A weakening yuan tests Beijing’s resolve as Trump tariff threats loom

YINAN, CHINA – DECEMBER 26 2024: A worker counts RMB banknotes during a gathering to distribute the yearly dividend to members of an agricultural co-operative in Yinan county in east China’s Shandong province Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.  Wang Yanbing | Future Publishing | Getty Images The Chinese yuan is widely expected to depreciate against an … Read more

How Trump could declare a national energy emergency

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to declare a national energy emergency as soon as he takes office Monday, months after promising voters that he would cut their electric and gasoline prices in half in the first year of his administration.  “To achieve this rapid reduction in energy costs, I will declare a national emergency to … Read more

Bitcoin gains as Trump reportedly plans crypto executive order

Bitcoin rejoined the crypto rally on Friday amid reports that President-elect Donald Trump could soon release an executive order making crypto a national priority. The price of the flagship cryptocurrency was last higher by more than 4% at $104,672.37, according to Coin Metrics. The broader crypto market, as measured by the CoinDesk 20 index, was … Read more

Citigroup (C) earnings Q4 2024 beat

Citigroup shares jumped Wednesday after fourth-quarter earnings beat estimates on the top and bottom lines, reflecting broad strength across the bank. “2024 was a critical year and our results show our strategy is delivering as intended and driving stronger performance in our businesses. Our net income was up nearly 40% to $12.7 billion and we … Read more

CPI inflation December 2024:

Prices that consumers pay for a variety of goods and services rose again in December but closed out 2024 with some mildly better news on inflation, particularly on housing. The consumer price index increased a seasonally adjusted 0.4% on the month, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.9%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. … Read more

Bitcoin swings back above $96,000, in stunning reversal, as light inflation data stokes risk appetite

Jonathan Raa | Nurphoto | Getty Images Bitcoin bounced on Tuesday, rising with other risk assets as traders digested a light inflation reading. On Tuesday the price of the flagship cryptocurrency rose 3% to $96,452.34, according to Coin Metrics, after sliding below the $90,000 support level to start the week. The broader crypto market, as … Read more

A global bond sell-off is deepening as investors pare Fed rate cut expectations

The Eccles Building, location of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the Federal Open Market Committee. Brooks Kraft | Getty Images A sell-off in global bond markets is accelerating, fueling concerns over government finances and raising the specter of higher borrowing costs for consumers and businesses around the world. Bond yields … Read more

There’s a popular tech stock washout Monday as Palantir, Nvidia, Rigetti Computing drop

Dominika Zarzycka | Nurphoto | Getty Images Technology stocks popular with retail investors tumbled Monday as investors took profits on their 2024 winners and dumped the more speculative names in an environment of rising interest rates. Nvidia slumped 2%. Palantir dropped 4%, while quantum computing winner Rigetti Computing plunged about 33%. Last year’s Nasdaq winner … Read more

Crude prices jump as U.S. imposes sweeping sanctions against Russia oil industry

A view of offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the Pacific Ocean on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California.  Mario Tama | Getty Images Oil prices jumped on Friday as the U.S. Treasury Department announced sweeping sanctions against Russia’s oil industry. Brent gained $2.84, or 3.69%, to close at $79.76 per barrel, while … Read more

Jobs report December 2024:

Job growth was much stronger than expected in December, possibly providing the Federal Reserve less incentive to cut interest rates this year. Nonfarm payrolls surged by 256,000 for the month, up from 212,000 in November and above the 155,000 forecast from the Dow Jones consensus, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The unemployment rate … Read more