Daily Strategic Briefing

AI is contributing to Meta’s growth – just not the kind anyone cares about

Good old machine learning, not LLMs, are what’s really paying for Zuck’s genAI splurge Believe it or not, Meta's AI investments made a meaningful difference to its advertising business in Q2 — it's just that those models aren't the kind that's got everyone, including the Social Network, plowing tens of billions of dollars a year into datacenters.…

Amazon is spending a boatload on AI but investors are impatient for results

Hang in there, it's early days, insists CEO Andy Jassy Amazon CEO Andy Jassy insists "AI will change every customer experience," but it's making investors nervous.…

Ex-CISA chief slams MAGA 'manufactured outrage' after sudden West Point firing

US Army Sec appears to fold under pressure from far-right conspiracy theorist comment  Jen Easterly has weighed in on the US Army Secretary firing her from a prestigious West Point teaching post a day after the US Military Academy announced the appointment.…

New Google AI model maps world in 10-meter squares for machines to read

DeepMind geospatial AI model offers comprehensive view of Earth image data Google has released a new AI model that maps the world in 10-meter squares for machines to read.…

Tesla starts sort-of Robotaxi service in San Francisco by invite only

There's a driver at the wheel Elon Musk's goal of a fully autonomous car that could serve as a Robotaxi is getting another trial this week, albeit with a human operator behind the wheel.…

Female-founded semiconductor AI startup SixSense raises $8.5M

Summary:

SixSense offers an AI-powered platform that helps chip makers prevent defects. It landed backing led by Peak XV’s Surge (formerly Sequoia India & SEA).

Amazon CEO wants to put ads in your Alexa+ conversations

Summary:

Andy Jassy’s description of an AI-generated ad that Alexa+ delivers in a multistep conversation, which could help users find new products, is uncharted territory for Amazon and the broader tech industry.

What’s the real cost of chasing AGI? Power consolidation is just the start, says the AI Now Institute.

Summary:

If you’ve been hearing about Trump’s AI Action Plan and wondering who it actually benefits, you’re not alone. On today’s episode of Equity, Rebecca Bellan caught up with Amba Kak and Dr. Sarah Myers West from the AI Now Institute, a think tank focused on the social implications of AI and the consolidation of power […]

Reddit revenue soars as it bets on AI and advertising

Summary:

Reddit reported its Q2 earnings, and it’s clear that its focus on AI has ramped up significantly.

Apple plans to ‘significantly’ grow AI investments, Cook says

Summary:

Apple is open to M&A to accelerate its AI strategy, and says it’s made seven acquisitions this year so far.

Sachin Bansal's Navi secures Rs 170 Cr from institutional investors

Navi Technologies, co-founded by Sachin Bansal, offers a range of financial services, including personal loans, mutual funds, and health insurance.

Africa’s Helios Climate and InfraCo Asia invest $60M in SUN Mobility

The investments will be deployed across all SUN Mobility markets. Beyond India, these include key African markets such as Kenya and across Southeast Asia, starting with the Philippines.

Neo Asset Management raises Rs 750 Cr in first close of Rs 2000 Cr secondary PE fund

Neo Asset Management has raised approximately Rs 750 crore in the first close of its flagship private equity vehicle, Neo Secondaries Fund (NSF), less than three months after its launch. The fund, registered with SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund, is targeting a total corpus of Rs

MoEngage to secure $200M from ChrysCapital, A91 Partners, and Goldman Sachs: Report

The funding round is likely to value the Bengaluru and San Francisco, California-based firm between $750 million and $800 million.

STAN bags $8.5M from Google’s AI Fund, Bandai Namco, others

The funding will support STAN’s expansion in India and other mobile-first markets, enhance AI-driven personalisation and creator tools, and enable new integrations for publishers and partners focused on gaming-led communities.

PNB Housing Slides 10% as CEO Resigns

PNB Housing Finance shares fell over 10% after MD & CEO Girish Kousgi resigned. Source: ScoutQuest

Sun Pharma Falls 4%, Drags Pharma Sector

Sun Pharma stock declines over 4%, pressuring pharma sector. Source: ScoutQuest

Sahyadri Sets ₹1 Dividend; EPS Declines

Sahyadri Industries to pay ₹1 dividend on Sep 16; yield at 0.3%. EPS declining at 8.5% annually; dividend sustainability questioned. Source: Simply Wall Street

Manappuram Finance Names Deepak Reddy as CEO from Aug 2025

Manappuram Finance appoints Deepak Reddy as CEO, effective Aug 1, 2025. Ex-CEO V.P. Nandakumar transitions to Managing Director; Reddy to report to him. Source: ScoutQuest

Suzlon Shares to Watch on Key Friday Factors

Suzlon Energy shares may react to three key factors on Friday. Source: ScoutQuest

U.S. Sets Lower 19% Tariff on Malaysian Exports After Talks

Country: Malaysia, Description: U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 19% tariff on exports from Malaysia to the U.S., lower than the 25% rate he initially threatened in July. The rate was finalized in an executive order signed on July 31, just ahead of the August 1 deadline Trump set for countries to reach trade agreements with his administration. According to Malaysia’s trade ministry, the revised tariff was achieved without compromising the country’s sovereign rights, as it held firm on several key “red line” issues. The ministry described the outcome as a “significant achievement” resulting from sustained engagement with the U.S. and a careful, methodical negotiating approach.

