SpaceX spent $329 million on Tesla’s Megapack battery systems during the first half of 2026, highlighting the growing energy demands of the company’s expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure.

According to SpaceX’s latest earnings report, $295 million of those purchases were made during the second quarter alone, marking a sharp increase in investment in large-scale energy storage.

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Powering AI Infrastructure

The battery systems are expected to support SpaceX’s AI data centre operations, where electricity demand fluctuates significantly as computing workloads increase during AI training and inference.

Megapacks help stabilise power consumption by storing electricity and providing additional capacity during periods of peak demand, while also serving as backup power in the event of outages.

Growing Links Across Musk’s Companies

The purchases further illustrate the close operational ties between Elon Musk’s businesses. Before merging with SpaceX earlier this year, xAI had also invested heavily in Tesla’s battery storage systems for its own data centres.

SpaceX’s regulatory filing also showed the company had previously purchased $131 million worth of Tesla Cybertrucks, reflecting continued commercial activity between Musk-led companies.

AI Drives Infrastructure Investment

As AI companies expand computing capacity, demand for energy infrastructure is rising alongside investment in data centres. Battery storage has become an increasingly important component of those facilities, helping operators manage electricity costs while maintaining stable performance during intensive computing workloads.

SpaceX shares fell after the company’s first earnings report as a public company, as investors focused on soaring AI-related spending despite stronger-than-expected revenue growth and an optimistic long-term outlook.

Revenue increased 92% year over year during the second quarter, but capital expenditure climbed to $18.4 billion, significantly exceeding analysts’ expectations. Most of that investment was directed toward expanding the company’s artificial intelligence infrastructure.

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Betting Big On AI

SpaceX is rapidly building AI computing capacity as it seeks to compete in the fast-growing market for cloud-based AI services. The company says those investments are already generating demand through agreements with customers including Google, Anthropic and Reflection AI.

Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen told investors that AI infrastructure is expected to pay for itself in less than a year, arguing that the company’s capital spending should be viewed as a driver of future revenue rather than a short-term cost.

Investors Remain Cautious

Despite those assurances, investors reacted negatively to the scale of spending, sending the stock lower after the results were released.

The earnings report comes as technology companies continue investing heavily in AI infrastructure, with firms including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta collectively committing hundreds of billions of dollars to data centres and computing capacity.

Long-Term Growth Strategy

SpaceX expects its AI business to become a major source of future revenue as it expands computing capacity and secures additional cloud contracts.

At the same time, the company faces increasing competition in AI infrastructure, while legal challenges related to one of its data centre projects add another layer of uncertainty as it scales its operations.

General Motors and China’s SAIC Motor have agreed to extend their long-running joint venture for another 20 years, signalling a continued commitment to the world’s largest automotive market despite rising geopolitical tensions and growing competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Originally established in 1997, the 50-50 partnership was due to expire next year. Under the new agreement, the joint venture will continue operating until 2047.

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A Long-Term Bet On China

The renewed partnership comes as global automakers face mounting challenges in China, where domestic brands have rapidly gained market share and reshaped the competitive landscape.

GM said the joint venture will continue focusing on Buick and Cadillac sales in China while also expanding exports of vehicles manufactured in the country to markets including the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico and the Asia-Pacific region.

Navigating A Changing Market

China was GM’s largest market between 2010 and 2023, but the company’s performance has weakened in recent years as competition intensified.

Following a restructuring programme that resulted in $1.1 billion in special charges last year, GM returned to profitability in China during the first half of 2026, reporting $248 million in equity income.

Since its launch nearly three decades ago, the joint venture has produced and delivered more than 20 million vehicles.

Europe’s Stoxx 600 reached a record high on Tuesday, extending its gains for the year as technology and banking stocks continued to drive the region’s equity markets despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

The benchmark index, which tracks 600 companies across 17 European countries, has gained around 10% since the start of 2026. Investor sentiment has remained resilient even as markets navigate higher energy prices, persistent inflation and increased volatility linked to artificial intelligence.

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Technology Continues To Lead

Semiconductor companies have been among the strongest performers this year, supported by continued investment in AI infrastructure and expectations of sustained demand for advanced chips.

Companies including Soitec, AT&S, Technoprobe, Aixtron and STMicroelectronics have all posted triple-digit gains in 2026, although several semiconductor stocks have pulled back from recent highs as investors reassess the pace of AI-related spending.

