Derick Hudson Meta Platforms ( META ) is scaling back its controversial internal AI-training program that collected employees' mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes after backlash from staff, according to a Reuters report that cites an internal company memo. The tech company will now allow employees to pause data collection for up to 30 minutes at a time and request exemptions from the program, ...
Derick Hudson Meta Platforms ( META ) is scaling back its controversial internal AI-training program that collected employees' mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes after backlash from staff, according to a Reuters report that cites an internal company memo. The tech company will now allow employees to pause data collection for up to 30 minutes at a time and request exemptions from the program, according to the memo by Stephane Kasriel, VP, AI model-building Superintelligence Labs unit. "While we remain confident in the privacy protections we put in place at launch, which went through several layers of risk review, we have heard your concerns about personal data on work devices, battery life, and wanting more control over when capturing happens," the memo read, as per the report . Meta ( META ) introduced an internal program called the Model Capability Initiative, or MCI to gather data on employees' computer usage, such as mouse clicks and keystrokes. The initiative drew criticism from employee s who raised privacy concerns and worried that the data could be used to build AI systems that might eventually replace certain jobs. Kasriel also said the the team behind the software has implemented several improvements to reduce its impact on computer battery life after employees complained that the program consumed large amounts of data, leading to higher home internet usage. More on Meta Meta: The 'Zuckerberg Discount' May Soon Turn Into A Premium Meta: From Social Media To Superintelligence Meta's AI Push Seeks To Outpace Reddit And Other Competitors Meta sets stricter content settings for teen accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger META snaps six sessions of gains
CHOLTICHA KRANJUMNONG Britain's competition regulator said on Wednesday it had introduced new conduct requirements for Google's ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ) search services, including measures that allow publishers to opt out of having their content used to train the U.S. technology giant's AI models. The Competition and Markets Authority flagged concerns about the company's dominance in search services. Th...
CHOLTICHA KRANJUMNONG Britain's competition regulator said on Wednesday it had introduced new conduct requirements for Google's ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ) search services, including measures that allow publishers to opt out of having their content used to train the U.S. technology giant's AI models. The Competition and Markets Authority flagged concerns about the company's dominance in search services. The CMA said the requirements imposed on Google under the digital markets competition regime gave "publishers more control and stronger bargaining power over the use of their content," while securing a fair deal. The regulator said that the company will now also be required to make sure content from publishers, including news organisations, is properly attributed in AI‑generated search results, using clear links. Earlier this year European publishers, tech firms, and startups have asked EU regulators to speed up a nearly two-year investigation into tech giant Google's ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ) alleged favoring of its services in online searches and impose a fine on the U.S. company. More on Alphabet Skeptics Call It Desperate, But Alphabet's $80 Billion Raise Signals Infinite AI Demand Alphabet: The Market Is Totally Misreading Berkshire's Buy Alphabet: The Bull Case Holds Despite The Near-Term Headwind Google just said it plans to spend $80B more on AI. Which companies might benefit? What analysts are saying about Alphabet's $80B capex raise for AI spending
CHOLTICHA KRANJUMNONG Britain's competition regulator said on Wednesday it had introduced new conduct requirements for Google's ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ) search services, including measures that allow publishers to opt out of having their content used to train the U.S. technology giant's AI models. The Competition and Markets Authority flagged concerns about the company's dominance in search services. Th...
CHOLTICHA KRANJUMNONG Britain's competition regulator said on Wednesday it had introduced new conduct requirements for Google's ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ) search services, including measures that allow publishers to opt out of having their content used to train the U.S. technology giant's AI models. The Competition and Markets Authority flagged concerns about the company's dominance in search services. The CMA said the requirements imposed on Google under the digital markets competition regime gave "publishers more control and stronger bargaining power over the use of their content," while securing a fair deal. The regulator said that the company will now also be required to make sure content from publishers, including news organisations, is properly attributed in AI‑generated search results, using clear links. Earlier this year European publishers, tech firms, and startups have asked EU regulators to speed up a nearly two-year investigation into tech giant Google's ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ) alleged favoring of its services in online searches and impose a fine on the U.S. company. More on Alphabet Skeptics Call It Desperate, But Alphabet's $80 Billion Raise Signals Infinite AI Demand Alphabet: The Market Is Totally Misreading Berkshire's Buy Alphabet: The Bull Case Holds Despite The Near-Term Headwind Google just said it plans to spend $80B more on AI. Which companies might benefit? What analysts are saying about Alphabet's $80B capex raise for AI spending
J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images Fund Highlights Primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income and equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally expects to allocate its assets as follows: 60% equity securities 40% fixed-income securities Allocates assets based on relative attractiveness Equity/fixed income weights Sector/industry weights Active duration m...
