Thursday, 15 January 2026
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported a 35% increase in fourth-quarter net profit to NT$505.7 billion (US$16 billion), driven by surging demand for AI technology. The company plans to boost capital spending to up to $56 billion in 2026, reflecting strong confidence in sustained demand for advanced semiconductor technology. TSMC's revenue for the quarter also rose 20.5% year-on-year to NT$1.05 trillion, surpassing analyst expectations.
Big Tech companies are significantly increasing their hiring of energy specialists, with energy-related recruitment rising 34% year-on-year in 2024, according to Workforce.ai data. This surge reflects the growing demand for expertise in power procurement and grid connections as data centers, which accounted for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2024, face capacity constraints. Amazon has made over 600 energy-related hires since 2022, while Microsoft and Google have added more than 570 and 340 specialists, respectively, as they seek to secure power for their expanding AI infrastructure.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell received backing from Fed policymakers amid threats from the Trump administration, with officials emphasizing their commitment to his leadership. In contrast, the Bank of Japan has opted to prioritize its own monetary policy strategies over solidarity with Powell, influenced by political considerations and the upcoming elections in Japan.
China's major stock exchanges, including those in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing, have raised the minimum margin requirement for leveraged stock purchases to 100% from 80%, as approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). This adjustment, described as a 'counter-cyclical adjustment,' aims to moderate leverage levels and ensure financial stability, reversing a policy change from August 2023 that had lowered the margin ratio to stimulate trading volumes.
Olli Rehn, Governor of the Finnish central bank, warned that any loss of independence for the US Federal Reserve could lead to increased inflation and threaten financial stability globally. Speaking to CNBC, Rehn emphasized that undermining the Fed's independence could result in a structural rise in inflation and undermine the credibility of financial markets. This statement follows a joint declaration from the heads of major central banks, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, expressing solidarity with Fed Chair Jerome Powell amid threats from the Trump administration.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system will transition to a subscription-only model, priced at $99 per month, effective after February 14. This change ends the option for a one-time purchase, which is currently set at $8,000, marking a significant shift in Tesla's monetization strategy for its advanced driver assistance system.
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