TSMC net profit hits record high as fourth-quarter results top expectations on robust AI chip demand

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TSMC net profit hits record high as fourth-quarter results top expectations on robust AI chip demand. 📊 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s fourth-quarter revenue and profit beat expectations, as demand for advanced chips used in artificial intelligence applications continued to surge. CNBC reports.

⚙️ CopilotGo: Microsoft launches consumption-based 365 Copilot Chat option for corporate users. CNBC reports.

🔋 EVNode: General Motors has signed a multi-year, multi-billion dollar agreement for Norway's Vianode to provide the U.S. automaker with synthetic graphite anode materials for its electric vehicle batteries, the companies said on Wednesday. Yahoo Finance reports.

📈 LingoRise: TikTok U.S. users have been learning Chinese on Duolingo in increasing numbers amid their adoption of a Chinese social app called RedNote ahead of the TikTok ban. Yahoo Finance reports.

🔐 SemiSecure: The Dutch government on Wednesday said it would expand its export controls on advanced semiconductor equipment from April 1, which chip equipment company ASML said it did not expect to impact its business. Yahoo Finance reports.

🩺 HealthHorizon: UnitedHealth beats profit estimates on health services strength. Reuters reports.

🚙 EVRush: Tesla is offering Cybertruck discounts as EV market gets crowded. CNBC reports.

(All pricing and percent gains are based on Early Pre-Market from 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM Eastern Time)
Benzinga reports.

1. $PMAX: Powell Max
Total gain: +94.07%

2. $WHLR: Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust
Total gain: +42.12%

3. $SOBR: Sobr Safe
Total gain: +41.57%

4. $PRPO: Precipio
Total gain: +30.98%

5. $DOYU: DouYu International Holdings
Total gain: +30.18%

Apple in talks with Barclays, Synchrony to replace Goldman in credit card deal, sources say

Apple is in talks with Barclays to replace Goldman Sachs as the tech giant's credit card partner, said two sources familiar with the matter, as the Wall Street giant steps back from its consumer finance ambitions.

Credit card issuer Synchrony Financial is also in discussions with Apple about the card partnership, the first source said. Both sources declined to be identified discussing private talks.

Several financial firms are vying to replace Goldman, which launched the credit card with Apple in 2019, the sources said. While other lenders are tempted by working with Apple, one of the world's most recognizable brands, they also viewed the original deal terms as risky and unprofitable.

📰 Read more

The closing price of the top three market percent gainers trading near or above $3 on January 15.

*All pricing and percent gains are based on regular market trading hours from 9:30am to 4:00pm Eastern Time

1. $KITT: Nauticus Robotics
Total gain: +56.23%
The stock appeared to be moving on no notable news.

2. $QUBT: Quantum Computing
Total gain: +55.59%
The stock appeared to be moving on no notable news.

3. $PROP: Prairie Operating
Total gain: +54.61%
The company announced its operational and financial guidance for 2025. Benzinga reports.

Time (ET) / Report / Period

8:30 am - Initial jobless claims - January 11
8:30 am - U.S. retail sales - December
8:30 am - Retail sales minus autos - December
8:30 am - Import price index - December

“The desire for constant action irrespective of underlying conditions is responsible for many losses in Wall Street even among the professionals.”

― Edwin Lefèvre

Sourced in:
“Reminiscences of a Stock Operator”, by Edwin Lefèvre, published in 1923.