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Hello! Here’s the latest trending:
Additional data: Markets will get a new, albeit slightly delayed, view of inflation in the first month of 2026 with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index.
AI Disruption: Here is the next area of focus amid the growing fear of AI chaos that has erupted in recent weeks.
The Epstein Fallout: Goldman Sachs (GS)’s top lawyer is to resign after emails between him and a convicted sex offender reveal the two had an intimate relationship.
It’s not easy being an American automaker these days, or for much of the past two decades. In addition to increasing competition from China, high legacy costs, chip shortages, and the Great Recession, automakers have had to navigate ever-changing laws and regulations, especially around electric vehicles and emissions standards. Another wrench has now been thrown into the works, following what the Trump administration called “the single largest act of retrenchment in American history.”
Quote: “Under the process recently finalized by the EPA, we are officially ending so-called ‘risk-finding,’ a disastrous Obama-era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and raised prices for American consumers,” President Trump said. “This action will eliminate more than $1.3T in regulatory costs and help lower vehicle prices. [while] we have fuel for the next 500 to 1,000 years under our feet.”
“Financial bleeding” are the words that describe the current state of the auto industry. As of late 2025, General Motors ( GM ), Ford ( F ), and Stellantis ( STLA ), owner of Jeep and Ram, have taken a combined $53B in writedowns related to their EV strategies, next-generation electric platforms, and pivots toward other models such as hybrids. It has led to restructuring and layoffs, while increased tariffs and supply chain uncertainty due to trade tensions between Canada and Mexico have not helped the situation.
Rules: Although CO2 greenhouse gas levels will be reduced, that doesn’t mean automakers can make the dirtiest engine on the market. What remains are federal regulations against smog, soot, and nitrogen oxides, while fuel economy regulations surrounding efficiency will still be governed by the Department of Transportation. However, the biggest challenge remaining for automakers is how to move forward in an increasingly fragmented market. EVs have made inroads around the world, from China to Europe, and the legal battle continues with US states like California, which have fought to keep laws stricter than the federal government and entered into their own framework agreements with major automakers. (3 comments)
Here is the latest Alpha Quest analysis
Top Latin American stocks
What Will Drive the IS&P 500 Over 7,000?
Amazon: It’s Time to Dump AWS
Aris Mining: 2 Free Mining and 2 Big Projects
How Can I Invest $1 Million For Retirement With Dividends?
What else is happening…
Homeland Security could face a shutdown as the Senate blocks a funding bill.
Alphabet’s 100-year bond raises concerns about further disruption.
Venezuela to offer more oil blocks to Chevron (CVX), Repsol (REPYY).
Bob’s Discount Furniture (BOBS) is hitting highs as investors see the opposite.
Palantir (PLTR) gets DISA approval; Michael Burry moderates.
Affordability pressure: Trump eyes rollback on steel, aluminum prices.
Anthropic (ANTHRO) valuation reaches $380B after raising additional funds.
Lululemons? LULU has hit with new complaints about the quality of its yoga pants.
Kraft Heinz (KHC) faces growth challenges as a single entity – JP Morgan.
Miran calls for more rate cuts as Fed policy is ‘tighter than it needs to be’
Today’s Markets
in Asia, Japan -1.2%. Hong Kong -1.7%. China -1.3%. India -1.3%.
In Europe, during the day, London -0.1%. Paris -0.3%. Frankfurt -0.1%.
Next at 6:30, Dow -0.4%. S&P -0.3%. Nasdaq -0.4%. They are green +0.2% today we are at 62.97 $. Gold +0.2% to $4,959.90. Bitcoin -1.8% up to $66,884.
Ten Year Treasury Yield +1 bp to 4.12%.
In the calendar
Companies reporting today include Moderna (MRNA) and Red Cat Holdings (RCAT).
See the full earnings calendar at Seeking Alpha, as well as today’s economic calendar.
