Good Afternoon. On this day in 1945, the United Nations was born from a promise of global cooperation. Eight decades later, the economy is still trying to find its own consensus, cooling inflation, rallying markets, retirees getting a raise, while retailers are cutting back. Let’s get into it.

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1. Dow, Nasdaq Hit New Highs After Inflation Report

The News: Stocks surged to new highs Friday after inflation cooled more than expected. The CPI rose 3% year-over-year in September versus forecasts for 3.1%, while monthly inflation eased to 0.3%. The data, delayed by the shutdown, fueled confidence the Fed will cut rates at least once more this year. The Dow jumped 500 points, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh intraday records, on pace for weekly gains above 2%. Optimism over next week’s Trump–Xi meeting and strong corporate earnings—led by Ford—added momentum, while bond yields slipped and oil prices steadied after Thursday’s Russia sanctions rally.

Why It Matters: The market’s inflation sweet spot is back: growth intact, prices cooling, and a Fed ready to oblige. But it’s a narrow runway, too soft and recession fears return; too firm and the Fed stays hawkish. For now, investors are flying comfortably between those clouds, betting on one more cut before year-end.

What to Watch: Next week’s Trump–Xi summit could set the next leg for risk assets, especially if trade tensions ease. Watch the 10-year yield for hints of whether this rally still runs on confidence or caffeine. For once, good news on inflation didn’t make anyone nervous. That alone might be the biggest surprise.
Source: wsj.com

2. Social Security Announces Cost-of-Living Increase for Beneficiaries

The News: The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, giving 75 million Americans a modest raise beginning in January. The increase, delayed by the government shutdown, translates to about $56 more per month for the average retiree. But rising Medicare Part B premiums—projected to jump 11.6% to $206.50 could erase nearly half of that gain. For workers, the maximum taxable earnings cap will also climb to $184,500.

Why It Matters: The adjustment underscores a stubborn truth: inflation may be cooling, but living costs aren’t. Health care continues to swallow retiree budgets, and most seniors remain financially fragile with 80% unable to absorb a major expense, according to the National Council on Aging. A raise that vanishes into medical bills feels less like a boost and more like a breather.

What to Watch: Final Medicare premium rates will determine how much of this COLA actually reaches beneficiaries. Expect renewed debate in Congress over whether the formula for inflation adjustments still fits modern retiree realities. After all, a cost-of-living increase doesn’t go far when the cost of living keeps moving faster.
Source: nytimes.com

3. Target cuts 1,800 corporate jobs

The News: Target (TGT) announced it will cut 1,800 corporate roles, roughly 8% of its headquarters staff, marking its first major layoffs in a decade. The move comes as sales stagnate and shares remain down 65% from 2021 highs. Incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, who officially takes over Feb. 1, said the cuts are part of a “simplification” effort aimed at speeding decisions and restoring growth. The layoffs exclude store and supply chain workers; affected employees will receive pay and benefits through early January.

Why It Matters: Target’s once-bulletproof brand is being tested by slowing discretionary spending and Walmart’s grocery-driven dominance. Cutting costs may steady margins, but it won’t fix fading store traffic or consumer fatigue. The reshuffle signals that even America’s “cheap chic” retailer is tightening its belt as retail’s post-pandemic sugar high wears off.

What to Watch: Fiddelke’s first earnings call in February will reveal whether cost cuts can spark a turnaround or just buy time. Investors want proof Target can grow again without sacrificing its design edge. For now, “Expect More, Pay Less” applies to payroll too.
Source: cnbc.com

4. Beyond Meat Stock’s Wild Ride Triggers a Short-Seller Frenzy

The News: Beyond Meat (BYND) was on a trading tear, soaring 1,300% in four days before crashing back down. The move triggered a short-selling scramble, with bearish traders racking up $120 million in paper losses, per S3 Partners. The rally was fueled by a meme-stock revival and Walmart’s expansion of Beyond’s products to 2,000 stores, plus hype from a social media trader dubbed “the new Roaring Kitty.” Shares have since fallen 22% premarket as the frenzy cools, turning Beyond Meat into Wall Street’s latest casino chip.

Why It Matters: Remember, don’t get sucked into these events because you never know when the bottom is going to fall out. The saga shows how quickly “junk rallies” can upend markets still flush with retail cash and short attention spans. Beyond’s fundamentals—five straight years of losses—didn’t suddenly improve. But momentum, not profits, was on the menu. For investors, the return of meme mania suggests risk appetite is running high even as rates remain elevated.

