WEF 2026 Day 2 Recap: The Hard Reality of AI
Davos Day 2 is defined as "The Hard Part." The AI hype is over; now comes the physical and geopolitical reality. Here is the 1-minute summary
Silver at $108? 🚀 Top 4 Mining Stocks for 2026
It is 2026, silver has hit $108, and the market is facing a "Physical Squeeze"!, With China restricting exports, here are the 4 miners you need to watch:
1. Newmont (NEM) - The Safe Haven 🛡️
The industry giant with the strongest balance sheet,. Now a Gold-Copper hybrid, it is the safest bet for stability and dividends,.
2. Fresnillo (FRES) - The Cash Cow 🐮
The world's #1 silver producer. Profits exploded 300% as prices soared, generating massive free cash flow despite lower ore grades.
3. First Majestic (AG) - The Money Printer 💸
A pure silver play that owns its own mint. With costs around $21 and silver at $108, their cash margins have quadrupled!
4. Hycroft (HYMC) - The Wildcard 🎰
High risk, high reward. No revenue yet, but they just found massive high-grade ore in Nevada,.
Market Update Jan 25, 2026: Gold and Tech Peak as Crypto Stalls
Crypto: It is a sea of red today! Most Altcoins are Bearish (downward trend) as liquidity stays concentrated in Bitcoin. BTC is playing defense at 95,000 USD, while BNB stands out as the only Bullish (upward trend) outperformer.
Stocks: AI and Semiconductors are the stars of the week. NVDA and TSM are surging after record earnings and massive Capex (capital expenditure) plans for 2026. Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Baidu are also rising on AI monetization (generating revenue from AI).
Indices: The US S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new Record Highs. Vietnam's VN-Index hits 1,900 points, and the Thai SET remains Bullish.
Gold and FX: Safe havens are the big winners. Gold and Silver hit All-Time Highs due to geopolitical turmoil (political instability). Meanwhile, the US Dollar (DXY) is weakening, pushing the Thai Baht stronger toward the 31 level.
2026 AI Trends: From Hype to Industrial Execution
The "honeymoon phase" of AI is officially over. 2026 is the era of Industrial Execution. Here are the 4 shifts defining the new economy.
In 2026, you either scale AI to boost margins, or you get left behind.
Pop Mart (9992.HK): Global Expansion vs. ESG Crisis!
Pop Mart has officially evolved into a global IP powerhouse! Recent 2025-2026 data shows hyper-growth with international revenue now exceeding 50% of total sales.
Key Highlights:
* Labubu Mania: Plush toy sales surged by over 1,200%, turning collectibles into viral fashion icons.
* Financial Strength: Record-high 70% gross margins and net profit up nearly 400% YoY.
* Global Reach: Massive expansion success in the US and SE Asia driven by the "Lisa Effect."
The Current Risk: A January 2026 labor scandal regarding supply chain violations is causing short-term volatility. This ESG concern is a key hurdle for brand image in Western markets.
Investment Verdict: Analysts set an average target price around 323 HKD. With significant upside potential, this price dip is a strategic "Accumulate on Weakness" opportunity for long-term growth investors.
Tags:
#PopMart #9992HK #StockMarket #ArtToys #Labubu #Investing #Finance #theexpme
ASML: The Only Monopoly AI Can’t Live Without!
ASML is the backbone of the AI revolution. As the world’s sole provider of EUV lithography machines, they are the only ones capable of printing the ultra-thin circuits needed for the most advanced chips.
3 Things to Watch in 2026:
1. AI Supercycle: Every major player like Nvidia and TSMC needs ASML to keep up with AI demand. This keeps order books incredibly strong.
2. The China Transition: Export bans will likely drop China revenue to 20%, but high demand from the US and Europe is expected to compensate for the gap.
3. High-NA EUV: These next-gen machines cost over 350 million Euro each. Shipments have officially begun, paving the way for massive long-term margins.
Investor Verdict:
Analysts set the average price target at 1,250 Euro. Any short-term dips due to geopolitical news are prime "Accumulate" opportunities for those betting on the future of AI.
Tags:
#ASML #AI #Semiconductors #TechInvesting #StockMarket #theexpme
Alphabet (GOOGL/GOOG) 2026 Update: AI Monetization + Cloud Surge, but Antitrust Risks
Quick recap on Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL/GOOG) as of Jan 13, 2026 (ref. price ~USD 332/share). Alphabet’s core “daily-use ecosystem” (Search, YouTube, Android, Maps) monetizes via ads, subscriptions, and Cloud—now pushing hard into an AI-first era.
FY2024 Revenue: USD 350.0B
• Google Services: USD 304.9B (~87%)
• Google Cloud: USD 43.2B (~12%)
• Other Bets: USD 1.65B (~0.5%)
Q3 2025 Highlights: Revenue USD 102.3B (+16% YoY)
• Cloud +34% YoY, operating margin ~23.7%
• Cloud backlog: USD 155B
• Strong cash generation: CFO USD 48.4B, FCF USD 24.5B
Pros: AI features rolling out fast + Cloud becoming a real growth engine.
Risks: Search & AdTech antitrust overhang + heavy AI CapEx (USD 91–93B for 2025) + earnings volatility from Other income.
Quarterly Watchlist: Search growth, AI impact on CPC/CTR, Cloud margin, backlog, CapEx/FCF, legal updates, core vs. non-core earnings.
