China Mourns Loss of Self-made Billionaire Founder Zong Qinghou, Dies at 79Self-made Chairman Zong Qinghou of Wahaha died at 79Once the wealthiest businessman in China“A first-generation entrepreneur after China’s reform and opening up” Zong Qinghou, the founder of China’s largest food and beverage company, Wahaha Group, died at the age of 79 on the 25th, according to China Daily. The memorial service will be held in […]
Blackstone's CEO Takes a Hit: Stephen A. Schwarzman's Pay Slashes 29% [AlphaEconomy=(Chicago) Paul Lee Correspondent] Blackstone has cut its chief executive's pay and dividend. Reuters reported on Thursday that Blackstone Chief Executive Officer Steven A...
Nvidia's Stock Surge: Riding High or Ready to Burst?Analysts have suggested it’s hard to see the sharp rise in Nvidia’s stock price after recording a fourth-quarter earnings surprise as a bubble. The factor that bursts a stock price bubble is a slowdown in sales, but the judgment is that Nvidia’s sales and operating profits can maintain a rapid increase. On the 26th, Eugene […]
United Airlines Hikes Checked Bag Costs After Four YearsUnited Airlines is raising checked baggage fees, following American Airlines. Reuters reported on the 24th (local time) that United Airlines announced an increase in checked baggage fees for North American travelers just a few days after American Airlines announced a similar increase. This price increase is the first in four years since United Airlines has […]
Gas Giants Clash: Qatar Boosts LNG Amid U.S. Export Permit FreezeQatar, one of the leading oil shipping countries competing with the United States and Australia, plans to increase its production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amidst increasing demand and a halt in growth projects from its key competitor, the United States. Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi announced on the 25th (local time) that they […]
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Pledges $70 Billion Annually for Vision 2030 [TheGuru=HongSungHwan Lee] Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), plans to invest KRW 90 trillion annually starting in 2026 to fulfill its Vision 2030. "We plan to increase our annual capital deployment to $70 billion (about 93 trillion won) after 2025," PIF Governor Yasir Osman Alumayan said at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Miami, U.S., on Nov. 22, according to industry sources. Currently, PIFs invest between $40 billion and $50 billion (about $53 trillion and $67 trillion) annually. The fund invests 70 percent of its funds in Saudi Arabia and 20 to 25 percent abroad. "The share of foreign investments has decreased, but the volume has continued to grow," Alumayan said. "PIFs invested $100 billion (about $133 trillion) in each country between 2017 and 2023, creating more than 103,000 jobs," Alumayan said, emphasizing that "we have made a significant contribution to the U.S. economy." The PIF is the world's sixth-largest sovereign wealth fund with $600 billion in assets under management and is a key source of funding for Vision 2030 reforms. It is chaired by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the country's de facto ruler. Saudi Arabia is implementing Vision 2030, a mid- to long-term development plan to move away from an oil-centric economy. It is a strategic national evolution plan to reduce the Saudi economy's dependence on oil, diversify its economic structure, and promote healthcare, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. The goal is to expand non-oil exports from 16% in 2016 to 50% in 2030...
Google's Gemini AI Model Produces Racist Results, Image Feature SuspendedAlphabet’s Google has acknowledged the error in its AI model, Gemini, and is temporarily halting the ability of its Gemini function. On the 22nd (local time), Google announced that it is temporarily pausing image generation soon as critics started to raise questions about a powerful generative AI Gemini’s incorrect historical depictions. This measure was taken […]
Nvidia (NVDA) Stocks Surge after Strong Q4 Earnings with Demand Outstripping SupplyNVIDIA (NVDA) announced “surprise earnings” for the last quarter, causing its stock price to surge 16% on the 22nd (local time) and setting a new record. NVIDIA’s revenue for the fourth quarter (November to January) of the fiscal year 2024 was $22.1 billion, up 265% from the previous year, and Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) […]
United Airlines Returns: Direct Flights to Israel Back on ScheduleUnited Airlines is resuming its flights to Israel. Reuters reported on the 22nd (local time) that United Airlines is scheduled to be the first U.S. airline to resume direct flights to Israel early next month following attacks on southern Israel by Hamas armed forces. United Airlines said, “We conducted a detailed safety analysis of this […]
Meta's Mark Zuckerberg to Discuss AI Partnership with Samsung's Lee Jae YongMark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is set to visit South Korea. His visit, which marks the first in 10 years, is drawing attention as it is known that he will meet with Lee Jae Yong, the chairman of Samsung Electronics, and discussions are expected, focusing on the construction of an “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Semiconductor Alliance.” […]
Korean Semiconductors Caught in the Middle: Facing Pressure from U.S., China, and Japan With US President Joe Biden's visit to South Korea, the semiconductor industry is facing the challenge of securing competitiveness. The U.S. and Japan are expanding with software competitiveness and subsidies, and China is also looking for a way out of the U.S.'s grasp.
