TSMC smashes forecasts with record profit, flags more US factories

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Daily Chart

TSMC, the world’s main producer of advanced AI chips, posted a forecast-smashing 35% jump in fourth-quarter profit to a record high, predicted robust annual growth and flagged more U.S. manufacturing capacity was in the works.

Wall Street’s main indexes snapped ​back, lifted by a chip-fueled surge after TSMC’s blockbuster results, while investors combed through earnings from Morgan ‌Stanley and Goldman Sachs to close the book on big banks’ reporting season. Chip stocks such as Nvidia rose 2.5%, while Broadcom and Micron gained 2.3% and 3%, respectively.

Strong US retail sales in November underscore economy’s resilience

U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November as motor vehicle purchases rebounded and households boosted spending elsewhere, suggesting the economy maintained its strong pace of growth in the fourth quarter.

Trump’s greenlight for Nvidia AI chips to China draws fire

U.S. lawmakers and former officials questioned President Donald Trump’s decision to allow Nvidia to sell its second most powerful AI chips in China, arguing the move erodes America’s AI edge and threatens to electrify Beijing’s military.

Bitwise lists Bitcoin, Ether and Solana ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm

Digital asset manager Bitwise has listed seven crypto exchange-traded products denominated in Swedish krona on Nasdaq Stockholm, giving Swedish investors regulated exposure to Bitcoin, Ether and Solana.

Gold cracks $4,600/oz as Fed uncertainty fans safe-haven rush

Gold hit a record above $4,600 per ounce and silver reached a fresh peak as investors piled into safe-haven assets after uncertainty deepened over a Trump administration criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.