Thursday, January 22, 2026

Asia Tech Rises, Offering Counterpoint to Intel's Chill

As the dust settles on a volatile U.S. after-hours session, early trading in Asia is providing a potential counter-narrative for investors. While U.S. futures will be heavily influenced by the sharp post-market plunge in Intel (INTC) following its weak forecast, reports indicate that Asian markets are opening higher, led by their own technology sector. This sets up a potential tug-of-war for Friday's session: will the specific weakness from a U.S. chip giant drag down global tech, or will international strength provide a tailwind?

The late-night newsflow also offers longer-term thematic developments. The president of Ripple (XRP) made a bold prediction that half of Fortune 500 companies will have formal crypto strategies by the end of 2026, suggesting continued institutional interest in the digital asset space.

Meanwhile, a deep dive into retail bellwether Walmart (WMT) reveals a major C-suite transition as the company prepares for a new CEO. The move highlights the retail giant's strategic focus on navigating the next wave of e-commerce and AI, even as it sparks fresh debate over executive compensation.

Netflix's Warner Bros. Bid Faces EU Scrutiny

With the regular session and initial earnings reactions in the rearview mirror, attention is shifting to the complex strategic battles shaping the media landscape. Following its Q4 earnings report, the spotlight is intensely focused on Netflix (NFLX) and its potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

The deal is facing significant headwinds, with new reports indicating that both Netflix and rival bidder Paramount (PSKY) are now subject to parallel antitrust probes by European Union regulators. This development introduces a major layer of uncertainty and execution risk for Netflix's expansion plans, a critical issue highlighted in its recent earnings call.

The pressure is compounded by the continued box office dominance of competitor Disney (DIS), which underscores the urgent need for Netflix to bolster its content library to compete on a global scale. The outcome of the EU review could now be a pivotal factor in determining the future landscape of the streaming wars.

TikTok Secures US Deal as Insiders Head for the Exits

While the market grapples with the after-hours fallout from Intel's (INTC) weak forecast, significant geopolitical and corporate news continues to shape the narrative for tomorrow's open. In a major development, reports confirmed TikTok has formed a U.S. joint venture to avoid a potential ban, removing a major source of geopolitical uncertainty that has hung over the social media and digital advertising space.

However, a counter-narrative of caution is emerging from corporate insiders. Following earlier reports of stock sales at Reddit and American Eagle, a fresh wave of filings shows significant selling by executives at Arista Networks (ANET), GigaCloud (GCT), and Texas Roadhouse (TXRH). This pattern of insiders taking profits across multiple sectors could signal a belief that upside may be limited at current valuations.

Meanwhile, the complex story at Amazon (AMZN) continues. The news of its long-term strategic investment in a new AWS European Sovereign Cloud provides a stark contrast to recent reports of continued corporate layoffs, painting a picture of a company aggressively cutting costs in mature divisions while still investing heavily in future growth engines like cloud and AI.

Post-Market Shakeout: Earnings Create Clear Winners and Losers

While the regular session ended in a stalemate, the after-hours market is a battlefield defined by starkly divergent earnings reports. The day's narrative of indecision has given way to high-conviction moves as investors react to company-specific results.

The biggest story is the sharp sell-off in chip giant Intel (INTC), whose weak forward guidance is completely overshadowing its Q4 earnings beat. This confirms the market's anxiety about slowing demand and is casting a pall over the semiconductor sector. Conversely, several smaller-cap companies are showing resilience, with strong after-hours reports from names like aluminum producer Alcoa (AA) and student loan company SLM Corp (SLM).

Adding to the cautious tone, reports that Amazon (AMZN) is planning another round of corporate layoffs underscore the ongoing cost-cutting trend in big tech. Meanwhile, insider selling is also drawing attention, with executives at both Reddit (RDDT) and American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) offloading significant blocks of stock, a potential signal of waning confidence.

Tech Earnings Trigger Wild After-Hours Swings

While the broader market finished the day in a state of indecision, the real fireworks are happening after the bell. Semiconductor giant Intel (INTC) is plunging in post-market trading after issuing a bleak forecast for the current quarter. The weak guidance completely overshadowed a fourth-quarter earnings beat, signaling to investors that demand challenges persist and casting a significant shadow over the entire chip sector heading into tomorrow's session.

