Dec 16 (Reuters) - Artificial intelligence is expected to remain the centerpiece of investment strategies, global brokerages outlined ​in their outlook for 2026, with the benchmark S&P ‌500 index on pace to post another year of gains. "We think fears ‌of a collapse in the AI narrative are overdone and expect economic expansion to continue for yet another year," Barclays strategists said. Still, risks loom: inflation surprises, lofty valuations and tariff tensions ⁠could spark corrections, ‌even as analy ...

For investors seeking a unique blend of resilience and growth opportunity, mid-cap investing can be an intriguing choice. These securities are viewed as big and safe compared to the highly volatile small-cap exposure. But when compared to the stability of large caps, these are relatively risky bets. However, investors ignoring this key segment of the investing spectrum should note that many mid-cap ETFs have been hovering around 52-week highs of late.What’s Acting Against Large Caps?The global market, thoug ...

Small Business Activity - Small-business deals surged despite tariff tensions and government shutdown [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1] Group 1 - The content includes general news and personal analysis intended for educational and research purposes [1] - It highlights that the information provided may not be real-time or accurate, and prices may be sourced from market makers rather than exchanges [1] - The article warns that trading decisions should be made at the individual's full responsibility, and reliance on the information provided is discouraged [1] Group 2 - The website discusses complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1] - It encourages individuals to perform their own research before making investment decisions and to avoid investing in instruments that are not fully understood [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1] Group 1 - The content includes general news and personal analysis intended for educational and research purposes [1] - It highlights that the information provided does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1] - The article warns that the information may not be accurate or provided in real-time, and prices may be sourced from market makers rather than exchanges [1] Group 2 - The website discusses complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1] - It encourages users to perform their own research and understand the risks involved before investing in any financial instruments [1] - The article mentions that FX Empire does not endorse any third-party services and is not liable for any losses incurred from using the information provided [1]

Group 1 - The stock market outlook is uncertain, with a weak labor market prompting Federal Reserve officials to consider interest rate cuts [1][2] - Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman suggested that three interest rate cuts may occur this year due to concerns about the job market and the overall economy [1][2] - San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly echoed the sentiment, indicating potential interest rate cuts in response to a weakening labor market despite inflation pressures from tariffs [2] Group 2 - Volatility in the market is expected due to various factors, including inflation spikes, tariff tensions, fears of a slowdown in China, and geopolitical issues [3] - Money-market-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may benefit from current uncertainties, as they have lower interest rate risks [4] Group 3 - Shorter-duration money market instruments are currently yielding more than longer-duration ones, with the one-month U.S. Treasury note yielding 4.48% compared to the 10-year note at 4.27% [5] - Focus is shifting to ultra-short-term bond ETFs, which are expected to gain, including MINT, NEAR, ICSH, and SGOV, with annual yields of 4.91%, 4.73%, 4.83%, and 4.44% respectively [6] Group 4 - The effective durations of these ETFs are low, with ICSH at 0.56 years, NEAR at 1.96 years, MINT at 0.25 years, and SGOV at 0.11 years, which helps mitigate interest rate risks [7]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1] Group 1 - The content includes general news and personal analysis intended for educational and research purposes [1] - It highlights that the information provided does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1] - The article warns that the information may not be accurate or provided in real-time, and prices may be sourced from market makers rather than exchanges [1] Group 2 - The website discusses complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1] - It encourages users to perform their own research and understand the risks involved before investing in any financial instruments [1] - The article states that FX Empire does not endorse any third-party services and is not liable for any losses incurred from using the information provided [1]

Core Insights - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence before making any financial decisions, highlighting that the information provided is for educational and research purposes only [1] Group 1 - The website includes general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational purposes [1] - It does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1] - Users are encouraged to consult their own advisors and perform their own research before making financial decisions [1] Group 2 - The information may not be provided in real-time and is not guaranteed to be accurate [1] - Prices may be provided by market makers rather than exchanges [1] - The website includes advertisements and promotional content, with potential compensation from third parties [1]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's energy storage business is facing significant challenges due to geopolitical tensions and potential tariff impacts, which may affect growth expectations and margins [1][2][4]. Group 1: Growth Expectations - Tesla's energy storage business experienced a remarkable growth of 113% year-over-year in 2024, driven by high demand for Megapack and Powerwall units [3]. - For 2025, Tesla had initially guided for "at least 50%" growth, but analysts now expect this guidance to be revised downward due to changing global trade policies [2][3]. Group 2: Impact of Tariffs - The potential reintroduction of Trump-era tariffs or stricter reciprocal measures could increase costs for key battery components and deployment infrastructure, negatively impacting margins and slowing deployment despite high demand [4]. - Analysts suggest that the energy storage segment may be more adversely affected by these tariff tensions compared to the electric vehicle (EV) business [2][4]. Group 3: Broader Business Context - Tesla is also expected to provide updates on its robotaxi rollout in Austin, which is part of its broader strategy in autonomous mobility, but this may not alleviate investor concerns regarding energy margins [5]. - The overall sentiment indicates that Tesla's previously viewed growth engine in energy storage is now facing external shocks that could hinder its performance [5].

Market Trends - UK stocks are set to fall [1] - The pound weakens as tariff tensions swirl [1]