drowning

With the consumer segment drowning, Samsung is the first to manufacture HBM4 memory. And it will be for NVIDIA, of course

by

Samsung is one of the names of this February. They are expected to present the Galaxy S26but they have something on the table that will be a shock not only to their coffers, but to the engine of the South Korean economy. We refer to high bandwidth memories because, in the midst of the RAM and SSD crisisSamsung is prepared to mass produce the HBM4 memories. And it will be for the AI, How could it not be any other way?. In short. The South Korean company has not confirmed it, but recent reports published by Reuters and local sources such as Korea JoongAng Daily They point out that Samsung will begin mass manufacturing HBM4 memory chips starting next week. It will be the first of the three companies that dominate the production of memory chips (the others are the South Korean SK Hynix and the American Micron, the which is gone from the RAM consumption) in starting to manufacture in large quantities these fundamental memories for the artificial intelligence. HBM4. This type of memory, as its name suggests, has enormous bandwidth. This is crucial for GPU needs and while NVIDIA has remained faithful to GDDR memory for its graphics cardsAMD did flirt with the stacked technology of the HBM chips for their Vega GPUs. However, it is not a technology for consumption, not because its performance is inadequate, but because it is too expensive. Making HBM memory is more expensive than making traditional DRAM chips, but the advantages are there. With HBM4, for example, the density of stacked chips allows Double the bandwidth of the previous generation. This is key to transmitting more data per second, but they also consume up to 40% less energy than HBM3 memories. NVIDIA. The most interested is, as we have said on previous occasionsNVIDIA. And if NVIDIA benefits, practically the entire leading artificial intelligence industry will take advantage of it because its chips are what are currently moving the industry. It is estimated that Samsung memories will go to NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin acceleration systems In fact, it has been reported that Jensen Huang himself has urged to accelerate and increase the production of these chips. Well, Huang has asked the entire semiconductor industry to manufacture components for his cards. let’s get the batteriesit is not something that concerns only Samsung. Spearhead. According to a Korea KoongAng Daily source, “Samsung has the world’s largest production capacity and broadest product line. It has demonstrated a recovery in its technological competitiveness by becoming the first to mass produce the highest-performance HBM4 memory.” Because, in this field, its main competitor, the neighboring SK Hynix, is expected to begin mass manufacturing its response between March or April, enough time ahead for Samsung to begin sending its memory to NVIDIA. And, here, Samsung’s great advantage is that it does not depend on TSMC: it has its own foundry and the HBM4 modules are based on 4 nanometer photolithography. Looking to the future. SK Hynix’s delay is not because they have rested on their laurels: they are the ones who they lead the way in the previous generation thanks to the HBM3E memory, but due to their schedule and they did not need it, they started developing the new generation later than Samsung. But of course, although HBM is the standard in current AI systems, we have already said that they are expensive chips and, in addition, they heat up a lot, requiring dissipation equipment to match. And that’s where companies are combining HBM4 memory production with a new generation of DRAM memory. The idea is to find a way for this memory – slower, but cheaper and ‘fresh’ – to compete in bandwidth with the HBM. Samsung and SK Hynix are in it, but they will have to compete against someone who didn’t play in this league: an Intel that does not arrive alonebut from the hand of the Japanese giant SoftBank. In short: Samsung has decided to get back on its feet when it comes to manufacturing muscle. And most important of all, all the companies that make memory modules remain focused on one thing: they make hardware for artificial intelligence while components such as RAM and SSD consumption they have the prices through the stratosphere. Images | Maxence Pira, Choi Kwang-moNVIDIA logo (edited) In Xataka | Huawei has kept its promise: it has found a way to boost China’s competitiveness in AI compared to the US