In sharp contrast, medical robotics firm Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is soaring after delivering quarterly results that handily beat Wall Street estimates. The strong report from ISRG demonstrates that pockets of strength remain, particularly for companies with strong execution and secular growth stories, creating a clear divide between winners and losers as earnings season heats up.

The post-market newsflow is also adding to concerns about the broader economy. Railroad operator CSX (CSX) is slipping after missing revenue forecasts on weak industrial and coal volumes, while Alaska Air (ALK) issued a cautious outlook, citing fuel costs and economic risks.

Tech Giants Clash in Post-Market News Wave

After a session where the broader market finished mixed, the real story is unfolding after the bell with significant, divergent headlines from several mega-cap tech firms. The post-market weakness initiated by Intel's (INTC) disappointing forecast has been compounded by a fresh negative catalyst.

New reports indicate that Amazon (AMZN) is planning thousands of additional corporate job cuts for next week. This move signals that the aggressive cost-cutting trend in big tech is far from over, raising fresh questions about growth prospects even as investors weigh the potential for margin improvement.

In sharp contrast, a positive narrative is emerging for Meta Platforms (META). A new report claims its Threads platform has now surpassed Elon Musk's X in daily user growth. This represents a significant competitive victory and a potential bright spot for a company that has invested heavily in new initiatives.

Adding to the after-hours churn, M&A news is also breaking, with reports that Capital One (COF) is acquiring fintech startup Brex for over $5 billion, showing that strategic deal-making continues despite the uncertain macro backdrop.

Intel Plunges After-Hours on Weak Forecast

The real action has begun after the bell, with semiconductor giant Intel (INTC) casting a pall over the tech sector. The company reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations, but that news was completely overshadowed by soft guidance for the current quarter. Shares are falling sharply in post-market trading as investors react to the weak forecast, which signals potential slowing demand and confirms the anxiety seen during the regular session when the stock pulled back from a four-year high.

The disappointing outlook from a major bellwether like Intel threatens to create a headwind for the entire semiconductor space and the tech-heavy Nasdaq in tomorrow's session.

Elsewhere in after-hours earnings, railroad operator CSX Corp. (CSX) delivered a mixed report, beating profit estimates by a penny but falling short on revenue. This type of report, where the top-line shows weakness, has been punished by investors recently and adds to concerns about the health of the industrial economy.

S&P 500 Finishes Flat as Inflation Data Stalls Rally; Tesla Surges

Wall Street ended a volatile session with little to show for it, as the S&P 500 closed near the flatline. The market initially gapped higher, fueled by overnight optimism surrounding reports of a potential U.S. tariff rollback. However, that enthusiasm was completely erased after hotter-than-expected PCE inflation data revived fears of a “higher-for-longer” Federal Reserve, capping any significant broad-market advance.

The session ultimately became a tale of individual stocks rather than a cohesive market trend. The undisputed star of the day was Tesla (TSLA), which surged after announcing a key milestone: the removal of safety drivers from some of its robotaxi rides. The news, combined with optimistic commentary from CEO Elon Musk, sent the stock soaring and created negative pressure on competitors like Uber and Lyft.

Elsewhere, airlines showed strength, with United Airlines (UAL) rising after management described business travel demand as "amazing." On the downside, medical device maker Inspire Medical (INSP) plummeted after a negative CMS coverage decision for its sleep apnea device, a move followed by a swift analyst downgrade.

Tesla Defies Flat Market on Autonomy, Insurance News

The broader market remains locked in a sideways grind in afternoon trading, with the S&P 500 hovering around the flatline. Investors are still grappling with the morning's hotter-than-expected inflation data, which has effectively capped any significant rally by reinforcing the Federal Reserve's "higher-for-longer" stance on interest rates.

While the indexes are listless, the session is being defined by a massive surge in Tesla (TSLA). The stock is rallying hard on a trifecta of positive news, confirming its status as today's main event. Enthusiasm is building around CEO Elon Musk's comments expecting Full Self-Driving (FSD) approval in Europe and China as early as next month. This was compounded by news that Lemonade (LMND) is launching a new insurance product offering significant discounts for Tesla's FSD users, a key step in monetizing the ecosystem.

