade restrictions prevent shipments of the firm’s most advanced units to Chinese clients and demand for other models is likely to taper off after an earlier rush. China’s share of ASML’s global sales dropped by 8 percentage points in 2025, falling to 33 per cent from the 41 per cent reported the previous year. The group’s CFO, Roger Dassen, said he expected the figure to drop to around 20 per cent in 2026. Sales of its deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) machines – the models which produce less advanced chips and can still be sold to Chinese buyers – decreased by 6 per cent in 2025 to €12 billion (US$14.36 billion), mainly due to a decline in the Chinese market, Dassen said. The company said it expected a “normalisation” of demand in 2026, following a rush of shipments made after Beijing lifted its Covid-19 restrictions. Advertisement However, the group’s total net machine sales increased to €24.47 billion, up by 12.4 per cent year on year, thanks to the strong performance of its extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines. Sales of the top-end models, which can be sold in Europe and the US but cannot be shipped to China under US sanctions, rose 39 per cent to €11.6 billion year on year, according to the group’s 2025 financial report. The company saw particularly strong demand for its EUV machines during the last quarter of 2025, fuelled largely by the artificial intelligence boom , and group CEO Christophe Fouquet said he expected that trend to continue into 2026. Advertisement ASML reported €13.2 billion in bookings during the last quarter, up 186 per cent year on year, €7.4 billion of which was for the advanced EUV systems.
含管制藥物成分減肥藥網上非法出售 衞生署正跟進調查 籲停止服用 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】一款減肥藥在網上非法出售，衞生署正跟進調查，並呼籲立即停止服用。 藥物包裝印有英文及韓文，亦有韓文顯示...
含管制藥物成分減肥藥網上非法出售 衞生署正跟進調查 籲停止服用 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】一款減肥藥在網上非法出售，衞生署正跟進調查，並呼籲立即停止服用。 藥物包裝印有英文及韓文，亦有韓文顯示，產品可能源自南韓，每盒有30個密封包裝，每包有七顆藥丸和膠囊。化驗顯示當中的顏色藥丸和膠囊均含有《藥劑業及毒藥條例》下第一部毒藥，衞生署根據情報在即時通訊軟件買到這款減肥藥，懷疑未經註冊及含有未標示受管制藥物成分，呼籲已購買的人停止服用。
STORY: Meta, Microsoft and Tesla kicked off a wave of Big Tech earnings Wednesday, and it was the Facebook parent company that did most to wow investors. Meta saw ad revenues surge and forecast first-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations. It also boosted capital expenditure plans by 73% in pursuit of "superintelligence", or where machines surpass human performance. The company will spend ...
STORY: Meta, Microsoft and Tesla kicked off a wave of Big Tech earnings Wednesday, and it was the Facebook parent company that did most to wow investors. Meta saw ad revenues surge and forecast first-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations. It also boosted capital expenditure plans by 73% in pursuit of "superintelligence", or where machines surpass human performance. The company will spend up to $135 billion, largely on AI infrastructure. Meta shares rose 10% in extended trading following the numbers. Microsoft also reported a big increase in capital expenditure. But growth slowed at its cloud computing unit, damping investor hopes for a big payoff from the massive spending on artificial intelligence. The Windows maker has enjoyed an advantage in the AI race thanks to its early bet on OpenAI. But it faces growing competition from rivals like Google and AI agents such as Anthropic’s Claude Cowork. They threaten both Microsoft’s AI business and its core software products. Shares in the firm dropped over 6% in after-hours trade as investors weighed up the numbers. There was a mixed picture at Tesla too. Elon Musk's company says it will invest $2 billion in his AI outfit, xAI. It also says production of its Cybercab robotaxi remains on track for this year. The news bolsters Musk’s push to reposition Tesla as an AI and robotics company, in a shift that underpins its roughly $1.5 trillion valuation. But flagging sales of EVs saw revenue fall about 3% in 2025, marking the company’s first annual decline. Demand has been hit as rivals roll out newer models and some buyers are put off by Musk's often contentious rhetoric. Tesla shares rose about 1.8% in after‑hours trade.
Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow on Wednesday for the second time in less than four months, and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised his readiness to help the country rebuild its war-battered economy. “I know that there is a lot that’s necessary to restore in Syria, and our economic operators, including the construction sector, are ready for this joint work,” Putin s...
Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow on Wednesday for the second time in less than four months, and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised his readiness to help the country rebuild its war-battered economy. “I know that there is a lot that’s necessary to restore in Syria, and our economic operators, including the construction sector, are ready for this joint work,” Putin said. The talks also were expected to focus on the future of Russian military bases in Syria, a key foothold for Moscow in the Mediterranean. Advertisement Sharaa, who first visited Russia in October, thanked Putin for helping to stabilise Syria. The Syrian and Russian leaders meeting in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Kremlin pool via AP He led a swift rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who enjoyed Moscow’s support for years as his government fought a devastating civil war. Advertisement Russia, which in recent years has been focused on the fighting in Ukraine and kept only a small military contingent in Syria, did not try to counter the rebel offensive. It gave asylum to Assad and his family after he fled the country.
Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. Nvidia and Apple are reported to be exploring Intel's foundries for 2028 chip production, signaling potential high profile foundry customers for Intel. The U.S. government has taken a substantial equity stake in Intel as part of...
Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. Nvidia and Apple are reported to be exploring Intel's foundries for 2028 chip production, signaling potential high profile foundry customers for Intel. The U.S. government has taken a substantial equity stake in Intel as part of its national security and industrial policy objectives. These developments link Intel's future more tightly to both major chip clients and U.S. policy priorities in the global semiconductor supply chain. Intel, NasdaqGS:INTC, is trading at $48.78, with the share price up 30.8% over the past month and 23.9% year to date. The stock has also delivered a 143.8% return over the past year, although the 3 year return is 67.6% and the 5 year figure reflects an 8.8% decline. This combination of recent strength and longer term volatility frames how investors may view the latest foundry and policy developments. Potential foundry work from Nvidia and Apple, together with a direct U.S. government stake, could influence how investors think about Intel's customer mix, risk profile, and role in the supply chain. As details on contracts, capacity commitments, and government expectations emerge, the market will have more concrete information to compare with Intel's current valuation and recent share price momentum. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Intel by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Intel. NasdaqGS:INTC Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026 How Intel stacks up against its biggest competitors Quick Assessment ❌ Price vs Analyst Target : At US$48.78, Intel trades about 4.6% above the US$46.62 analyst consensus target, with a wide target range from US$20.40 to US$71.50. ❌ Simply Wall St Valuation : Simply Wall St estimates the shares are 77% above fair value, flagging an overvalued status....
Natalia Rusanova/iStock via Getty Images Shares of Whirlpool ( WHR ) have been a poor performer over the past year, losing about 40% of their value. The appliance maker has struggled with weak demand as tariffs have had a problematic impact on its business thus far, and a slow housing market remains a persistent challenge. These factors have forced a dividend cut over the past year, and Q4 results...
Natalia Rusanova/iStock via Getty Images Shares of Whirlpool ( WHR ) have been a poor performer over the past year, losing about 40% of their value. The appliance maker has struggled with weak demand as tariffs have had a problematic impact on its business thus far, and a slow housing market remains a persistent challenge. These factors have forced a dividend cut over the past year, and Q4 results were decidedly mixed. I last covered shares of Whirlpool in November when I upgraded them to a “hold.” While I was right to upgrade shares, I should have moved them all the way to a “buy” given their 14% rally amid increasing optimism for a housing recovery in 2026. With updated financials and such strong recent share price performance, now is a good time to revisit WHR. Seeking Alpha Tariffs weigh on margins In the company’s fourth quarter , Whirlpool earned $1.10, which missed expectations by $0.42 as revenue fell by 1% to $4.1 billion. For the full year, the company earned $6.23 on revenue of $15.5 billion. In Q4, EBIT margins compressed by 270 bps to 3.3%. Management estimates a 250 bp margin drag from tariffs in Q4. Initially, there was hope that WHR would be a large tariff winner as it makes products here and faces competition from Asian imports, which now face tariffs. However, with steel and aluminum tariffs of 50%, WHR’s own costs are up substantially, which has negated any tariff benefits. The fact that tariffs have turned into headwinds is evident when looking at geography; North America sales fell 1% to $2.6 billion, and margins compressed by 390 bps to just 2.8%. Latin America was the bright spot with sales up 1% to $900 million, and margins compressed 120 bps to 6.4%. While reported sales in Asia were down 28%, that is because it has reduced its stake in Whirlpool India to 40%, and it is using these stake sales to reduce debt. With this stake below 51%, India's results are no longer consolidated. If tariffs were a positive, WHR should be doing the best in Nor...