the company is drowning in the market that it itself created

by

The first time I ordered food at home, it was from Telepizza. It’s possible that you do too. In the nineties, Telepizza was the perfect plan for hangouts to watch football or a movie at home. They had no competition. Today yes, and a lot. This, together with decades of treating the company as a financial asset and not as a long-term business, has caused the current situation: the company’s accounts are bleeding and there are serious doubts about its viability. Debt, restructuring and losses According to one PricewaterhouseCooper audit published in Merca2in 2024 Telepizza lost more than 48 million euros and carries a total debt of 150 million euros. The expected turnover for this period was 300 million euros, but they achieved 249.9 million, 18% less. This is in addition to expenses that amounted to 18.6 million euros in 2024 alone. Spain continues to be its strongest market and accounts for 60% of all its income, but also where the loss is greatest (almost 25 million euros). According to PwC, there are “material uncertainty regarding the continuity of the business”, and it is not the first time they have warned of something like this. They did another audit of the company’s accounts in 2022 in which they showed “significant doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” Telepizza is at a crossroads: it needs to generate income quickly to cover expenses and debt, but at the same time it needs to invest if it wants to become competitive again in the current landscape. The accounts don’t work out. Telepizza and the delivery boom The food delivery landscape has radically transformed. Telepizza no longer competes in the market it founded, but in a totally saturated ecosystem where there are more and often better options. According to Dashmote data in 2024between 2019 and 2022 the delivery market in Spain doubled its income, reaching 5,000 million euros and in 2023 it would grow to 6.6 billion. Not all the mountain is oregano, the main delivery operators They also cannot boast of stability and profitsbut for Telepizza the reality is that, where they once reigned, now There are hundreds of thousands of restaurants available. It also happens that pizza is no longer the favorite option to order at home. According to DBK dataIn 2024, hamburger restaurants accounted for 61% of the market. Fried chicken restaurants and “other concepts” also grew, while pizzerias decreased their turnover by 1.8%. There is also the problem that entering this model implies give a third of income in commissionssomething that does not suit Telepizza very well in its delicate situation. Given this panorama, Telepizza has opted to encourage orders through its app and website. Recently They celebrated a pyrrhic victory: They are the pizza brand with the most users through their website and appreaching a total of 1.8 million monthly users. The problem is that the figure is not even striking. To put it in context, Burger King and McDonald’s have 4.7 and 4.5 million users through their apps respectively. Telepizza’s strategy involves reinforcing its own channel and betting on loyal customers who already know them and return to their app, but at the same time has become practically invisible for the rest of the public, who have many more pizzerias to choose from through the apps. It is an isolation strategy. The final chapter of a series that began decades ago To understand how Telepizza is today, you have to look back. The current situation is the consequence of a trend that began in the nineties. After a spectacular IPO in 1996, at the end of 1999 its founder sold his stake (months before the collapse of the dotcom bubbleby the way). This sale marked the beginning of an era in which Telepizza became a financial asset at the hands of venture capital funds and its valuation fell with each movement. In 2007, Telepizza went public after the takeover bid by the Permira and Ballvé fund and was valued at 850 million euros. In 2016, after the entry of the KKR fund, it went public again, although with quite disastrous results. Here the valuation had dropped to 780 million euros, but the worst thing is that not even three years passed when the KKR group launched another takeover bid again for take it out of the bag againvaluing it only in 600 million euros. Paradoxically, 2017 was a good year for the company’s accounts, which achieved record profits. Right after it was signed the agreement with Pizza Hut in which Telepizza committed to opening 1,300 restaurants, almost nothing. The plan ended up going awry internal tensions and the pandemic. In the end Telepizza broke up with Pizza Hut in many of the countries in which it was going to operate. In 2023, the debt caused the KKR fund left the equation and a financial restructuring was signed in which the company passed into the hands of its creditors, among which are Oak Hill and Fortress, two opportunistic funds, also known as vulture funds. Under this new mandate the objective was to try to stabilize the losses with the exit from Latin Americaalthough They couldn’t sell everything. The image speaks for itself In contrast, its most direct competitor, Domino’s Pizza, has had a stable trajectory of growth and is in good financial healthyou just have to look at its growth curve on the stock market. In addition to the global parent company, behind Domino’s Pizza Spain is Alsea, the Mexican restaurant provider which also manages brands such as Starbucks, Burger King or Foster’s Hollywood. Venture capital has squeezed Telepizza so much that has left it without operating marginleading it to a delicate situation that has lasted for years and that calls into question its continuity. In the end, the secret was not in the dough, but in being a restaurant chain and not a financial asset that passes from hand to hand. Image | Telepizza In Xataka | Robotic vans are already key in … Read more

