Walmart became the first retailer ‍everto hit $1 trillion in ​market valuation on Tuesday, riding ‌on ayear-long ​rally that has seen its shares rise nearly 26%.The latest milestone for the company came just two weeksafter Walmart replaced British ​drugmaker AstraZenecain the tech-focused ⁠Nasdaq-100 Index, home to themost valuable non-financial companies listed on ​the index.The ⁠Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain has cashed in onwealthier consumers choosing the convenience of ‌fasterdeliveries and flocking ...

Market Overview - The market is experiencing a bullish trend, with cyclical names such as industrials, financials, and consumer staples leading the gains [2][3] - Walmart's strong performance is contributing to market stability, although volatility is expected to persist due to the partial government shutdown [3][5] Earnings Highlights - Palantir reported a strong quarter with revenue of $1.41 billion, exceeding expectations of $1.35 billion, and adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents, surpassing the forecast of 23 cents [6][7] - The company provided a positive Q1 revenue guidance of $1.53 billion to $1.536 billion, significantly above the expected $1.32 billion [7] - Palantir's government revenue increased by 66% year-over-year, indicating strong demand and growth in both commercial and government sectors [8][12] Stock Performance - Palantir's stock rose over 10% following the earnings report, with analysts adjusting price targets upwards, including Piper Sandler raising it to $230 [9][11] - The stock is at a critical technical level, and if it surpasses $170, it could trigger a significant short squeeze [9][15] Tariff Developments - The U.S. is reducing tariffs on India from 25% to 18%, which may positively impact U.S. defense spending and related stocks [17][20] - This trade deal could benefit companies like RTX and Lockheed Martin, as well as agricultural sectors, although confirmation from India is still pending [19][20] Metals Market - Gold prices have surged approximately 6%, marking one of the largest increases in a long time, while silver is also seeing increased buying activity [22][23] - Technical indicators suggest potential for further gains in metals, with a focus on the SLV ETF showing aggressive call buying activity [25]

Core Viewpoint - The US dollar index has reached a 4.25-month low, primarily influenced by speculation regarding potential currency intervention with Japan and domestic political uncertainties [1][2]. Group 1: Currency Market Dynamics - The dollar index (DXY00) has decreased by 0.79%, hitting a 4.25-month low [1]. - Speculation about US coordination with Japan for currency intervention has contributed to the dollar's decline, as it aligns with President Trump's view that a weaker dollar benefits US exports [2]. - The yen has appreciated to a 2.5-month high against the dollar, influenced by reports of US authorities checking dollar/yen prices, indicating possible intervention [2]. Group 2: Political and Economic Factors - Political risks are prompting foreign investors to withdraw capital from the US, exacerbating the dollar's weakness [3]. - President Trump's threat of 100% tariffs on US imports from Canada if Canada signs a trade agreement with China has added to the uncertainty surrounding the dollar [4]. - The potential for another partial US government shutdown is creating additional pressure on the dollar, with Senate Democrats threatening to block funding deals [5]. - Concerns regarding the Federal Reserve's independence, a growing US budget deficit, and increasing political polarization are also contributing to the dollar's decline [5]. Group 3: Economic Indicators - ADP reported that US private payrolls increased by an average of 7,750 per week in the four weeks ending January 3, marking the smallest job growth in six weeks [6]. - The Conference Board's US January consumer confidence index unexpectedly fell by 9.7 points to an 11.5-year low of 84.5, which is weaker than anticipated [6].

S&P 500 Nears Record as Markets Shrug Off Shutdown Fears.LIVE[S&P 500 Nears Record as Market Shrugs Off Shutdown Fears]Last Updated:---Updated 14 min ago# S&P 500 Nears Record as Markets Shrug Off Shutdown Fears.By[George Glover]The S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq looked set to cruise higher on Tuesday as Wall Street looked past the threat of another government shutdown, while the [precious metals rally] was running out of steam.Futures tracking the S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, putting the market benchmark on course ...

