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China’s EV Market Faces Sharp Slowdown as BYD Hits Nearly Two-Year Low in January Sales

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China’s electric vehicle sector, long a global growth engine, showed clear signs of strain in January 2026, with leading player BYD reporting its lowest monthly domestic sales in nearly two years amid weakening consumer demand, policy shifts, and intensifying price competition.

The slowdown reflects broader challenges in the world’s largest auto market, where overcapacity, subsidy reductions, and economic headwinds are testing the industry’s resilience.

BYD sold 83,249 battery electric passenger vehicles in January 2026, part of a total 205,518 new energy vehicles (including plug-in hybrids)—the lowest monthly domestic figure since February 2024’s 121,748 units. Exports also declined to 100,482 vehicles from 133,172 in December. The company, which overtook Tesla as the world’s top battery-electric vehicle seller in 2025 with 2.26 million units (up 28% year-on-year), has yet to disclose a full-year domestic sales target for 2026. It projects overseas sales growth of nearly 25% to 1.3 million units, signaling a strategic pivot toward international markets.

At least six major Chinese EV brands reported sharp month-on-month delivery declines in January, according to CNBC analysis. Xiaomi delivered over 39,000 vehicles, down from more than 50,000 in December, though up year-on-year. Xpeng fell to 20,011, after averaging over 35,000 monthly in 2025. Li Auto dropped to 27,668, and Nio reported 27,182. Aito (Huawei-backed) delivered over 40,000 units (up 80% year-on-year), while Leapmotor rose to 32,059. Geely, including Galaxy and Zeekr brands, sold more than 270,000 vehicles overall (including exports), with new energy vehicle sales targeted at 2.22 million for 2026 (up 32%).

The broader market echoed the weakness. China Passenger Car Association data showed new energy vehicle sales (battery and hybrid) grew just 2.6% year-on-year in December 2025—the third consecutive month of slowing growth. This contrasts with the sector’s explosive trajectory: by mid-2024, over half of new passenger cars sold in China were new energy vehicles, and BYD’s 2025 dominance underscored China’s lead in EV production and exports.

Key pressures include:

  • Policy Headwinds: On January 1, 2026, China reinstated a 5% purchase tax on new energy vehicles after more than a decade of full exemption from the 10% vehicle purchase tax. This change has prompted some consumers to delay purchases, with analysts expecting further moderation in early 2026 demand. Helen Liu, partner at Bain & Company, noted: “We see increasing pressure on China’s auto market in 2026, driven by a combination of policy and competitive factors.” Policy uncertainty and subsidy phase-outs have also made automakers more cautious about new model launches.
  • Intense Price Competition: A prolonged price war among domestic players has squeezed margins while pushing feature-rich vehicles at lower prices. Geely’s Galaxy EV and other low-end models have eroded BYD’s dominance in its traditional price segments. Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights, observed: “BYD has had a stellar run at the top and it’s impressive how long they’ve been able to hold off their domestic competitors… Companies like Geely with its Xingyuan have really taken sales on the low end, where BYD’s bread is buttered.”
  • Economic Context: China’s economy continues to face headwinds from a prolonged real estate slump (once contributing ~25% of GDP), weak consumer confidence, and slowing growth. The auto sector, supporting over 30 million jobs (more than 10% of urban employment), remains a critical pillar. Fitch Ratings economist Alex Muscatelli noted that while autos represent only 3.7% of fixed asset investment (versus real estate’s 23%), further deterioration could prompt Beijing to reinstate subsidies. Industry observers, including Cameron Johnson of Tidalwave Solutions, expect potential policy support after Q1 data clarifies the slowdown’s depth.
  • Overcapacity and Exports: Massive investment has led to oversupply, depressing prices and prompting consolidation. Many producers have expanded overseas to offset domestic weakness, though global tariffs and trade tensions limit opportunities.

Despite the challenges, there are still some bright spots. Aito, Leapmotor, and Nio posted year-on-year delivery gains, while Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan remains popular ahead of an April upgrade. BYD continues to invest in charging infrastructure, energy storage, and intelligent driving, positioning itself for long-term leadership.

Tu Le expects BYD to retain dominance both domestically and internationally. China’s top leaders will release 2026 policy targets at the annual parliamentary meeting in March. With Q1 data still volatile due to the Lunar New Year holiday (which shifts annually), the full extent of the slowdown will become clearer later in the year.

