Meta (META) surged 11% post-earnings while Microsoft (MSFT) fell 6.5% despite both beating estimates — investors rewarded Meta’s accelerating revenue and clear AI-ad monetization, but punished Microsoft’s exposure to OpenAI and slowing Azure growth.

Meta’s Q4 revenue rose 24%, with Q1 guidance up to 33% growth, justifying its $125B AI capex forecast (+73% YoY). CEO Zuckerberg cited AI-driven ad efficiency and “compounding effects” toward superintelligence. Tesla (TSLA), also hiking spending to $20B+, rose 2.2% on strong earnings.

Microsoft warned Azure growth slowed due to GPU allocation for internal R&D; CFO Amy Hood said external growth could exceed 40% with full chip deployment. OpenAI now represents 45% of Microsoft’s unfulfilled orders — a concentration risk as rivals like Anthropic gain traction. Analysts question if massive AI investments will yield sufficient ROI.

Nvidia (NVDA-US) CEO Jensen Huang stated on January 29, 2026, that China has not yet approved imports of its H200 AI chips, resulting in zero orders from Chinese clients. He contradicted prior Reuters reports claiming Beijing had greenlit shipments of hundreds of thousands of H200 units.

Huang said during a Taipei briefing: “We’re waiting patiently — approval timing rests entirely with Chinese authorities.” He confirmed recent meetings with Chinese officials and clients but no finalized deals. Sources indicate regulators have signaled major firms like Alibaba to prepare orders, suggesting imminent clearance.

The H200, an earlier-gen AI chip permitted for export under U.S. rules, is “well-suited” for China’s market, Huang noted. Final U.S. export licensing is nearing completion. Nvidia aims to reclaim share in the world’s largest semiconductor market amid ongoing restrictions on cutting-edge chips. TSMC (2330-TW), Nvidia’s key foundry partner, must “significantly expand capacity” over the next decade to meet demand.

Bitget launches its 2026 Stock Futures Championship, offering a dynamic prize pool of up to 1,551,000 USDT across four competition modes: Team League, Individual ROI Race, Star Trader Challenge, and Mission Center. Registration requires ≥100 USDT account equity.

The Team League offers 940,000 USDT, distributed by team ROI rankings, with bonuses for early joiners (200,000 USDT) and active captains (40,000 USDT). The Individual ROI Race awards 300,000 USDT to top 100 traders. Star Traders compete for 101,000 USDT, including a fan-voted “Top Trader” bonus. The Mission Center grants 100,000 USDT via task-based rewards and mystery boxes.

New users trading ≥100 USDT unlock a 60,000 USDT newbie airdrop. All participants receive welcome gifts. Competitions run through February 11, 2026. Minimum 10,000 USDT trade volume required for prize eligibility.

Tesla (TSLA-US) plans to more than double its 2026 capital expenditure to over $20 billion—double Wall Street’s $10B average estimate—with most funds redirected from legacy EV production toward unproven ventures: autonomous Cybercabs, Optimus humanoid robots, and battery materials infrastructure.

CFO Vaibhav Taneja confirmed investments will prioritize facilities for driverless vehicles, the long-delayed Tesla Semi, and lithium refining. CEO Elon Musk announced discontinuation of Model S/X production in California to repurpose space for robot manufacturing, calling 2026 a “massive capex year” for an “epic future.” With $44B in cash, Tesla can self-fund this push, though debt may follow. Analysts at Zacks and REX Financial view the spend as essential to validate AI-driven growth narratives that underpin Tesla’s tech-like valuation, even as EV sales lag behind BYD.

Nvidia (NVDA-US) CEO Jensen Huang stated on January 29, 2026, that China has not yet finalized approval to sell its H200 AI chips in the country, despite strong customer demand and U.S. export clearance.

