Khadija Saeed

A dedicated markets reporter, she covers stocks, macroeconomics, and major business developments with a sharp eye for detail and accuracy.

Meta’s nuclear power deals jolt data center stocks as CPI week looms

Meta’s nuclear power deals jolt data center stocks as CPI week looms

Meta signed 20-year nuclear power deals with Vistra and Oklo to supply its AI data centers, aiming for up to 6.6 GW by 2035. Vistra shares surged 10.5%, Oklo rose 7.9%, and Meta gained 1.1% Friday. Traders are watching the Jan. 13 U.S. CPI and TSMC earnings. The S&P 500 and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index both closed at record highs.
Oil stocks brace for Monday as Bessent hints Venezuela sanctions relief; Chevron, Exxon in focus

Oil stocks brace for Monday as Bessent hints Venezuela sanctions relief; Chevron, Exxon in focus

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said sanctions on Venezuela could be eased as soon as next week to boost oil exports, with proceeds possibly flowing back into the country. Brent crude closed Friday at $63.34 a barrel, WTI at $59.12, amid ongoing tensions in Iran and Ukraine. President Trump signed an order blocking seizure of Venezuelan oil revenue in U.S. accounts. Chevron and Exxon shares rose; ConocoPhillips slipped.
Gurugram water supply disrupted after Basai pipeline damage as Delhi’s smog stays ‘very poor’

Gurugram water supply disrupted after Basai pipeline damage as Delhi’s smog stays ‘very poor’

A damaged pipeline cut water to large parts of Gurugram, affecting around 150 colonies and 50 societies, as GMDA halted supply from the Chandu Budhera plant and began repairs. Delhi’s air quality remained “very poor,” with Chandni Chowk recording an AQI of 395 and forecasts warning of continued smog through Jan. 13. Dense fog and cold-wave conditions reduced visibility and pushed temperatures as low as 3°C.
11 January 2026
Semiconductor stocks hit a record high — CPI day and supply-chain politics loom

Semiconductor stocks hit a record high — CPI day and supply-chain politics loom

U.S. semiconductor stocks hit a record Friday, with the PHLX index up 2.7% as Lam Research jumped 8.7% and Intel surged nearly 11%. Broadcom rose 3.8%. Investors now await inflation data and earnings reports that could shift interest-rate expectations. The sector also faces new supply-chain risks as the U.S. expands its “Pax Silica” alliance with Qatar and the UAE.
EQT stock drops as U.S. natural gas prices hit an 11-week low — what to watch next week

EQT stock drops as U.S. natural gas prices hit an 11-week low — what to watch next week

EQT Corp shares fell 2.1% to $51.09 Friday, underperforming the S&P 500’s 0.65% gain as U.S. natural gas futures hit an 11-week low. Mild weather forecasts and high supply pressured prices, with February gas contracts dropping 7 cents to $3.337 per mmBtu. Range Resources and Antero Resources also declined. Traders await late-January weather models and Thursday’s U.S. storage report.
Gold price near $4,500 keeps GLD in focus as CPI week begins

Gold price near $4,500 keeps GLD in focus as CPI week begins

SPDR Gold Shares closed Friday at $414.47, up 0.7%, as spot gold rose 0.5% to $4,496.09 an ounce, capping a 3.9% weekly gain. December U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 50,000, missing forecasts, while the dollar index climbed 0.25%. Traders see a 95% chance the Fed holds rates steady at its Jan. 27-28 meeting. Major U.S. banks begin reporting fourth-quarter earnings Tuesday, alongside December CPI data.
11 January 2026
Bitcoin price holds near $91,000 despite ETF outflows — crypto stocks face a CPI test this week

Bitcoin price holds near $91,000 despite ETF outflows — crypto stocks face a CPI test this week

Bitcoin rose 0.3% to $90,865 in weekend trading, after U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs saw $250 million in net outflows Friday, led by BlackRock’s IBIT. Coinbase shares fell 1.9%, while Marathon dropped 2% and Riot Platforms gained 1.3%. Traders await U.S. inflation data and major bank earnings this week, key factors for rate expectations.

Stock Market Today

No $2,000 IRS stimulus check is coming in February 2026 — but Trump’s tariff-check talk keeps the rumors alive

No $2,000 IRS stimulus check is coming in February 2026 — but Trump’s tariff-check talk keeps the rumors alive

7 February 2026
The IRS has not announced new federal stimulus payments for February 2026, and Congress has not approved fresh checks. Trump told NBC he is considering $2,000 tariff rebate checks but has not committed, saying any payout would likely come later in 2026. The IRS warns taxpayers to ignore texts and emails about “stimulus payments” and verify notices through official channels.
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