Retail sentiment on major ETFs such as SPY and QQQ turned ‘extremely bearish’ on Stocktwits. Wall Street remains positive ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision and a slate of megacap tech earnings. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady, but investors will be watching for Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference for clues on the longer-term rate path. China has reportedly approved the fir...
Retail sentiment on major ETFs such as SPY and QQQ turned ‘extremely bearish’ on Stocktwits. Wall Street remains positive ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision and a slate of megacap tech earnings. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady, but investors will be watching for Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference for clues on the longer-term rate path. China has reportedly approved the first batch of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips for import. U.S. stock futures were higher early Wednesday as traders geared up for the Federal Reserve’s first policy decision of the year, as well as the first of the Magnificent Seven earnings today. Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), and Tesla (TSLA) are all scheduled to report results after the bell. The Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady. Investors will be watching for Chair Jerome Powell’s 2:30 PM ET press conference for policy clues for the year ahead. As of 3:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nasdaq futures were up 0.9%, S&P 500 futures and Russell 2000 futures were up 0.3%. However, the Dow futures were flat with a positive bias. Meanwhile, retail sentiment toward the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&P 500 Index, and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) ETF, which tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, slipped to ‘extremely bearish’ from 'bearish’ a day ago, amid high message volumes. Both were among the top trending tickers on Stocktwits at the time of writing. And there’s no stopping the precious metals rally. Both gold and silver notched fresh records, with gold surging past $5200 and silver past $114. SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) was among the top trending tickers on Stocktwits at the time of writing. The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) also saw retail sentiment in ‘extremely bullish’ territory over the past day, with ‘extremely high’ levels of chatter. Trending Stocks To Watch Nvidia (NVDA): China has reportedly approved the first batch of H200 AI chips for imports. This follows Jensen Huang’s visit to the region this w...
London ( UKX ) +0.58% to 10,208. Germany ( DAX:IND ) -0.15% to 24,894. Germany’s GfK Consumer Climate Indicator rose to -24.1 heading into February. France ( CAC:IND ) +0.27% to 8,152. The pan-European Stoxx 600 ( STOXX ) moved 0.0.1% higher to 613, with global tech stocks rallying further ahead of major U.S. tech earnings and the latest Federal Reserve policy decision. Dutch multinational company...
London ( UKX ) +0.58% to 10,208. Germany ( DAX:IND ) -0.15% to 24,894. Germany’s GfK Consumer Climate Indicator rose to -24.1 heading into February. France ( CAC:IND ) +0.27% to 8,152. The pan-European Stoxx 600 ( STOXX ) moved 0.0.1% higher to 613, with global tech stocks rallying further ahead of major U.S. tech earnings and the latest Federal Reserve policy decision. Dutch multinational company ASML advanced after reporting mixed Q4 results . In the bond market , the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was up 1 basis point to 4.23%. Germany's 10-year yield was down 2 basis points to 2.86%. UK's 10-year yield was up less than 1 basis point to 4.53%. Currencies: ( EUR:USD ) ( GBP:USD ) ( CHF:USD ) ETFs: (NYSEARCA: EWG ), (NYSE: GF ), (NYSEARCA: EWI ), (NYSEARCA: EWQ ), (NASDAQ: FGM ), (NASDAQ: DAX ), (NYSEARCA: FLGR ), (NYSEARCA: FXB ), (NYSEARCA: EWU ), (NASDAQ: FKU ), (BATS: EWUS ), (NYSEARCA: FLGB ), (NYSEARCA: GREK ) More on Europe DAX: What To Know About The ETF That Tracks The 'S&P 500' Of Germany EUR/USD Hints A Breakout After Latest Trump-Greenland Chaos (Technical Analysis) Impact On U.S.-EU Tensions: Risk-Off, U.S. Dollar Subdued, Heightened Demand For Gold And Silver European indexes extend gains as global risk sentiment improves Tesla struggles in Europe as BYD surges past EV sales
In the global shift towards carbon neutral mobility, a striking role reversal is taking shape. China, often seen as a top-down planner, has emerged as a pragmatic, market-responsive architect of new energy vehicle (NEV) policy . Europe, a champion of climate ambition, is seemingly executing a retreat amid a disconnect between ambition and reality. The planned dilution of the European Union’s ban o...
