Bankruptcy Trends - Corporate bankruptcies in the US have reached levels not seen since the Great Recession, with at least 717 companies filing for bankruptcy through November 2025, marking a 14% increase from the previous year and the highest total since 2010 [1] Affected Companies - Notable bankruptcies include pharmacy chain Rite Aid, genetics testing firm 23andMe, fast-casual dining spot Hooters, and no-frills carrier Spirit Airlines [2] Driving Factors - The surge in bankruptcies is attributed to a combination of persistent cost pressures, tight credit conditions, and aggressive trade policies that have increased the price of imported materials and disrupted global supply chains [3][11] - Industrial companies are experiencing the most significant distress, a shift from previous years when consumer retailers dominated bankruptcy filings [4] Sector Analysis - Manufacturers, construction firms, and transportation providers now represent the largest share of new bankruptcy filings, contrasting with recent trends where consumer-facing companies were more prevalent [4] - The manufacturing sector lost over 70,000 jobs in the year ending in November, despite claims that tariff strategies would boost domestic production [4] Consumer Behavior - Consumer-facing companies selling discretionary goods are also facing increased bankruptcy filings, indicating that inflation is causing Americans to reduce nonessential spending [8] - Retailers in sectors like fashion and home décor are particularly vulnerable as consumers prioritize essential expenses [8] Bankruptcy Types - The filings include both Chapter 11 reorganizations, which allow companies to restructure while operating, and Chapter 7 liquidations, which typically result in shutdowns and asset sales [9] Mega Bankruptcies - There has been a notable increase in "mega bankruptcies," with 17 companies having more than $1 billion in assets filing for bankruptcy in the first half of 2025, the highest in any six-month period since the COVID-19 crisis [10] Tariff Impact - Tariffs on steel, components, and energy-related equipment have severely impacted manufacturers and suppliers, with effective tariff rates on imported solar cells and panels rising to about 20% from less than 5% in prior years [15] - Smaller companies are particularly strained by these tariffs, which have led to significant cash flow issues [16] Specific Company Cases - Solar installer PosiGen filed for Chapter 11 in November due to the rollback of federal clean-energy incentives and new tariffs on imported solar equipment [12] - Electric truck maker Nikola filed for Chapter 11 in February after struggling with production scaling and costs related to a battery recall, alongside facing a $125 million civil penalty from the SEC [17]

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan is forecasting an easing of tariff-related tensions next year.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Moynihad said during an interview Sunday (Dec. 28) with CBS News that ...

All right, let's talk uh to Stephen Moore about the economy, Trumpomics heading into 2026. He is the co-founder of Unleash Prosperity. He's also a former economic adviser to President Trump.Good to see you, Steve. >> Hi, Joe. Merry Christmas.Happy New Year. >> Yep. Same to you.>> The president says the T-word, tariffs, is the most beautiful word in the English language. Uh on the other side of that, we had the naysayers forecasting a deep recession starting in April uh of last year from the tariffs. You're ...

Economic Growth Outlook - The U.S. economy is expected to experience accelerated growth in 2026, with a forecasted real GDP growth rate of 2.6%, surpassing the Bloomberg consensus of 2% [3][6] - The growth in 2025 was impacted by higher-than-expected tariffs, which increased the average effective tariff rate by 11 percentage points, contributing to a 0.6 percentage point reduction in GDP in the latter half of 2025 [2][6] Factors Driving Growth - Three main factors are anticipated to drive faster economic growth in 2026: reduced tariff drag, tax cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and more favorable financial conditions due to interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [6][7] - Consumers are projected to receive an additional $100 billion in tax refunds in the first half of 2026, equating to approximately 0.4% of annual disposable income [7] Labor Market Insights - Despite the optimistic growth outlook, the labor market is not expected to see significant improvement, with the unemployment rate projected to stabilize around 4.5% in 2026 [8][10] - The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% in June to 4.6% in November, indicating a cooling labor market amid economic uncertainties [9] Inflation Trends - Inflation is expected to decline, with core PCE inflation projected to fall to just above 2% by the end of 2026, primarily due to diminishing tariff pass-through effects [12][13] - The current core PCE inflation rate is noted at 2.8%, largely influenced by tariff pass-through, which is expected to rise slightly from 0.5 percentage points to 0.8 percentage points by mid-2026 [12][13]

Welcome back. Our next guest says tariffs reshuffled winners and losers in retail, but they didn't stop consumers from spending this holiday season, even as postol returns are now rolling in. Joining us now to break down how the sector performed this year and what lies ahead in 2026, Jen Niffin, CEO of Jay Rogers Niffin, WWE.Jan, thank you for being here. Happy holidays to you. Um, so we've got this retail environment now where consumers are spending more than expected during the holiday season.GDP is doing ...

