ASX 200 forecast for 2026: Rate-hike bets return as strategists split on Australia stocks

ASX 200 forecast for 2026: Rate-hike bets return as strategists split on Australia stocks

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 15:09 ET Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is entering 2026 more than 4% below its Oct. 21 record after a late-year pullback that followed a shift from rate-cut expectations to probable hikes. The market still delivered a 6.8% return in 2025, and two of Australia’s four big banks expect a rate increase at the central bank’s first meeting in early February, The Guardian reported. That matters now because Australia’s share market leans heavily on banks and miners, and interest-rate expectations feed directly into how investors value dividends and future profits. Higher rates typically lift funding costs
AI Stocks 2026 Forecast: Nvidia’s China Chip Rush Meets a Tougher Wall Street Test

AI Stocks 2026 Forecast: Nvidia’s China Chip Rush Meets a Tougher Wall Street Test

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 15:05 ET Nvidia has approached Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to ramp up production of its H200 artificial intelligence chips after Chinese technology companies ordered more than 2 million units for 2026, sources told Reuters. The company holds about 700,000 units in inventory and expects TSMC to start work on expanded output in the second quarter of 2026, the sources said. The graphics processing units, or GPUs, are used to train and run AI models, but Beijing has yet to approve shipments even after Washington recently allowed H200 exports to China with a 25% fee, the
P&G stock ends 2025 lower as Wall Street slips — what to watch before trading resumes

P&G stock ends 2025 lower as Wall Street slips — what to watch before trading resumes

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 15:03 ET — Market closed. Shares of Procter & Gamble (PG) last closed down 0.51% at $143.31 in the final session of 2025, mirroring a broad market slide in holiday-thin trade. U.S. stock markets are closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day. FinancialContent+1 The consumer-staples bellwether heads into 2026 with investors looking for clarity on demand and pricing power after a choppy year for markets. Attention is also shifting to the company’s next earnings update later this month. P&G Investor+1 On Dec. 31, Wall Street’s major indexes ended lower as investors took profits with fewer
AST SpaceMobile stock slips into 2026 as markets shut for New Year’s Day — what ASTS investors watch next

AST SpaceMobile stock slips into 2026 as markets shut for New Year’s Day — what ASTS investors watch next

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 15:06 ET — Market closed AST SpaceMobile Inc shares ended the year lower, closing down 2.8% at $72.63 on Dec. 31, after swinging between $71.61 and $75.73 in the session. U.S. stock markets were closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day. New York Stock Exchange The pullback mattered because AST SpaceMobile has become a high-volatility proxy for the “direct-to-device” trade — satellites linking directly to ordinary smartphones without specialized hardware. The stock’s sharp moves have reflected how quickly investors reprice execution risk as the company pushes toward commercial rollout. SEC That sensitivity has grown after
PayPal stock slips toward a 52-week low as Wall Street shuts for New Year’s Day

PayPal stock slips toward a 52-week low as Wall Street shuts for New Year’s Day

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:56 ET — Market closed PayPal Holdings (PYPL.O) shares ended the last trading day of 2025 lower, closing down 1.2% on Wednesday at $58.38. With U.S. markets closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day, the move leaves PayPal starting 2026 near the bottom of its annual range as investors reset positions for Friday’s reopening. MarketWatch Why it matters now: PayPal is trading only a few dollars above its 52-week low — the lowest price in the last year — a level that can draw in both bargain hunters and momentum sellers. Investing.com The stock’s weakness
UK stock market 2026 forecast: FTSE 100 faces a new-year test after its best run in 16 years

UK stock market 2026 forecast: FTSE 100 faces a new-year test after its best run in 16 years

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 15:07 ET Britain’s FTSE 100 heads into 2026 near a record after posting its strongest annual gain in 16 years, raising the stakes for London stocks in the year ahead. The blue-chip index slipped 0.2% on the final session of 2025, a day after closing at an all-time high.  Reuters The timing matters because investors are resetting positions at the start of the year after a sharp run-up in UK equities. London markets were closed on Thursday for the New Year holiday following an early close on Wednesday.  Reuters The 2026 outlook hinges on whether
Applied Materials stock dips as new U.S. export licenses and China’s 50% tool rule reset focus for AMAT

Applied Materials stock dips as new U.S. export licenses and China’s 50% tool rule reset focus for AMAT

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:50 ET — Market closed. Applied Materials ended the last U.S. session down 1.15% at $256.99, with Wall Street shut on Thursday for the New Year’s Day holiday. The stock’s next catalyst is not a product launch or an earnings pre-release. It is policy: fresh signals from Washington and Beijing that could change how chipmakers buy — and where they buy — the expensive tools used to make semiconductors. That matters for Applied because it sells wafer-fab equipment, the specialized machines used to deposit, etch and measure layers on silicon wafers. Small shifts in export
CrowdStrike stock slides after-hours as Wedbush keeps CRWD on its top AI picks list

CrowdStrike stock slides after-hours as Wedbush keeps CRWD on its top AI picks list

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:48 ET — Market closed CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. shares were last down 1.5% at $468.76 in extended trading after closing at $475.69 on Wednesday, as U.S. markets paused for the New Year’s Day holiday. New York Stock Exchange The move matters now because investors are resetting positions into the first trading day of 2026, with high-growth software and cybersecurity names still sensitive to shifts in risk appetite. CrowdStrike is a bellwether in endpoint security, and its valuation leaves little room for execution slips. Any change in expectations for subscription growth or margins can move the
GE Aerospace stock slips into 2026 as Wall Street shuts for New Year’s Day