In the global shift towards carbon neutral mobility, a striking role reversal is taking shape. China, often seen as a top-down planner, has emerged as a pragmatic, market-responsive architect of new energy vehicle (NEV) policy . Europe, a champion of climate ambition, is seemingly executing a retreat amid a disconnect between ambition and reality. The planned dilution of the European Union’s ban on new combustion-engine cars by 2035 to a carbon dioxide output reduction target of 90 per cent is more than a technical tweak; it reflects a recalibration towards constrained, politically fraught pragmatism. Europe’s journey from a rigid ban by 2035 to considering a flexible 90 per cent reduction framework reveals a system buckling under real-world pressures. From the policy’s adoption in early 2023, fractures appeared. Under pressure from industrial states such as Germany, exemptions for e-fuels were granted. Europe’s recent retreat stems from a collision between climate idealism and a triad of challenges: ensuring social equity, operating under an infrastructural deficit and navigating political disunity. Advertisement For ordinary Europeans, the transition poses costs such as high electric vehicle (EV) prices, unreliable charging networks and range anxiety. Behind these social challenges lay an infrastructural chasm: a fragmented, underprepared charging ecosystem and a grid ill-suited for mass electrification. Politically, the bloc was split between manufacturing states defending “technology neutrality” and greener nations insisting on pure electrification, resulting in a messy, diluted compromise. In contrast, China’s rise as the world’s EV leader provides a revealing counterpoint. Its approach can be characterised as “directed pragmatism” – a state-guided but market-respecting long-term strategy. China avoided grandiose, fixed-date bans. Instead, it implemented a phased, incentive-based system centred on the “dual credit” policy , which penalised manufacturers for pro...
UK's Government-Controlled Digital ID Is Not The Optional Convenience It Is Being Sold As Authored by David Thunder via 'The Freedom Blog;, The UK government has pledged to introduce a digital ID system for all UK citizens and legal residents by the end of the current Parliament (so no later than 2029). The integration of digital ID into government services, though already under way, has hitherto ...
UK's Government-Controlled Digital ID Is Not The Optional Convenience It Is Being Sold As Authored by David Thunder via 'The Freedom Blog;, The UK government has pledged to introduce a digital ID system for all UK citizens and legal residents by the end of the current Parliament (so no later than 2029). The integration of digital ID into government services, though already under way, has hitherto been largely voluntary. However, is is becoming steadily less optional, as the government has said it will now be required as a precondition for work in the U.K, and a version of it ( GOV.UK One Login ) is already being imposed unilaterally upon company directors throughout the U.K. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has suggested in a recent interview (19/11) that digital ID is completely optional and will simply make government services more accessible and convenient. But this is a rather disingenuous sales pitch. On the one hand, Starmer himself insists that digital ID will be required as a precondition to work legally in the U.K; on the other hand, like any new technology, there will be a transition period, but voluntariness is unlikely to last forever. Evidently, the government will not immediately require everyone to use a digital ID in their interactions with government agencies. But as digital ID becomes more normalised, it will likely become as compulsory as holding a passport for international travel. Can you really imagine a modern government allowing “hold-outs” to stay in the physical world while digital ID systems become the norm? Providing citizens with an easy way to seamlessly verify their identity when they access government services may seem like the “efficient” thing to do. However, this apparent efficiency comes at a high price, exposing citizens to significant risks of government over-reach, surveillance, and system failures. The old “clunky” system, in which there was bureaucratic redundancy and replication and in which physical ID car...
China Auto Momentum to Ease : China’s auto market reached record levels in 2025, with vehicle sales and production surpassing 30 million units for the third consecutive year, driven largely by strong demand for new energy vehicles. However, growth is expected to moderate in 2026 after the robust performance in 2025 absorbed much of the pent-up demand. Domestic demand conditions remain fragile, as ...
