Stock Markets

AI-related stocks in China plummet

Published

2 months ago

April 12, 2023

Shares of companies developing artificial intelligence in China fell under the influence of the state’s call to stop the risk of a bubble in this market, writes Bloomberg.

The country’s authorities are going to tighten controls on potential AI speculation, especially since a popular AI tool – ChatGPT chatbot, now owned by Microsoft – has all the hallmarks of a valuation bubble, as many rival companies didn’t make much progress in developing the technology.

Regulators should step up oversight and crack down on stock price manipulation and speculation. Companies should develop the opportunities they offer, and investors should refrain from speculation.

Shares of CloudWalk Technology Co Ltd (SS:688327) are down 20% and shares of 360 Security Technology Inc (SS:601360) are down 10%, the lowest in 3 years. Beijing Haitian Ruisheng Science Technology Ltd (SS:688787) shares fell 15%.

Since the launch of ChatGPT, Chinese stocks related to the field have surged, and major tech companies have entered the race to develop generative AI. Shares of SenseTime Group Inc. rose on the Hong Kong stock exchange last Tuesday to a 2-month high amid rumors that the company, backed by Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984), is developing a product that will challenge ChatGPT. Shares of Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) vendors also jumped after reports that the tech giant would introduce its answer to ChatGPT.

The government is concerned that many tech companies will launch their own versions of AI in the coming months, and while their valuations may rise, the actual financial impact on these companies may be difficult to assess, which could ultimately lead to disappointment and losses.

We previously reported that the owners of TikTok are reporting record profits.

Stock Markets

Goldman Sachs to start trading Japan power futures

Published

15 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) plans to establish a desk in Tokyo to start trading Japanese power derivatives, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

More foreign energy companies and banks are seeking access to the Japanese power market, which was launched in 2016 in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, spurring trade activity by generators, consumers, and distributors.

An interest in trading rose amid growing liquidity in Japan’s power futures markets as the volatility of electricity prices surged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The power crisis heightened the need for hedging among power suppliers and buyers, according to the sources.

Goldman Sachs has hired some traders in Tokyo, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the matter is still confidential.

A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs declined to comment.

Stock Markets

Cathie Wood buys the dip in Coinbase shares amid SEC crackdown

Published

17 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest increased its stake in crypto exchange Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:COIN) on Tuesday, as a crackdown by the Securities and Exchange Commission on the crypto industry saw the stock hit near five-month lows.Data from the website Cathie’s Ark, which tracks the investment activities of the Ark group, showed that three funds under Cathie Wood bought a total of over 400,000 shares in Coinbase on Tuesday.Her flagship ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:ARKK) carried out most of the buying, adding over 300,000 shares.This came as Coinbase’s share price plummeted as much as 20% after the SEC sued the firm over operating an unlicensed exchange, while also issuing cease and desist letters over its staking services.

“We allege that Coinbase, despite being subject to the securities laws, commingled and unlawfully offered exchange, broker-dealer, and clearinghouse functions,” SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in a press release.

Coinbase shares settled 12% lower on Tuesday, their second session of steep losses this week following a 9% tumble on Monday, after the SEC also sued world no. 1 crypto exchange Binance over similar charges.But Coinbase shares rose 2% in aftermarket trading, boosted by news of the Ark buy.Cathie Wood has repeatedly expressed confidence in Coinbase and the broader crypto industry, and has cited a $1 million long-term price target for Bitcoin on the belief that it is an effective inflation hedge.Coinbase holds the fifth-largest weightage in Ark’s flagship Innovation ETF, with the fund having consistently accumulated the stock since its listing in 2021. But Coinbase has seen a sharp decline in value from 2021 highs, hitting record lows earlier this year as interest in crypto markets rapidly dried up amid rising U.S. lending rates.The company has also struggled to remain profitable amid multiple failed ventures, regulatory hiccups, and mounting operational costs, especially as low crypto trading volumes hurt its transaction margins, which are a key source of revenue.Bitcoin prices showed little reaction to the SEC move against Coinbase, rising 4% on Wednesday. But the world’s largest cryptocurrency was nursing steep losses through May, as trading volumes sank.

Stock Markets

Japan stocks lower at close of trade; Nikkei 225 down 1.82%

Published

19 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Japan stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, as losses in the Banking, Transportation Equipment and Power sectors led shares lower.

At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 declined 1.82%.

The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7012), which rose 4.35% or 146.00 points to trade at 3,500.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Tokuyama Corp. (TYO:4043) added 3.78% or 84.50 points to end at 2,321.00 and SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. (TYO:9412) was up 2.20% or 12.00 points to 557.00 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (TYO:4507), which fell 4.43% or 283.00 points to trade at 6,100.00 at the close. Daikin Industries, Ltd. (TYO:6367) declined 4.40% or 1,300.00 points to end at 28,240.00 and Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TYO:8035) was down 4.18% or 820.00 points to 18,815.00.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 2255 to 1305 and 270 ended unchanged.

Shares in Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO:7012) rose to 5-year highs; rising 4.35% or 146.00 to 3,500.00. Shares in Tokuyama Corp. (TYO:4043) rose to 52-week highs; gaining 3.78% or 84.50 to 2,321.00.

The Nikkei Volatility, which measures the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, was down 3.03% to 21.15.

Crude oil for July delivery was down 0.84% or 0.60 to $71.14 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Brent oil for delivery in August fell 0.79% or 0.60 to hit $75.69 a barrel, while the August Gold Futures contract fell 0.42% or 8.30 to trade at $1,973.20 a troy ounce.

USD/JPY was down 0.20% to 139.36, while EUR/JPY fell 0.33% to 148.83.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.09% at 104.17.