Trending Market News

GSK announced it will acquire U.S.-based biotechnology company RAPT Therapeutics for $2.2 billion. The deal represents a significant investment by the British pharmaceutical giant to expand its portfolio through acquiring an American biotech firm.

• The acquisition is valued at $2.2 billion in total transaction value
• RAPT Therapeutics is a U.S.-based biotechnology company being purchased by British pharma giant GSK
• The deal adds to GSK's strategy of expanding through targeted acquisitions in the biotech sector

Universal Music Group (UMG) has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Chinese streaming service NetEase Cloud Music, allowing UMG artists like Taylor Swift to be available on the platform. The agreement includes provisions addressing artificial intelligence, though specific financial terms were not disclosed.

• The deal expands UMG's artist roster and catalog access to Chinese music fans through NetEase's streaming platform
• Agreement includes AI-related provisions and terms, reflecting growing industry focus on technology governance
• This continues a previous partnership between the two companies, with NetEase being one of China's major music streaming services

Affirm is piloting a 'buy now, pay later' program for rent payments in partnership with Esusu, allowing renters to split monthly rent into two equal biweekly payments at 0% APR with no hidden fees. The program aims to help renters align housing expenses with biweekly paychecks, though it is still in early testing stages with no official rollout date confirmed.

• The pilot offers 0% APR with no hidden fees, late fees, or compounding interest, and Affirm underwrites each application individually
• Esusu partners with Affirm to help renters build credit by reporting on-time payments to major credit bureaus
• Financial analysts warn that managing multiple BNPL loans simultaneously could become complicated, especially since payments are tied to debit cards or checking accounts requiring sufficient cash reserves

U.S. President Donald Trump is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos with the largest U.S. delegation yet, his first in-person appearance since 2020. However, several major world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Danish government officials are notably absent. The event, running Monday to Friday with nearly 3,000 attendees, is expected to focus more on who attends than on specific policy topics.

• Denmark declined to attend amid tensions over Trump's attempt to annex Greenland, with Trump announcing fresh tariffs on countries resisting the move
• Six of the G7 nations are sending representatives in a 'historic' move, with Trump scheduled to address the forum on Wednesday alongside his delegation including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
• Major tech CEOs attending include Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, while OpenAI's Sam Altman and other prominent figures like Brazil's Lula da Silva are not on the attendance list

Shell has requested to withdraw from Syria's al-Omar oilfield, which recently came under Syrian government control following an offensive against Kurdish forces. Syria's Petroleum Company is negotiating a financial settlement with Shell for full ownership of the field, while other U.S. energy companies including ConocoPhillips and Chevron are reportedly planning investments in Syrian oil and gas operations.

• The al-Omar oilfield came under Syrian government control over the weekend after a 'lightning offensive' against Kurdish forces
• Syria is currently negotiating financial settlement terms with Shell to gain complete ownership of the field
• ConocoPhillips plans to return to invest in Syrian gas fields, while Chevron is considering entering the Syrian market for the first time

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a recall query into approximately 597,571 General Motors vehicles due to engine failure issues. The investigation focuses on GM vehicles equipped with L87 6.2L V8 gas engines and follows complaints that previous recall remedies have failed to resolve the problem.

• NHTSA received 36 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires alleging engine failures in vehicles that were already subject to a prior recall
• GM had previously recalled 721,000 vehicles worldwide (nearly 600,000 in the U.S.) in April 2025 for related engine issues
• The investigation is a 'recall query' examining whether the original recall remedies adequately addressed the engine damage and failure problems

Kenya launched a $825 million IPO for Kenya Pipeline Company on Monday, selling a 65% stake in the state oil pipeline firm. This marks East Africa's largest-ever initial public offering, surpassing Safaricom's previous record, as President William Ruto's government pursues divestment from state companies to fund infrastructure and sovereign wealth initiatives.

• The IPO is priced at 9 shillings per share, aiming to raise 106.3 billion Kenyan shillings ($825 million) through the 65% stake sale
• The offering exceeds Safaricom's previous regional IPO record and aligns with a global equity capital markets recovery, which saw $738.4 billion raised in 2025, up 15% year-over-year
• Proceeds will fund new infrastructure projects and sovereign wealth funds as part of the Ruto administration's broader state company divestment strategy

China's economy grew 4.5% in Q4 2025, the slowest pace in nearly three years, as domestic consumption weakened significantly. Despite the quarterly slowdown, full-year GDP growth reached 5%, meeting Beijing's official target amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. and a prolonged real estate crisis.

