Investment

• Le diverse dinamiche economiche dei paesi asiatici stanno generando opportunità attrattive nei mercati del reddito fisso, nonostante i venti contrari geopolitici. • I mercati del credito regionali hanno mostrato una forte resilienza nel superare le recenti tensioni legate alle incertezze sul cessate il fuoco tra USA e Iran e alla volatilità dei prezzi del petrolio. • Gli investitori stanno puntando su queste discrepanze per ottenere vantaggi in termini di rendimento, mentre le banche centrali gestiscono l'inflazione e le traiettorie dei tassi in modi differenti.

• Il PIL reale è cresciuto a un ritmo annualizzato del 2% nel Q1 2026, spinto dagli investimenti aziendali che hanno raggiunto il tasso di crescita più rapido degli ultimi quasi tre anni grazie alla spesa in software e attrezzature per l'AI. • La spesa dei consumatori è aumentata modestamente dell'1,6%, in calo rispetto all'1,9% del trimestre precedente, a causa del maltempo invernale e dei picchi dei prezzi dell'energia di marzo. • L'ISM Manufacturing PMI ha raggiunto 52,7 e il Services PMI 53,6 in aprile, segnando una continua espansione, mentre il Prices Paid Index è rimasto stabile a 70,7, segnalando persistenti pressioni inflazionistiche.

• Il 10 maggio 2026, Two Harbors Investment Corp (TWO) ha rivisto il suo accordo di fusione con CrossCountry Mortgage, aumentando l'offerta in contanti da 11,30 a 12 dollari per azione. • L'aggiustamento dimostra l'impegno di TWO a massimizzare il valore per gli azionisti nel contesto delle trattative in corso per l'unione dei real estate investment trust. • In quanto REIT specializzato in titoli garantiti da mutui residenziali e diritti di gestione, l'operazione segnala fiducia nel potenziale di ripresa del settore ipotecario.

• SoftBank ha annunciato un potenziamento della propria strategia nell'IA attraverso una nuova iniziativa con OpenAI, mirata alle applicazioni aziendali nel mercato statunitense. • La mossa arriva mentre le società di venture capital concorrenti aumentano i finanziamenti per le startup di IA, intensificando la competizione per i talenti e la tecnologia. • Questo investimento rafforza la posizione di SoftBank nel boom del settore dell'IA negli Stati Uniti, accelerando potenzialmente l'implementazione dei modelli.

• Il 6 maggio 2026, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) ha annunciato un investimento di 40 miliardi di dollari per la costruzione di un nuovo stabilimento di produzione ottimizzato per l'IA a Taichung, focalizzato sui nodi di processo a 2 nm e 1,4 nm. • Si prevede che la fab raggiunga la piena capacità entro il 2029, essendo in grado di fornire 250.000 wafer da 12 pollici mensilmente a società di progettazione di chip per l'IA, inclusi acceleratori in stile NVIDIA e ASIC personalizzati per hyperscaler. • Il CEO di TSMC, C.C. Wei, ha sottolineato che il 70% della capacità prevista dell'impianto è già prenotato da fornitori di cloud e venditori di hardware per l'IA, evidenziando la persistente carenza globale di nodi avanzati.

• Syfe, una piattaforma di investimento regionale, ha annunciato di aver raggiunto i 10 miliardi di dollari in asset gestiti (AUM), segnando una crescita significativa nel settore degli investimenti dell'Asia-Pacifico a partire da maggio 2026. • La piattaforma ha riportato un aumento triplo dell'attività di trading, guidato da investitori che si spostano da portafogli esclusivamente basati sugli Stati Uniti verso una maggiore esposizione geografica e strategie di investimento diversificate. • Questo traguardo riflette il crescente interesse degli investitori per le soluzioni di digital wealth management in Asia e indica una fiducia espansa nelle opportunità di investimento regionali, oltre le tradizionali strategie focalizzate sugli USA.

• Crossfin sta ampliando il proprio focus di investimento nei mercati emergenti al di fuori del Sud Africa, a seguito di exit di successo da Retail Capital, Adumo e iKhokha. • La società mantiene una forte enfasi sull'Africa, ma ha stabilito una presenza a Mauritius supportando tre imprese. • Nel 2025, Crossfin ha lanciato un veicolo di investimento con sede a Singapore rivolto a opportunità nel Sud-est asiatico, nel Medio Oriente e in altre regioni.

• KeyCorp ha registrato risultati più forti per il primo trimestre del 2026, con i proventi non onerosi in crescita dell'8,2% su base annua a 723 milioni di dollari, trainati da una crescita a doppia cifra nell'investment banking, nei servizi fiduciari e di investimento e nei costi di servizio. • La Consumer Bank ha guadagnato 173 milioni di dollari e la Commercial Bank 451 milioni di dollari, entrambe cifre superiori rispetto all'anno precedente, mentre le spese non onerosi sono aumentate del 4,4% arrivando a 1,18 miliardi di dollari a causa della maggiore spesa per il personale e la tecnologia. • La qualità del credito è rimasta controllata con un accantonamento per perdite creditizie di 106 milioni di dollari, in calo rispetto ai 118 milioni di dollari precedenti, e KeyCorp ha mantenuto un solido Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio dell'11,4%.

