Meta Platforms will acquire Manus, a China-linked AI start-up headquartered in Singapore, in a move aimed at strengthening its advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, reported Dec. 30, 2025. Meta, the U.S. company that owns Facebook, announced the purchase as part of its ongoing investment in AI technology. #Meta #AI #Facebook
Manus is described as a Chinese start-up with operations in Singapore that develops artificial intelligence solutions. The acquisition underscores Metaβs continued focus on building out its AI research and product stack across geographies. No financial terms or detailed timelines were disclosed in the report.
The deal follows a broader industry trend of major tech firms acquiring specialized AI teams to accelerate product development and research. Metaβs purchase of Manus adds to its portfolio of AI talent and capabilities as it seeks to compete in advanced AI applications. #FiatNews
Chinese electric-vehicle price wars that intensified in 2025 are expected to continue into next year, industry observers say. The domestic market was dominated this year by aggressive discounting and undercutting among a wide range of manufacturers, a trend that has not spared leading brands such as Tesla and BYD.
Throughout 2025, rivalry on price became a defining feature of Chinaβs EV sector, with multiple makers engaging in promotional campaigns and cuts to list prices to protect or expand market share. Those movements reshaped competitive dynamics across segments from mass-market models to more premium offerings.
The continuation of these pricing pressures into next year suggests that competition will remain centered on affordability and volume, keeping pricing strategies at the forefront of market developments in Chinaβs EV industry. #EV #China #Tesla #BYD #FiatNews
Markets: European futures opened in the red, signaling weaker sentiment ahead of the cash session. The report states futures were down but does not quantify the moves; investors will watch upcoming macro data and corporate news for direction. #EuropeanMarkets #FiatNews
Commodities: Silver rebounded after Monday's sell-off and returned to gains, recovering from the earlier flush. The report notes the rebound but does not give precise price moves. Traders will monitor momentum in precious metals. #silver #preciousmetals #FiatNews
US stocks appear poised for another year of gains, Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research said on CNBC on 17 December 2025, highlighting current valuations in the technology sector. He noted that "the technology sector is now trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of thirty; at the height of the internet bubble it was around fifty."
Yardeniβs remark frames the valuation picture for tech: a P/E of 30 today versus roughly 50 at the dotβcom peak. The comparison was offered as context for whether the market can sustain further upside after recent rallies.
Investors and analysts will likely watch tech earnings and valuation metrics as they assess prospects for continued gains into the coming year. #USStocks #Tech #Valuation #Yardeni #FiatNews
OpenAI has taken a stake in the investment fund Thrive Holdings, while Chinese startup DeepSeek unveiled new versions of its AI modelβmoves that underscore ongoing strategic investments and product development across the AI landscape. #FiatNews
Alibabaβs AI app Qwen recorded over 10 million downloads within a week of its relaunch and rebranding. The company said it will roll out additional AI features in the coming months to support shopping across its platforms, including Taobao. #Alibaba #Qwen #AI #FiatNews
UK budget uncertainty: Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed away from planned income tax increases, a move that triggered a sharp sell-off in UK gilts and depreciation of the pound as markets reacted to the policy reversal. #UK #gilts #FiatNews
US ISM manufacturing for October fell to 48.7 (from 49.1), below consensus ~49.5; subindices were mixed, prices eased to 58 (from 61.9) while employment and new orders were slightly stronger. The print had limited impact given ongoing Fed hawkish rhetoric. Continued US government closure is constraining new data flows; ECB speakers are scheduled today. #EURUSD #ISM #FiatNews
Automakers are re-evaluating future demand for internal-combustion vehicles and EVs. Mark Fields, who served as CEO of Ford, said US automakers are now trying to estimate demand for both powertrain types. #EVs #FiatNews
