Total disclosed value for deals in 2025 “rose significantly” to $418.9 billion from $282.1 billion a year prior. This included 93 deals valued at more than $1 billion, which accounted for 81% of total deal value last year. By comparison, 54 such deals were announced in 2024.“Market conditions continued to challenge global financial services dealmaking in 2025 but did not dampen investment appetite within the sector. While the number of deals was only up marginally year-on-year, overall value was up 49%. Tra ...

Whether you are hesitant to invest or prefer an easily accessible place for your money, you might be keeping much or all of your cash in a bank account. While this seems like the safest option, it can also make you miss out on building wealth. After all, the national average return on bank deposits ranged from just 0.07% for interest-checking and 0.39% for savings accounts in December 2025, per the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In a recent video, financial YouTuber Humphrey Yang covered five re ...

Core Insights - The gig economy is rapidly expanding, with projections indicating the U.S. gig market will reach $674 billion by 2026 and $2,522.4 billion by 2034 [3] - Approximately 36% of the U.S. workforce is comprised of gig, contract, freelance, and temporary workers [3] - Despite the allure of flexible work hours and potential earnings, many gig workers earn significantly less than in traditional jobs, with some earning below minimum wage [6][7] Economic Context - A Goldman Sachs analysis revealed that gig workers earn about two-thirds of what they would make in traditional employment [6] - The Economic Policy Institute found that 14% of gig workers earn less than the federal minimum wage [7] - The average annual cost of raising a child under five in the U.S. reached $27,743 in 2025, reflecting a 4.5% increase from the previous year [12] Financial Considerations - Gig workers face hidden costs such as vehicle depreciation, maintenance, and higher insurance premiums due to commercial use [8][9] - Self-employed individuals are responsible for both employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes, along with other financial responsibilities like lack of paid sick leave and vacation [10] - Monthly earnings for gig workers can fluctuate by as much as 20%, complicating budgeting and financial planning [11] Recommendations for Transitioning to Gig Work - It is advised to create a budget and build an emergency fund before fully committing to gig work [14] - Testing gig work in spare time is recommended before quitting a stable job [14] - Financial experts suggest avoiding additional debt when transitioning to gig work, especially when already in significant debt [15]

Group 1: Market Reaction to Trade Conflicts - The Dow Jones Index futures experienced a pullback, dropping over 300 points and falling below the key support level of $49,000, marking a nearly 2% decline from its highest point this year [1][2] - The decline is attributed to a new tariff conflict between the United States and the European Union, initiated by President Trump, who announced a 10% tariff on certain European countries [2][3] - The European Union is considering imposing its own tariffs worth €93 billion in retaliation, which could escalate the trade conflict further [3][4] Group 2: World Economic Forum Impact - The World Economic Forum in Davos is another significant catalyst for the Dow Jones Index, where key government and corporate leaders will discuss major issues [5][6] - President Trump is set to be the keynote speaker, announcing policies aimed at housing affordability and credit card interest rates, which may influence market sentiment [6] Group 3: Corporate Earnings Season - The ongoing earnings season will see major companies, including Netflix, GE Aerospace, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble, report their financial results, which will impact the Dow Jones Index [7][8] - Netflix's report is particularly noteworthy as it will provide insights into the management's perspective on the Warner Bros buyout [7] Group 4: Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs - A significant event for the Dow Jones Index will be the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs, expected to be released soon, with analysts divided on the outcome [9] - A favorable ruling could benefit American companies, although any positive effects may be temporary due to Trump's potential use of other tariff tools [9] Group 5: Upcoming Economic Data - The Dow Jones Index will also respond to upcoming macroeconomic data, including the US inflation report and flash manufacturing and services PMI numbers, which are critical for market analysis [10] Group 6: Technical Analysis - The Dow Jones Index has shown a rebound from a low of $36,700 in April last year to a high of $49,855 this year, remaining above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages [12] - An inverse head-and-shoulders pattern has formed, suggesting a potential rebound with a target of $50,000 later this year [12]

Stock market benchmarks Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Monday, tracking deep losses in heavyweights Reliance Industries, Eternal, and ICICI Bank amid global tariff uncertainties.Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/ReutersBesides, weakness in the rupee and unabated flight of foreign capital from Indian equities also made investors jittery, traders said.The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 324.17 points, or 0.39 per cent, to settle at 83,246.18.During the day, it tumbled 672.04 points, or 0.80 per cent, to 82,898.31 ...

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are closed on January 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with no cash equity trading or after-hours sessions occurring [1] - U.S. equity futures are experiencing notable declines, with E-mini S&P 500 futures down approximately 0.7% to 0.9%, Nasdaq 100 futures down between 1% and 1.2%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures sliding by about 0.6% to 0.7% [2] Geopolitical Developments - President Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries, effective February 1, which could escalate to 25% by June 1 if no agreement is reached regarding the U.S. acquisition of Greenland [3] - European leaders are considering retaliatory measures, including activating the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument, in response to the tariff threats [3] Safe-Haven Assets - Investors are flocking to safe-haven assets, with gold futures surging to a record high above $4,670 an ounce and silver futures reaching a new record above $94 an ounce [4] Global Market Performance - European equity markets are broadly lower, with the STOXX Europe 600 index down approximately 0.9%, Germany's DAX declining by 1.1%, and France's CAC 40 down 1.3% [5] - Asian markets show mixed results, with Japan's Nikkei 225 dipping by 0.7% to 0.8%, while China's economy expanded by 4.5% year-on-year in Q4 2025, despite disappointing retail sales figures [6] Upcoming Market Events - Key economic data and corporate earnings reports are expected to influence market sentiment upon the reopening of U.S. markets [7] - The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index and a further estimate of third-quarter GDP growth are scheduled for release, which will be vital for assessing the U.S. economy [8] Earnings Season - The fourth-quarter earnings season is underway, with major companies such as Netflix, Intel, Visa, 3M, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and NextEra Energy set to report their results [10] Major Stock News - BRC Group Holdings reported a significant turnaround with a net income of $89.1 million in Q3, contrasting with a loss in the same period last year [14] - Goldman Sachs shares increased by 4.6% due to record-setting equity trading revenue [14] - European defense stocks are gaining amidst geopolitical tensions, while European car manufacturers are seeing declines due to fears of increased U.S. tariffs [14]

