Key Takeaways Strategy shareholders haven't caught many breaks lately. They did this week. Index provider MSCI late Tuesday said it would not boot publicly traded companies with big holdings of digital assets such as bitcoin from its indexes—for now. Fans of Strategy (MSTR), the company made famous for stockpiling cryptocurrency, applauded the decision: Its stock was recently up about 4%, a bit off earlier highs. The news removed, or at least delayed, an overhang from Strategy's shares. MSCI last fall propo ...

Core Insights - First-time homebuyers in 2026 will encounter a challenging housing market characterized by high prices and elevated mortgage rates, although some areas may offer more favorable conditions [1][11] Market Analysis - Cities such as Rochester, N.Y., Harrisburg, Pa., and Granite City, Ill. are identified as top markets for first-time homebuyers due to a combination of affordability, inventory, local amenities, and positive economic outlooks [2][11] - The study indicates that only slightly over one-third of U.S. housing markets are affordable for buyers aged 25 to 34, with homes requiring payments of less than 30% of median income based on a 6.25% fixed mortgage rate and a 10% down payment [5] Economic Implications - Affordable housing markets can significantly impact local economic growth, migration patterns, and future consumer spending by providing younger households with realistic entry points into the housing market [3] - The median age of first-time homebuyers has risen to 40 in 2025, the highest since tracking began in 1981, with homeownership rates for those aged 35 and younger dropping to 37.5% from pre-pandemic levels above 40% [6] Pricing Trends - The median home listing prices in the highlighted markets are significantly lower than the national median existing home sales price of $409,000, with Granite City at $119,000, Rochester at $139,900, and Harrisburg at $151,999 [8][11] - Several Florida markets have been excluded from the list, and no cities in the West were included for the second consecutive year, underscoring ongoing affordability challenges in those regions [9] Amenities and Lifestyle - The study emphasizes the importance of local amenities such as shopping, daycare, and commute times in determining housing affordability, with many recommended markets being principal cities in their metropolitan areas [12]

Labor Market - The U.S. job market is expected to show slow expansion, with an addition of 73,000 jobs in December and a decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.5% from 4.6% in the previous month [2] - Job growth in December is slightly higher than the 64,000 jobs added in November, which had the highest unemployment rate since 2021 [2] - Over the past months, tariffs have negatively impacted hiring, with an average addition of only 17,000 jobs per month from May to November, compared to 147,000 jobs per month in the year leading up to April 2025 [3] - Some experts believe the Bureau of Labor Statistics may be overestimating job growth, with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggesting an average loss of 20,000 jobs per month since April [4] Albertsons - Albertsons Cos. reported weaker-than-expected Q3 net sales of $19.12 billion, slightly below the $19.16 billion consensus, leading to a 6% drop in shares [5][6] - Identical sales growth for Q3 was 2.4%, missing estimates due to delayed SNAP funding, which impacted sales by 10 to 20 basis points [6] - The company has lowered its full-year identical sales growth forecast to a range of 2.2% to 2.5%, down from 2.2% to 2.75%, citing impacts from the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program [6] Apogee Enterprises - Apogee Enterprises has cut its fiscal 2026 outlook again, resulting in an 11% drop in stock price after lowering its full-year net sales and profit forecasts for the second consecutive quarter [16][17] - The company now expects fiscal 2026 net sales of $1.39 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $3.40 to $3.50, down from previous guidance of $1.39 billion to $1.42 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.60 to $3.90 [17] - CFO Matthew Osberg has resigned, and Mark Augdahl has been named interim CFO, following a recent change in CEO [18]

U.S. employers had 7.1 million job openings in November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday. That was a decrease from 7.4 million in October, the fewest since September 2024, and below the 7.6 million openings forecasters had expected, according to a survey of economists by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. There was less than one job for every unemployed worker, with the ratio slipping to 0.9 from 1:1 in September. It was the lowest ratio since 2021. Related Education Understandin ...

Core Insights - The U.S. job market is expected to show slow expansion in December, with an addition of 73,000 jobs and a decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.5% from 4.6% in November [2][3][11] Job Growth and Unemployment - The anticipated job growth in December is slightly higher than the 64,000 jobs added in November, which marked the highest unemployment rate since 2021 [3][11] - The average job addition from May to November was only 17,000 per month, significantly lower than the 147,000 per month in the year leading up to April 2025 [4] Economic Factors Influencing Job Market - Tariffs, reduced immigration, and the adoption of artificial intelligence have negatively impacted job growth since mid-2022 [11] - Employers have been hesitant to hire due to uncertainties surrounding trade policies and the effects of tariffs on consumer behavior [8] Federal Reserve Response - Labor market concerns have led the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates multiple times to stimulate hiring and reduce unemployment [6][7] - The upcoming report is crucial for the Fed as it considers further rate cuts, especially after recent sluggish hiring trends [7] Data Sources and Predictions - The December job data is expected to be less distorted by previous government shutdowns, providing a clearer picture of the job market [9][11] - Private-sector data indicated that 41,000 jobs were added in December, which was below expectations but an improvement from November's decline of 29,000 jobs [12]