• Retail sales grew only 0.9% in December year-over-year, missing the 1.2% forecast and reflecting weak consumer demand
• Fixed-asset investment contracted 3.8% for the full year, worse than the 3% decline economists expected, highlighting continued real estate sector struggles
• Industrial output climbed 5.2% in December, exceeding the 5% forecast, as manufacturers diversified exports away from U.S. markets

An Israeli ministerial committee approved legislation to allow ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft to operate in the country using app-based models connecting private drivers with passengers. The law still requires full parliamentary approval and aims to increase transportation supply, improve service availability, and lower fares through market competition.

• The reform would regulate 'technology-based transportation operators' and includes strict safety requirements, driver screening, insurance coverage, and vehicle oversight provisions
• Transportation Minister Miri Regev called the law a 'historic step' to dismantle outdated monopolies and create thousands of jobs through real market competition
• Uber previously operated in Israel only as a traditional taxi service before shutting down in 2023, and the existing taxi industry opposes the entry of ride-hailing companies

President Donald Trump threatened to sue JPMorgan Chase within two weeks, alleging the bank improperly closed his accounts following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. In the same social media post, Trump denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming he had offered JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon the Federal Reserve chairman position. The Trump family has previously complained about financial institutions refusing services based on their political views.

• Trump claims JPMorgan engaged in 'debanking' him after January 6, a practice he addressed with an executive order in August requiring banks not to refuse services based on religious or political beliefs
• Trump Jr. previously stated the family turned to cryptocurrency 'out of necessity' due to difficulties accessing traditional big bank services
• Trump denied offering JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon the Fed chairman role, contradicting a Wall Street Journal report; current Fed Chairman's term ends May 15

President Trump announced escalating tariffs on eight NATO members—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland—to pressure a deal for purchasing Greenland. The tariffs will start at 10% on February 1 and increase to 25% by June 1, marking a significant strain on the NATO alliance and relations with European allies.

• Tariffs begin at 10% on Feb. 1, 2026, escalating to 25% on June 1, 2026, targeting U.S. imports from eight European NATO members until a Greenland purchase agreement is reached
• Trump justified the tariffs by claiming the eight countries 'have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown,' calling it 'a very dangerous situation' after they deployed troops in response to U.S. military threats
• The move intensifies pressure on NATO allies who have flatly rejected selling Greenland, while the Supreme Court may rule soon on Trump's broader use of emergency tariff powers

President Donald Trump denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming he offered JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon the Federal Reserve chair position. Trump made the denial on Truth Social and announced plans to sue JPMorgan within two weeks, alleging the bank 'debanked' him following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

• Trump directly contradicted the Wall Street Journal's reporting about offering the Fed chair role to Dimon
• The president announced intentions to file a lawsuit against JPMorgan for alleged 'debanking' related to the January 6 events
• The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and major financial institutions over banking relationships

Nvidia suppliers have halted production of H200 AI chips after Chinese customs officials blocked shipments from entering the country. Nvidia had anticipated over 1 million orders from Chinese clients, with suppliers working around the clock for planned March deliveries. Chinese authorities have not provided reasons for the directive or clarified whether this is a formal ban or temporary measure.

• Nvidia expected more than 1 million H200 orders from Chinese clients, with suppliers operating continuously to prepare for March shipments
• Chinese government summoned domestic tech firms to warn them against purchasing the chips unless necessary, though no official explanation was given
• The H200 is Nvidia's second most powerful AI chip and a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, with uncertainty over whether Beijing seeks an outright ban to support domestic chipmakers or is using it as a bargaining tactic

A European research team published a study in The Lancet finding no causal link between paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities, directly countering claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump in September. The review analyzed 43 studies, including large sibling comparison studies covering over 260,000 children, to provide reassurance that the painkiller is safe when used as recommended during pregnancy.

• Sibling comparison studies of more than 260,000 children for autism and over 335,000 for ADHD showed no significant link to paracetamol use during pregnancy
• The research team specifically addressed Trump's September claims by focusing on high-quality studies that account for bias and confounding factors often present in earlier research
• Paracetamol remains the only pain reliever considered safe for pregnant women, with doctors advising use of the smallest dose for the shortest time necessary

The U.S. is expediting an expanded license for Chevron's Venezuela operations that would allow the company to pay royalties in cash rather than crude oil, effectively doubling export capacity. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed the U.S. is now controlling Venezuelan oil sales and securing higher prices ($45/barrel vs. previously $31/barrel) following Nicolas Maduro's removal from power. Proceeds are currently held in U.S.-controlled accounts at Qatari banks with plans to eventually transfer them to U.S. banks.

