Africa led global solar expansion in 2025, adding 17% to its installed capacity to 23.4 GWp despite a broader economic slowdown, per the Africa Solar Industry Association report released January 28, 2026. Global solar capacity reached 618 GW, up from 44% growth in 2024.

Chinese suppliers drove supply chains and equipment, with 64 GWp of solar modules shipped since 2017—though only 23.4 GWp are currently operational. Nigeria surpassed Egypt as the continent’s second-largest importer, while Algeria, Zambia, and Botswana saw solar imports surge 30-fold, over 100% and more than 50%, respectively.

Battery storage costs in Africa fell to $112/kWh in 2025 from $144/kWh in 2023, enabling round-the-clock power. At least 23 countries now generate over 5% of their electricity from solar. Nigeria’s planned 1 GW solar factory is the largest in West Africa, with similar projects in Egypt, South Africa, and Ethiopia.

Policy uncertainty, including shifting taxes and import duties, remains a key barrier to sustained growth. Solar jobs are booming in installation, maintenance, and financing, but consistent policy signals are needed to attract investment.

TheDRAM shortage and pricing volatility will not resolve quickly with new fabs, according to analysts. Even with gradual capacity expansion post-2027, high AI data center demand, persistent HBM upgrades, and pricing stickiness are likely to keep prices in a tight range through 2028.

AI-driven demand has outpaced supply, pushingDRAM prices up about 80%–90% this year. AI-focused GPU and accelerator needs are挤压ing supply originally allocated to PCs and consumer electronics. WithDRAM fabs costing over $15B and long lead times, the industry has been cautious, creating a supply gap that aligns with the rapid expansion of about 2,000 new data centers globally, many of which would add roughly 20% to global data center capacity.

Key players report shifting toward HBM, which can comprise over half of GPU packaging and is expected to grow from ~$350B in 2025 to ~$1T in 2028, with supply likely to lag demand. Major fabs are scheduled to begin output in 2027–2028 (e.g., Micron in Singapore and at PSMC sites, SK Hynix incheon and West Lafayette, Samsung in Pyeongtaek), but Intel executive Cheng厥 Wu warned there will be no meaningful easing before 2028.

Price declines are expected to be slow and reluctant as next-gen HBM4 and stacking technologies like Advanced MR-MUF and Hybrid bonding push node limits and consume more silicon. Unless AI investment growth moderates,DRAM pricing may remain elevated for an extended period.

DayOne Data Centers has selected JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley to lead its planned U.S. initial public offering, with Bank of America and Citigroup also involved, potentially raising about $5 billion. The Singapore-headquartered data center operator is valued at up to $20 billion and is targeting a listing as early as this year. The company's Series C financing in January 2026 raised over $2 billion to support expansion in Europe and Asia. DayOne was rebranded from GDS International in January 2025, spun off from GDS Holdings, a Shanghai-based data-center operator.

Citadel Finance LLC, a hedge fund vehicle of Citadel LLC, raised $1.25 billion through a two-part US bond offering to repay debt, with proceeds potentially available for general corporate purposes. The firm sold a $500 million three-year fixed-rate note and a $500 million five-year fixed-rate note. Pricing on the 2031 note tightened to 1.65 percentage points over the benchmark from 1.95 percentage points at initial discussions. The offering follows strong demand in the US bond market, where over $40 billion of issuance was absorbed this week, and firms sold nearly $309 billion in US dollar bonds in 2026, according to Bloomberg data.

Bitcoin is flashing turning-point patterns seen in past cycles but remains without a confirmed durable bottom. On-chain metrics including LTH capitulation, MVRV Z-score, and Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) hover in neutral-to-oversold territory, signaling a decision between a mid-cycle correction and a deeper reset.

Long-term holder profits have retreated from 142% in October to breakeven, with LTHs historically not capitulating until suffering 30%–40% declines. The MVRV Z-score has not entered the -0.4 to -0.7 oversold range that precedes bottoms, and NUPL sits at ~0.1, below the ~20% unrealized loss typical at bottoms.

Analysts caution that tight liquidity and sensitivity to macro data mean a final washout is possible, especially if equities weaken. Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered anticipate BTC to trade between $50K and $58K through the week as traders await January inflation data on Friday, with a surprise rise in headline inflation likely to pressure risk assets.

However, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index hit 11/100, signaling acute panic and potential seller exhaustion. Bitcoin briefly tested $60K last week, rebounding 19% within 24 hours as institutional inflows of 66,940 BTC into accumulation addresses suggest a floor forming. With the MVRV Z-score at 1.2, the price is trading at deep value, leaving limited room for a sustained decline below $55K.

AI-driven selling spreads to traditional logistics as investors fear automation-driven disintermediation. On February 12, 2026, C.H. Robinson (CHRW-US) fell 14.54% to $171.42, its steepest one-day drop since 2019, while the DJT index shed 4% with 17 of 20成份下跌 and $17.4B in erased market value. Interactive Brokers strategist Steve Sosnick said knowledge-based industries are especially vulnerable, particularly those reliant on planning rather than physical movement.

The catalyst: Algorhythm Holdings (RIME-US), a rebranded AI logistics firm formerly known as Singing Machine Company, reported its SemiCab platform could scale freight 300–400% without adding drivers and cut 70% of empty miles, despite $200K revenue and ongoing losses. Benchmark analyst Christopher Kuhn warned of disintermediation reducing brokers’ value, with related indices and companies seeing heavy declines: Dow Jones Freight (-7.8%), Landstar System (-18%), J.B. Hunt (-5%), DSV A/S (-11%), Kuehne + Nagel (-13%), McKesson (-4%), and Cardinal Health (-4%).

However, Barclays analyst Brandon Oglenski and Nationwide strategist Mark Hackett cautioned the sell-off exceeds基本面 fundamentals, noting strong network and relationship advantages for established players likely temper long-term displacement.

GE Aerospace is rolling out robotics and Lean methodologies at its Singapore repair hub to ease aviation's compressor-blade repair bottleneck, aiming to lift repair volume by 33% without expanding the site’s footprint. The shift follows unexpected wear in next-gen engines that have stretched repair queues and driven up part shortages. GE’s $300 million plan seeks to cut repair times and costs by up to 50% through automation, with nozzle repair turnaround targeted from 40 to 21 days by 2028. By capturing manual blending skills in robots, GE aims to reduce reliance on scarce specialists and increase throughput. However, analysts caution supply constraints may ease only gradually as new-build production declines.

AI-driven selloff expands beyond software to logistics and freight equities, with momentum sweeping across multiple sectors. C.H. Robinson (CHRW-US) and Universal Logistics (ULH-US) fell over 10% after a Florida firm introduced automation tools that reportedly quadruple freight handling productivity without adding labor. Algorhythm Holdings (RIME-US), which sold its卡拉OK equipment line in Q3 2025 and pivots to AI-driven freight solutions, surged 29% on the news, though its market cap remains under $10 million.

Analysts note a flight-to-safety theme where AI-related news triggers immediate selling, with rotations hitting financial services (Charles Schwab SCHW-US, Raymond James RJF-US), real estate (Compass COMP-US, Jones Lang LaSalle JLL-US), and software (AppLovin APP-US -19% despite upbeat earnings). On February 12, 2026, Jefferies’ Jeff Favuzza warned that timing a pause in the selling remains unclear amid metals volatility, geopolitical events, and central bank decisions.

The broader market reacted: Nasdaq -2.00%, S&P 500 -1.50%, Dow Jones -1.30%. If the AI-driven volatility continues, it could pressure Federal Reserve policy debates and corporate risk disclosures. A Conference Board survey found 75% of S&P 500 companies now list AI as a major risk, up from 12% in 2023, signaling rapid AI integration across core business systems.

Microsoft's AI business负责人 Mustafa Suleyman warned in a FT interview that 12–18 months from February 13, 2026, majority tasks of lawyers, accountants, project managers and other白领 occupations will be automated, accelerating a profound shift in the labor structure.

Data from Challenger shows AI-related layoffs reached 7,624 in January 2026—7% of total—while cumulative AI-driven job disappearances since 2023 totaled nearly 80,000. Startups like Mercor are paying $25–$450 per hour to train AI systems, creating a "data labeling" boom that may temporarily offset long-term displacement.