Banks Benefit From A Stronger Environment

European banks have also outperformed, supported by resilient economic conditions, stable lending margins and increased merger activity across the sector.

Analysts say higher market volatility has also benefited investment banking businesses, contributing to stronger earnings across several major lenders.

Luxury And Automotive Stocks Lag Behind

Not every sector has shared in the rally. Luxury brands continue to face weaker demand from China and softer consumer spending, weighing on shares of companies such as LVMH, Hermès and Kering.

European automakers have also remained under pressure as slowing electric vehicle demand, rising competition from Chinese manufacturers and higher financing costs continue to challenge the industry.

A cybersecurity incident involving Apple supplier Tata Electronics has become part of China’s broader effort to defend its manufacturing ecosystem, as Beijing seeks to counter growing attempts by global companies to diversify production beyond the country.

Although Tata Electronics said the incident did not disrupt operations, reports suggest the leaked data may have included information related to Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. Apple has not commented on the reported breach.

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Supply Chains In Focus

The incident comes as Apple continues expanding production in India to reduce its reliance on China. Chinese state media has repeatedly argued that replicating the country’s manufacturing ecosystem elsewhere will be difficult, pointing to its scale and technical expertise.

More Than A Data Leak

Despite speculation online, technicians in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei electronics market told CNBC that leaked design documents alone are not enough to recreate an iPhone. While accessories can be copied, critical components such as chips and Apple’s software remain out of reach.

The episode underscores the growing challenges facing global technology companies as they balance supply chain diversification with cybersecurity, manufacturing expertise and geopolitical risk.

Tesla may still generate most of its revenue from selling vehicles, but the company’s messaging is increasingly centred on artificial intelligence and robotics rather than its core automotive business.

An analysis of Tesla’s earnings call transcripts from 2019 onwards shows CEO Elon Musk now spends nearly half of his speaking time discussing AI, robotaxis and Full Self-Driving technologies, reflecting the company’s broader shift toward positioning itself as an AI-driven technology business.

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AI Takes Centre Stage

The analysis, conducted by Hudson Labs using AI-powered financial research tools, found that Musk’s focus on AI-related topics has increased significantly over the past several years.

While discussions around autonomy typically accounted for around 15% to 20% of his remarks in 2022, they now make up nearly half of everything he says during earnings calls. At the same time, conversations about Tesla’s traditional automotive business have steadily declined.

Musk has repeatedly argued that Tesla should be valued as an AI company rather than a conventional automaker, pointing to autonomous driving as a key driver of the company’s long-term growth.

Optimus Becomes A Bigger Priority

Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, has also become a much larger part of the company’s public messaging.

Although the project was introduced in 2021, it received relatively little attention during its early stages. Over the past year, however, Musk has increasingly highlighted Optimus during earnings calls, reflecting Tesla’s growing emphasis on robotics as part of its long-term strategy.

A Different Message From Other Executives

Other senior executives continue to devote more attention to Tesla’s automotive operations than Musk does. Finance and engineering leaders still spend a significant share of earnings calls discussing vehicle production, manufacturing and sales, although AI and autonomous driving are becoming increasingly prominent topics across the leadership team.

More Than A Messaging Shift

The changing narrative comes as Tesla’s vehicle business faces slower growth and stronger competition from both established automakers and Chinese EV manufacturers.

While AI products such as Full Self-Driving, robotaxis and Optimus have yet to become major revenue drivers, they are playing an increasingly central role in how Tesla presents its long-term vision to investors.

Apple has launched a new legal challenge against the UK government’s attempt to gain access to encrypted customer data, reigniting debate over the balance between privacy, encryption and national security.

At the centre of the case are requests made under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, which allows authorities to require technology companies to assist law enforcement under specific legal conditions. Apple confirmed it had filed the challenge but declined to comment further.

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A Renewed Privacy Dispute

This latest legal action follows a long-running disagreement between Apple and the UK government over access to encrypted cloud data. Earlier requests reportedly extended beyond British users, prompting concerns in the United States about privacy and the potential reach of foreign government orders.

More recent reports suggest UK authorities are now seeking access specifically to the encrypted data of British users.

Apple’s Position

Apple has consistently argued that weakening encryption would compromise the security of all users. Company executives have repeatedly said Apple will never build a backdoor or universal access mechanism into its products, maintaining that strong encryption remains one of the most effective safeguards against cyberattacks and data breaches.

Earlier this year, Advanced Data Protection (ADP) was withdrawn for new users in the UK following regulatory pressure, while existing users are also expected to lose access to the feature over time.

