China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
AI-Guided Drones Transform Ukraine’s Battlefield Strategy 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
Rio Tinto Raises 2025 Copper Output Outlook as Oyu Tolgoi Expansion Accelerates 
IKEA Launches First New Zealand Store, Marking Expansion Into Its 64th Global Market 
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity 
Nexperia Urges China Division to Resume Chip Production as Supply Risks Mount 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
Quarterly Profit Falls Amid Fierce Competition
Samsung Electronics reported a 40% decline in its chip profits quarter-over-quarter, a sharp contrast to competitors TSMC and SK Hynix, which saw earnings surge due to the AI boom. Samsung, the world’s largest memory chipmaker, smartphone, and TV producer, cautioned about limited earnings growth in the fourth quarter due to intense consumer electronics competition during the year-end peak.
AI Demand Fuels Premium Chip Focus
In its earnings statement, Samsung highlighted that while demand for memory chips in mobile and PC markets may soften, AI growth will sustain strong demand. The company plans to prioritize high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and high-density chip products, which are crucial for AI applications like those developed by Nvidia.
Third-Quarter Financial Highlights
Samsung posted an operating profit of 9.2 trillion won ($6.66 billion) for Q3, a slight improvement from 2.4 trillion won a year earlier but down from 10.4 trillion won in Q2. This result slightly exceeded the company’s preliminary estimate but fell short of market expectations. Shares of Samsung dipped 0.2% as South Korea's broader market fell by 1.3%.
Challenges in Competing with Rivals
Although Samsung’s Q3 chip earnings rose to 3.9 trillion won, they were impacted by one-time expenses and currency effects. Samsung’s slower pace in HBM commercialization compared to competitors has affected its competitiveness, as noted by Yuanta Securities analyst Baik Gil-hyun.
