U.S. Stocks Retreat Amid Mixed Bank Earnings and Inflation Concerns

Market Overview - U.S. equity markets experienced a downturn on January 14th, 2026, with major indexes declining as investors reacted to mixed bank earnings, new economic data, and ongoing geopolitical tensions [1][2] - The Nasdaq Composite led the declines, falling approximately 1.6%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average also finished lower [2] Major Market Indexes Performance - The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 285 points, or 0.6%, after a previous 400-point drop [2] - The S&P 500 declined by about 1% as of midday, marking its second consecutive session of losses after reaching an all-time high [2] - The Nasdaq Composite saw the steepest drop, falling approximately 1.6% by midday, primarily due to declines in prominent tech stocks [2] Economic Indicators - The 10-year Treasury yield eased to around 4.14%, down from above 4.18%, indicating a flight to safety among investors [3] - Gold reached an all-time high of $4,650 per ounce, while silver crossed the $90-an-ounce mark, reflecting increased demand for safe-haven assets amid market uncertainty [3] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) for November rose by 0.2%, slightly below the expected 0.3% increase, while core PPI remained flat, suggesting easing price pressures [6] - U.S. retail sales for November increased by 0.6%, exceeding the predicted 0.4% rise, indicating resilient consumer demand [6] Upcoming Market Events - The Federal Reserve is set to release its "Beige Book" report, which will provide insights into economic activity and could influence future monetary policy decisions [4] - The fourth-quarter earnings season is ongoing, with major companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock expected to report soon [5] Major Stock News and Developments - In the financial sector, Wells Fargo shares fell by 4.5% to 5.6% after reporting weaker-than-expected results, while Bank of America saw a decline of 3.5% to 5% despite stronger profits [7] - Citigroup shares dropped by 3.5% to 4.6% following its profit report, contributing to downward pressure on the broader market [7] - In the technology sector, Nvidia shares fell by 2% to 2.1%, while Broadcom dropped 5%, and other tech giants like Tesla and Amazon also experienced declines [9] - Energy stocks showed strength, with Exxon Mobil rising 2.6% and Chevron climbing 2.1%, attributed to rising oil prices amid geopolitical tensions [10] Other Notable Movers - Netflix stock slipped over 2% amid reports of a potential all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery's HBO Max [11] - Biogen shares tumbled 4.3% to 6% due to anticipated profit impacts from R&D expenses [11] - Bitcoin continued its strong performance, trading around $97,400, positively affecting crypto-linked stocks [11]