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) inadvertently sent an email to its cloud division employees, indicating impending layoffs. This revelation comes amidst ongoing efforts by the tech giant to streamline its operations. Organizational Changes At Amazon Amazon mistakenly sent an email to its cloud staff on Tuesday, acknowledging upcoming “organizational changes,” as reported by CNBC. The tech giant is an...
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) inadvertently sent an email to its cloud division employees, indicating impending layoffs. This revelation comes amidst ongoing efforts by the tech giant to streamline its operations. Organizational Changes At Amazon Amazon mistakenly sent an email to its cloud staff on Tuesday, acknowledging upcoming “organizational changes,” as reported by CNBC. The tech giant is anticipated to announce significant layoffs across its corporate divisions this week. The email, viewed by CNBC, was penned by Colleen Aubrey, senior vice president of applied AI solutions at Amazon Web Services. It highlighted the difficulty of such decisions, saying "changes like this are hard on everyone." Don't Miss: The email also referenced a post from Amazon’s HR head, Beth Galetti, and wrongly mentioned notifying affected employees in the U.S., Canada and Costa Rica. The subject line of the email included “Project Dawn,” which was reportedly “canceled,” suggesting it might have been retracted after being sent. The specifics of “Project Dawn” remain unknown. Amazon's Earlier Layoffs These layoffs follow Amazon’s October announcement of 14,000 corporate job cuts, with plans to continue reductions in 2026. See Also: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors. CEO Andy Jassy previously stated the goal was to streamline management and reduce bureaucracy. Additionally, Amazon is reorganizing its grocery business, closing Fresh supermarkets and Go convenience stores to focus on Whole Foods and online delivery. AI And Layoffs The announcement of layoffs at Amazon is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to drive operational efficiency. Jim Cramer recently endorsed Amazon stock, highlighting the company’s strategic shift towards AI-driven efficiency. The layoffs are also reflective of a lar...
Samsung Electronics press release ( SSNLF ): Q4 GAAP EPS of KRW 2,909.00. Revenue of KRW 93.8T (+23.7% Y/Y). Operating profit: 20.1 trillion won. “Looking ahead to Q1 2026, the DS Division expects AI and server demand to continue increasing, leading to more opportunities for structural growth,” the company said. “In response, the Division will continue to focus on profitability via a strong emphas...
Samsung Electronics press release ( SSNLF ): Q4 GAAP EPS of KRW 2,909.00. Revenue of KRW 93.8T (+23.7% Y/Y). Operating profit: 20.1 trillion won. “Looking ahead to Q1 2026, the DS Division expects AI and server demand to continue increasing, leading to more opportunities for structural growth,” the company said. “In response, the Division will continue to focus on profitability via a strong emphasis on high-performance products,” it added. More on Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Samsung: Memory Is Booming And Looks Set To Continue Samsung Electronics: Value, Scale, And The Future Of Semiconductors Micron dips after reports of Samsung nearing Nvidia certification for HBM4 chips Samsung nears Nvidia certification for HBM4 AI memory - report
Toyota Motor Corp. kept its title as the world’s biggest carmaker for a sixth year, widening its lead over Volkswagen AG by posting record sales despite trade turmoil and growing competition. Global sales in 2025 — including those of subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. — rose 4.6% from the prior year to 11.3 million units, the company said Thursday. Production climbed 5.7% to 11.2...
Toyota Motor Corp. kept its title as the world’s biggest carmaker for a sixth year, widening its lead over Volkswagen AG by posting record sales despite trade turmoil and growing competition. Global sales in 2025 — including those of subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. — rose 4.6% from the prior year to 11.3 million units, the company said Thursday. Production climbed 5.7% to 11.2 million. The numbers show that Toyota has been able to remain on track despite US President Donald Trump ’s trade war and the rise of Chinese carmakers. Global car manufacturers have been warning that they face billions of dollars in losses due to tariffs, as they raise prices, shift production to the US or pare output. Read More: Toyota CEO to Lead Japan Auto Lobby as Headwinds Roil Carmakers Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles in the US saw an 8% bump in sales and rose almost 10% in production, thanks largely to a rebound in the popularity of gas-electric hybrids. Total sales in Japan, which accounted for about 18% of the worldwide total, increased 12%. Trump imposed a 15% tariff on Japan that would encompass all cars and car parts imported to the US. While the island nation dodged a bullet by talking the president down from steeper duties, that still represented a sizable increase from previous rates of 2.5%. Most Japanese automakers looked to soften the impact by moving to increase output in the US, but still they collectively bore billions of yen in losses as a result. Among its peers, Toyota was one of the few to regain some stability in China, where domestic electric vehicle brands led by BYD Co. have claimed much of the world’s largest passenger vehicle market. BYD, which overtook Elon Musk ’s Tesla Inc. last year as the world’s biggest EV maker, delivered 4.6 million vehicles in 2025 — almost half were fully-electric. In contrast, Toyota sold just under 200,000 battery-powered EVs last year. Only 4,227 units were delivered to customers in Japan, where they have yet to...
