Bullish Start for S&P 500 Sparks Optimism for 2025, Despite Risks 
UOB Q1 Profit Meets Expectations as Loan Growth Offsets Lower Interest Rates 
Wall Street Rebounds as Investors Eye Tariff Uncertainty, Jobs Report 
Teladoc Shares Rise on Amazon Collaboration for Health Programs 
How the UK’s rollback of banking regulations could risk another financial crisis 
Gold Prices Rise as Markets Await Trump’s Policy Announcements 
Gold Hits Record High as Investors Eye Fed Chair Powell’s Speech on Tariffs 
Arm Stock Drops Despite Strong AI Chip Demand and Earnings Beat 
China Banks Halt New Loans to Sanctioned Refineries Amid U.S.-Iran Oil Crackdown 
Apple Downgraded by Jefferies Amid Weak iPhone Sales and AI Concerns 
Asian Markets React to Tariff Reports and Fed Policy Shifts 
Lithium Market Poised for Recovery Amid Supply Cuts and Rising Demand 
AWS Data Center Overheating Disrupts Cloud Services in Northern Virginia 
Apple Loses Top Spot in China's Smartphone Market Amid Rising Competition 
Morgan Stanley Bets on Optical Component Stocks in Greater China Tech Sector 
Aker BP Q1 Profit Jumps on Higher Oil Prices and Asset Reversal 
Lufthansa Q1 Loss Narrows as Strong Summer Travel Demand Boosts Outlook 
The S&P 500 closed slightly higher on Monday as gains in energy and materials offset a decline in tech stocks. Concerns about prolonged high interest rates ahead of key inflation data spurred the rotation. By the close, the Dow rose 0.9%, the S&P 500 added 0.2%, while the NASDAQ slipped 0.4%.
Energy stocks, including Valero Energy, Baker Hughes, and Schlumberger, climbed over 3%, supported by rising oil prices after U.S. sanctions on Russian oil exports. Materials also advanced, aiding a broader market rebound.
Tech stocks struggled, led by a 4% drop in NVIDIA, following U.S. restrictions on AI chip exports to China. Broader concerns about the Federal Reserve's policy and rising Treasury yields weighed on the sector. Markets now anticipate only one rate cut in 2024 amid inflationary pressures, a reduction from previous expectations.
Attention is shifting to Wednesday’s consumer price index (CPI) report. Economists predict a 2.9% year-over-year increase for December, up from November's 2.7%. The Fed, projecting 2.5% inflation in 2025, remains cautious about easing rates despite signs of moderating price growth.
Earnings season begins this week, with major banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, set to report Wednesday. Retailers also made headlines: Macy’s fell 8% on weak guidance, Abercrombie & Fitch dropped 16% despite higher sales forecasts, and Moderna plunged 17% after cutting its 2025 sales outlook by $1 billion.
Wall Street braces for more volatility, as inflation data and corporate earnings are poised to shape market sentiment. Investors remain cautious amid high valuations and economic uncertainties.