Stocks Pick Up Steam. Market Breadth Is Solid.CONCLUDED[Dow, S&P 500 Gain Steam]Last Updated:---7 hours ago# Stocks Pick Up Steam. Market Breadth Is Solid.By[Connor Smith]The stock market shed its early jitters shortly after the market opened on Monday.The Dow was up 211 points, or 0.4%. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3%.Stock futures were struggling earlier in the morning, but the major indexes all gained steam in the first 15 minutes of trading. Wall Street was already looking throug ...

Market Overview - The market is experiencing significant volatility, akin to a person with sudden mood changes, influenced by various headlines and events, particularly from Davos and Japan [2][3] - The VIX and move index have shown high movements, indicating increased market fluctuations [2] Defensive Strategies - In the current market, a tactical approach is necessary, with an emphasis on defensive positions in investment portfolios to manage volatility [3] - Traditional defensive stocks, such as staples, have underperformed, suggesting a need to look elsewhere for defensive investments [4][5] - Companies with low price-to-earnings ratios, strong cash flows, and solid balance sheets are recommended for defensive plays, particularly in the financial and industrial sectors [5] Financial Sector Insights - Regional banks, particularly PNC, are showing strong performance, with PNC reporting record revenue growth and a 21% year-over-year EPS growth [6][7] - The efficiency ratio is crucial for regional banks, and PNC is improving in this area, making it a strong candidate for investment [7] Economic Challenges - The upcoming earnings season is viewed as a significant challenge, alongside potential government shutdowns and persistent inflation concerns [8][9] - The Super Core inflation rate is reported at 3.3% year-over-year, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures [9] - Concerns regarding the labor market persist, adding to the economic challenges that could affect market performance [10]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles indicates that U.S. consumer prices are expected to accelerate in December due to the reversal of factors that had previously suppressed inflation during the government shutdown in November [1] - The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) is projected to rise by 0.3%, driven by increases in food and energy prices, particularly electricity costs related to data centers [1] - The core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy prices, is anticipated to increase by 0.3% in December, with a year-over-year growth of 2.7%, slightly up from 2.6% in November [1] Group 2 - The government shutdown, lasting 43 days, disrupted the collection of price data for October, leading to the use of estimation methods for the November CPI report, particularly affecting rental data [2] - Despite the successful collection of price data in November, the data was skewed due to holiday discount promotions, which may have distorted the rental and goods price indicators [2] - Economists expect that the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration is gradually being reflected in inflation, with consumer prices expected to rise significantly in the coming months [3] Group 3 - The current high inflation rate is predicted to weaken political support for President Trump, potentially becoming a significant political issue by 2026 as he and his party strive to maintain control of Congress [4] - Various goods prices, including new cars, furniture, and clothing, are expected to see accelerated increases, while the rental market may continue to show weakness [4] - The relationship between Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and President Trump has become strained, leading economists to believe that interest rates will not be lowered before Powell's term ends in May [4][5]

Core Insights - Nearly half (49%) of U.S. adults reported being worse off financially in 2025, primarily due to unexpected expenses [1] - Economic challenges such as high inflation, tariff policies, a prolonged government shutdown, and rising unemployment have significantly impacted household finances [1] - Two-thirds (67%) of respondents indicated that economic conditions affected their spending habits [1] Regrets and Action Steps - The top regret among Americans in 2025 was not saving enough money, with nearly four in ten (38%) expressing this sentiment [4] - More than one in four (28%) Americans regretted making impulse purchases driven by emotions [6] 2026 Action Steps for Saving Money - Build a budget to identify available savings [8] - Set up automatic transfers from checking to savings accounts after each paycheck [8] - Start small with savings, even $25 per paycheck can accumulate to $650 annually for biweekly earners [8] 2026 Action Steps for Reducing Impulse Purchases - Implement a 24-hour cooling-off period before making non-essential purchases over $50 [9] - Track impulsive buying patterns to understand triggers [9] - Use cash for discretionary spending to limit overspending [9]