Walmart's Big Bet: $2.3 Billion Deal to Acquire Vizio Signals Shift in Retail StrategyWalmart has finally acquired TV manufacturer Vizio. Walmart announced on the 20th (local time) that they agreed to acquire TV manufacturer Vizio for $2.3 billion. This indicates Walmart’s high expectations for future advertising revenue. Walmart stated that through this transaction, they can not only sell advertisements through Vizio’s TVs but also gain more opportunities to […]
Microsoft's $2.1 Billion Investment Spurs AI Growth in SpainMicrosoft, a giant software company in the United States, is investing in Spain for AI expansion following Germany. Bradford L. Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, posted on social media on the 19th (local time) that they are investing $2.1 billion to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in Spain. Microsoft’s investment in Spain comes […]
U.S. Allies Gear Up Against China's Trade Offensive in Electric Vehicles US expresses concern over China's dumping attempts. Respond with allies and build a public 'battery united front'. Opportunities for Korean companies. Strategies to combat Chinese overcapacity and low processing taxes. U.S., EU pressure China's EV industry. China's overcapacity could hurt global markets...
Adobe (ADBE) Faces Tough Competition as OpenAI's Sora Enters Video AI MarketAccording to an analysis, Adobe (ADBE), a company that sells software for creating and editing content such as graphics, text, and video, faces concerns about intensifying competition after the unveiling of Open AI’s video AI Sora. Adobe’s stock price fell 7.4% on the 16th (local time). This is interpreted as a result of heightened competition […]
Investors Eye 'Sora': OpenAI's Breakthrough Technology Ignites Stock MarketThe era of true multimodal AI has begun The importance of multimodal AI is increasingly recognized in the global artificial intelligence (AI) market. Open AI / Ascannio-shutterstock.com Global AI companies like OpenAI and Google are accelerating their competition to secure multimodal AI technology that can comprehensively analyze and understand complex data such as images, […]
China's BYD Aims for Luxury Electric Car Market Domination, Eyes TeslaPlans to Launch Various Luxury Models This YearPursuing Brand Value EnhancementDomestic Slowdown Leads to Overseas Strategy, Targeting 400,000 ExportsGlobal Competitors on Edge: “Demise without Trade Barriers” Following its achievement as the world’s top seller of electric cars last year, China’s BYD is setting its sights on the luxury car market this year. According to Bloomberg […]
Apple Set to Release Foldable Phone in September 2026, Expects 5 Million Units Sold [AlphaEconomy=Jee Sun Kim, Correspondent] Apple has finalized the timing of its foldable phone sales.Apple has also confirmed that it has reorganized its workforce to develop the foldable phone...
Volkswagen Announces $1 Billion Investment in Mexico for EV Business ExpansionThe Volkswagen Group is making a split investment in its Mexican plant complex. The Mexican division of the Volkswagen Group announced on the 17th (local time) that it will invest about $1 billion in a second split investment to activate its electric vehicle (EV) business at its existing business site in central Mexico. The investment […]
Trump Logo Out, Values In: Real Estate Resurgence Unveiled - Exploring the Impact on Property Prices The value of former President Trump's buildings has declined since his election. Buildings that have removed the Trump logo have increased in value, while Trump-branded condominiums in Manhattan have fallen 23% in 10 years...
