AMD's stronger-than-expected earnings suggest that Intel's difficulties do not necessarily reflect weakness across the entire semiconductor industry. With revenue reaching $13.38 billion and data-centre revenue growing 97% year on year, AMD continues to benefit from EPYC adoption and AI infrastructure demand. However, I would remain cautious about chasing the post-earnings rally. Strong guidance is encouraging, but investors still need evidence that MI450 deployments can scale profitably and translate into sustained cash flow. My view: AMD's long-term prospects remain promising, but valuation and execution risks cannot be ignored. I would prefer waiting for a reasonable entry point rather than buying into short-term earnings momentum. The key catalysts for 2027 will be AI accelerator deli
I lean towards a valuation-driven correction rather than the beginning of a full semiconductor downcycle, although the risks are increasing. Strong AI infrastructure demand does not automatically translate into sustainable earnings growth or attractive investment returns. Memory remains cyclical, and elevated prices could encourage capacity expansion, eventually weakening pricing power. I would prioritise three indicators: hyperscaler capital expenditure, DRAM/NAND contract pricing and 2027 earnings revisions. If spending remains resilient and pricing holds firm, the sell-off may represent an opportunity. However, simultaneous deterioration across these indicators would suggest a more fundamental downturn. My view: I would avoid aggressively buying the dip until earnings expectations stab
I would favour MRVL's long-term combined-business potential over LITE's deal exposure, but remain cautious about entering immediately. The strategic rationale is compelling, particularly as AI infrastructure increasingly depends on high-speed optical connectivity. However, an all-stock acquisition of this magnitude introduces substantial dilution, integration challenges and execution risks. Management's projected $1 billion in annual synergies sounds attractive, but the critical question is whether these savings translate into stronger free cash flow and earnings per share. For LITE, the fixed 4.5-share exchange ratio creates additional exposure to MRVL's share price, making the apparent merger spread far from risk-free. My priority would be a detailed integration plan, followed by earnin
My choice is B: Renewals of shorter-duration deals, followed by A: Stronger commercial bookings. Palantir's impressive revenue growth and 165% net dollar retention demonstrate strong demand. However, slowing contract value growth raises concerns about future revenue visibility. Shorter contracts are not necessarily negative if customers subsequently renew and expand their commitments. The real test is whether initial AI deployments translate into sustainable, recurring revenue. Valuation remains another concern. Even exceptional growth cannot indefinitely justify elevated multiples without corresponding improvements in earnings and cash flows. My view: Palantir's fundamentals remain promising, but much of its future success may already be priced in. I would prioritise evidence of contract
I would watch QQQ earnings breadth first, followed by short-term Treasury demand and oil prices. A sustainable tech rebound requires more than a handful of mega-cap stocks driving index gains. Strong earnings guidance, improving profit margins and broader participation across semiconductors, software and other technology sectors would provide stronger evidence of genuine risk appetite. Short-term Treasury demand offers a useful cross-check. A flight towards safe-haven assets could indicate underlying caution despite rising equities, although yields also reflect Fed policy expectations. Oil remains an important geopolitical risk indicator, particularly given uncertainty surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. However, falling crude prices alone do not necessarily signal reduced geopoliti
Nasdaq: +1.3% this week | Friday close: ~25,768 I’m leaning towards a modest rebound rather than a full risk-on rally. After Friday’s 2.86% fall and Monday’s additional weakness, some bad news and AI valuation anxiety should already be reflected in positioning. The biggest swing factor for me is tech earnings. Strong AMD, Qualcomm and Arm guidance could stabilise semiconductor sentiment, but investors now seem to demand evidence that AI capex is translating into revenue and profits, not merely more spending. The jobs report is the wildcard. A moderate reading that avoids both recession fears and a sharp rise in yields would probably be the best outcome for Nasdaq. My plan: continue DCA rather than chase a bounce. I would keep extra cash available if another valuation-driven selloff create
I’d put AMD’s data-centre growth first. The market already assumes AI demand stays strong. What matters now is whether AMD can turn that demand into sustained revenue growth, improving margins and credible MI450/Helios deployment at scale. A strong ramp would support the idea that AI accelerator economics are broadening beyond one dominant supplier. Nvidia’s share remains important, but absolute AI spending can grow fast enough for AMD to gain substantial revenue without taking the crown. Arm-Qualcomm device demand matters more for the broader semiconductor cycle, especially PCs and edge AI, but I see it as a secondary valuation driver for AI-heavy chip names. For AMD, Tuesday is less about beating one quarter and more about proving that its AI growth can justify the expectations already p
Japan interests me most. After decades of ultra-low rates, monetary normalisation could support bank margins, while corporate reforms may improve capital efficiency and shareholder returns. The broader APAC approach is appealing because each market has different drivers: Japan has rate normalisation, Korea has Value-up reforms, Singapore has established banks, and Southeast Asia offers longer-term financial deepening. That diversification is the strongest argument for the ETF versus simply owning Singapore’s three banks. I also like the concentration caps. However, I would not chase it based on the ~5% distribution or recent returns alone. The bigger question is whether earnings and ROE remain resilient if rates fall, credit costs rise or regional growth slows. Low P/B is attractive only
I’m cautiously bullish, but Apple probably needs more than a simple earnings beat to reach a new ATH. The ~$113.4B revenue and ~$1.99 EPS expectations already imply solid growth, while the stock is trading near record levels. More importantly, the iPhone Duo only launched in October, so its sales are not actually included in fiscal Q4. Investors will instead be looking closely at management’s comments on Duo demand, supply constraints and the holiday-quarter outlook. For me, the key is guidance. Strong iPhone demand plus improving supply and resilient margins could provide the catalyst for another leg higher. But rising component costs and a demanding valuation mean even good numbers may not be enough if forward guidance disappoints. Options are already pricing roughly a ±4.25% earnings mo
I lean towards this being a repricing rather than the end of the AI trade. A 3.47% QQQ drop looks dramatic, but the bigger issue is that megacap valuations had already priced in very strong AI growth while capex keeps rising faster than investors can see the returns. That makes the market much less forgiving. Strong revenue growth may no longer be enough if free cash flow is being swallowed by data centres, chips and infrastructure. I would watch earnings revisions, AI monetisation and free-cash-flow trends rather than seasonality. If those remain healthy, panic selling could create opportunities. But if capex continues accelerating without corresponding profit growth, the rotation from expensive growth into value could have further to run. For now: cautious, but not bearish on AI. I would