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CATL’s Jianxiawo Lithium Mine Halts Production; Will Lithium Carbonate Prices Reverse?

Year-to-Date Southbound Stock Connect Inflows Exceed HKD 900 Billion for the First Time

Gold Futures Reach Record High as Institutions Shift Focus to Long-Term Opportunities in Gold Stocks

Core CPI Growth Widens for Three Consecutive Months as Domestic Demand-Stimulating Policies Continue to Deliver

Seven Ministries Issue Comprehensive Roadmap for Brain-Computer Interface Industry Advances

Silver Prices Face Volatility Amidst Key US Economic Data

Silver prices, having recently rallied, face potential volatility and profit-taking pressure this week as the market awaits key US economic data that could influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy and the US dollar's strength.

Ethereum Surges to New Highs Amid Favorable Regulatory Shifts and Weaker Dollar

Ethereum has hit its highest price since late 2021, fueled by a weaker dollar and positive regulatory developments. The U.S. government has clarified rules on liquid staking and retirement plan crypto allocations, attracting institutional investment. Strong ETF inflows and reduced selling pressure further propelled the cryptocurrency, which saw an increase of more than 40% in its price this month.

SoftBank's AI Vision and PayPay's U.S. IPO Plans Highlight Strategic Shift

SoftBank is doubling down on artificial intelligence, led by founder Masayoshi Son's long-term vision. The company is investing in key AI players like Arm and OpenAI while planning a U.S. IPO for its Japanese payments app, PayPay. This listing, potentially raising more than $2 billion, will follow Arm's successful debut and aims to generate capital to fuel SoftBank's future AI-focused ambitions.

Chinese Robots Truly at Work as Industrial Chain Accelerates Overseas Expansion

At the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing, companies such as Qingbao Robotics, Qinglang Intelligent, Zhuoyide Robotics, and Magic Atom showcased multifunctional, AI-embodied robots across applications in tourism, security, live streaming, and eldercare, marking a transition from novelty displays to real-world deployments.

SoftBank Shares Hit Record High on AI Optimism and Strong Q1 Earnings

SoftBank Group's shares soared to a new record, fueled by a strong Q1 profit and massive AI investments, including a $30 billion commitment to OpenAI. The company's Vision Fund swung back to profit, and its improved loan-to-value ratio bolstered confidence. Despite some concerns about funding and project timelines, the market is bullish on SoftBank's AI-centric strategy.

Soaring Duolingo Stock Gets Halted by OpenAI's GPT-5 Reveal

Duolingo's Q2 earnings report showed strong growth in users, revenue, and profitability, leading to a significant stock price increase. However, a demo of OpenAI's new GPT-5 model, which can build a language-learning app, caused the stock to pull back. The company remains optimistic, raising its full-year guidance and expanding into new product areas like music and math.

Germany’s Industrial Production Drops Sharply While Exports Beat Expectations

Germany’s industrial output fell sharply by 1.9% in June 2025, marking its lowest level since the pandemic began in 2020 and signaling renewed strain in the manufacturing sector. The drop was worse than expected, and May’s data was also revised downward. Despite this, exports rose 0.8%, beating forecasts, thanks to stronger demand from EU countries.

Investor Confidence in Asian Currencies Wanes as Tariff Risks Rise

Investor confidence in Asian currencies is weakening as global trade tensions rise and political uncertainty grows. Short bets on the Indian rupee hit a five-month high after the U.S. threatened new tariffs over India’s Russian oil imports. Similar bearish sentiment is building for the Chinese yuan, Taiwan dollar, and several others. In contrast, the Singapore dollar, Malaysian ringgit, and Thai baht remain relatively stable due to stronger fundamentals. Overall, investors are growing more cautious in Asia’s currency markets, amid geopolitical risks and uncertain U.S. monetary policy.

