Europe’s biggest banks and asset managers have dramatically increased their investment in tech company Palantir over the past year despite growing concerns of involvement in human rights violations and potential threats to European security, an analysis of company records show. Palantir has come under fire for supplying the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with its software ...
Europe’s biggest banks and asset managers have dramatically increased their investment in tech company Palantir over the past year despite growing concerns of involvement in human rights violations and potential threats to European security, an analysis of company records show. Palantir has come under fire for supplying the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with its software to help cracking down on irregular migration and collaborating with the Israeli army. Experts and politicians also warn that Palantir’s close ties to the Trump administration make European countries vulnerable to potential anti-democratic influences, as many of them rely on the company’s technology. Allegations of involvement in human rights violations have been around for years. Amnesty International called out Palantir for allegedly failing to fulfill its human rights due diligence obligations under international standards in 2020, and US consultancy firm MSCI rated it 2 out of 10 on “civil liberties” and “human rights concerns” in a recent report. “If Palantir chooses not to change, then they need to identify ways they can terminate that relationship” But that hasn’t deterred investors. At the end of last year, more than 100 major European banks, asset managers, insurers and pension funds increased the aggregate number of Palantir shares they held by almost 70% compared to the year before. Together, they were worth at least $27 billion at the end of 2025, a cross-border investigation led by Follow the Money – together with Belgium’s De Tijd, Danish Børsen, Der Standard in Austria, Swiss Republik, Norway’s Morgenbladet, British The Nerve, and Spain’s El Pais – shows. Our journalism is only possible thanks to the trust of our paying members. Not a member yet? Sign up now Experts told Follow the Money that by investing in Palantir, banks and other institutional investors run the risk of violating international human rights standards. Most of the 20 largest European investor...
HealthDay News — Metformin use is associated with reduced odds of new-onset International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), according to a study published online Jan. 30 in Ophthalmology Retina. Jason F. Xiao, M.D., from the University of Chicago, and colleagues examined whether metformin use is associated with reduced odds of new-onset...
HealthDay News — Metformin use is associated with reduced odds of new-onset International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), according to a study published online Jan. 30 in Ophthalmology Retina. Jason F. Xiao, M.D., from the University of Chicago, and colleagues examined whether metformin use is associated with reduced odds of new-onset ICD coding of nAMD. A total of 22,205 cases with new-onset ICD coding of nAMD and 22,126 matched controls without AMD were identified between 2008 and 2017; a total of 6,664 cases and 5,513 controls were included as a subgroup of patients diagnosed with diabetes. The researchers observed an association for any metformin use with reduced adjusted odds of new-onset nAMD (adjusted odds ratio, 0.84). Associations across cumulative-dose categories were heterogeneous in an exploratory dosing analysis, with the largest magnitude in the mid-dose range (between 271 and 600 g; adjusted odds ratio, 0.73). Dose-response findings were considered hypothesis-generating since adherence cannot be verified from claims. Among patients with diabetes, these associations persisted (adjusted odds ratios, 0.83, 0.72, and 0.85 for any metformin use, 271 to 600 g, and >1,080 g, respectively). Reduced odds of new-onset ICD nAMD were seen in association with any metformin use in patients with diabetes without retinopathy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.79); in patients with diabetes with retinopathy, this association was absent. “Metformin’s widespread availability and low-risk side-effect profile may make it a promising addition for preventing or managing nAMD,” the authors write. Two authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry. Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Photographer: Na Bian/Bloomberg Xiaomi Corp. shares rallied Thursday after the company released its latest artificial intelligence models and as it prepared to launch a refreshed version of its SU7 electric vehicle. The Hong Kong-listed stock jumped as much as 5.8%, making it the best performer on the Hang Seng Tech Index — which itself fell more than 2% after Tencent Holdings Ltd. earnings disapp...
