Retail News CRM

Tag: cycle

  • AI Investment Cycle Unfazed by Semiconductor Stock Volatility – Insights from HSBC

    AI Investment Cycle Unfazed by Semiconductor Stock Volatility – Insights from HSBC

    The recent downturn in Asian semiconductor stocks is not indicative of a decline in the artificial intelligence (AI) investment cycle, but rather reflects investors re-evaluating high earnings expectations. This is according to Patrick Ho, Chief Investment Officer for North Asia at HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth.

    Currently, there is a shift in semiconductor and memory stocks rather than a complete surrender. Despite the sharp profit growth for manufacturers driven by skyrocketing memory prices, investors are growing more skeptical of whether future earnings will continue to substantiate high valuations. South Korean equities, in particular, have seen increased volatility, with domestic retail investors purchasing and foreign investors reducing their exposure. Meanwhile, regulators have toughened leverage rules to control speculative trading.

    Asia: The Future Hub of AI Expansion

    Despite the current market instability, HSBC holds that the long-term investment case for AI remains solid. Predictions from the bank suggest that global AI capital expenditure will rise from under USD 400 billion in 2025 to over USD 1 trillion by 2028, bolstering demand across the entire AI ecosystem.

    Asia is predicted to become the nucleus of the global data centre expansion, with regional capacity expected to more than double by 2030, eventually making up approximately 40 percent of worldwide capacity. This growth is anticipated to positively impact a variety of industries, including semiconductor manufacturers, semiconductor equipment suppliers, server producers, cooling technology providers, power generation companies, energy storage firms, and commodity suppliers. Thus, HSBC continues to favour companies positioned across the broader AI infrastructure value chain.

    China’s Resurgence in AI Competition

    HSBC also spotlighted the rapidly evolving AI landscape in China, positing that the country’s large language model ecosystem could represent a market valued at over USD 150 billion by 2030. Chinese AI developers are becoming increasingly competitive, with foundation models closing the performance gap with top international systems while offering significantly lower costs. In tandem, providers are progressively shifting from subsidised AI services towards commercial business models, such as Model-as-a-Service (MaaS).

    Apart from AI, HSBC also recognizes promising opportunities in China’s advanced manufacturing sector, especially in areas such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving technologies, energy storage, and biotechnology. According to Ho, these sectors showcase China’s scale advantages and endorse the bank’s ongoing preference for the country’s technology and manufacturing leaders.

    Questions & Answers

    What does the recent downturn in Asian semiconductor stocks indicate?
    The recent downturn suggests investors are re-evaluating high earnings expectations, rather than signaling an end to the AI investment cycle.

    What is predicted for the AI investment landscape in the future?
    HSBC predicts that global AI capital expenditure will rise from less than USD 400 billion in 2025 to more than USD 1 trillion by 2028.

    What are some potential growth areas in China’s technology sector?
    HSBC sees potential growth in areas such as AI, electric vehicles, autonomous driving technologies, energy storage, and biotechnology.

  • Malaysian Ringgit on a Steady Rise: Expert Predicts Strong Appreciation Cycle by 2026

    Malaysian Ringgit on a Steady Rise: Expert Predicts Strong Appreciation Cycle by 2026

    MUFG Bank Ltd anticipates that the ringgit will fortify to 3.70 against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2026. This expectation is bolstered by an enduring appreciation cycle fueled by robust structural fundamentals.

    Predictions by Senior Currency Analyst

    Lloyd Chan, the bank’s senior currency analyst, claims that this forecast is rooted in the continuous inflow of investment in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Other factors such as macroeconomic stability, supportive governmental policies, and enhanced capital flows also contribute to this prediction.

    Chan notes that there is a vigorous investment cycle currently taking place in Malaysia. This cycle, he believes, underpins the country’s prospects for medium-term economic growth.

    Rise in Investment Approvals

    Investment approvals in the manufacturing and services sectors have risen by 14.7% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2025. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has played a significant role in this upswing in capital expenditure.

    According to Chan, this increase signals a revived confidence in Malaysia’s policy framework, infrastructure, and role in regional supply chains.

    ICT as a Major Contributor

    The ICT sector has emerged as the primary contributor to the total approved investments within Malaysia. There has been a noticeable increase in foreign participation in this sector since 2022. Chan points out that the country’s ICT investment approvals experienced a year-on-year surge of about 32% in the first nine months of 2025.

    Macroeconomic Stability

    Chan observes that Malaysia’s macroeconomic stability has reduced risk premiums. Despite the rationalization of RON95 fuel subsidies and adjustments to sales and services tax, inflation has remained under control. This has allowed Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to maintain policy stability.

    On February 12, the ringgit ascended to a new high of 3.8995 against the U.S. dollar. This is its strongest level in nearly eight years. The last time it traded in this range was on April 23, 2018, when it was valued at 3.8965/8995 against the dollar.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the forecast for the ringgit against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2026?
    The MUFG Bank Ltd predicts that the ringgit will strengthen to 3.70 against the U.S. dollar by the close of 2026.

    Which sector has been the major contributor to total approved investments in Malaysia?
    The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has been the primary contributor to the total approved investments in Malaysia.

    What factors have contributed to maintaining policy stability in Malaysia?
    The macroeconomic stability of Malaysia, reflected in their controlled inflation despite changes in fuel subsidies and sales and services tax, has allowed Bank Negara Malaysia to maintain policy stability.