Market Sentiment and Performance - The market has shown strong momentum, particularly in the fourth quarter, with expectations of potentially hitting a 20% mark again [1] - Historically, the second year of a presidential term has seen an average return of about 3.3%, indicating a possible decline in growth despite positive earnings [2][3] - There is an expectation of volatility in the early part of next year, but a strong finish is anticipated [4] Earnings and Valuation - Excellent earnings are expected next year, with a potential rotation from mega-cap stocks to small caps, which may alleviate some valuation pressure on the S&P [7] - Gains may be more muted for mega-cap stocks, while broader market gains could be more pronounced [8] Commodity Market Insights - Silver has recently seen significant demand, with its price surpassing that of a barrel of oil for the first time in decades, indicating strong fundamental support for its gains [9][10] - The demand for silver is driven by trends in AI and electric vehicles, suggesting a shift in consumption patterns [12][13] Federal Reserve and Economic Outlook - The upcoming Fed minutes are expected to have a significant impact on the market, reflecting ongoing debates within the Fed regarding economic conditions and inflation [14][15] - Anticipation of two rate cuts next year is expected to support market performance throughout the year [15]

"As Treasury Secretary, my job is to be the nation's top bond salesman. And Treasury yields are a strong barometer for measuring success in this endeavor," Bessent said in a November 12 speech, noting borrowing costs were down across the curve. The Treasury did not respond to a request for comment for this story.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – a former hedge fund manager - has repeatedly said he is focused on keeping yields down, especially on the benchmark 10-year bond, which affects the cost of everyth ...

Mergers and Acquisitions - The three largest insurance brokers, Marsh, Aon, and Arthur J. Gallagher, engaged in multi-billion-dollar acquisitions in 2024, indicating a strong trend in insurance M&A activity [1] - Brown & Brown announced an agreement to acquire Accession Risk Management, the parent company of Risk Strategies and One80 Intermediaries, for approximately $9.8 billion, making it a significant deal in 2025 [3] - Baldwin Group acquired CAC Group for about $1.03 billion, consisting of $438 million in cash and 23.2 million shares valued at $589 million [4] - WTW completed a late 2025 acquisition of Newfront for $1.3 billion, while South Korea's DB Insurance Co. agreed to buy Fortegra Group for $1.65 billion [5] - AIG acquired Everest's retail commercial insurance renewal rights and jointly acquired Convex Group with Onex Corp, while Sompo Holdings' subsidiary acquired Aspen Insurance Holdings for about $3.5 billion [6] Legal Issues and Lawsuits - Howden US faced multiple lawsuits from Aon, Marsh, WTW, and Brown & Brown over allegations of poaching employees and theft of trade secrets [7] - Marsh filed lawsuits against former employees who joined Howden US, as well as against Aon and Alliant for employee exits within its construction surety business [8] - The insurance industry is increasingly concerned about third-party litigation funding (TPLF), which is believed to drive up litigation costs and insurance premiums, prompting legislative attention [9][11] Industry Challenges - The impact of President Trump's import tariffs on the insurance industry has been a major concern, with potential increases in the cost of goods essential to the industry [12][13] - Liberty Mutual announced the discontinuation of the Safeco brand, which has been associated with independent agents since its acquisition in 2008 [14] Leadership Changes - John Neal's unexpected departure from AIG, where he was set to lead the General Insurance segment, raised concerns about leadership stability within the company [15][16] Regulatory and Program Updates - The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) faced a lapse in reauthorization, causing homeowners to consider private flood insurance options [18]

Another week, another whirlwind of pronouncements from the former-President-turned-market-influencer, Donald J. Trump. As 2025 draws to a close, the financial world finds itself once again navigating a landscape shaped by executive orders, Truth Social missives, and the ever-present threat (or promise, depending on your portfolio) of tariffs. The latest flurry of activity includes a renewed trade war with China, “historic” drug price reductions, and the unveiling of a new class of battleships. The markets, ...

Core Viewpoint - Ingersoll Rand Inc. is recognized as a growth stock with potential for investment, supported by analysts' ratings and price target adjustments [1][2][3]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Stifel has maintained a Hold rating on Ingersoll Rand Inc. and raised its price target from $75 to $81 [2]. - Citi has reiterated its Buy rating and increased its price objective for Ingersoll Rand Inc. from $91 to $94, citing continued industry development due to artificial intelligence [3]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Financial Guidance - Stifel attributes the expansion of diversified industrial companies in 2025 to tariff-related price hikes, indicating strong pricing power despite flat to slightly lower volumes [3]. - The company has lowered the midpoint of its adjusted EBITDA guidance to $2.075 billion while maintaining its full-year guidance for organic volume growth and total revenue [4]. - The impact of incremental Section 232 tariffs and delays in price realization due to backlog growth have been noted as significant factors affecting financial performance [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Ingersoll Rand Inc. operates in two segments: industrial technologies and services, and precision and science technologies, positioning itself as a major player in mission-critical flow creation and industrial technology [5].