A federal judge said the Trump administration can move ahead with a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers. US District Judge Beryl Howell said in a ruling Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s effort to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful. The decision gives a boost to the administration’s campaign to restrict immigration and push demand for US workers. The US Chamber of Commerce, which ...

With its budget deficit worsening, California is pulling back on a policy that extended government-supported healthcare to immigrants living in the country unlawfully https://t.co/lCx3JwG2RF ...

People fleeing calamity have a right to seek safety—but that does not mean access to a rich country’s labour market https://t.co/QtUf37GpyD ...

Peter, a great place to start this conversation is we're entering the everything bubble in your eyes. This something where all asset prices continue to go up at a very aggressive rate. Talk a little bit as to what are the benefits of this and then also what are the things that you're worried about or what are the areas that people should be paying attention to where risk-wise? >> Yeah, so the fundamentally what's driving the everything bubble I think is liquidity and a lot of that is coming from the Fed. So ...

Work permits issued to immigrants who have applied for asylum or a range of other humanitarian programs will now be valid for 18 months rather than five years, under a new policy announced by the Trump administration https://t.co/3SGuQlAJAF ...

Uh the new Gallup poll out today is terrible news for the president. Just absolutely terrible. His approval rating right now is minus 24. The president is 24 points underwater in his approval rating.36% of the country approves of him. 60% disapproves. Just absolutely stunning.uh you know, not even one year in and on the issues it's even worse. It just it's worse just because it's so relentlessly bad for him. No ray of light anywhere here.Do you approve of President Trump on the issue of crime. No, by a nine ...

Economic Overview - The December 2025 UCLA Anderson Forecast indicates a dual economic trend in the U.S. and California, with strong AI investment and rising incomes among high-wealth households driving growth, while tariffs, immigration policies, and a weak labor market create headwinds [1][2][4] - The national economy is expected to soften through early 2026 before regaining strength later in the year, with projected AI-related investment in 2025 surpassing $405 billion, significantly higher than the initial estimate of $250 billion [4][7] California Economic Conditions - California's economy shows a bifurcated landscape, with high-productivity sectors like AI and aerospace expanding, while construction, non-durable goods, and leisure sectors face significant challenges [2][8] - The state continues to attract a disproportionate share of venture capital, with nearly 70% of U.S. venture funding in early 2025 directed to California [8] Employment and Labor Market - Employment growth has sharply slowed, with unemployment expected to rise to 4.5% by the end of 2025, while inflation is projected to peak at 3.5% in early 2026 [6][7] - California's unemployment rate has remained above 5.0% for over 19 months, with payroll job losses marking the first sustained decline since the pandemic [9][10] Housing and Construction - Housing remains a significant constraint, with subdued building permits despite high home prices and a need for new construction following recent wildfires [11] - The forecast anticipates gradual improvement in residential permits, with 101,000 expected in 2025 and 121,000 in 2027 [13] Future Projections - The forecast predicts a gradual improvement in economic conditions starting in late 2026, with unemployment rates expected to decrease from 5.5% in 2025 to 4.6% in 2027 [13] - Total employment growth is projected to be 0.6% in 2025, increasing to 2.0% by 2027 [13]

