Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Volatility and AI Concerns
US stocks tumbled bloomberg.com on Monday as fresh concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence hit financial and software companies. The S&P 500 sank while Nvidia gained, reflecting mixed sentiment in the tech sector. Skeptical investors wsj.com are hunting for ways to short the AI frenzy as traders bet investments in the technology won't pay off amid growing nervousness about AI's potential impact.
Corporate Earnings and Guidance
T.J. Maxx parent TJX Cos. wsj.com posted a jump in profit and sales during the fourth quarter as it continued to scoop up market share, though the discount retailer guided for growth to slow slightly over the coming year. Sandoz wsj.com shares jumped 6.4% after the company bumped up its revenue guidance thanks to growth in its biosimilar product range. Lowe's wsj.com reported higher fourth-quarter sales as continued growth in its business supplying professional builders helped offset weakness in the home improvement market.
Technology Sector Developments
Nvidia earnings finance.yahoo.com are on deck as tech stocks rebound, with Circle Internet investing.com beating Q4 estimates and seeing its stock surge. Microsoft ft.com is hunting for a new London HQ on the Elizabeth Line amid a dearth of top-quality office space in the UK capital. Uber ft.com launched autonomous vehicle services in a robotaxi push, while Microsoft Japan finance.yahoo.com was raided over suspected violation of anti-monopoly law.
Banking and Financial Services
HSBC bloomberg.com boosted its overall bonus pool 10% to $3.93 billion, the highest in at least a decade after delivering full-year results that beat estimates. Citi Wealth's Kate Moore bloomberg.com says she is "still all-in on equities" but remains cautious on taking risk in duration in her portfolio. Citigroup bloomberg.com assembled a banking team focused on AI infrastructure comprised of leaders from its investment banking and corporate banking teams.
Fixed Income and Currency Markets
Gold bloomberg.com rose as traders weighed tariff risks and Middle East tension, while US mortgage rates bloomberg.com slipped to their lowest level since 2022, generating more refinancing activity. The Bank of Thailand bloomberg.com unexpectedly lowered its key interest rate and signaled that its easing cycle could soon draw to a close if the economic recovery gains sufficient momentum. Emerging currencies bloomberg.com shook off early losses as the dollar's initial strength faded.
Private Equity and Investment
Ardian bloomberg.com said it will turn down some software deals on AI risk as the sector grapples with challenges posed by developments in artificial intelligence. Core Weave bloomberg.com seeks an $8.5 billion loan from banks backed by a Meta deal to help finance a buildout of cloud computing capacity. Private equity wsj.com was headed for a correction even without AI gloom, with lower leverage, higher rates, and tougher exits among the problems facing the industry.
International Markets and Trade
Singapore's three biggest banks bloomberg.com drew $61 billion in new wealth from Asia's rich as geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty pushed wealthy individuals to move more assets. Romania bloomberg.com is selling euro and dollar bonds after budget reforms to capitalize on improved sentiment. Thailand's rice exports bloomberg.com are set to drop to a five-year low as a surge in the local currency dents the country's competitiveness.
Regulatory and Policy Developments
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer bloomberg.com said President Trump will sign a supplemental proclamation to increase tariff levels to 15% "where appropriate" as the US seeks continuity on trade policy. The Supreme Court bloomberg.com ruling on tariffs was called "a body blow" for Trump, though senior US officials say it won't unravel trade deals negotiated with key partners. Spain wsj.com ramped up pressure on Apple and Amazon in a years-long antitrust case, saying the companies failed to quickly comply with an order to change contract clauses.
Energy and Commodities
Oil prices bloomberg.com saw Russia turn to bigger tankers as more of its oil goes to China, shifting some shipments from smaller to larger tankers at a new at-sea site for the longer voyage. Soybeans bloomberg.com climbed as the US told partners to honor trade commitments, reversing earlier losses to turn higher as traders tried to unpack how changes to Trump's tariff regime will impact US crop shipments. Gold continued its rise amid tariff uncertainty and Middle East tensions.
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Telecom Italia bloomberg.com set a €400 million stock buyback and reverse split, moving to overhaul its equity profile after selling off assets. Unite Group investing.com shares dropped 7% after cutting its 2026 earnings and bookings outlook. Heathrow boss claimed a third runway will cost £15 per passenger as Britain's hub airport awaits a crucial ruling by the regulator.