Federal and local officials investigating Verizon’s massive outage are increasingly pointing to a suspected server failure in New Jersey — though the company has stopped short of confirming a definitive cause.The telecoms giant was apologetic late Wednesday after hourslong disruptions knocked phones offline nationwide and even interfered with some 911 calls.The outage, which began Wednesday afternoon and dragged into the late night hours, triggered a flood of complaints from coast to coast as Verizon custom ...

Core Viewpoint - The proposal by President Trump to impose a 10% cap on credit card interest rates has been met with significant opposition from major banking executives, who warn that it could restrict credit access for consumers and negatively impact the economy [1][3][17]. Group 1: Industry Reactions - Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan expressed concerns that capping interest rates could lead to a credit crunch, limiting credit card availability for consumers [1][2]. - Citigroup's outgoing CFO Mark Mason highlighted the potential "unintended consequences" of the cap, suggesting it could slow down the economy and affect various sectors [4][5]. - Wells Fargo's CFO Mike Santomassimo echoed these sentiments, stating that a cap could hinder economic growth and negatively impact credit availability [8][9]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The average credit card interest rate was reported at 20.97% in November, indicating the high returns banks generate from credit card loans [12]. - Research from Vanderbilt University suggested that a 10% cap could save Americans $100 billion annually, with only a modest impact on rewards and accounts [15]. - JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon noted that banks would need to adjust their models to account for the added risk and price controls, indicating that the changes would be significant [15]. Group 3: Market Impact - Following Trump's announcement, banking shares experienced a decline of 5% to 8% as investors assessed the potential impact on financial institutions [3]. - The enforcement of the proposed cap remains uncertain, with questions about whether it would be implemented through executive order, voluntary compliance from banks, or legislative action [17].

Core Argument - The Atlantic has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging monopolization of the digital advertising market through deceptive practices and antitrust violations [1][2][9] Allegations Against Google - The lawsuit claims that Google and its parent company Alphabet have manipulated the digital advertising market via secret auction schemes and illegal tying, which have resulted in significant revenue losses for publishers [2][9] - The Atlantic alleges that Google conditioned access to its AdX ad exchange on the mandatory use of its own ad server, effectively eliminating competition and leaving publishers with no alternatives [5][7] Antitrust Violations - Central to the case is the allegation of illegal "tying," where a dominant company forces customers to use a second product they might not choose otherwise [4] - The complaint describes Google's actions as a "sophisticated, anticompetitive, and deceptive scheme" that has been ongoing for over a decade, likening it to insider trading [7] Financial Impact - The lawsuit cites an internal analysis indicating that Google's practices could depress a publisher's revenue by "upwards of 40%" [12] - The Atlantic claims that Google's actions have led to "dramatically less revenue for publishers," while Google reportedly made $30 billion in profits in 2022 [13] Legal Context - The Atlantic's lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court and follows a similar complaint from Penske Media Corporation and SheMedia, both represented by the same law firm [14][17]

Verizon Wireless customers across the country were slammed by a massive network outage Wednesday morning that knocked tens of thousands of phones into SOS mode and left users unable to make calls, send texts or access mobile data.The disruption began surfacing shortly after 9 a.m. EST and rapidly escalated, with outage-tracking site Downdetector logging more than 113,000 reports at its peak as complaints poured in from coast to coast. 4 Verizon users indicated a problem with their service, the company sai ...

Core Viewpoint - Tesla will transition its full self-driving (FSD) software to a monthly subscription model starting February 14, moving away from the one-time purchase option [1][5]. Group 1: FSD Software Details - The FSD software is currently available for a one-time payment of $8,000 or a monthly subscription of $99 in the US [1][5]. - FSD is classified as an assistance system that requires drivers to remain attentive and ready to intervene when necessary [3][4]. Group 2: Regulatory and Safety Concerns - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the FSD system due to over 50 reports of traffic-safety violations and several crashes [2]. - Tesla has added the term "Supervised" to the FSD designation for passenger vehicles, indicating the need for driver oversight [2]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the announcement regarding the subscription model for FSD, Tesla shares experienced a decline of more than 2% [4].

Core Insights - The US housing market continues to experience a slump, with sales remaining at a 30-year low, totaling 4.06 million homes sold in 2025, unchanged from 2024, marking a decline every year since 2022 [1][4][5] - The median national home price increased by 1.7% to $414,400 in 2025, indicating persistent high prices despite low sales [2] - The average rate on a 30-year mortgage was around 7% a year ago but fell to close to 6% by the end of 2025, contributing to a slight increase in sales in December [6][8] Sales Performance - Sales of previously occupied homes have been stagnant at around a 4-million annual pace since 2023, significantly below the historical norm of 5.2 million [4] - December 2025 saw existing home sales rise to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.35 million units, a 5.1% increase from November, marking the fastest sales pace in nearly three years [6][8] - Despite the increase in sales in December, the overall trend remains negative, with sales having declined annually since 2022 [1][5] Price Trends - The median sales price in December 2025 reached $405,400, a 0.4% increase from December 2024, continuing a streak of 30 consecutive months of annual price increases [8][9] - The rise in home prices, coupled with elevated mortgage rates, continues to challenge affordability for many potential buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers [9] Economic Conditions - The housing market slump is attributed to rising mortgage rates that began in 2022, which have kept many prospective buyers out of the market [5] - Uncertainty regarding the economy and job market is also contributing to the hesitance of potential buyers to enter the housing market [9]

