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Markets opened 2026 with mixed sentiment: the S&P 500, up roughly 16% for 2025, slid in the final sessions as tech weakness hit the Nasdaq and the Dow lagged. Volatility is rising as investors weigh Fed policy paths, AI‑sector rotation, and geopolitical shocks (Iran, energy). Cyclical materials and select AI plays lead gains while energy and crypto remain under pressure.
Widening anti‑government unrest has plunged Iran into a political and economic crisis. Protests, deadly clashes and supply shocks have prompted a nationwide shutdown and sent oil revenue tumbling.
20% – Drop in Iran oil revenues amid nationwide shutdown and protests.
A devastating blast and fire at Crans‑Montana have left scores dead and injured. Swiss authorities are still tallying victims as investigators scramble to determine the cause.
Ukraine has become a testing ground for AI‑guided strike systems while its air defenses remain active. Officials report heavy drone barrages and significant intercepts overnight.
BYD sells 4.6M EVs in 2025 — meets revised sales goal
BYD reported 4.6 million new energy vehicle sales in 2025, beating growth targets and strengthening its position as a global EV leader.
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Moscow has expanded its tactical arsenal into neighboring Belarus with new missile deployments. The move heightens regional tensions and raises questions about nuclear‑capable weapons positioning.
The White House postponed steep new tariffs on furniture and home goods, citing trade talks and affordability. The delay tempers near‑term inflation fears but leaves uncertainty for affected industries.
Novo Nordisk enters 2026 on defense as U.S. market battle looms
Novo Nordisk faces mounting pressure in the U.S. market and investor concerns as competitors and policy scrutiny threaten its lead in GLP‑1 drugs.
More on cnbc.com
Enhanced ACA tax credits expired at year‑end, exposing millions to higher premiums. Policymakers and hospital systems warn of immediate budget and access pressures for patients.
The HHS has frozen federal childcare payments amid fraud allegations tied to Minnesota providers. The move prompted scrutiny, investigations and immediate cash‑flow disruption for centers nationwide.
Key moves: White House delays steep furniture and cabinet tariffs for a year; ACA health subsidies expired at year‑end, raising insurance costs; HHS froze federal childcare payments amid fraud probes; several states restricted SNAP purchases; US granted TSMC a licence for chip tools to China amid tighter export enforcement.
Luxury retail owner Saks Global missed a debt payment and is in talks with creditors. The cash crunch raises bankruptcy odds and signals distress in high‑end retail financing.
Berkshire Hathaway undergoes a leadership handoff as Warren Buffett steps down. Markets and investors are searching for clues on strategy and capital allocation under new leadership.
If we fail to fix the livelihoods of our people, officials will go to hell.
— Masoud Pezeshkian
OpenAI is intensifying work on audio models tied to a forthcoming consumer device. The push underscores tech firms’ broader race to ship AI‑first hardware and new interaction modes.
Three private tech giants are preparing blockbuster public listings that could reshape the IPO calendar. Bankers and markets brace for a wave of supply and deal competition.
Chinese AI startups and semiconductor chipmakers closed major financing and listing deals. Investor appetite for AI hardware and chips remains intense despite market volatility.
Crypto’s 2025 rally ended in a sharp correction as macro and AI flows shifted. Structural failures in futures trading underscored liquidity and risk management gaps across the market.
Copper shortages and AI data‑center demand propelled mining stocks and niche ETFs sharply higher. Investors are pricing long‑term supply constraints into base‑metals assets.
Oil markets moved from a 2025 boom to a sharp downturn as global output outpaced demand. The selloff reshapes energy sector forecasts and policy discussions on supply management.
US export controls and enforcement actions have focused on chip supply chains and illicit GPU transfers. Regulators and courts are tightening oversight on technology flows to China.
Apple has curtailed production and marketing for its Vision Pro amid weak consumer uptake. The move tests the company’s ability to convert high‑end hardware into a mass‑market business.
The Supreme Court will play a decisive role in shaping the fate of major administration policies. Bench leaders stress the Constitution’s durability as high‑stakes cases approach.
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