General Market News

U.S. stock markets opened mixed on January 27, 2026, with the Nasdaq gaining 0.80% driven by technology stocks, while investors await the Federal Reserve's rate decision on Wednesday and major earnings reports from Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla. The Fed is widely expected to hold rates at 3.5%-3.75%, with markets pricing in two potential quarter-point cuts by year-end 2026.

• Technology stocks led gains with Micron up 3.73%, Apple up 1.89%, and Microsoft up 1.10%, while the Health sector fell 1.00% due to pressure on health insurers from a Medicare payment proposal.
• Over 200 S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report earnings in the next two weeks, with megacap tech firms Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla reporting Wednesday after the close, and Apple on Thursday.
• The S&P 500 E-mini futures show bullish momentum above key support at 6,925.50-6,951.50, targeting a record high of 7,036.25, with major support at the 50-day moving average of 6,898.32.

U.S. consumer confidence fell sharply in January 2026, dropping 9.7 points to 84.5, its lowest level since May 2014. The unexpected decline was driven by growing consumer anxiety over high prices, inflation, and a sluggish labor market, falling well short of economist forecasts of 90.9.

• The Conference Board's consumer confidence index hit 84.5 in January, plunging 9.7 points and missing economist expectations of 90.9
• Consumer concerns centered on elevated prices across multiple categories including inflation, oil and gas prices, and food and grocery costs
• Growing mentions of tariffs and trade, politics, labor market conditions, health insurance, and war contributed to rising pessimism among consumers

Rick Rieder, BlackRock's chief investment officer for fixed income, has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair, with prediction markets giving him 51% odds. Trump is expected to announce his pick in January before Powell's term expires in May, with the appointment potentially reshaping monetary policy in a more dovish direction. The selection could significantly impact markets as the new chair would influence both interest rate policy and the Fed's balance sheet strategy.

• Rieder manages $2.7 trillion in assets and advocates for lower rates based on AI-driven productivity gains, arguing the Fed should focus less on unemployment and more on the 'productivity revolution of extraordinary proportion'
• Trump is reportedly seeking a chair who will lower both short-term and long-term rates, with Rieder favoring innovative use of the Fed's balance sheet including possible yield curve control to reduce mortgage rates and boost stock valuations
• Four key decisions loom: the new chair selection, a potential DOJ investigation into Powell, whether Powell stays as a governor through 2028, and a Supreme Court case on whether Trump can fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook

US stocks opened mixed on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq rising 0.6% driven by Big Tech gains, while the Dow dropped 300 points (0.6%) due to sharp losses in health insurers. The S&P 500 edged up 0.2% as investors awaited key corporate earnings reports and the Federal Reserve's policy decision scheduled for Wednesday.

• Health insurance stocks tumbled after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed only a 0.09% net average payment increase for Medicare Advantage insurers in 2027, well below industry expectations
• Over 90 S&P 500 companies are reporting earnings this week, including major tech firms Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla on Wednesday, and Apple on Thursday, with focus on AI-related spending and demand trends
• The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep rates unchanged at Wednesday's meeting despite pressure from President Trump, who has intensified criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell and called for aggressive rate cuts

India and the European Union have finalized a free trade agreement removing tariffs on over 90% of goods traded between them, creating a free trade zone of 2 billion people. The deal reduces Indian tariffs on European automobiles and agricultural products while eliminating EU duties on Indian textiles, leather, marine products, and gems. This comes as India faces 50% U.S. tariffs and seeks alternative export markets.

• The EU expects to double exports to India by 2032, saving around 4 billion euros annually in tariff reductions, with India offering tariff cuts no other trading partner has received
• India will reduce car tariffs from 110% to 10% and eliminate duties on car parts over 5-10 years, while nearly eliminating tariffs on European machinery (22%), chemicals, and pharmaceuticals (11%)
• The deal could create 6-7 million jobs in India's textile sector alone and provides zero-duty access for $33 billion worth of Indian labor-intensive exports currently strained by U.S. tariffs

A CNBC Fed Survey reveals that forecasters expect only two more quarter-point rate cuts in 2026, bringing the federal funds rate to around 3%, far above President Trump's call for 1% rates. Respondents predict former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh will be named the next Fed chair but don't expect him to cave to White House pressure for dramatically lower rates. The firmer rate outlook is driven by stronger GDP forecasts of 2.4% for 2026 and declining recession risks.