This individual stock strength is not, however, translating into a market-wide rally. Leadership is narrow, with other mega-caps like Alphabet (GOOGL) finding a bid after a price target hike from Raymond James. Meanwhile, sector-specific headwinds are also present, with major airlines like United (UAL) and Delta (DAL) facing pressure after issuing travel waivers due to a threatening winter storm.

Market Grinds Sideways as Tesla Surges, Banks Stumble

The broader market is struggling for direction in afternoon trading, with the S&P 500 hovering near the flatline. The morning's hotter-than-expected PCE inflation data continues to cast a shadow, reviving "higher-for-longer" interest rate fears and putting a firm ceiling on any significant rally.

Despite the macro stalemate, there is significant action under the surface. Tesla (TSLA) is a standout performer, surging on a torrent of positive headlines. Investors are cheering news that the company has started robotaxi rides in Austin without safety monitors, a key milestone. This was amplified by CEO Elon Musk's optimistic comments at the World Economic Forum regarding timelines for humanoid robots.

Tesla's advance is creating clear winners and losers. The direct competitive threat from its autonomous progress is sending shares of ride-sharing companies Uber (UBER) and Lyft (LYFT) sharply lower.

Elsewhere, financials are facing headwinds from idiosyncratic news. Shares of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) are under pressure following reports that former President Trump has filed a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the bank and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, over account closures.

Market Churns as Individual Stock Battles Rage

The market is locked in a stalemate midday, with the S&P 500 hovering around the flatline as investors weigh conflicting signals. The morning's rally, sparked by hopes of a U.S. tariff rollback, was fully erased by hotter-than-expected PCE inflation data. This has reinforced the "higher-for-longer" interest rate narrative, effectively putting a ceiling on any broad market advance.

The result is a classic stock-picker's market where corporate news is driving significant divergence. Tesla (TSLA) is a standout performer, rallying after CEO Elon Musk provided optimistic timelines for FSD approval in Europe and the rollout of robotaxis. Elsewhere, bullish analyst commentary is lifting semiconductor name Micron (MU), while strong earnings are boosting copper producer Freeport-McMoRan (FCX).

However, the session's defining battle may be in shares of Netflix (NFLX). The stock is extending its recent selloff to hit a new one-year low, yet the weakness is drawing in high-profile dip-buyers like Cathie Wood's ARK Invest. This clash between negative momentum and perceived long-term value perfectly captures the market's current indecisive mood.

Markets Tread Water as Fed Worries Counteract Earnings Strength

The market is locked in a tug-of-war at midday, with the S&P 500 hovering around the flatline. The morning's optimism, sparked by hopes of a U.S. tariff rollback, has been completely neutralized by stubbornly high inflation data. The latest PCE reading showed inflation remains well above the Fed's target, reinforcing the "higher-for-longer" interest rate narrative that has kept a lid on any significant advance.

This has created a classic stock-picker's market where corporate execution is being rewarded even as the broader indexes struggle for direction. Financials are a clear bright spot, with Morgan Stanley (MS) rallying after Bank of America reiterated its buy rating and hiked its price target following the bank's blowout earnings. The report lauded the bank's massive $122 billion in net new assets in its wealth management division.

Mega-cap tech also continues to provide support. Microsoft (MSFT) is trading higher after securing a new $170 million cloud contract with the U.S. Air Force. This leadership from a handful of strong performers is offsetting weakness elsewhere and keeping the market from sliding into negative territory.

Stocks Stall as Sticky Inflation Halts Rally

The market's early enthusiasm has completely evaporated, with major indices now trading flat after a stronger-than-expected inflation report threw cold water on the morning's trade optimism. The latest PCE data shows inflation remains stubbornly above the Fed's target, signaling that policymakers are in no hurry to cut interest rates. This development is directly overriding the positive sentiment from earlier reports of a potential tariff rollback.

The result is a classic tug-of-war. While the broad market struggles for direction, there's clear leadership from a handful of mega-cap tech stocks. A 'Strong Buy' upgrade from Raymond James has Alphabet (GOOGL) climbing, while Microsoft (MSFT) is also in the green after securing a new $170 million cloud contract with the U.S. Air Force. This strength in the giants is preventing a broader market slide.

