Latest reporting from the Business desk, in reverse chronological order.
Markets ended a recent session split as investors weighed a fresh batch of corporate earnings and sector performance, with some financial names sliding while parts of tech and consumer-related sectors held up better.
The U.S. Treasury terminated multiple Booz Allen Hamilton contracts, citing failures to safeguard sensitive information after a former employee leaked tax returns. The move highlights heightened scrutiny of federal contractors handling confidential data.
The Trump administration is backing USA Rare Earth with federal funding and a loan package, taking an equity position as it pushes to build a U.S. mine-to-magnets supply chain and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals processing.
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Ahead of a major week for earnings and the Federal Reserve, investors poured into safe havens, pushing gold futures above $5,000 an ounce, while markets tracked a new U.S. threat of 100% tariffs on Canadian imports.
U.S. markets entered a high-stakes week with attention on major tech results and the Federal Reserve, while investors weighed tariff threats, geopolitical uncertainty, and widespread weather-driven travel disruptions.
U.S. markets opened the week watching a Federal Reserve rate decision and a busy slate of major technology earnings, while geopolitical uncertainty and trade threats stirred volatility and helped lift gold to record territory, according to a pre-market briefing.
The Trump administration’s Commerce Department is investing $1.6 billion in USA Rare Earth, including proposed federal funding and a loan package, in exchange for shares and additional purchase rights. The move aims to strengthen domestic rare earth mining and magnet production and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals used across high-tech and defense industries.
President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and its chief executive, Jamie Dimon, accusing the bank of cutting off services for political reasons after the January 6 attack. The bank says it doesn’t close accounts based on politics or religion and plans to defend the case.
Markets finished a choppy session with the Dow lower and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slightly higher as investors weighed a mixed batch of quarterly results and shifting sector leadership. Trading volume stayed elevated and volatility ticked up as earnings season continued.
US equities finished a mixed session as investors digested uneven quarterly earnings and shifting sector performance. Despite gains for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, the week ended lower across major benchmarks amid ongoing uncertainty.
In remarks tied to Davos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent projected U.S. real GDP growth around 4%–5% for 2026—far above many forecasters—prompting debate over inflation risks, labor constraints, and the timing of policy effects.
A Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta survey indicates firms’ year-ahead inflation expectations declined to 2.0%, suggesting some easing in near-term pricing concerns even as businesses continue to monitor costs and demand.