“Google Boosts AI Capital Expenditure After Posting Strong Earnings…”

Googleannounced a significant increase in planned capital expenditure, underscoring its aggressive push into artificial intelligence. The group now expects capital spending in 2026 to reach between $175bn and $185bn, substantially above market expectations, driven by continued investment in AI infrastructure, data centres, and proprietary chips.

The announcement followed a strong set of financial results. Fourth-quarter net income rose 30% year-on-year to $34.5bn, while full-year profits reached $132bn. Revenue growth remained robust, supported by continued strength in Google’s core advertising business and accelerating demand for cloud services. Annual revenues surpassed $400bn for the first time.

Cloud revenue increased sharply, reflecting rising demand for AI-related computing capacity, while management highlighted a growing backlog of long-term cloud contracts. The company also noted expanding adoption of its Gemini AI products, supported by its ability to fund large-scale investment through strong cash generation.

Despite the positive earnings momentum, the scale of planned capital expenditure initially weighed on investor sentiment, reflecting broader market sensitivity around the sustainability of AI spending across the technology sector. Management reiterated that investment levels are aligned with strong underlying demand and long-term growth opportunities.

Overall, the update highlights Alphabet’s financial strength and commitment to maintaining a leading position in AI, while also illustrating ongoing market concerns around valuation and capital intensity within the sector.

Euro Area Inflation Falls to 1.7%, ECB Expected to Hold Rates

Euro area inflation eased in January, reinforcing expectations that the European Central Bank will maintain a cautious policy stance. Headline inflation across the 21-member euro zone declined to 1.7%, its lowest level since September 2024, largely reflecting lower energy prices and in line with market expectations.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile components such as energy and food, edged down slightly to 2.2% from 2.3%, indicating a gradual easing in services-related price pressures. Taken together, the data are unlikely to prompt any immediate policy action, with the ECB widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged in the near term.

ECB projections suggest inflation may temporarily fall below its 2% target over the coming year before gradually returning to target levels later in the decade. While policymakers remain divided on whether the next move in rates will be a cut or a hike, recent euro strength and softer inflation dynamics have led some market participants to speculate about a potential shift towards easing later in the year.

Overall, the latest figures support a “wait-and-see” approach from the ECB as it balances moderating inflation against expectations of an economic recovery in the second half of the year.

Malta

Company Announcements:

Mapfre Middlesea plc

MAPFRE Middlesea p.l.c announces that the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (the “AGM”) is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 30 April 2026. Further information relating to the AGM will be announced at a later date.

 Pursuant to the Capital Markets Rules, a shareholder or shareholders holding not less than 5% of the voting issued share capital of the Company may:

 a) request the Company to include items on the agenda of the AGM, provided that each item is accompanied by a justification or a draft resolution to be considered at the AGM; and

 b) table draft resolutions for items to be included in the agenda of the AGM.

The request to include items on the agenda of the general meeting or the draft resolution referred to above should be submitted to the Company Secretary, in hard copy, at Middle Sea House, The Granaries, Floriana or submitted electronically to [email protected] at least forty six (46) days before the 30 April 2026, that is, by the 15 March 2026, and shall be authenticated by the person/s making it. The Company shall not be obliged to entertain any requests by shareholders received after 15 March 2026.

Central Business Centres plc

Reference is made to the company announcement issued by the Company on the 5 January 2026, wherein the Company informed the public that the Company has halted its actions against LIDL and a partial agreement was reached between the Company and LIDL and any remaining pending issues will be referred to arbitration.

The Company now wishes to confirm to the public that an amicable agreement has been reached with LIDL which officially closes the dispute in relation to the completion and the delivery of part of the Zebbug Site to the Company in terms of the Deed.

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