January 12, 2026
The Trump loyalist at the center of the Senate’s Obamacare talks
If the Senate is going to strike a deal to revive a signature Democratic policy, it will be in part because of an unlikely broker: a freshman Republican from the party’s MAGA wing. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio is, on paper, an odd fit in the core group of about a dozen senators in talks […]
January 12, 2026
Is the Apple stock pullback a buy opportunity? Analysts see near term upside
Apple shares extended a rare period of weakness this week, slipping 0.5% to $259.04 on Thursday and marking the stock’s seventh consecutive session of declines dating back to Dec. 30. While the pullback has been relatively modest — Apple shares are down about 5.4% over the streak — the persistence of the losses has drawn […]
January 12, 2026
Europe bulletin: London stocks rise amid Storm Goretti, French turmoil
European markets and politics ended the week on a mixed note, with London equities nudged higher by renewed mining deal speculation, while a powerful storm disrupted daily life across parts of northern Europe. Political uncertainty also loomed in France, where a confidence vote over the Mercosur trade pact threatens fresh turmoil. Meanwhile, Italy’s prime minister […]
January 12, 2026
Netflix stock: are markets mispricing the Warner deal impact?
Netflix stock (NASDAQ: NFLX) has tumbled roughly 27% since hitting a peak in late June 2025. The losses have been particularly steep following the December 5 announcement of its $72 billion equity acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming division. Netflix stock briefly dipped further in early January as a hostile Paramount bid complicated […]
January 12, 2026
US midday market brief: S&P 500 rises 0.7% as jobs data lifts sentiment
The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% to a fresh intraday record high on Friday, following the release of December’s employment report, which showed a mixed labor market picture that calmed recession fears. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.9%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 213.52 points, or 0.43%, closing at 49,480.41 as of midday trading. The […]
January 12, 2026
Evening digest: US job numbers, Iran unrest, OpenAI-SoftBank back AI push
US job growth stalled in December, underscoring a labor market losing momentum, while geopolitical and policy uncertainty weighed on global sentiment. Iran’s Supreme Leader warned protests could isolate the country further as security forces tightened controls. In the US, OpenAI and SoftBank moved to secure clean energy for AI infrastructure with a $1 billion renewables […]
January 12, 2026
This $1B OpenAI–SoftBank bet reveals what AI can’t function without
OpenAI and SoftBank announced a joint $1 billion investment in SB Energy on Friday to build and operate a 1.2-gigawatt data centre in Milam County, Texas. On the surface, it reads like yet another megadeal in the booming AI infrastructure arms race. But it signals something more urgent: electricity has become AI’s single largest production […]
January 12, 2026
Kansas crop woes fuel wheat rally ahead of USDA winter acreage estimate
Wheat kicked off the new year with a price surge, as the most actively traded futures contract on the CBOT climbed to 522 US cents per bushel on Thursday, marking its highest level since December 26. At the time of writing, US wheat futures for the March contract were at 518 cents. Wheat prices began […]
January 12, 2026
What to expect from US big banks as they report earnings next week?
US big banks are set to kick off earnings season next week, and experts are bracing for solid results. According to Ken Leon, a senior CFRA analyst, the outlook for these banking giants is “very positive”, with several tailwinds that could lift both profits and stock prices. Note that iShares’ big banks exchange-traded fund (ETF) […]
January 12, 2026
India’s economy looks strong with low inflation—but do people feel it
India heads into 2026 with headline indicators that would be the envy of many major economies. Growth is strong, inflation is subdued, and political stability remains intact. Yet beneath these reassuring numbers lies a widening disconnect between macro performance and lived economic reality, said a Financial Times report. For investors and policymakers alike, this dichotomy […]
January 12, 2026
From LUV to HOG to RACE: do quirky stock tickers influence performance?
Every trading day, three-four or sometimes five-letter stock tickers move steadily up and down on screens. Behind those simple symbols sit the shifting emotions of millions of investors, ranging from hope to fear. Some tickers, however, carry a story. From Southwest Airlines’ LUV to Harley-Davidson’s HOG and Ferrari’s RACE, certain stock symbols have long stood […]
January 12, 2026
Iran’s collapse or survival hinges on one choice inside the Revolutionary Guard
Iran is not merely experiencing another wave of street protests. It is facing a crisis that strikes at the core of the Islamic Republic—and, for the first time in years, places the regime’s survival in real doubt. Across Iran, demonstrations sparked by economic collapse and corruption have rapidly transformed into direct challenges to clerical rule. […]