Esteban Tesson

China blocks Meta's acquisition of Manus amid escalating tech tensions

Chinese authorities have moved to block Meta's proposed acquisition of AI startup Manus, in a deal worth $2bn. The National Development and Reform Commission has called for the transaction to be abandoned, citing compliance with foreign investment regulations without providing further details. This decision comes as the deal was already facing heightened scrutiny from regulators in both China and the US.

April 27, 2026 at 09:45 am

Qualcomm lifted by speculation of OpenAI partnership

Qualcomm shares rose approximately 9% in pre-market trading on Monday, bolstered by reports from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggesting a partnership with OpenAI to develop chips for AI-centric smartphones. According to these reports, the group could collaborate with MediaTek on processor design, while Luxshare would handle device manufacturing. Mass production is reportedly targeted for 2028, although none of the companies involved have officially confirmed the project.

April 27, 2026 at 09:39 am

China blocks Meta's acquisition of Manus amid rising tech tensions

Chinese authorities have decided to block Meta's planned acquisition of AI startup Manus, a deal valued at $2bn. The National Development and Reform Commission ordered the transaction to be abandoned, citing compliance with rules governing foreign investment, without providing further details. The decision comes as the deal was already drawing heightened scrutiny from regulators in both China and the United States.

April 27, 2026 at 09:13 am

Qualcomm lifted by speculation about a partnership with OpenAI

Qualcomm shares rose about 9% in premarket trading, supported by a report from Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, pointing to a partnership with OpenAI to develop chips for AI-focused smartphones. Under that scenario, the group could work with MediaTek on processor design, while Luxshare would be involved in manufacturing the devices. Mass production is contemplated around 2028, although none of the companies involved has officially confirmed the project.

April 27, 2026 at 08:53 am

Nvidia market cap surges past 5 trillion dollars

Nvidia has reached a new milestone on Wall Street, with its market capitalization now exceeding 5 trillion dollars following a record close for its stock at $208.27 (+4.3%). This performance comes amid renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence-related stocks, which continues to drive robust demand for the group's graphics processors. Since late 2022, the share price has increased more than 14-fold, fueled by the massive adoption of its technologies by the industry's leading players.

April 25, 2026 at 01:34 am

Nvidia tops a $5tn market value

Nvidia has cleared a new stock market milestone, with its market capitalization surpassing $5tn after the shares closed at a record $208.27, up 4.3%. The move comes amid renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence linked stocks, which is strongly underpinning demand for the group's graphics processors. Since late 2022, the stock has risen more than 14-fold, driven by the broad adoption of its technologies by the industry's leading players.

April 24, 2026 at 05:07 pm

Marvell bolsters optical strategy with acquisition of Polariton

Marvell Technology has announced the acquisition of Polariton Technologies, a firm specializing in silicon photonics devices integrating plasmonics. This move is designed to strengthen the group's capabilities in ultra-high-speed optical interconnects, a key segment for meeting the rapid growth in bandwidth requirements driven by artificial intelligence and data centers. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

April 24, 2026 at 03:34 pm

Marvell bolsters its optics strategy with the acquisition of Polariton

Marvell Technology announced the acquisition of Polariton Technologies, a company specializing in silicon photonic devices integrating plasmonics. The deal is intended to strengthen the group’s capabilities in ultra-high-speed optical interconnects, a key segment for meeting the rapid growth in bandwidth needs tied to artificial intelligence and data centers. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

April 24, 2026 at 02:40 pm

X-Energy delivers standout IPO performance amid bullish market sentiment

US-based X-Energy, a specialist in advanced nuclear reactors, successfully completed its initial public offering with a sharp rally, as shares surged over 30% in early trading. The stock opened at $30.11, well above the $23 IPO price, which had already been revised upward from the initial 16-to-19 dollar range. The offering raised over $1bn, setting a record for the nuclear sector, fueled by growing interest linked to the rise of artificial intelligence and broader electrification trends.

April 24, 2026 at 02:33 pm

Google mulls massive investment in Anthropic

Alphabet, Google's parent company, could invest up to $40bn in the startup Anthropic, according to press reports. An initial $10bn tranche has reportedly been committed, based on a $350bn valuation, with a potential $30bn follow-on, contingent upon meeting performance milestones. This transaction is notably aimed at supporting the expansion of the company's computing capabilities amid surging demand for artificial intelligence.

