>> THIS IS HORIZONS MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA. OUR TOP STORIES THIS MORNING. AT LEAST 16 PEOPLE KILLED AT SYDNEY'S BONDI BEACH IN AUSTRALIA'S WORST TERRORIST ATTACK AFTER GUNMEN OPENED FIRE ON MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE CELEBRATING HANUKKAH.A WALL STREET SELLOFF SPARKED BY WORRIES OVER SPENDING. CHINESE STOCKS ALSO EDGING LOWER AFTER THE LATEST DATA SHOWS RETAIL GROWTH AT ITS WEAKEST SINCE COVID WITH FACTORY OUTPUT MISSING ESTIMATES. JUST PAST 9:00 A.M. ACROSS THE EMIRATES AND 7:00 A. M.IN CAPE TOWN. IT IS THE FINAL ...

Market Outlook - Wall Street is optimistic about the stock market heading into 2026, following record highs for the S&P 500 and Dow coinciding with a Federal Reserve interest rate cut [1] - The Fed's upward revision of GDP to 2.3% for 2026 is expected to lead to increased revenue, higher profit margins, and earnings growth, fueling bullish price targets [3] Analyst Predictions - Veteran strategist Ed Yardeni predicts the S&P 500 could reach 7,700, raising the probability of his "Roaring 2020s" scenario to 60% due to tax benefits and an AI-driven tech boom [4] - Oppenheimer has set a 2026 target for the S&P 500 at 8,100, attributing this to shifts in monetary and fiscal policy [4] - UBS strategists have a December 2026 target of 7,700, citing resilient economic growth, Fed rate cuts, and a boom in AI investment spending [5] Earnings Growth - Goldman Sachs analysts forecast S&P 500 earnings growth of over 12% in 2026, compared to a Street consensus of 14% [5] - The largest seven stocks in the index, including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, account for about a quarter of the index's earnings, but Goldman expects broader participation in earnings growth [6] - Macro tailwinds from accelerating economic growth and a fading tariff drag on margins are anticipated to support an acceleration in earnings growth for the remaining stocks [6]

Core Insights - Armis, a privately-held Israeli cybersecurity company, is in discussions for a potential sale to US-based ServiceNow for up to $7 billion, with an announcement expected soon [1] - ServiceNow is a leading platform for enterprise management and automation, boasting a market capitalization of nearly $180 billion [2] - Armis has recently surpassed an annual revenue of $300 million, growing by $100 million in less than a year, indicating strong demand for its cybersecurity solutions [3] Company Overview - Armis focuses on securing critical assets for large organizations, including airports and oil and gas infrastructure, and has expanded its offerings to address cyber vulnerabilities [5] - The company was previously controlled by Insight Partners, which acquired it in 2020 for $1.1 billion, making them significant beneficiaries of the potential sale [4] - Armis's founders have a history in cybersecurity, having previously worked at Adallom, which was acquired by Microsoft for $320 million in 2025 [5] Investment and Future Plans - The company is considering an IPO, targeting a flotation in late 2026 or early 2027 [3] - Other notable investors in Armis include Goldman Sachs, Google's Capital G, and Brookfield Asset Management, indicating strong backing from prominent financial entities [4]

Group 1: Company Actions - Goldman Sachs Asset Management is acquiring Innovator Capital Management for $2 billion, focusing on defined outcome exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [1] - The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of next year, indicating a strategic move to enhance their product offerings in the ETF market [1] Group 2: Industry Insights - Defined outcome ETFs, also known as buffer ETFs, are gaining traction as they provide downside protection and income for investors, addressing specific market needs [2] - Bryon Lake, co-head of the Third-Party Wealth team at Goldman Sachs, emphasizes the growth potential of defined outcome ETFs, describing them as a fast and attractive space [2] - Kathmere Capital Management, managing $3.4 billion in assets, highlights the role of defined outcome ETFs in client portfolios to reduce downside risk, indicating a growing demand for these products [3] - The appeal of defined outcome ETFs lies in their ability to offer stock market exposure with built-in safety nets, making them suitable for risk-managed equity solutions [4]

Just a few more government shutdowns then up only*Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone):GUESS WHO’S BACK?Kalshi now assigns a 43% probability of a U.S. government shutdown on January 31, 2026, the highest level since the 2025 crisis.Goldman Sachs estimates a 40–50% risk, while JPMorgan puts the odds at 20–40% for a lapse in early 2026. Both firms say a short https://t.co/4AkcBdQhG8 ...