• Vietnam and China are strengthening bilateral relations with increased trade flows and Chinese investment in Vietnam's economy, signaling closer geopolitical alignment in Southeast Asia. • The deepening ties reflect Vietnam's strategic repositioning amid regional power dynamics and economic interdependence with its northern neighbor. • The development has implications for ASEAN cohesion and regional balance of power, particularly regarding competing claims in the South China Sea and great power competition in the region.

• Foreign Direct Investment into the U.S. reached $237 billion in new greenfield projects during H1 2025, with over half coming from AI-related sectors, including $103 billion in semiconductors and $27 billion in data centers. • The U.S. One Big Beautiful Act (OBBBA) extends tax cuts by approximately $129 billion through 2026-2027 and implements 100% bonus depreciation, triggering rapid capital expensing and supply chain reshoring. • Strong private equity deal activity surged with approximately 150 of the largest deals totaling over $567 billion in 2025, continuing into 2026 under the "year of execution" theme.

• India emerged as top global investment destination, surpassing China with strong capital inflows per Quant Mutual Fund report. • Nominal GDP growth outpaced China's, bolstered by stable fiscal policies, liquidity support, and credit expansion. • Investor shift to large-caps with selective mid/small-cap plays follows equity correction stabilization and improving earnings outlook.

• Singapore's real estate investment volume jumped 364% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to CBRE data released today. • The surge reflects strong investor confidence amid regional economic recovery, with total transactions reaching S$4.2 billion across office, retail, and industrial sectors. • This growth underscores Singapore's role as a safe-haven market in Southeast Asia, potentially attracting more foreign capital amid global uncertainties.

• Mainland Chinese companies surged to second-largest investors in Singapore's fixed assets in 2025, capturing 21% of S$14.16 billion (US$11.07 billion) total, up from 2.5% the prior year amid the city-state's safe-haven appeal. • Key deals included CNQC Realty (Prime), Forsea Residence, and Jianan Realty Investments buying a 145,500 sq ft Dover Drive site for S$951 million in Q1 2026, projected to yield 625 residential units. • Europe held top spot at 25% while US share dropped to 17.3% from 55.5%; other transactions featured SingHaiyi Group and Haiyi Holdings acquiring Bayshore Road parcel for S$658.9 million (515 units) and Qingjian Realty group's S$315 million Media Circle buy (345 flats).

• India's government approved amendments allowing overseas companies with Chinese or Hong Kong shareholding of up to 10% to invest in India under the automatic route, with notification expected soon under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. • The decision was communicated by the government on Thursday and will come into effect following official notification, marking a significant shift in India's foreign direct investment policy toward greater openness. • This policy change, approved in March 2026 through amendments to Press Note 3 of 2020, aims to attract increased Chinese investment while maintaining regulatory oversight of strategic sectors.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers had indicated ‘transitional’ proposed changes as Labor attempts to repair a ‘structurally flawed’ budgetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOnly applying changes to the CGT discount and negative gearing rules to new investments would “severely delay” desperately needed reforms required to repair a “structurally flawed” budget and boost the economy, Deloitte says.The consulting firm estimated that a policy which cut the 50% capital gains tax discount to 33% and abolished negative gearing would only generate $500m over the first four years of operation if existing investments were not included – an approach known as “grandfathering”. Continue reading...

Drugmaker had stalled large-scale UK projects but has now pledged investment at two sites, announced by Keir StarmerBritain’s biggest drugmaker AstraZeneca has said it will invest £300m in the UK in a surprise U-turn after pausing large-scale projects last year.The drugmaker had pulled back projects in Britain after becoming disillusioned with the business environment, including the availability of new medicines on the NHS and drug pricing. Continue reading...

• Pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Pfizer announced a strategic research collaboration focusing on oncology and immunology, with combined commitments totaling $4.8 billion over five years to accelerate drug development and clinical trial timelines. • The partnership will leverage Eli Lilly's metabolic disease expertise and Pfizer's vaccine platform capabilities to pursue combination therapies for hard-to-treat cancers, with initial clinical trials expected to commence in mid-2027. • Industry analysts view the deal as emblematic of Big Pharma consolidating R&D resources amid rising drug development costs exceeding $2.6 billion per approved medication, while also signaling confidence in oncology market growth.