• Survey shows federal funds rate settling at 3% through 2027 with no cuts expected in 2027, while Trump has demanded rates drop to 1% (effectively negative real rates given 2% inflation)
• Recession probability dropped to 23% from 30% in December, with GDP forecast at 2.4% for 2026 and unemployment only rising to 4.5%, supported by AI-driven capital spending and consumer strength
• 50% of respondents expect Kevin Warsh to be named Fed chair (versus Rick Rieder leading prediction markets), though 44% believe Chris Waller should get the position; majority concerned about Fed independence if Trump appointees dominate the Board

U.S. markets pushed higher on Tuesday despite President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on South Korean goods, as investors focused on upcoming mega-cap tech earnings. The dollar remained under pressure amid speculation about coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention to support the yen, while gold and silver held firm on continued global uncertainty.

• Trump raised tariffs on South Korean imports to 25% from 15%, yet South Korea's KOSPI reached a new high as investors prioritized tech sector earnings over trade concerns
• The dollar index declined further after its worst Monday performance, while Japan's yen held at year-best levels on speculation of joint intervention ahead of next month's snap election
• India and the EU announced a major trade deal to cut duties on most goods, contrasting with U.S. tariff increases, with implementation expected within a year

The Magnificent Seven tech companies are driving S&P 500 earnings growth in Q4 2024, with the group expected to post 20.3% earnings growth compared to just 4.1% for the remaining 493 companies. Four of these mega-cap tech firms—Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple—are reporting earnings this week, with the technology sector accounting for approximately 80% of the S&P 500's overall 8.2% earnings growth.

• The six largest tech-oriented companies (excluding Tesla) are expected to drive over 60% of S&P 500 earnings growth by growing earnings an average of 19% each, potentially more than doubling the growth rate of the 'S&P 493'
• Nvidia, Alphabet, and Microsoft are the top three contributors to the S&P 500's quarterly earnings increase, with Micron Technology as another major contributor outside the Magnificent Seven
• This week's Magnificent Seven earnings include Microsoft (up 21% expected), Apple (up 11%), Meta (up 2%), and Tesla (down 38%), with the group's massive scale maintaining their dominance despite slowing profit growth

The European Union and India signed a landmark trade deal on Tuesday that slashes tariffs on EU-made car imports to 10% from as high as 110% under a quota of 250,000 vehicles per year. This represents the biggest opening of India's car market to European automakers, offering them access to the world's third-largest passenger car market. The deal comes as both sides seek to diversify amid U.S. trade tensions and volatile global conditions.

• Tariff reductions apply to a quota of 250,000 EU vehicles annually, giving European manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche tariff advantages that no other trading partners have received from India
• India's auto market is the world's third-largest and fastest-growing, though it remains heavily dominated by domestic players that analysts say will be 'difficult to disrupt'
• The deal could make luxury European vehicles more affordable for India's middle classes, providing 'much-needed oxygen' to European automakers battling multiple crises at home

President Trump's housing affordability policies, including banning institutional investors and pushing mortgage-backed securities purchases, are unlikely to provide long-term relief according to Realtor economist Jake Krimmel. These demand-side measures may offer short-term stimulus but fail to address the fundamental housing supply shortage driving the affordability crisis.

• Krimmel argues Trump's initiatives are 'short run' fixes that won't solve structural supply issues; demand-side policies risk inflating prices further without increased construction
• The fragmented US housing market requires local solutions like zoning reforms and builder incentives, as federal policies can't address divergent regional dynamics from Northeast to South
• Potential Fed rate cuts to 5.5% from current 6.2% could unlock inventory by reducing the 'lock-in effect,' but cheaper financing may reignite price growth and undermine affordability gains

Canada's initial public offering market is poised for revival in 2026 after four years of dormancy caused by high interest rates and inflation. The Toronto Stock Exchange has experienced more delistings than listings for three consecutive years, but bankers report growing interest from companies in technology, natural resources, and other sectors. The renewed activity signals confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney's pro-business economic agenda and could reverse the long-term corporate exodus from Canada's main stock exchange.

