Hawkish Policy

Business

Disney's Magic Kingdom Feels the Pinch as International Park Traffic Slips, Shares Tumble

Disney shares fell sharply after the company flagged weakening attendance from overseas guests at its U.S. theme parks, a crucial profit driver, alongside softer results in its TV and film division. The dip comes amid a broader slowdown in travel to the United States and as the entertainment giant prepares for a pivotal CEO transition.

Feb 2, 2026

World

SpaceX and Ukraine Move to Block Russian Military's Exploitation of Starlink Satellite Network

Ukraine's defense minister confirms collaborative efforts with SpaceX have yielded initial success in countering Russia's unauthorized use of Starlink terminals to guide attack drones, with a new verification system imminent.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Musk Explores Unprecedented Merger: SpaceX and xAI Could Combine Forces, Reports Say

Elon Musk is reportedly advancing plans to merge his aerospace giant SpaceX with his artificial intelligence venture xAI, a move that could funnel significant capital into AI development and reshape the tech landscape, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Metals Tumble, Energy Surges: A Volatile Start to 2026 for Commodities

January 2026 saw dramatic swings across commodity markets, with precious metals soaring to record highs before a sharp correction, while energy commodities rallied on strong winter demand. The month underscored the sector's inherent volatility amid shifting seasonal and macroeconomic forces.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Iran's Political Rift Widens as Former President Rouhani Calls for Major Reforms Amid Protest Fallout

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has issued a stark warning to the regime, urging sweeping reforms to address public grievances as internal divisions surface following a deadly crackdown on protests. The rare public criticism from within the establishment highlights growing tensions ahead of renewed nuclear talks.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Federal Judge's Scathing Order in Migrant Release Sparks GOP Outcry, Impeachment Calls

A federal judge's sharply worded order releasing a detained migrant father and son has ignited a political firestorm, with prominent Republicans demanding impeachment and decrying judicial overreach.

Feb 2, 2026

Senate Showdown Looms Over Warsh Fed Nomination as Tillis Vows to Block Vote

A pledge by Senator Thom Tillis to halt Kevin Warsh's confirmation until an investigation into current Chair Jerome Powell concludes threatens to trigger a protracted and messy political standoff in the Senate, with implications for Federal Reserve leadership and market stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Trump Unveils $12 Billion 'Project Vault' to Secure Critical Minerals, Counter China's Supply Chain Stranglehold

The White House announces a major public-private initiative to stockpile rare earths and critical minerals, aiming to insulate U.S. defense and tech sectors from foreign supply shocks and geopolitical leverage.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

FSC Wealth Advisors Trims Short-Term Bond ETF Holdings in Major Portfolio Shift

Investment firm FSC Wealth Advisors sold approximately $6 million worth of the First Trust Enhanced Short Maturity ETF (FTSM) in late January, part of a broader reduction in fixed-income and equity ETF exposures as the bull market enters its fourth year.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Prosecutors Sound Alarm: New Stablecoin Law May Leave Fraud Victims Unpaid as Issuers Profit

A coalition of New York prosecutors warns that the landmark GENIUS Act, celebrated as a regulatory breakthrough for stablecoins, lacks critical consumer protections, potentially allowing issuers to financially benefit from frozen or disputed funds while victims struggle for restitution.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nio's Battery Gamble: A Premium EV Maker's High-Stakes Bet on Swapping Tech

Nio's rapid growth and premium positioning make it a compelling story in the EV race, but its massive investment in a proprietary battery-swap network presents a pivotal uncertainty for investors weighing its future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Great American Lock-In: Homeowners Stay Put for Record Lengths, Coastal States Lead the Trend

New data reveals U.S. homeowners are holding onto their properties longer than at any point in the last quarter-century, with coastal markets showing the most pronounced stagnation. High mortgage rates, soaring prices, and a severe inventory crunch have created a powerful 'lock-in' effect, reshaping the dynamics of the housing market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Great Tax Divide: These 10 States Will Levy the Highest Per-Capita Burdens in 2026

A new analysis reveals a stark and growing fiscal gap across the U.S., with residents in top-taxing states paying over 80% more than the national average. From New York's multi-angle levies to California's top-tier income rates, we break down what's driving the costs and who feels it most.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Warn of Potential Bitcoin Retreat to $60K Amid Market Correction, Eye Long-Term Institutional Shift

Bitcoin's recent slump below $74,000 has analysts weighing the risk of a deeper pullback toward $60,000. While Bernstein suggests the downturn may be a late-cycle correction rather than a new crypto winter, the firm points to shifting central bank policies and institutional adoption as keys to the next rally.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Stabilizes Near $78K After Weekend Plunge, But Analysts Warn Downtrend Remains Firm

Bitcoin found a fragile footing on Monday following a sharp sell-off, yet strategists caution the broader decline is not over as investor appetite to 'buy the dip' appears weak.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Sentiment Sours as Price Struggles Below $80,000 Threshold

Market participants on prediction platform Myriad now assign a 68% probability to Bitcoin revisiting the $69,000 level, reflecting a significant shift towards bearishness as the cryptocurrency grapples with macroeconomic uncertainty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Musk Declares Solar the 'Foundation of Everything,' Dismisses Rival Energy Sources as Primitive

In a sweeping interview, Elon Musk positioned solar power as the indispensable core of future energy, AI, and space ambitions, praising China's manufacturing scale while urging a massive U.S. build-out.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Wall Street's Bitcoin Bet: Are Main Street Investors Too Late to the Party?

Despite recent price volatility, major financial institutions are building significant positions in Bitcoin ETFs, signaling a shift in the asset's perception from speculative gamble to a potential strategic holding.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Atlanta Emerges Among Top U.S. Buyer's Markets as Housing Inventory Swells

Atlanta ranks ninth nationally as a favorable market for homebuyers, driven by increased inventory and moderating prices, according to new Realtor.com data. The trend highlights a broader shift toward buyer leverage across Sun Belt metros.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating the EV Slowdown: Why Rivian and BYD Could Be Long-Term Winners

Despite near-term headwinds in the electric vehicle sector, Rivian and BYD are positioning themselves for the next growth cycle through strategic pivots and vertical integration.

Feb 2, 2026