• Brazil has suspended a $4 billion Chinese investment in Amazon infrastructure projects following international pressure over deforestation and environmental protection commitments. • President Lula cited insufficient environmental safeguards and lack of transparency in project oversight as the primary reasons for the suspension announced Friday. • Environmental groups and US officials praised the decision, though economic analysts warn the suspension could strain Brazil-China relations and impact Latin American development patterns.

• Global private markets platform Moonfare announced a new AI-focused technology strategy targeting early and growth-stage investments for diversified US-relevant AI exposure. • Strategy features curated portfolio of leading growth managers plus direct investments in category-leading US technology companies driving AI innovation. • Aims to capitalize on transformative AI advancements, providing investors access to high-potential startups in the booming sector.

• Fraud incidents continue climbing at US banks even with substantial spending on advanced detection tools and analytics. • The gap highlights limitations in current tech defenses against evolving fraudster tactics. • This trend matters as it pressures financial institutions to innovate faster, amid rising economic impacts from cyber fraud.

Technology secretary plays down fears over jobs and cyber security as stake taken in British startupThe UK technology secretary has urged the country to “make AI work for Britain”, brushing off fears about its impact on jobs and cybersecurity as the government announced its first investment under a £500m sovereign AI fund. Liz Kendall said the UK had to “seize” the opportunity offered by AI despite concerns underlined this month when US startup Anthropic revealed it had developed an AI model that posed a potentially significant cyber threat. Asked how the government makes the case for embracing a technology that could disrupt jobs and now cybersecurity, Kendall said: “We have to seize this to make it work, for Britain, for our jobs, for solving the biggest challenges we face as a world.”Speaking on Thursday as the government unveiled its first investment in a UK company as part of a £500m sovereign AI fund, Kendall acknowledged “people are worried about the risks and what it means for their jobs”, but AI entrepreneurs also believed they can “make it work … they can create jobs”. Continue reading...

• A survey by AirMDR released on April 14, 2026, in Palo Alto, CA, reveals 80% of US-based cybersecurity investors intend to increase AI cybersecurity funding next year. • 71% expect decisive ROI from AI tools, with capital shifting toward companies proving operational impact and cost reductions over mere product enhancements. • Investors prioritize defensible AI technologies delivering real outcomes, signaling strong market confidence but heightened selectivity for enterprise-ready solutions.

Exclusive: US state is targeting corporate heavyweights in the UK with subsidies and incentives Y’all Street: Bullish Dallas aims to steal New York’s crownThe US state of Texas is putting UK businesses in its crosshairs with the launch this month of a dedicated London office to lure jobs and investment to the low-tax Lone Star State.Texas recently secured approval for the new site, adding to a growing list of international offices from which it can try to draw corporate heavyweights across its borders. Continue reading...

Artificial intelligence company cites high energy costs and regulation as reasons for putting Stargate project on holdOpenAI has put plans for a landmark project to strengthen the UK’s AI capabilities on hold, citing high energy costs and regulation.Stargate UK was a part of the landmark UK-US AI deal announced last September, in which US companies appeared to commit £31bn to the UK’s tech sector, part of a larger series of investments intended to “mainline AI” into the British economy. Continue reading...

• The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) unveiled three potential treatments for osteoarthritis, a condition affecting 32 million Americans, following a $100 million-plus investment over three years announced in 2023. • Research teams are contractually required to begin patient testing within 18 months, marking a shift from traditional federal research timelines. • This initiative addresses the painful joint degeneration disease, with solutions now progressing toward clinical trials amid high prevalence in the US population.

• Microsoft revealed a $10 billion investment plan in Japan focused on AI infrastructure, cybersecurity cooperation, and developer training. • The initiative partners with Sakura Internet and SoftBank to train one million engineers and developers by 2030, boosting local AI capabilities. • Sakura Internet's stock surged sharply following the announcement, signaling market optimism for Japan's tech infrastructure growth amid US tech ripple effects.

• The US stock market has risen 16% over the past year with earnings forecasted to grow 15% annually, though the market remained flat in the past week, creating opportunities for value-focused investors. • Analysis identified 10 top undervalued stocks trading at approximately 49% discounts to their estimated fair values, including Vertex (49.8% discount), Nutanix (49.9% discount), and Roku (49.4% discount) based on cash flow assessments. • Stocks like Uranium Energy (49.2% discount), iRhythm Holdings (48.8% discount), and BillionToOne (49.5% discount) also appeared significantly undervalued, suggesting potential growth opportunities despite broader market volatility.

US firm Eli Lilly, which is also pushing for end to rebate scheme, optimistic about talks with ministersThe US pharmaceutical group behind the Mounjaro weight-loss drug has said it will unpause its UK investments if ministers agree to regularly increase NHS drug prices and end a rebate scheme.Patrik Jonsson, the president of Eli Lilly’s international business, said the company was in talks with UK ministers and that he was optimistic about reaching an agreement this summer for Britain to pay more for its medicines. Continue reading...