Core Insights - Gold and silver prices have surged following the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with gold increasing approximately 4% this week and silver rising over 10% [1][6] - The geopolitical uncertainty stemming from Maduro's capture has reignited interest in precious metals as safe-haven investments [3][6] Price Movements - Gold is nearing its record-high spot price of around $4,540 per troy ounce, while silver has surpassed the $80-per-ounce mark [1][6] - The previous week saw a decline in gold and silver prices due to increased margin requirements by CME Group, but the current geopolitical events have reversed this trend [2] Geopolitical Context - The U.S. government's role in stabilizing Venezuela remains uncertain, with President Trump indicating intentions to manage the country until a transition occurs [4] - The geopolitical landscape has been further complicated by threats directed at Colombian President Gustavo Petro and discussions regarding military options for acquiring Greenland [5] Market Reactions - Despite the geopolitical turmoil, U.S. stock indices like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones reached record highs, indicating a divergence in market sentiment between equities and precious metals [5]

Core Insights - Starting in 2023, approximately 6 million additional individuals with disabilities became eligible for ABLE accounts, expanding eligibility to those who become disabled before age 46 [1][8] - ABLE accounts allow tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified disability expenses, including transportation, food, education, and healthcare [2][8] - Contributions to ABLE accounts are capped annually, with a limit of $20,000 for 2026, and additional contributions allowed for working individuals without access to employer retirement plans [5][8] Eligibility and Benefits - To qualify for an ABLE account, individuals must have experienced their disability before age 46, and eligibility includes those receiving SSI or disability insurance benefits [6][8] - Assets in an ABLE account up to $100,000 do not affect eligibility for Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) or other programs like Medicaid and SNAP [4][5] - Nearly all states offer ABLE accounts, with exceptions being Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin [7]

Core Insights - Gas prices have been declining for years, yet the average American still pays more than pre-pandemic levels, with current prices around $2.82 per gallon, down from $3.07 a year ago [3][11] - The potential overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is unlikely to significantly impact U.S. gas prices in the near term [1][10] Oil Production and Market Impact - Venezuela holds nearly 20% of the world's known oil reserves, but its oil production has drastically decreased from nearly 3.5 million barrels per day in 1997 to an average of 900,000 barrels per day in 2024 due to underinvestment, corruption, and U.S. sanctions [2] - Experts indicate that the contraction of Venezuela's oil output is a primary reason why recent events will not affect gas prices soon [3][10] - A resolution between the U.S. and Venezuela could potentially return 200,000 barrels of oil to the global market, but the immediate impact on oil supply is expected to be limited [6] Future Projections and Challenges - Experts suggest that even under optimistic scenarios, it could take years for Venezuela to increase oil output significantly, with estimates that it could double production in one to two years under favorable conditions [9] - Repairing Venezuela's oil infrastructure is projected to take years and cost tens of billions of dollars, complicating the economic feasibility of such investments [8] - Despite the challenges, experts believe that global oil markets can withstand a worst-case scenario involving a total collapse of Venezuelan production [7] Consumer Impact and Expectations - Fuel prices are a significant driver of inflation, affecting consumer perceptions and costs of goods [5] - GasBuddy forecasts that the national average price of gas may fall to $2.97 per gallon this year, the lowest since 2020, due to various factors including the unwinding of post-pandemic market distortions and more stable supply chains [11]

Inflation Overview - Inflation has been a persistent issue in the U.S. economy over the past five years, primarily driven by rising prices for groceries and housing [2] - Other categories, such as electricity and utilities, have also seen significant price increases, with electricity prices up 6.9% year-over-year in November [2][3] Energy Sector - Utility gas services, fuel oils, and other motor fuels have increased at rates faster than the overall annual inflation rate of 2.7% [3] - The surge in energy usage by data centers powering artificial intelligence (AI) services is a contributing factor to rising energy prices [3] Household Goods - Furniture prices have risen faster than the inflation rate, with living room, kitchen, and dining room furniture costs up by 4.6% in November [5] - Prices for indoor plants and flowers increased at a faster rate, while cookware and tableware prices rose by 6.3% [6] - Tools saw a price increase of 5.6%, influenced by tariffs, and audio equipment prices increased by over 10% [6][7] Jewelry and Apparel - Jewelry prices rose by 8.3% in November, influenced by tariffs and the surge in gold and silver prices [8] - While overall apparel prices decreased, women's outerwear prices increased by 7.4%, highlighting the impact of tariffs on women's apparel [9] Health Care Costs - Health care services generally rose at the same rate as inflation, but hospital services saw a sharp increase of 6% in November [11] - Dental services costs increased by 4% in the third quarter of 2025, with nursing home costs also rising significantly [11] Financial Services - The cost of financial services surged in 2025, with prices up by 5.6% and fees and commissions rising by more than 8% in the third quarter [12]

Core Insights - The outlook for smart glasses is improving, with tech and retail experts optimistic about consumer adoption due to advancements in AI, lightweight electronics, and collaborations with fashionable eyewear brands [1] Industry Developments - Major brands like Snap, Apple, Meta, Google, and Warby Parker are racing to launch new smart glasses, indicating a competitive landscape [2] - Meta's new Ray-Ban Display contributed to a nearly 250% growth in the smart glasses category in 2025, although the international release is delayed to meet domestic demand [3] Technological Advancements - Manufacturers are miniaturizing electronic components, making smart glasses more comfortable and practical, which has led to a shift in perception from bulky to stylish [4] - AI integration is enhancing the functionality of smart glasses, with potential applications such as cooking assistance and object recognition [5] Market Potential - The sales of smart glasses are projected to increase significantly, from 10 million units in 2025 to an estimated 55 million by 2030, suggesting a growing market [7] - Despite the current sales of 2.7 million smart glasses in 2024 compared to 1.44 billion smartphones, the technology is expected to gain traction as a key device in the AI era [6]