Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Market Rebound
Korean stocks bloomberg.com were set to bounce Thursday after heavy selling in the prior session. US stocks climbed as data showed economic resilience and eased inflation fears, even as Iran war uncertainty lingered. Markets rebounded following yesterday's dip with comprehensive coverage across platforms.
Corporate Moves
Morgan Stanley wsj.com laid off 2,500 employees across all divisions tied to shifting business priorities and individual job performance. David Zaslav bloomberg.com sold $114 million of Warner Bros. stock, while Amazon cut more jobs in its robotics unit. Okta investing.com beat Q4 estimates but shares dipped on muted outlook.
Economic Indicators
JPMorgan's Feroli bloomberg.com warned that inflation may be heading in the wrong direction based on core PCE data. The US services sector data suggests inflation is going in the wrong direction, with the core PCE showing troubling signs. Meanwhile, US-to-Asia oil shipment costs hit a record high, with some deals already faltering as rates remain sky-high.
Tech & Innovation
Quantum startup Pasqal bloomberg.com agreed to list via SPAC at a $2 billion valuation, joining the growing number of quantum startups choosing to go public through mergers. Palantir finance.yahoo.com faces challenges in removing Anthropic from the Pentagon's AI software. Netflix bloomberg.com is urged to partner with Sony Group to strengthen its intellectual property strategy after losing the Warner Bros. Discovery takeover battle.
Energy & Commodities
Countdown to a global energy shock is underway as the Iran conflict's economic damage timeline remains uncertain. Former NATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder believes that many fundamental questions remain unanswered following US strikes in Iran, saying "everything is possible" due to the lack of direction laid out. Venezuela and the US are scrutinizing dozens of confidential oil contracts signed during Nicolas Maduro's reign.
Regulatory Developments
Wall Street's main regulators are advancing plans to oversee the crypto industry and surging prediction markets with new measures likely to have longstanding implications for broader financial markets. The president told AI companies they need "PR help" over data center backlash as he accepts that AI infrastructure building has angered voters.
Consumer & Retail
American Eagle wsj.com reported fourth-quarter sales rose on growth of Aerie, with same-store sales climbing 23% at the activewear brand. This helped American Eagle's overall revenue increase 10% in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, StubHub wsj.com swung to a loss with revenue falling, posting a $535.3 million loss that included a $492.9 million nonrecurring, noncash provision for income taxes.