Global economic updates, market sentiment, and financial headlines.
From his inauguration day last year through Jan. 20, 2026, the S&P 500 rose 13.3% – the worst start to a presidency in 20 years, since George W. Bush entered his second term.
Morning Brief anchor Julie Hyman breaks down the latest market moves for January 26, 2026. A brutal winter storm impacted a large portion of the United States over the weekend and into Monday.
A combination of high and improving returns on equity and low or declining price/earnings ratios make the case for several major industry players.
Commodities Lead Major Asset Classes So Far In 2026
The S&P 500 experienced some geopolitical turmoil during the holiday-shortened trading week ending on Friday, 23 January 2026. The index plunged two percent on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, thanks to a one-two punch.
Pimco Global Economic Advisor Ricard Clarida explains why he's optimistic on the US economy and discusses the candidates to be the next Chair of the Federal Reserve and the US Supreme Court weighing President Donald Trump's bid to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook.
US stocks were modestly higher on Monday as investors navigated a mix of political uncertainty, a packed earnings calendar and anticipation ahead of the Federal Reserve's first policy decision of the year. The S&P 500 edged up 0.2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 170 points, or 0.4%.
Former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson joins 'Squawk Box' to discus the race for the next Fed chair, what to expect from the Fed's two-day policy meeting this week, and more.
Key Takeaways
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This is a developing story.
Higher U.S. tariffs have dealt a heavy blow to businesses in the past year, but one thing it hasn't done is freeze investment, especially in promising technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is actively supporting the Bank of Japan in stabilizing the yen amid policy and fiscal uncertainty. BOJ faces surging bond yields, illiquid JGB markets, and political risk from fiscal stimulus and a snap election, complicating monetary normalization.
New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods increased more than expected in November, suggesting business spending on equipment maintained a steady growth pace in the fourth quarter.
The chief executive of fund manager VanEck says investors waiting for the artificial-intelligence bubble have missed that it already did.
The year ahead presents both a bullish and bearish case for investors. Will 2026 be another year of above-average returns, or will it be a year of disappointment?
The risk of another government shutdown is rising, Fed Chair Powell takes center stage, gold prices top $5,000 for first time, and more news to start your day.
The most oversold stocks in the materials sector presents an opportunity to buy into undervalued companies.
Plus, gold at $5,000 and natural gas on fire
Many U.S. companies have sought to reassure investors that tariffs are "manageable," but early earnings-season comments suggest profit margins are at risk with consumers balking at higher prices.
U.S. stocks settled mixed on Friday, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 250 points during the session. Stocks also recorded losses last week, with the 30-stock Dow losing 0.5% and the S&P 500 falling about 0.4%.
The bull's slowing down – although reports of its death are greatly exaggerated.
London shares began the week on a subdued note on Monday, with gains in metal miners offsetting losses in industrial stocks, as caution lingered in markets after recent geopolitical turbulence.
Germany's economy is set for a modest rebound in 2026 after three years of stagnation, Germany's savings banks association DSGV said on Monday, forecasting gross domestic product growth of 1%.
Japanese stocks fell, U.S. stock futures were flat to a touch lower, after U.S. and Japanese authorities signaled that they are ready to step in to support the yen.
The Big Short investor Michael Burry says the Japanese yen is due a reversal as a so-called “rate check” stirred debate over whether an appreciation in the Asian currency's country would bleed over into U.S. stocks.
Japan's weakening yen, rising yields, and political instability create a global risk transmission mechanism, threatening market stability far beyond its borders. Repeated large-scale interventions by Japanese authorities have only provided fleeting relief, as fundamental yield differentials continue to pressure the yen.
The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a slight decline in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the “Neutral” zone on Friday.
Yields on Treasurys fell as investors sought safe-haven assets as the risk of another U.S. government shutdown grew ahead of Wednesday's Federal Reserve decision.
A new study finds that in a contest between the president and the Fed, “the president usually wins,” thereby “undermining Federal Reserve independence.”
We Could Be In For A Flat Market In 2026
Collapsing trust in government printed (fiat) money could drive gold well beyond its current record price of $5057 an ounce because investors feel betrayed.
Japanese government bond yields and stocks dropped Monday after U.S. and Japanese authorities signaled that they are ready to step in to prop up the yen, sparking a rebound in the Japanese currency.
Michelle Bowman, the central bank's vice chair for supervision, is slashing staff, changing rules and adding to the tension at the Fed in the process.
Vacancies for jobs in Britain continued to fall in December and the pace of increases in advertised salaries slowed, according to a survey on Monday that added to signs of a cooling labour market.
Investors are looking forward to a busy week of earnings, including one-fifth of the S&P 500 companies, and four of the Magnificent Seven stocks reporting results this week.
Expectations of quick further cuts are evaporating, and the market doesn't see another move until July
Investors are rotating out of tech stocks and into other sectors of the market as the U.S. economy chugs along.
Investors have been loading up on small-cap stocks as they take a breather from the larger, possibly overvalued artificial intelligence (AI) names in recent weeks.
Although most markets are trading near all-time highs, Chris Vermeulen, chief market strategist at The Technical Traders, has stated that clear signs of exhaustion are emerging, with technical conditions pointing to a meaningful correction in the coming weeks.
Equity markets have stagnated since October, with the S&P 500 barely positive and the NASDAQ 100 still below its highs. Liquidity has tightened as the Treasury ramps up T-bill issuance and the Treasury General Account rises, draining reserves from the Fed's balance sheet.
The biggest risk of 2026 according to Dale Smothers: companies cutting back costs on AI infrastructure buildout. If businesses realize they don't need as much AI as originally budgeted, it could hit Big Tech firms and cut into economic growth.
Value stocks and funds like VOOV and SCHD are beginning to outperform the S&P 500, reversing a multi-year trend. Recent fund flow data shows net outflows from SPY and strong inflows into value-oriented funds, signaling investor rotation.
The Fed is set to leave the federal funds unchanged, which ends the policy easing cycle and starts a likely long pause. The issue of the Fed's credibility is the major problem, which might force the Fed to be more hawkish and defiant at the January FOMC meeting.
A major macro shift is taking place that could leave traditional portfolios behind. I discuss why inflation and policy risks may be far from over.
The industrial sector shows mixed signals: robust recent performance but underlying economic weakness and signs of softening demand. Key industrial indicators like new orders and production are up year-over-year, yet ISM Manufacturing PMI and employment data point to contraction.
Declines show how quickly sentiment can shift as money pours into the next hot investment.
The S&P 500 kicked off the shortened trading week on a sour note but managed to claw back a portion of those losses, ultimately finishing the week with a loss of -0.4%. Over the past 20 days, the average percent change from the intraday low to the intraday high is 0.70%.
The FOMC meets next week to decide if they will cut interest rates in January. Neither guest on today's panel agrees, with Ben Emons making the case as to why a divided Fed will meet in the middle for no change in rates.