Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing
×Tech & AI Performance
Nvidia reported record $68 billion in fourth quarter sales, beating back bubble fears with a 94% profit surge driven by agentic AI. The tech giant's stock rose as its guidance signaled the AI boom continues. Meanwhile, Salesforce sees stable growth despite Wall Street's AI concerns, with the company topping quarterly profit estimates as its AI push supports outlook. Snowflake experienced 30% revenue jump on cloud and AI demand, while Zoom gave a weaker profit outlook as it expands its product suite.
Bonds & Fixed Income
JGBs fell tracking declines in U.S. Treasurys as global bond markets faced pressure. Philippine peso bonds emerged as the best performer in EM Asia on liquidity and dovish tilt. Gold held recent gains as traders watched US tariffs and Iran talks. The New York Fed reports government bonds' shrinking appeal has cost investors as a key interest rate rises globally.
Commodities & Energy
Oil edged higher ahead of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, with Saudi Arabia and Iran both driving up oil exports amid Middle East tensions. Core Lithium sold stockpile to Glencore, raising cash to support a potential restart of its Finniss mine in Australia.
M&A & Corporate Deals
Momentum Midstream explores sale that could fetch $5 billion as private equity activity continues. Engie agreed to buy UK's biggest electricity distribution company in £10.5 billion deal. Blue Scope said a revised bid from Steel Dynamics and SGH undervalues the company but remains open to a better offer. A trader bet $14 million that Netflix would win should it lose out on its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Eleven US states urged DOJ to probe Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, while Netflix's co-CEO Sarandos plans to visit White House to discuss the Warner Bros bid.
Economic Policy & Central Banks
Fed rate is near neutral with risks balanced according to St. Louis President Alberto Musalem. Global debt reached record $348 trillion last year, largely fueled by government investment in defense and AI. Goldman's Ben Snider says economic acceleration offsets AI jitters in markets. US corporate bonds market is the most competitive ever, Barclays reports, with strong demand spurring more trading.