META Platforms shares fall after AI spending concerns rise; tech firms face market risk
META Platforms shares fall after AI spending concerns rise; tech firms face market risk

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

META Platforms shares fell over 1% as investors reacted to large AI spending plans by tech giants. Amazon and Alphabet announced massive investments, raising concerns over profits and market pressure on software firms. Data analytics companies also dropped, and the S&P 500 software index lost nearly $1 trillion this week. Analysts warn investors are cautious after AI hype.

META Platforms shares fell over 1% as investors reacted to large AI spending plans by tech giants. Amazon and Alphabet announced massive investments, raising concerns over profits and market pressure on software firms. Data analytics companies also dropped, and the S&P 500 software index lost nearly $1 trillion this week. Analysts warn investors are cautious after AI hype.

Bitcoin crash wipes out crypto billionaires: Binance, Coinbase, and MicroStrategy suffer losses
Bitcoin crash wipes out crypto billionaires: Binance, Coinbase, and MicroStrategy suffer losses

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

Bitcoin has dropped over 40% since its record high of $126,000 in October 2025, wiping out billions from top cryptocurrency investors. Changpeng Zhao of Binance lost $29 billion, Brian Armstrong of Coinbase $7 billion, and Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy also faced major losses. Experts say the crash reflects risk-off sentiment, with investors moving toward gold.

Bitcoin has dropped over 40% since its record high of $126,000 in October 2025, wiping out billions from top cryptocurrency investors. Changpeng Zhao of Binance lost $29 billion, Brian Armstrong of Coinbase $7 billion, and Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy also faced major losses. Experts say the crash reflects risk-off sentiment, with investors moving toward gold.

Nvidia shares jump on AI spending plans: Big Tech boosts budgets
Nvidia shares jump on AI spending plans: Big Tech boosts budgets

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

Nvidia shares rose sharply to their highest level since April after major US technology companies confirmed large increases in AI infrastructure spending. Strong investment plans from Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta boosted confidence in long-term demand for chips. The rally also lifted other semiconductor, cloud infrastructure, and data center-related stocks across the market.

Nvidia shares rose sharply to their highest level since April after major US technology companies confirmed large increases in AI infrastructure spending. Strong investment plans from Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta boosted confidence in long-term demand for chips. The rally also lifted other semiconductor, cloud infrastructure, and data center-related stocks across the market.

South Korean crypto exchange error sends billions in bitcoin: Regulators step in
South Korean crypto exchange error sends billions in bitcoin: Regulators step in

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

Bithumb, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, accidentally distributed more than $40 billion worth of Bitcoin to users during a routine rewards payout due to an internal system error. The mistake was detected quickly, and most funds were recovered. Bithumb denied any hacking, announced compensation for users, and said regulators are reviewing the incident.

Bithumb, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, accidentally distributed more than $40 billion worth of Bitcoin to users during a routine rewards payout due to an internal system error. The mistake was detected quickly, and most funds were recovered. Bithumb denied any hacking, announced compensation for users, and said regulators are reviewing the incident.

Bitcoin price plummets below $67,000: Key levels and investor sentiment shift
Bitcoin price plummets below $67,000: Key levels and investor sentiment shift

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

Bitcoin has fallen to just below $67,000, marking its lowest point since November 2024. This decline signals a dip in investor faith, challenging its status as a reliable hedge against inflation and a secure store of value. Following a sharp decrease from its October highs, analysts are closely watching the $70,000 threshold.

Bitcoin has fallen to just below $67,000, marking its lowest point since November 2024. This decline signals a dip in investor faith, challenging its status as a reliable hedge against inflation and a secure store of value. Following a sharp decrease from its October highs, analysts are closely watching the $70,000 threshold.

AI stocks slide: Nvidia, Palantir, and Intel face losses
AI stocks slide: Nvidia, Palantir, and Intel face losses

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

The Nasdaq Composite fell over 300 points as AI and chip stocks tumbled, led by Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Intel. Weak guidance from AMD and economic caution drove the selloff, while investors rotated into safer sectors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose, highlighting a shift from high-growth tech to value and defensive stocks.

The Nasdaq Composite fell over 300 points as AI and chip stocks tumbled, led by Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Intel. Weak guidance from AMD and economic caution drove the selloff, while investors rotated into safer sectors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose, highlighting a shift from high-growth tech to value and defensive stocks.

Washington Post starts mass layoffs: Newsroom shrinks fast; staff, unions alarmed
Washington Post starts mass layoffs: Newsroom shrinks fast; staff, unions alarmed

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

The Washington Post has begun large newsroom layoffs as part of a major restructuring to address ongoing financial losses. Nearly all departments are affected, including international and sports. Management says the cuts are needed for long-term stability, while journalists, unions, and press groups warn the move could weaken coverage and harm the paper’s public mission.

The Washington Post has begun large newsroom layoffs as part of a major restructuring to address ongoing financial losses. Nearly all departments are affected, including international and sports. Management says the cuts are needed for long-term stability, while journalists, unions, and press groups warn the move could weaken coverage and harm the paper’s public mission.

Uber posts strong Q4 growth: Delivery leads gains; autonomy plans take shape now
Uber posts strong Q4 growth: Delivery leads gains; autonomy plans take shape now

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

Uber reported strong fourth-quarter revenue growth, led by a sharp rise in its delivery business. Ride-hailing revenue also increased, but profits fell due to investment losses and higher taxes. The company’s shares declined after weak first-quarter profit guidance, even as Uber highlighted long-term plans around autonomous vehicles and platform expansion.

Uber reported strong fourth-quarter revenue growth, led by a sharp rise in its delivery business. Ride-hailing revenue also increased, but profits fell due to investment losses and higher taxes. The company’s shares declined after weak first-quarter profit guidance, even as Uber highlighted long-term plans around autonomous vehicles and platform expansion.

Pfizer earnings beat estimates; investors watch pipeline
Pfizer earnings beat estimates; investors watch pipeline

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

Pfizer reported strong fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, surpassing expectations, but posted a net loss of $1.65 billion due to restructuring and intangible costs. For 2026, the company projects flat revenue and modest profit. Pfizer is focusing on obesity treatments, pipeline drugs like Xeljanz, and cost-cutting measures to support future growth.

Pfizer reported strong fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, surpassing expectations, but posted a net loss of $1.65 billion due to restructuring and intangible costs. For 2026, the company projects flat revenue and modest profit. Pfizer is focusing on obesity treatments, pipeline drugs like Xeljanz, and cost-cutting measures to support future growth.

US stock market falls: Nasdaq leads losses; investors shift to gold and silver
US stock market falls: Nasdaq leads losses; investors shift to gold and silver

By TOI GLOBAL DESK

US stock markets closed lower as investors pulled back from technology and other high-growth stocks. The Nasdaq led losses, while the S&P 500 and Dow also ended in the red. Cautious Federal Reserve comments kept pressure on equities, prompting investors to move into safe assets such as gold and silver, which rose sharply.

US stock markets closed lower as investors pulled back from technology and other high-growth stocks. The Nasdaq led losses, while the S&P 500 and Dow also ended in the red. Cautious Federal Reserve comments kept pressure on equities, prompting investors to move into safe assets such as gold and silver, which rose sharply.