Netflix has left the fever by the Korean series: they are drowning in their own money

by

Although they have not yet arrived in the mainstream As they have done, for example, The Turkish soapsKorean fictions are followed by millions of people worldwide and have transcended the borders of Asian countries. Netflix is ​​to blameand has led to South Korea to be known for much more diverse and varied productions than the one that remains its greatest success, ‘the squid game’. However, Netflix machinery He also has his dark side and has been about to crack the solid bases of the genre. Korean explosion. In recent years, Korean or K-Drams fictions have experienced unprecedented growth. Netflix has been a key actor in this phenomenon, positioning the South Korean content as The second most watched globallyonly behind American productions. Since 2023, K-Drams are between 8% and 9% of the total visualization hours in Netflix, highlighting titles such as ‘The Squid’s game’, but also ‘The Queen of Tears’, ‘Crash Landing on You’ or ‘Love at the door next door.’ Cloud expenses. Netflix investment in Korean products It is very important: More than half of the popular Korean titles on the platform are originals of Netflix herself, and about a third are exclusive, many of them made in collaboration with local studies. However, The costs have shot: At present, the average price per episode is about $ 700,000, arriving in some cases, such as ‘the squid game’, to exceed two million dollars per episode, more than double what they cost in 2020, and much more than they cost before the arrival of Netflix (about 200,000 dollars). Success series such as ‘If life gives you mandarins’ cost more than 40 million dollars per season. In Xataka Netflix’s best Korean series (because not everything is ‘the squid game’) Fall in production. The consequences that Netflix, a powerful platform and with financial muscle, has multiplied costs to generate luxurious and interesting productions for the international public are multiple. On the one hand, production has fallen, especially the one that comes from medium -sized companies and produced by traditional Korean channels: From 141 in 2022 to 123 in 2023 already just 100 in 2024. A pressure has also been generated so that the series are more expensive, which has multiplied the number of blockbustersbut it has reduced the average productions. The superstars. The architects of the Korean series know that the deals are often the authentic causing causes a series to succeed, which leads to a good part of the budgets to be invested in the protagonists, which can come to charge around 500,000 dollars per episode. One of the decisions that Netflix has taken to stop is climbing in the series budgets that can make the industry crackimitate the salaries of the actorswhich has set 400 million WON (just under $ 300,000) per episode. {“Videid”: “x850eq5”, “Autoplay”: false, “Title”: “The game of the squid”, “Tag”: “The game of the squid”, “Duration”: “476”} Goodbye to risk. The Korean fiction industry is at a key moment, where it is continually discussed between profitability and quality. The increase in budgets has raised expectations on the series, but has also increased financial risk, to the point that, unlike the situation before the arrival of Netflix, The series need to be global successes To recover the investment. This entails an added danger: to greater financial risk, less taste for risk, more will tend to be conservative, to embrace proven success formulas. What can make the Korean series lose one of their indisputable strengths for the global public: the ability to surprise. Has Netflix charged the Korean fiction industry? Of course, it has immersed it in a dynamic of inflated budgets and the need for show that at the moment, it is affecting medium, authentic mortar productions that give solidity to the industry with volume and stability. Korea has a clear benchmark to not look for mistakes: Hollywood, plunged into a creative crisis and an elephantiasis in the productions that question its near future. For now, the South Korean industry has a margin to react. If Netflix allows it. Header | Netflix In Xataka | This intriguing Netflix Korean series set in an infernal contest is the perfect successor of ‘The Squid’s game’ (Function () {Window._js_modules = Window._js_modules || {}; var headelement = document.getelegsbytagname (‘head’) (0); if (_js_modules.instagram) {var instagramscript = Document.Createlement (‘script’); }}) (); – The news Netflix has left the fever by the Korean series: they are drowning in their own money It was originally posted in Xataka by John Tones .

