Custom AI chips could drive manufacturer diversification.

One of the largest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence boom has been chipmaker Nvidia, whose graphics-processing units (GPUs) were a natural fit for many machine learning applications. However, with efficiency becoming a larger focus for many AI-focused companies, custom auxiliary procession unit (XPU) chipsets that are less expensive to use are gaining favor. This could open doors for other manufacturers to gain market share.

Changing rules are opening up Japanese merger activity.

New guidelines from the Japanese government require company boards to consider the best benefits of shareholders when weighing takeover offers. That’s typical Western corporate governance, but it’s a departure from Japanese norms. Several companies were purchased in 2024 under this guidance, but the effects could go beyond mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Some companies have initiated buyback plans to increase their share value and make outside purchases more expensive.

Beer is well-positioned to outshine spirits in the U.S.

After a strong run powered by purchases during COVID-19 lockdowns, spirits could give up the top shelf to the humble brew. With consumers showing signs of trading down, beer’s generally lower prices are increasingly wooing drinkers. And with the yearslong shelf life of liquor, many buyers found that their pandemic purchases were more than enough to keep home bars well stocked. Beer, conversely, generally only lasts for a few months — meaning turnover favors brewers.

Japanese IT firms are benefiting from a belated tech push.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Japanese firms realized that they had neglected their information technology infrastructure. As a result, IT spending has surged there in recent years, giving domestic technology companies a significant boost. With digitalization and automation being driven by ongoing labor shortages as new technologies continue to roll out — notably cloud computing and AI — this spending surge could be sustained.