South Korean Won Falls Amid Tariff and Tax Uncertainty

Country: South Korea, Description: The South Korean won weakened to around 1,400 per dollar on Friday, hovering at over eleven-week lows amid pressure from US trade actions and domestic tax reform concerns. The dollar held firm after President Trump reaffirmed a 10% baseline global tariff and up to 41% on non-trade partners, heightening trade tensions and prompting safe-haven flows into the greenback. Domestically, sentiment was weighed by the government’s plan to roll back recent tax cuts, raising doubts over its commitment to market reforms and efforts to address the Korea Discount. Meanwhile, July’s manufacturing PMI fell to 48.0 from 48.7 in June, marking a sixth straight month of contraction and signaling sharper deterioration in operating conditions as output and new orders declined. Firms also cited growing uncertainty from the US tariff risks. While exports rose a stronger-than-expected 5.9%, led by robust semiconductor demand, it was overshadowed by concerns over the broader industrial recovery.

Indonesia Tourist Arrivals Jump 18.2% YoY in June

Country: Indonesia, Description: Foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia surged 18.20% year-on-year in June 2025, accelerating from a 14.01% growth in the previous month. Most international arrivals came from Malaysia (28.70%), Singapore (16.97%), China (15.57%), the U.S. (6.75%), Japan (13.85%), South Korea (24.19%), India (7.68%), Australia (7.03%), and the UK (14.03%). In the first six months of the year, arrivals reached 6.44 million, a 9.44% increase from the same period in 2024. The government targets 14–16 million international visitors for this year, after arrivals rose 19.05% to 13.90 million in 2024—the highest since the pandemic and within the target range of 9.5–14.3 million. Growth was driven by better aviation infrastructure and new tourist destinations.

Australia 10-Year Bond Yield Rises

Country: Australia, Description: Australia’s 10-year government bond yield rose to 4.32% following news that the country had been spared from the latest round of US tariff hikes. Australia Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Friday the White House had confirmed that no country had reciprocal tariffs lower than Australia, suggesting that President Donald Trump had left the 10% baseline tariffs on Australian goods unchanged. This helped ease investor concerns over potential trade frictions with the US. On the economic data front, producer prices in Australia rose by 0.7% in the June quarter, below forecasts of a 0.9% increase, adding to the case for a possible rate cut next month. The data follows a soft consumer inflation report earlier in the week, which showed that underlying inflation is steadily approaching the Reserve Bank of Australia's midpoint target of 2.5%. Markets are currently pricing in a near-certain chance of a 25bps cut in August, with rates expected to bottom out around 3.10% by year-end.

China’s 10-Year Yield Falls on Trade Woes

Country: China, Description: China’s 10-year government bond yield fell to around 1.70% on Friday, as investors moved towards safer assets amid growing concerns following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. Trump unveiled a 10% baseline global tariff and imposed retaliatory duties reaching up to 41% on countries lacking trade deals. Additionally, he announced a 40% tariff targeting goods suspected of being rerouted through third countries to avoid existing levies. Meanwhile, the US and China wrapped up a third round of trade negotiations this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the talks have “the makings of a trade deal,” with both countries facing an August 12 deadline to extend the current pause on tariffs. In China, both private and official data revealed a contraction in manufacturing activity for July, with official figures showing the sharpest decline in six months. These data suggest weakening demand and a slowdown in economic momentum as the third quarter begins.

Zelenskyy restores independence to anti-corruption agencies

Summary: The move reverses controversial legislation passed a week earlier that sparked Ukraine's largest protests since Russia's invasion began., Description: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation on July 31 restoring independence to the country's key anti-corruption agencies after intense domestic and international pressure following street protests and EU criticism. The move reverses controversial legislation passed just over a week earlier that had placed these critical institutions under government control. The Ukrainian...

Seoul court issues new detention warrant for ex-President Yoon

Summary: Yoon repeatedly ignored summonses to appear for questioning in an election meddling probe involving his wife., Description: A Seoul court on Thursday issued a detention warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol after he repeatedly ignored summonses to appear for questioning in an election meddling probe, marking the fourth arrest warrant sought against the detained leader. The Seoul Central District Court approved the warrant following Yoon's failure to appear for questioning on both Tuesday and Wednesday without...

Trump raises tariffs on Canada to 35% over border issues

Summary: The president cited Canada's "continued inaction" on fentanyl trafficking and border security as justification for the tariff hike., Description: President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order raising tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25%, effective August 1, in response to what the White House called Canada's "continued inaction and retaliation" regarding border security and fentanyl trafficking. The tariff increase came just hours before Trump's self-imposed deadline for countries to secure trade deals with the United...

US job cuts surge to pandemic-levels in July as tech sector leads layoffs

Summary: Employers cut 62,075 jobs, led by tech giants like Microsoft and Intel as companies restructure around AI investments., Description: U.S. employers slashed 62,075 jobs in July 2025, marking the steepest monthly increase in layoffs since the pandemic, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas released Thursday. The figure represents a 29% jump from June and a 140% surge compared to July 2024, making it the second-highest July total in the past decade. The tech sector led these cuts, with companies...

Tesla expands ride-hailing to Bay Area with human drivers

Summary: Unlike its Texas operations, California's strict regulations require Tesla to use human drivers instead of autonomous technology., Description: Tesla has quietly expanded its ride-hailing service to the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday, marking a significant but carefully worded expansion as the company navigates California's strict autonomous vehicle regulations. Unlike its Texas operations, Tesla's Bay Area service requires human drivers behind the wheel. CEO Elon Musk announced the launch on X, stating "You can now ride-hail a...