Dancing in the dark

Market Overview - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party secured a supermajority in lower house elections, leading to a surge in Japanese stocks, with the Nikkei surpassing 58,000 for the first time [1] - The yen and Japanese government bonds (JGBs) strengthened, with the yen on track for its largest weekly gain in over a year, reflecting investor optimism about Takaichi's fiscal policies [1] - U.S. economic data showed mixed signals, with weaker-than-expected December retail sales raising expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, but January jobs numbers surprised positively, indicating a stabilizing labor market [1] Technology Sector - Tech stocks faced declines, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping 2% following disappointing earnings from Cisco Systems, and Apple experiencing a 5% drop, its largest since April [1] - The ongoing AI disruption trade has negatively impacted transportation stocks, highlighting the volatility in the tech sector [1] Energy Market - Oil prices remained rangebound, influenced by U.S.-Iran negotiations, with the International Energy Agency forecasting slower global oil demand growth than previously expected, suggesting a potential supply glut [1] - Brent crude prices remained near $70 a barrel, raising questions about the accuracy of market prices reflecting physical fundamentals [1] Investment Trends - Major tech companies are planning significant capital expenditures, with a combined $650 billion earmarked for 2026 among four leading firms, indicating a bullish outlook despite concerns over rising interest rates [1] - Global governments are expected to increase spending this year, which may counteract the pressures of high debt burdens and could impact bond markets negatively [1]