Daily Brief TMT/Internet: Samsung Electronics, OpenAI, AU Optronics, Bharti Airtel, Blend Labs and more

• Samsung Life needs FSC approval for a 10-year holding plan on its Samsung Electronics stake. Without it, the whole plan could fall apart, so it’s all about regulatory green lights.
• If FSC approves Samsung Life’s long-term holding, they can’t sell those shares for at least 5 years—no exit strategy for the next half-decade due to regulatory rules.
• Samsung Life will convert part of its stake into long-term holdings, signaling how future buybacks and special dividends will balance in Samsung Electronics’ next shareholder return program.

• President Donald Trump announced the Stargate Project, a new company which intends to invest $500 billion over four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States.
• Elon Musk is miffed, Microsoft says they “approved” the project and have a new Right of First Refusal agreement in place with OpenAI. 
• Stargate is exclusively for OpenAI and the press release states that its mission is to provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies.

• HTC and VIA are focusing on niche markets and expanding technological capabilities to stay relevant, while Japanese toolmakers turn to AI amid China market uncertainty.
• Nvidia CEO highlights strategic partnership with China’s robotics unicorns, as Acer expands into lifestyle products with Acerpure line.
• Singapore and Malaysia remain optimistic despite US AI chip restrictions, while India’s local EMS and semiconductor industries show growth in the technology sector.

• In today’s Morning Views publication we comment on developments of the following high yield issuers: Bharti Airtel, SK Hynix, Adani Green Energy, Wynn Macau, New World Development

• In the US, initial jobless claims for the week ended January 18th rose slightly to 223 k (220 k e / 217 k p). Meanwhile, continuing claims climbed to a three-year high of 1.90 mn (1.87 mn e / 1.85 mn p).
• Treasuries ended mixed yesterday. The yield on the 2Y UST declined 1 bp to 4.29%, while the yield on the 10Y UST grew 3 bps to 4.64%.

• BLND’s stock price has decreased, resembling CVNA’s past struggles
• BLND has been restructuring its cost base and balance sheet to prepare for future growth
• The company, led by a young CEO, is poised for potential recovery and positive earnings revisions, drawing parallels to CVNA’s path to success

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.