Core Viewpoint - Shares of Southwest Airlines increased by over 15% as investors responded positively to the airline's implementation of assigned seating and the potential for upselling opportunities [1] Company Summary - Southwest Airlines has introduced a new era of assigned seating, which is expected to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [1] - The market reacted favorably to this change, indicating investor confidence in the airline's strategy to capitalize on upselling opportunities [1] Industry Summary - The airline industry is witnessing shifts in customer service strategies, with assigned seating becoming a trend among carriers aiming to improve revenue streams [1] - The positive market response to Southwest Airlines may signal a broader trend in the industry towards enhancing customer experience through innovative seating arrangements [1]

How Nvidia's stock can get back to its winning ways after an underwhelming stretch - MarketWatch## Tech Stocks# How Nvidia's stock can get back to its winning ways after an underwhelming stretch## Nvidia's stock has trailed the chip sector this year, but Morgan Stanley thinks some investor concerns are overblownPublished: Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:15 p.m. ETShareResizeShares of Nvidia, which is led by CEO Jensen Huang, have been laggards so far this year. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images ...

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is discontinuing the Model S and Model X to focus on humanoid robots, which could generate significant revenue in the future [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The Model S sedan and Model X crossover SUV will be phased out of production in the next quarter as part of Tesla's strategic shift [1] - Tesla will continue to sell the Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan, which are currently its best-selling vehicles, along with the upcoming Cybertruck electric pickup [1] Group 2: Financial Implications - An analyst estimates that Tesla could potentially earn $25 billion annually by selling Optimus robots produced on the former Model S and Model X production lines [1]

Core Viewpoint - Oil prices increased by nearly 5%, reaching the highest level since July due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supply [1] Group 1: Oil Price Movement - The global benchmark for oil prices hit its highest level since July [1] - The increase in oil prices was nearly 5% on Thursday [1] Group 2: Geopolitical Factors - Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are worsening, contributing to the rise in oil prices [1] - Concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supply are heightened due to these geopolitical tensions [1]

Core Insights - The U.S. trade deficit recently decreased to a 16-year low, but this improvement is misleading as the trade gap remains near historically high levels [1] Group 1 - The trade deficit fell a few months ago, reaching a low not seen in 16 years [1] - Despite the recent decrease, the U.S. continues to experience a trade gap that is close to historically high levels [1]

Core Insights - Mastercard has demonstrated a strong performance at the beginning of the year, which counters concerns regarding a slowdown in consumer spending [1] Company Summary - The analyst highlights that Mastercard's early-year results are robust, indicating resilience in consumer spending patterns despite broader economic fears [1]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms reported impressive fourth-quarter earnings, alleviating concerns regarding its artificial intelligence strategy [1] Financial Performance - The fourth-quarter earnings report showcased strong financial results, indicating robust performance in the face of previous uncertainties [1]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. jobs market appears to have stabilized, supporting the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain current interest rates [1] Group 1: Job Market Stability - Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that the jobs market has shown signs of stabilization after a disappointing performance last year [1] - The latest jobless claims report aligns with Powell's assertion regarding the stabilization of the job market [1]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are becoming the dominant force in gold buying, overshadowing central banks and contributing to the ongoing rally in gold prices [1] Group 1: Investor Behavior - The shift in gold purchasing power from central banks to individual and institutional investors is significant, indicating a change in market dynamics [1] - Increased demand from investors is keeping the momentum alive for gold, which has seen historic price increases [1] Group 2: Market Impact - The ongoing rally in gold prices is being fueled by this shift in buying power, suggesting a robust market for the precious metal [1] - The involvement of investors is likely to sustain the upward trend in gold prices, as they continue to seek safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainties [1]

Core Insights - IBM's stock increased by 9% to $321, surpassing its 50-day average of $302, indicating positive market sentiment [1] - The company's adjusted earnings per share reached $4.52, exceeding Wall Street's expectations of $4.30 [1] - IBM reported sales of $19.69 billion, which also topped analyst estimates, reflecting strong financial performance [1]