China is drowning rare earth supply and in six weeks there will be a victim: European electric cars

by

China has completely stopped The export of rare criticisms. In fact, during the last year and a half this Asian country has used its dominance over rare earths as A pressure tool on your rivals. On December 21, 2023, the administration led by Xi Jinping decided to restrict the export of some of its rare earth processing technologies, and this was only the tip of the iceberg. The last kick linked to these important metals was given by China to the US on April 4. Just 24 hours after Donald Trump announced the taxes that he was going to apply to the importation of most products from abroad, the administration led by Xi Jinping replied. And he did it with forcefulness. In early December 2024 He chose to prohibit The export of some critical minerals to the US, among which were three essential metals: gallium, Germanio and antimony. The European electric car can suffer if China continues with the hand brake This story does not end here. At the beginning of last April the Chinese government added two more critical metals to its list of export restrictions: Scandio and Disposio. These chemical elements are probably less known than metals prohibited by China previously, such as Gallium or Germanio, but are at least as important as the latter because they have a fundamental role in the industries of integrated circuits, telecommunications and the manufacture of storage devices. And just two weeks later, in mid -April, the administration led by Xi Jinping did not hesitate to take another step forward with the purpose of putting in check, in addition to the industries that I just mentioned, those of electric cars, aeronautics and advanced armament. And is that, according to The New York Times, has effectively suspendedin addition to the export of the most valuable rare earths, that of the elements involved in the manufacture of high -power magnets that have a critical role in the industries that I have cited in this same paragraph. Chinese authorities are taking the high -power magnets acquired by electric cars manufacturers throughout the country Chinese authorities are retaining in ports throughout the country not only rare earths, but also high -power magnets acquired by electric cars manufacturers throughout the planet, aerospace companies, chip factories and armament companies. Many of these organizations have high -power magnet reserves made with rare earths, but possibly only allow them to subsist a few months. For many years China has produced More than 90% of rare earths. Australia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Canada, Brazil, Tanzania or the US, among other countries, also produce these metals, but the largest deposits located so far of these elements reside in China. And, curiously, the country led by Xi Jinping too The processing industry dominates to which it is necessary to submit rare earth so that they can be used. So much so that its quota if we stick to the global processing industry amounts to 90%. China’s export controls are directed mainly to the US, but Europe is not unscathed. At least for the moment. In fact, in Germany, which as we all know is the heart of the European car industry, There are already experts who assure that if China continues to retain rare earths and electric motors some essential parts of the electric cars production chain They will stop in no more than six weeks. For the European car industry this blow would be very difficult to fit. However, while still having some reservations Europe has the opportunity to negotiate with China to avoid this very difficult situation. Everything is not lost yet. Image | Xataka More information | Automobilwoche In Xataka | China is about to have the ability to make 5 Nm chips, although it faces a difficult solution problem

Spain looked at Chinese cars as a salvation table. In the commercial war, the risk of dying drowning runs

