Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) reported a record first-quarter net profit of T$572.5 billion (about $18.2 billion), a 58% year-on-year increase, and beat market expectations as global demand for AI processors surged. Revenue rose roughly 35% to T$1.13 trillion for January–March. TSMC said advanced 3-nanometre chips now account for about a quarter of sales, up sharply from 6% in late 2023. The company raised its annual revenue outlook to more than 30% growth in U.S. dollar terms and forecast second-quarter sales of $39.0–$40.2 billion. Management said 2026 capital expenditure will be at the high end of prior guidance ($52–56 billion), and highlighted a $165 billion investment plan for new fabs in Arizona and expanded 3nm production in Japan and the U.S. Executives acknowledged Middle East tensions could raise input costs for gases like helium and hydrogen but said they hold safety stocks and multiple supplier sources. Strong results from equipment supplier ASML reinforced signs of robust sector spending on AI chips.

Netflix announced on April 16, 2026 that co-founder and chairman Reed Hastings will not stand for re-election when his term expires at the company’s annual meeting in June, and will step away to focus on philanthropy and other pursuits. The governance news accompanied Netflix’s first-quarter results: revenue of $12.25 billion (up ~16% year-on-year), net income of $5.28 billion and earnings per share of $1.23, modestly ahead of forecasts. The company also disclosed it received a $2.8 billion termination fee after walking away from its proposed Warner Bros. acquisition. Shares fell about 8–9% in after-hours trading on the Hastings announcement despite management reiterating full-year guidance. Netflix highlighted growth initiatives — expanding its ad-supported business (targeting roughly $3 billion in ad revenue for 2026), live events, video podcasts, games and product/AI investments — and stressed it will reallocate resources toward content, monetisation and technology under co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters.

National Public Radio announced on April 16, 2026, that it has received two philanthropic gifts totaling $113 million: an $80 million donation from philanthropist Connie Ballmer and a $33 million gift from an anonymous donor. NPR said the funds are earmarked to accelerate digital innovation, expand tools and services shared with local public radio stations, and bolster audience engagement across platforms. The donations follow Congress’s 2025 elimination of roughly $1.1 billion in federal public broadcasting funding, which forced widespread budget cuts at local stations and prompted NPR to reduce fees and provide fundraising support to members. NPR CEO Katherine Maher described the gifts as catalytic investments but cautioned they do not replace lost federal support. Reporting indicates some of the new funds are restricted to specific projects, and NPR may still pursue staff reductions as it adapts to a changed funding landscape. Ballmer framed her gift as support for independent journalism and for helping NPR meet audiences “where they are.”

JERUSALEM, April 16 (Reuters) - El Al Israel Airlines said it will buy up to 12 more Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal valued at about $1.5 billion, exercising options for six 787-9s and converting four of those orders to larger 787-10s. The amended agreement includes options for up to six additional 787s, with deliveries of the upgraded 787-10s scheduled between 2030 and 2032 and optional aircraft deliverable between 2033 and 2035. El Al currently operates 17 Dreamliners and expects its 787 fleet to rise to about 28 by 2030 and potentially as many as 34 in time. The carrier said it will assess financing closer to delivery dates. The purchase comes as El Al has expanded market share while some foreign carriers halted flights to Israel during conflicts in Gaza and with Iran, boosting demand on routes to North America and Asia. The airline, which has maintained an all-Boeing fleet since 1948, reported net profits of $410 million in 2025 after $545 million in 2024.

Madison Air Solutions raised $2.23 billion in an initial public offering on April 15 and saw its shares jump on their NYSE debut on April 16, valuing the Chicago-based HVAC and indoor air-quality firm at about $15.65 billion after an 18.5% pop. The company sold 82.7 million shares at $27 each, opening around $32 on debut. The IPO was the largest U.S. industrial listing this year and the biggest industrial U.S. IPO since UPS in 1999. Founded through acquisitions in 2017, Madison Air generates roughly two-thirds of revenue from commercial customers, serving data centres, advanced manufacturing, education and health care, and reported a backlog of about $2.02 billion. Investors have cited demand tied to AI-driven data centre buildouts as a key growth driver for advanced cooling and filtration systems. Management has signalled plans to use a substantial portion of proceeds to reduce debt accumulated during its roll-up strategy; founder Larry Gies retains significant control through super-voting shares.