The Fed last paused interest rates in September 2023, holding the funds rate at 5.25% to 5.50% after a rapid tightening cycle aimed at curbing post-pandemic inflation.After the December rate cut, Powell said that the lowering of rates brought monetary policy “within a broad range of neutral.”The two goals often conflict, operate on different timelines and are influenced by unpredictable global events.The Fed’s dual congressional mandate requires it to balance inflation and job growth via interest rates.The ...

Core Insights - Bybit plans to launch "My Bank," a retail banking service for users who complete Know Your Customer checks, allowing them to have their own international bank account number (IBAN) [1][2] - The service aims to facilitate transactions in multiple fiat currencies, enabling users to send and receive funds, receive salaries, pay bills, and trade digital assets seamlessly [2][3] - Bybit is collaborating with various banking providers to launch this service, targeting a February release [3][4] Company Expansion - Bybit currently has 82 million users across 181 countries but is not operational in the U.S. and Canada, with ambitions to expand into the Americas and pursue a public listing on Wall Street [5] - The introduction of My Bank represents a significant move for a crypto-native brand to offer traditional financial services, distinguishing it from neobanks like Robinhood and Revolut [4] Security Context - The launch of My Bank follows a major security incident where $1.4 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen, linked to North Korean cybercriminals, marking the largest hack in the industry's history [6]

Core Insights - Urban demand in India is showing signs of recovery after nearly two years of rural consumption leading the way, driven by improving corporate salary growth, selective hiring, and fiscal support through tax and GST cuts [1][3][8] Urban Consumption - Urban households are facing significant cost pressures, with inflation affecting essential expenses such as school fees, rent, and utilities, which have risen sharply [2] - Urban consumption began to improve in Q3 FY26, supported by GST cuts and an increase in urban wage growth, which rose to 7% in H1 FY26 from 3% in Q4 FY25 [3][4] - Salary growth among large listed companies improved to approximately 6.4% in the first half of FY26, indicating a positive shift in momentum for urban consumption [4] - Job creation in urban areas is improving, particularly at mid and senior levels, although entry-level hiring remains challenging due to AI adoption [5] Rural Consumption - Rural demand, which previously led the recovery, is facing potential moderation due to falling crop prices below MSP levels, impacting farm incomes [6][8] - Despite these risks, rural consumption has remained strong, with rural wage growth picking up and high-frequency indicators showing resilience [6][7] - Agriculture accounts for about 40-45% of total rural income, with allied sectors like construction and services expected to perform well [7] Overall Economic Outlook - Economists agree that India's consumption recovery is entering a new phase, with urban demand showing early signs of revival while rural consumption remains resilient but faces risks from soft crop prices [8]

Cryptocurrency exchange ByBit reportedly wants to look more like a bank.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.The company plans to begin offering banking services, including accounts that allow users to h ...

Core Insights - BRC Group Holdings, Inc. expects strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, with net income available to common shareholders projected between $60.0 million and $65.4 million for Q4 and $274.5 million to $279.9 million for the full year [1][5][19] - The company anticipates adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 to be in the range of $98.9 million to $109.4 million, a significant recovery from a loss of $(113.8) million in Q4 2024 [1][5][19] - BRC's strategy in 2025 focused on repositioning its balance sheet and enhancing operational performance, which has set a solid foundation for future growth [3][4] Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights - Net income for Q4 2025 is expected to be significantly higher than the $0.9 million reported in Q4 2024 [5] - Revenues for Q4 2025 are projected to range from $271.0 million to $282.5 million, compared to $178.6 million in Q4 2024 [5] - The company expects a decline in net debt to between $609 million and $631 million by December 31, 2025, down from a peak of $1.39 billion in September 2024 [4][21] Full Year 2025 Estimates - For the full year 2025, total revenues are expected to be between $960.2 million and $971.7 million, compared to $746.4 million in 2024 [19] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year is projected to be between $225.8 million and $236.3 million, a recovery from a loss of $(568.3) million in 2024 [19] - Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the full year are expected to range from $8.98 to $9.16, compared to a loss of $(25.46) in 2024 [19] Financial Position - Total assets are estimated to be between $1.694 billion and $1.724 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to $1.783 billion in 2024 [17] - Total liabilities are expected to be between $1.834 billion and $1.844 billion, down from $2.239 billion in 2024 [17] - Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are projected to be $229 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $247.3 million in 2024 [21]

Group 1: Central Banking and Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve paused interest rate cuts after three consecutive meetings, with Chair Jay Powell providing insights during a press conference [2] - The S&P 500 index surpassed the 7,000 mark for the first time, indicating strong market performance [3] - Gold prices experienced a historic one-day increase of $220 per ounce, reaching a record high above $5,400, suggesting a bullish trend for precious metals [3] Group 2: Market Trends and Projections - Analysts project that gold could reach $7,000 by the end of President Trump's second term, driven by factors such as rising debt and concerns over Fed credibility [4] - The S&P 500 is expected to see earnings growth of nearly 15% in 2026, with a target of 7,900 by the end of that year, reflecting sustained investor optimism [5] - Robust inflows into equity ETFs and a bullish put-call ratio indicate a positive outlook for the equity markets despite geopolitical uncertainties [5] Group 3: Company Developments - Amazon plans to cut 16,000 corporate jobs as part of a streamlining effort [7] - Snap is establishing a separate unit for its smart eyewear division, indicating a strategic focus on this product line [6] - AT&T aims to expand its fiber network to reach 40 million locations by the end of 2026, highlighting its growth strategy in telecommunications [6]

DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:DKNG) is among the Growth Stock Portfolio: 12 Stock Picks By Cathie Wood. Wells Fargo Boosts DraftKings Inc. (DKNG) to Overweight from Equal Weight TheFly reported on January 15, 2026, that Wells Fargo boosted DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:DKNG) to Overweight from Equal Weight. It lifted its price objective to $49 from $31 as part of a 2026 Digital Gaming research preview. The company anticipates strong profit growth in 2026 and notes favorable long-term development prospects in digital ...

Core Insights - Ameriprise Financial reported a record fourth quarter and full year for 2025, achieving significant growth in earnings and assets under management [1][2] - The company was recognized as one of TIME's Most Iconic Companies for 2026 and ranked among the Best-Managed Companies by the Wall Street Journal [1][4] - Ameriprise's return on equity reached 53.2%, reflecting strong capital management and shareholder returns [1][2] Financial Performance - Fourth quarter GAAP net income per diluted share was $10.47, a slight decrease from $10.58 in the previous year, while full year GAAP net income per diluted share increased to $36.28 from $33.05 [1][2] - Adjusted operating earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter rose 16% to $10.83, and for the full year, it increased 14% to $39.29 [1][2] - Total adjusted operating net revenues for the fourth quarter increased by 10% to $4.9 billion, driven by asset growth and client engagement [1][2] Asset Management - Assets under management, administration, and advisement reached a record high of $1.7 trillion, up 11% year-over-year [1][2] - The Advice & Wealth Management segment generated adjusted operating net revenues of $3.2 billion, a 12% increase, with a pretax adjusted operating margin of 29.3% [1][2] - Wrap assets increased 17% to a record high of $670 billion, with net inflows of $12.1 billion in the quarter [2][5] Client Engagement and Advisor Productivity - Total client assets grew 13% to $1.2 trillion, with strong client flows of $13.3 billion [2][5] - The company experienced strong advisor recruitment, with 91 experienced advisors joining in the quarter [2][5] - Adjusted operating net revenue per advisor reached a new high of $1.1 million, an 8% increase from the previous year [2][5] Retirement & Protection Solutions - The Retirement & Protection Solutions segment reported adjusted operating net revenues of $991 million, a 3% increase, with sales rising 6% to $1.5 billion [2][5] - The segment's pretax adjusted operating earnings were $200 million, impacted by higher life claim expenses compared to the prior year [2][5] Corporate Recognition - Ameriprise was ranked 48 on TIME's list of America's Most Iconic Companies, highlighting its cultural significance and impact [4] - The company was also recognized as a Top 250 firm on the Wall Street Journal's Best-Managed Companies list, evaluated on various performance indicators [4]

Core Insights - Mortgage and refinance rates have increased following the Federal Reserve's decision to pause rate cuts, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 6.00% and the 15-year rate decreasing to 5.45% [1] Current Mortgage Rates - The current national average mortgage rates are as follows: - 30-year fixed: 6.00% - 20-year fixed: 5.84% - 15-year fixed: 5.45% - 5/1 ARM: 6.20% - 7/1 ARM: 6.05% - 30-year VA: 5.41% - 15-year VA: 5.07% - 5/1 VA: 5.13% [4] Refinance Rates - Today's national average mortgage refinance rates are also provided, indicating that refinance rates can sometimes be higher than purchase mortgage rates [3] Mortgage Rate Mechanics - Mortgage interest rates are determined by factors that can be controlled, such as comparing lenders and improving credit scores, and factors that cannot be controlled, such as economic conditions [9][10] - A fixed-rate mortgage locks in the interest rate for the entire loan term, while an adjustable-rate mortgage changes periodically after an initial fixed period [7] Economic Impact on Rates - Economic conditions, such as employment rates, significantly influence mortgage rates; rates typically decrease in a struggling economy to encourage borrowing and increase in a strong economy to temper spending [11] Mortgage Term Comparisons - A 30-year fixed mortgage offers lower monthly payments but incurs more interest over time, while a 15-year fixed mortgage has higher monthly payments but lower overall interest costs [12][13] Refinancing Considerations - Experts suggest refinancing is beneficial when a new rate is at least 1% to 2% lower than the current rate, depending on individual financial goals and the duration of homeownership [17]

Wallet, 0x1b7D, withdrew a combined 194.4 XAUT ($993,000) and 106.2 PAXG ($538,000) from MEXC on the same day.Meanwhile, blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain reported multiple high-value transactions during the final week of January, pointing to sustained whale interest in gold-backed tokens.Now, the precious metal is just shy of Morgan Stanley’s $5,700 forecast, and the $6,000 and $6,600 predicted by the Bank of America and Jefferies, respectively.As of this writing, gold was trading at $5,585, after Gold ...