Huang, speaking in Taipei after meetings with Chinese officials and clients, called the H200 critical for both U.S. tech leadership and China’s AI sector. He said Nvidia has not received confirmation of rumored conditional approvals granted to ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent for over 400,000 units, noting Beijing’s review remains ongoing. Analysts suggest China is balancing AI industry needs against domestic chip development goals.

Huang acknowledged rising competition from Chinese chipmakers but affirmed sufficient supply via TSMC (2330-TW) for current orders. “If approved, we’ll work with TSMC to schedule and expedite H200 deliveries,” he added.

Google (GOOGL-US) DeepMind unveiled AlphaGenome, a breakthrough AI model that predicts 11 gene regulatory processes simultaneously — from transcription factor binding to 3D chromatin folding — marking a leap beyond protein structure prediction into full-genome functional mapping. Published on the cover of Nature (January 29, 2026), it outperformed existing models in 22 of 24 genomic benchmarks.

AlphaGenome excels in predicting effects of non-coding DNA mutations, resolving 50% of GWAS-linked variants by identifying distant enhancers up to 10kb away. In a leukemia case study, it traced an 8,000-base-pair-distant insertion that created a rogue enhancer activating the TAL1 oncogene. Built on a CNN-Transformer hybrid architecture and trained on human/mouse genomic data, it enables precision medicine by modeling RNA splicing errors and rare disease mechanisms.

SanDisk (SNDKV-US) is set to report Q2 FY2026 results amid surging AI-driven NAND demand and tightening supply, with Bernstein maintaining an “outperform” rating and raising its price target to $580 — implying 20% upside from Wednesday’s $481.42 close.

AI adoption, particularly NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin architecture, has quintupled NAND needs per GPU. Combined with data center buildouts, this fuels exponential storage demand. Supply remains constrained due to extended fab lead times and prioritization of high-end chips. SanDisk’s Q2 NAND ASPs are forecast to rise 14% QoQ, driving non-GAAP EPS to $3.79 vs. consensus $3.45.

Historically, beats trigger rallies: SanDisk jumped 15% last November on strong guidance; Micron rose 10% after its EPS surprise. Bernstein projects Q3 ASP gains of 40% could lift EPS to $9.06, with FY2027 EPS reaching $67.50. Risks include cyclicality, disclosure opacity, and AI adoption delays.

STMicroelectronics (STM) projects Q1 2026 revenue slightly above market expectations as semiconductor demand rebounds, though restructuring costs will persist beyond Q4 2025’s $141M charge.

Shares rose 5% in early trading following the update. CEO Jean-Marc Chery stated visibility into 2026 is “significantly better” than entering 2025, citing improved channel inventory and clearer order trends. Core markets—automotive, industrial, consumer electronics—had cooled post-pandemic due to high inventories and reduced customer pull-through.

Q4 2025 net profit totaled $125M, below the $222M consensus and prior-year $369M. Excluding restructuring, underlying profit was $266M, signaling operational stabilization. CFO Grandi warned manufacturing realignment in Europe will incur costs throughout 2026, justifying cautious expense guidance.

Dow Inc. (DOW) announced on January 29, 2026, it will cut approximately 4,500 jobs — over 10% of its 36,000 global workforce — as part of a restructuring plan targeting at least $2 billion in core EBITDA improvement by 2026–2027, with $500 million expected by end-2026.

The chemical giant cited persistent weak demand and structural industry pressures, including stagnant end markets, rising European costs, and tightening environmental regulations. Dow plans to deploy AI and automation to streamline operations. One-time restructuring costs are estimated at $1.1B–$1.5B through 2027, including up to $800M in severance. Pre-market shares fell 0.61% to $27.61. CEO Jim Fitterling said the move accelerates prior cost-cutting efforts, including a previously announced $1B savings initiative. Q4 2025 loss narrowed to $0.34/share, beating estimates of $0.46.

Caterpillar (CAT-US) reported stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 earnings on January 29, 2026, driven by surging power equipment sales to AI data centers. Revenue rose 18% YoY to $19.1B; adjusted EPS hit $5.16, surpassing the $4.70 analyst consensus.