Alibaba, Tencent, and Volcano Engine integrate OpenClaw as Big Tech Embraces Always-On AI Agents

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The viral AI agent OpenClaw, previously known as Clawdbot and later Moltbot, is gaining rapid traction in China, where major technology companies have begun integrating the tool into their cloud and workplace ecosystems, accelerating its adoption among developers and everyday users.

Its fast-growing adoption in China, backed by integrations from some of the country’s largest technology companies, is turning it into a live test case for how autonomous AI agents could reshape digital work, cloud computing, and enterprise software — even as concerns around data security and governance remain unresolved.

Over the past week, Chinese tech heavyweights, including Tencent, Alibaba, and Volcano Engine, ByteDance’s cloud services arm, have moved quickly to integrate OpenClaw into their platforms, according to Business Insider. These integrations make it significantly easier for Chinese users to deploy the agent in production environments, connect it to everyday workplace tools, and run it continuously as a digital assistant embedded inside familiar ecosystems such as Alibaba’s DingTalk and Tencent Holdings’ WeCom.

The speed of adoption underscores a broader shift underway in China’s AI landscape. Rather than focusing only on foundation models, cloud providers are now racing to position themselves as infrastructure layers for autonomous agents that can act, decide, and execute tasks across multiple applications. For Tencent Cloud and Alibaba Cloud, offering preconfigured OpenClaw deployments is not just about supporting a popular tool, but about keeping developers inside their ecosystems at a time when competition among cloud providers has intensified.

OpenClaw’s appeal lies in its ambition. Unlike chatbots designed for single interactions, the agent is built to run around the clock, maintain context across tasks, and interact with a wide range of consumer and enterprise applications. Users have demonstrated it by managing schedules, supervising coding sessions, coordinating workflows, and performing repetitive digital labor that would otherwise require constant human input. In effect, it markets itself as something closer to an “AI employee” than a productivity add-on.

That framing has resonated strongly with Chinese users, particularly among developers, founders, and content creators who see automation as a way to offset rising labor costs and intense competition. On Chinese social media platforms such as RedNote, OpenClaw demos and tutorials have proliferated, often framed as glimpses into a near future where small teams can scale output dramatically using autonomous agents. Posts highlighting “24/7 proactive assistants” and “digital coworkers” have attracted thousands of likes and saves, suggesting curiosity that goes beyond niche technical circles.

The enthusiasm mirrors earlier waves of AI adoption in the United States, but with a distinctly Chinese twist. As in the U.S., users are buying Mac Minis to run the agent locally, valuing their performance and stability. At the same time, China’s powerful cloud platforms are accelerating adoption by abstracting away much of the technical complexity, allowing even less experienced users to deploy OpenClaw with minimal setup.

Yet the rapid embrace of the agent has also surfaced deeper concerns, particularly around security and data governance. To function as a cross-app assistant, OpenClaw typically requires extensive permissions, including access to files, login credentials, browser activity, and network resources. Volcano Engine acknowledged these risks directly, warning developers to deploy the agent in isolated environments, avoid sensitive data, and carefully manage access to cloud servers and API keys.

Cybersecurity experts have gone further, cautioning that agents like OpenClaw are especially vulnerable to “prompt injections,” where hidden instructions embedded in content can manipulate an AI into leaking data or performing unauthorized actions. The always-on nature of such agents, combined with their broad access, raises the stakes of any successful exploit. Some Chinese users have echoed these fears publicly, warning that careless deployment could expose personal or corporate data to significant risk.

Despite these warnings, adoption has not slowed. That tension reflects a familiar dynamic in China’s tech sector, where experimentation often runs ahead of regulation. While Chinese authorities have imposed strict rules on generative AI models, autonomous agents that operate as productivity tools currently occupy a more ambiguous regulatory space. This gray area has allowed cloud providers and developers to move quickly, even as questions remain about accountability if an agent causes financial loss, data leakage, or compliance violations.

OpenClaw’s rise also fits into a larger global trend: the shift from AI as a passive tool to AI as an active participant in digital systems. Venture capitalists have increasingly argued that agents capable of executing multi-step tasks will unlock new layers of productivity and value. China’s embrace of OpenClaw suggests that this vision is not confined to Silicon Valley, but is becoming a shared frontier in the global AI race.