Market Performance - Wall Street experienced modest gains in Q4 2025, with the S&P 500 up 1.9%, Dow Jones up 3.3%, and Nasdaq Composite up 2.1% [1] - The small-cap index Russell 2000 increased by 1.6% during the same period [1] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve implemented three rate cuts in 2025, starting in September, with two occurring in Q4 [2] - The Fed's outlook for 2026 remains cautious, projecting only one rate cut next year, maintaining the Fed Funds rate at 3.4% [3] Economic Impact of Government Shutdown - The longest U.S. government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, and lasted until November 12, 2025, significantly halting economic progress in Q4 [4] AI Industry Developments - OpenAI formed multibillion-dollar partnerships with companies like Oracle, NVIDIA, AMD, and Broadcom in 2025 [5] - SoftBank sold 32.1 million shares of NVIDIA and reduced its stake in T-Mobile, raising $9.17 billion to fund a $22.5 billion investment in OpenAI [6] AI Market Concerns - OpenAI's CEO indicated that the AI market may be in a bubble, raising investor caution due to concerns about circular financing and investment payoffs [7] Cryptocurrency Trends - Bitcoin prices fell approximately 6% in 2025, starting at about $93K, peaking at $126K in October, and declining towards year-end [8] ETF Performance - Silver ETFs saw significant gains, with abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF up 52.1% and iShares Silver Trust up 52.0%, driven by supply constraints and industrial demand [11] - Biotech ETFs also performed well, with Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF up 43.7% and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF up 31.8%, supported by favorable regulatory developments and funding conditions [13] - Lithium ETFs experienced growth, with Sprott Lithium Miners ETF up 33.4% and iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF up 31.4%, driven by rising demand for electric vehicles and energy storage [15]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The discussion primarily revolves around the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and its implications for inflation trends in the economy, particularly focusing on the November CPI report and its biases due to the government shutdown. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **CPI Biases**: The November CPI report exhibited a downward bias due to three main factors: - Carrying forward April rent levels for October, leading to a 0.09% bias on the headline CPI and 0.12% on the core CPI [doc id='38'] - Carrying forward August price levels for items on a bimonthly sampling, resulting in a 0.08% bias on the headline CPI and 0.10% on the core CPI [doc id='39'] - A late start to November sampling on November 14, which biased the CPI down by approximately 0.05% to 0.10% for the headline CPI [doc id='46']. 2. **CPI Changes**: The November CPI showed a significant decline, with the core CPI dropping from 3.02% in September to 2.63% in November, attributed to the government shutdown's impact [doc id='5']. 3. **Projected Inflation Rates**: - Core PCE inflation is projected to be 2.8% in 2025, 3.0% in 2026, and gradually decreasing to 2.0% by 2028 [doc id='3']. - The December CPI is expected to show a 0.44% increase, with core CPI inflation projected to rise to 2.87% [doc id='5']. 4. **Vehicle Prices**: New vehicle prices remained stable despite the expiration of the electric vehicle tax credit, indicating minimal impact from this policy change [doc id='20']. 5. **Quality of CPI Data**: The quality of the November CPI data was noted to be poorer than usual, with many series lacking sufficient observations to meet publication standards, reminiscent of early COVID-19 reporting [doc id='5']. Additional Important Points 1. **Sampling Methodology**: The BLS did not attempt a "good faith" estimate for missing October data, opting instead for carry-forward imputation, which contributed to the downward bias in the CPI [doc id='8']. 2. **Sector-Specific Insights**: - The CPI for new vehicles has shown little change despite rising tariffs, indicating a disconnect between tariff impacts and consumer prices [doc id='29']. - The difference in rent growth between single-family and multifamily units suggests ongoing disparities in the housing market, potentially affecting future CPI calculations [doc id='21']. 3. **Future Projections**: The biases observed in the November CPI are expected to reverse in subsequent months, particularly with strong increases anticipated in the April CPI release [doc id='38']. 4. **Economic Context**: The discussion highlights the broader economic implications of inflation trends, consumer behavior, and the impact of government policies on price levels, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring of CPI data moving forward [doc id='6']. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and projections discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of the U.S. inflation landscape and its implications for future economic conditions.