Photographer: Na Bian/Bloomberg Xiaomi Corp. shares rallied Thursday after the company released its latest artificial intelligence models and as it prepared to launch a refreshed version of its SU7 electric vehicle. The Hong Kong-listed stock jumped as much as 5.8%, making it the best performer on the Hang Seng Tech Index — which itself fell more than 2% after Tencent Holdings Ltd. earnings disappointed investors and as the war in Iran escalated. AI-fueled optimism adds to a recent recovery in Xiaomi shares following a 45% plunge, which had been driven by concerns that surging memory prices would erode its profitability. Most Read from Bloomberg Xiaomi has stepped up its AI efforts to catch up to the frenzy around agentic AI tool OpenClaw as interest in China surges. It rolled out models including MiMo V2 Pro this week, an in‑house AI system designed for agent‑based applications. Earlier this month Xiaomi said it had begun testing of the AI agent miclaw for mobile devices. Chief Executive Officer Lei Jun said Xiaomi will invest more than 16 billion yuan ($2.3 billion) on AI research in 2026. “The new model launches should reinforce Xiaomi’s position as a top-tier developer of foundation models,” Goldman Sachs analysts including Timothy Zhao wrote in a note. “While intensified R&D investments will drag near-term profit, consistent outcome deliveries should encourage the market to view Xiaomi as a physical AI leader with proprietary AI, OS and chipset capabilities, and look beyond near-term group P/E valuation for longer-term value creation.” The Beijing-based company will also unveil the updated version of its SU7 sedan in Beijing later Thursday, enhancing hardware and safety features to maintain its competitiveness in the crowded EV market. The car business is increasingly important as a growth engine for Xiaomi, especially as rising component costs weigh on the outlook of the global smartphone market. Short sellers who’ve profited from Xiaomi’s recent struggles wit...
The Hong Kong-listed stock jumped as much as 5.8%, making it the best performer on the Hang Seng Tech Index — which itself fell more than 2% after Tencent Holdings Ltd. earnings disappointed investors and as the war in Iran escalated. Xiaomi has stepped up its AI efforts to catch up to the frenzy around agentic AI tool OpenClaw as interest in China surges. Earlier this month Xiaomi said it had beg...
The Hong Kong-listed stock jumped as much as 5.8%, making it the best performer on the Hang Seng Tech Index — which itself fell more than 2% after Tencent Holdings Ltd. earnings disappointed investors and as the war in Iran escalated. Xiaomi has stepped up its AI efforts to catch up to the frenzy around agentic AI tool OpenClaw as interest in China surges. Earlier this month Xiaomi said it had begun testing of the AI agent miclaw for mobile devices.
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images Despite the fact that the majority of my analysis is focused on the tech sector, around a year ago I initiated coverage on Capital Southwest ( CSWC ), which is known for its attractive dividend yield. As you can see in the chart below, the stock has held up quite well while parts of the financial sector are seemingly starting to feel the effects of a po...
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images Despite the fact that the majority of my analysis is focused on the tech sector, around a year ago I initiated coverage on Capital Southwest ( CSWC ), which is known for its attractive dividend yield. As you can see in the chart below, the stock has held up quite well while parts of the financial sector are seemingly starting to feel the effects of a potential crisis of confidence in the private credit sector. With the BDC having reported their most recent results last month, today I will take a look and see if Capital Southwest is a pillar of stability amid what seems to be a brewing storm. Seeking Alpha In the below analysis, it is shown that Capital Southwest holds a high quality credit portfolio. Unlike some firms that have chased yields, their conservative investment philosophy has positioned them well in a shaky financial environment. With that being the case and their Q3 performance being strong, shareholders can continue to enjoy a generous dividend yield. Furthermore, since their P/B ratio is currently below historic medians, I believe the risk/reward is attractive. Thus, I have decided to reiterate my buy rating. Credit Portfolio Quality Capital Southwest Q3 Slides While I won't name names here, there have been worrying signs in some financial institutions recently due to investor withdrawals and significant write-downs of private credit values. Amid this potentially ominous environment that has some parallels to 2008, Capital Southwest's credit portfolio quality should be reassuring to prospective investors. Capital Southwest Q3 Slides As you can see in the table above and on the pie chart on the right, as of the end of CY2025, 90% of their portfolio was in first lien investments. They also stated that 99% of their credit portfolio specifically is in first lien senior secured debt, up from 98% in the year ago quarter. This basically makes Capital Southwest the first to get paid if anything goes wrong with the b...