专题：ATFX外汇专栏投稿 1月19日，周五——2026日央行首次利率决议： 一众发达国家中，日本率先在2026年进行利率决议。 ▲ATFX图 1月22日~23日，日本央行进行2026年首次利率决议，结果将于本周五亚盘时段公布，大概率在11： 00~13：00之间。不同于美联储"定时定点"的公布利率决议，日本央行决议结果的公布只区分"上午"或 者"下午"，比较灵活和自由。 机构认为，日本央行将按兵不动，不会采取加息政策。我们持有相同的观点：不会加息。如果日本央行 加息的话，日本的媒体总能提前获得消息并大肆宣扬。距离日本央行决议结构公布仅剩一周时间，日本 媒体仍然"默不作声"，意味着本次决议看点不多，加息概率较低。 决议结果公布当日，日本关键数据——12月核心CPI年率，将提前发布。机构预期值2.4%，远远低于前 值3%。通胀是货币政策的"锚点"。一旦日本通胀失控下降，日本央行将没有勇气继续降息。如果机构 预期兑现，日本央行当日加息的概率将无限趋近于零。 周四——美国11月PCE物价指数： 美国的PCE数据，重要性远高于日本央行的利率决议。为什么PCE的排序在决议之后？因为本次PCE数 据是11月份的补充数据， ...

Group 1 - The intersection of politics and finance has become more pronounced, with many leaders having backgrounds in financial markets and banking [1] - Financial expertise has influenced public policy, political identity, and leadership styles among elected officials [1] Group 2 - Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. Senator, has a background in financial research and law, focusing on economic inequality and consumer protection [3][4] - Robert Rubin, former Treasury Secretary, had a significant impact on fiscal and financial reforms during his tenure, having previously worked at Goldman Sachs [5][6] - Jon Corzine, a former U.S. Senator and Governor, transitioned from being CEO of Goldman Sachs to political office, later returning to finance before a controversial bankruptcy [7] - Byron Donalds, a U.S. Representative, has a background in banking and insurance, which has contributed to his political career and leadership role in the GOP [8]

Summary of the Americas Thematic Focus List Conference Call Industry and Company Overview - **Industry**: The thematic focus is on various sectors across North America and Latin America, particularly in technology, energy, healthcare, and education. - **Companies Featured**: The focus list includes notable companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Eli Lilly, and Walmart, among others. Key Themes for 2026 1. **Tech Diffusion**: Emphasizes the rapid adoption of AI technologies across various sectors, with significant implications for productivity and competitive dynamics [12][14]. 2. **The Future of Energy**: Focuses on the increasing demand for energy driven by AI infrastructure and the transition to renewable energy sources [12][17]. 3. **The Multipolar World**: Highlights the shift towards localized supply chains and national economic security, impacting multinational corporations [12][13]. 4. **Societal Shifts**: Explores the implications of demographic changes, AI-driven employment disruption, and evolving consumer preferences [12][18]. Americas Thematic Focus List - **List Composition**: The focus list includes 18 high-conviction stock ideas, with a target holding period of 12-18 months [9][20]. - **Key Companies on the List**: - **Amazon (AMZN)**: Positioned as a leader in AI infrastructure, with a projected 32% upside to a price target of $238.18 [23]. - **Microsoft (MSFT)**: Expected to capture significant AI spending, with a 42% upside to a price target of $456.66 [23]. - **Eli Lilly (LLY)**: A leader in the GLP-1 market, with a 25% upside to a price target of $1,032.97 [23]. - **Walmart (WMT)**: Leveraging AI for operational efficiency, with a 13% upside to a price target of $119.20 [23]. Methodology and Specifications - **Focus List Size**: 15-20 stocks, with equal weighting upon construction [21]. - **Sector Weights**: No fixed sector weights, aiming for diversification [21][22]. - **Regional Weights**: Targeting 80-85% in the USA and 15-20% in Latin America [28]. Important Insights and Data - **Amazon's Growth**: Amazon's custom silicon strategy has grown 150% sequentially, indicating strong demand for its AI capabilities [29]. - **Eli Lilly's Market Potential**: The global diabesity market is projected to exceed $150 billion by the early 2030s, with significant growth opportunities for Eli Lilly [39]. - **NVIDIA's Dominance**: NVIDIA is positioned to capture a significant share of the projected $3-4 trillion in annual AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade [53]. - **Walmart's AI Strategy**: Walmart's AI initiatives have led to a 50% automation rate in its supply chain, significantly reducing delivery costs [68]. Conclusion The Americas Thematic Focus List presents a strategic overview of high-conviction investment opportunities across key sectors, driven by transformative themes such as technology diffusion and energy transition. The insights provided highlight the potential for significant growth and the evolving landscape of investment in the Americas.

18 January 2026 | 9:00PM HKT Economics Research China: Three things in China Three quick highlights from China: Net new household loans continued to decline in December -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 Rmb trillion Rmb trillion China monthly net new RMB loans to households (seasonally adjusted) Goldman Sachs China n Record FX inflows: Our preferred measure indicates net FX inflows of $128 billion in December, the highest ...