Stocks opened 2026 with a risk-on tilt: S&P 500 and Nasdaq led gains while the Dow lagged. Tech and AI infrastructure names drove the rally, chips and defense sectors saw heavy flows, and precious metals rallied amid volatility. Market direction hinges on Fed communication, Q4 earnings and geopolitics including Iran and China.
A deadly blaze at a Swiss Alpine resort has killed dozens and left many injured, prompting investigators to probe the cause. Authorities are racing to identify victims and determine what sparked the rapid conflagration during New Year celebrations.
40 – Approximate number killed in the Crans-Montana New Year bar fire.
Strong earthquakes rattled southern and central Mexico, triggering emergency responses and damage assessments. Officials report multiple quakes, raising concerns about infrastructure and aftershock risks near population centers.
Widening anti-government unrest in Iran has turned deadly, with multiple fatalities reported amid expanding demonstrations. The U.S. has signalled potential intervention if protesters are violently repressed, heightening geopolitical risk.
Bridgewater’s flagship fund surges 33% in 2025 – standout performance
Bridgewater’s Pure Alpha posted a 33% gain in 2025, outperforming peers and highlighting successful macro positioning amid market volatility—boosting investor confidence in macro-driven strategies.
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China’s BYD has surged past Tesla to become the world’s top electric-vehicle seller, marking a major shift in the global EV race. Tesla’s deliveries dipped in Q4, underscoring pressure from pricing, policy and overseas competition.
The White House has postponed tariff hikes that threatened furniture and home-goods importers, offering temporary relief to retailers. Separately, Washington scaled back proposed duties on Italian pasta after diplomatic pressure.
InterContinental Hotels crashes 98% after botched buyback – market shock
Shares of InterContinental Hotels plunged about 98% after the company disclosed a controversial stock buyback misstep, wiping out market value and raising governance concerns.
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Markets opened 2026 with a risk-on tilt led by AI and chip names, lifting the Nasdaq and futures globally. Traders flagged momentum in tech and precious metals even as investors watch macro data and Fed signals for direction.
Debate intensifies over the Fed’s path in 2026 as some strategists predict multiple rate cuts, while uncertainty around Powell’s future role clouds policy clarity. Markets are pricing shifts but remain vulnerable to Fed communication missteps.
Trump delayed tariff hikes on imported furniture and home cabinets for a year; new international crypto reporting rules took effect Jan.1, closing tax-secrecy gaps; EU carbon border tax implementation continues to reshape trade costs.
Baidu moved to deepen its chip strategy by preparing a Hong Kong listing for its Kunlunxin AI unit, signalling Beijing-backed tech self-reliance. The filings could reshape China’s onshore AI chip funding and M&A landscape.
China’s first listed GPU start-up enjoyed a blockbuster debut in Hong Kong, feeding investor appetite for domestic AI chipmakers. The surge highlights foreign and local demand for hardware plays amid the global chip race.
“If Iran violently kills protesters, the United States will come to their rescue.”
— President Donald Trump
SpaceX and Starlink are lowering satellite orbits to reduce collision risk and improve space safety, a major operational pivot for the constellation. The move will require significant repositioning of thousands of spacecraft this year.
China’s contract chipmakers are consolidating with M&A to scale capacity and compete globally as Beijing pushes self-sufficiency. At the same time, some firms got US licences to ship advanced tools to China plants, easing short-term constraints.
President Zelensky reshuffled his top team, elevating the head of military intelligence to a senior administrative role amid wartime pressures. The move signals a consolidation of security and operational leadership at the presidential office.
The Pentagon awarded new contracts to Lockheed and Boeing focused on Taiwan-related sensor systems, underscoring US defence priorities in Asia. Investors are eyeing defense suppliers as budgets and geopolitical tensions keep spending elevated.
Global tax and reporting moves are closing crypto’s secrecy loopholes even as crypto funds face heavy outflows. Regulators worldwide are coordinating to bring more transparency to exchanges and token flows.
OPEC+ kept its oil output policy steady despite tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, keeping markets on edge. Meanwhile base metals rallied as tightening supply bets pushed aluminum to multiyear highs.
U.S. Treasuries extended gains as the 10-year yield eased, reflecting safe-haven flows and expectations for future policy easing. The dollar recovered slightly after a rough 2025, leaving FX markets cautious into the new year.
Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expired at year-end, triggering higher health insurance costs for millions. Democrats are preparing to make the lapse a central political issue as voters face sticker shock in 2026.
Warren Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, closing a six-decade chapter in investing history and triggering succession scrutiny. His final reflections framed Berkshire as uniquely positioned to endure another century.