Consumer sentiment in the U.S. improved slightly in December, according to preliminary data from the University of Michigan survey, even as Americans continue to face a frozen job market and persistent inflationary pressures. Consumers  Key Survey Findings - Sentiment index rose to 53.3, up from 51 in November. Bloomberg's economist survey had projected 52. - This marks the first monthly increase since July. - Despite the gain, sentiment remains 28% lower than a year ago. Commentary from Joanne Hsu (Survey Director) - Current conditions were little changed, but expectations improved, led by a 13% rise in expected personal finances. - Gains were broad‑based across age, income, education, and political affiliation. - However, expected personal finances remain 12% below January lev

Palantir Technologies Inc. $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$  announced a partnership with TWG AI and NVIDIA Corp. $NVIDIA(NVDA)$  to deploy artificial intelligence and computer vision technology in rodeo sports through Teton Ridge, a western sports and entertainment company.   PLTR NVDA Purpose of the collaboration The initiative aims to deliver real-time AI‑driven analytics for rodeo events by processing data locally through NVIDIA's edge computing infrastructure, including the Holoscan platform and RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs.  This eliminates the need to send video feeds to cloud systems for analysis.    Testing and performance - Teton

According to a Washington Post report cited by Reuters, $Amazon.com(AMZN)$ is preparing to end its long‑standing partnership with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as the e‑commerce giant expands its nationwide delivery network. Amazon USPS Financial Impact Amazon has been USPS’s largest customer, generating more than $6 billion in annual revenue in 2025. The potential exit could significantly hurt USPS, which has relied on large delivery contracts to offset heavy losses. USPS recorded a $9.5 billion loss in 2024 and has accumulated over $100 billion in losses since 2007, despite restructuring and legislative reforms. Timeline Amazon is reportedly preparing to withdraw the billions of packages it sends through USPS by the end of 2026. Plans are not y

$PLTR Palantir Technologies Inc. $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$ has announced the launch of Chain Reaction, a new software platform designed to support the development of America’s AI infrastructure. The initiative aims to address the growing demand for both computing power and energy by working with energy producers, distributors, data centers, and infrastructure builders. Founding Partners Two major players are joining Palantir in this effort: CenterPoint Energy serving nearly 7 million customers across Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. Already a Palantir partner for storm response and grid resiliency after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, CenterPoint is now expanding its collaboration to Chain Reaction. CEO Jason Wells highlighted that energy co

Market Pullback After a Strong November The holiday season may be in full swing, but investors showed little appetite for risk to start December. U.S. equities slipped on Monday following the sharp, late-month rally that rescued November’s performance. Dow Jones: –0.9% $S&P 500(.SPX)$ : –0.5% $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ : –0.5% After last week’s powerful rebound, driven by renewed optimism for a December Fed rate cut, markets entered a holding pattern as investors reassessed valuations and awaited more concrete catalysts. Despite the pullback in indices, risk sentiment was mixed: Bitcoin slumped, but mega-cap tech held firm, and silver surged to a record high, offering an unusual bright spot in the commodities s

Markets Stabilize Despite Falling Rate-Cut Odds Markets Stabilize The market snapped its four-day losing streak, even as expectations for a December rate cut dropped sharply. Index Close Change Dow Jones 46,138.77 +0.10%; $S&P 500(.SPX)$ 6,642.16 +0.38%; $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ 22,564.23 +0.59% Investor sentiment shifted after: The BLS announced no October jobs report, reducing clarity ahead of the December Fed meeting. FOMC minutes revealed a hawkish tone, with significantly more policy members signaling concern about inflation. Rate-cut expectations fell to just 32.7%, from 50% a day earlier and over 93% one month ago. This places even greater focus on November’s employment data, due December 16, now likel

The $S&P 500(.SPX)$ posted its fourth consecutive decline, closing down 0.8%, alongside declines in the Dow (-1.1%) and $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ (-1.2%). Investors remained firmly in risk-off mode, driven by: AI skepticism ahead of Nvidia’s earnings $NVIDIA(NVDA)$ Concerns around consumer spending and housing activity Growing worries over employment and inflation keeping the Fed cautious Key Stats (11/18/2025): Index Last Chg% Dow Jones 46,091.74 -1.07% S&P 500 6,617.32 -0.83% Nasdaq 22,432.85 -1.21% Top Movers Hot Stock: Medtronic +4.7% Biggest Loser: Home Depot -6.0% Best Sector: Energy +0.8% Worst Sector: Consumer Discretionary -1.9% AI & TECH: Nvidia to

Stocks endured another bout of whiplash on Friday. The Nasdaq Composite fell as much as 1.9% shortly after the opening bell, extending this week’s turbulence. But in a familiar pattern, opportunistic dip-buyers stepped in, especially those who have spent the week questioning AI valuations. By the close, the Nasdaq had staged its largest intraday rebound since April 7, finishing up 0.1%. The S&P 500 nearly erased its morning losses before weakening late in the session to close down 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 310 points, or 0.7%. This week’s swings have unfolded in an information vacuum: little economic data, limited earnings, and growing speculation around both. That changes in the week ahead. Index Last Change Dow Jones Industrial Average 47,147.48 –0.65%

Post-Shutdown Selloff: Relief Turns to Risk Market Fog Deepens The historic government reopening should have lifted market sentiment. Instead, investors delivered the worst selloff in a month as relief was overtaken by two immediate worries: overstretched AI stock valuations and fading expectations for a December rate cut. $S&P 500(.SPX)$ : –1.7% Dow Jones: –798 points (–1.7%) $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ : –2.3% Hot Stock: LyondellBasell +5.1% Biggest Loser: Robinhood –8.6% Best Sector: Energy +0.3% Worst Sector: $Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund(XLY)$ –2.5% The retreat comes at a delicate moment. After 40+ days without government data, investors, economist

Relief Rally on Capitol Hill After 43 days of gridlock, investors finally saw light at the end of the tunnel. The House of Representatives is expected to pass a government funding bill late Wednesday, officially ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. That prospect sent a wave of relief through Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 327 points (+0.7%), closing above 48,000 for the first time ever. The $S&P 500(.SPX)$ edged up 0.1%, while the $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ dipped 0.3%, pressured by declines in major tech names. Hot Stock: $Advanced Micro Devices(AMD)$ +9.0% Biggest Loser: Paramount Skydance –7.0% Best Sector: Healthcare +1.4% Worst Sector:

Market Rotation Shakes Up the Rally Wall Street staged a strong rebound Tuesday, but the leadership looked very different from what investors have come to expect this year… The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 559 points (+1.2%), marking its 16th record close of 2025, while the $S&P 500(.SPX)$ added 0.2%. The $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ , weighed down by tech and AI shares, slipped 0.3%. Only four Dow components, $NVIDIA(NVDA)$ , Cisco Systems, Caterpillar, and JPMorgan Chase ended the day lower. Broader participation was solid, with most S&P 500 constituents finishing in positive territory, but the tech-heavy Nasdaq lagged as investors rotated out of high-growth