Crude oil surged to a four-month high on January 29, 2026, as markets priced in escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. Brent crude (BZ=F) briefly crossed $70/barrel (+4.3%), while WTI (CL=F) rose 4.7% above $65, extending a 15% monthly rally fueled by cold U.S. weather and rising Middle East risk.

Rystad Energy’s Jorge Léon stated markets now view direct U.S. military action against Iran as a near-term threat. President Trump warned of “speed and violence” if Tehran refuses nuclear talks, following naval deployments and prior strikes on Fordow. The Strait of Hormuz, handling 20M bpd, remains a critical flashpoint — though analysts doubt Iran could fully shut it. U.S. inventories also unexpectedly fell 2.3M barrels last week, defying forecasts of a 900K-barrel build.

Valero Energy (VLO) will purchase Venezuelan crude from three authorized sellers starting February 2026, signaling a major shift in its heavy crude sourcing as U.S. policy eases under renewed Venezuela engagement.

The refiner, which did not name the suppliers, stated on its Jan 29 earnings call that Venezuelan barrels will constitute a “pretty large part” of its heavy crude intake in February and March. Valero confirmed its processing capacity for Venezuelan crude exceeds 240,000 barrels per day. The move follows U.S. efforts to revive Venezuela’s oil sector after political developments in early January 2026 involving President Nicolas Maduro. Valero opened Q1 2026 U.S. refiner earnings season with this announcement.

Tetra Tech (NASDAQ:TTEK) reported Q4 2025 revenue of $1.04B (-13.4% YoY) but beat Wall Street estimates, with GAAP EPS of $0.40 (+25.9% above consensus). Management credits international water programs and U.S. municipal projects for outperformance.

CEO Dan Batrack highlighted strength in UK/Ireland water contracts and digital automation initiatives. CFO Steve Burdick noted federal segment resilience during the U.S. government shutdown. Guidance for Q1 2026 is $1B at midpoint — 1% above analyst expectations — driven by defense contracts, infrastructure modernization, and acquisitions like Halvik and Providence. Risks include potential funding delays and macro volatility.

Analysts will monitor: (1) pace of new U.S. federal awards, (2) sustained growth in European water markets, and (3) integration of recent acquisitions. Shares rose to $37.50 post-earnings from $37.10.

Swiss exports to the United States grew 3.9% in 2025 to 54.7 billion Swiss francs ($71.4 billion), outpacing overall export growth of 1.4%, despite facing volatile U.S. tariffs that peaked at 39% before being reduced to 15% in November.

The Trump administration imposed steep tariffs in August, citing the U.S. trade deficit with Switzerland, but eased them after a bilateral deal aligned Switzerland’s rate with the EU’s. Swiss firms accelerated shipments ahead of the August levy. Excluding gold and luxury goods, exports remained robust, led by chemicals and pharmaceuticals, which accounted for over half of Switzerland’s record 287 billion franc total exports. Meanwhile, Swiss imports from the U.S. fell 5.7% to 13.3 billion francs.

Regional U.S. banks are outperforming the S&P 500 for a third straight month — their longest streak since 2022 — as yield curve steepening and solid earnings fuel investor optimism. The S&P Regional Bank Select Index trades below long-term valuation averages, with 10% of constituents reporting results by January 31, 2026.

The $4 billion SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) is up 4.6% YTD, outpacing the S&P 500’s 1.9% gain. Analysts cite improving GDP (4.4% Q3 growth), fading recession fears, and M&A potential as catalysts. Easterly Snow’s Joshua Schachter calls regional banks “the cheapest area of the market.” 22V Research remains overweight, noting reduced premium justification for large banks amid stable credit conditions. Risks include deposit competition from stablecoins and AI-focused capital rotation.

ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) shares fell 11.4% on January 29, 2026, after its Q4 earnings narrowly beat revenue estimates but failed to convincingly outperform Wall Street expectations, reigniting investor fears that AI adoption may pressure long-term growth.

Current RPO matched forecasts, while adjusted operating profit and subscription revenue guidance slightly exceeded estimates. Management emphasized hybrid pricing, AI control tower expansion, and security capabilities as growth drivers. However, the market reacted negatively, signaling skepticism over AI’s net impact. The stock is down 21.9% YTD, trading at $115.09 — 49.7% below its 52-week high of $228.73. Six days prior, shares rose 3.5% on news of an expanded OpenAI partnership to embed “agentic AI” for autonomous workflows.

The U.S. Senate prepares for a critical vote on January 29, 2026, as bipartisan negotiations near a framework to avoid an extended partial government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Trump signaled progress, with five appropriations bills covering 96% of federal operations likely to pass by early next week.

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—including ICE, CBP, and TSA—remains contentious and may be decoupled from the broader package. Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, demand immigration enforcement reforms, including warrant requirements and body cameras. Pentagon, State, HHS, and Education funding would proceed if the compromise advances.