Japan's stock market reached all-time highs in 2026 because of some simple regulatory changes behind the scenes. Stocks don't always go up because of a splashy new product launch or a charismatic new CEO. Sometimes stocks go up for unglamorous reasons and subtle shifts behind the scenes. One big example of this is the Japanese stock market. Just in the past few years, Japan's Nikkei 225 index has ...
Japan's stock market reached all-time highs in 2026 because of some simple regulatory changes behind the scenes. Stocks don't always go up because of a splashy new product launch or a charismatic new CEO. Sometimes stocks go up for unglamorous reasons and subtle shifts behind the scenes. One big example of this is the Japanese stock market. Just in the past few years, Japan's Nikkei 225 index has recovered from several "lost decades" that followed the 1989 stock market crash. The index reached a new all-time high in January. In the past five years, Japan's Tokyo Stock Price Index, commonly known as the TOPIX index, is up 93.3% and the Nikkei 225 index is up 84.3% -- both outperforming the S&P 500 index, which is up 79.2%. But why are Japan stocks going up? A big reason is something that most everyday investors might take for granted: good corporate governance. Changing Japan's corporate structure Corporate governance might sound boring, but it's a big reason why the Japanese stock market is delivering exciting returns. The past few years have seen substantial reforms of Japan's corporate governance. Traditionally, major Japanese companies would sometimes get too cozy with each other -- they owned each other's shares and didn't focus enough on delivering returns to shareholders. The Japanese economy was based on the "keiretsu system," a way of companies forming closely interlinked partnerships, with an emphasis on stability and cooperation. While Japan's keiretsu system offers benefits, it can also lead to inefficiency, limited competition, and a lack of flexibility and innovation. The system would sometimes protect complacent management teams and prop up underperforming companies -- at the expense of other companies' investors. Buying and holding other companies' shares (also called "cross shareholdings") wasn't always the best way to create value for Japan's shareholders. Why Japan's stock market is booming Japan's Financial Supervision Agency (FSA) and the Tokyo S...
Intel stock has been surging of late, but the business is still well behind this manufacturing leader. After years of lagging the market, Intel (INTC +11.06%) has suddenly found new life. The stock has more than doubled over the last six months, even after its sharp pullback following disappointing guidance in its fourth-quarter earnings report. Intel has rebounded with the help of the U.S. govern...
Intel stock has been surging of late, but the business is still well behind this manufacturing leader. After years of lagging the market, Intel (INTC +11.06%) has suddenly found new life. The stock has more than doubled over the last six months, even after its sharp pullback following disappointing guidance in its fourth-quarter earnings report. Intel has rebounded with the help of the U.S. government, which took a 9.9% stake in the stock last August, which was followed by Nvidia investing $5 billion in the chip-maker in September. Both moves gave Intel much-needed capital to continue investing in its foundry business and to develop new AI products. It also showed confidence in the company's turnaround prospects under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who has cut costs, streamlined the business, scaled back on capital expenditures, and is aiming to overhaul the culture, making it less bureaucratic and more like a start-up. However, the recent pullback on its earnings report shows that the stock may be overbought and that expectations seem to have outrun the current reality of the business. Intel is still struggling to grow and turn a profit. Revenue fell 4% in the fourth quarter to $13.7 billion, and it reported a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) loss of $591 million, though it was profitable on an adjusted basis. For the first quarter, it expects revenue of $11.7 billion-$12.7 billion, which is a sharp sequential decline, and sees adjusted earnings per share of just break-even. For investors looking to capitalize on the AI infrastructure boom, there's a more reliable stock to buy here. In fact, it's a chief rival of Intel. I'm talking about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSM +1.14%), the world's leading contract manufacturer of semiconductors. A track record of excellence TSMC, as the company is often known, isn't a household name like Intel. It doesn't make branded products, and it's based in Taiwan rather than the U.S. However, the company is on...