Citigroup’s fourth-quarter profit plunged 13% as the financial behemoth grappled with massive charges from dumping its Russia operations amid the war in Ukraine, but it wrapped up 2025 on a high note with beefier annual earnings as a surge in dealmaking helped boost investment banking fees.The Jane Fraser-led New York powerhouse posted net income, which is profit after taxes and expenses, of $2.5 billion for October through December, down from $2.9 billion a year prior. “2025 was a year of significant progr ...

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America reported a larger-than-expected quarterly profit, driven by strong trading gains amid volatile markets, and remains optimistic about the US economy moving forward [1][3][6] Financial Performance - The bank's net income for the quarter ending December 31 was $7.6 billion, or 98 cents per share, reflecting a 12% increase from $6.8 billion, or 83 cents per share, a year earlier [1][11] - Total revenue after interest costs rose 7% to $28.4 billion, surpassing analysts' estimates of approximately $27.9 billion [2] - For the full year of 2025, profits reached $30.5 billion, up from $27 billion the previous year, with per-share earnings increasing by 19% to $3.81 [3] Revenue Breakdown - Net interest income increased by 10% to $15.8 billion, with average loans rising 8% to $1.17 trillion and deposits growing 3% to $2.01 trillion [4] - Revenue from the global markets division, which includes trading of stocks, bonds, and currencies, surged 10% to $5.3 billion [5] - The consumer banking unit generated $3.3 billion on $11.2 billion in revenue, marking a 5% increase due to steady consumer spending [8] - Wealth management for affluent clients earned $1.4 billion on a revenue rise of 10% to $6.6 billion, supported by fees and a 12% increase in loans [11] - Corporate banking netted $2.1 billion on $6.2 billion in revenue, up 2%, with deposits increasing by 13% [12] Cost and Efficiency - Non-interest expenses rose by 4% to $17.4 billion, but the efficiency ratio improved, with expenses to revenue dropping to 61% from 63% [7] - Loan loss provisions decreased to $1.3 billion from $1.5 billion, indicating a stable economic environment for consumers and businesses [7] Market Position and Outlook - Bank of America maintains a solid balance sheet with total assets at $3.41 trillion and a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.4%, reflecting strong financial health [12] - The bank serves 69 million customers and manages $3 trillion in wealth assets, positioning itself well for future growth [12]

Core Viewpoint - President Trump criticized JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon for his warnings regarding the Justice Department's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, asserting that the probe does not undermine the Fed's independence [1][2][4]. Group 1: Investigation and Reactions - The Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation related to Powell's congressional testimony about a $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve's headquarters, focusing on whether he misled lawmakers about the project's scope and cost [13][16]. - Dimon expressed concerns that any actions undermining the Fed's independence could lead to increased inflation expectations and higher interest rates, emphasizing the importance of Fed autonomy [5][10]. - Other executives, including Bank of New York Mellon CEO Robin Vince, echoed Dimon's sentiments, warning that political pressure on the Fed could destabilize bond markets and ultimately raise interest rates [10][11]. Group 2: Trump's Position - Trump defended the investigation as a necessary accountability measure, labeling Powell as incompetent and asserting that the probe is unrelated to monetary policy [17]. - He reiterated his belief that interest rates should be lower, suggesting that Dimon's defense of the Fed is motivated by self-interest due to the benefits of higher borrowing costs for JPMorgan [5][6]. - Trump plans to proceed with naming Powell's replacement within weeks, despite opposition from Wall Street executives and Republican lawmakers [6][8].

Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo reported stronger profits for Q4 2025, driven by increased revenue from loans and fees, as the US economy remained stable and the bank moved past a Fed-imposed asset cap following a scandal involving fake accounts [1][10]. Financial Performance - The bank's net income for Q4 2025 was $5.4 billion, an increase from $5.1 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [1]. - Earnings per share (EPS) reached $1.62, surpassing Wall Street expectations and up from $1.43 in Q4 2024 [2]. Growth Drivers - CEO Charlie Scharf highlighted significant investments in infrastructure and business growth, with a 20% increase in new credit card accounts, a 19% rise in auto lending balances, 12% loan growth in commercial banking, and a 14% increase in investment banking fees as key contributors to profit growth [3]. Regulatory Changes - The Federal Reserve lifted a $1.95 trillion asset cap in June 2025, which had been imposed in 2018 due to the fake accounts scandal, allowing the bank to enhance its growth potential [7][10]. - Following the removal of the asset cap, Wells Fargo raised its medium-term profitability goal to a 17% to 18% return on tangible common equity, up from 15% [10]. Market Reaction - The bank's share price experienced a jump in early trading, indicating investor optimism regarding its recovery and future performance [11].