Episodes
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US equity futures are slightly lower after a weak close on Monday. European markets opened tentatively higher following losses in the previous session. Asian equities ended mostly higher. Markets continue to react to Trump's weekend tariff announcements, which were more aggressive than expected. However, concerns eased somewhat after Mexico's President Sheinbaum confirmed a one-month postponement of tariffs on Mexico in exchange for increased border security commitments. Trump is set to speak with Canada's Trudeau and reportedly plans to call China's President Xi. Developments have fueled speculation that the tariffs may serve as diplomatic leverage rather than lasting policy changes, though reports indicate Trump is considering 10 percent tariffs on the European Union. China responded to the formal start of US tariffs with its own set of 10 percent and 15 percent duties on US energy products and launched an antitrust investigation into Google.
Companies Mentioned: KKR, Fuji Soft, Grab, GoTo, Vacasa
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US equity futures are lower after a weak close on Friday. European markets opened sharply lower but have since pared some losses. Asian equities ended broadly weaker. Markets reacted to President Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, triggering a broad risk-off move. Additional tariffs targeting chips, metals, and energy are set to take effect by 18-Feb, with Canada announcing retaliatory measures. Analysts warned that rising import costs could push inflation higher, reducing the likelihood of further Federal Reserve rate cuts. Inflation data showed no change from the prior month, while personal spending increased at a faster pace than expected. Federal Reserve officials maintained a cautious tone, emphasizing that inflation remains a concern and signaling little urgency for rate cuts.
Companies Mentioned: Sphere Entertainment, Amazon, Shein, Alibaba, PDD, eBay, Costco
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US equity futures are slightly firmer after a positive close on Thursday. European markets are trading higher, with record highs for the STOXX 600. Asian equities ended mixed, with Japan and Australia extending their rallies while South Korea fell after reopening post-holiday. Market attention remains on the latest US tariff announcements, with Trump confirming 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico set to take effect Saturday, while China faces a 10% tariff. Uncertainty remains on whether these tariffs will be fully implemented or adjusted at the last minute. Investors are also watching macro data closely, with inflation updates from France, Germany, and Portugal following Spain’s firmer-than-expected reading. The ECB reiterated confidence in reaching its inflation target, cutting rates by 25 bps as expected.
Companies mentioned: NVIDIA, Samsung Electronics, SoftBank, OpenAI
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US equity futures are slightly firmer after a weaker close on Wednesday. European markets are trading higher and Asian equities ended mixed. FOMC meeting concluded with the Fed leaving rates unchanged as expected, though the policy statement saw slight hawkish tweaks, with markets continuing to price the first rate reduction around mid-year. Big tech earnings in focus after hours, while results broadly beat expectations, Azure’s slower-than-expected growth and Tesla's cautious sales outlook weighed on sentiment. Meanwhile, AI-related scrutiny continues, as the White House reportedly discussed new restrictions on Nvidia’s H20 chip exports to China, and OpenAI, Microsoft, and regulators globally probe DeepSeek’s data acquisition methods. ECB widely expected to cut rates by 25 bps later today.
Companies mentioned: SoftBank, OpenAI, Nvidia, Serco Group, Northrop Grumman
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US equity futures are slightly higher following a strong rebound on Tuesday. European markets are trading mixed, and Asian equities ended higher in light trading. Markets continue to digest AI sector volatility following Monday’s sharp selloff driven by China's DeepSeek, as investors evaluate its impact on US tech leadership and AI capex trends. Focus has shifted toward the efficiency gains DeepSeek’s breakthroughs could bring and potential US policy responses, including tightening China sanctions. The White House is also currently assessing national security implications. The Fed is widely expected to leave rates unchanged at today’s FOMC meeting. Meanwhile, Trump’s latest tariff comments added to trade uncertainty, as he floated significantly higher global tariff rates and targeted specific industries.
Companies Mentioned: DeepSeek, OpenAI, Microsoft, Alibaba, American Axle & Manufacturing, Dowlais Group
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S&P futures are up +0.33% following the tech sell-off yesterday, during which Nvidia plummeted close to (17%). Asian markets ended mostly lower on Tuesday. DeepSeek’s cost-efficient AI model continues to dominate discussions, raising questions about the effectiveness of U.S. export controls and the broader implications for the semiconductor industry. In Europe, markets opened mostly firmer. European tech stocks stabilized with analysts suggesting that DeepSeek’s AI model could lead to broader adoption and long-term market expansion despite short-term challenges.
Companies Mentioned: SAP, Nvidia
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S&P futures are down (2%) and pointing to a sharply lower open, as Chinese AI startup DeepSeek sends shockwave to the global tech markets with its new AI model that can run on less-advanced chips, challenging the dominance of high-cost chipmakers like Nvidia. Nasdaq 100 futures tumbled over (3%), and the VIX futures are surging. European tech stocks are recording sharp declines with ASML plummeting over (9%). Asian markets were polarized with the Nikkei down (1%) due to steep losses in Japanese tech stocks, while the Hang Seng edged higher on optimism surrounding Chinese AI developments.
Companies Mentioned: TikTok, Nvidia, United States Steel, Logility Supply Chain Solutions, Beacon Roofing Supply
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US equity futures are pointing to a slightly lower open today. European markets have opened in the positive territory, following mostly higher levels in Asian markets. Market focus is on BOJ after its 25bps hike, with statement noting likelihood of realizing projections has been rising. Tariff headline volatility continues with Trump voicing hesitation about imposing tariffs on China.
