Daily Strategic Briefing

Meta convinces Blue Owl to cut $30B check for its Hyperion AI super cluster

Cleverly concocked deal keeps debt off Social Media empire's books Facebook parent Meta has managed to convince private equity firm Blue Owl Capital to finance its 2.2 gigawatt Hyperion datacenter project in Richland Parish, Louisiana.…

Amazon spills plan to nuke Washington...with X-Energy mini-reactors

Now they just need to get regulatory approval Despite technological and regulatory hurdles, Amazon remains convinced that small modular reactors (SMRs) are the answer to the cloud titan's power woes.…

American Airlines subsidiary Envoy caught in Clop's Oracle EBS raid

Not a good week for Big Red Envoy Air, an American Airlines subsidiary, has confirmed that it was among the dozens of organizations compromised via Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) security flaws, following claims by Clop extortionists that its parent company was one of its victims.…

Thou shalt not let AI run amok: Vatican wants global rules

'AI is a tool', Pope tells attendees Recently, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff warned investors to avoid the "false prophets" of AI. Now, the Pope has brought real theological weight to the bot debate, hosting a Vatican seminar that called for global AI regulation and fair distribution of the technology's benefits.…

Hyperscalers try to beat the heat with larger racks, more air flow

Most datacenters to ditch 19-inch standard for 21-inch OCP kit by 2030 Datacenters are set to standardize on the larger, 21-inch rack format by 2030, according to Omdia, as hyperscalers and server makers fully embrace it, leaving enterprises to the existing 19-inch standard.…

Silicon Valley spooks the AI safety advocates

Summary:

The White House’s David Sacks and OpenAI’s Jason Kwon caused a stir online this week for their comments about groups promoting AI safety.

Senate Republicans deepfaked Chuck Schumer, and X hasn’t taken it down 

Summary:

The video was posted Friday on the Senate Republicans’ X account. According to X’s policies, the platform prohibits “deceptively shar[ing] synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm.” Harmful content includes media that could “mislead people” or “cause significant confusion on public issues.” 

Your AI tools run on fracked gas and bulldozed Texas land

Summary:

If you’re wondering why AI companies are pursuing this path, they’ll tell you it’s not just about electricity — it’s about beating China.

Should AI do everything? OpenAI thinks so

Summary:

Silicon Valley’s rule? It’s not cool to be cautious. As OpenAI removes guardrails and VCs criticize companies like Anthropic for supporting AI safety regulations, it’s becoming clearer who the industry thinks should shape AI development.  On this episode of Equity, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Max Zeff discuss how the line between innovation and responsibility […]

From SB 243 to ChatGPT: Why it’s ‘not cool’ to be cautious about AI

Summary:

Silicon Valley’s rule? It’s not cool to be cautious. As OpenAI removes guardrails and VCs criticize companies like Anthropic for supporting AI safety regulations, it’s becoming clearer who the industry thinks should shape AI development.  On this episode of Equity, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Max Zeff discuss how the line between innovation and responsibility […]

FableStreet parent raises Rs 50 Cr to support its offline store rollout

FS Life, the parent company of FableStreet, plans to use the fundraise to support its offline expansion.

L Catterton invests in Pune-based healthcare chain Healing Hands Clinic

The deal will give Healing Hands access to L Catterton’s global experience in building consumer healthcare businesses and support its plans to expand beyond its current network of 36 clinics across 14 cities.

Kuku raises $85M in Series C round led by Granite Asia

The company intends to use the newly raised funds to strengthen the firm’s AI and data infrastructure, expand talent pool across technology and content, and deepen creator partnerships as well as accelerate scaling.

[Weekly funding roundup Oct 11-17] Zepto deal pushes VC inflow to its highest level for 2025

The third week of October saw a sharp spike in VC funding, with the primary boost coming in from the $450 million funding deal of quick commerce startup Zepto.

Rusk Media raises Rs 103 Cr in series B to expand global footprint

The company plans to use the funds to expand its content IPs and formats internationally, targeting audiences in the US, Europe, and EMEA regions.

MCX Shares Up 65% in 6 Months as Retail Interest Soars

MCX shares surged 64.6% in six months, driven by booming bullion options and futures trading amid festive demand. Retail participation now accounts for 40% of MCX's trading, with options contributing 60-65% of operating revenue. Source: Livemint

Zepto Valued at $7B After $450M Raise; IPO Planned for 2026

Zepto secures $450M funding, plans IPO in 2026; valuation now $7B vs Eternal’s $34B. India's quick commerce market to grow 15.5% CAGR to $11.08B by 2030, led by urban demand. Source: Hindustan Times

Waaree Energies Gains 2.9%, Outperforms Sensex

Waaree Energies rises 2.9% to Rs 3,624.7, outperforming sector and Sensex. Strong financials and institutional interest noted, but high valuation poses risks. Source: Marketsmojo

Indian Pharma to Hit $92B by FY30, Generics Boost Exports

Indian pharma sector projected to grow at 9% CAGR to $92B by FY30. Generics export shields India from US tariffs; complex drugs may face future challenges. Source: Financial Express

KKCL Q2 EBITDA Up 11% YoY, Adds 29 Outlets

KKCL's Q2FY26 EBITDA rose 11% YoY to Rs 71 crore; revenue grew 14.9% to Rs 354.1 crore. Retail expansion added 29 outlets, boosting total to 652; Asia Cup 2025 partnership strengthened youth appeal. Source: The Economic Times

Agricultural Commodities Updates: Orange Juice Falls by 3.51%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity losers are Orange Juice (-3.51%), Sugar (-1.73%) and Rapeseed (-1.33%). Gains are led by Oat (1.20%), Soybeans (1.01%) and Butter (0.78%).