China Auto Momentum to Ease : China’s auto market reached record levels in 2025, with vehicle sales and production surpassing 30 million units for the third consecutive year, driven largely by strong demand for new energy vehicles. However, growth is expected to moderate in 2026 after the robust performance in 2025 absorbed much of the pent-up demand. Domestic demand conditions remain fragile, as concerns around income visibility and job security continue to weigh on consumer confidence. Stricter emission and fuel-economy targets and ramp-up of charging infrastructure are boosting sales of green vehicles. With firms intensifying their electrification game, competition is getting tougher with each passing day. Foreign automakers are now actively engaged in the R&D of electric and autonomous vehicles, fuel efficiency and low-emission technologies. Companies in the Zacks Automotive – Foreign industry are involved in designing, manufacturing and selling vehicles, components, as well as production systems. The foreign automotive industry is highly dependent on business cycles and economic conditions. China, Japan, Germany and India are some of the key foreign automotive manufacturing countries. The widespread usage of technology is resulting in the fundamental restructuring of the market. Given these dynamics, a few stocks like XPeng Inc. , Nissan Motor and Mazda Motor are still worth considering given their strategic initiatives. Japan’s recovery is steady but uneven, with higher vehicle prices limiting a full return to pre-pandemic sales despite hybrid-led support. While India remains a relatively bright spot on policy-driven affordability gains, broader profitability concerns and intensifying competition temper the overall industry outlook. The outlook for the Zacks Foreign Auto Industry remains cautious despite pockets of demand resilience across key markets. China, the industry’s largest growth engine, is likely to see slower momentum in 2026 as policy support for n...
Earnings season is in full throttle, with results expected from a quartet of tech giants—Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla. In Washington, the Federal Reserve will announce its first interest-rate decision of 2026.
Earnings season is in full throttle, with results expected from a quartet of tech giants—Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla. In Washington, the Federal Reserve will announce its first interest-rate decision of 2026.
Robert Way China has approved the import of the first batch of H200, Nvidia's ( NVDA ) second most powerful AI chip, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters . ByteDance ( BDNCE ), Alibaba ( BABA ) and Tencent ( TCEHY ) have been cleared to buy over 400,000 H200 chips in total. Other Chinese companies are reportedly joining a queue for subsequent approvals, but it's unclear how many will...
Robert Way China has approved the import of the first batch of H200, Nvidia's ( NVDA ) second most powerful AI chip, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters . ByteDance ( BDNCE ), Alibaba ( BABA ) and Tencent ( TCEHY ) have been cleared to buy over 400,000 H200 chips in total. Other Chinese companies are reportedly joining a queue for subsequent approvals, but it's unclear how many will be permitted to buy H200 chips. Chinese tech firms placed orders for over 2M H200 chips, far exceeding Nvidia's ( NVDA ) available inventory, Reuters reported last month. The H200 approvals suggest Beijing is prioritizing local companies' efforts to keep up with the U.S. in the AI race, even as it seeks to spur domestic chip development. Chinese companies like Huawei have chips that rival Nvidia's ( NVDA ) H20, but they still lag far behind the H200, which delivers about 6x the performance of the H20. More on Nvidia Nvidia: H200 China Roadblock, Soaring Memory Costs Threaten Bull Case Nvidia: The New Boeing In China Nvidia: OpenAI's AGI Admission Should Send Shivers Nvidia: GPUs Don't Matter Anymore (Rating Upgrade) China informs Alibaba, others to prep for Nvidia H200 orders
Robert Way China has approved the import of the first batch of H200, Nvidia's ( NVDA ) second most powerful AI chip, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters . ByteDance ( BDNCE ), Alibaba ( BABA ) and Tencent ( TCEHY ) have been cleared to buy over 400,000 H200 chips in total. Other Chinese companies are reportedly joining a queue for subsequent approvals, but it's unclear how many will...
