Stock Market Newsยท2025-10-26 01:38Domestic Policy and Economic Landscape - High-income residents in Democratic states are expected to receive significant tax refunds in 2025 due to a relaxed SALT cap, which may greatly influence personal finances in high-tax states [2] - ExxonMobil has filed a lawsuit against California, claiming that new climate disclosure laws violate its First Amendment rights, as these laws require large companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks starting in 2026 [3] - California's Transportation Secretary has threatened to revoke the state's authority to issue commercial driver's licenses and withhold $160 million in funding due to regulatory failures, including issuing licenses to non-domiciled drivers [4] - The Federal Reserve's bank reserves have decreased by $59 billion to $2.93 trillion, marking the second-lowest level since January 2023, indicating liquidity shifts in the financial system [5] - The job market remains tough for recent graduates, with 58% still seeking employment, more than double the rate of previous generations [5] Geopolitical Dynamics and International Trade - Former President Trump is on a diplomatic trip to Asia, aiming to finalize a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand [6] - Ongoing meetings between Russian officials and the Trump administration are focused on a potential Ukraine deal, with Trump stating he will only meet with Putin if a concrete agreement is in place [7] - Trade tensions are escalating, with Trump announcing a 10% increase in tariffs on Canadian goods in response to an anti-tariff advertisement, while The Economist suggests that China is "winning the trade war" [8][9] Corporate and Market Movements - SoftBank has approved a remaining $22.5 billion investment in OpenAI, contingent on the startup completing a corporate restructuring for a potential public offering, indicating strong confidence in AI growth [10] - Central banks globally are accelerating gold purchases, acquiring an annualized 830 tonnes in 2025, reflecting a strategic shift towards diversifying reserves amid economic uncertainties [11]