07th January 2026

MACRO

Venezuela Oil to Flow to US

Trump announced Venezuela will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States in a deal worth around $2 billion.

Washington and Caracas are in active talks to export Venezuelan oil to the US. Trump is meeting with oil companies at the White House to discuss investment.

The administration says there are ways the US can lift Venezuelan oil output quickly.

Oil fell 1% on the news as investors weigh the supply outlook.

Venezuelan oil would boost US refiners but hurt Canadian producers who currently supply heavy crude.

(Reuters)

Russia Pushes Back on Venezuela

Russia sent a submarine to escort an oil tanker the US tried to seize off Venezuela, according to the WSJ.

Venezuela declared a week of mourning for military personnel killed in the US attack.

In post-Maduro Venezuela, the US is eyeing the security chief as a potential target.

Maduro’s opponent María Corina Machado vowed to return to Venezuela and wants an election.

Venezuela under Maduro shipped gold worth $5.2 billion to Switzerland.

A mystery trader made a $400,000+ windfall betting on Maduro’s capture.

(Reuters, Wall Street Journal)

US Markets Hit Records

The Dow closed at a record high as chip stocks jumped on AI optimism. Nvidia, Micron and other semiconductor names led gains.

European stocks also closed at record highs after economic data.

Tech and healthcare extended Wall Street’s rally ahead of this week’s jobs report.

(Reuters)

Japan-China Trade Tensions Escalate

Japan condemned China’s dual-use export ban as “unacceptable” with rare earth restrictions now looming.

The trade war between Asia’s two largest economies is intensifying after China banned exports of dual-use items for military purposes.

Japan’s service sector growth slowed in December, according to PMI data.

(Reuters)

China Macro Developments

China’s December forex reserves rose slightly less than expected.

China extended banks’ bulk bad loan disposal programme through end-2026.

China is reviewing Meta’s purchase of AI startup Manus, according to the FT.

China’s premier pledged deeper cooperation with Ireland as the Irish PM pushed on beef and dairy access.

China’s top diplomat is heading to key strategic points in Africa.

China bought more US soybeans, with total purchases approaching 10 million tons.

China bans two Taiwan ministers for alleged “independence activities,” angering Taipei.

(Reuters, Financial Times)

US Domestic Developments

Trump froze over $10 billion in childcare and family assistance funds to five states - California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and one other - due to fraud concerns.

Trump told House Republicans: “If we don’t win midterms, I will get impeached.”

A Trump administration court ruling said the government cannot slash NIH research funding.

The US added more nations, including Venezuela, to the costly visa bond policy.

US tariffs at risk of court-ordered refunds exceed $133.5 billion, with the Supreme Court planning rulings for Friday.

A majority of Fed regional banks voted against the December change to the discount rate.

(Reuters)

Greenland Tensions

The White House confirmed Trump is actively discussing how to acquire Greenland, saying the US military is “always an option.”

France is working with allies on a plan should the US make a move on Greenland.

European leaders are rallying behind Denmark in the face of renewed US threats.

(Reuters)

Germany: Unemployment Rises Less Than Expected

German unemployment rose less than expected in December, according to the labour office.

A German minister called for EU legal steps over Grok images on Musk’s X platform.

(Reuters)

Australia: Inflation Slows But Core Sticky

Australia’s inflation slowed in November, but core measures remained sticky.

An intense heatwave is gripping Australia’s southern states and fanning bushfires.

(Reuters)

Thailand: Central Bank Warns Competitiveness Declining

Thailand’s central bank warned the economy’s competitiveness is declining, adding to concerns about the country’s outlook.

(Reuters)

Other Global Developments

Saudi Arabia will open its financial market to all foreign investors next month.

The Czech defence firm CSG is nearing an IPO decision that would boost its M&A war chest.

The EU is poised to secure vital Italy backing for the Mercosur deal.

South Korea’s President Lee said he asked Xi to play a mediating role on North Korea.

Turkish inflation continues to slow.

Brazil sees a bigger trade surplus in 2026 after beating its own forecasts last year.

Brazil’s Justice Minister told advisors and the Presidential Palace he will exit.

(Reuters)

GEOPOLITICAL

Ukraine Security Guarantees

The US backed security guarantees for Ukraine at a summit of Kyiv’s allies in Paris.

Ukraine’s allies are advancing NATO-style security guarantees, Italy says.

Zelenskyy said the US and Ukraine discussed “some ideas” on the issue of territory.

The Czech-led ammunition programme for Ukraine can continue, the PM confirmed.

(Reuters)

Middle East

Yemen’s STC leader al-Zubaidi fled, avoiding Riyadh talks to tackle the southern crisis. Saudi-UAE tensions linger.

Gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in Yemen’s Aden. Drones targeted the area.

Israel and Syria are setting up a communication mechanism after US-mediated talks.

Israeli foreign minister visited Somaliland, angering Somalia.

Iran executed a man accused of spying for Israel.

Syrian government and SDF forces traded blame as violence resumed in Aleppo.

(Reuters)

Taiwan and China

China banned two Taiwanese ministers for alleged “independence activities.”

Taiwan said China’s war games sought to undermine global support for the island.

(Reuters)

Other Geopolitical

Pakistan is eyeing a defence pact with Bangladesh, including the sale of JF-17 jets.

Putin hailed the “holy mission” of Russian troops at an Orthodox Christmas service.

Spain’s PM Sanchez said the US wants to grab Venezuela’s resources and sets a dangerous precedent.

(Reuters)

EQUITIES

xAI Raises $20 Billion

Elon Musk’s xAI raised $20 billion in an upsized Series E funding round, making it one of the most valuable AI startups in the world.

(Reuters)

Mobileye Acquires Robotics Startup for $900 Million

Intel-owned Mobileye is acquiring humanoid robotics startup Mentee for $900 million, making a major bet on robotics.

(Reuters)

Samsung Buyback

Samsung Electronics is buying $1.73 billion of its own shares to use for employee compensation.

(Reuters)

Discord Files for IPO

Chat platform Discord has filed confidentially for a US IPO, according to Bloomberg.

(Reuters, Bloomberg)

Eli Lilly in Talks to Buy Ventyx

Eli Lilly is in talks to acquire Ventyx Biosciences for more than $1 billion, according to the WSJ.

(Reuters, Wall Street Journal)

Goldman Sachs Tops M&A Rankings

Goldman Sachs topped global M&A rankings with $1.48 trillion in deals advised. JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America followed.

(Reuters)

BlueScope Steel Rejects $9 Billion Bid

BlueScope Steel rejected a $9 billion takeover offer from Steel Dynamics. Investors are pushing for a higher price.

(Reuters)

China AI Server Leader xFusion Hires Bank for Listing

Chinese AI server leader xFusion hired an investment bank as a first step toward a listing.

(Reuters)

Lenovo Expands AI Lineup With Nvidia Tie-Up

Lenovo expanded its AI lineup with an Nvidia tie-up and unveiled its Qira platform. The companies announced an AI cloud gigafactory partnership.

(Reuters)

Hyundai Surges 15% on Nvidia Speculation

Hyundai Motor shares rose 15% to hit a record high amid speculation of an Nvidia tie-up.

(Reuters)

Nvidia China Update

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said purchase orders, not a formal declaration, will signal Chinese approval of the H200.

The US government is “working feverishly” on Nvidia licenses for China, but the ship date is still unknown.

Data center cooling-related stocks dropped after Huang’s CES comments.

(Reuters)

Meta Delays Ray-Ban Glasses Rollout

Meta delayed the global rollout of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to strong US demand and a supply squeeze.

Meta named Microsoft’s Mahoney as its new chief legal officer.

(Reuters)

KKR Buys Sports Investor Arctos

KKR is buying sports investor Arctos at a $1 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg.

(Reuters, Bloomberg)

Lockheed Martin to Triple Patriot Missile Production

Lockheed Martin will more than triple Patriot missile production capacity to meet surging demand.

(Reuters)

Banking Deals

Comerica shareholders approved the $10.9 billion deal with Fifth Third Bancorp.

Barclays bought into stablecoin-settlement company Ubyx.

Morgan Stanley filed for bitcoin and solana ETFs in a digital assets push.

(Reuters)

Other Notable Moves

Berkshire Hathaway raised new CEO Abel’s salary to $25 million.

Caterpillar CEO Creed will become chairman.

Nestlé recalled infant formula batches in 25 countries over toxin risk.

US House panel will consider legislation that could speed self-driving car deployment.

Chinese smartphone maker Realme is set to become an Oppo subbrand.

Xiaomi began pre-orders for its spruced-up SU7 sedan.

Volvo Cars sales volume rose 2% in December.

AB InBev will pour $30 million into a US brewery to boost Michelob Ultra production.

NBCUniversal’s ad slots for the 2026 Winter Olympics sold out amid “unprecedented” demand.

Brazil’s Embraer delivered 91 planes in the fourth quarter.

Microsoft is working with a major US grid operator to modernize the Midwest power system.

AI startup LMArena tripled its valuation to $1.7 billion in its latest fundraise.

US FDA will limit regulation of health and fitness wearables.

MSCI dropped its plan to exclude digital asset treasury firms and will launch a broader review.

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