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$Intel(INTC.US)

Intel: Lip-Bu Tan’s AI Reset Is Delivering Results, but Can It Last?

Intel delivered its strongest quarterly performance since 2011, signaling that CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s turnaround strategy is gaining traction. Q2 FY2026 revenue surged 25% YoY to US$16.1 billion, while adjusted EPS reached US$0.42, comfortably beating expectations. Data Center & AI revenue jumped 59% to US$6.3 billion, driven by accelerating AI inference demand for Xeon CPUs, improved pricing, and expanding foundry momentum. Management guided Q3 revenue to US$15.8-16.8 billion with adjusted EPS of US$0.38, reflecting confidence that AI-driven CPU demand remains durable. (Reuters⁠)

A key differentiator is Intel’s growing portfolio of multi-year long-term agreements (LTAs). Google has been confirmed as a strategic long-term Xeon and infrastructure partner, while management indicated additional CPU and ASIC agreements will be announced over time. These LTAs improve supply visibility and pricing stability, although Intel still trails AMD in EPYC performance leadership and NVIDIA in AI accelerators. (roic.ai⁠)

Technically, Intel remains in a strong long-term uptrend despite recent volatility. Option investors may prefer bull put spreads or cash-secured puts following pullbacks, allowing premium collection while positioning for continued AI-driven growth. Aggressive traders expecting further upside could consider bull call spreads, which offer defined risk if execution and AI demand remain robust. While valuation has expanded sharply, improving execution, customer commitments and AI infrastructure demand suggest Intel’s recovery story is becoming increasingly fundamental rather than purely sentiment-driven. This is not financial advice. (barrons.com⁠)

$OUEREIT(TS0U.SG)

OUE REIT: Is the 28.6% DPU Surge the Start of a Sustainable Re-rating?

OUE REIT delivered a standout 1H FY2026, with DPU climbing 28.6% YoY to 1.26 Singapore cents, supported by stronger hospitality earnings, lower financing costs and the earnings contribution from its 19.9% stake in Salesforce Tower, Sydney. Gross revenue rose 3.8% to S$136.1 million, while NPI increased 4.8% to S$110.3 million. Commercial occupancy remained resilient at 91.5%, complemented by double-digit hospitality growth.

The proposed divestment of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport strengthens capital recycling, while management’s proactive refinancing has lowered finance costs by 16.6%. With an interest coverage ratio around 3x and a well-laddered debt maturity profile of about 3.3 years, balance-sheet risks appear manageable despite gearing near 40%.

Trading at roughly 0.64x P/B, OUE REIT remains one of the more deeply discounted Singapore REITs despite improving fundamentals. Compared with peers, the valuation gap appears excessive given its strengthening income profile, quality commercial assets and disciplined capital recycling. If execution on Salesforce Tower and redeployment of divestment proceeds continues, the discount could narrow, making OUE REIT an attractive value opportunity for income-focused investors seeking both yield and potential capital appreciation.

$Super Micro Computer(SMCI.US)

Supermicro’s $60 Billion AI Backlog: Is This the Start of a New Growth Era?

Super Micro Computer $Super Micro Computer(SMCI.US) may be entering its strongest growth cycle yet. The company disclosed a record over US$60 billion AI infrastructure backlog, while preliminary FY2026 Q4 results pointed to revenue approaching US$11 billion and gross margins recovering to 15–17%, a sharp improvement from prior guidance. The recovery suggests pricing power is returning as high-value AI systems become a larger share of sales.

CEO Charles Liang also highlighted Supermicro’s collaboration with SpaceX to build next-generation AI data centres, reinforcing the company’s evolution from a server manufacturer into an end-to-end AI infrastructure provider. This expands its addressable market and differentiates it from peers such as Dell, HPE and Lenovo, which remain more exposed to traditional enterprise hardware refresh cycles.

Technically, SMCI has regained bullish momentum after reclaiming key moving averages on improving volume, although near-term volatility remains elevated following its sharp rally. Fundamentally, a record backlog, recovering margins and AI infrastructure demand improve earnings visibility and could mark a new dawn for the company.