A short shutdown remains possible as the House reconvenes next week. Six of 12 annual appropriations bills are already signed into law; Commerce and Agriculture departments are fully funded regardless of outcome.

SEI Investments (NASDAQ:SEIC) shares rose 2.6% on January 29, 2026, after reporting Q4 earnings of $1.38 per share on $607.9M revenue — beating analyst estimates and marking 16% EPS and 9.1% revenue growth YoY.

Assets Under Management fell short at $215.9B, a key concern as AUM drives fee income. Still, investors prioritized the profit and revenue upside. Shares later settled at $88.10, up 2.3%, near their 52-week high of $93.80. SEIC has gained 6.1% YTD and delivered a 66.7% return over five years. The stock rarely moves more than 5% — today’s reaction signals market significance, though not a fundamental reassessment.

Plexus (PLXS) reported Q4 2025 revenue of $1.07B (+9.6% YoY), meeting estimates, and guided Q1 revenue to $1.13B — 4.1% above consensus. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.78 beat forecasts by 2.7%, driving shares up to $184.14 from $180.85 pre-earnings.

Growth was fueled by program ramps in Healthcare/Life Sciences and Aerospace & Defense, plus stronger semiconductor and energy demand. CEO Todd Kelsey cited market share gains and operational improvements offsetting new capacity costs. CFO Patrick Jermain noted margin expansion hinges on balancing automation/talent investments with productivity gains.

Key watchpoints: pace of program ramps, AI/automation impact on margins, and supply chain resilience. Management sees momentum continuing, supported by a robust pipeline and visible demand in core verticals.

Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY) reported Q4 2025 revenue of $1.06B, up 101% YoY, and non-GAAP EPS of $0.74, 1.4% above consensus. CEO David Finkelstein credited lower volatility, favorable bond markets, and disciplined capital allocation across agency MBS, residential credit, and MSR segments.

The firm grew its portfolio 30% in 2025 while maintaining conservative leverage. Management plans to shift more capital toward residential credit and mortgage servicing rights, citing “optionality to invest in most accretive assets.” Agency MBS remains the anchor, but spread tightening demands selectivity. Key forward monitors: GSE policy impacts on MBS spreads, Onslow Bay securitization volume, and liquidity efficiency. NLY shares traded at $23.91 as of January 29, 2026.

Meta Platforms (META) stock jumped 9.2% on January 29, 2026, after reporting Q4 2025 revenue of $59.89B (+23.8% YoY) and EPS of $8.88, both exceeding analyst estimates. Daily active users rose 6.9%, and Q1 2026 revenue guidance midpoint of $55B tops consensus of $51.34B.

CEO Zuckerberg called 2026 a “pivotal year” for “personal superintelligence,” citing upcoming AI model launches and infrastructure expansion. Analysts note Meta’s AI ad tools now exceed $60B annual run rate, and Threads’ global ad rollout adds monetization potential. The stock is up 12.7% YTD, trading near its 52-week high of $790. Only 8 moves >5% in the past year underscore today’s significance.

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius warns that fine print in the EU’s relaxed 2035 electric vehicle mandate could negate environmental benefits, potentially shrinking the EV market during transition.

The European Commission’s December proposal allows continued sales of plug-in hybrids and range extenders post-2035, offsetting CO2 shortfalls via low-carbon steel and sustainable fuels. Corporate fleet electrification targets will be tied to GDP per capita, pending member state approval.

Kaellenius, also president of ACEA, said “the door has been opened slightly,” but cautioned that regulatory complexity risks stalling momentum. Mercedes aims to rebound in 2026 with its revamped S-Class amid challenging market conditions.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) shares surged 5.9% on January 29, 2026, after reporting Q4 2025 revenue of $20.32B (+9.1% YoY) and EPS of $5.80, both beating estimates, while issuing an above-consensus 2026 forecast.

The defense giant cited a record $193.6B backlog (+10% YoY), signaling sustained demand. This marks only its third move exceeding 5% in the past year, underscoring market conviction. The stock hit a 52-week high of $630.19, up 26.8% YTD. A $1,000 investment five years ago is now worth $1,958. The rally follows a 4.2% gain on January 8, 2026, triggered by Trump’s proposed $1.5T FY2027 defense budget — a potential 50% increase over prior plans — which revived sector sentiment after earlier sell-offs.

Coinbase (COIN) shares fell 6.1% on January 29, 2026, pressured by a UK advertising ban, a cautious Neutral initiation from Baird, and broader crypto market weakness tied to Bitcoin’s pullback and dovish Fed signals.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority deemed Coinbase’s ads “irresponsible” for downplaying crypto risks. Baird cited declining trading volumes and regulatory overhangs in its Neutral rating. Bitcoin’s retreat amplified selling pressure. COIN is down 16.4% YTD, trading at $197.72 — 52.9% below its July 2025 peak of $419.78. The stock has recorded 49 moves exceeding 5% in the past year, signaling high volatility but no fundamental reassessment.

