Latest US market insights reveal diverging private-credit default rates and new AI antitrust guidance, plus key deal trends shaping investor strategies.

Private Credit Default Rates Diverge

Market participants are debating the true scale of private‑credit losses, with estimates ranging from 1% to as high as 19% depending on the source. The spread of opinions highlights the opacity of the private credit market and raises questions for investors assessing risk exposure.

AI Antitrust Guidance Under Review

A senior Justice Department official confirmed that the United States is weighing new antitrust guidance specifically for artificial intelligence safety. The announcement follows a call from the New York Attorney General urging AI whistleblowers to come forward with information on anticompetitive practices.

Mergers and IPO Activity

The Department of Justice publicly rebuked several states for legal challenges targeting major U.S. mergers, signaling a tougher stance on deal scrutiny. Meanwhile, Airtel Money is reportedly trimming the size of its planned IPO ahead of the offering kickoff, and Spanish renewables firm Ignis is set to unveil its IPO plans this month. In Hungary, the son‑in‑law of Prime Minister Viktor Orban sold a stake in a bank amid an ongoing graft crackdown.

Chip Demand and Market Outlook

Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang projects chip sales will double next year, driven by demand from AI and data centers. A Nvidia partner, GMI Cloud, is seeking financing to purchase chips for a new Thai facility. Separately, Apollo is considering expanding a SoftBank loan to $9 billion to fund further OpenAI investments.

Other Notable Moves

• SpaceX is in talks to acquire data from failed startups to bolster its AI models.
• Botswana pledged not to act “recklessly” regarding its stake in De Beers, emphasizing a cautious approach to the diamond giant’s future.