For options investors, the short-term favours selling cash-secured puts or put credit spreads to capitalise on elevated implied volatility, while mid-term investors may consider bull call spreads or LEAPS call options to participate in continued AI-driven upside with defined risk. Strong execution on the SpaceX initiative and backlog conversion could become the next catalyst for sustained share price appreciation.

This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

$AMC ENT(AMC.US)

AMC: Can The Odyssey Rewrite the Meme Stock Narrative?

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has reignited cinema traffic, helping AMC deliver its strongest post-pandemic quarter with record revenue, positive adjusted earnings and robust free cash flow. While the blockbuster proves premium theatrical releases remain powerful, one film alone is unlikely to restore AMC to its pre-COVID valuation or meme-stock highs. Investors will demand sustained attendance and consistent profitability beyond the summer slate. (Reuters⁠)

Options activity suggests traders are leaning bullish but remain highly speculative. Near-the-money call volume and open interest have surged, particularly around the $2.50 strike, while implied volatility remains elevated, reflecting expectations of sharp price swings rather than a long-term rerating. (MarketBeat⁠)

Technically, AMC has reclaimed short-term momentum after breaking above recent resistance, but heavy overhead supply from years of dilution could cap rallies. Fundamentally, improving cash generation is encouraging, though leverage remains a key risk.

For option traders, a bull call spread offers a defined-risk way to participate in further upside while offsetting expensive premiums. More conservative investors may consider cash-secured puts only after volatility moderates, targeting assignment near major support levels. Chasing elevated implied volatility with naked long calls appears less attractive after the post-earnings surge.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

Singapore’s three local banks are no longer trading at bargain valuations. DBS leads at around 2.4x P/B, followed by OCBC at 1.9x and UOB at 1.2x. With OCBC already trading above +2 standard deviations of its long-term valuation range, I believe much of the good news is priced in, making future upside increasingly dependent on earnings surprises.

$NVIDIA(NVDA.US)

🚀 NVIDIA’s Japan AI Bet: Why Physical AI Could Be Its Next Trillion-Dollar Growth Engine

NVIDIA’s expansion of its Physical AI ecosystem into Japan marks a strategic shift beyond cloud AI toward intelligent robots operating in the real world. Powered by Cosmos 3 Edge, robots can perform on-device vision, reasoning and decision-making with minimal latency. Japan was chosen for its leadership in robotics, advanced manufacturing, aging population and labour shortages—conditions where Physical AI can deliver immediate productivity gains. Unlike the U.S., where AI investment remains centred on hyperscale infrastructure, Japan offers a faster path to commercial deployment.

Healthcare could be a major beneficiary. AI-powered robots can support elderly care, rehabilitation, hospital logistics and remote patient monitoring, easing workforce shortages while improving care quality. This also strengthens NVIDIA’s long-term software and hardware ecosystem through partnerships with Japanese industrial leaders.

Fundamentally, NVIDIA remains one of 2026’s strongest AI franchises, backed by accelerating demand for sovereign AI, robotics and data-centre computing. Technically, the stock remains in a long-term uptrend despite premium valuations. Investors may consider accumulating on pullbacks toward key support levels, while option sellers can capitalize on elevated implied volatility through cash-secured puts. This is not financial advice.

Supermicro $Super Micro Computer(SMCI.US) is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI infrastructure boom. A record US$60+ billion order backlog, recovering margins, and a strategic collaboration with SpaceX to build next-generation AI data centres could strengthen long-term revenue visibility. While near-term volatility may persist, improving fundamentals and renewed technical momentum make SMCI a stock worth watching for both investors and options traders. As always, conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

$Micron Tech(MU.US)

Micron remains one of the strongest AI memory beneficiaries in 2026, backed by record profitability, expanding HBM shipments and robust free cash flow. In its latest quarter, Micron reported record business performance, generated over $18 billion in adjusted free cash flow, held approximately $30 billion in cash and investments, and guided for another record quarter, highlighting that AI demand remains exceptionally strong. (Micron Technology⁠)

However, investors should not ignore the emergence of ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). Following its blockbuster Shanghai IPO, the world’s fourth-largest DRAM supplier is accelerating capacity expansion with an estimated 8% global DRAM market share. While U.S. export restrictions still limit its competitiveness in premium HBM products, increased production in commodity DRAM could pressure industry pricing and gradually erode Micron’s gross margins in consumer and PC memory segments. (marketwatch.com⁠)

For long-term investors, the investment thesis remains intact because Micron’s technological leadership in HBM3E and AI memory commands premium pricing. Nevertheless, recent buyers should expect higher volatility after the stock’s sharp rally. Option sellers may consider waiting for implied volatility to normalize before selling cash-secured puts, while existing shareholders should monitor whether support holds near key technical levels. If CXMT triggers a broader DRAM price war, Micron could experience multiple compression despite resilient AI-driven earnings. This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.