However, supporting OpenClaw may also carry strategic implications for China’s tech giants. Companies can reduce reliance on foreign AI ecosystems while still tapping into global innovation by integrating popular open or semi-open agents into domestic cloud platforms and pairing them with local models such as Alibaba’s Qwen series. At the same time, widespread deployment of such agents generates valuable feedback and usage data that could inform the next generation of proprietary AI products.

It is not yet clear whether OpenClaw will ultimately become a lasting fixture or a stepping stone toward more tightly controlled, enterprise-grade agents. What is already evident is that its rapid adoption in China has exposed both the appetite for autonomous AI and the unresolved risks that come with it.

UAC Lists N54.03bn Bond on FMDQ as It Pivots to Long-Term Funding and FMCG Integration

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UAC of Nigeria Plc has listed its N54.03 billion Series 1, seven-year, 17.35% fixed-rate bond on the FMDQ Securities Exchange, marking a significant step in the conglomerate’s push to secure long-term funding from Nigeria’s domestic debt capital market at a time of tight liquidity and elevated interest rates.

The decision is believed to carry wider implications beyond the immediate funding raise, offering a window into how large Nigerian corporates are recalibrating strategy in a high-rate, low-liquidity environment.

At a macro level, the timing of the issuance is notable. Nigeria’s monetary conditions remain tight, with benchmark interest rates elevated and credit conditions restrictive. In such an environment, many corporates have either delayed capital market activity or relied heavily on short-term bank facilities.

UAC’s ability to attract institutional investors into a seven-year instrument suggests that appetite still exists for long-dated corporate paper where issuers have a credible operating history, diversified revenue streams, and a clear capital allocation plan. For pension funds and insurance firms in particular, the bond offers duration, yield certainty, and exposure to a consumer-facing conglomerate at a time when sovereign yields dominate portfolios.

The bond also reflects a deliberate shift in UAC’s funding mix. Historically, Nigerian conglomerates have leaned on shorter-tenor bank loans, exposing them to refinancing risk and interest rate volatility. By locking in fixed-rate funding for seven years, UAC is insulating part of its balance sheet from future rate swings while matching liabilities more closely with the long gestation periods typical of manufacturing, FMCG expansion, and real estate development. This alignment becomes especially important as the group absorbs C.H.I. Limited, where investments in capacity expansion, distribution, and brand building tend to yield returns over multiple years rather than quarters.

From an operational standpoint, the proceeds give UAC flexibility at a critical integration phase. C.H.I. operates in highly competitive FMCG categories such as dairy, juice, and snacks, where scale, efficiency, and working capital discipline matter. Refinancing existing obligations and strengthening working capital could help stabilize cash flows, improve supplier terms, and support distribution reach, particularly as consumer demand remains under pressure from inflation and weak purchasing power. The bond, therefore, functions not just as balance sheet support, but as a buffer that allows management to focus on execution rather than near-term liquidity stress.

There is also a signaling effect on the market. By successfully issuing under its N150 billion debt programme, UAC is effectively testing and validating investor confidence in its post-acquisition story. The company has spent recent years reshaping its portfolio, exiting some legacy businesses while doubling down on food, beverages, and consumer services. The consolidation of UAC Food and Beverage Company Limited into C.H.I. Limited reinforces that shift, moving the group decisively from acquisition mode into integration and operational optimization. Investors buying into the bond are implicitly endorsing that transition.

For the broader Nigerian capital market, the transaction reinforces FMDQ’s role as a platform for corporate capital formation at a time when equity markets have struggled with volatility and muted foreign participation. Each successful corporate bond listing helps deepen the domestic yield curve, improve price discovery, and gradually reduce the economy’s dependence on bank-dominated financing. FMDQ’s framing of the deal around industrial growth and job creation is not incidental, as access to longer-term capital remains one of the key constraints facing manufacturers and consumer goods producers.

Looking ahead, the bond could also shape UAC’s future funding strategy. A smooth post-listing performance and stable secondary market trading would strengthen the company’s case for subsequent tranches under the N150 billion programme, potentially at improved pricing if macro conditions ease. Conversely, execution risks around FMCG integration, cost pressures, or consumer demand could test investor patience, making operational delivery over the next two to three years critical.

In sum, the N54.03 billion bond is more than a routine listing. Analysts see it as a strategic bet by UAC on long-term capital, disciplined integration, and the resilience of Nigeria’s consumer economy, while offering investors exposure to a restructured conglomerate seeking to convert balance sheet strength into sustainable growth.