The Energy & Transportation segment led growth, with sales up 23% to $9.4B and profits rising 25%, fueled by demand for backup generators and gas turbines from tech firms expanding data infrastructure. CAT’s market cap briefly topped $300B this month. Pre-market shares rose 1.15% to $653.00.

However, tariffs weighed: Q4 operating profit fell 9% to $2.66B, with $1.03B in tariff-related costs. Full-year 2026 tariff impact is now projected at $2.6B, up from $1.6–1.75B. Construction and Resource Industries posted 15% and 13% sales growth, respectively. CEO Joe Creed cited record order visibility and broad-based market strength.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix warn that surging demand for AI server chips is diverting DRAM production toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM), tightening supply for traditional DRAM used in PCs and smartphones. The shift risks raising component costs and disrupting shipments for major brands like Apple (AAPL-US).

The two firms control roughly two-thirds of global DRAM output. SK Hynix’s marketing head Park Joon Deok stated PC and mobile clients now face “increasing difficulty” securing stable DRAM supply. Memory makers, cautious after 2017’s overcapacity bust, are limiting new capacity through at least 2026–2027. Prices are rising, forcing some brands to downgrade specs or delay orders.

IDC and Counterpoint forecast smartphone sales to drop ≥2% in 2026; PC shipments may fall 4.9%. Samsung’s mobile profits fell 10% YoY last quarter. Macquarie data shows SK Hynix leads HBM market with 61% share vs. Samsung’s 19%, intensifying competition as both prioritize AI chip output.

Major U.S. indices diverged Thursday (January 29, 2026) as investors digested mixed tech earnings following the Fed’s rate hold. Meta (META-US) surged over 9% pre-market on raised capex guidance and strong revenue outlook, while Microsoft (MSFT-US) fell nearly 7% on slowing cloud growth.

As of 10:00 PM Taipei time, Dow rose 0.11%, S&P 500 gained 0.11%, Nasdaq dropped 0.31%, and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed 0.75%. TSMC ADR fell 0.67%. Gold spiked 3.95% to $5,551/oz, silver hit $120/oz (+63% YTD), and Brent crude rose 4.11% to $70.14/barrel amid geopolitical tensions.

Investors are rotating into hard assets amid dollar weakness (DXY at 99.185) and skepticism over AI capex conversion to profits. Caterpillar (CAT-US) jumped 2.7% on data center-driven power sales; Dow Chemical (DOW-US) fell 4.7% after announcing 4,500 job cuts. Alibaba (BABA-US) rose 2.3% on logistics unit merger.

Meta Platforms (META) surged 8% on January 29, 2026, after reporting 24% revenue growth fueled by AI-enhanced ad targeting, while Microsoft (MSFT) plunged 11% as Azure growth slowed to 39% and capital spending hit $37.5B, signaling investor impatience for AI returns.

Meta raised its 2026 AI capex forecast to $115B–$135B and projected Q1 revenue of ~$55B (+30% YoY), validating its ad-centric monetization model. CEO Zuckerberg reaffirmed commitment to “personal superintelligence,” with markets now rewarding tangible ROI over spend volume.

Microsoft’s CFO Amy Hood admitted GPU shortages constrain Azure’s potential—growth could exceed 40% with full capacity. But dual pressure from internal AI R&D and external cloud demand is stretching resources, delaying payback and spooking investors focused on near-term profitability.

U.S. software stocks tumbled Thursday, January 29, 2026, as investor anxiety over AI’s potential to disrupt traditional business models deepened. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV) plunged as much as 5% intraday — its steepest drop since April 2025 — and slid 21% from recent highs, entering bear market territory.

IGV is down nearly 14% in January, on track for its worst monthly performance since October 2008. Even strong earnings from ServiceNow (NOW), which fell 11% despite upbeat guidance, failed to stem selling. Morgan Stanley analysts noted “good isn’t good enough” amid structural doubts over subscription models. Microsoft (MSFT) dropped 10% after cloud growth and margin warnings. Rapid advances in generative AI — like Anthropic’s thrice-updated Claude Opus 4.5 — are accelerating fears of substitution. While executives argue AI complements enterprise software, markets remain focused on near-term disruption risks.