Security risks also rise: Anthropic’s Claude model reportedly generated signals linked to chemical weapons development, highlighting heightened vulnerability to harmful misuse. However, Morgan Stanley’s Stephen Byrd cautioned the first major impacts may arrive in the late 2020s and 2030s, as current investment momentum may not yet fully translate to productivity gains.

TotalEnergies (TTE) emerges as a compelling dividend play in February 2026, trading at a sector discount (11.14x P/E vs. 14.86x) with a forward dividend yield of 5.2% and a 2.11% annualized payout. The company raised its dividend for three years on strong free cash flow and a balanced oil-gas-renewables model. Key tailwinds include two long-term solar PPAs with Google to supply 1 GW at 28 TWh over 15 years, construction scheduled for Q2 2026, and a $7.1B cash flow in Q3 2025 up 4% YoY.

On Jan. 26, Jefferies upgraded TTE to “Buy” from “Hold”; JPMorgan downgraded to “Neutral” in December 2025. Of 23 analysts, 23 rate “Moderate Buy,” with a mean price target of $72.94 versus a current price of $74.71. Q4 2025 EPS guidance is $1.80 (vs. $1.90 in 2024), and 2025/2026 EPS expectations are $7.15/$6.58, down -7.98%/-7.97% YoY. Q4 production guidance of 2.525–2.575 Mboe/d reflects +4% QoQ growth. The stock benefits from clean-power contracts, including 3.3 TWh into the next decade for Airbus and new-build renewables in the pipeline, supporting resilience in a range-bound energy price environment.

The Australian stock market extended early losses on February 13, 2026, as mid-market equities continued to fall. The ASX 200 dipped 0.75% at the opening, pressured by broader global risk-off sentiment and concerns over higher interest rates. Sectoral data showed energy and resources leading declines, while financials and health services posted modest gains. The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to maintain its accommodative stance this week, but traders are watching closely for signals on policy direction.

HIMX-US (奇景光電) forecasts first-quarter revenue to decline 2-6% as Q4 results were up 2% to $23.1 million. Q1 is expected to be the annual trough, with growth resuming in H2 driven by strong design intake, low inventory from clients, and ramp-up of new automotive projects. The automotive market, less sensitive to memory price swings, is forecast to support a rebound.

Guideline revenue guidance for 2026Q1: $17.5M-$19.5M; gross margin expected to remain stable or小幅下降; EPS $0.02–$0.04 per ADS.

CPO initiatives, including a partnership with 3363-TW, are entering small-scale output in 2026 with a focus on 6.4T high-bandwidth optical transport and AI data centers. A NT$31.6B share offering by 3363-TW, in which HIMX participated, funds equipment and pilot readiness to position CPO as a major revenue driver over the next few years.

2025 highlights: 4Q revenue $23.1M, +2%; gross margin 30.4%, +0.2pp; net income $6.3M; EPS 3.6¢/ADS. Full-year 2025: $832.2M, -8.2%; gross margin 30.6%, +0.1pp; net income $43.9M, -44.9%; EPS $0.25/ADS.

European billionaire Olivier Goudet’s investment firm Platin SARL has acquired a 5% stake in Treasury Wine Estates Ltd. (ASX:TWE), sending the Australian winemaker’s shares up 6% to A$5.33 at 1:40 p.m. Sydney time, the steepest rally since September 2024. TWE, valued at about A$4.3 billion, reported a near A$690 million write-down in its U.S. business and has canceled a A$200 million stock buyback amid weakness in key markets, including the U.S. and China, following distributor transitions and regulatory challenges. The company, led by new CEO Sam Fischer, is pursuing A$100 million in annual cost savings over the next 24–36 months and is reviewing capital investments amid a broader reassessment of its strategy.

OpenAI and Anthropic have launched enterprise AI agents targeting Microsoft, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, intensifying competition in a $Tb software industry.

On January 25, 2026, OpenAI introduced Frontier to help firms like Uber build AI collaborator teams, while Anthropic released a Windows preview of Cowork the same day. The platforms focus on browser-executable agents, desktop agents for report generation, customizable tools to build专属 assistants, and orchestration control consoles.

