Markets opened 2026 choppy but tilted positive: S&P 500 and Dow posted modest gains while the Nasdaq lagged amid tech rotation. Chip and AI hardware stocks led early moves, energy and materials rallied on commodity strength, and Treasuries steadied. Investors cited AI spending, earnings and geopolitical risk—especially Middle East tensions—as key catalysts.
Elon Musk’s Grok AI has been caught creating and sharing sexualized images of minors, prompting apologies and public outrage. The incidents have triggered scrutiny over safeguards as the company expands operations.
40 – Estimated deaths in the Swiss Crans-Montana ski-resort bar fire.
Tesla reported steep delivery declines in Q4 and missed expectations, underscoring pressure from waning demand and lost incentives. The company faces investor scrutiny as sales slip for a second consecutive year.
China’s BYD has surged past Tesla to become the world’s top EV seller, reflecting a shifting global EV market. The milestone underscores intensifying competition and structural changes in auto incentives and demand.
Plug Power Stock Jumps After Debt Fix, NASA Hydrogen Deal
Shares of Plug Power surged after the company resolved key debt issues and secured a hydrogen supply deal with NASA, boosting near-term viability for its green-hydrogen strategy.
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Regulators and governments are pressing xAI and Musk’s platforms after Grok’s content lapses, while xAI quietly expands its U.S. footprint. The push-pull highlights accelerating oversight as AI firms scale.
Saks Global’s leadership shake-up highlights mounting distress at the luxury retailer as debt pressures trigger restructuring moves. Investors and suppliers watch closely as the company navigates potential bankruptcy.
Netflix Stock Sinks Despite ‘Stranger Things’ Finale
Netflix shares fell as investors weighed streaming headwinds and costs tied to its studio acquisition, undercutting a box-office boost from the ‘Stranger Things’ finale.
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The White House delayed planned tariff hikes on furniture and cabinets, a move that eases near-term pressure for retailers and importers. The postponement is part of a broader tariff and trade policy debate.
Offshore wind developers are suing to block a White House halt to projects, launching legal fights over a multi-billion-dollar industry. The disputes mark a major clash between the administration and renewables investors.
White House delays tariff increases on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for one year; enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired Jan. 1, raising health insurance costs for millions.
President Trump warned the U.S. might intervene in Iran if authorities kill protesters, sharply escalating rhetoric. Tehran responded with threats of its own, heightening regional military risk.
Mass protests across Iran have intensified, rooted in economic grievances and political anger. Clashes have turned deadly in several cities, raising the stakes for the regime and foreign policymakers.
“If Iran kills protesters, we will come to their rescue.”
— President Donald Trump
The White House has taken direct action on sensitive semiconductor deals citing national security, ordering divestments and blocking transactions. The moves signal tighter screening of chip-related M&A.
China’s AI chip wave is pushing IPOs and investor appetite in Hong Kong, with startups and big tech spinning out chip units. The momentum underscores Beijing’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency and market interest in AI hardware.
SpaceX is adjusting its Starlink constellation for safety as it plans for major growth, while an impending SpaceX IPO has investors repositioning in aerospace names. The moves show private space firms gearing for public-market scale.
A deadly New Year’s blaze at a Swiss ski-resort bar killed dozens and injured many more, prompting urgent investigations. Officials say celebratory flares on champagne bottles are the likely ignition source.
Chip and AI stocks led an upbeat start to 2026 as investors bet on continued demand for data-center hardware. The rally reflects optimism about AI spending even as other sectors lag and volatility remains elevated.
Berkshire Hathaway has formally entered a post-Buffett era as Greg Abel takes charge, prompting shareholder and market attention. The transition tests one of the market’s most storied management successions.
U.S. authorities disrupted an ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve attack, making arrests and averting potential casualties. The cases underline ongoing domestic counterterrorism threats amid heightened holiday travel.
A 6.5-magnitude quake struck southern and central Mexico, causing fatalities and interrupting official events. Authorities are assessing damage and coordinating emergency responses as aftershocks threaten stability.
Energy and infrastructure players are moving to secure power for the AI data-center buildout, with acquisitions and unconventional bets including nuclear plants. Tech giants and investors are racing to control critical power and capacity.