NEW YORK, Jan 18, 2026, 19:56 EST — Market closed.
- GlobalFoundries shares ended Friday down 0.7%, closing at $41.24.
- U.S. stock and bond markets are closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day; trading picks up again Tuesday.
- Traders are digesting trade-war updates while bracing for the upcoming earnings reports from the chip sector.
Shares of GlobalFoundries Inc slipped 0.7% on Friday, closing at $41.24 as U.S. markets headed into a long weekend. The stock fluctuated between $41.10 and $42.41, with roughly 3.4 million shares traded.
U.S. stock and bond markets will shut down Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trading is scheduled to resume as usual on Tuesday. This pause gives investors a moment to process news from the weekend before cash equity markets come back online. (Investopedia)
Early Asian trading saw U.S. equity futures slide after President Donald Trump warned of new tariffs targeting eight European countries. George Saravelos, Deutsche Bank’s global head of FX research, told Reuters that “weaponization of capital rather than trade flows would by far be the most disruptive to markets.” (Reuters)
GlobalFoundries faces a recent headwind with its plan to acquire Synopsys’ processor IP solutions business. Processor IP, or intellectual property, refers to ready-made processor designs and tools that clients can license, speeding up chip development instead of building from the ground up.
“This acquisition doubles down on our commitment,” GlobalFoundries CEO Tim Breen said, referring to the company’s push into what it terms “physical AI”—AI integrated directly into devices like wearables and robots. Synopsys did not disclose the terms of the deal. (Synopsys News Releases)
GlobalFoundries appointed Ganesh Moorthy, ex-CEO of Microchip Technology, to its board on Jan. 15, effective immediately. Executive chairman Thomas Caulfield called Moorthy “a tremendous asset to GF” as it pushes forward with its strategy. (GlobeNewswire)
The stock usually tracks broader semiconductor trends, though the sector’s debates vary. Investors eager for AI plays have shown little patience for suppliers tied to sluggish auto and industrial demand, where “essential” chips often pile up in inventory cycles.
Another key issue lurking behind the Synopsys deal: can GlobalFoundries transform a processor IP portfolio into a solid revenue source alongside its foundry operations, all without pulling management’s focus as clients demand tougher pricing and faster lead times?
The acquisition remains contingent on typical closing conditions, including necessary regulatory approvals, with completion expected in the second half of calendar year 2026, the company said. Delays or renewed trade tensions affecting electronics demand might shift the stock’s next move to being driven more by risk appetite than by company performance. (GlobalFoundries)
Investors have their eyes set on Feb. 11, when GlobalFoundries will report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results and hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET. Market watchers expect updates on demand, capacity utilization, and any progress on the Synopsys deal timeline. (GlobeNewswire)