However, weakness is evident elsewhere. The energy sector is under pressure after Barclays downgraded names like APA Corp (APA) and CNX Resources (CNX), citing expectations of lower oil and gas prices. The cautious mood is also hitting semiconductors, with Intel (INTC) pulling back from a four-year high ahead of its earnings report later today.

Rally Stalls as Strong Data, Consumer Worries Clash

The strong opening rally, fueled by overnight trade optimism, has stalled out in the first hour of trading, with major indices struggling for direction. Investors are digesting a batch of bullish economic data, including a much stronger-than-expected Q3 GDP reading of 4.4% growth and weekly jobless claims that remain near historic lows at 200,000.

However, that macro optimism is clashing with concerning signals from corporate earnings. Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (PG) is trading sharply lower after missing revenue estimates, blaming weak U.S. spending. The miss from a bellwether like PG is forcing traders to question the true health of the consumer, creating a tug-of-war that is keeping the broader market pinned near the flatline.

In company-specific news, M&A is providing a bright spot, with shares of Spirit Airlines (SAVE) soaring on reports it is in takeover talks with investment firm Castlelake.

Mixed Earnings Muddle Bullish Open

Markets are kicking off the session on a positive note, carrying forward the strong sentiment from overnight reports of a potential U.S. tariff rollback. However, a wave of conflicting earnings reports is creating a clear divide between winners and losers, suggesting a choppy, stock-picker's environment is taking shape.

On the positive side, tech is showing early leadership. Chip equipment giant ASML is gaining on a significant price target upgrade from Bernstein, while Microsoft (MSFT) is adding to its recent momentum after securing a $170 million cloud contract with the U.S. Air Force.

Conversely, the read-through from consumer and industrial bellwethers is proving to be a headwind. Procter & Gamble (PG) is trading lower after its earnings beat was overshadowed by shrinking demand and a revenue miss. Similarly, General Electric (GE) has reversed its pre-market gains and is now trading lower, as investors look past the headline beat to focus on slowing revenue growth.

Futures Climb on Trade Optimism, Earnings Barrage

U.S. equity futures are pointing to a firmly higher open, extending a powerful overnight rally driven by reports of a potential rollback in U.S. tariffs. This macro tailwind is being amplified by a raft of positive corporate news, setting a clear risk-on tone ahead of the opening bell.

Industrial bellwether GE Aerospace (GE) is providing a significant boost, with shares climbing in pre-market trading after forecasting 2026 profit above analyst estimates. The positive sentiment is broad, with M&A activity lifting shares of Organon (OGN) on reports of a potential bid from Sun Pharma, and a 'Strong Buy' upgrade from Raymond James sending Alphabet (GOOGL) higher on optimism over its AI strategy.

However, the market is proving discerning. Shares of spice maker McCormick (MKC) are slumping over 4% pre-market. The company's earnings missed expectations, a critical failure that traders are punishing despite a beat on revenue—a classic sign that in this market, profitability is paramount.

With the initial direction set, investors are now looking ahead to the release of key PCE inflation data, which will be the next major test of this morning's bullish conviction.

Futures Point to Higher Open as Tech Giants Face Headwinds

U.S. stock futures are firmly in positive territory, signaling a strong start to the trading day. The optimism builds on a powerful overnight session fueled by reports of a potential U.S. tariff rollback and strong European corporate earnings, particularly from auto giant Volkswagen (VWAGY). The broad-based rally suggests investors are carrying forward a risk-on appetite as the opening bell approaches.

However, the pre-market session is not without its trouble spots, particularly among mega-cap tech names. Tesla (TSLA) is facing pressure following reports of job cuts at its Berlin Gigafactory. Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL) continues to grapple with international regulatory scrutiny, with new reports that it is fighting an Indian antitrust body's request for financial records.

These individual headwinds contrast sharply with continued positive momentum elsewhere. The AI-driven rally has another catalyst, with Alibaba (BABA) shares seeing pre-market interest on reports it may IPO its AI chip unit. Adding a potential tailwind for the broader market, crude oil prices are slipping this morning, easing concerns about input costs and inflation.

Volkswagen Surge Adds Fuel to Global Rally

The powerful risk-on sentiment that began overnight is being reinforced by a wave of strong European corporate news, providing fundamental support for the rally ahead of the U.S. open. While sentiment was initially sparked by reports of a U.S. tariff rollback, investors are now keying on company-specific results that point to resilience in the global economy.

