Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-12 01:03Market Overview - The U.S. stock market experienced a strong rebound, with all three major indices closing higher, driven by key players in the AI computing industry such as Nvidia, TSMC, and Broadcom [1] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 indices reached new all-time closing highs, with the Dow gaining over 2% for the week, while the Nasdaq Composite rose by less than 2% [1] Economic Data and Expectations - The upcoming week is termed a "super heavy week," with the U.S. government set to release crucial economic data, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) [2][3] - Analysts expect a significant rebound in core CPI, with predictions ranging from 0.36% to 0.38% for December, compared to an average of 0.08% in October and November [8] - Retail sales data, referred to as "terrifying data," is anticipated to show a rebound of 0.7% in November, driven by strong online sales during shopping events [9] Labor Market Insights - The December non-farm payroll report indicated a slowdown in job growth, with only 584,000 jobs added in 2025, the lowest since 2003, excluding recession years [5][6] - The unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.4%, suggesting a "low hiring, low firing" scenario rather than a recessionary decline [6][7] Corporate Earnings Season - The earnings season for major U.S. banks is set to commence, with JPMorgan Chase and BNY Mellon reporting on Tuesday, followed by other financial giants [4][10] - Analysts expect strong performance from these banks, with a consensus that the S&P 500 index will continue its bullish trajectory into 2026, potentially reaching 8,000 points [3][10] TSMC's Performance - TSMC's earnings report is highly anticipated, as it serves as a bellwether for the AI chip supply chain, with expectations for strong demand from major clients like Nvidia [4][12] - TSMC reported a December revenue of approximately NT$335 billion, a year-on-year increase of 20.4%, and a total revenue of NT$3.81 trillion for the year, reflecting a 31.6% growth [12][14] Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - Analysts remain optimistic about the U.S. economy's "soft landing" narrative, with expectations for continued growth in 2026, supported by favorable fiscal policies and easing inflationary pressures [7][11] - The financial sector is expected to benefit from a recovery in net interest income (NII) and strong performance in investment banking and wealth management [11]