Best Presale Coins Right Now That Could Deliver Huge Gains: ZKP Crypto, DeepSnitch AI, IPO Genie, & Digitap

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As market participants look ahead to 2026, attention is shifting toward best presale coins right now that combine AI use cases, fintech tools, and real-world demand. Several early-stage projects are gaining traction by solving specific problems across privacy, analytics, deal discovery, and payments. These include Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), DeepSnitch AI, IPO Genie, and Digitap, each operating in a different segment of the crypto economy.

Instead of following hype alone, many buyers are comparing how these best presale coins right now differ in structure, supply models, and long-term purpose. Some platforms focus on data insights and user rewards, while others rely on limited supply mechanics and advanced cryptography. Reviewing these differences carefully helps clarify which presales may align better with future market cycles.

1.  ZKP: Privacy-Focused AI Infrastructure With Tightening Supply

Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is gaining attention as one of the best presale coins right now due to its focus on AI privacy and controlled supply mechanics. The presale auction is active, and interest continues to rise as more participants recognize the value of early access. As AI systems increasingly process sensitive personal and business data, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) allows computations to occur without revealing private details, addressing a growing privacy concern.

A defining feature of ZKP is the way its presale auction enforces scarcity through a structured stage system. The model spans 17 stages, where daily coin availability steadily drops from 200 million in Stage 1 to only 40 million by Stage 17. This represents an 80% reduction in daily supply, pushing more demand toward fewer available coins over time.

Market observers often highlight this supply design when discussing high return estimates. Stage 1 released around 11.8 billion coins, while Stage 2 reduced that figure to roughly 4.75 billion. Each later stage tightens availability further, increasing competition as participation grows. This gradual restriction is what analysts connect to projections reaching as high as 600x over the long term.

Timing remains critical for those tracking the best presale coins right now. Stage 2 is live, and the move toward Stage 3 will introduce even lower allocations. Entering earlier allows access before supply pressure reaches its strongest point in later years. Delaying participation may result in exposure only after scarcity has already pushed prices higher.

2.  DeepSnitch AI: Data Analytics Tools With Reward Structure

DeepSnitch AI ranks among the best presale coins right now for users interested in analytics-based crypto insights. The platform develops AI agents such as SnitchFeed and SnitchScan, which examine on-chain and market data to highlight trends and activity patterns. These tools aim to support more informed decision-making through structured data review.

Alongside analytics access, DeepSnitch AI includes a staking system that lets holders lock coins over time in exchange for rewards. This approach lowers available circulating supply while encouraging longer holding periods. By delaying its public release, the project provides early users with access to analytics features while they accumulate staking returns. The model blends data usage with supply control in a measured way.

3.  IPO Genie: Early Deal Discovery Using AI

IPO Genie is positioned as one of the best presale coins right now for those focused on early deal visibility. The platform uses AI-driven systems to gather and sort information related to upcoming IPOs and early-stage opportunities that are often difficult for individuals to track independently.

Rather than covering broad markets, IPO Genie concentrates on deal timing and access. Its usefulness tends to increase during periods when IPO activity is strong and consistent. Platform performance depends largely on the quality of available opportunities and the overall health of public listing markets at any given time.

4.  Digitap: Payment Utility With Fintech Integration

Digitap appears among the best presale coins right now due to its focus on crypto payment use. The project is developing a fintech app paired with a Visa card, allowing users to spend digital assets for everyday purchases. This setup connects crypto balances with standard payment networks accepted by merchants worldwide.

Operating within a competitive payments segment, Digitap follows a multi-stage presale auction for distribution. Its main goal centers on usability, enabling simple conversion and spending in real-life situations. Growth relies on adoption levels, card usage, and how well the platform distinguishes itself from similar payment services.

Final Say

Each project discussed brings a different approach. DeepSnitch AI emphasizes analytics and reward systems, IPO Genie focuses on early deal access, and Digitap works toward everyday payment use. Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), however, combines AI privacy infrastructure with a shrinking supply model that continues to draw attention.

Daily availability drops sharply across stages, while new participants continue to enter the presale auction. With Stage 2 active and Stage 3 approaching, pressure from limited supply is increasing. Among the best presale coins right now, ZKP stands out due to its structured scarcity and growing interest, making timing a key factor for those monitoring long-term potential.

Wall Street Retreats as AI Trade Falters, Valuation Fears Trigger Rotation Out of Big Tech

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U.S. stocks closed mostly lower on Wednesday as a sharp sell-off in technology and artificial intelligence-linked names rekindled concerns that Wall Street’s powerful AI-driven rally may be losing momentum.

