Tobias

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has clarified the company’s significant investment in OpenAI, assuring that the partnership is “on track” and free of “drama.” Despite reports suggesting friction and the deal being “on ice,” Huang confirmed NVIDIA’s participation in OpenAI’s upcoming, potentially record-breaking, funding round and future IPO. While OpenAI is diversifying its chip suppliers due to high demand, Sam Altman has reiterated the strength of their collaboration with NVIDIA, emphasizing the superiority of their AI chips.

Nintendo’s Switch has become the company’s best-selling console, surpassing the DS with over 155 million units sold. This remarkable success, nearly nine years after its 2017 launch, marks a significant turnaround for Nintendo after the Wii U’s failure. The Switch’s innovative hybrid design, blending home and handheld gaming, and its strategic release timing were key. Compelling first-party titles like *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* and a successful expansion of Nintendo’s IP into movies and theme parks have cemented the Switch’s enduring popularity.

Alphabet’s Q4 earnings will highlight the significant partnership with Apple, integrating Gemini AI into Siri. This deal, announced in January, positions Gemini for substantial growth, leveraging Apple’s vast user base. Investors will closely watch Alphabet’s earnings call for insights into this transformative alliance, which could bring an estimated $1 billion annually to Google and reshape the AI landscape.

Disney shares saw a slight rise as investors await news on the next CEO. Despite a recent dip after earnings, the company’s experiences division reported over $10 billion in quarterly revenue. The board is expected to vote on a successor this week, with Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden reportedly among the top candidates. The market anticipates leadership that can steer the company through evolving media landscapes and streaming challenges.

Elon Musk is merging SpaceX with xAI to create orbital data centers, a move poised for a massive IPO. Palantir’s stock surged on strong earnings, with its CEO highlighting tech dominance. The US and India forged a trade pact, potentially shifting global energy markets, while China’s consumer gloom is symbolized by a viral “crying horse” plushie. US store closures may hit a three-year low.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 is defying sales skepticism, maintaining its full-year forecast of 19 million units. It’s already Nintendo’s fastest-selling console, with strong holiday quarter performance driven by titles like “Mario Kart World.” Despite a stock dip, revenue and profit exceeded expectations. However, rising memory component costs pose a future challenge, potentially impacting profitability and leading to higher prices for consumers. The console’s long-term success depends on a strong game pipeline and convincing users to upgrade.

Asian markets rebounded sharply, led by South Korea’s Kospi index. A US-India trade agreement, involving reduced US tariffs and increased “BUY AMERICAN” purchases by India in exchange for shifting oil imports away from Russia, boosted Indian stocks. Precious metals also recovered. In tech, SpaceX is acquiring xAI, SoftBank and Intel are collaborating on memory tech, Australia raised interest rates, and Tesla is focusing on Optimus robot production. Meanwhile, Chinese organized crime is reportedly funneling billions through crypto.

Palantir’s stock jumped 10% after reporting Q4 revenue of $1.41 billion, beating analyst estimates. This growth was driven by increased AI tool spending from government and commercial clients, despite previous market volatility. CEO Alex Karp called the results the “best in tech in a decade.” The company secured significant contracts with the U.S. Army and Navy, boosting its government sector presence. Analysts remain optimistic about future growth, projecting margin expansion.

The U.S. and India have agreed to a trade deal, with the U.S. lowering tariffs on India and India agreeing to increase “BUY AMERICAN” purchases and cease Russian oil imports. Despite mixed economic signals, including a dip in Disney’s stock due to softer international tourism and Nvidia’s planned investment in OpenAI stalling, major U.S. stock indices rallied. The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to raise interest rates due to inflation and a strong labor market. Key developments include SpaceX acquiring xAI, Oracle securing financing, Bitcoin’s volatility, and growing momentum in the robotics sector. Meanwhile, China faces deflationary pressures and economic slowdown, impacting consumer sentiment.

Elon Musk aims to merge SpaceX with xAI, creating “orbital data centers” and securing capital for xAI’s generative AI ambitions. This move leverages SpaceX’s space capabilities and potential IPO, with Starlink’s expansion providing crucial launch capacity. The merger capitalizes on strong investor interest in AI and a favorable regulatory environment, streamlining funding for xAI’s significant operational costs and past losses. This integration follows Musk’s pattern of consolidating his ventures and intermingling resources.