U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
CaixaBank will acquire state-owned Bankia in an all-share deal that would create Spain's largest bank with total assets exceeding $786.6 billion.
The deal will help the companies tackle dwindling profitability due to the pandemic.
The deal values Bankia $5.1 billion, according to Jefferies analysts.
The new entity will have 20 million customers and a quarter of all loans and deposits in Spain.
Santander and BBVA, which have extensive overseas operations, are currently Spain's largest banks.
CaixaBank and Bankia expect the combined entity will benefit from cost savings of $911.8 million a year. They are targeting additional revenue of $343 million.
The move could signal the start of further consolidation in Europe's beleaguered banking sector.
Europe's banks had to raise billions of dollars to cover bad debts and contend with ultra-low interest rates as they endure one of the worst global recessions this year.
According to Jefferies analyst Benjie Creelan-Sandford, banks need to improve profitability by benefitting from the scale and extract synergies from mergers.
Creelan-Sandford expects more consolidation among European banks.
Swiss bank UBS is reportedly examining a potential deal with rival Credit Suisse. A merger of Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest lender, and its competitor Commerzbank was on the table as of last year.
