Financial Summary: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

A movement is underway to eliminate state taxes on Social Security benefits, aiming to ease financial burdens on seniors.

Chicago's United Center has become the first U.S. arena to offer THC beverages at concert concessions, highlighting evolving consumer trends.

Gold prices have surged above $5,000/oz, reflecting a strong upward trend amid declining market confidence.

India's stock market rose significantly after a landmark free trade agreement with the EU, boosting textile stocks.

European shares climbed on positive corporate updates, with Puma's stock soaring 19% following a stake sale.

Oil prices rose as traders assessed the implications of a US freeze, impacting market sentiment and energy stocks.

A major investment firm purchased 2,932 Bitcoin for $264 million, highlighting ongoing interest in cryptocurrency.

Homebuyers are canceling contracts at the highest rate in nearly a decade, with over 16% of deals in December being called off due to economic uncertainty.

Market attention is focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, with concerns about interest rates impacting investor sentiment.

Retail investors are flocking to silver, with the iShares Silver Trust experiencing its largest influx of cash as traders bet on both a rally and a potential crash.

India's Budget 2026 introduces competitive tax rates and incentives to attract foreign investments.

India and the EU finalize a Free Trade Agreement, enhancing exports in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals.

Following the EU Free Trade Agreement, shares of Indian textile and shrimp companies surged by up to 12%.

Trump threatens to increase tariffs on South Korean automobiles and pharmaceuticals to 25% amid stalled trade negotiations.

The head of ICE is ordered to appear in court as Minnesota officials challenge aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

House Democrats are pressuring President Trump to fire DHS Secretary Kristi Noem or face impeachment proceedings over her comments on a protester's death.

Iran delegates emergency powers amid rising tensions and fears of potential conflict with the US, while regional countries seek to defuse the situation.

The US government faces a potential partial shutdown due to funding issues related to the Department of Homeland Security.

US consumer confidence has dropped to a 12-year low, indicating a bifurcated economy despite strong GDP growth.

TikTok experiences a 150% surge in user deletions following the announcement of a new joint venture for its U.S. operations.

Anthropic's CEO warns of catastrophic risks associated with powerful AI in a detailed essay.

A university campus is leveraging an AI data center for heating, tackling energy challenges linked to AI technology.

Metroblox launches a USDC-backed stablecoin to facilitate transport payments.

Big Tech earnings reports are expected to validate the recent AI-driven market rally, with Alphabet anticipated to perform strongly.

Mozilla initiates a project to support mission-driven AI companies and nonprofits, forming an 'AI rebel alliance' against major tech players.

Anthropic successfully closes a funding round exceeding $10 billion, with potential for further increases from Microsoft and Nvidia.

AI startup Anthropic is in talks to raise additional funds, potentially doubling its valuation to $350 billion amid strong investor interest.

Shares of major health insurers dropped sharply following the Trump administration's proposal to maintain Medicare Advantage rates for the upcoming year.

First Brands, an auto-parts supplier, is shutting down parts of its business amid bankruptcy proceedings due to cash shortages.

Waaree Renewable Technologies acquired a 55% stake in Associated Power Structures for ₹1,225 crore, marking its entry into the grid infrastructure market.

Meta Platforms plans to test premium subscription models for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp in the coming months.

Microsoft received approval to build 15 new data centers at the former Foxconn site in Wisconsin, expanding its infrastructure capabilities.

UltraTech Cement reported a 32% year-on-year profit jump in Q3, leading to positive ratings and target price increases from brokerages.

GM reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings and announced a $6 billion stock buyback program, reflecting strong financial performance.

ANTA Sports has acquired a 29% stake in Puma for $1.7 billion, marking a significant investment in the sportswear market.

Micron has begun construction on a $24 billion wafer fabrication facility in Singapore, signaling a major investment in semiconductor manufacturing.

UPS announced it will cut an additional 30,000 jobs as it winds down its partnership with Amazon.

American Airlines projects a revenue growth of 7% to 10% for the first quarter of 2026, despite missing Q4 earnings estimates.

Cloudflare's stock surged following positive buzz around its new AI-driven agent, boosting market expectations.