PrasitRodphan / Shutterstock.com Quick Read BITX lost 50% in 2025 despite Bitcoin falling only 17% due to daily rebalancing and volatility decay. The fund saw $557M in outflows and its 2.38% expense ratio compounds losses in choppy markets. Federal Reserve rate decisions will drive Bitcoin’s direction as higher real rates reduce crypto appeal. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The V ...

The S&P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) , reached multiple new all-time highs in 2025, including a record during the week of Christmas. A market expert tells Benzinga that gains in 2026 could be much smaller, with several uncertainties that are difficult to price into the market.Jay Woods S&P 500 PredictionFreedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods has shared his top Magnificent 7 stock picks with Benzinga in a recent interview. The market expert also provided his S&P 50 ...

We are awaiting GDP data this morning. Final real day of data before everyone leaves and goes home for the Christmas holiday. Although we need to point out that this data is going to be stale.Remember, we didn't get it in time because of the longest government shutdown in history. And actually, what we're getting to, Matt, as you can see, is reaction here. A massive upside surprise.Prior was 3.8%. Their survey was 3.3%. GDP comes in at 4.3% this morning, Matt.That is an uptick not many people were expecting ...

Monday's Core PCE Price Index at 10:00am represents the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure and serves as a final comprehensive inflation checkpoint before year-end, following last week's concerning CPI data that showed persistent price pressures. Both month-over-month and year-over-year readings will be analyzed for evidence supporting or contradicting the sticky inflation narrative that has complicated the Fed's policy outlook heading into 2026. The PCE report often provides different perspectiv ...

Geopolitics added a constant background hum. Tensions in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and fragile US-China relations – namely on the trade front – regularly unsettled markets.Inflation became the second recurring fault line. Headline pressures eased, but progress was uneven, particularly in services. Every upside surprise reopened the debate about how restrictive policy really needed to be, and each time the result looked familiar: a firmer Dollar and a reminder that the disinflation process was not ...

Economic Outlook - Howard Lutnick suggests that a change in leadership at the Federal Reserve could lead to lower interest rates, impacting various financial markets including lending and investment strategies [2][7] - Anticipation of significant drug pricing announcements before year-end indicates ongoing scrutiny in the pharmaceutical sector, potentially affecting companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson [3][7] Energy Market - Brent Crude futures closed at $59.82 per barrel, reflecting a gain of 14 cents or 0.23 percent, which may influence global economic activity and inflationary pressures across multiple industries [4][7]

Economic Overview - The employment report indicates a cooling economy, with a loss of 105,000 jobs in October followed by a modest gain of 64,000 in November, primarily driven by the healthcare sector [1][2] - The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest level in over four years, surpassing the Federal Reserve's projection of 4.5% [2][3] Federal Reserve Policy Implications - The rising unemployment rate may prompt policymakers to ease financial conditions, although the Fed is monitoring a broader mix of inflation and growth data [4][6] - The Fed's current stance remains patient and data-dependent, with no immediate changes expected despite the recent job data [6][7] Leadership Transition and Its Impact - The potential emergence of a "shadow chair" could influence rate policy more than individual jobs reports, with Kevin Hassett and Kevin Warsh as leading candidates for the next Fed chair [8][10] - Hassett is viewed as a growth-friendly candidate likely to support earlier rate cuts, while Warsh is seen as more hawkish but could still cut rates later if economic conditions deteriorate [11][22] Market Reactions and Future Expectations - The likelihood of rate cuts by spring is higher than current market pricing suggests, with traders reassessing expectations based on the evolving economic landscape [8][25] - The distinction between Hassett and Warsh may not significantly alter the trajectory of rates but will influence the timing and manner of potential cuts [24][25]

Core Thesis - Newmont Corporation (NEM) is positioned as an insurance policy against Federal Reserve policy, fiscal dominance, and currency debasement [1] Federal Reserve Policy - The Federal Reserve has made its position clear regarding liquidity and balance-sheet expansion [1]

The Fed Is Trying Something It’s Never Done Before https://t.co/tSLHQGdfDY ...

Core Viewpoint - The anticipated appointment of a Trump-friendly Federal Reserve chair in May is expected to potentially boost stock prices, while also introducing significant risks [1] Group 1 - The new Federal Reserve chair could align monetary policy with pro-business and pro-growth strategies, which may lead to increased investor confidence and higher stock valuations [1] - The market reaction to the appointment could be volatile, as investors weigh the benefits of a favorable monetary policy against potential economic instability [1] - The influence of political considerations on the Federal Reserve's decisions may raise concerns about the independence of the central bank, impacting long-term market stability [1]