(Part 5 of 5) my investing muse (26Jan2026)
My Investing Muse (26Jan2026)
Layoffs, Bankruptcy & Closure news
Amazon is planning a second round of job cuts next week as part of its broader goal of trimming some 30,000 corporate workers, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters
Citi cutting 1,000 now. More layoffs coming in March. Announced after bonuses, of course. - X user Amanda Goodall
55% of companies expect layoffs in 2026, including 48% who say layoffs will definitely or probably occur in Q1. - X user Amanda Goodall
45% of employers post fake listings, per Forbes. - X user Unusual Whales
6 in 10 companies will conduct layoffs in 2026.
By analyzing $4 trillion of shipments between January 2024 and November 2025, the Kiel Institute researchers found that foreign exporters absorbed only about 4% of the burden of last year's U.S. tariff increases by lowering their prices, while American consumers and importers absorbed 96%. - WSJ
Tyson Foods mass layoffs take effect Tuesday.... nearly 5,000 workers gone across two states, with real consequences for U.S. food supply. - X user Amanda Goodall
My Final Thoughts
Davos 2026 highlighted a widening gap between the U.S. and NATO. President Trump now chairs the new $1B “Board of Peace” (originally for Gaza), while naval tensions escalate near Iran. Simultaneously, Greenland has become a flashpoint, drawing significant EU military resources.
Corporate instability grows as Citibank and Amazon layoffs signal a trend; 60% of firms anticipate further cuts this year. Investors are now fixated on Tesla, Meta, and Microsoft earnings, demanding proof of AI returns to counter China’s rapid model advancements.
This is one of the most “unaffordable” times for Americans. This can be seen in the chart above, coming to living on your own, marriage, having kids and home ownership.
With gold, silver, and bonds hitting simultaneous record highs, the current market setup is atypical and defensive. A cautionary approach is highly recommended.
Financial Strategy and Outlook
Let us spend within our means, invest only what we can afford to lose, and avoid leverage. Let us review our current holdings with the intention of divesting from businesses that are losing their competitive advantages. Additionally, I will consider adding both hedging strategies and defensive positions to our portfolio to mitigate risk.
As we move forward, it is crucial to conduct thorough due diligence before assuming any new responsibilities.
Wishing everyone a successful week ahead.
Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.