J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images Fund Highlights Primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income and equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally expects to allocate its assets as follows: 60% equity securities 40% fixed-income securities Allocates assets based on relative attractiveness Equity/fixed income weights Sector/industry weights Active duration management and yield curve positioning Fundamentally driven equity and credit analysis Strategic long-term execution of asset class allocation Market Recap The U.S. entered the year on solid footing, with easing inflation, resilient consumer spending, and supportive fiscal dynamics, but these positives were quickly overshadowed by geopolitical tensions as the U.S. and Israel entered into conflict with Iran. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil supply, drove a sharp rise in crude and gasoline prices, raising concerns about broader inflation through higher transportation, food, and supply chain costs. While the conflict is expected to be relatively short-lived, supply disruptions may persist for months. This environment complicates the Federal Reserve's (Fed) outlook, as renewed inflation pressures have reduced expectations for rate cuts in 2026 despite mixed labor market signals, stable unemployment but weak hiring, keeping the Fed in a "wait-and-see" stance. Markets have remained relatively resilient: equities stabilized with a late-quarter rally, leaving the S&P 500 down 5% in March and 4.6% for the quarter, credit spreads widened modestly but remain historically tight, and Treasury yields moved higher, with the 2-year up over 30 basis points and the 10-year ending near 4.3%. Portfolio Review The Touchstone Balanced Fund (Class A Shares, Load Waived) underperformed its blended benchmark, the 60% Russell 1000 Index and 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Allocation detracted from performance a...
Japan’s S&P Global Services PMI was at 50.0 in May 2026, aligning with the preliminary estimate and indicating stagnation in the services sector, marking its lowest level since March 2025. The S&P Global Composite PMI was at 51.1, the 14th consecutive month of growth in private sector activity, but it fell from 52.2 in April, showing the weakest growth since December. This growth was largely drive...
Japan’s S&P Global Services PMI was at 50.0 in May 2026, aligning with the preliminary estimate and indicating stagnation in the services sector, marking its lowest level since March 2025. The S&P Global Composite PMI was at 51.1, the 14th consecutive month of growth in private sector activity, but it fell from 52.2 in April, showing the weakest growth since December. This growth was largely driven by stronger manufacturing output, while the services sector remained stagnant. The Nikkei 225 Index rose 2.98% to approach the 68,000 mark, while the broader Topix Index climbed 1% to 3,963 . The Japanese yen weakened toward the 160-per-dollar mark. More on Japan economy DXJ: Japanese Equities Remain Attractive; Positive Carry Enhances The Appeal EWJ: The Land Of The Rising Sun Is Set For Continued Growth JPY Intervention - Unilateral Or Joint Will Be Key Asian tech shares rally past Middle East tensions; Nikkei climbs to record Asia stocks mixed amid U.S.-Iran uncertainty; Nikkei and KOSPI retreat from records
FTSE 100 down 23 points to 10,351 UK services sector PMI improved last month OECD growth forecast cut to 2.8%, or 2.1% if Iran war lasts 3.20pm: UK consumer confidence improves UK consumer confidence last month saw the largest monthly gain in sentiment since in five years, according...
FTSE 100 down 23 points to 10,351 UK services sector PMI improved last month OECD growth forecast cut to 2.8%, or 2.1% if Iran war lasts 3.20pm: UK consumer confidence improves UK consumer confidence last month saw the largest monthly gain in sentiment since in five years, according...
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo outlines mounting geopolitical risks, cautioning about the outlook of the Iran war, the evolving dynamics of US-China relations and the broader challenges facing American foreign policy. He speaks with Haslinda Amin from the sidelines of 'Nomura Investment Forum Asia' in Singapore. (Source: Bloomberg)
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo outlines mounting geopolitical risks, cautioning about the outlook of the Iran war, the evolving dynamics of US-China relations and the broader challenges facing American foreign policy. He speaks with Haslinda Amin from the sidelines of 'Nomura Investment Forum Asia' in Singapore. (Source: Bloomberg)
Alphabet Inc. ’s Google must make changes to its artificial intelligence generated search summaries after the UK’s antitrust watchdog forced it to give publishers more control over how their content is used. The Competition and Markets Authority said that the “world first” move against Google would give publishers the chance to block their content from being used to power AI features in search. “T...
Alphabet Inc. ’s Google must make changes to its artificial intelligence generated search summaries after the UK’s antitrust watchdog forced it to give publishers more control over how their content is used. The Competition and Markets Authority said that the “world first” move against Google would give publishers the chance to block their content from being used to power AI features in search. “This will put publishers, like news organizations, in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google,” the CMA said on Wednesday. The order comes as Google faces increasing challenges to its search business from AI chatbots, including OpenAI ’s ChatGPT, that are rapidly changing how users engage with digital content. Google has nine months to implement all the changes imposed by the CMA. Google will immediately begin testing new changes to allow “a subset of website owners” in the UK to manage how their links and content appear in generative AI search features, Mrinalini Loew, general manager at Google Search Ecosystem, said in response. “We’re also actively listening to feedback from publishers and creators, and engaging with regulators like the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority to ensure website owners have the right tools as user preferences evolve,” Loew said in a blog post . The conduct requirements follow the CMA’s decision to designate Google with having so-called strategic market status in search and online advertising business, which gave the watchdog power to demand information and conduct change. The designation does not mean the company acted anti-competitively. As part of the decision, Google must also publish how search content is used by its generative AI, provide publishers with metrics on user engagement with their content in generative AI features and attribute that content clearly.
