A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after the opening bell in New York on Jan. 2, 2026.The stock market showed little reaction to President Donald Trump's extraordinary action in Venezuela as investors bet the attack, as well as the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro, would not lead to a bigger geopolitical conflict. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures were higher in premarket trading Monday, up 0.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was last about flat. ...

Versant signage on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on July 21, 2025.Versant Media Group, the portfolio of cable TV networks and digital assets spun off by Comcast, joins the small cohort of public media companies as the industry reckons with ongoing disruption. Versant begins trading on the Nasdaq Monday under the ticker symbol "VSNT." The company's so-called "when-issued" stock — a security that is expected to be issued and has been authorized to trade on a conditional basis to give investors an e ...

Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk has launched the first-ever GLP-1 oral pill for weight loss in the U.S., marking a significant advancement in obesity treatment [1][2]. Pricing and Accessibility - The cash prices for the Wegovy pill range from $149 to $299 per month, depending on the dosage, which aims to address affordability issues associated with existing weekly injection treatments [2][4]. - The starting dose of 1.5 milligrams is available at over 70,000 U.S. pharmacies and select telehealth providers, with higher doses expected to be available shortly [3]. - Patients with insurance can access the drug for as low as $25 per month, while cash-paying patients can also purchase it through a deal with TrumpRx for $149 per month [4][5]. Market Potential - The GLP-1 market is projected to be worth approximately $100 billion by the 2030s, with oral drugs potentially capturing a 24% market share, equating to around $22 billion [7]. - Novo Nordisk's launch gives it a competitive edge as it awaits FDA approval for a rival pill from Eli Lilly later this year [8]. Clinical Efficacy - In a phase three trial, the highest dose of the oral semaglutide led to an average weight loss of 16.6% after 64 weeks, with a 13.6% weight loss observed across all participants [11]. - The Wegovy pill is reported to be slightly more effective than Eli Lilly's experimental oral drug, which does not impose dietary restrictions [12]. Regulatory Approval - The FDA approved the Wegovy pill for weight loss and for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease [8][9].

Group 1 - Manchester United has parted ways with head coach Ruben Amorim amid questions regarding his role and tensions with the club hierarchy [1] - The club aims to improve its Premier League standing, stating that the coaching change will provide the best opportunity for a higher finish [2] - Amorim was appointed after billionaire Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake in the club, which has led to significant structural changes within the organization [3] Group 2 - Prior to his departure, Amorim expressed frustrations about his role, emphasizing that he wanted to be the manager rather than just a coach [4] - Manchester United is currently positioned 6th in the Premier League [4] - Former player Darren Fletcher will take over as interim manager for the upcoming match against Burnley [5]

Core Insights - Foxconn reported a 22% increase in revenues for Q4 2025, driven by heightened spending on AI infrastructure by tech firms [1] - The company's revenues reached 2.6 trillion Taiwan dollars ($83 billion), exceeding analyst expectations of NT$2.4 trillion ($77 billion) [1] - Foxconn's share price increased by 25% throughout 2025, following a significant 76% rise in the previous year [2] Company Overview - Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai, is the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer, producing servers for data centers and assembling Apple's iPhone [2] - The company has positioned itself as a crucial player in the AI sector as businesses accelerate the development of related infrastructure [2]

Market Reaction to Venezuela Developments - The market response to the political developments in Venezuela has been notably restrained, indicating modest hedging rather than a flight-to-safety [3][19] - Investors are assessing whether the situation in Venezuela will lead to a systemic impact on markets or if it will be a temporary shock [2][19] Oil Market Analysis - The current oil market structure is more critical than spot prices; as long as Brent crude remains around $60 and the forward curve is in contango, there is ample supply and limited concern about disruptions from Venezuela [4][8] - A shift to backwardation would signal a real supply issue, but this is not currently happening, suggesting that the market does not view the Venezuelan situation as a threat to global energy supply [5][7] Volatility and Risk Pricing - The Volatility Index (VIX) currently stands at 14.5, indicating low market stress and complacency despite geopolitical tensions [9][10] - Real yields in the U.S. remain elevated, reflecting the country's heavy debt burden, and inflation expectations are stable, suggesting no significant change in the economic outlook [11][12] Precious Metals Performance - Gold prices have increased over 2% to $4,419 per ounce, benefiting from the geopolitical developments in Venezuela, with expectations for further appreciation [2][14] - Silver prices have also risen over 3% to $75.2733 per ounce, indicating a knee-jerk reaction to geopolitical risks [14] Long-term Political Implications - The situation in Venezuela may influence political behavior in other regions, particularly concerning Taiwan, although immediate military action is not anticipated [15][18] - The developments in Venezuela are viewed as a tactical shock rather than a regime shift, with investors focusing on potential geopolitical risk premiums rather than structural changes in the market [19]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. oil companies' shares experienced significant increases in premarket trading due to investor reactions to the Trump administration's unexpected military operation in Venezuela [1]. Company Performance - Chevron shares rose by 6.5% at 9:22 a.m. London time (4:22 a.m. ET) [1]. - Exxon Mobil's shares increased by 3.2% [1]. - SLB, a major player in oilfield services, saw its shares climb more than 8% [1].

Defense stocks in Europe and Asia surged on Monday as investors assessed how the dramatic overthrow of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could herald a significant geopolitical shift that will boost the rearmament trade in the long run.Rheinmetall, Germany's largest arms manufacturer, gained over 7% in early trade, while military technology and surveillance specialist Hensoldt advanced almost 7%. Italy's Leonardo rose 5.8%, while German counterpart Renk added 5.8%.Swedish fighter jet maker Saab was up almost ...

A trader wears "2026" glasses on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.May this year prove as lucrative as 2025, when the S&P 500 rallied 16.39% mostly on the back of enthusiasm over artificial intelligence. Other highlights of last year: Google-parent Alphabet was the most magnificent of the Magnificent Seven; Colombia's stock market was the surprise leader of the MSCI All Country World Index; silver surged over 141%, outshining its sibling gold, which ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. has overthrown Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, leading to mixed reactions in global markets, particularly in Europe and oil prices [1][2]. Group 1: Market Reactions - European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory, with the U.K.'s FTSE index and France's CAC 40 projected to rise by 0.6% and 0.5% respectively, while Italy's FTSE MIB is expected to increase by 0.7% [2]. - Oil prices have seen a slight increase as investors consider the potential impact of Maduro's ousting on oil shipments from Venezuela, which produces less than 1 million barrels of oil per day [4]. Group 2: Political Developments - President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela until a safe transition can occur, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that the U.S. would use leverage to achieve policy goals without directly governing Venezuela [3].