Market Volatility and Tariffs - The introduction of new tariffs by President Trump in April 2025 led to significant declines in global stock markets, with the S&P 500 dropping below 5,000 points and European indices like Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 falling by 10% and 6.6% respectively in a single session [2][3] - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that a 20% tariff rate could reduce global growth by more than 1% through 2026 and contribute between 0.6 to 1 percentage point to core inflation [3] Company-Specific Developments - Costco is suing the Trump administration for a refund on tariffs, with analysts suggesting it could be a "tariff winner" despite a 2% drop in its stock after mixed Q2 earnings [4] - Costco's stock has fallen less than 1% in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500, which has seen a 15% decline year-to-date [4] UK Pharma Deal - The US and UK reached a deal on December 1, 2025, to establish zero tariffs on British pharmaceutical products, but Britain will pay 25% more for new U.S. medicines [5] - Market reactions to this deal were muted, with shares of UK drugmakers GSK and AstraZeneca showing little change [5] Spain's Defense Spending - Spain faces potential tariffs due to its reluctance to meet a 5% of GDP defense spending target set by President Trump, highlighting the use of trade penalties as leverage for military budgets [7] Federal Reserve Leadership Speculation - Speculation surrounding the next Federal Reserve Chair has introduced volatility into various markets, with expectations of faster rate cuts under a new, potentially more dovish chair [9] Trump Media & Technology Group - Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) has seen its stock decline significantly, trading near $11 as of November 2025, with forecasts for December ranging widely from $15 to $67.83 [10] Overall Market Trends - On December 1, 2025, U.S. stocks experienced declines, with the Dow Jones down 0.9% and the S&P 500 down 0.5%, attributed to rising Treasury yields and expectations regarding the Federal Reserve [11] - The market remains characterized by volatility driven by political developments and tariff threats, indicating a challenging environment for investors [12]

Key TakeawaysJapan's Takaichi cabinet has achieved a strong 75% approval rating in a Nikkei poll, reflecting significant public support and political stability.An explosion occurred at Nippon Steel's (NPSCY) Muroran plant, though no injuries were reported, mitigating immediate human impact.Australia's S&P Global Manufacturing PMI held steady at 51.6 in November, indicating continued expansion in the manufacturing sector.US President Trump confirmed he has chosen his pick for the next Federal Reserve Chair a ...

Economic Policy and Market Reactions - Trump's economic policies, including tariffs and immigration restrictions, have created significant uncertainty in the market, leading to mixed investor sentiment [2][3][9] - A survey indicated that 71% of small business owners expect a negative impact on consumer spending due to tariffs, with 44% anticipating a "very negative" outcome [3][4] - Historical tariff announcements have caused substantial market declines, with the NASDAQ dropping by 5.7% and the S&P 500 down 4.4% in April 2025, although the market rebounded later [5] Geopolitical Developments - Trump's declaration to close Venezuelan airspace led to immediate flight suspensions by major airlines, resulting in increased operational costs and a surge in jet fuel prices to $175 per barrel [6][7][8] - The geopolitical tensions surrounding this decision have historically contributed to market volatility, affecting airline stocks and related sectors [8] Immigration Policy Impacts - The Trump administration's immigration policies have resulted in a reduction of approximately one million foreign-born workers since January 2025, potentially leading to labor supply shocks and economic growth slowdowns [10] - Analysts project that a downshift in immigration could reduce potential economic growth from 2.5% to 2% [10] Tax Policy Proposals - Trump's proposal to eliminate federal income tax funded by tariff proceeds has generated market interest, although analysts express skepticism about its potential economic impact [11] - The extension and expansion of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) would require Congressional approval and is expected to benefit sectors like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) [11] Market Volatility and Stock Performance - Major indexes closed higher on November 24, 2025, with the Nasdaq up 2.7% and the S&P 500 up 1.6%, driven by confidence in a potential Federal Reserve rate cut [19] - Tech stocks, particularly Alphabet and chipmakers like Broadcom and Micron Technology, saw significant gains, indicating a sector-specific response to market conditions [19] Mortgage Market Innovations - The proposal of a 50-year mortgage has garnered mixed reactions, with potential benefits for lenders like Bank of America and Citigroup, as evidenced by a 10% stock jump for Rocket Companies following the announcement [14][16] - Critics argue that while lower monthly payments are appealing, the total interest paid over the life of the loan could be nearly double that of a standard 30-year mortgage, raising concerns about long-term affordability [15][16] Digital Influence on Market Sentiment - Trump's use of Truth Social to announce policies has become a significant factor in market movements, with the platform's influence evident in stock price fluctuations of companies like Trump Media & Technology Group [12][13] - The speculative nature of investments tied to Trump's announcements is highlighted by the volatility of the stock following his return to social media platforms [13]