“Hermès is not about following fashion; it is about creating timeless style.” ✍️ – Hermès |
✅ U.S. equities staged a powerful rebound on Friday as dip buyers returned in force. The S&P 500 reversed overnight futures losses of nearly 1% to finish the session up 2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 2.5% to a fresh record above the 50,000 level. Small caps led the advance, with the Russell 2000 jumping 3.5%. ✅ The Trump administration’s expanding ownership stakes in U.S. companies are raising alarms about political influence, market distortion, and long-term risks for competition and investors. ✅ A viral “Hermès orange” iPhone has reignited demand for Apple in China, helping reverse a multi-year sales slump through design appeal, social media buzz, and government subsidies. ✅ The NFL is exploring deals with nontraditional media platforms for live games as streaming rivals broadcast TV and the league prepares for early negotiations on its next media rights package. ✅ President Trump’s sudden endorsement of Nexstar’s proposed takeover of Tegna underscores shifting political winds as media consolidation accelerates amid cord-cutting pressures. ✅ Brad Arnold, the voice behind 3 Doors Down’s signature hit “Kryptonite,” has died at 47 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy defined by faith, resilience, and enduring rock anthems. |
↗ Dow 50,115.67 + 2.47% ↗ Nasdaq 23,031.21 + 2.18% ↗ S&P 6,932.30 + 1.97% |
Trump Administration Equity Stakes Raise Risks for U.S. Companies and Markets |
Image courtesy of Evan Vucci/AP |
The Trump administration has quietly built a portfolio of equity stakes in U.S. companies that is unprecedented outside periods of economic crisis or wartime, raising concerns about political, legal, and market risks. The federal government has taken ownership stakes—or reached agreements to do so—with at least 10 companies, most of them publicly traded. The latest investment, announced in late January, was in USA Rare Earth. The holdings span smaller critical minerals firms such as USA Rare Earth and MP Materials, as well as major industrial and technology companies including U.S. Steel and Intel. While prior administrations, including Democratic ones, have considered or pursued equity stakes in strategic industries, experts say the current approach carries distinct risks for both the companies involved and the broader markets. “It creates an invisible barrier to startups and new market entrants,” said Scott Lincicome, an international trade lawyer affiliated with the Cato Institute. “Why enter a market when your chief competitor is backed by the U.S. government?” Administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, have defended the strategy as a way to strengthen domestic supply chains. They argue that government investment in semiconductors reduces reliance on Taiwan, while stakes in critical minerals help lessen dependence on China. Historically, U.S. equity investments have been tied to bailouts, with a clear expectation that the government would eventually exit once companies returned to financial stability, said Peter Harrell, former senior director for international economics under President Joe Biden. Examples include the Obama administration’s stake in General Motors during the 2008 financial crisis and President Franklin Roosevelt’s interventions in the banking sector during the Great Depression. By contrast, critics say the Trump administration appears to be taking open-ended ownership positions with no clear exit strategy. Lincicome warned that this sets a precedent future administrations could use to invest directly in politically favored industries, such as renewable energy. “I have yet to see a clear, coherent reason why equity stakes are necessary,” Lincicome said, noting that alternatives such as loans, government contracts, and grants already exist. Following the government’s investment in Intel, Lutnick told CNBC that President Donald Trump wants taxpayers to share in the upside when federal funds are provided to corporations. |
Hermès Orange iPhone Ignites Apple’s Revival in China |
Image courtesy of Reddit /Apple Forum |
Chinese consumers are embracing Apple’s latest iPhones, with a bold premium model in a vivid orange finish going viral and helping reverse a prolonged sales slump in one of the company’s most important markets. Apple chief executive Tim Cook recently pointed to record iPhone sales in China during the fourth quarter, when revenue jumped 38% year over year to $26 billion—nearly one-fifth of the company’s total revenue. Analysts say the refreshed design of the iPhone 17 lineup has strengthened Apple’s status-symbol appeal in China by making the newest models instantly recognizable as high-end. The most talked-about feature has been a striking orange version that has sparked thousands of social media posts and videos since its launch last autumn. The color has been nicknamed “Hermès orange” by fans for its resemblance to the French luxury brand’s signature hue, though Apple officially calls it “cosmic orange.” “It sounds simple, but the obvious external design changes—particularly the introduction of a standout orange color—have encouraged early upgrades,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC. Influencers have amplified the trend. “I was instantly drawn to the color—it felt very special. Who doesn’t like Hermès orange?” said Xiao Mei, a model and influencer, in a video showing off her new phone. “The more I look at it, the more I love it.” The resurgence marks a turnaround from a roughly three-year decline in China that had fueled concerns about Apple’s future in a fiercely competitive smartphone market dominated by domestic rivals such as Huawei, Vivo, and Xiaomi. The renewed momentum comes as Apple recovers from a challenging year marked by tariff uncertainty and artificial intelligence setbacks that weighed on its stock. Strong global demand for iPhones has helped lift Apple shares roughly 7% over the past week. Apple has also faced headwinds from rising U.S.