Business

Goldman Sachs is reported to be helping finance new power sites to serve AI data centers in south Dallas. Each campus is planned to use modular natural gas plants and target about 1.5 GW of capacity.

Thieves drilled into a bank vault in Gelsenkirchen on Dec. 29 and took cash and valuables from many safe deposit boxes. Police reported the loss at around €30 million and said about 2,700 customers were affected.

The 137th Rose Parade will air live from Pasadena on Jan. 1, 2026 at 11 a.m. ET on ABC. Magic Johnson is the grand marshal and the parade is followed by the Rose Bowl game at 4 p.m. ET.

Finnish authorities said they took control of a vessel after a fault was detected in a telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. A criminal investigation has been opened and a news conference is scheduled for later today.

As the year ends, a range of experts shared simple ways to close one chapter and begin another. Tips included quieting possessions, setting small habits, separating holiday spending from January goals, and starting fitness plans gently.

Operators and start-ups have announced plans for more trains through the Channel Tunnel. Some groups, including Trenitalia and new entrants, aim to run direct services to Paris and other European cities.

The average retired worker is set to receive $2,071 per month in Social Security benefits in 2026. That reflects a 2.8% cost-of-living increase, roughly $56 more each month.

Auckland rang in 2026 with a brief fireworks display from the Sky Tower. Rain led to cancellations of some smaller community events on New Zealand's North Island.

The Federal Reserve is reported to be leaning toward cutting rates in 2026. Different products will respond differently: short-term rates tied to the Fed may fall more readily, while long-term rates like 30-year mortgages depend on the 10-year Treasury and inflation expectations.

Coca‑Cola and Target are highlighted as steady dividend stocks amid a volatile market year. Coca‑Cola raised its quarterly dividend to $0.51 and has a 63‑year streak; Target is undergoing a CEO change on Feb. 1.

Analyst Dan Ives named Apple among his top AI picks and described the company’s approach as low-profile while integrating AI into products. Wedbush estimates successful AI monetization could add roughly $75–$100 per share in the coming years.

Warren Buffett retired as Berkshire Hathaway CEO at the end of 2025. Berkshire has been a net seller, with $184 billion in net stock sales over the last 12 quarters, even while holding a large cash reserve. For now, we'll stick to the confirmed facts.

Singapore's economy grew 4.8% in 2025, a stronger outcome than expected. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said keeping that pace will be challenging and that initial proposals to address the outlook will be announced soon.

Mali and Burkina Faso said they will impose entry restrictions on US citizens after Washington announced travel curbs. Burkina Faso cited reciprocity and Mali issued a similar directive.

Heirs Holdings, led by Tony Elumelu, agreed to buy a 20% stake in Seplat Energy for $496 million. The deal adds to his growing energy investments in Nigeria.

The IRS announced a $7,500 annual IRA contribution limit for 2026. Putting that amount into an S&P 500 index fund from age 27 to 67 could grow to about $1.38 million, while a 60/40 stocks-and-bonds mix could yield roughly $882,000.

National average HELOC rate is 7.44% and the average home equity loan rate is 7.59% as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to Curinos. The Federal Reserve reported homeowners held about $36 trillion in home equity at the end of the second quarter of 2025.

China raised the price threshold to get the full trade-in rebate, requiring a new car price of at least 166,700 yuan for the top 20,000 yuan incentive. The change reduces support for lower-priced EV makers such as BYD, Leapmotor and Geely, Bloomberg reported.

Walmart's Marketside banana nut cake earned an average 4.5 out of 5 stars from shoppers, while a recent ranking noted Starbucks' banana walnut and pecan loaf received criticism for being dry. Reviewers also pointed to differences in portion size and calories per slice between the two products. These are personal taste comparisons and not an objective ruling.

Hyatt has sold its Playa Hotels & Resorts real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for about $2 billion, and has signed long-term management agreements covering most properties.

An economist forecast that AI-driven productivity could push U.S. inflation below 2% next year. Analysts also reported that increased automation may reduce hiring in some sectors.

Nike went public on Dec. 2, 1980, after a period of very rapid sales and profit growth. The company later expanded globally and used high-profile athlete endorsements, which helped its long-term market value rise.

Costco Travel sells bundled vacations such as cruises, packages and rental cars and often includes added incentives. The service requires a Costco membership and typically offers a narrower selection than major online travel sites.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was reported at 6.15%, down from a week earlier, while the 15-year rate remained steady; the 30-year APR was about 6.18%. These figures are presented calmly for reference.

High-yield savings account rates were unchanged from a week earlier on December 31, 2025, with the top standard account rate reported at 5.84% and averages near 0.22%. This is a routine market update and steady figures may change gradually over time.

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has submitted three independent director nominees after the company announced CEO Calvin McDonald’s departure; the board says it will review the nominees and is conducting a search for a new CEO.

Cardano's ADA fell about 60% in 2025 and is trading near $0.35. The network launched the Midnight sidechain and continued other upgrades during the same period.

Joby Aviation shares trade near $13 while the company pursues final FAA certification and plans a commercial air taxi launch in Dubai in 2026. Observers note similarities to early Tesla in vertical integration and clean-transport ambitions, but competition and an unproven service model are also reported.

DigitalBridge Group shares rose nearly 10% after reports that SoftBank Group agreed to acquire the company for about $4 billion, with an offer of $16 per share. The stock still traded below the offer price, indicating some investor caution.

Michael Burry denied that he is shorting Tesla after describing the company’s stock as very overvalued. He made the comment on X and had shared a similar view with subscribers on his paid Substack newsletter.