As investors anticipated a crucial inflation number and the beginning of big banks earnings season, US stock futures saw minimal movement on Monday night.
S&P 500 contracts (ES=F) and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) both saw little declines of 0.1%. Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) saw a 0.3% decline.
Ahead of Tuesday's release of the December consumer price index, which is anticipated to provide a clearer picture of inflation trends after reporting problems related to last year's record length government shutdown, markets are mainly in a wait and see mindset. According to a Bloomberg survey of analysts, inflation should have been stable last month.
After the jobs report from December indicated a weakening labor market, the data becomes even more significant. According to CME Group's FedWatch tool, futures markets are presently pricing in two quarter point decreases in 2026, the first of which is anticipated in June.
Stocks reached all-time highs during Monday's regular session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) and S&P 500 (GSPC) both set new marks as investors mostly ignored news reports about a criminal probe by the Justice Department involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Powell, whose term ends in May, described the investigation as political pressure from President Trump, who has asked for drastic rate reduction on multiple occasions.
Given that the Fed previously cut interest rates three times in late 2025 to promote economic growth, markets have mostly disregarded such initiatives.
Nevertheless, Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for a year put some pressure on bank stocks. A further degree of geopolitical uncertainty was added to the financial environment on Monday night when the president said that nations that continue to do business with Iran would be subject to a 25% US tariff.
Corporate profits are the focus of attention, as JPMorgan Chase (JPM) is scheduled to release its fourth quarter results prior to Tuesday's opening bell.
With Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C), and Morgan Stanley (MS) expected to follow later in the week, the report begins a busy week for Wall Street's major banks.
A representative for the American chipmaker stated in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday that Nvidia (NVDA) does not demand upfront payment for H200 processors.
In reaction to a January 8 Reuters article regarding the corporation imposing extremely strict terms requiring full upfront payment from Chinese clients wanting its artificial intelligence chips, the company stated that it "would never require customers to pay for products they do not receive."
According to a person who spoke to Reuters, Nvidia's typical terms for Chinese clients used to contain prior payment requirements, but occasionally they were permitted to make a deposit instead of paying in full up front.
BlackRock Inc. (BLK), the most recent Wall Street business to reduce personnel in recent weeks, is laying off hundreds of employees throughout the organization.
According to persons familiar with the situation who wished to remain anonymous when discussing confidential information, the cuts amount to around 1% of BlackRock's worldwide workforce.
Members of the company's sales and investment teams are among the roughly 250 workers who will be let go, according to the people.
A representative at the company stated, "Improving BlackRock is a constant priority." "We make choices every year to make sure that our resources are in line with our goals and that we are in a good position to serve clients both now and in the future."
The layoffs coincide with Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink's efforts to rewire the biggest asset manager in the world and delve farther into alternative ventures.
BlackRock has been integrating its new leaders and getting ready to launch a new line of products for affluent retail investors since completing its $12 billion acquisition of private credit specialist HPS Investment Partners in July.
