Outlook

• The AI-powered autonomous defense system market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.9% through 2030. • This growth is driven by global militaries adopting automated technologies to manage increasingly complex threats and accelerate battlefield decision-making. • The trend signifies a strategic shift toward smarter defense infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge in modern warfare.

• Asian stock markets rallied, with significant gains led by Japan and South Korea, following a positive outlook from Micron Technology that revitalized the AI trade. • Key semiconductor firms saw growth, including Hong Kong-listed SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor, which rose by 0.9% and 0.7% respectively. • Broad regional growth was evident as Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite Index surged 2.7%, the Philippines’ PSEi advanced 1.6%, and India’s Nifty 50 rose 0.9%.

• Asian equities rose sharply on Thursday following positive earnings reports and optimistic AI forecasts from semiconductor giants Micron Technology and Qualcomm. • The rally was led by Japan and South Korea, with the Nikkei index surging over 2% and the KOSPI jumping 5.5%. • These results are significant as they ease investor concerns regarding stretched valuations within the artificial intelligence sector and restore confidence in tech stocks.

• US stock markets traded mixed on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising as gains in AI-linked chipmakers balanced out losses in other sectors. • Micron Technology saw a significant jump driven by a positive artificial intelligence outlook, while Apple shares slid following the announcement of price hikes across several of its products. • This divergence highlights a market trend where investor enthusiasm for AI growth is offsetting concerns over consumer pricing strategies and demand for hardware.

• Asian stock markets rallied, led by gains in Japan and South Korea, following a positive outlook from Micron Technology that revitalized the AI trade. • Key semiconductor players saw increases, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (up 0.6%) and Chinese firms like Hua Hong Semiconductor (up 2.3%) and SMIC (up 1.5%). • This surge highlights the continued influence of AI-driven demand on global chip stocks and regional market sentiment.

• Global consumer market M&A is projected to remain stable and selective through 2026, focusing on strategic portfolio rebalancing and securing new capabilities. • Key examples of this trend include Mars' acquisition of Kellanova, completed in December 2025, which expanded its global brand reach. • The proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger, one of 2025's largest deals, highlights a shift toward consolidation to improve supply-chain reliability and e-commerce fulfillment.

• The global M&A industry is shifting toward a trend of fewer but significantly larger "supersized" deals as artificial intelligence disrupts traditional dealmaking playbooks. • AI-enabled data rooms and platforms are now being used to analyze massive document volumes, identify potential risks, and accelerate the due diligence process. • Leading corporate development and private equity teams are leveraging AI to synthesize critical financial, operational, and commercial data on potential acquisition targets.