China Mourns Loss of Self-made Billionaire Founder Zong Qinghou, Dies at 79 Self-made Chairman Zong Qinghou of Wahaha died at 79Once the wealthiest businessman in China“A first-generation entrepreneur after China’s reform and opening up” Zong Qinghou, the founder of China’s largest food and beverage company, Wahaha Group, died at the age of 79 on the 25th, according to China Daily. The memorial service will be held in […]
Blackstone's CEO Takes a Hit: Stephen A. Schwarzman's Pay Slashes 29% [AlphaEconomy=(Chicago) Paul Lee Correspondent] Blackstone has cut its chief executive's pay and dividend. Reuters reported on Thursday that Blackstone Chief Executive Officer Steven A...
Nvidia's Stock Surge: Riding High or Ready to Burst? Analysts have suggested it’s hard to see the sharp rise in Nvidia’s stock price after recording a fourth-quarter earnings surprise as a bubble. The factor that bursts a stock price bubble is a slowdown in sales, but the judgment is that Nvidia’s sales and operating profits can maintain a rapid increase. On the 26th, Eugene […]
United Airlines Hikes Checked Bag Costs After Four Years United Airlines is raising checked baggage fees, following American Airlines. Reuters reported on the 24th (local time) that United Airlines announced an increase in checked baggage fees for North American travelers just a few days after American Airlines announced a similar increase. This price increase is the first in four years since United Airlines has […]
Gas Giants Clash: Qatar Boosts LNG Amid U.S. Export Permit Freeze Qatar, one of the leading oil shipping countries competing with the United States and Australia, plans to increase its production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amidst increasing demand and a halt in growth projects from its key competitor, the United States. Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi announced on the 25th (local time) that they […]
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Pledges $70 Billion Annually for Vision 2030 [TheGuru=HongSungHwan Lee] Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), plans to invest KRW 90 trillion annually starting in 2026 to fulfill its Vision 2030. "We plan to increase our annual capital deployment to $70 billion (about 93 trillion won) after 2025," PIF Governor Yasir Osman Alumayan said at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Miami, U.S., on Nov. 22, according to industry sources. Currently, PIFs invest between $40 billion and $50 billion (about $53 trillion and $67 trillion) annually. The fund invests 70 percent of its funds in Saudi Arabia and 20 to 25 percent abroad. "The share of foreign investments has decreased, but the volume has continued to grow," Alumayan said. "PIFs invested $100 billion (about $133 trillion) in each country between 2017 and 2023, creating more than 103,000 jobs," Alumayan said, emphasizing that "we have made a significant contribution to the U.S. economy." The PIF is the world's sixth-largest sovereign wealth fund with $600 billion in assets under management and is a key source of funding for Vision 2030 reforms. It is chaired by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the country's de facto ruler. Saudi Arabia is implementing Vision 2030, a mid- to long-term development plan to move away from an oil-centric economy. It is a strategic national evolution plan to reduce the Saudi economy's dependence on oil, diversify its economic structure, and promote healthcare, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. The goal is to expand non-oil exports from 16% in 2016 to 50% in 2030...
Google's Gemini AI Model Produces Racist Results, Image Feature Suspended Alphabet’s Google has acknowledged the error in its AI model, Gemini, and is temporarily halting the ability of its Gemini function. On the 22nd (local time), Google announced that it is temporarily pausing image generation soon as critics started to raise questions about a powerful generative AI Gemini’s incorrect historical depictions. This measure was taken […]
Nvidia (NVDA) Stocks Surge after Strong Q4 Earnings with Demand Outstripping Supply NVIDIA (NVDA) announced “surprise earnings” for the last quarter, causing its stock price to surge 16% on the 22nd (local time) and setting a new record. NVIDIA’s revenue for the fourth quarter (November to January) of the fiscal year 2024 was $22.1 billion, up 265% from the previous year, and Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) […]
United Airlines Returns: Direct Flights to Israel Back on Schedule United Airlines is resuming its flights to Israel. Reuters reported on the 22nd (local time) that United Airlines is scheduled to be the first U.S. airline to resume direct flights to Israel early next month following attacks on southern Israel by Hamas armed forces. United Airlines said, “We conducted a detailed safety analysis of this […]
Meta's Mark Zuckerberg to Discuss AI Partnership with Samsung's Lee Jae Yong Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is set to visit South Korea. His visit, which marks the first in 10 years, is drawing attention as it is known that he will meet with Lee Jae Yong, the chairman of Samsung Electronics, and discussions are expected, focusing on the construction of an “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Semiconductor Alliance.” […]
Korean Semiconductors Caught in the Middle: Facing Pressure from U.S., China, and Japan With US President Joe Biden's visit to South Korea, the semiconductor industry is facing the challenge of securing competitiveness. The U.S. and Japan are expanding with software competitiveness and subsidies, and China is also looking for a way out of the U.S.'s grasp.