Leading the charge is German auto giant Volkswagen (VWAGY), whose shares surged after reporting that cash flow beat expectations despite a challenging environment. This positive signal from a major industrial bellwether is helping lift the entire European auto sector and bolsters the pro-cyclical mood.

However, it's not a uniform rally, creating a stock-picker's environment. Medical technology firm Carl Zeiss Meditec (AFX) saw its shares sink in Frankfurt after issuing a profit warning. This divergence, similar to the Ubisoft collapse seen earlier, underscores that despite the positive macro tide, company execution remains critical.

Alibaba AI Buzz Fuels Rally; Ubisoft Plummets on Restructuring

The risk-on sentiment from overnight is gathering steam, with significant, company-specific news adding fresh catalysts for traders to digest. While the broader market is still feeding off reports of a U.S. tariff rollback, major developments in the tech and gaming sectors are creating distinct winners and losers ahead of the bell.

Adding a major boost to the AI narrative, reports are circulating that Chinese tech giant Alibaba (BABA) is planning to IPO its AI chipmaking unit, T-Head. This news immediately signals the immense value investors are placing on AI hardware and infrastructure, potentially unlocking significant value for BABA shareholders and adding fuel to the semiconductor sector's fire.

In sharp contrast, a corporate meltdown is unfolding at video game maker Ubisoft (UBI). The company's shares have plummeted more than 30% in European trading after it announced the cancellation of six games as part of a broad restructuring. The dramatic collapse underscores the brutal reality of execution risk in the competitive gaming industry, with reports noting that hedge fund Citadel's short position is paying off handsomely.

Elsewhere, a bullish call from Goldman Sachs (GS) is grabbing attention, with the bank forecasting gold could reach $5,400 this year, citing the very same easing of geopolitical tensions that is lifting equity futures this morning.

Miners, Microsoft Add Fuel to Pre-Market Fire

The pre-market session is building on the powerful overnight rally, as positive corporate news reinforces the macro optimism sparked by reports of a U.S. tariff rollback. The risk-on sentiment that lifted Asian and European markets appears to be gaining traction ahead of the U.S. open, with specific sectors providing fundamental support for the move higher.

Underscoring the global growth theme, copper producer Atalaya Mining (ATYM) is seeing pre-market attention after beating Q4 production forecasts and raising its full-year outlook. Strength in industrial metals often signals investor confidence in the economic cycle, directly aligning with the positive narrative driven by easing trade tensions.

Meanwhile, in the tech sphere, mega-cap Microsoft (MSFT) announced a multiyear innovation partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 team. While not a direct earnings driver, the high-profile deal adds to the positive sentiment surrounding market leaders. Separately, retail interest may be drawn to names like American Electric Power (AEP) following bullish commentary from CNBC's Jim Cramer.

Global Markets Set to Rally on Tariff Retreat News

A powerful risk-on wave is sweeping across global markets in the overnight session, fueled by a significant geopolitical development. Reports that the U.S. will roll back tariffs as part of a new trade framework have dramatically shifted sentiment, overriding earlier concerns about the high cost of the AI buildout.

The positive reaction was evident in Asia, where Japan's Nikkei 225 surged to close up 1.76%. The optimism is carrying over into Europe, where markets are now poised for a sharply higher open. This broad-based rally suggests investors are rotating back into risk assets, a trend supported by separate reports of strong inflows into emerging market ETFs like EEM and VWO, which are highly sensitive to global trade dynamics.

Nvidia Glow Lifts Asia, But AI Cost Warnings Emerge

Overnight trading has painted a conflicting picture for the artificial intelligence sector, setting up a potential tug-of-war for today's session. On one hand, the global AI euphoria continues, with Japan's Softbank (SFTBY) soaring over 13% on optimism surrounding its chip investments, directly reflecting continued strength in US chip designer Nvidia (NVDA).

However, a significant reality check has also surfaced. A report indicates that AI darling Anthropic is trimming its profit margin outlook, citing the spiraling operating costs of developing advanced AI models. This news directly validates the investor anxiety noted in yesterday's trading around the massive capital expenditures required in the AI arms race, confirming that the path to profitability is neither cheap nor guaranteed.

These opposing forces—unbridled demand versus immense cost—are the key themes as traders look ahead to the U.S. open.