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Markets enter 2026 cautiously after a strong 2025: the S&P 500 rose ~16% last year while the Nasdaq showed greater volatility and the Dow lagged. Tech and AI names cooled after late-year weakness, gold rallied on risk repricing, and energy softened as oil tumbled. Major catalysts include Fed policy debates, ACA subsidy expiry and geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Taiwan Strait.
A New Year’s Eve explosion and subsequent blaze at a Crans-Montana bar has produced a large death toll and mass casualties. Authorities and emergency services are investigating an apparent explosion that turned celebrations into a major rescue and recovery operation.
2.2 trillion – Record wealth added by the world’s richest in 2025.
Widening demonstrations across Iran over ailing economic conditions have turned deadly, with multiple fatalities reported. The unrest is spreading beyond Tehran into provinces, prompting concerns about a harsher government response.
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired at year-end, triggering immediate insurance premium hikes for millions of Americans. Policymakers, hospitals and consumers are bracing for higher costs and coverage disruptions as 2026 begins.
BYD sells 4.6M NEVs in 2025 – EV leader meets revised target
BYD reported 4.6 million new-energy vehicle sales in 2025, beating market doubts and underscoring its lead in the electric-vehicle race as Chinese competition heats up.
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The White House delayed planned tariff increases on furniture and kitchen cabinets, extending relief for importers and consumers. The move reflects trade-policy recalibration amid political and economic pressures over inflation and manufacturing costs.
Swiss leaders and European counterparts have issued statements of shock and condolence after the deadly Crans-Montana explosion, underscoring the human toll and raising questions about safety at large venues. National leaders are coordinating responses and promising investigations.
Saks Group reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy after missed payment
Saks Global skipped a significant debt payment and is preparing for bankruptcy filings as lenders and creditors press the cash-strapped retailer for a restructuring plan.
More on cnbc.com
U.S. officials publicly warned China to halt military pressure around Taiwan after large-scale drills, ratcheting up diplomatic tensions. Beijing’s exercises and rhetoric prompted urgent calls for restraint from Washington and allies in the region.
The U.S. government has granted TSMC an annual licence to import American chipmaking tools into China, a major operational green light for semiconductor production. The decision will affect supply chains and geopolitical tech access in 2026.
Key policy moves: White House delays furniture and cabinet tariff increases for a year; ACA enhanced subsidies expire, raising premiums for millions; federal appeals court blocks Hawaii cruise-ship tourist tax; new crypto tax-reporting rules roll out in multiple jurisdictions.
Warren Buffett handed over day-to-day control of Berkshire Hathaway as investors probe succession plans. Markets are digesting how Greg Abel will steer the $1.1 trillion conglomerate and what changes may follow.
Three of Silicon Valley’s largest private companies are reportedly preparing IPOs, a potential watershed for tech markets and dealmakers. Listings for SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic could outsize 2025’s entire US IPO haul if executed.
Millions will lose health care, millions will see costs spike, millions will face impossible choices.
— Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
AI startups raised record funding in 2025, prompting questions about sustainability as cash floods early-stage ventures. Industry leaders warn that some high valuations and revenue-free models may face pressure to deliver measurable returns in 2026.
Crypto faced a bruising year of hacks and a sharp late rally-then-crash that left traders reeling and regulators circling. Security failures and a volatile speculative cycle raise fresh questions about the sector’s resilience and oversight.
Saks Global missed a debt payment and is preparing for bankruptcy talks, signaling distress among luxury retailers after a fraught year. Creditors and courts will watch next steps as negotiations with lenders intensify.
European banks are poised for large-scale job cuts as AI-driven efficiency drives cost-savings. The projected reductions may reshape financial services employment across major markets and accelerate digitization.
Dealmakers expect 2026 to follow 2025’s blockbuster run of mega-mergers and billion-dollar transactions. Banks and advisory teams are positioning for another year of high-value corporate consolidation and strategic buying.
Gold surged in 2025 as investors priced in geopolitics and monetary policy risks, drawing central bank interest. Several governments are buying gold directly to limit smuggling and shore up reserves, altering market dynamics.
Oil suffered its steepest annual drop since the pandemic as global output stayed high and demand softened. At the same time, Washington tightened pressure on Maduro’s regime by sanctioning traders tied to Venezuelan oil shipments.
Federal Reserve minutes show deep internal divisions over policy, underscoring uncertainty for markets. Still, the S&P 500 posted strong gains in 2025, leaving traders weighing the outlook for rates and growth in 2026.
Apple cut Vision Pro production after weak consumer demand, forcing partners to scale back. The move highlights the difficulty of turning premium spatial-computing hardware into mass-market revenue immediately.
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