$Paypal(PYPL.US)

PayPal: Value Opportunity or Merger-Driven Rally?

PayPal has returned to the spotlight after Stripe and Advent International submitted a US$53 billion acquisition proposal at US$60.50 per share, representing a 28% premium. The bid highlights the strategic value of PayPal’s 430+ million consumer accounts, Venmo ecosystem and global merchant network, despite an increasingly saturated digital payments industry. However, PayPal’s board reportedly considers the offer inadequate, suggesting further negotiations or competing bids may emerge. (Reuters⁠)

Fundamentally, PayPal remains a highly cash-generative fintech trading well below its 2021 peak. While competition from Stripe, Apple Pay and Google Pay continues to pressure growth, the company still possesses valuable payment infrastructure and brand recognition. A successful turnaround would likely depend on improving margins, accelerating Venmo monetisation and strengthening merchant services.

For investors, this appears more like a special-situation investment than a pure growth story. Option sellers may find better risk-adjusted opportunities by selling cash-secured puts near major technical support levels to potentially acquire shares at lower prices while collecting premium. Chasing elevated implied volatility after takeover headlines may offer less favourable risk-reward. Long-term investors should focus on fundamentals rather than merger speculation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

$Lockheed Martin(LMT.US)

Lockheed Martin remains one of the defence sector’s premier long-term investments, supported by a record backlog, resilient cash flows and sustained global demand for advanced missile and air defence systems. In 2026, the company reaffirmed revenue guidance of US$77.5–80.0 billion, EPS of US$29.35–30.25, and free cash flow of US$6.5–6.8 billion. Recent catalysts include its partnership with Rheinmetall to establish Europe’s first ATACMS production, integration and distribution hub for NATO members, alongside a US$4.7 billion contract to accelerate PAC-3 missile production, reinforcing years of future revenue visibility. (Media - Lockheed Martin⁠)

Valuation has become increasingly compelling following the stock’s correction, with the forward P/E trading below many industrial technology peers. Technically, Lockheed Martin is consolidating near long-term support, presenting an attractive accumulation zone for long-term investors. Option sellers may also find opportunities through 15–30 day cash-secured puts as elevated geopolitical uncertainty supports richer option premiums.

Compared with RTX, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin continues to possess one of the industry’s widest economic moats through the F-35, PAC-3 and precision strike missile franchises. Rather than a temporary boost, rising NATO defence spending and multi-year procurement commitments suggest geopolitical tensions are a structural tailwind. For investors seeking diversification beyond AI-driven technology stocks, Lockheed Martin offers durable earnings, growing dividends and defensive long-term value.

Disclaimer: This commentary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should conduct their own due diligence before making any investment decisions.

$Phillip Morris(PM.US)

Philip Morris International: A Smoke-Free Growth Story

Philip Morris International $Phillip Morris(PM.US) has transformed itself from a traditional cigarette company into a global leader in reduced-risk nicotine products. In 2026, heated tobacco products led by IQOS, together with ZYN nicotine pouches and VEEV e-vapor, accounted for a growing share of revenue and profit. Higher-margin smoke-free products continue to drive earnings growth, while the combustible cigarette business remains a strong source of cash flow.

Compared with Altria, Philip Morris enjoys broader international exposure, stronger revenue growth and a more diversified portfolio of reduced-risk products. Altria continues to generate attractive cash flow and dividends but remains heavily dependent on the mature U.S. cigarette market, limiting its long-term growth prospects.

