Microsoft (MSFT.US) announced that, as part of its 'Frontier Transformation' initiative, Microsoft 365 E7 Frontier Suite, as a Wave 3 of Microsoft Copilot, will be officially launched in Hong Kong on 1 May.

Microsoft 365 E7 integrates Microsoft 365 Copilot, Work IQ and Agent 365, while featuring enterprise-grade security, identity management and AI agent governance capabilities.

AIA (01299.HK) is leveraging Microsoft’s AI platform to implement a comprehensive agentic AI strategy across its operations, encompassing AI agent-powered product training, sales object management & knowledge access, automated claims processing and customer self-service.
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Apple (AAPL.US) announced a major leadership transition after market closed on Monday (20th), BofA Securities issued a research report saying. Tim Cook will become Executive Chairman of the Board, while John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will succeed as CEO, effective 1 September 2026.

The broker believed that the move signals positively for Apple's long-term vision, as Ternus has worked at Apple for more than 20 years and previously led hardware development across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro.

BofA Securities viewed Cook's continuation as Chairman and his ongoing engagement with global policymakers as a positive sign for a smooth transition.

2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of iPhone and could be a big product year, BofA Securities added. The broker estimated the transition to proceed smoothly, similar to Apple's previous senior leadership changes. Therefore, BofA Securities kept rating at Buy on Apple, with a target price of US$325.
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Tesla (TSLA.US) is set to release its 1Q26 results this week, and investors are likely to lay their eyes on the progress of the company's robotaxi deployment, BofA Securities wrote in its report.

Last Saturday, BofA Securities expressed that it was encouraged by Tesla's announcement that it had expanded its robotaxi services to Dallas and Houston, bringing the total number of deployed cities to four, a step closer to its target of reaching nine cities in 1H26.

BofA Securities also predicts investor attention to go to the progress in scaling up production of the Optimus humanoid robot, which forms a key component of Tesla's USD20 billion capital expenditure plan for this year. While the broker doesn't expect Optimus to make a meaningful contribution in the near term, it still sees substantial long-term potential.

Tesla's rating remains Buy, alongside a target price of USD460. BofA Securities believes the company is in the early stages of monetizing its autonomous driving capabilities.
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Amid investor concerns that the US and Iran may fail to reach a peace agreement before Wednesday's ceasefire deadline, US equities headed south following early gains on Tuesday. The DJIA ended the day down 293 points or 0.6% at 49,149. The S&P 500 declined 45 points or 0.6% to close at 7,064. The Nasdaq dropped 144 points or 0.6%, closing at 24,259.

UnitedHealth (UNH.US) crossed the finish line up 7%. It delivered forecast-beating results for 1Q26 and raised earnings guidance. Amazon (AMZN.US) inched 0.7% higher. It announced plans to invest up to an additional USD25 billion in AI company Anthropic. 3M (MMM.US) receded 2% post-results. It maintained its full-year earnings guidance unchanged.
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PixVerse, an AI video startup backed by BABA-W (09988.HK), is considering an IPO in Hong Kong as early as this year, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying.

It is reported that PixVerse is working with banks including CICC and JPMorgan to prepare for the listing. However, details like the final timing and valuation may change.

PixVerse raised US$300 million in a Series C financing round this year, with a valuation exceeding US$1 billion. The company is one of several startups developing AI video systems for advertising, entertainment and social media. Its competitors include OpenAI, ByteDance's Seedance and Alphabet (GOOGL.US).
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JP Morgan issued a research report stating that Apple (AAPL.US) Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus will succeed Tim Cook as CEO, while Cook will transition to Executive Chairman on September 1 and continue to support the company's communication and engagement with global policymakers.

The broker viewed the announcement positively, noting that companies are endeavoring to develop smartphones and next-generation product form factors amid intensifying market competition, which are expected to become key carriers for the broad application of AI.

Meanwhile, Apple's elevation of a senior executive focused on products and hardware to the CEO position is therefore significant. At the same time, Apple can continue to benefit from Cook's leadership at the global policy level. The broker assigned an Overweight rating to Apple.
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Apple (AAPL.US) announced on Monday that John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will succeed Tim Cook as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Cook will transition to the role of Executive Chairman on September 1.

Cook, who has served as CEO since 2011, will continue in his current capacity until the end of the summer. During this period, he will work closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
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The US seized an Iran-flagged cargo vessel over the weekend, heightening geopolitical risks. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 rebounded to a record high last week, and the three major US stock indices edged lower on Monday.

The Nasdaq dipped only 0.3%, or 64 points, to close at 24,404, snapping its 13-day winning streak. The S&P 500 declined 16 points, or 0.2%, to 7,109. The DJIA lost 4 points to 49,442.

However, small-cap stocks outperformed. The Russell 2000 rose 0.6% to 2,792, marking a record closing high, and touched an all-time high intraday.

Software shares advanced, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF gaining more than 1%. Tesla (TSLA.US) dived nearly 2%, while Intel (INTC.US) dropped 4%.
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Regarding hearsay that Tesla (TSLA.US) is set to churn out robots in Shanghai, Securities Times learned from Tesla China that the company currently has no specific plan to mass produce robots at its Shanghai Gigafactory, describing reports claiming that Tesla is about to mass produce robots in Shanghai as incorrect information.
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Meta (META.US) plans to launch its first wave of large-scale layoffs this year on 20 May, with more job cuts later, Reuters quoted sources as saying.

The first round of layoff will reduce about 10% of the Company's global workforce, affecting nearly 8,000 employees, sources noted. The Company also plans further layoffs in 2H26, although specific details such as timing and scale have yet to be finalized. Executives may adjust their plans depending on developments in AI technology.

Earlier reports indicated that Meta was planning to lay off 20% or more of its global workforce.
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