  • Honda Motorcycle And Scooter India To Halt Production Temporarily

    Honda Motorcycle And Scooter India To Halt Production Temporarily

    Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) will temporarily halt manufacturing at its four plants in India, from May 1, 2021 to May 15, 2021 keeping in mind the current COVID-19 scenario in the country. The company said it will utilize these days to carry out maintenance activities at all its plants. Keeping an eye on the fluid COVID-19 situation, HMSI will review its production plan accordingly, in the coming months. The company also said that all Honda office associates will continue to work from home and extend all possible support to customers and business partners. Only essential staff will be working at its plants and offices across the country. Honda has four manufacturing facilities in India in Manesar in Haryana, Tapukara in Rajasthan, Narsapura in Karnataka, and Vithalapur in Gujarat.

    Other automotive manufacturers such as Hero MotoCorp have decided to temporarily halt manufacturing operations in view of the escalating COVID-19 situation in India. In a press statement, Hero MotoCorp said that the company has decided to proactively halt operations temporarily at all of its manufacturing facilities across the country, including its Global Parts Centre (GPC).

    Maruti Suzuki India too announced that it has advanced its annual maintenance shut down from June to May 2021. This coincides with the Government of India’s call for companies to free up industrial oxygen consumption, which could instead be used for medical purposes. The carmaker will shut both its Gurugram and Manesar plants, in Haryana, from May 1 to May 9, 2021. In fact, the company has also said that Suzuki Motor Gujarat, the wholly-owned plant of Maruti’s parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation has also taken the same decision for its factory.

  • Erik Buell’s New Electric Bike FUELL Fluid Details Revealed

    Erik Buell’s New Electric Bike FUELL Fluid Details Revealed

    The FUELL Fluid electric bike is the first product from the new company spearheaded by motorcycle engineer Erik Buell. Buell was a former engineer with Harley-Davidson, and had founded his own motorcycle brand, the Buell Motorcycle Company and later Erik Buell Racing. The new company, called FUELL, is a partnership between Erik Buell and two other entities, Vanguard Motorcycles, and Spark Racing Technology. FUELL’s first product is the Fluid electric bike, and has a claimed range of 200 km from its two 1,008 Wh removable batteries.

    The FUELL Fluid e-bike has a mid-drive bofeili 500W pedal-assisted motor, giving it 100 Nm of torque, and comes equipped with a Gates Carbon Drive belt system and a Shimano Alfine 8-speed Geared Hub. The twin batteries can be charged up to 80 percent in just 2.5 hours and a full charge in 5 hours. According to FUELL, both of the Fluid e-bike’s 504wh batteries are removable and have the potential to be upgradable, as and when battery technology evolves. The Fluid e-bike sports a 3.2 IPC colour screen which displays information like speed, distance traveled, battery level and five configurable motor assist settings. The Fluid also comes equipped with adjustable suspension and hydraulic brakes for impressive stopping power. The Fluid e-bike is expected to be available from September 2019 and will be shipped worldwide. It’s priced at USD 2,999 (around ₹ 2 lakh in current exchange rates).

    Erik Buell, the man behind the FUELL brand, is considered to be a pioneer in motorcycle technology and was inducted into the American Motorcyclist’s Association Hall of Fame in 2002. He has over 40 years of engineering experience and founded Buell Motorcycle Company which eventually merged with Harley-Davidson. Erik Buell Racing followed the shutdown of Buell Motorcycle Company, and has an Indian connection as well, with Hero MotoCorp picking up 49.2 percent stake in the company in 2013. Erik Buell Racing was involved primarily in building race-ready motorcycles. Erik Buell Racing eventually shut shop in 2016, and the remnants of the company were sold to Liquid Asset Partners.

    FUELL, Erik Buell’s new electric bike venture is expected to introduce more electric motorcycle models in the coming years. The next FUELL product is expected to be the FUELL Flow, an electric motorcycle featuring a hub-mounted electric motor and side-mounted rear shock. The Flow is expected to be available in two variants – with one variant producing 11kW (around 15 bhp) and the other with 35 kW (around 37 bhp). With a history of motorcycle engineering, and racing, it will be interesting to see how the FUELL brand will evolve in the coming years, particularly at a time when the entire auto industry seems to be focussing on electric vehicles as the preferred choice of technology for the future.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Google launches its health-tracking app For Iphones

    Google launches its health-tracking app For Iphones

    Google Fit, the health-tracking app that made its debut on Android four years ago, has now been released on iOS. The app has gone through multiple overhauls since its launch back in 2014, but the last major update released last year made it extremely simply to use.

    Starting today, iOS users will be able to track their Heart Points and Move Minutes, the best way to build smarter, healthier habits throughout the day. Google Fit awards users so-called Move Minutes and Heart Points the more they move and the more intensely they move. Based on the scores, you’ll be closer to reach the recommended amount of weekly physical activity and reap the health benefits.

    It’s purely motivational, but very helpful if you’re trying to exercise but don’t find the courage to do it regularly. More importantly, Google Fit allows users to track their progress throughout the day using various apps.

    For example, app connected to Apple Health, such as Sleep Cycle, Nike Run Club and Headspace, can be synced with Google Fit to offer a more holistic view of your health. You’ll also be able to see how many Heart Points and Move Minutes you earn through other activities.

    Moreover, if own an Apple Watch as well, Google Fit will keep track of all your workout sessions too. Just don’t forget to check the app’s journal to see what you need to do to sleep better and get more active. You can download Google Fit for iOS right now via the App Store.