Tobias

Super Micro Computer (SMCI) shares plunged 10% in after-hours trading as fiscal first-quarter results missed analyst expectations. EPS was 35 cents (adj.) versus 40 cents expected, and revenue reached $5.02 billion, below the $6 billion forecast. Revenue declined 15% year-over-year. Net income also more than halved. The company cited “design win upgrades” for the shortfall, shifting revenue to Q2, where they now forecast $10-$11 billion in sales. Despite benefiting from AI growth, SMCI’s growth seems to have slowed amid increasing competition.

President Trump has renominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and experienced spaceflight participant, to lead NASA. This follows a previous nomination withdrawal due to unspecified concerns. Trump emphasized Isaacman’s passion for space, astronaut experience, and dedication to advancing the space economy. Isaacman’s ties to Elon Musk and Shift4, along with his private spaceflight experience, align with the administration’s focus on commercializing space. The Senate confirmation process will scrutinize his business dealings and political affiliations, as his leadership could shape NASA’s future and its relationship with commercial space endeavors.

Despite reporting better-than-expected Q3 revenue ($13.47B vs. $13.28B expected) and strong growth (revenue up 20% YoY), Uber shares fell 5%. Key highlights included EPS of $3.11, a 22% increase in trips to 3.5 billion, and a surge to 189 million monthly active platform consumers. Net income nearly tripled to $6.6B, boosted by tax and investment benefits. Uber anticipates Q4 gross bookings of $52.25B-$53.75B and adjusted EBITDA of $2.41B-$2.51B. CEO Khosrowshahi emphasized innovation, affordability, and AI integration as drivers of future growth.

This report highlights key market-moving news. Palantir exceeded expectations, driven by AI demand, but saw a stock pullback despite strong results. Yum Brands considers selling Pizza Hut after sales decline. Kimberly-Clark plans to acquire Kenvue for $48.7B, sparking mixed market reactions. The Trump administration will partially fund SNAP benefits amidst a government shutdown. Starbucks partners with Boyu Capital in China to revitalize sales. Stellantis invests $13B in US operations.

Amazon is building its first wholly-owned subsea fiber-optic cable, Fastnet, connecting Maryland to Ireland. This initiative aims to bolster infrastructure for cloud computing and AI, addressing increasing demands for bandwidth, low latency, and cost-effectiveness. Fastnet will have a capacity exceeding 320 Tbps and is projected to be operational by 2028. This strategic move provides Amazon with greater control over its network, enhances resilience, and reduces reliance on third-party providers, reflecting a broader industry trend of tech giants investing in subsea cables.

White-collar layoffs are sweeping corporate America due to factors beyond just AI displacement. Amazon, UPS, and Target, collectively cutting over 60,000 jobs, cite corporate bloat, operational streamlining, and evolving business models as key drivers. While some companies openly attribute job cuts to AI implementation, experts suggest “AI-washing” may be masking underlying issues. Concerns about the economic outlook and a “bandwagon effect” contribute to the layoffs, impacting various sectors and raising questions about the labor market’s strength. Broader economic factors such as slowing sales, tariffs and inventory management issues also play a role.

Instacart launched a suite of AI-powered solutions, including an AI shopping assistant (“Cart Assistant”) and “Store View” for real-time shelf monitoring, to help grocers personalize shopping experiences and optimize operations. Sprouts and Kroger are early adopters. Instacart aims to democratize access to advanced technology, partnering with AI leaders like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. This move positions Instacart as a key technology partner amid increasing competition from retail giants like Amazon and Walmart investing in their own AI capabilities.

Bitcoin and Ether prices declined, driven by investor risk aversion linked to concerns about AI stock valuations. Bitcoin traded at $103,356, down 3% on Tuesday, while Ether fell 2.3% to $3,509.10. An analyst suggests decreased retail buying activity. Continued selling could push Bitcoin below $100,000, with limited near-term catalysts for recovery. October’s historically strong seasonality failed to materialize, mirroring 2018’s downturn.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp criticized Michael Burry for shorting Palantir and Nvidia, calling it “bats— crazy” to bet against AI leaders. Burry’s Scion Asset Management held significant put options against both companies. The news led to a stock dip for Palantir despite strong earnings. Karp believes Burry is wrong about the future of AI and Palantir’s role in it. Karp suggests Burry’s bearish sentiment is ill-informed, citing Palantir’s fundamental strength and growth in AI. The clash highlights ongoing debate about AI-related stock valuations.

Amazon secured a $38 billion cloud services deal with OpenAI, indicating a shift towards a dual-cloud strategy for the AI company and potentially paving the way for an IPO. Despite Amazon and Nvidia’s positive market performance, concerns arise over the concentration of market gains within a few tech giants. Separately, governments are increasingly considering tapping into citizens’ retirement savings to alleviate fiscal pressures, raising concerns about long-term risks to pension systems.