Walmart's Big Bet: $2.3 Billion Deal to Acquire Vizio Signals Shift in Retail Strategy Walmart has finally acquired TV manufacturer Vizio. Walmart announced on the 20th (local time) that they agreed to acquire TV manufacturer Vizio for $2.3 billion. This indicates Walmart’s high expectations for future advertising revenue. Walmart stated that through this transaction, they can not only sell advertisements through Vizio’s TVs but also gain more opportunities to […]
Microsoft's $2.1 Billion Investment Spurs AI Growth in Spain Microsoft, a giant software company in the United States, is investing in Spain for AI expansion following Germany. Bradford L. Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, posted on social media on the 19th (local time) that they are investing $2.1 billion to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in Spain. Microsoft’s investment in Spain comes […]
U.S. Allies Gear Up Against China's Trade Offensive in Electric Vehicles US expresses concern over China's dumping attempts. Respond with allies and build a public 'battery united front'. Opportunities for Korean companies. Strategies to combat Chinese overcapacity and low processing taxes. U.S., EU pressure China's EV industry. China's overcapacity could hurt global markets...
Adobe (ADBE) Faces Tough Competition as OpenAI's Sora Enters Video AI Market According to an analysis, Adobe (ADBE), a company that sells software for creating and editing content such as graphics, text, and video, faces concerns about intensifying competition after the unveiling of Open AI’s video AI Sora. Adobe’s stock price fell 7.4% on the 16th (local time). This is interpreted as a result of heightened competition […]
Investors Eye 'Sora': OpenAI's Breakthrough Technology Ignites Stock Market The era of true multimodal AI has begun The importance of multimodal AI is increasingly recognized in the global artificial intelligence (AI) market. Open AI / Ascannio-shutterstock.com Global AI companies like OpenAI and Google are accelerating their competition to secure multimodal AI technology that can comprehensively analyze and understand complex data such as images, […]
China's BYD Aims for Luxury Electric Car Market Domination, Eyes Tesla Plans to Launch Various Luxury Models This YearPursuing Brand Value EnhancementDomestic Slowdown Leads to Overseas Strategy, Targeting 400,000 ExportsGlobal Competitors on Edge: “Demise without Trade Barriers” Following its achievement as the world’s top seller of electric cars last year, China’s BYD is setting its sights on the luxury car market this year. According to Bloomberg […]
Apple Set to Release Foldable Phone in September 2026, Expects 5 Million Units Sold [AlphaEconomy=Jee Sun Kim, Correspondent] Apple has finalized the timing of its foldable phone sales.Apple has also confirmed that it has reorganized its workforce to develop the foldable phone...
Volkswagen Announces $1 Billion Investment in Mexico for EV Business Expansion The Volkswagen Group is making a split investment in its Mexican plant complex. The Mexican division of the Volkswagen Group announced on the 17th (local time) that it will invest about $1 billion in a second split investment to activate its electric vehicle (EV) business at its existing business site in central Mexico. The investment […]
Trump Logo Out, Values In: Real Estate Resurgence Unveiled - Exploring the Impact on Property Prices The value of former President Trump's buildings has declined since his election. Buildings that have removed the Trump logo have increased in value, while Trump-branded condominiums in Manhattan have fallen 23% in 10 years...
Hot Topics