Key Takeaways
- NVIDIA (NVDA) and Yotta Data ink a landmark $2 billion deal to deploy 20,736 liquid-cooled Blackwell Ultra GPUs in India, set to go live by August 2026.
- Gold prices surged approximately 1% to reach $4,924.30 per ounce, marking a significant milestone as investors continue to seek safe-haven assets.
- U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed progress in Ukraine-Russia peace talks following a third trilateral meeting aimed at pursuing a formal agreement.
- JPMorgan issued several price target updates, notably raising Labcorp (LH) to $330 and Valmont Industries (VMI) to $510.
- Japan’s transport ministry will ban in-flight phone charging from battery packs starting in April 2026 to mitigate fire risks, according to NHK.
In a massive expansion of India's sovereign AI capabilities, Yotta Data Services has entered into a four-year engagement with NVIDIA (NVDA) valued at over $2 billion. The deal involves the deployment of 20,736 liquid-cooled NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs at Yotta’s Greater Noida data center. This infrastructure is expected to be fully operational by August 2026, positioning the facility as a central hub for high-performance AI compute in the region.
Financial markets saw significant movement as Gold climbed roughly 1% to $4,924.30 per ounce. The precious metal continues to benefit from heightened global uncertainty and inflationary pressures, maintaining its status as a primary hedge for institutional and retail investors.
JPMorgan analysts were active this morning, revising price targets across several sectors. The firm lifted its target for Labcorp (LH) to $330 from $319 and raised Valmont Industries (VMI) to $510 from $480. Conversely, the bank lowered its target for Novonesis (NSIS-B) to DKK 540 from DKK 560, while slightly increasing the target for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to $162 from $160.
On the geopolitical front, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy, announced that the United States facilitated a third trilateral meeting between representatives from Ukraine and Russia. Witkoff noted that both nations have agreed to update their respective leaders and continue pursuing a formal agreement. The talks, held in Geneva, represent a critical diplomatic effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict as its fourth anniversary approaches.
In the technology and media sector, Perplexity AI has reportedly decided to drop its advertising program. According to the Financial Times, the company warned that integrating ads could damage user trust in AI-generated search results. This pivot marks a significant shift in the startup's monetization strategy as it prioritizes user experience over traditional ad revenue models.
Finally, aviation safety regulations are set to tighten in Japan. The transport ministry, as reported by NHK, will ban the use of portable battery packs for in-flight phone charging starting in April 2026. The move follows a series of incidents involving lithium-ion batteries overheating and aims to drastically reduce the risk of cabin fires during flight.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.