Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Volatility & Tech Turmoil
Wall Street investing.com slid as Trump tariff turmoil and AI disruption research reports rattled investors. Nvidia bloomberg.com shares climbed before its high-stakes earnings, with traders hoping for evidence that the AI outlook remains intact amid growing anxiety about the technology. AI disruption fears bloomberg.com prompted scrutiny in hot private markets as software giants face mounting pressure on valuations. UBS investing.com upgraded IBM after a 22% slide as the valuation reset, while Bof A investing.com cut Fox stock, seeing it as the most exposed name to the upcoming NFL renewal. Jefferies investing.com upgraded Enphase Energy on improving demand and margins, contrasting with Evercore investing.com downgrading Workday after a dour outlook. Ardian bloomberg.com said it will turn down some software deals on AI risk, highlighting the sector's growing uncertainty.
Macro Policy & Trade Developments
Trump tariffs investing.com took effect at 10% after a Supreme Court defeat, with BMO CEO bloomberg.com noting the market reaction was subdued. US Trade Representative Greer bloomberg.com said President Trump will sign a supplemental proclamation to increase tariff levels to 15% "where appropriate." EU finance.yahoo.com said it will accept no increase in US tariffs after the Supreme Court ruling: "a deal is a deal." Bof A investing.com identified countries that could benefit from Trump's new global tariffs, while Morgan Stanley investing.com remained cautious on US LNG as a supply wave threatens prices. European Q4 earnings investing.com showed a narrow beat with misses hitting hard, and ING bloomberg.com suggested investors fleeing AI upheaval may turn to euro bonds.
Energy & Commodities
Saudi Arabia bloomberg.com is on course to ship the most oil from its ports in almost three years this month amid Iran tensions. OPEC+ bloomberg.com delegates expect the group to resume modest supply hikes when it meets this weekend. North Sea oil bloomberg.com signaled weakness as Vitol and Total's buying spree ends, removing a key pillar of support just as more supply returns. Copper bloomberg.com eased as traders weighed the impact of US tariff shifts on China. Cocoa sales bloomberg.com resumed in Ivory Coast after the regulator dropped its premium, ending a standoff with buyers. Thailand's rice exports bloomberg.com are set to drop to a five-year low as a baht rally dents competitiveness.
Earnings & Corporate News
TJX wsj.com posted higher profit and sales but guided for growth to slow slightly. Sandoz wsj.com shares jumped on improved guidance after bumping up revenue thanks to biosimilar product growth. Circle Internet wsj.com beat Q4 estimates as stablecoin demand surged, defying a crypto crash. Nordex wsj.com surged 16% on an earnings beat and potential US expansion, citing AI-driven data center energy demand. Temenos bloomberg.com shares gained after the software firm lifted targets and played down AI fears. Munich Re bloomberg.com plans to return €5.3 billion to investors through a new buyback program and higher dividend. Vestel bloomberg.com is in talks to restructure over $500 million of bank debt after two years of quarterly losses.
Financial Sector Developments
Citi bloomberg.com assembled a banking team focused on AI infrastructure, comprising leaders from investment and corporate banking. Desjardins bloomberg.com scouts for hires and deals to expand wealth and capital markets in the rest of Canada. National Bank bloomberg.com hit a record high as CWB boosted earnings, beating analyst estimates after stronger results across the board. Bank of Montreal wsj.com logged a stronger-than-expected rise in earnings on strong fee growth in markets-facing businesses. Barclays investing.com revised UK unemployment forecasts higher amid an easing labor market. Citi Wealth's Kate Moore bloomberg.com remains "all-in on equities" but cautious on duration risk.
International Markets & Policy
Colombia bloomberg.com eyes $6.7 billion in pension assets amid fiscal strain, preparing regulation to shift private savings to the public system. Romania bloomberg.com is selling euro and dollar bonds after budget reforms to capitalize on improved sentiment. South Africa bloomberg.com said public debt as a percentage of GDP will peak this year as it announces better-than-expected revenue collection. Australia and New Zealand dollars ft.com surged as traders position for global rate rises, with commodity-linked currencies acting as "canaries in the coal mine." Hong Kong bloomberg.com plans to tap its peg defense fund for the first time in 40 years to help finance technology hub development. Japan bloomberg.com maintained close dialogue with the US on forex after the yen slid following reports of caution over rate hikes.
Real Estate & Infrastructure
John Lewis ft.com ditched plans to build 10,000 homes due to changes in UK economic conditions and property market slowdown. Heathrow ft.com boss claimed the third runway will cost £15 per passenger as the hub airport awaits a crucial regulator ruling. F2i bloomberg.com neared €1 billion on Europe infrastructure push as demand grows for private financing to modernize European infrastructure. Southern Company bloomberg.com closed $26.5 billion in financing for utilities to fund new gas and hydropower projects in Georgia and Alabama.
Technology & AI Sector
Google finance.yahoo.com signed AES and Xcel supply deals to meet data center energy needs. Telecom Italia finance.yahoo.com mulls premium pricing for high-performance connectivity at big events. Spain wsj.com ramped up pressure on Apple and Amazon in a yearslong antitrust case, citing failure to comply with contract clause changes. Blue Owl ft.com faces structural problems in private credit as troubles at the New York-based asset manager make investors nervous about the wider industry. AI-powered capex growth investing.com is expected to peak later this year, according to Goldman estimates.
Political & Social Developments
Flávio Bolsonaro bloomberg.com tied with Lula in Atlas Intel polling, appearing for the first time since entering the presidential race. Trump yahoo.com faced humiliation during his big speech with Republican losses, while Nancy Pelosi yahoo.com summed up his SOTU with just one word. Death of Jalisco Cartel Leader bloomberg.com in a raid sparked violent clashes in Mexico after the killing of drug lord Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera. Extreme weather bloomberg.com is becoming more normal, with former Vice President Al Gore warning of dangerous climate "tipping points" including potential shutdown of major ocean currents.
Market Strategy & Investment Views
UBS Wealth CIO bloomberg.com said AI threat signals investors should shift bets to builders, not coders, suggesting focus on physical world companies like miners and power producers. JPM's Matejka investing.com advised buying the dip in stocks amid geopolitical jitters. Citi investing.com remains bullish on stocks amid strong Q4 results. Oppenheimer investing.com lifted Oracle to Buy as risk-reward turns favorable post-selloff. Bernstein investing.com said Sea is "unlikely to be displaced by AI" after a selloff.