Investors who bought $1,000 of COIN at its April 2021 IPO now hold $602.28. The prior 4.4% drop occurred nine days earlier amid U.S.-Europe tariff tensions.

Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD) shares surged 7.9% on January 29, 2026, after RBC Capital lifted its price target to $17.00 from $13.00, maintaining an Outperform rating ahead of the company’s Investor Day. The upgrade follows Brookdale’s stronger-than-expected 2025 preliminary results and bullish 2026 revenue outlook, signaling early success in new management’s pricing strategy.

RBC named Brookdale a top pick for 2026, citing accelerating occupancy trends — September 2025 occupancy hit 82.5%, up 330 bps YoY — and improved operational momentum. The stock, up 29.8% YTD, closed at $14.07, a 52-week high. Investors who bought $1,000 of BKD five years ago now hold $2,849. While volatile — with 17 moves >5% in the past year — today’s rally reflects market validation, not a fundamental re-rating.

Alphabet’s Google leads a $425M Series E round in Redwood Materials, founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, to scale energy storage solutions for surging AI data center demand as of January 28, 2026.

Redwood, which previously raised $350M from Eclipse and Nvidia Ventures, will deploy capital to expand its Redwood Energy unit—launched June 2025—to build microgrids using repurposed EV batteries. BloombergNEF forecasts U.S. data centers will require 106GW by 2035, triple 2024 levels, straining the grid.

The firm recycles 90% of North America’s lithium-ion batteries, extracting cobalt and nickel for resale. Now, it’s pivoting to retain some batteries for grid support, partnering with firms like Crusoe. “Storage is no longer optional—it’s critical infrastructure,” Redwood stated.

Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon are negotiating to invest up to $60 billion in OpenAI as part of a potential $100 billion funding round, according to The Information, citing sources as of January 29, 2026.

Nvidia may contribute up to $30 billion, Microsoft under $10 billion, and Amazon over $10–20 billion. The infusion aims to ease investor concerns over OpenAI’s cash burn and its ability to meet infrastructure commitments with Oracle and Microsoft. Amazon’s participation reportedly hinges on separate cloud and ChatGPT-related deals. OpenAI previously agreed to spend $38 billion on AWS servers through 2033. Term sheets are expected soon, but the round isn’t finalized; SoftBank and others may also join. Pre-money valuation stands at approximately $730 billion.

Home Depot (HD) announced on January 28, 2026, it will cut approximately 800 corporate roles and require all remaining corporate staff to return to the office five days per week starting the week of April 6, 2026 — ending its hybrid work policy.

The layoffs primarily affect employees at its Atlanta-area support center, including remote workers; about 150 of those cut were already required to report to the office periodically. The company says the move aims to “streamline operations” and improve decision-making by aligning corporate teams more closely with store-level staff. Severance and transition support will be provided.

The restructuring comes as Home Depot faces slowing demand, citing reduced spending by middle-class consumers on large home renovation projects. It joins a broader corporate cost-cutting trend in early 2026, including Amazon’s 16,000-job reduction and recent layoffs at Nike (NKE) and Expedia (EXPE).

The U.S. Department of Commerce is establishing a national AI center in San Francisco, positioning it near key firms involved in federal tech initiatives, as of January 29, 2026.

Commerce officials will also deploy AI export teams across multiple U.S. cities, with the Bay Area serving as the anchor. The move aligns with the Trump administration’s strategy to bolster U.S. leadership in AI and defense — sectors heavily concentrated in California. Concurrently, the administration seeks to leverage California’s natural resources to enhance energy independence and geopolitical leverage.

Tensions persist between the White House and California Governor Gavin Newsom, as federal agencies recently intervened in state-level energy projects, including hydropower, gas bans, and pipeline regulations. Separately, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a trade pact with Taiwan, securing over $250 billion in direct U.S. investments for advanced semiconductors, energy, and AI infrastructure.

The U.S. dollar has entered a structural downtrend, driven by divergent central bank policies, algorithmic trading amplification, and institutional capital reallocation. Technical breakdown below 96.97 opens risk of accelerated depreciation.

Market pricing reflects 70% probability of RBA rate hikes post-hot inflation data, fueling AUD/USD gains via carry trade mechanics. ECB’s hawkish stance supports EUR, while CHF and JPY gain as hedges. Gold surged past $5,300/oz amid geopolitical stress and de-dollarization flows.

Fed’s cautious tightening contrasts with global peers, making relative yield spreads—not absolute rates—the core USD driver. U.S. tolerance for weaker dollar, fiscal instability risks, and forward FX hedging by foreign institutions reinforce bearish momentum. CFTC data shows net institutional shorts exceed 30%, signaling non-linear downside risk. Key support at 95.32; volatility strategies advised.