From a valuation perspective, Philip Morris trades at a premium to its peers, reflecting investor confidence in its smoke-free transition. Technically, the long-term trend remains bullish with higher highs and higher lows. For investors looking to initiate a position, the US$180–185 region represents the first area of technical support, while a deeper correction towards US$170–175 could provide a more attractive long-term entry if broader market weakness emerges. On the upside, the US$205–210 range is likely to act as a key resistance zone where profit-taking may increase. Long-term investors may consider accumulating on pullbacks towards support levels, while options investors may find opportunities selling cash-secured puts near support or covered calls as the stock approaches resistance, allowing premium income while maintaining a disciplined risk-reward profile.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

A strategic partnership worth watching. SIA Engineering’s collaboration with Air India to explore Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) opportunities underscores the growing demand for aviation services as fleet expansion accelerates across Asia.

If this progresses into long-term contracts, it could strengthen SIA Engineering’s earnings visibility, expand its regional footprint, and reinforce its position as a leading MRO provider. A positive development that investors should keep on their radar.

$American International Group(AIG.US)

AIG: An Overlooked Beneficiary of a Changing Macro Regime?

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has pledged a “regime change” focused on restoring price stability and ending what he describes as the inflation tax on American households. Markets increasingly expect a more disciplined monetary framework, even if policy remains restrictive in the near term.

For American International Group (AIG), a lower-inflation environment is a structural tailwind. Stable inflation supports bond valuations, improves investment income visibility, reduces claims-cost uncertainty, and strengthens underwriting margins. AIG entered FY2026 with solid capital, improving profitability and continued shareholder returns through dividends and share buybacks, while trading at a valuation below many technology leaders on earnings and book value multiples.

The implications also extend to AIA Group. Lower U.S. inflation and a more predictable interest-rate path can stabilize global bond markets, benefiting insurers’ investment portfolios and supporting the sale of long-duration protection and savings products. While AIA’s growth remains driven primarily by Asian demographics, macro stability is a meaningful secondary tailwind rather than the primary growth engine.

Technically, AIG remains above its long-term moving averages with higher support levels forming, suggesting improving momentum. For investors seeking diversification beyond richly valued AI and technology stocks, quality insurers like AIG may offer an attractive risk-reward profile.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

$Veeva Systems -CL(VEEV.US)

Veeva Systems $Veeva Systems -CL(VEEV.US): The AI Winner Built on Trust, Not Just Software

While many SaaS vendors compete on productivity, Veeva competes on regulatory trust. Serving the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, its software is deeply embedded into clinical, regulatory and quality workflows where data integrity, audit trails and GxP compliance are mandatory. Replacing Veeva is far more complex than switching a CRM, creating exceptionally high customer stickiness with gross revenue retention consistently around mid-to-high 90% and subscription gross margins near 87%. (⁠ir.veeva.com)

FY2026 revenue climbed 16% to US$3.20 billion, while operating income surged 33% to US$916 million, highlighting both growth and expanding profitability. Falcon, Veeva’s new agentic AI platform, extends beyond copilots by automating regulated clinical, regulatory and safety workflows while preserving compliance—an advantage generic AI platforms struggle to replicate. (⁠ir.veeva.com)

Technically, VEEV remains in a long-term uptrend but has become extended after its AI-driven rally. Investors should watch for support near the 50-day moving average before initiating new positions.

Key risks include slower Falcon monetisation, pharmaceutical R&D spending cuts, increasing competition from Salesforce and IQVIA, and premium valuation leaving little room for execution missteps. For option traders, cash-secured puts after meaningful pullbacks may offer a better risk-reward profile than chasing momentum.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.

$Beyond Meat(BYND.US)

Beyond Meat is a reminder that not every blockbuster IPO becomes a blockbuster investment. Debuting at US$25 in 2019, the stock briefly soared above US$200 as investors chased the vision of disrupting the global meat industry. Today, it trades below US$1 after years of declining sales, persistent losses, cash burn and weakening consumer demand. Competition intensified, pricing power faded and the growth narrative unraveled.

The lesson is timeless: an IPO is not an investment thesis. Markets often price perfection long before a company proves it can generate sustainable profits. Valuation, execution and balance sheet strength matter far more than headlines.

As investors turn their attention to high-profile listings such as SpaceX (if and when it becomes publicly listed) and SK Hynix-related offerings, enthusiasm should never replace due diligence. Strong branding and media hype can fuel spectacular first-day gains, but long-term returns depend on durable competitive advantages, consistent cash flow and disciplined management execution.