• Chevron's current license requires paying Venezuelan royalties in oil rather than cash, limiting exports to about 50% of production; the new license will allow cash payments and full export capacity
• The U.S. is marketing up to 50 million barrels of stranded Venezuelan oil at roughly $45/barrel (a $15 discount to Brent crude), compared to the $31/barrel Venezuela received under Maduro
• Oil sale proceeds are deposited in Qatari bank accounts controlled by the U.S. government due to banking regulations and sanctions, though Wright indicated preference to eventually move funds to U.S. banks

Alphabet's Google requested a U.S. judge to postpone an order requiring it to share search data with competitors while it appeals a ruling that found the company used unlawful tactics to maintain its online search dominance. Google argued that complying risks exposing trade secrets irreversibly if it wins on appeal. The company did not seek to postpone other remedies, such as limiting app preloading contracts to one year.

• Google specifically asked to defer data-sharing and syndication requirements, citing risk of exposing trade secrets with no recovery option if successful on appeal
• The company accepted other remedies including limiting contracts for preloading apps (like Gemini AI chatbot) to one-year duration
• The DOJ and states have until February 3 to appeal Judge Mehta's decision rejecting stronger remedies like forcing Google to sell Chrome browser or stop multibillion-dollar default search payments to Apple

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating 'acqui-hire' practices where big tech companies hire startup employees and license technology instead of acquiring the companies outright. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson stated these deals may circumvent merger review processes, with recent examples involving Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon in deals worth hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.

• Microsoft paid $650 million structured as a licensing fee to acquire a startup's top AI executive, while Meta spent $15 billion to hire Scale AI's CEO without buying the firm
• FTC Chairman Ferguson attributed the rise of acqui-hire practices to the Biden administration's aggressive antitrust enforcement, which prompted companies to find alternative deal structures
• Recent acqui-hires include Nvidia licensing Groq's chip technology and hiring its CEO (a Google veteran), and Amazon hiring founders from Adept AI, though no deals have been unwound by regulators yet

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Bayer's appeal seeking to block state-law lawsuits claiming its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, potentially limiting the company's exposure to billions in damages. Bayer argues federal pesticide law preempts state claims since the EPA found no cancer risk and approved Roundup's label without warnings. The company faces approximately 65,000 pending lawsuits and has already paid about $10 billion to settle earlier cases.

• A Missouri court upheld a $1.25 million verdict for plaintiff John Durnell, who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after Roundup exposure, rejecting Bayer's federal preemption argument
• The Trump administration supports Bayer's position, with Solicitor General arguing the EPA has 'repeatedly determined that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic in humans'
• Bayer faces mixed trial results, including a $2.1 billion verdict in Georgia in 2025, and has threatened to pull Roundup from the U.S. consumer market while replacing glyphosate in consumer products

Danish drugmaker Genmab and partner AbbVie announced their blood cancer drug epcoritamab failed to meet its primary endpoint of improving overall survival in a late-stage trial of 483 patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. While the drug showed improvements in progression-free survival, patients did not live statistically longer. The companies will discuss next steps with regulators and await results from two additional late-stage trials expected in 2026.

• The trial involved 483 patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who had received at least one prior treatment and were not candidates for intensive chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
• Epcoritamab is already approved and marketed in multiple countries under brand names Epkinly (U.S. and Japan) and Tepkinly (EU) for other lymphoma conditions
• Two additional late-stage trials are ongoing, including a first-line study combining epcoritamab with standard chemotherapy and another with Bristol Myers' Revlimid, with data expected in 2026

President Donald Trump announced he may impose tariffs on countries that do not support his plan to acquire Greenland for the United States. Trump cited national security concerns as justification for the potential acquisition and tariff measures. The statement represents an escalation in his efforts to use executive trade powers as leverage in foreign policy.

• Trump stated 'We need Greenland for national security' and threatened tariffs against countries 'if they don't go along with Greenland'
• The President is considering applying tariffs, described as one of his favorite tools for leveraging executive power, to pressure foreign nations on the Greenland acquisition
• The White House did not provide additional details on which countries might be targeted or the specific tariff rates being considered