logo
Singapore Is Warning of a Recession: Here's What to Look For

Singapore Is Warning of a Recession: Here's What to Look For

Bloomberg24-05-2025

Each week we bring you insights into one of Asia's most dynamic economies. If you haven't yet, please sign up here.
This week, Swati Pandey considers the government's recent economic warning, while Ainslee Asokan looks at events in neighboring Malaysia that show an evolving trend as the tariff war begins to influence behavior.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is Quantum Computing (QUBT) Stock a Buy on This Bold Technological Breakthrough?
Is Quantum Computing (QUBT) Stock a Buy on This Bold Technological Breakthrough?

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Is Quantum Computing (QUBT) Stock a Buy on This Bold Technological Breakthrough?

Quantum computing stocks are heating up again, offering investors a front-row seat to what could be the next massive tech revolution. Even Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang, once skeptical about near-term adoption, recently said quantum computing was at an 'inflection point,' signaling a dramatic shift from his earlier stance that it was 'decades away.' Companies in this space are finally beginning to move from the research lab to real-world commercialization. Quantum Computing (QUBT) just hit a major milestone in that journey. The company announced the successful shipment of its first commercial entangled photon source to a South Korean research institution. This cutting-edge product is a foundational piece of QUBT's quantum cybersecurity platform, which won a 2024 Edison Award. The shipment not only showcases the company's ability to execute globally, but also underscores growing demand for integrated quantum solutions. CoreWeave Just Revealed the Largest-Ever Nvidia Blackwell GPU Cluster. Should You Buy CRWV Stock? AMD Is Gunning for Nvidia's AI Chip Throne. Should You Buy AMD Stock Now? The Saturday Spread: Statistical Signals Flash Green for CMG, TMUS and VALE Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! With real momentum behind it and a clear roadmap ahead, QUBT could be a high-risk, high-reward play for investors looking to capitalize on the coming wave of quantum adoption. Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, Quantum Computing is an integrated photonics company that focuses on the development of quantum machines for both commercial and government markets in the United States. The company specializes in thin-film lithium niobate chips. These chips are central to QUBT's mission of building quantum machines that operate at room temperature and require low power. Valued at $2.7 billion by market cap, QUBT shares have exploded over the past year, soaring more than 3,000%. However, the stock has cooled in 2025, rising just 17.4% year-to-date amid growing skepticism over the commercialization timeline for quantum technology. Following last year's sharp rally, QUBT's valuation has reached nosebleed territory, with a staggering price-sales ratio of 7,475x, far above the sector median. This suggests the stock is extremely overvalued compared to its industry peers. On May 16, Shares of QUBT popped nearly 40% in a single trading session after Quantum Computing reported Q1 results that illustrate both nascent revenue traction and the substantial investments required to advance its quantum photonics roadmap. The company recognized approximately $39,000 in revenue for the quarter, representing a 42.7% year-over-year increase from a similarly low base. However, this figure fell roughly 61% short of consensus forecasts, highlighting the early stage nature of commercial adoption. Gross margin contracted to 33.3% from 40.7% a year earlier, While net income was reported at nearly $17 million or $0.13 per share, beating the estimate of $0.08, it was driven primarily by a non-cash gain on the mark-to-market valuation of warrant-related derivative liabilities. Operating expenses rose to approximately $8.3 million, up from $6.3 million in the year-ago quarter, as the company expanded staffing and advanced its Quantum Photonic Chip Foundry in Tempe, Arizona. The balance sheet remains robust: cash and cash equivalents totaled about $166.4 million with no debt, providing a multi-year runway at current expenditure levels. Revenue divisions are still emerging, with initial sales tied to prototype devices, quantum cybersecurity platforms, and early foundry orders, but detailed segment reporting is limited given the infancy of commercial deployments. Looking ahead, management indicated they expect only modest photonic foundry revenue in the back half of 2025, with revenue likely to accelerate in 2026 as additional customers come online. Earlier this year, Quantum Computing disclosed collaborations with NASA's Langley Research Center and the Sanders Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute. These partnerships were formed to validate their quantum photonic technologies in demanding, real-world settings, removing sunlight noise from space-based LiDAR and enhancing drug discovery workflows. On May 12, Quantum Computing said it has completed its Quantum Photonic Chip Foundry in Tempe, Arizona, positioning it to meet demand in data communications and telecommunications. This facility enables scalable production of entangled photon sources, enhancing QCI's competitive standing against established photonics firms and emerging quantum hardware startups. The foundry's completion transitions R&D toward revenue generation. For now, only a single analyst covers QUBT stock, assigning it a 'Strong Buy' rating with a price target of $22, implying upside of 14%. For investors, QUBT remains a highly speculative stock with unique technology but limited commercial traction. Despite partnerships and bold claims, it lags far behind the commercial sucess of industry giants like International Business Machines (IBM) and Nvidia (NVDA). Without a clear path to profitability or a meaningful share of the market, its lofty valuation is difficult to justify in today's competitive and capital-sensitive environment. Lastly, investors should note that quantum computing stocks often move more on hype than fundamentals, making QUBT a highly speculative bet. On the date of publication, Nauman Khan did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on

This Toyota Outsold the Corolla Hybrid and RAV4 Put Together
This Toyota Outsold the Corolla Hybrid and RAV4 Put Together