GE Aerospace stock slips into 2026 as Wall Street shuts for New Year’s Day

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 2:46 PM ET — Market closed GE Aerospace shares ended the last trading day of 2025 lower, closing down $3.74, or 1.2%, at $308.03 on Wednesday. MarketWatch The timing matters because the stock is hovering near recent highs heading into January catalysts, while U.S. exchanges are closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day. The next major read for investors is GE’s quarterly update later this month. New York Stock Exchange With jet makers still working through production bottlenecks, investors remain focused on GE’s parts-and-services business, often called the aftermarket — revenue that comes from maintaining
MrBeast tops 2025 richest YouTubers list as Tanmay Bhat’s Moonshot reshapes Indian ads

MrBeast tops 2025 richest YouTubers list as Tanmay Bhat’s Moonshot reshapes Indian ads

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:42 ET Tanmay Bhat, a comedian-turned-creator and co-founder of India’s AIB comedy collective, emerged in 2025 as one of the most sought-after creative partners for brands, a year-end profile by Storyboard18 said. ( Storyboard18) The attention matters now because marketers are under pressure to deliver campaigns that travel quickly across social platforms, and creators increasingly sit at the centre of that push. It also reflects the maturation of the “creator economy” — the business built around online creators earning from advertising, sponsorships and product sales — as the biggest names turn influence into repeatable commercial
1 January 2026
IREN stock ends 2025 lower as crypto miners struggle into New Year holiday

IREN stock ends 2025 lower as crypto miners struggle into New Year holiday

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:46 ET — Market closed Shares of IREN Limited (NASDAQ: IREN) ended the last trading session of 2025 down 1.3% at $37.77. U.S. stock markets were closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day. Reuters+1 The move matters now because bitcoin-linked stocks have been sensitive to shifts in macro sentiment and equity market risk appetite. Bitcoin was on track to finish 2025 more than 6% lower — its first annual drop since 2022 — after a volatile year, Reuters reported. Reuters For miners, swings in bitcoin can quickly change the outlook for cash generation because they
Salzburg renews €100 “Energie-100er” for 2026 — who gets the extra heating aid

Salzburg renews €100 “Energie-100er” for 2026 — who gets the extra heating aid

NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:43 ET The Austrian city of Salzburg will extend its “Energie-100er” support scheme into 2026, offering eligible low-income residents an extra 100 euros on top of a 250-euro provincial heating-cost grant, for total support of 350 euros, local outlet Salzburg24 reported. SALZBURG24 The decision lands as the new budget year begins and winter heating bills rise, keeping pressure on households that are already struggling with day-to-day costs. The scheme also reflects a shift toward targeted aid — money tied to eligibility rules — rather than broad-based measures that are costlier and harder to focus on
1 January 2026

Stock Market Today

Wall Street Feels the Heat (and Thrill): Fed Cuts, Tariffs & Mega-Mergers Set NYSE Buzz

Stock Market Today 07.02.2026

7 February 2026
LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: February 7, 2026, 12:00 AM ESTUpdated: February 7, 2026, 12:11 AM EST CleanSpark (CLSK) Shares Show Volatility Amid Bitcoin Mining Growth Prospects February 7, 2026, 12:02 AM EST. CleanSpark (CLSK), a bitcoin mining firm, saw a sharp 21.96% rise in one day after a 35.26% decline over 90 days. The company posted $785 million in annual revenue but a net loss of $267 million. Despite recent share price volatility, analysts estimate a fair value of $23.16 per share, more than double the current $10.08 price, reflecting expectations of expansion in mining capacity and improved margins. The valuation
Seagate (STX) stock jumps nearly 6% as Citi hikes target — what to watch next week

Seagate (STX) stock jumps nearly 6% as Citi hikes target — what to watch next week

7 February 2026
Seagate shares rose 5.9% to $429.32 Friday after Citigroup raised its price target to $480 and reiterated a buy rating. The gain ended a two-day slide but left the stock 6.6% below its Feb. 3 high. CEO Dave Mosley sold 20,000 shares on Feb. 2 under a pre-arranged plan, SEC filings show. U.S. jobs and inflation data next week are seen as key tests for tech stocks.
Cummins (CMI) stock price rebounds after earnings whipsaw as investors eye data-center power demand

Cummins (CMI) stock price rebounds after earnings whipsaw as investors eye data-center power demand

7 February 2026
Cummins shares jumped 6.8% to $577.73 Friday, recovering from a nearly 9% post-earnings drop the day before. The company reported Q4 revenue up 1% to $8.54 billion, took a $218 million charge tied to its hydrogen business, and guided for 2026 EBITDA of 17–18% of sales. Demand for data center generators offset weakness in North American truck markets. Analyst reaction was mixed; Truist raised its price target.
Corning stock hits first record close since 2000 as jobs, CPI data loom

Corning stock hits first record close since 2000 as jobs, CPI data loom

7 February 2026
Corning shares surged 8.3% to $122.16 Friday, their highest close since the dot-com era, after Meta agreed to buy up to $6 billion in fiber-optic cables. The stock is up 40% since late 2025, fueled by strong first-quarter guidance and AI data-center demand. Insiders sold shares following the rally, SEC filings show. Investors await next week’s U.S. jobs and inflation data for rate signals.
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