Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic to Resign, Calls Early Elections After Months of Protests 
SpaceX, Charter Communications Explore Mobile Partnership to Expand Starlink Wireless Service 
Infosys Shares Drop Amid Earnings Quality Concerns 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Texas Approves Bible-Inclusive Reading Lists for Public Schools Starting in 2030 
US Strikes Iran Again After Strait of Hormuz Tanker Attack Escalates Ceasefire Tensions 
Mexico, U.S. Launch Sterile Fly Facility to Combat New World Screwworm Outbreak 
Andy Burnham Sets Out Vision to Decentralize Britain as Labour Leadership Race Begins 
SoftBank Shares Slide as OpenAI IPO Delay Concerns Weigh on AI Investment Outlook 
Samsung, SK Hynix to Unveil Record AI and Semiconductor Investment Plans Worth Over $646 Billion 
Australia, Vanuatu Sign Security Pact Amid Pacific Influence Competition 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Ukraine Strikes Russian Titan-Barrikady Plant With Long-Range FP-5 Flamingo Missile 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Trump Takes Office, Corporate Earnings Awaited 
Europe Heatwave Creates Growth Opportunity for Carrier, Trane, and Johnson Controls, Citi Says 
Iran Launches Drone Attack on Bahrain After U.S. Strikes, Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate 
Apple Supplier Stocks Slide as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead Selloff After Apple Price Hikes 
The S&P 500 closed a strong week with gains on Friday, fueled by investor optimism ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. At 4:00 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 334 points (0.8%), the S&P 500 gained 1%, and the NASDAQ Composite climbed 1.5%. For the week, the S&P 500 recorded a 2% increase.
Investor confidence remains high, though Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 raises questions about potential trade tariffs, particularly targeting China. Analysts at ING noted concerns about “day one” measures, which could trigger market volatility. However, Trump’s Friday call with Chinese President Xi Jinping offered a positive signal. Trump described the discussion as "very good" and emphasized mutual cooperation on trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and global peace initiatives.
Earnings season added to market momentum, with bank earnings delivering positive results. Morgan Stanley posted strong fourth-quarter earnings, and Bank of America exceeded expectations. Earlier in the week, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs also reported solid performances. However, JB Hunt Transport Services fell short of earnings forecasts, while Schlumberger surged on robust demand for its drilling technology.
Crypto-related stocks also rallied as Bitcoin rose sharply, driven by reports suggesting Trump plans to prioritize crypto through executive orders. Companies like MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital Holdings, and Coinbase saw significant gains.
Markets are poised for further action with major tech, industrial, and consumer stocks set to report earnings next week. Investor focus remains on navigating a mix of policy changes, corporate earnings, and market volatility.
