Markets opened mixed as the government reopened: S&P 500 treaded water, the Nasdaq lagged amid AI-stock rotation, and the Dow earlier hit records then pared gains. Volatility rose on shifting rate‑cut odds, higher Treasury yields and sector divergence—AI and chip names the main movers while defensives outperformed.
Congress ends the record 43-day shutdown and federal operations restart, but critical economic releases were not collected during the lapse. The move restores funding but leaves gaps in jobs and inflation data that will cloud near-term economic decisions.
50 billion – Anthropic commits $50 billion to US AI data‑centre buildout.
Markets are parsing a tighter window for Federal Reserve action as officials weigh December policy. Traders are pricing a knife-edge outcome, prompting volatility across stocks and rates.
Big-ticket capital commitments underscore an AI infrastructure race as startups and incumbents pour cash into data centres. The investments ratchet up demand for chips, power and real-estate while intensifying competition for talent.
On Holding Lifts FY25 Outlook as Q3 Sales Surge
Swiss sportswear maker On raised guidance after robust Q3 sales across regions, signaling resilient consumer demand and lifting investor sentiment around premium athletic brands.
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Nvidia remains the epicenter of market flows as fresh investor bets collide with analyst rotations. Price-target moves and large shareholder trades are fuelling headline volatility in the chip giant and its AI supply chain.
Networking giant Cisco beat expectations and raised guidance, signaling a corporate IT refresh cycle tied to AI and data-centre spending. The results lifted the stock and brightened sector outlooks for enterprise hardware.
Seagate Shares Plunge After Market Shock
Seagate’s stock took a severe hit after results and guidance disappointed investors, spotlighting persistent weakness in data-storage demand and supply‑chain headwinds.
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Disney’s mixed quarter exposed weaknesses in traditional TV and film even as parks and streaming held up; a carriage dispute with YouTube TV is costing the company millions per week. Investors punished the stock on the revenue miss.
Unionized Starbucks workers escalated action on peak holiday days, signalling a prolonged labor battle that could dent holiday sales and store operations. Strikes highlight broader retail wage and contract disputes this season.
EU to fast‑track customs duties on low‑value Chinese parcels; IRS raises 2026 IRA and 401(k) contribution limits; Singapore and Czech central banks pilot tokenised/CBDC schemes; FTC opens probes into proxy advisers and adtech practices.
Global authorities stepped up enforcement against crypto fraud while institutional managers push for mainstream listings. Regulators and prosecutors are converging on cross-border syndicates even as crypto firms seek Wall Street access.
European competition authorities opened fresh scrutiny of Google’s search and news ranking practices under antitrust rules. Brussels is using new tools to examine whether Google’s spam and ranking policies harm publishers and competition.
No doubt in my mind bitcoin will be bigger than gold within a decade.
— Michael Saylor
EU finance ministers agreed to accelerate duties on low-value Chinese parcels to curb unfair e-commerce pricing. The measures aim to protect local retailers and tax revenues from surging cheap imports.
The FAA held flight reductions at 6% as controller staffing recovered, but the shutdown left long-lasting travel disruptions. The aviation sector faces a lagged recovery in schedules and passenger confidence.
European and Baltic nations stepped up military aid to Ukraine while debate continues over using frozen Russian assets for defense funding. The package and asset questions underscore growing Western commitment amid logistical and political frictions.
Geopolitical tensions mounted as Russian allies issued stark warnings while the US deployed a carrier to the Caribbean amid Venezuela pressure. The moves heighten regional risks and complicate Washington’s security calculations.
Chipmakers and suppliers face mounting pressure as cautious capacity expansion collides with surging AI demand. Equipment makers and foundries are deepening ties to secure supply chains and manage geopolitical constraints.
Household-name corporates grapple with rating pressure and anti-dumping disputes as cost inflation and trade frictions bite margins. Credit markets and trade remedies are becoming key battlegrounds for industrial groups.
The IEA warned of a rising oil surplus next year even as new LNG infrastructure comes online, highlighting sector fragmentation. Energy majors are positioning for shifting demand patterns and export opportunities.
Biotech firms are trimming payrolls and reshuffling leadership to extend cash runways, while clinical setbacks trigger sharp market repricing. The sector faces funding scrutiny as M&A and buyouts reshape prospects.
Autonomy milestones gathered momentum as Waymo began freeway robotaxi service and electric air-taxi projects advanced with regulatory approvals. The transport tech field is moving from pilots to operational scale.