Apple Supplier Jabil Lifts Annual Forecast Amid AI-Driven Data Center Boom

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Jabil Inc., a major electronics components manufacturer and key supplier to Apple, has raised its full-year profit and revenue forecasts, citing soaring demand for data center infrastructure driven by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.

The company’s shares rose approximately 5% in premarket trading on Tuesday after it surpassed Wall Street expectations for its fiscal third quarter.

Highlights from the Report:

  • Fiscal 2025 revenue forecast raised to $29 billion from $27.9 billion.

  • Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) outlook increased to $9.33, up from $8.95.

  • Q3 revenue rose 15.7% year-over-year to $7.83 billion, beating analyst expectations of $7.06 billion (LSEG data).

  • Adjusted Q3 EPS was $2.55, above the expected $2.31.

Strategic Investment:

Jabil also announced a $500 million investment in the United States over the coming years to expand support for cloud and AI data center infrastructure customers, underscoring the company’s strategic pivot toward high-growth digital infrastructure markets.

CEO Mike Dastoor emphasized the momentum:

“Our intelligent infrastructure segment remains a critical growth engine, benefiting from accelerating AI-driven demand.”

This performance positions Jabil as a key player in the supply chain supporting the global AI boom, and its forward-looking strategy appears aimed at securing long-term growth through investments in infrastructure and technology innovation.

German AI Defence Start-Up Helsing Raises €600 Million, Hits $12 Billion Valuation

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Helsing, a Munich-based defence technology start-up, has secured €600 million ($693 million) in its latest funding round, the company announced Tuesday. The investment was led by Prima Materia, an investment firm co-founded by Spotify founder Daniel Ek and Shakil Khan. This round brings Helsing’s total valuation to $12 billion, placing it among the top five private tech companies in Europe, according to the Financial Times.

Key Investors and Strategic Backing:

  • Prima Materia doubled its stake in this round.

  • Other notable participants include Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, Plural, General Catalyst, and Swedish defence company SAAB.

Helsing’s Ambitions:

Founded in Germany, Helsing develops AI-powered defence software and is now expanding its hardware capabilities to include:

  • Drones

  • Aircraft

  • Submarines

The company is positioning itself as a core enabler of modern European defence, aiming to support governments as they increase defence spending amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in Europe.

Helsing’s software is designed to integrate across military platforms, delivering real-time situational awareness and threat detection using advanced machine learning. The move toward manufacturing its own defence hardware signals a broader ambition to become a full-spectrum defence contractor, bridging software and battlefield systems.

FCC Warns China Mobile of Potential Fines Over Non-Compliance in U.S. Probe

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warned on Tuesday that it could impose fines on China Mobile for allegedly failing to cooperate with an investigation into whether its U.S. operations are circumventing American restrictions. The probe is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with national security directives that have already barred several Chinese telecom firms from operating in the U.S.

According to the FCC, China Mobile has shown “misconduct” and “disregard” for regulatory authority by not providing the specific documents and information requested. The agency said the probe has been ongoing since November 2022, and that a supplemental request was sent in February this year. The company now has 30 days to comply before facing financial penalties.

Background and Concerns:

  • In 2019, the FCC determined that China Mobile was indirectly owned and controlled by the Chinese government, posing a national security risk due to the potential for cyber intrusions, espionage, and economic attacks.

  • The March 2024 probe includes nine Chinese companies, such as Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Hikvision, Dahua, China Telecom, and China Unicom Americas, all under suspicion of operating in ways that could sidestep U.S. bans.

  • FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that some Chinese firms may be continuing operations under ambiguous interpretations of current restrictions.

Implications:

If China Mobile fails to respond within the specified timeframe, it may face escalating enforcement actions and monetary penalties, further straining U.S.-China technology and trade relations. The FCC’s stance signals increased vigilance in monitoring foreign telecom activity on U.S. soil, especially involving entities tied to state-backed ownership.

China Mobile has not yet issued a response.