April 24, 2026 at 02:29 pm

X-Energy pulls off a standout IPO in a favorable market backdrop

U.S. company X-Energy, which specializes in advanced nuclear reactors, delivered a market debut marked by a sharp jump in its shares, which rose more than 30% in early trading. The stock opened at $30.11, versus an IPO price of $23, already above the initial range of $16 to $19. The deal raised more than $1bn, a record for the nuclear sector, fueled by growing investor interest tied to the surge in artificial intelligence and electrification.

April 24, 2026 at 02:11 pm

Google Considers a Massive Investment in Anthropic

Alphabet, Google's parent company, could invest up to $40bn in start-up Anthropic, according to press reports. An initial $10bn tranche is said to have been committed, based on a $350bn valuation, with a potential additional $30bn contingent on hitting performance targets. The deal would aim in particular to support the expansion of the company's computing capacity amid surging demand for artificial intelligence.

April 24, 2026 at 01:36 pm

Department of Justice drops investigation into Jerome Powell

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it is closing its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, ending a probe related to the funding of the Fed's headquarters renovation in Washington. The decision, made public by Federal Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, follows a legal setback in which a judge quashed subpoenas targeting the institution. The investigation had served as a political hurdle amid heightened tensions surrounding the central bank's leadership.

April 24, 2026 at 11:05 am

The Justice Department Drops Its Investigation Into Jerome Powell

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it has dropped its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, ending a probe tied to the financing of the renovation of the Fed's headquarters in Washington. The decision, made public by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, follows a legal setback after a judge threw out subpoenas targeting the institution. The investigation had become a political complication amid tensions over the central bank's leadership.

April 24, 2026 at 10:55 am

Intel significantly beats expectations, reassuring markets

Intel reported quarterly results well ahead of expectations, marking a potential turning point after several challenging periods. The group posted adjusted earnings of 29 cents per share, compared to the 1 cent anticipated, while revenue reached $13.58bn, significantly above the $12.42bn expected. This performance was cheered by the stock market, with shares surging approximately 14% in after-hours trading following the release.

April 23, 2026 at 04:49 pm

US accelerates Medicare access for select medical devices

US health authorities have announced a new program aimed at significantly reducing the time required for certain medical devices to secure Medicare reimbursement. Coverage could now be granted within two to three months of regulatory approval, down from a year or more previously. This reform addresses long-standing industry criticism regarding the penalizing lag between FDA validation and Medicare coverage.

April 23, 2026 at 04:45 pm

Intel Handily Beats Expectations and Reassures Markets

Intel posted quarterly results well above expectations, signaling a potential turning point after several difficult periods. The company delivered adjusted earnings of 29 cents a share, versus just 1 cent expected, while revenue reached $13.58bn, far above the $12.42bn forecast. The performance was welcomed on Wall Street, with the stock up about 14% in after-hours trading following the release.

April 23, 2026 at 04:27 pm

The United States Speeds Up Medicare Access for Certain Medical Devices

US health authorities have announced a new program aimed at sharply reducing the time it takes for certain medical devices to gain access to Medicare reimbursement. Coverage could now begin within two to three months after regulatory approval, versus a year or more previously. The overhaul answers criticism from manufacturers, who had denounced a damaging gap between FDA clearance and Medicare coverage.

April 23, 2026 at 03:52 pm

Meta slashes headcount by 10% to accelerate AI pivot

Meta has announced a 10% reduction in its workforce, representing approximately 8,000 positions, as part of a strategic realignment toward artificial intelligence. The layoffs are set to begin on May 20 and are accompanied by the cancellation of 6,000 planned hires. This decision extends several previous waves of job cuts, which the group justifies by the need to improve efficiency and concentrate resources on generative AI in the face of intensifying competition.

April 23, 2026 at 02:58 pm

Meta to Cut 10% of Its Workforce to Speed Up Its AI Push

Meta said it will reduce its workforce by 10%, or about 8,000 jobs, as part of a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence. The layoffs will begin on May 20 and will be paired with the cancellation of 6,000 planned hires. The move extends several rounds of cuts already underway, which the company says are needed to improve efficiency and focus resources on generative AI as competition intensifies.

April 23, 2026 at 02:45 pm

Microsoft starts unprecedented voluntary redundancy program

Microsoft has announced the implementation of a voluntary separation program, a first for the group, amid a broader technological shift driven by the rise of artificial intelligence. The scheme could affect up to 7% of its US workforce and targets employees at or below the senior director level, subject to seniority and age requirements. Details will be communicated to eligible employees starting May 7.

April 23, 2026 at 01:47 pm