Key Takeaways Airline earnings are set to kick off this week with results from Delta. United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others are set to follow later this month.Investors and analysts are likely to focus on their outlooks for 2026, and what executives have to say about the state of travel demand. Investors could get an early peek into the outlook for travel demand this year as major airlines start reporting earnings this week. Delta Air Lines (DAL) is set to lead the way with its results on Tuesda ...

Core Insights - Walmart is gaining recognition for its e-commerce capabilities, highlighting its competitive position in the retail sector [1] Group 1 - The company has been actively enhancing its online shopping experience to attract more customers [1] - Walmart's e-commerce growth is a strategic focus, aiming to compete with major players in the industry [1] - The recognition received reflects the effectiveness of Walmart's investments in technology and logistics for online sales [1]

Gold prices surged to a record high Monday as investors turned to the traditional safe haven amid fresh concerns that the independence of the Federal Reserve could be jeopardized. The Justice Department on Friday threatened Fed Chair Jerome Powell with criminal indictment related to his testimony before the Senate last June, according to a statement released Sunday. Powell dismissed the Justice Department's investigation into his testimony as "pretexts†for the White House to resume pressuring the Fed to low ...

Key Takeaways Investors see sunshine for Sun Country Airlines stock following news that it plans to merge with another ultra- low-cost carrier. Sun Country (SNCY) shares were up some 12% Monday, a day after the airline agreed to combine with fellow ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT) to "create a leading leisure-focused U.S. airline." Allegiant's stock was down about 6%. (Read Investopedia's live coverage of today's trading here.) Allegiant CEO Gregory Anderson would serve as the combined ...

Core Insights - Financial advisors are adapting their retirement investment strategies due to a volatile market and economic uncertainty, with two-thirds reporting changes in their advice [2][9]. Economic Factors Influencing Changes - Rising inflation, uncertainty surrounding Social Security and Medicare, and overall cost-of-living concerns are prompting advisors to adjust their conversations and strategies [3][9]. Client Strategies and Recommendations - Advisors are encouraging clients to reconsider their withdrawal strategies and create buffers against market volatility, including phased retirement or part-time work for stability [3][4]. - There is an increased focus on building cash buffers and revisiting asset allocation models to mitigate sequence risk, which is the risk associated with the timing of withdrawals from retirement accounts [5][6]. Sequence Risk and Retirement Planning - Sequence risk can significantly impact retirees who rely solely on their portfolios, especially during bear markets, leading to potential alterations in retirement plans [7]. - Advisors emphasize the importance of understanding individual spending needs to create sustainable retirement plans, as there is no universal withdrawal rate applicable to all clients [8]. Asset Management Strategies - Financial advisors are recommending the creation of "safe buckets" that hold one to three years of income in cash or near-cash assets to buffer against market volatility [9]. - There is growing interest among clients in guaranteed income solutions like annuities, tax-efficient strategies, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare costs [10]. - Advisors are exploring alternative investments such as private credit, private real estate, and private equity to enhance yields and diversify portfolios beyond traditional stocks and bonds [11].

Key Takeaways Bank stocks fell Monday after President Donald Trump said over the weekend that credit card interest rates should be capped at 10% for at least a year.How a cap would be put in place and why for only a year remains unclear. A number of banking and financial stocks slumped Monday morning after President Donald Trump over the weekend suggested capping credit card interest rates. Trump posted on social media late Friday that Americans are being "ripped off" by interest rates of 20% to 30%, a ...

Core Insights - Roblox has implemented an age-verification process for users to continue chatting, aiming to enhance safety for young users [1][5] - Other tech companies like Meta and OpenAI are also adjusting their platforms to protect minors from inappropriate content [2][6] - The introduction of age-verification tools has raised concerns among privacy advocates regarding user data protection [3][10] Company Actions - Roblox requires users to undergo facial age estimation or provide a photo ID to chat, with over half of active users participating in the process [5] - Meta has restricted teen accounts from viewing PG-13 content, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to age-appropriate experiences [6][7] - OpenAI has modified ChatGPT's interactions with minors, while Grok has limited image generation to paid subscribers following safety concerns [2][10] Industry Trends - Companies in the social and gaming sectors are responding to scrutiny over their oversight of teen users and the effectiveness of their solutions [3][10] - Age-verification services are becoming a standard requirement, with many states in the U.S. enacting laws mandating such measures [11] - The evolving regulatory landscape may lead to further changes in how platforms manage young users, as seen in proposals from New Zealand and Australia [11]

Core Insights - The second year of a presidential term is historically the weakest in the four-year cycle according to the "Presidential Election Cycle Theory" [2][8] - Early reactions to new policies and political uncertainty before midterm elections contribute to weaker performance in the first half of a term, while efforts to boost the economy typically help returns in the second half [3][4] - Bank of America analysts suggest that historical trends indicate market underperformance this year, with a potential for stronger performance in 2027 [4][8] Historical Performance - Since 1940, the S&P 500 has averaged a 4.2% increase in the second years of presidential terms, compared to an average annual gain of about 9% over the full period [5] - Analysts noted that most relative pressure could occur leading into midterms, although a potential "Santa Claus rally" in Q4 2026 could lift markets [5][6] - The current target for the S&P 500 at the end of 2026 is set at 7100, suggesting a return of approximately 4% for the year, which is below the long-term average [6]

Core Insights - The labor market is currently slow, with tariffs and the rise of AI impacting hiring capabilities, leading many recent graduates to consider graduate school as a viable option for better job prospects [2][6] - Certain graduate degree programs, particularly in mental health counseling and law, are projected to have high demand and job openings in the coming years, making them attractive for graduates [3][8] Group 1: Labor Market Conditions - The labor market has been sluggish in adding new workers, with tariffs affecting companies' hiring abilities [2] - The presence of AI is significantly impacting entry-level job availability, causing many recent graduates to feel unprepared for the evolving workforce [6] Group 2: Graduate School Trends - Graduate school is becoming a more appealing option for recent college graduates due to the stagnant job market, with law school admissions reaching the highest levels in over a decade [4][6] - Graduate degrees are associated with higher-paying job opportunities compared to those with only a bachelor's degree, and they can also delay student loan repayments [7] Group 3: Employment Projections - The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, and lawyers will see a high demand for jobs in the next several years [3][8] - As of September 2025, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates was 5.8%, higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.1% for all workers [5]

Group 1: Earnings Reports - Major financial institutions including JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs are set to report earnings, marking the start of the earnings season for Q4 2025 [1][3] - JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, will kick off the earnings season with its year-end report, having recently announced it will become the next issuer of the Apple Card [3] - Wells Fargo anticipates slower growth in net interest income for the year, while BNY Mellon and Goldman Sachs are also scheduled to report [4] Group 2: Economic Indicators - December's Consumer Price Index is expected to show inflation pressures slowing to 2.7%, with additional reports on wholesale inflation from October and November to provide further insights [6] - Retail sales data for November will offer insights into consumer activity during the holiday shopping season, which is crucial for the U.S. economy [8] - Reports on new and existing home sales are anticipated, as home sales have stalled due to ongoing affordability challenges [8] Group 3: Sector-Specific Insights - Taiwan Semiconductor's earnings will be closely watched to assess the chipmakers' ability to sustain revenue growth amid rising demand for AI chips [5] - Delta Air Lines' earnings will provide insights into the travel sector's recovery following disruptions caused by last year's government shutdown [5]