Federal Judge Upholds Trump Administration’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Hanwha Signals Readiness to Build Nuclear-Powered Submarines at Philly Shipyard for U.S. Navy 
China’s Nuclear Expansion Raises Arms Control Concerns as Pentagon Report Warns of Growing Military Ambitions 
Democratic Governors Urge Trump Administration to Lift Halt on East Coast Offshore Wind Projects 
Uber and Baidu Partner to Test Robotaxis in the UK, Marking a New Milestone for Autonomous Ride-Hailing 
Moore Threads Unveils New GPUs, Fuels Optimism Around China’s AI Chip Ambitions 
Investors Brace for Market Moves as Trump Begins Second Term 
Ferrari Group to Launch IPO in Amsterdam, Targets Over $1 Billion Valuation 
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U.S. Condemns China's Dominance in Global Shipbuilding and Maritime Sectors 
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European Stocks Rally on Chinese Growth and Mining Merger Speculation 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
Waymo Plans Safety and Emergency Response Upgrades After San Francisco Robotaxi Disruptions 
China’s Growth Faces Structural Challenges Amid Doubts Over Data 
KiwiSaver shakeup: private asset investment has risks that could outweigh the rewards 
U.S. Shifts Strategy Toward Economic Pressure With Venezuelan Oil Quarantine 
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.