Successful investing isn’t about buying every exciting IPO—it’s about knowing which businesses can still compound value long after the opening bell.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Please conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

$Palantir Tech(PLTR.US)

Palantir $Palantir Tech(PLTR.US): Is the Pullback Finally Attractive?

Palantir’s sharp 2026 correction is driven more by valuation compression than deteriorating fundamentals. Operationally, the business remains exceptionally strong. Q1 FY2026 revenue surged 85% YoY, prompting management to raise full-year revenue guidance to US$7.65-7.66 billion, while U.S. government revenue grew 84% and commercial revenue continued triple-digit expansion. (⁠Palantir Investors)

The sell-off stems from three concerns: an extreme valuation after 2025’s AI rally, fears that foundation-model providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic are encroaching on enterprise AI, and political scrutiny over Palantir’s government relationships rather than an actual collapse in contract wins. In fact, backlog and government demand remain healthy, with no evidence that rising CAPEX or a change in management strategy has materially weakened the business. (⁠InsiderFinance)

Technically, PLTR remains below key moving averages. Initial support lies around US$106-110 (recent 52-week low), while resistance sits near US$134 at the 50-day moving average. A sustained break above US$134 would improve the intermediate trend. (⁠Barron’s)

For cash-secured put sellers, patience is warranted. Implied volatility is attractive, but waiting for price stabilization above support or confirmation of higher lows offers a better risk-reward profile. Investors seeking stronger technical momentum may instead consider NVDA, ORCL, MSFT, or META—all of which possess durable AI ecosystems, broader earnings diversification and clearer institutional accumulation trends.

$Micron Tech(MU.US)

Micron Technology is no longer just another cyclical memory maker—it has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI infrastructure boom. Fiscal 2026 results reached record levels, driven by surging HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and data-centre DRAM demand, with management guiding another strong quarter as HBM4 enters volume shipments.

Against its Korean rivals, SK hynix remains the HBM leader with over 50% market share, while Samsung Electronics is regaining momentum after HBM qualification delays. Micron ranks third but is rapidly narrowing the technology gap through superior execution and long-term AI customer contracts. Industry capacity is effectively sold out through 2026, allowing all three suppliers to enjoy exceptional pricing power and gross margins.

The key risk is not an immediate flood of Chinese competition. Despite Beijing’s support for domestic memory champions, advanced HBM manufacturing remains years behind the leading trio due to process complexity, packaging know-how and customer qualification. The bigger medium-term risk is oversupply from aggressive capacity expansion after 2027.

For option traders, the trend remains bullish but increasingly volatile. Selling cash-secured puts on major pullbacks or using bull put spreads offers a better risk-reward than chasing rallies, while long-term investors should accumulate on corrections rather than expect today’s extraordinary pricing cycle to persist indefinitely.

$Alphabet - C(GOOG.US)

The market focused on Alphabet’s US$80 billion equity raise, but Warren Buffett’s US$10 billion participation tells a different story. Berkshire wasn’t merely buying Google Search—it was backing an ecosystem with unparalleled user lock-in across Chrome, Maps, Gmail, Android, YouTube and Google Cloud, where each product reinforces the others and generates data that continuously improves AI models. (⁠Reuters)

The real moat isn’t search alone; it’s distribution. While ChatGPT and other AI assistants are changing search behaviour, Alphabet is embedding Gemini directly into its ecosystem, allowing billions of users to adopt AI without switching platforms. That scale is difficult to replicate.

Alphabet’s 2026 fundamentals remain compelling: revenue exceeds US$400 billion, operating margins remain above 30%, free cash flow is robust despite elevated AI capital expenditure, and the balance sheet carries substantial net cash. Valuation around the mid-20s forward P/E with a PEG near 1.3 appears reasonable for double-digit earnings growth, while technicals continue to show a long-term bullish trend despite short-term consolidation after recent highs. (⁠Reuters)

The biggest risks are AI monetisation, antitrust scrutiny, and the possibility that generative AI reduces traditional search advertising. Nevertheless, if Alphabet successfully converts AI users into higher-value cloud and productivity customers, Buffett’s investment may prove to be a bet on the next decade of AI infrastructure rather than yesterday’s search engine.