Jensen Huang has a prediction that should reframe how you think about Nvidia’s next chapter. Speaking in a recent interview, the Nvidia founder and CEO made a statement that cuts straight to the core of what agentic AI actually means for business: “We’re going to see agents in every single part of every single company, ... Nvidia CEO: AI agents will be in every part of every company
Jensen Huang has a prediction that should reframe how you think about Nvidia’s next chapter. Speaking in a recent interview, the Nvidia founder and CEO made a statement that cuts straight to the core of what agentic AI actually means for business: “We’re going to see agents in every single part of every single company, ... Nvidia CEO: AI agents will be in every part of every company
The Bank of Japan’s widely expected decision to hold its benchmark rate amid risks from the Iran war left the yen little changed, though analysts said Governor Kazuo Ueda’s remarks later would be key to whether the currency would swing past 160. The yen was up 0.1% to 159.65 against the dollar as of 12:53pm in Tokyo. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 Index was down 2.7%, tracking broader risk-off sentimen...
The Bank of Japan’s widely expected decision to hold its benchmark rate amid risks from the Iran war left the yen little changed, though analysts said Governor Kazuo Ueda’s remarks later would be key to whether the currency would swing past 160. The yen was up 0.1% to 159.65 against the dollar as of 12:53pm in Tokyo. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 Index was down 2.7%, tracking broader risk-off sentiment across Asia. Here’s what strategists are saying: Hiroshi Namioka , chief strategist at T&D Asset Management: BOJ’s remarks on crude oil’s impact on underlying CPI suggest that even cost-push inflation “leaves the door open to the possibility of an April rate hike.” “There is a possibility that Governor Ueda’s press conference could be more hawkish than expected.” If hawkish remarks are made, the yen would likely strengthen and stocks would likely fall, he added. Rinto Maruyama , FX and rates strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. I think it’s possible for USDJPY to reach 160, but I don’t think it will stay significantly above 160 for a long period. Since Katayama is strongly intervening verbally, dealers probably won’t want to keep their positions over the three-day holiday. I think the likelihood of actual intervention is low, but investors won’t be able to feel at ease. If the authorities only resort to verbal intervention even after dollar-yen exceeds 160, the dollar-yen will likely continue to move higher. Eugenia Fabon Victorino , head of Asia strategy at SEB: The BOJ’s description of the risks related to the war is focusing on the impact on inflation much more than the negative impact on growth. Indeed, the statement did not change much regarding policy guidance. For now, dollar-yen is well-behaved. But if Ueda were to sound a tad dovish later, dollar-yen would likely catch a bid. The market is still respecting the psychological level of 160. But the rise in the pair is really a reflection of the deterioration of Japan’s terms of trade, rather than yen-specific sp...
JPMorgan Asset Management is issuing its first Taiwan-focused wealth management product in more than a decade, joining global rivals rushing into one of Asia’s hottest exchange-traded funds markets. The US asset manager said on Wednesday that it will adopt an active investment approach, selecting cash equities and index options for its ETF. Taiwan’s $260 billion ETF market boasts the highest retai...
JPMorgan Asset Management is issuing its first Taiwan-focused wealth management product in more than a decade, joining global rivals rushing into one of Asia’s hottest exchange-traded funds markets. The US asset manager said on Wednesday that it will adopt an active investment approach, selecting cash equities and index options for its ETF. Taiwan’s $260 billion ETF market boasts the highest retail participation in Asia. “Investors seek high and stable cash distributions but often complain that net asset value doesn’t keep up,” Henry Tong, head of JPMorgan Asset Management Taiwan, said at an event on Wednesday. Tong said the new fund would generate income through option premiums. Global asset managers in Taiwan are expanding into ETFs - a space dominated by local firms — as they seek to tap booming retail demand for assets that can offer higher returns than traditional bank deposits and insurance policy-tied instruments. Taiwan is home to Asia’s third-largest ETF market behind Japan and China, according to industry group data . Read More: Iran War Fuels Dip-Buying, Chip Demand Amid APAC ETF Flow Surge Buoyed by regulatory easing last year, Allianz Global Investors and Nomura Asset Management, along with major local fund houses, have already launched 11 ETFs investing in Taiwanese equities and targeting benchmark-beating returns through active strategies. JPMorgan’s fund will be its first one focused on Taiwanese assets since 2010. Cathay Securities Investment Trust , the island’s second-largest asset manager, is also set to begin fundraising next week for its own active Taiwan equity ETF. Regulators last year began allowing a broader range of fund products as part of efforts boost the asset management sector and position the island as a regional wealth hub. The new active ETFs, which are managed by professionals seeking to outperform benchmarks, unlike passive funds that track indexes, are expected to attract further inflows. These funds have drawn over NT$240 billi...