What to Watch: If Beyond stays volatile, expect regulators and risk managers to revisit the 2021 meme-stock playbook. Short interest remains heavy, setting the stage for more wild swings.
Source: finance.yahoo.com

5. Wall Street Bank Chiefs Hold Most Power Since Global Crisis

The News: For the first time since 2007, all six major U.S. bank CEOs now also serve as board chairs, marking a new era of concentrated power on Wall Street. Citigroup’s Jane Fraser became the latest to assume the dual role—alongside Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan Chase), Brian Moynihan (Bank of America), David Solomon (Goldman Sachs), Ted Pick (Morgan Stanley), and Charlie Scharf (Wells Fargo). The six collectively earned $213 million in 2024 as bank profits soared nearly 20% year-over-year and shares hit record highs.

Why It Matters: Dual roles give CEOs tighter control over strategy and weaker internal checks. With megabanks now controlling over half of U.S. banking assets, critics warn the system is drifting back toward pre-2008 concentrations of power. But for now, Wall Street’s kings & queens look secure, buoyed by profits, deregulation, and rising markets.

What to Watch: Expect renewed scrutiny from Congress and proxy advisers over pay and oversight, especially if volatility hits or lending tightens. When every CEO’s also the chair, who’s left to say, “maybe not”? The shareholders.
Source: bloomberg.com

1. China’s 5-Year Plan

The News: China wrapped up its Fourth Plenum outlining five-year priorities focused on boosting domestic consumption and advancing tech self-reliance, while U.S. tensions simmer in the background. The government pledged “special actions” to spur spending, mostly via investment-led stimulus, not direct consumer aid, signaling Beijing still prefers infrastructure over income. Policymakers reaffirmed a 5% growth target for 2025 and a long-term aim of becoming a global leader in AI, manufacturing, and defense tech by 2035.

Why It Matters: Beijing is trying to rewire its growth model from exports to consumption without losing control, a tricky balance as deflation lingers and the property slump drags on. The pivot toward “new supply for new demand” shows China’s planners are thinking like economists, but still acting like engineers.

What to Watch: Expect new subsidies and public-sector projects tied to consumer sectors, elder care, urban housing, and EV infrastructure. But unless incomes rise, spending won’t either. Funny how that works huh?
Source: cnbc.com

2. Governments Double Down on Innovation With State-Backed Venture Funds

The News: Governments from India to Saudi Arabia and Singapore are ramping up venture capital commitments to power strategic sectors like AI, clean energy, and deep tech. India’s Haryana launched a ₹100 crore (~$12 million) startup fund with SIDBI. Saudi Arabia’s Private Capital Forum drew 500 global investors to Riyadh. Abu Dhabi’s VentureOne spun out four deep-tech firms in 18 months. Singapore added S$440 million to its Startup SG Equity scheme and a $120 million university fund for early-stage ventures. The wave marks a global pivot toward state-backed innovation as private VC funding turns cautious.

Why It Matters: Public capital is becoming the new venture catalyst. As private markets tighten and VC dry powder sits idle, state-backed funds are ensuring national innovation agendas don’t stall. But it’s also reshaping the startup landscape, where once founders pitched to Sand Hill Road, they’re now just as likely to pitch to a sovereign wealth desk.

What to Watch: Expect cross-border co-investment deals to rise—especially between Gulf funds and Asian innovation hubs. If this trend holds, the next unicorn might owe its wings not to Silicon Valley, but to statecraft. The new “startup hustle” may come with less “started in a garage” and more of a government grant and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Source: arabnews.com

3. Zelle Goes Global

The News: Zelle said it will enable international payments using stablecoins, expanding beyond its U.S.-only rails. The move by Early Warning Services (owned by banks including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo) follows July’s federal stablecoin law, which created national guardrails and sped bank adoption. Details are pending—network, launch date, and coin selection weren’t disclosed—but the goal is cheaper, faster cross-border transfers for any customer of a Zelle-participating bank. The shift comes as big banks explore issuing their own coins to counter crypto-native rivals and defend payments turf.

Why It Matters: For consumers and small businesses, stablecoin rails could cut fees and settlement times on payments and remittances that today snake through costly intermediaries. For banks, it’s a defensive pivot: keep customers inside regulated apps instead of losing them to exchanges and fintechs. If Zelle normalizes bank-grade stablecoins, it pressures card networks, remittance firms, and crypto wallets to match speed and compliance. The payments moat is going on-chain.

What to Watch: Which coin(s) Zelle uses (bank-issued vs. USDC-style), fees/FX transparency, and go-live timing. Also look for OCC/FDIC guidance on custody and capital treatment as volumes scale. If grandma can send pesos with Zelle, the remittance aisle just got a major upgrade—no Western Union required.
Source: wsj.com

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