Mastercard (MA) reported better-than-expected Q4 2025 earnings on January 29, 2026, driven by resilient consumer spending, but simultaneously announced a 4% global workforce reduction and a $200M Q1 restructuring charge.

Adjusted net income hit $4.3B ($4.76 EPS), surpassing estimates of $3.83B ($4.25 EPS). Q4 revenue rose to $8.81B vs. $8.78B expected; full-year revenue reached ~$33B, up 16% YoY, aligning with guidance. CEO Michael Miebach cited sustained macroeconomic support for spending.

CFO Sachin Mehra confirmed the job cuts follow a strategic review, though affected departments remain undisclosed. Separately, Trump’s proposed 10% credit card rate cap poses indirect risk if banks tighten lending. Shares rose post-earnings but are down 4.6% over 12 months. Mastercard and Visa continue negotiating a $200B merchant fee settlement.

European officials are accelerating efforts to reduce dependency on U.S. tech infrastructure, citing digital sovereignty concerns and vulnerability to American sanctions. Belgium’s cybersecurity chief Miguel De Bruycker stated Europe has "ceded the internet to the U.S.," with over 80% of EU digital products and services relying on non-EU suppliers.

The European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution on January 22, 2026 urging reduced foreign tech reliance. France is replacing Zoom and Microsoft Teams with domestic video-conferencing software for public sector use. The move follows long-standing tensions over U.S. surveillance laws and recent sanctions, exemplified by a Canadian ICC judge facing financial paralysis after being blacklisted.

ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN) is set to report Q4 2025 earnings before market open on Thursday, January 29, 2026, with analysts projecting $4.63 billion in revenue and $0.82 adjusted EPS.

The workforce solutions provider topped revenue estimates by 0.7% last quarter but missed EPS targets. Over the past two years, ManpowerGroup has missed revenue expectations three times. Peer performance has been mixed: Booz Allen Hamilton recently missed estimates by 3.8% while Concentrix beat by 0.7%. ManpowerGroup shares remain flat over the past month, trading at $30.11 versus a $38.67 average price target.

Hilltop Holdings (NYSE: HTH) will report Q4 2025 earnings after market close on January 29, 2026, with analysts projecting flat year-over-year revenue of $301.5 million and adjusted EPS of $0.35.

The company beat revenue estimates by 6.6% last quarter but has missed Wall Street's revenue expectations three times over the past two years. Peer regional banks UMB Financial and WSFS Financial recently posted strong Q4 results, with revenue beats of 6% and 4.1% respectively. Hilltop's stock has gained 5.3% over the past month, slightly above the average analyst price target of $35.67.

Cullen/Frost Bankers (NYSE: CFR) will report Q4 2025 earnings before market open on January 29, with analysts projecting $580.6 million in revenue (+8.2% YoY) and adjusted EPS of $2.45. The stock has gained 5.3% over the past month, slightly outperforming the regional bank sector's 3.4% average rise.

The bank exceeded net interest income and tangible book value estimates last quarter, though it has missed revenue projections six times in two years. Peer regional banks UMB Financial and WSFS Financial recently reported strong beats, with WSFS rising 6.5% post-earnings. Frost Bank's current share price of $135.56 remains below the average analyst target of $138.27.

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings before market open on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Analysts project revenue of $32.35 billion, representing 1.4% year-over-year growth, with adjusted earnings expected at $0.76 per share.

The telecommunications giant has exceeded revenue estimates in seven of the past eight quarters, beating expectations by an average of 1%. Comcast shares have declined 3.6% over the past month amid broader stability in consumer discretionary stocks. The company reported 31.44 million domestic broadband customers last quarter, down 1.7% year-over-year.