Goldman Sachs upgraded Standard Chartered Plc (SCBFF) to Buy from Neutral on the potential for management to boost its guidance after its 2025 earnings are released or at its investor day in May. The upgrade "is especially driven by our increased ...

the former director of the National Economic Council during President Trump's first term. Gary Con, also the former president of Goldman Sachs and current vice chair of IBM. Got it all in.Gary, welcome. Always good to have you after Fed day like this. So, what do you think they're going to do next.>> First of all, it's great to be here. >> Thank you. >> Well, look, I I think we're in the same place we've been for the last year. And what I call that is we're in the sort of great dilemma. And I think the Fed' ...

Core Viewpoint - Viva Gold Corp. is initiating a non-brokered private placement to raise up to CDN$3,000,000 by offering 18,750,000 units at CDN$0.16 each, with each unit comprising one common share and one-half of a warrant [1] Group 1: Offering Details - The offering consists of up to 18,750,000 units priced at CDN$0.16 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of up to CDN$3,000,000 [1] - Each unit includes one common share and one-half of a non-transferable common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable at CDN$0.24 for 36 months [1] - The company may pay finder's fees, subject to TSX Venture Exchange policies, and the offering is pending approval from the exchange [4] Group 2: Insider Participation - Certain insiders may participate in the offering, which would be classified as a "related party transaction" under MI 61-101 [2] - The company anticipates that insider participation will be exempt from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval as it will not exceed 25% of the company's market capitalization [2] Group 3: Use of Proceeds - Proceeds from the offering will be allocated primarily for Pre-Feasibility/Feasibility study work at the Tonopah Gold Project, including technical and environmental studies [3] - Additional funds will be used for geophysical surveys, geological work, and general working capital [3] Group 4: Company Overview - Viva Gold's Tonopah Gold Project is located in a prominent mining area in Nevada and has a high confidence level gold mineral resource [5] - The company is committed to environmentally and socially responsible development, led by experienced management [5][6] - Viva Gold trades on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol "VAU" and has approximately 145.3 million shares outstanding [6]

Core Insights - Harness, co-founded by Jyoti Bansal, has achieved a valuation of $5.5 billion after raising $200 million in a funding round led by Goldman Sachs, surpassing the $3.7 billion sale of AppDynamics to Cisco nearly nine years ago [1][4] - The company specializes in technology that helps manage and monitor AI-generated code, ensuring it remains functional, secure, and cost-effective, aligning with the growing trend of "vibe coding" in the generative AI space [2][3] - Harness is projected to exceed $250 million in annualized revenue, reflecting over 50% year-over-year growth, making it larger than AppDynamics at the time of its acquisition [4] Company Developments - The recent funding round is complemented by a planned $40 million tender offer aimed at providing liquidity to long-standing employees [5] - Earlier this year, Harness enhanced its cybersecurity capabilities by merging with Traceable, another company co-founded by Bansal, resulting in a combined workforce of approximately 1,300 employees [3] Market Position - Bansal expresses a desire for Harness to operate as a public company at the right market timing to facilitate long-term growth [4]

Core Viewpoint - Star Royalties Ltd. has entered into a binding agreement with Nhwelmen Construction Limited Partnership, allowing Elk Gold Mining Corp. to repurchase the Company's 2% net smelter return royalty on the Elk Gold Mine in exchange for a 5% equity ownership in Gold Mountain Mining Corp. following the resolution of Gold Mountain's court-appointed receivership process [1][2]. Transaction Highlights - The restructuring enables the Company to capitalize on the reorganization of Elk Gold and maintain optionality regarding the underlying resources [2]. - The equity position in Gold Mountain expands the Company's exposure to 21,187 hectares, significantly increasing the land package previously covered by the royalty [2]. - Elk Gold will be developed by a reputable operator known for safety and environmental stewardship, with permitting support from NCLP [2]. - The restructuring aligns the interests of the Company, NCLP, and the Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council for long-term value maximization of Elk Gold [4]. Wealth Creation Potential - Near-term catalysts for Elk Gold include a revised resource statement, updated mine plan, exploration programs, and the announcement of a development partner [4]. - The new equity stake in Gold Mountain is expected to potentially surpass the value of the 2% NSR royalty, with unchanged positive asset attributes such as location, grade profile, and near-term cash flow potential [4].