• The Toronto Stock Exchange saw only two IPOs in 2025 versus 55 delistings, continuing a three-year trend of net company losses despite the S&P/TSX Composite Index surging 29% and outpacing the S&P 500's 16% gain
• Rockpoint Gas Storage's C$704 million IPO in October 2025, now trading 25% above its IPO price, has set a positive precedent and encouraged banker optimism about the 2026 pipeline
• Bank of Montreal's head of equity capital markets calls the current IPO pipeline 'the strongest since 2021', with companies in fintech, consumer products, resources and technology exploring listings

Saudi Aramco raised $4 billion through a four-tranche bond offering in its first 2025 debt market issuance, with investor demand exceeding $21 billion. The state oil giant is increasing its borrowing amid falling crude prices, rising debt, and a planned 30% reduction in 2025 dividends to approximately $85.4 billion. The strong oversubscription allowed Aramco to significantly tighten pricing spreads across all maturities.

• The bond sale drew orders exceeding $21 billion, enabling Aramco to tighten spreads substantially - the 3-year tranche priced at 60 bps over Treasuries versus initial guidance of 100 bps
• Aramco's 2025 total dividends are expected to drop roughly 30% to about $85.4 billion as the company implements cost-cutting measures and asset divestitures in response to lower crude prices
• The Saudi government owns 81.5% of Aramco directly with sovereign wealth fund PIF controlling another 16%, making the company's financial health critical to state revenues

India and the European Union have finalized a landmark trade deal after nearly two decades of negotiations, opening India's vast market to free trade with the 27-nation EU bloc. The agreement represents 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade, with bilateral trade currently standing at $136.5 billion. Both sides are seeking to hedge against uncertainty in U.S. relations amid President Trump's tariff threats and trade tensions.

• The deal covers a quarter of the world's economy and opens India's 1.4 billion-person market to the EU, its biggest trading partner, with implementation expected within a year after legal vetting
• The agreement comes amid global trade realignment as Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and an India-U.S. trade deal collapsed in 2025
• The EU has been actively pursuing trade deals, recently signing agreements with Mercosur, Indonesia, Mexico and Switzerland, while India finalized pacts with Britain, New Zealand and Oman

Despite President Trump unexpectedly raising tariffs on South Korea to 25% from 15%, global markets rallied with Asian stocks hitting record highs as investors bought the dip, betting on de-escalation. The TACO trade ('Trump always chickens out') drove risk appetite, while precious metals also surged amid ongoing tariff uncertainty.

• South Korea's KOSPI initially fell over 1% but recovered to jump 2% to record highs as traders anticipated potential tariff rollback with Seoul's Industry Minister heading to the U.S.
• Gold climbed 1% to $5,063 per ounce and silver vaulted 5% to $109 per ounce as tariff uncertainty boosted safe-haven demand for precious metals.
• MSCI's Asia-Pacific index rallied 1% to a new record high ahead of earnings from U.S. tech giants Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla, while the Federal Reserve's Wednesday policy meeting faces scrutiny amid a DOJ investigation into Chair Jerome Powell.

The EU and India are set to sign a trade deal that will slash car import tariffs from up to 110% to 40%, eventually dropping to 10%. While this offers European carmakers like Volkswagen, Renault, and Porsche a new opportunity in India's growing market, they face steep competition from local brands like Tata and Mahindra, plus Asian rivals Suzuki and Hyundai who dominate with affordable compact vehicles.