Traditional vendors responded with aggressive offerings: Microsoft’s Agent 365 is live, Salesforce unveiled Agentforce, and ServiceNow’s desktop agent automates financial reporting. Concerns include winner-takes-all control consoles and security risks from credential leakage and high operational barriers.

Divergence in readiness levels—research-stage vs commercial—exists, with OpenAI’s computer agents still in development. The core battleground is data control as OpenAI seeks to surpass Dynamics and CRM systems. Salesforce’s past restrictions and potential future API limits, plus Snowflake leveraging OpenAI while warning of disruption, underscore the sectoral shakeout.

Outcome hinges on solving security and规模化deployment challenges before enterprises buy production-ready solutions.

Waymo, a self-driving ride-hailing unit of Alphabet (GOOGL-US), began rolling out its 6th-generation autonomous system on Ojai vehicles in Ojai, CA, and started providing employee access to driverless rides Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The upgrade features costlier, more reliable components that improve performance in恶劣天气, supporting expanded fleet growth and market penetration. The 6th-gen system is positioned as the core engine for the company’s next phase of expansion.

Currently operating in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, Waymo plans to broaden service to additional cities and open public ride-hailing operations later this year. The company is already providing fully autonomous ride-hailing in six U.S. markets and expects to launch operations in London later in 2026.

Competition from Amazon (AMZN-US)’s Zoox and Tesla (TSLA-US) remains active in testing, but neither has yet scaled to full commercial operations. Waymo has been incrementally shifting to new models, including moving from the Pacifica with its 4th-gen system to the I-PACE with its 5th-gen system, and the Ojai features a lower boarding height and higher cabin volume while maintaining a footprint similar to the Jaguar I-PACE.

Investors are expected to focus on profit-taking ahead of a critical earnings season in early 2026, with the SET index posting a -1.2% close on February 13, 2026. The sell-off reflects cautious sentiment as companies prepare to report results, with analysts forecasting mixed earnings and continued pressure on corporate profits from higher interest rates and inflation. The Thai Baht has also weakened against the US Dollar, adding to market volatility.

Indian equities are expected to open lower on February 15, 2026, following global AI sector earnings that signaled softer growth and higher valuations. The rupee is likely pressured by capital outflows as investors shift from tech-heavy indices to defensive sectors. Key indices: BSE-Sensex (3521) and NSE-Nifty 50 (5000). If the earnings season continues, volatility could extend into the midday session, with a potential 0.5%–0.75% decline in the opening range.

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Coinbase reports Q4 net loss of $667 million, revenue down 20% to $1.8B, as the cryptocurrency market froze. The loss reflects significant write-downs on crypto holdings and trading, with core trading revenue seasonally down 6% and retail trading revenue down 13% to $7.34B. Fourth-quarter institutional revenue rose 37% led by derivatives and the $3.64B contribution from USDC-related services, as USDC reserves climbed 18% to $17.8B.

Year-over-year, Coinbase’s total transaction volume surged 156% to $52B, and its market share reached 6.4%. Subscription and services revenue hit a record $28B. Management raised $8.95B in share repurchases in early 2026, authorizing an additional $20B, following $8.5B in Q4.

Challenges include potential new stablecoin legislation that could disrupt the Coinbase-Circle revenue model and a 35% year-to-date rise in operating expenses. For Q1, Coinbase expects subscription revenue to decline to $5.5B–$6.3B despite a strong start in trading on January 10.

Kathy Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs’ Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, resigned effective June 30, 2026, following an internal probe of emails with Jeffrey Epstein that revealed close, personal ties and gifts after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel from 2013–2014 and has held the top legal role since 2020, had previously distanced herself from the correspondence. The emails, obtained by media, showed her referring to Epstein as “older brother” and “Uncle Jeffrey,” and acknowledging post-conviction gifts including a fur coat.

A Goldman spokesperson said Ruemmler “regrets ever knowing him.” The firm requires gift pre-approval to mitigate conflict-of-interest and anti-bribery risks. CEO David Solomon had earlier praised her as an “excellent lawyer” and expressed full support.

The resignation comes amid heightened scrutiny of leadership ties to former Epstein associates and potential impacts on Goldman’s reputation and governance.