Metals Commodities Updates: Platinum Slumps by 6.68%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity losers are Platinum (-6.68%), Silver (-4.28%), Silicon (-2.03%) and Gold (-1.80%).

Energy Commodities Updates: Ethanol Rises by 3.07%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Ethanol (3.07%), Natural gas (2.49%), Gasoline (1.22%), Brent Crude Oil (0.44%) and Crude Oil WTI (0.31%). Biggest losers are Methanol (-2.61%), Germany Natural Gas THE (-1.55%) and Natural Gas UK GBP (-1.36%).

FX Updates: Brazilian Real Appreciates by 0.76%

Country: Currency, Description: Top currency gainers are Brazilian Real (0.76%), Mexican Peso (0.36%) and Dollar Index (0.20%). Biggest losers are South Korean Won (-0.35%), Euro (-0.28%) and Japanese Yen (-0.10%). Meanwhile British Pound was little changed.

Ibovespa Closes the Week Higher

Country: Brazil, Description: The Ibovespa rose 0.8% to close at 143,399 on Friday after a thaw in US–China trade rhetoric and a string of commodity and company-specific catalysts. President Trump’s comment that extreme tariffs were “not sustainable,” together with positive trade talks between Brazilian and US officials, reduced tariff tail risk, lifting miners and exporters. WEG led gains with a 4.9% jump, while Ambev, Banco do Brasil and Eletrobras advanced about 1.7%, 1.3% and 2% respectively. Energy names outperformed after ANP clearance to restart Peregrino sent PRIO higher and Petrobras traded firmer as oil held in the mid-$50s. Large banks pared earlier losses as stress at US regional lenders failed to spill over into Brazil, removing a liquidity overhang. Offsetting those positives are clear domestic constraints—most notably the IBC-Br’s tepid 0.4% print and unresolved fiscal questions around the IOF measure and the 2026 target—which keep the rally selective rather than broad based.

SpaceX delays threaten NASA's 2027 moon goal

Summary: Technical hurdles with Starship could allow China to reach the lunar surface first, despite recent successful test flights., Description: NASA's ambitious timeline to return American astronauts to the lunar surface by 2027 faces mounting challenges as SpaceX struggles to ready its Starship rocket, raising concerns that China could achieve its 2030 moon landing goal first and claim victory in the new space race.

Gaza ceasefire holds but aid falls short of need

Summary: Humanitarian groups warn deliveries remain dangerously insufficient despite promises, as over 54,600 children face acute malnutrition and famine conditions persist., Description: A week after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza, Palestinians are experiencing their first sustained break from violence in months, but humanitarian organizations warn that aid deliveries remain dangerously insufficient despite promises of increased assistance. The ceasefire, which began October 10, has ended the immediate threat of airstrikes that terrorized families like Bassil...

Supreme Court to close to public as shutdown funding crisis deepens

Summary: The nation's highest court will run out of funds tomorrow, while federal courts prepare to furlough over 33,000 workers., Description: The Supreme Court will run out of funding tomorrow and close its doors to the public, while the broader federal court system prepares to furlough staff and curtail operations as the government shutdown enters its 18th day with no congressional resolution in sight. Patricia McCabe, the Supreme Court's public information officer, announced Friday that the nation's highest court "expects to run...

Trump calls Russia's $8B Alaska tunnel proposal 'interesting'

Summary: The plan would create a 70-mile rail tunnel beneath the Bering Strait using Musk's Boring Company, named the "Putin-Trump Tunnel.", Description: President Donald Trump called a Russian proposal to build an $8 billion tunnel connecting Alaska to Russia "interesting" but said he would need to consider it further, during a White House meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The ambitious proposal, floated by Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, would create a 70-mile rail and cargo tunnel beneath...

Polish court blocks extradition of Nord Stream pipeline blast suspect

Summary: Judge ruled Ukrainian national's alleged actions were legitimate military operations during a "just war" against Russian aggression, deepening tensions with Germany., Description: A Polish court on Friday refused to extradite a Ukrainian national to Germany over his alleged involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, ordering his immediate release and delivering a sharp rebuke to German prosecutors who sought to try him for sabotage. The Warsaw District Court ruled that Volodymyr Zhuravlev's alleged actions constituted legitimate military operations during a...