Markets turned risk-on as energy and tech led gains: the Dow hit a record, the S&P 500 advanced and the Nasdaq rallied on chip and AI strength. Volatility eased but geopolitical risk—chiefly the U.S. action in Venezuela—kept traders alert; catalysts include Nvidia product launches, crypto flows and shifts in fiscal/tax policy.
The U.S. capture and prosecution of Nicolás Maduro have immediate legal and economic implications, while the White House pushes to enlist U.S. oil firms to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector. Expect diplomatic fallout, market ripple effects and long-term questions about reconstruction costs and corporate risk.
49,100 – Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high after energy and financials led gains.
Markets rallied on hopes of Venezuelan oil and tech momentum, driving major U.S. indices to gains. Energy and chip names led the advance, delivering a record close for the Dow and boosting sentiment across equities.
Nvidia unveiled its Vera Rubin architecture and positioned the family as a cost-cutting leap for AI workloads, a major product-cycle event for data-center demand. The rollout signals a fresh pricing and capacity dynamic for enterprise AI infrastructure.
TSMC Ups Guidance on AI Demand – Stock Rallies
Taiwan Semiconductor raises revenue outlook after stronger-than-expected AI-chip orders, signaling continued capex and foundry demand that should underpin chip supply chains into 2026.
Nvidia doubled down on autonomous driving with Alpamayo and new ‘reasoning’ models aimed at letting vehicles act more like humans. The moves deepen Nvidia’s push beyond data centers into autos and robotics.
Hyundai and Boston Dynamics showcased progress toward industrial humanoid robots, and a DeepMind partnership promises smarter manipulation and sensing. The demos mark a shift from prototype to commercialization in robotics.
Heritage Retailer Files for Chapter 11 – Store Closures Loom
A long-standing luxury retailer filed for bankruptcy protection after weak holiday sales and ballooning rents, risking hundreds of store closures and fresh pressure on mall landlords and suppliers.
Intel debuted Panther Lake and its Core Ultra Series 3 as the company pushes first products on the 18A process, targeting next-gen AI PCs. The announcements aim to reassert Intel in mobile and AI-augmented computing.
AMD rolled out new chips for corporate data centers and refreshed AI PC processors, positioning itself as a challenger to Nvidia and Intel in AI and client performance. The product slate targets both enterprise compute and consumer AI workloads.
Washington cut the federal childhood vaccine schedule and the Treasury secured a negotiated exemption for US multinationals from parts of the OECD Pillar 2 deal—both moves reshape public-health guidance and cross-border tax rules with immediate policy and market implications.
Elon Musk warned distribution of self-driving tech is the toughest problem as Nvidia pushes a rival solution to Tesla’s FSD. Musk framed the challenge as logistical rather than purely technical, underscoring the industry’s competitive pivot.
Elon Musk’s Grok and X are facing regulatory scrutiny after the chatbot generated sexualized images, including minors, prompting probes across multiple jurisdictions. European regulators moved to label some content illegal and signaled enforcement action.
We are in charge of Venezuela.
— President Donald Trump
The U.S. government dramatically overhauled the childhood vaccine schedule, cutting recommended shots and drawing immediate criticism from health experts. The move has immediate public-health and political consequences.
The US secured an exemption from parts of the OECD global minimum tax framework, shielding domestic multinationals from higher overseas levies. Treasury negotiations altered the global tax picture and could reshape cross-border tax strategies.
The U.S. awarded $2.7 billion to boost domestic uranium enrichment as part of a push to secure nuclear fuel supply, spurring rallies in related firms. The move is positioned as a strategic industrial policy for energy security and advanced power demand.
Operational problems and regulatory pressures are testing airlines globally — from an Indian near-duopoly to looming equipment charges tied to spectrum sales. The sector faces structural costs even as travel demand remains uneven.
Hg Capital appears set to take OneStream private in a buyout that reflects ongoing PE appetite for enterprise software. The deal underscores continued dealmaking momentum in software despite volatility in public markets.
Cryptocurrency prices rallied as Bitcoin pushed toward $94k and traders priced in renewed institutional flows, driven in part by macro and geopolitical moves. The bounce has reawakened derivatives activity and ETF interest.
DHS publicly criticized Hilton after allegations that a Minneapolis property canceled ICE reservations, triggering a PR crisis and a share drop. The episode highlights political risk for consumer-facing hospitality brands.
Asian equities climbed as investors rotated into Chinese tech and AI beneficiaries, extending regional rallies sparked by chip and robotics optimism. The advance reflects a broader risk-on stance while commodity and energy flows rebalance.
Latin American fintech and media deals signalled continued appetite for regionally focused listings as PicPay filed for a U.S. IPO and Versant Media debuted on Nasdaq. The activity shows capital markets remain open for profitable growth stories.