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

This Toyota Outsold the Corolla Hybrid and RAV4 Put Together

Toyota has been a hybrid leader for years, blending efficiency and reliability into some of the most popular cars on the road. From compact sedans to family SUVs, their electrified lineup continues to resonate with fuel-conscious buyers. But 2025 is already rewriting the script. The usual best-sellers—the Corolla Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid—have been overtaken by an unexpected contender. This hybrid-only sedan has surged ahead, outselling both in the first quarter. If the momentum holds, it could mark a new era for Toyota's electrified future. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota and various other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed. In March 2025, Toyota moved an impressive 29,655 units of the Camry Hybrid—putting it well ahead of the pack. That single model outsold two of Toyota's usual hybrid heavy-hitters combined. The Corolla Hybrid notched 5,529 sales, and the RAV4 Hybrid added 14,524, bringing their total to 20,053. Even together, they couldn't close the gap. That's nearly 10,000 fewer units than the Camry Hybrid—a surprising margin. If you'd asked me which Toyota hybrid would be on top, I wouldn't have guessed this one. What makes the Camry's sales surge even more impressive is that Toyota's March numbers for the RAV4 include an extra 2,631 plug-in hybrids. Even with that boost, the RAV4 still couldn't close the gap. The Camry Hybrid, which doesn't even offer a plug-in option, managed to outsell the Corolla Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid combined. No fancy charging port—just solid, old-school hybrid dominance. With numbers like these, it's easy to imagine a plug-in Camry being a runaway success if Toyota ever built one. We're not holding our breath, but how cool would that be? In the first quarter of 2025, Toyota sold an impressive 70,281 Camry Hybrids, more than a quarter of all its electrified sales. Out of 255,915 hybrids, plug-ins, and EVs sold, the Camry Hybrid stands head and shoulders above the rest. That kind of sales volume puts the Camry in a league of its own. It's not just leading the pack; it's outselling every other electrified Toyota model by a wide margin. The Camry Hybrid's sales have skyrocketed this year, but there's a twist. Back in Q1 2024, Toyota sold just 8,986 Camry Hybrids, but that number jumped to 70,281 in the same period of 2025. March was especially wild, with sales leaping from 2,424 units last year to 29,655 this year. The secret? Toyota now offers the Camry exclusively as a hybrid, so every single Camry sale counts toward their electrified totals. For the first time ever, the 2025 Toyota Camry is offered exclusively as a hybrid. Toyota has dropped the traditional gas-only engines, signaling a serious push toward electrified driving. It's a bold move for a model that's been a longtime bestseller, but the payoff is clear. By going hybrid-only, Toyota has made the Camry simpler, more efficient, and affordable, without cutting corners on performance. Even with the switch to hybrid-only, the 2025 Camry keeps its pricing competitive across all four trims. You can get into the base LE for $28,700, while the sportier SE starts at $31,000. If you want a bit more luxury, the XLE comes in at $33,700, and the top-tier XSE kicks off at $34,900. For a midsize sedan that delivers great fuel economy, advanced safety, and a comfy, tech-packed interior, the Camry offers solid value. Fuel efficiency has always been a major draw for the Camry Hybrid, and the 2025 model keeps that momentum going strong. The front-wheel-drive LE shines with an EPA-estimated 53 MPG city and 51 MPG combined, letting you cover up to 663 miles on a single tank. Even the all-wheel-drive LE isn't far behind, delivering an impressive 50 MPG combined and about 650 miles of range. That means whether you stick to two wheels or go all out, the Camry Hybrid keeps you going longer between fill-ups. The SE, XLE, and XSE trims dial back fuel economy a bit in exchange for extra features and stylish upgrades, but they still deliver solid efficiency. Front-wheel-drive versions hit around 47 MPG combined with a range of about 611 miles. All-wheel-drive models get between 44 and 46 MPG combined, offering roughly 572 to 598 miles before you need to stop for gas. With fuel prices always fluctuating, the Camry strikes a great balance for drivers who want strong performance without constant trips to the pump. Even the base Camry LE surprises with a well-equipped interior. You get an easy-to-use 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a six-speaker audio system that sounds great. Inside, there's a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, and wireless phone charging—along with five USB ports to keep everyone connected. Rear passengers enjoy their own air vents and plenty of legroom for a comfortable ride. Step up to the XLE or XSE, and the luxury factor kicks in. Dual 12.3-inch screens take over the dashboard, leather-trimmed seats come with heating (and optional ventilation), plus ambient lighting sets the mood. You can also opt for a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system that transforms the cabin into a mini concert hall. It's a sweet blend of tech, comfort, and style that makes every drive feel special. When you look at specs, price, and everyday practicality, it's easy to see why the Camry is winning over so many buyers this year. It packs more horsepower than both the Corolla and RAV4 Hybrids, while still delivering impressive fuel economy and a best-in-class range of up to 663 miles. The Camry also offers more features than the Corolla and comes in well below the RAV4 Hybrid's starting price of $32,300. Sure, the RAV4 boasts extra cargo space and some off-road chops, but the Camry balances comfort, efficiency, and affordability in a way that's hard to beat. The Corolla Hybrid is definitely the budget-friendly pick in Toyota's hybrid lineup, starting at just $23,825—but with only 138 horsepower and a smaller 13.1-cubic-foot trunk, it's a bit limited in what it offers. The Prius is another strong contender, boasting up to 57 MPG combined and a starting price of $28,350, just under the Camry. There's also the Prius Prime plug-in, which offers 44 miles of all-electric driving, though it starts at a steeper $33,375. But if you're after an efficient, spacious, and well-rounded sedan that balances price, power, and practicality, the 2025 Camry Hybrid makes a seriously strong case for itself.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store