leasing industry

Broadcom has agreed to lend Anthropic up to $42 billion so the AI company can lease its chips, in what observers are calling another circular financing deal in the AI industry, where chipmakers fund their own customers' purchases. The arrangement adds to a growing pattern of vendor-backed lending among AI and semiconductor firms, drawing scrutiny over the financial risks these interlinked deals carry.

Townhouse, the premium nail care brand, is scaling its footprint by opening salons in shopping centres and retail real estate. The company's approach positions nail services as a draw for mall landlords seeking experiential tenants, and the retail industry press is examining how the brand balances upscale service with the economics of leasing space in high-traffic shopping destinations.

Broadcom has reportedly agreed to lend Anthropic up to $42 billion so the AI company can lease chips, deepening the financial ties between chipmakers and AI developers. The reported arrangement underscores how AI labs are securing massive computing capacity through vendor financing as demand for accelerators outstrips supply. The deal adds to a series of large-scale financing pacts across the AI and semiconductor industries this year.

Tencent has reportedly leased 100,000 AI chips from Oracle, highlighting how Chinese tech companies are securing computing power outside China. The arrangement points to shortages of advanced domestic chips and restrictions on US semiconductor exports, pushing Chinese firms to rely on overseas data centre capacity for AI development.

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are pushing to shift how the state manages its trust lands, favoring residential development over large-scale solar projects. The proposal would make it easier to open state-owned parcels to homebuilding while limiting renewable energy leases. Supporters frame it as addressing the state's housing shortage; critics argue it works against Arizona's growing solar industry.

A new study says used electric vehicles retain their value better than the leasing industry has claimed, challenging a common argument that EVs depreciate faster than petrol and diesel cars. The findings could affect how leasing companies price EVs and reassure used-car buyers worried about resale losses on electric models.