Episodes

  • 2026.1.28 US Market Close | Markets await Big Tech earnings after Fed's hawkish rate hold

    2026.1.28 US Market Close | Markets await Big Tech earnings after Fed's hawkish rate hold
    Jan 28 2026
    The US stock market closed mixed as expectations for an early rate cut faded following the Fed's hawkish decision to hold rates steady. However, anticipation for Big Tech earnings provided support, shifting market focus from macroeconomic factors to individual company fundamentals. - Dow Jones: +0.02% - Edged higher, holding firm despite the Fed's hawkish stance. - S&P 500: -0.01% - Slipped into negative territory as rate cut hopes diminished following Chairman Jerome Powell's press conference. - Nasdaq: +0.17% - Rose independently on optimism for Big Tech earnings reports due after the closing bell. - The Fed's Hawkish Rate Hold: While the Fed kept interest rates unchanged, Chairman Jerome Powell pushed back against the possibility of a March rate cut, causing market expectations to recede. Consequently, the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to around 4.25%. - Awaiting Big Tech Earnings: Market attention shifted from the Fed's monetary policy to the individual earnings of companies like Microsoft and Meta. A key focus is whether investments in artificial intelligence (AI) are translating into tangible profit growth. - The Rise of a 'Two-Speed Market': A selective market environment has emerged, with capital flowing primarily to companies with proven fundamentals. Excitement over the AI growth narrative in tech stocks is overshadowing concerns about the Fed's tightening policy. - Meta's Double-Edged Sword: The company reported strong Q4 results with 24% revenue growth. However, it also announced plans to increase capital expenditures to as much as $135 billion by 2026 for 'superintelligence' development, raising concerns about future profitability. - Microsoft (MSFT): Slipped over 0.6% during the session. The stock awaited its earnings report amid a mix of optimism for over 27% growth in its key cloud service, Azure, and concerns about significant capital expenditures. - Meta (META): Edged up about 0.2%, closing slightly higher ahead of its Q4 earnings release, buoyed by hopes of a recovery in the digital advertising market.
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    15 mins
  • 2026.1.27 US Market Close | Indices mixed amid Big Tech earnings hopes and pre-FOMC caution

    2026.1.27 US Market Close | Indices mixed amid Big Tech earnings hopes and pre-FOMC caution
    Jan 27 2026
    The US stock market finished mixed as anticipation for Big Tech earnings clashed with policy risks in the healthcare sector. Investors remained on the sidelines, awaiting the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) interest rate decision. - S&P 500: Gained 0.4%, hitting a new all-time high, boosted by strength in tech stocks. - Nasdaq: Climbed over 0.9% as excitement around AI grew ahead of Big Tech earnings reports. - Dow Jones Industrial Average: Dropped more than 0.8%, weighed down by a sharp decline in healthcare stocks like UnitedHealth. - Big Tech AI Rally: Major tech stocks including Microsoft, Alphabet, and Nvidia all rose, lifting the Nasdaq on earnings optimism related to AI investments. - Healthcare Sector Shock: The government's proposed 2027 Medicare payment rate increase of 0.09% fell far short of market expectations (4-6%), causing related stocks like UnitedHealth and Humana to plummet. - FOMC Caution: With a rate hold widely expected, the market adopted a wait-and-see approach, focusing on Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments regarding the future path of rate cuts. - Plunge in Consumer Confidence: The January Consumer Confidence Index fell to its lowest level since 2014, adding to concerns about an economic slowdown. - UnitedHealth Group (UNH): Tumbled over 10% after the government's Medicare payment rate proposal disappointed investors. - Nvidia (NVDA): Rose more than 2.3%, hitting a new 52-week high on continued optimism for AI chip demand. - Humana (HUM): Plunged over 20%, hit hard by the payment rate announcement due to its significant exposure to the Medicare Advantage business. - CVS Health (CVS): Dropped more than 10% amid a broader industry downturn following the Medicare payment news. - Microsoft (MSFT): Gained over 1% on expectations of AI-driven cloud growth ahead of its earnings release. - Alphabet (GOOGL): Climbed more than 1% on optimism for its AI-powered cloud and search businesses.
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    19 mins
  • 2026.1.26 US Market Close | A mixed session amid strong economic data and selective tech trading

