GMT EIGHT - Commercial - Investment&Financing

Total Investment of 1.2 Trillion Yuan: Yarlung Zangbo Hydropower Project Commences, Creating Investment Opportunities in Water Conservancy, Power Grid, and Cement Sectors

Seven Ministries Jointly Release 11 Measures to Encourage Foreign-Invested Enterprises to Reinvest in China

For the Third Consecutive Month, China Reduces U.S. Treasury Holdings by $900 Million in May, While Japan and the United Kingdom Increase Holdings

H20 Resumes Sales in China: Market Reception and Its Impact on the GPU Ecosystem

Multiple Economic Indicators Outperform Expectations in H1; Global Investment Banks Raise China’s 2025 GDP Forecast

Chevron Secures Strategic Win with $53 Billion Hess Acquisition

After a prolonged legal standoff with Exxon Mobil, Chevron has secured approval to acquire Hess for $53 billion, unlocking a critical stake in Guyana’s booming offshore oil field. The acquisition enhances Chevron’s global asset base but comes amid market volatility and rising pressure to adapt to shifting energy demands.

Japanese Yen Rallies as Political Stability Prevails Despite Election Setback

Despite Japan's ruling coalition losing its upper house majority, the yen strengthened as markets had priced in a worse outcome. Political uncertainty and looming U.S. tariff deadlines could test this stability. Global markets are also watching U.S. tech earnings and central bank decisions, contributing to a complex financial landscape.

Ryanair’s Profit Soars on Robust Bookings and Higher Fares, Eyes Strong Summer Performance

Ryanair (RYA.I) more than doubled its Q1 net profit to €820 million, driven by strong last-minute bookings, Easter holiday timing, and a sharp rebound in fares. The airline expects continued strength through the summer despite sector-wide uncertainties and macro risks.

China's Leadership in EV Battery Safety Innovations

China is leading the global electric vehicle industry's focus on battery safety by developing advanced solid-state, sodium-ion, and improved LFP battery technologies, alongside stricter regulations, to achieve a future of "no fire, no explosion" EVs.

Tech Titan's Tightrope Walk: Inside Jensen Huang's Diplomatic Dance and Nvidia's AI Future

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is adeptly navigating US-China tech relations, facilitating renewed AI chip sales to China. This action, mirrored by AMD, reflects a broader trade accord. Huang envisions "Physical AI" as the next major technological frontier, emphasizing the importance of physical sciences. His strategic engagements highlight the evolving and complex diplomatic responsibilities of leading tech figures.

Comcast’s Peacock to Raise Subscription Rates, Launch New "Select" Tier

Peacock, the streaming platform operated by Comcast-owned NBCUniversal, is set to increase its monthly subscription prices in late July while piloting a budget-friendly "Select" tier. The move reflects the platform’s growing investment in live sports and content diversity.

Netflix Breaks Ground with GenAI in Argentine Sci-Fi Series

Netflix has incorporated generative AI into one of its original productions for the first time, drastically reducing the time and cost to produce a complex visual effects scene in the Argentine series El Eternauta. The move marks a shift in how the company aims to merge technology with creativity.

TSMC Reports Record Q2 Profit Driven by AI Demand, Cautions on Tariff Risks

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) delivered a record-breaking second-quarter profit in 2025, fueled by soaring global demand for AI chips. Despite the strong performance and an upgraded full-year revenue forecast, the company warned of potential headwinds from U.S. tariffs and currency fluctuations that could affect earnings in the later part of the year.

ABB Reports Record Quarterly Orders on Surging U.S. and Data Center Demand

Swiss engineering giant ABB Ltd. posted its highest-ever quarterly order intake in Q2 2025, driven by soaring demand in the United States and strong momentum in the data center sector amid global investment in AI infrastructure. The company beat analyst expectations across key metrics, while remaining largely insulated from U.S. tariff risks.

Goldman Sachs Surges as Market Volatility Fuels Record Trading Profits

Goldman Sachs posted $3.7 billion in second-quarter earnings, driven by record-breaking results across its trading divisions amid turbulent markets. As rivals like Bank of America and Morgan Stanley faced mixed results, Goldman’s return to core institutional banking and strength in high-stakes trading positioned it as a standout in a volatile financial landscape.

Netflix Braces for Q2 Earnings: Content Power, Ad-Tier Growth, and Valuation in Focus

Netflix's upcoming Q2 earnings are highly anticipated, with projections for robust revenue and profit increases. Despite valuation concerns, the stock has surged about 40% this year, driven by expanding ad-supported tiers and a strong content slate.

Universal’s $775 Million Bid for Downtown Faces EU Antitrust Scrutiny

Universal Music Group’s $775 million takeover of Downtown Music has triggered a full-scale antitrust probe by the European Commission, highlighting growing concerns over consolidation in Europe’s music market.

ASML Warns 2026 Growth May Stall Amid U.S. Tariff Uncertainty and Chipmaker Delays

Dutch chipmaking giant faces investor jitters as geopolitical tensions cloud long-term outlook despite strong quarterly results.

AI-Fueled Funding Surge Lifts US Startups as VC Fundraising Lags Behind

US startup funding has soared 75.6% in the first half of 2025, driven by major AI investments, even as venture capital firms themselves face a tougher fundraising climate, according to new PitchBook data.

Meta Doubles Down on AI Superintelligence With Massive Data Center Investment

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on new AI data centers as the company accelerates its pursuit of artificial general intelligence, despite investor concerns over the scale and payoff of these long-term bets.

Oil Prices Rise Amid Russia Sanction Speculation and Saudi Output Surge

Oil prices rose slightly on July 14, 2025, with Brent crude at $70.51 and WTI at $68.59, as markets anticipated possible new U.S. sanctions on Russia following President Trump’s statement about sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine.

Continuation Funds Redefine Private Equity Exit Strategies

Continuation funds are transforming private equity exit strategies by allowing firms to retain high-performing assets while providing liquidity to existing investors. With interest rates high and IPO markets subdued, continuation funds accounted for 13 percent of exits in 2024, up from 5 percent in 2021. This model preserves upside for sponsors and returns capital to investors, prompting private equity firms to rethink traditional exit timelines.

NTT DC REIT Sees Modest Debut Following Singapore’s Largest IPO in Four Years

NTT DC REIT raised $773 million in Singapore’s biggest IPO since 2021 but opened with only slight gains as investors weigh opportunities in Asia-Pacific’s booming data centre sector.

Musk Rules Out Tesla-xAI Merger, Despite Possible Investment Talks

Elon Musk has clarified that he does not support merging Tesla and his AI startup xAI, although Tesla investors may still vote on potential investments in the company.

Google to Offer Deep Discounts on Cloud Services for U.S. Government Amid Push for Federal Savings

Google is reportedly preparing to offer steep discounts on its cloud computing services to U.S. government agencies, joining other major tech firms in aligning with federal cost-cutting initiatives.

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