Robert Way China has approved the import of the first batch of H200, Nvidia's ( NVDA ) second most powerful AI chip, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters . ByteDance ( BDNCE ), Alibaba ( BABA ) and Tencent ( TCEHY ) have been cleared to buy over 400,000 H200 chips in total. Other Chinese companies are reportedly joining a queue for subsequent approvals, but it's unclear how many will be permitted to buy H200 chips. Chinese tech firms placed orders for over 2M H200 chips, far exceeding Nvidia's ( NVDA ) available inventory, Reuters reported last month. The H200 approvals suggest Beijing is prioritizing local companies' efforts to keep up with the U.S. in the AI race, even as it seeks to spur domestic chip development. Chinese companies like Huawei have chips that rival Nvidia's ( NVDA ) H20, but they still lag far behind the H200, which delivers about 6x the performance of the H20. More on Nvidia Nvidia: H200 China Roadblock, Soaring Memory Costs Threaten Bull Case Nvidia: The New Boeing In China Nvidia: OpenAI's AGI Admission Should Send Shivers Nvidia: GPUs Don't Matter Anymore (Rating Upgrade) China informs Alibaba, others to prep for Nvidia H200 orders
Motability Operations Group Plc is looking to sell debt publicly for the first time since scrutiny of its business model prompted government intervention. The London-based firm, which leases cars to people on mobility benefits in the UK, is marketing a 12-year social bond, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. Initial price thoughts point to a spread of aro...
Motability Operations Group Plc is looking to sell debt publicly for the first time since scrutiny of its business model prompted government intervention. The London-based firm, which leases cars to people on mobility benefits in the UK, is marketing a 12-year social bond, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. Initial price thoughts point to a spread of around 150 basis points above mid-swaps for a deal of at least €500 million ($599.4 million), the person said. Motability bought almost one in five new cars in the UK in 2024, a statistic that alongside its wide offering of cars, including luxury vehicles, brought the operation under the spotlight last year. At the autumn budget in November, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to Motability, including the removal of premium brands. Read more: An Unlikely £7 Billion Giant Is Cornering Britain’s Car Market Since the last bond sale in January 2025, S&P Global cut the company’s rating to A- with a stable outlook, citing higher sensitivity to “potential adverse market conditions such as weaker used-car prices.” The borrower also has an A2 rating with a negative outlook at Moody’s Ratings. Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest are arranging the transaction. Representatives at Motability did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Delta Air Lines Inc. has channeled its optimism for international travel into another order for widebody aircraft, agreeing to purchase 31 Airbus SE jets just days after it announced a similar-sized deal from Boeing Co. The US airline will buy 16 A330neo jets as well as 15 advanced A350-900 planes, Airbus said in a statement Wednesday. Delta in a separate release said that new aircraft will allow ...
Delta Air Lines Inc. has channeled its optimism for international travel into another order for widebody aircraft, agreeing to purchase 31 Airbus SE jets just days after it announced a similar-sized deal from Boeing Co. The US airline will buy 16 A330neo jets as well as 15 advanced A350-900 planes, Airbus said in a statement Wednesday. Delta in a separate release said that new aircraft will allow it to add more premium capacity to medium and long-haul markets as well as improve fuel efficiency and margins. Delta has touted its premium products in the cabin and on the ground as it seeks to differentiate itself from budget carriers and appeal to well-heeled flyers. Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian has said that demand from high-spending consumers continues to be strong, and expects international travel to be the next big growth opportunity. Airlines across the world are looking to rejuvenate their widebody fleets that serve on long-haul routes. Delta has almost 60 older Boeing 767s and more than 90 757s that both average 27 years. Delta is one of the biggest buyers of the Airbus A330neo, and the airline will have 55 of the model in its fleet when the latest order is fully delivered. Its A350 fleet will reach 79 aircraft, the airline said. With the latest purchase, Delta now has 232 narrowbody jets and 85 widebody aircraft on order, according to the Delta statement. That includes the 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that the airline announced it was ordering this month.
ASML Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet discusses the company's performance in the fourth quarter as orders far exceeded analysts’ expectations. "We're looking at a record quarter, we're looking at a record year," Fouquet tells Bloomberg Television. (Source: Bloomberg)
ASML Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet discusses the company's performance in the fourth quarter as orders far exceeded analysts’ expectations. "We're looking at a record quarter, we're looking at a record year," Fouquet tells Bloomberg Television. (Source: Bloomberg)