Vertigo3d/iStock via Getty Images Investment Thesis I currently view Vistance Networks ( VISN ) as a hold with speculative buy potential for investors comfortable with uncertainty and willing to follow the company’s transformation closely. The company has changed dramatically over the last year. Debt has largely disappeared, the business has become smaller, and management appears focused on buildi...
Vertigo3d/iStock via Getty Images Investment Thesis I currently view Vistance Networks ( VISN ) as a hold with speculative buy potential for investors comfortable with uncertainty and willing to follow the company’s transformation closely. The company has changed dramatically over the last year. Debt has largely disappeared, the business has become smaller, and management appears focused on building around fewer areas where it believes the company can compete. At the same time, management may not be finished reshaping the company if the proposed RUCKUS sale eventually closes. What caught my attention with VISN is that this is not a traditional turnaround story or a dividend story. The developing situation is whether management can continue creating shareholder value after selling major assets and returning cash to investors. The decision now centers on whether the remaining company becomes stronger, more focused, and better positioned to compete. For current shareholders, there may still be reason for patience. Aurora and RUCKUS continue generating business for the company. The balance sheet appears significantly cleaner, and management has shown a willingness to reduce leverage rather than simply rebuilding debt. Investors still need to track whether the company can continue creating value going forward. For new investors, the investment becomes more speculative. Some may prefer waiting for greater clarity surrounding the proposed RUCKUS sale and what the remaining company looks like afterward. Others may view the transition period as an opportunity if management proves the remaining business can compete and grow over time. To understand where Vistance Networks may be headed, investors first need to understand what changed. What Changed At VISN? Before the sale, the company operated as CommScope , a much larger networking and communications infrastructure company with several business segments supporting broadband, enterprise networking, wireless systems, and cable...
TikTok billionaire Zhang Yiming has overtaken India’s Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s second-richest person after a rise in ByteDance’s valuation and further progress in the Chinese firm’s AI ambitions. (Source: Bloomberg)
TikTok billionaire Zhang Yiming has overtaken India’s Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s second-richest person after a rise in ByteDance’s valuation and further progress in the Chinese firm’s AI ambitions. (Source: Bloomberg)
Kagenmi The Australian economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, missing market expectations of 0.5% and slowing from the 0.9% growth recorded in the previous quarter. This marks the weakest quarterly pace of growth in a year, dragged down by sluggish household and government spending, weather-related mining disruptions, and cooling overseas demand. On an annual basis, GDP growth came in ...
Kagenmi The Australian economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, missing market expectations of 0.5% and slowing from the 0.9% growth recorded in the previous quarter. This marks the weakest quarterly pace of growth in a year, dragged down by sluggish household and government spending, weather-related mining disruptions, and cooling overseas demand. On an annual basis, GDP growth came in at 2.5%, undershooting the consensus forecast of 2.7%. Separately, the Ai Group Industry Index for manufacturing edged up to -22.4 in May 2026; while the movement shows marginal relative improvement, the deeply negative print still indicates a severe contraction in sector activity. Meanwhile, the private sector service industry slipped into contraction territory as the S&P Global Australia Services PMI dropped to 48.7 in May from April’s 50.7. This contraction was driven by softening demand and broader macroeconomic headwinds. Reflecting this slowdown, the overall Composite PMI was finalized at 48.7, down significantly from the previous month. The S&P/ASX 200 Index shares edged up 14 points, or 0.2%, to 8,739 in early trade, snapping two sessions of muted activity . The Australian dollar held above $0.71, trading near three-week highs as markets weighed the country’s latest GDP figures. More on Australia: EWA: Why Australia Is Missing Out On The Tech-Led Rally Australia's May manufacturing PMI revised upward to 50.7, easing from April high Australia headline inflation beats expectations, easing to 4.2% Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on iShares MSCI Australia ETF Dividend scorecard for iShares MSCI Australia ETF
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently highlighted a shift from copper to optical interconnects for AI data center connectivity, citing physical limits to copper. Huang pointed to photonics suppliers, including Lumentum Holdings (NasdaqGS:LITE), as important to solving AI infrastructure bottlenecks. Nvidia has committed significant investment to Lumentum and other optical networking firms to support nex...
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently highlighted a shift from copper to optical interconnects for AI data center connectivity, citing physical limits to copper. Huang pointed to photonics suppliers, including Lumentum Holdings (NasdaqGS:LITE), as important to solving AI infrastructure bottlenecks. Nvidia has committed significant investment to Lumentum and other optical networking firms to support next generation AI data center build outs. Lumentum Holdings (NasdaqGS:LITE) is in the spotlight...