• European carmakers currently hold less than 3% of India's market, while local brands Mahindra and Tata control two-thirds, alongside strong competition from Suzuki and Hyundai's popular compact 'kei cars'
• India's car market is the world's third-largest at 4.4 million vehicles annually and is expected to grow over a third to 6 million units by 2030
• The tariff reduction applies to a limited number of cars priced above 15,000 euros, primarily benefiting luxury brands like Porsche that import fully-built vehicles, though profit impacts will take time amid ongoing U.S. market uncertainty

Larry Kudlow argues that Trump's economic policies are driving a business investment boom, with core capital goods shipments up 9.9% and GDP potentially reaching 5% in Q4. He endorses candidates Kevin Warsh or Kevin Hassett for Fed Chair while expressing concerns about Rick Rieder's political donations to left-wing Democrats and questioning whether he understands 'Trumponomics.'

• Non-defense capital goods shipments (excluding aircraft) surged 9.9% at an annual rate over three months, nearly double the twelve-month rate, attributed to 100% immediate expensing in Trump's tax legislation
• Kudlow argues the Fed's traditional Phillips curve model is wrong and that supply-side policies (low taxes, deregulation, falling energy prices) enable 4-6% GDP growth without causing inflation
• Rick Rieder's candidacy for Fed Chair is questioned due to FEC records showing donations to George Soros's Act Blue and Democrats like Sherrod Brown and Hakeem Jeffries, suggesting he may not align with Trump's economic philosophy

New research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco reveals that Fed Chair press conferences have the strongest impact on financial markets compared to other forms of communication. Treasury yields and stock prices are most affected by surprises in these press conferences, particularly regarding future interest rate expectations. The findings are relevant ahead of Wednesday's Fed policy meeting, where a rate change is nearly certain but post-meeting comments could still move markets.

• Press conferences are the most influential source of policy surprises, more so than official statements or meeting minutes, with strong effects on Treasury yields and risk asset prices
• Traders are pricing in less than a 3% chance of a surprise rate cut at Wednesday's meeting, meaning any market movement will likely come from Powell's 2:30 PM press conference comments
• Hawkish surprises (indicating higher future rates) typically lower inflation expectations and stock prices, while dovish surprises (lower future rates) have the opposite effect

President Trump announced on January 26 that he is raising tariffs on certain South Korean imports including autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals from 15% to 25%. Trump accused South Korea's legislature of 'not living up' to its trade deal with the United States, citing failure to enact what he called a 'Historic Trade Agreement.' South Korea's presidential office had no immediate comment on the tariff increase.

• Tariffs increased from 15% to 25% on South Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and other 'reciprocal' items
• South Korea had been working to finalize a trade agreement announced in November that would lower U.S. tariffs on its exports
• Trump has consistently used tariff threats as a foreign policy tool during his second term, though economists have raised concerns about this approach

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is raising tariffs on South Korean automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and lumber from 15% to 25%. The tariff increase is in response to delays by South Korea's legislature in approving a trade deal that Trump and President Lee reached on July 30, 2025, and reaffirmed on October 29, 2025.

• Tariffs on South Korean autos, pharmaceuticals, and lumber will increase from 15% to 25% due to legislative approval delays
• Trump cited a trade deal reached with South Korean President Lee on July 30, 2025, which has not yet been approved by South Korea's legislature
• Hyundai, a South Korean-based automaker, is the largest importer of new vehicles from South Korea into the United States and will be significantly affected

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady this week, with markets pricing a 97% chance of no change. Investor focus has shifted to corporate earnings and economic data as market leadership broadens beyond mega-cap tech stocks to cyclicals and small caps. The dollar hit a four-month low while political pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell intensifies.

• CME FedWatch shows 97% probability of Fed holding rates unchanged; traders price 59.4% chance of a June rate cut as the rate-cutting cycle that began September 2024 pauses.
• Market leadership is rotating: energy, industrials, and materials lead early 2026 gains, with small-cap Russell 2000 outpacing S&P 500 in January as growth beyond tech strengthens.
• Half of the 'Magnificent Seven' report earnings this week (Microsoft, Meta, Tesla on Jan 28; Apple on Jan 29), with S&P 500 expected to grow earnings 15% this year at a 22x forward multiple.