Losses in Advanced Micro Devices, Palantir, and Nvidia dragged on the broader market, with investors increasingly uneasy about lofty valuations and growing signs of divergence between market expectations and near-term earnings reality. The pullback came even as parts of the market outside high-growth technology continued to attract steady inflows.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.51% to 6,882.72, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.51% to 22,904.58, reflecting concentrated weakness in growth and tech-heavy names. The Dow Jones Industrial Average bucked the trend, rising 0.53% to 49,501.30, supported by gains in non-tech sectors and select defensive stocks.

Semiconductors were at the center of the day’s turbulence. AMD plunged 17% after issuing quarterly revenue guidance that disappointed investors and raised fresh questions about its ability to close the gap with Nvidia, the dominant force in AI chips. Nvidia itself fell 3.4%, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped 4.4%, underscoring the broad pressure across the sector.

Palantir slumped nearly 12%, giving back much of the sharp gains it recorded a day earlier following strong quarterly sales. The reversal highlighted the fragile sentiment around AI-related stocks, where strong fundamentals are increasingly being weighed against stretched valuations and aggressive expectations baked into share prices.

“The size of the infrastructure buildout is unprecedented, and the pace of consumers and businesses adopting AI tools is also unprecedented,” said Jed Ellerbroek, a portfolio manager at Argent Capital in St. Louis. “The stock market is having a really hard time knowing where to price the stocks and what the future looks like. The market is suddenly skeptical and concerned about it.”

Alphabet added to the cautious tone ahead of its quarterly earnings, with shares falling nearly 2% during the regular session. After the close, the stock rebounded about 2% after the company said it was aggressively ramping up spending as it deepens its push into artificial intelligence, reinforcing the view that Big Tech’s capital expenditure cycle is far from over, even if near-term returns remain uncertain.

Software stocks also extended recent declines as investors reassessed how rapidly advancing AI tools could disrupt established players. Snowflake fell 4.6%, while Datadog lost 3.3%, reflecting broader anxiety about whether legacy software models can adapt quickly enough.

“If you’ve got legacy software that’s old and clunky, you’re a ripe target for AI,” said Josh Chastant, portfolio manager for public investments at GuideStone Funds. “We’re a bit bearish on software in general, with the whole impetus of AI.”

Despite the weakness in headline indexes, market internals pointed to an ongoing rotation rather than a broad-based sell-off. Investors continued shifting out of expensive growth stocks into cheaper, more cyclical or defensive names that largely missed the tech rally of recent years. The S&P 500 value index rose for a fifth straight session, while the S&P 500 growth index fell again.

That rotation was evident at the sector level. Seven of the S&P 500’s 11 sectors ended the day higher, led by energy, which gained 2.25%, followed by a 1.8% rise in materials. Those gains helped cushion losses in the broader index even as tech-heavy areas struggled.

Trading activity was elevated, with 24.6 billion shares changing hands on U.S. exchanges, well above the 20-session average of 19.9 billion shares, suggesting heightened conviction behind the day’s moves.

Not all AI-related names were under pressure. Super Micro Computer surged 13.8% after raising its annual revenue forecast, citing sustained demand for its AI-optimized servers as companies continue to ramp up data center capacity. The move highlighted that, even within the AI ecosystem, investors are becoming more selective, rewarding companies delivering clear, near-term growth.

Healthcare also provided support. Eli Lilly shares jumped about 10% after the drugmaker forecast 2026 profit above Wall Street expectations, helping to limit broader market losses.

On the macro front, investors continued to digest mixed signals from the labor market. The government’s closely watched January jobs report was delayed due to a four-day partial government shutdown that ended on Tuesday. In the meantime, the ADP national employment report showed U.S. private payroll growth came in below expectations, with job losses in professional and business services and manufacturing, adding another layer of uncertainty to the economic outlook.

Market breadth remained positive within the S&P 500, where advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a roughly 2.6-to-one ratio. The index posted 93 new highs and 23 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 218 new highs and 318 new lows, reflecting the uneven nature of the current market.

Overall, Wednesday’s session underscored a market grappling with the next phase of the AI trade: balancing undeniable long-term potential against near-term valuation risks, earnings execution, and the growing likelihood that gains will become harder to sustain at the pace seen over the past year.