Global Oil Supply at Risk as Trump's Tariffs Target India

President Trump has imposed a new tariff on Indian imports, raising the total duty to 50% as a penalty for India's substantial purchases of Russian oil. Analysts warn this could disrupt global oil supply by up to 3.5 million bpd and increase prices. India has called the action unjustified, and the move highlights rising tensions and the use of economic pressure in global foreign policy.

Tech Stocks Soar as Apple Announces Massive US Investment and Tariff Exemptions

Driven by a surge in Apple's stock following a major US investment announcement and tariff exemptions, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 posted significant gains. Despite mixed earnings reports from companies like Disney and AMD, strong performances from McDonald's and Uber, and an upbeat forecast from DoorDash buoyed the market. Broader economic concerns about looming tariffs and potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts also influenced investor sentiment.

Global Markets Steady as Investors Look Past Tariff Pressures

Global markets remained resilient on Tuesday despite mixed economic signals, including weak U.S. services data, rising input costs, and renewed trade tensions. Investors interpreted these headwinds as potential triggers for future policy support, helping sustain a risk-on sentiment. While corporate warnings from Caterpillar, Yum Brands, and AMD raised concerns about margin pressures, the S&P 500 held near recent highs.

U.S. Corporations Rethink M&A Strategy: Equity and Cash Take the Lead Over Debt

A growing number of large U.S. companies are shifting their M&A financing strategies by relying more on equity and cash instead of debt, driven by rising interest rates and pressure from credit rating agencies. High-profile deals like Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern highlight this trend, with limited new borrowing to preserve credit ratings.

Meta Raises Over $2 Billion to Fund AI Data Centers

Meta is selling over $2 billion in assets to bring in external partners and fund its massive data center expansion for artificial intelligence development.

Market on Edge: Dollar Stays Flat as Traders Brace for Fed Decisions and New Tariffs

The dollar is holding steady as markets await President Trump's nominations for a Fed governor and chairman. Mixed economic data, including a flat services sector and rising inflation from tariffs, is complicating the Fed's policy path. Traders are pricing in a high probability of a September rate cut, but political influence and trade tensions are keeping investors cautious.

Unprecedented Alliance: NFL Takes Equity Stake in ESPN in a Bid to Dominate the Streaming Era

The NFL has acquired a 10% equity stake in ESPN in a groundbreaking deal. In exchange, ESPN will gain ownership of the NFL Network and distribution rights for RedZone. This partnership is a strategic move to boost ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service and expand the NFL's global reach, positioning both companies for long-term success in the evolving media landscape.

Microsoft Hits $4 Trillion Valuation Amid Market Rally

Spurred by investor confidence in its AI investments, Microsoft's market capitalization has soared past the $4 trillion mark, buoying the broader market alongside other major tech companies.

TSMC Accelerates U.S. 2nm Chip Production Amid Strategic Shifts and Trade Pressures

TSMC is reportedly accelerating its plan to produce advanced 2-nanometer chips in Arizona by 2026, two years ahead of schedule, to address new tariffs and better serve its major U.S. customers.

Alibaba Maps Gets AI Upgrade with Qwen-Powered Agent

Alibaba has rolled out a major AI upgrade to its mapping app, integrating its Qwen large language model (LLM) to offer more intuitive navigation and real-time contextual guidance. This move reflects the company's ambition to leverage generative AI not only in e-commerce but also in its wider digital ecosystem, competing with players like Baidu Maps and Amap in China's evolving smart mobility sector.

Gold Rises to One-Week High as Weak U.S. Jobs Data Fuels Rate Cut Bets

On August 5, 2025, gold prices surged to a one-week high, with spot gold reaching $3,371 per ounce and futures near $3,425, driven by growing expectations of U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts after a weaker-than-expected jobs report. Only 73,000 jobs were added in July, prompting traders to price in a 92% chance of a September rate cut and up to 100 basis points of easing by year-end.

Joby to Acquire Blade’s Passenger Division in $125 Million Deal

Joby Aviation will acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger operations for $125 million in cash or stock, gaining access to key infrastructure and customer routes. The move positions Joby to scale ahead of its planned 2026 commercial launch of electric air taxis.

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