Companies mentioned: Intuitive Surgica, Boeing
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US equity futures are slightly lower after a mostly positive close on Wednesday. European markets are trading mixed and Asian equities ended mixed. Market focus remains on US trade policy, with tariff-related headlines continuing to drive sentiment. Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China, and the EU have added uncertainty, although markets view his trade memorandum ordering an investigation as a less aggressive stance. Meanwhile, Trump also increased pressure on Russia to negotiate an end to war in Ukraine and threatened financial sanctions if he refused. AI remains in focus following the formal Stargate announcement, with investors weighing the long-term growth prospects against financing concerns.
Companies mentioned: Ovintiv, Cadence Bank, Henry Schein
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Following higher closes yesterday, S&P futures are up +0.41% and pointing to a higher open. U.S.-China relations remain in focus, with tariff discussions creating volatility. Asian equities ended mostly higher on Wednesday, and European markets are broadly firmer in early trades.
Companies Mentioned: Google, American Airline, Meta
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S&P futures are indicating a higher open, up +0.31%, while markets are reacting to President Trump’s rapid series of executive orders following his inauguration, which included plans for 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting 1-Feb, a delay in TikTok bans by 75 days, and a review of U.S. trade deficits. European equity markets opened mixed, following a bumpy day for Asian markets.
Companies Mentioned: BrightSpring Health Services, Nu Holdings
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US futures are pointing to a higher open today, following Thursday's anemic performance with major averages unable to extend Wednesday's rally. European equity markets have opened in the positive territory, following mixed levels in Asian markets. Risk appetite buoyant following sharp retreat in bond yields driven by revival in bets for a Fed rate cut by June. Some caution ahead of Trump 2.0 on Monday, with signing of executive orders in different areas.
Companies mentioned: TikTok, Palantir, Lockheed Martin
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US futures are indicating a higher open today, following Wednesday's sharply higher close where the S&P 500, Nasdaq and R2K all logged their best sessions in two months. European equity markets have opened in the positive territory, following a solid handover from the firmer Asian markets. Softer-than-feared US core inflation data served as basis for risk-on move in equities and sharp pullback in bond yields. Yet some believe the rally may be short-lived.
Companies mentioned: Apple, Goldman Sachs, KKR, Seven & i
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US futures are pointing to a slightly higher open today. European equity markets have opened with gains, following mostly lower levels in Asian markets. CPI data likely the main focus today with consensus looking for slight downtick in monthly core inflation, though yearly rate seen holding at 3.3%. Today's data takes on added importance with Fed signaling higher hurdle for rate cuts. Focus in Europe on inflation reading from UK, with markets now discounting 50bps of BoE easing in 2025.
Companies mentioned: PepsiCo, dLocal, Deere & Co.
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US futures are pointing to a higher open today. European equity markets have opened in the positive territory, following mixed levels in Asian markets. Trump's economic team considering staggering tariffs on month-to-month basis to boost negotiating leverage and avoid inflation spike. While potential for more targeted approach could be good news for market sentiment, uncertainty remains.
Companies mentioned: Cleveland-Cliffs, Nucor, Howard Hughes Holdings, Glacier Bancorp
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US futures are indicating a lower open today. European equity markets have opened with losses, following weaker levels in Asian markets. Market sentiment still impacted by unambiguously strong US payrolls. Bond yields higher and lofty equity valuations under scrutiny as US earnings season approaches. Long-end selloff also fueling discussions around rising term premia amid fiscal deficit concerns for US and UK, amid speculation of increased US corporate takeovers due to weak GBP.
Companies mentioned: Sage Therapeutics, Biogen, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Johnson & Johnson, Nippon Steel, United States Steel
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US futures are pointing to a lower open today. European equity markets have opened a few points down, following weaker levels in Asian markets. US markets proceed with caution ahead of today's employment data, which will set near-term tone for Fed policy expectations. Latest Fedspeak has been mostly cautious on further rate cuts based on limited progress in inflation.
Companies mentioned: BlackRock, Capri Holdings
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US equity futures are slightly higher after Tuesday’s sharp losses. European markets are trading firmer and Asian equities ended mostly lower, with declines in Japan and Hong Kong offset by gains in South Korea and Australia. Focus remains on key macroeconomic and policy developments as markets await Friday's December nonfarm payrolls report, which could influence the Fed's rate path. Hawkish macro data drove yields higher, with the 10-year hitting its highest level since April 2024. Uncertainty surrounding Trump tariff plans and Fed rate policies weighed heavily on sentiment, while China trade frictions, including Shandong Port Group's decision to block US tankers, added to the cautious tone.
Companies Mentioned: Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Kimbell Royalty Partners, Charles Schwab, Toronto-Dominion Bank
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US equity futures are slightly lower after a mixed close on Monday. European markets are trading weaker. Asian equities ended mixed, supported by gains in Japan and South Korea but pressured by China’s economic uncertainty. Markets are digesting mixed global equity performance as tech optimism drives gains in the US and Asia, while Europe trades lower amid cautious sentiment. Focus remains on US equity strength led by AI developments, with Nvidia's CEO Huang CES keynote unveiling new GPUs under the Blackwell architecture. Higher US yields, driven by slower Fed rate cut expectations and reinforced by hawkish Fedspeak. Tariff discussions are back in focus after conflicting reports about Trump's revised import strategy.
Companies Mentioned: NXP Semiconductors, Phillips 66, Apple
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US equity futures are slightly firmer, following Friday’s gains. European markets are trading higher. Asian equities ended mixed as optimism in South Korea and Taiwan tech sectors was offset by losses in Japan and China. Focus this week shifts to key US economic updates and policy signals. Markets will also monitor the 119th Congress for any developments on fiscal policy and Trump 2.0 legislative priorities. Other themes include positioning tailwinds, seasonal strength, and ongoing concerns about China’s economic outlook and tariff risks. Treasury supply and macro surprise momentum will also be closely watched as the week unfolds.
Companies Mentioned: Paycor HCM, Paychex, Smart Share Global, Colombier Acquisition Corp. II