by

“Spain is in favor of more balanced relations between the EU and China,” with these words Pedro Sánchez, president of the Government, has defended his approach to China before the commercial war that is being freed and during the same. And the automobile sector has a lot to do. “Essential partner”. With those words Pedro Sánchez has defined the relationship that China should have with the European Union. The words have pronounced them during their meeting with Xi Jinping, president of the country. The Spanish is in a round of visits by Asia in which he is stopping in China and Vietnam. Both countries have been severely punished by the United States. China still maintains 125% tariff Despite the 90 -day truce that Donald Trump has granted. Vietnam had been punished with some 46% tariffs. The importance of words. This “essential partner” is not accidental and shows Spain’s approach to China in full tension for the commercial war that are pounding the United States and the Asian country. In fact, the words of the words of the European Union is unmarked as “partner, competitor and systemic rival”, collected by The country. Sanchez needs to play with tact with his statements. Only a few days ago, Scott Besent, secretary of the United States Treasury, said that “I am not sure if it was the prime minister or the Minister of Economy of Spain, who made some comments this morning: ‘Maybe we should align more with China.’ That would be to cut off the neck”, in words collected by The confidential. Xi Jinping, meanwhile, thanked Sánchez for the “firm will” to maintain good relations between the two countries, emphasizing that it is the third time that the president of the Spanish Government visits the Asian country, they point out in The world. The equilibrium game. Spain has encountered the most uncomfortable view at the right time. With the agenda already scheduled, it was seen if the president of the Government would be willing to go to China in the middle of the commercial tension with the United States. The single presence is seen as a Spanish approach to the Chinese side and, of course, It is unmarked from European politics that bets to get wet as little as possible. However, Spain has a good number of Chinese investments in our country. The commercial balance between the two countries It is still very unbalanced In favor of China (we import goods worth 45,174 million euros and export there products worth 7,467 million euros) but China has the key in key sectors. Putting the carpet. Without a doubt, one of the sectors in which Spain wants to influence is the car. China is disembarking in Europe. His commercial war with the United States will force him to disembark in greater force in Europe and Spain is a perfect gateway. With the fees to the electric car, the plug -in hybrids and the Chinese low ranges vehicles have A huge opportunity in countries like Spanish where “electricity” is not so developed. All their companies need to open markets outside China to seek profitability. If the perspectives are maintained, byd will be in 2025 One of the five greatest manufacturers of the world. Given this situation, Spain is clear that it wants to be a very important part of Chinese landing in Europe. The automobile sector is essential for Spain. Not only in its factories, you have to add ports that receive cars, distributors and a Powerful auxiliary and component industry. It is better for us. The biggest problem facing Spain is that it is best to open to China if you want to open your business routes in the automobile sector. When the tariffs of Chinese electric car were voted for the first time, Spain was favorable. A visit to China and a threat of attacking the Spanish pig directly (whose exports to China are key) He changed the Executive idea. But, in addition, other threats float in the air. In Europe, France or Italy remained firm in their favorable vote to tariffs on Chinese electric cars. Then, China ordered to stop investments In those countries and since then we have not had news of new approaches. At the moment, Spain has Chinese investments in different ports To receive and start distributing cars that arrive from Asia, the investment of Chery in Barcelonathe agreement between Catl and Stellantis For a battery plant in Aragon or the Extremadura projects to produce batteries for electric cars. But there are certain problems. In a first reading, it seems clear that if Spain has the opportunity to continue expanding its Chinese investments in the automobile sector to be key in the European car of the future and if you have a threat to its head of withdrawing investments or torpedoing trade between the two countries, the approach to China seems completely logical. The problem is to pull the rope tense, irremediably, on the other. The United States has already warned Spain that its position is not correct and some sectors are (obviously) worried. The direct impact In the automobile industry it is not too high but, for example, shipments to the United States of olive oil They have shot under the threat of tariffs. What can we expect? Given this context, Spain will have to play its cards to several bands. Approach enough to Beijing but without burning. It will be necessary to see if the United States maintains its commitment to tax trade with the European Union with a flat rate or if it extends tariffs by sectors, which can be an indirect attack on a specific country. A good example is the 25% tariff to the car. The United States government has repeatedly decided to pause its tariffs to Mexico or Canada but keeping them in the car market is a clear attack on these countries. Also to Germany, in Europe, which is The country that exports more vehicles to the United States. We will have … Read more

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.