The UK’s Position

Officials at the Home Office maintain that strong encryption can coexist with lawful access for investigators. According to the department, requests made under the Investigatory Powers Act are intended to support investigations into terrorism, serious crime and child exploitation, while remaining subject to judicial oversight.

A Global Debate Over Encryption

Beyond the UK, the case reflects a broader debate over encrypted communications and digital privacy. Governments continue to argue that access to encrypted data is essential for law enforcement, while technology companies warn that introducing exceptional access mechanisms would weaken security for every user, regardless of where they live.

Cyprus has introduced a new national online platform designed to help citizens improve their financial knowledge and make more informed decisions about managing money.

Developed by the Cyprus Financial Literacy and Education Committee (CyFLEC), moneypedia.cy is one of the flagship initiatives under the country’s National Strategy for Financial Literacy and Financial Education. The platform brings together practical financial guidance, educational resources and interactive tools in a single digital hub.

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Practical Financial Guidance

The portal is designed for users at different stages of life, including students, young professionals, families, entrepreneurs and retirees. Its content covers a wide range of everyday financial topics, from budgeting and saving to borrowing, investing, insurance and retirement planning.

Visitors can also access financial calculators, educational videos, quizzes and practical guides aimed at helping users better understand personal finance and make more confident financial decisions.

Part Of A National Strategy

The project was funded by the Central Bank of Cyprus through the Ministry of Finance with support from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

According to CyFLEC, the platform will continue to expand with new educational materials, digital tools and resources as part of Cyprus’ long-term financial literacy strategy.

Supporting Better Financial Decisions

Commenting on the launch, Central Bank Governor and CyFLEC Chair Christodoulos Patsalides described the portal as an investment in strengthening financial education across Cyprus. He said the initiative aims to equip people with the knowledge and practical tools needed to manage their finances with greater confidence and responsibility.

Jeff Bezos has disclosed plans to sell approximately $4.1 billion worth of Amazon shares after the company’s stock reached a record high following stronger-than-expected quarterly results.

A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows the Amazon founder intends to sell around 15 million shares under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted in November 2025. According to the filing, the transactions were executed through Morgan Stanley on Monday.

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Sale Follows Strong Earnings

The planned sale comes after Amazon shares climbed to an all-time high, lifting the company’s market capitalisation above $3 trillion.

Investor sentiment strengthened after Amazon reported better-than-expected second-quarter results, supported by continued growth in its cloud computing business. The performance reinforced confidence that the company’s investments in artificial intelligence are driving increased demand across AWS.

Despite the positive earnings, Amazon shares fell more than 2% in early trading on Tuesday following the disclosure.

Part Of An Ongoing Trading Plan

Bezos has regularly sold Amazon shares through pre-arranged trading plans while remaining one of the company’s largest shareholders.

The SEC filing also disclosed that he donated more than 220,000 shares to charitable organisations in May. Those shares may have been sold during the following months.

Amazon stock has gained around 23% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500, which has risen approximately 11% over the same period.

Palantir shares climbed about 20% after the software company reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter results, driven by rising demand for AI platforms that allow organisations to deploy artificial intelligence while keeping sensitive data under their own control.

The company reported quarterly revenue of $1.94 billion, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $1.8 billion. Commercial revenue increased 149% year over year to $764 million, while government revenue rose 90% to $809 million.

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Demand For AI Sovereignty

Palantir attributed much of its growth to increasing demand for AI sovereignty, as businesses and public sector organisations seek to adopt artificial intelligence without relying entirely on external model providers.

Its software enables customers to integrate AI into their own systems and data environments while maintaining greater control over security, governance and infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer Alex Karp said the company is seeing growing interest from organisations looking to build AI capabilities while retaining ownership of their data.

Raising Full-Year Outlook

Following the strong quarter, Palantir increased its full-year guidance, forecasting revenue of between $8.15 billion and $8.16 billion. The company also expects commercial revenue to exceed $3.42 billion this year.

The updated outlook reflects continued momentum across both its enterprise and government businesses as AI adoption accelerates.

A Broader Enterprise Trend

Palantir’s results reflect a wider shift in enterprise AI. As organisations expand the use of generative AI, many are prioritising platforms that allow them to deploy multiple AI models while keeping sensitive information within their own environments rather than sharing it directly with external providers.

The trend is becoming an increasingly important driver of enterprise software spending, particularly among organisations operating in highly regulated industries or managing critical infrastructure.