Markets and Economy

Read our latest market commentary on of-the-moment trends so you can make informed investment decisions

One Day to Go: Jobs Data Looms Amid Geopolitics

Investors are on pins and needles waiting for Friday's December payrolls report, with expectations at around 55,000. Weak data Wednesday helped weigh on Treasury yields and stocks.

Yields Exert Pressure Amid New U.S. Spending Fears

Climbing yields might help explain weakness in stocks after Trump raised deficit worries, calling for more defense spending. Defense companies rallied, and jobs data looms Friday.

Looking to the Futures

Silver futures (/SIH26) pull back 3% on Wednesday after opening at 81.285.

Jobs News Next After Rally but Geopolitics Intrude

Investors await job openings and ADP employment data, but worries about geopolitics, including Greenland and Venezuela, remain in the mix after Tuesday's rally to new record highs.

Jobs Data Next as Venezuela, Oil Prices Tracked

Wall Street responded positively Monday to weekend U.S. strikes on Venezuela. Focus could stay on developments there and in oil today before jobs data start rolling in tomorrow.

Jobs Data, U.S. Action Vs. Venezuela in Focus

Ahead of Friday's jobs report, investors might focus on the U.S. action against Venezuela and a tech industry meeting featuring Nvidia's CEO. Manufacturing data are due today, but earnings are sparse.

Forward/Backward: 2025 Review With a Note on Venezuela

The capture of Venezuelan President Maduro has been digested well by global markets, which is in keeping with 2025’s theme of massive volatility and solid index-level returns.

Weekly Trader's Outlook

Stocks are mostly higher to start the New Year, yet remain on track for weekly losses as investors search for areas in the market to put fresh capital to work.

Quiet Trading Likely as Markets Kick off 2026

Stocks start 2026 on a four-day skid after another drop Wednesday amid little news. Trading could be light between the holiday and the weekend. No major data or earnings are due.

Closing Thoughts on a Year of Uncertainty

At the end of 2025, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones assess the resiliency of the economy.