    2026.1.26 US Market Close | A mixed session amid strong economic data and selective tech trading
    Jan 26 2026
    Major indices rose, buoyed by strong economic indicators like durable goods orders, but the overall market finished mixed as a divergence emerged within the tech sector. Investors are now focusing on the timing of the Fed's potential rate cuts and are becoming more selective with AI stocks. - Dow Jones Industrial Average: +0.64% - Boosted by soft landing hopes following better-than-expected durable goods orders. - S&P 500: +0.5% - Positively influenced by the solid economic data. - Nasdaq Composite: +0.43% - Joined the upward trend led by large-cap stocks. - Russell 2000: -0.35% - Diverged from large-cap stocks, showing a downward trend. - Strong Economic Data and the Fed's Dilemma: Durable goods orders surged by 5.3%, far exceeding the 1.1% forecast. While this fueled optimism for a soft landing, it also raised concerns that the Fed might delay interest rate cuts. - The Great Sort-Out in AI Tech Stocks: As competition in the artificial intelligence sector intensifies, investors are shifting from broad optimism to selectively backing companies that can demonstrate tangible results. - Big Tech's In-House AI Chip Race Heats Up: The move by tech giants to reduce reliance on Nvidia and bolster their own ecosystems is gaining momentum, exemplified by Microsoft unveiling its proprietary AI chip, the 'Maia 200'. - Focus Shifts to the Upcoming FOMC Meeting: All eyes are on the year's first FOMC meeting and the subsequent press conference with Chair Jerome Powell, as the market searches for hints about the future path of interest rate cuts. - Intel (INTC): Tumbled over 5.7% as the fallout from last week's disappointing guidance continued. - Microsoft (MSFT): Rose about 1% on news of the company unveiling its second-generation, in-house AI chip. - Meta (META): Gained more than 1% amid anticipation for its upcoming earnings report, though the company faces litigation risks related to platform addiction.
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    14 mins
  • 2026.1.23 US Market Close | Intel's 17% plunge drags down the Dow, but Nasdaq ends higher

    2026.1.23 US Market Close | Intel's 17% plunge drags down the Dow, but Nasdaq ends higher
    Jan 23 2026
    On January 23, US markets closed mixed, caught between the shock of Intel's poor earnings report and relief from easing geopolitical risks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell, dragged down by Intel's sharp decline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained ground on optimism for upcoming Big Tech earnings. # Major Indices - Dow Jones: -0.58% - The index was weighed down by component stock Intel, which plunged 17% after issuing weak first-quarter guidance. - Nasdaq: +0.28% - Closed higher, driven by anticipation for earnings reports from major tech companies like Microsoft next week. - S&P 500: +0.03% - Finished nearly flat as Intel's negative news was offset by positive developments, including President Trump's withdrawal of tariff threats. # Key Issues - Intel's Earnings Shock: The stock plunged over 17% after the company provided a Q1 revenue forecast that was significantly below market expectations. - Easing Geopolitical Risk: Market sentiment improved after President Trump withdrew threats to impose tariffs on eight European nations. - Big Tech Divergence: Performance was mixed within the tech sector. Microsoft surged 3.27% on AI optimism, highlighting a split in investor sentiment. - Strong Economic Data: The S&P Global Services PMI came in at 52.5, reinforcing the view of a resilient US economy. # Key Stocks - Intel (INTC): Plunged 17% after releasing Q1 earnings guidance that fell far short of market expectations. - Microsoft (MSFT): Surged 3.27%, hitting a new all-time high fueled by excitement around artificial intelligence (AI). - AMD: Rose 2.3%, reaching a new high as it benefited from the weakness of its competitor, Intel. - Apple (AAPL): Slipped 0.12%, reflecting ongoing concerns about slowing iPhone sales in the Chinese market. - Tesla (TSLA): Declined 0.07%, hovering near the flatline amid concerns over intensifying competition in the EV market and profitability issues. - TSMC (TSM): Gained 2% after positive news related to its investment in a new fabrication plant in Arizona.
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    21 mins