-China tensions, including efforts to phase out iPhone use among Chinese public-sector employees, as well as Huawei’s rollout of a high-end smartphone powered by a domestically produced chip. Some analysts had warned that delays in regulatory approval for Apple’s AI features in China could dampen demand. Instead, consumers appear to have been swayed by the redesigned casing and finish. “It’s eye-catching,” said David Qiu, who recently upgraded to the orange model. “It’s the newest color.” Sales of the base iPhone 17 have also been supported by government subsidy programs aimed at stimulating consumer spending. Under the initiative, buyers can receive subsidies of up to Rmb500 ($72) on smartphones priced below Rmb6,000, providing an additional boost to Apple’s sales in China. | NFL Weighs Live Game Deals with Nontraditional Media Partners |
Image courtesy of paramountplus.com |
The NFL plans to hold discussions with media companies outside its traditional broadcast and streaming partners about potentially selling rights to individual live games, according to NFL Media chief Hans Schroeder. Speaking with CNBC Sport from Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, Schroeder said the league is exploring a broader range of distribution options as the media landscape continues to evolve. “There are other players—some that may not want a full package, but are still part of the media ecosystem—that would be interested in being an NFL live-game partner,” Schroeder said. “We’re going to have those conversations.” Schroeder emphasized that the league intends to evaluate all available options as it plans for the future. “We want to understand what the best model is for us, for our fans, and for our teams going forward,” he said, adding that interest from a wide range of potential partners puts the league in a fortunate position. While Schroeder declined to name specific companies, the NFL last season sold a Week One game to YouTube for roughly $100 million in a one-off deal—an approach the league could replicate with other digital platforms. As streaming adoption accelerates, large digital platforms have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional broadcast television, which has historically been the NFL’s preferred distribution channel due to its reach. “Now you have major digital platforms that can deliver broadcast-level audiences,” Schroeder said. “That creates more optionality.” Meanwhile, the NFL and its core media partners—Disney, Paramount Global, Comcast’s NBCUniversal, and Amazon—are expected to begin discussions on a new media rights agreement later this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Those talks would begin four years ahead of the current deal’s opt-out clause. Schroeder echoed comments made previously by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell indicating the league is open to early negotiations. The league is also expanding its international footprint, with plans to host a record nine international games next season. Schroeder said the NFL may package some of those games into a new media deal as soon as next year. “That’s definitely something we’ll be looking at,” he said. |
Trump Reverses Course, Endorses Nexstar’s Bid to Acquire Tegna |
Image courtesy of Nexstar and Tegna |
President Donald Trump on Saturday voiced support for Nexstar Media Group’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, marking a sharp reversal from his earlier criticism of the deal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump argued that the transaction would increase competition in the media landscape. “Letting good deals get done like Nexstar–Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition, and at a higher and more sophisticated level,” he wrote, urging regulators to approve the merger. If completed, the deal would significantly expand Nexstar’s footprint. The company, which already owns or partners with more than 200 local television stations, would add Tegna’s 64 stations, extending its reach to roughly 80% of U.S. households. Announced in August 2025, the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026. Trump’s endorsement contrasts with comments he made in November, when he publicly opposed the merger and warned against further consolidation in the media industry. At the time, he expressed concern that expanded ownership could benefit what he described as “Radical Left Networks,” calling for limits on the growth of major broadcasters. The proposed acquisition is part of a broader wave of consolidation across the media sector as traditional broadcasters grapple with declining audiences and revenue pressures driven by cord-cutting. Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has argued that greater scale is necessary for local broadcasters to compete effectively with large technology platforms that increasingly dominate the media ecosystem. Currently, Federal Communications Commission rules prevent a single broadcaster from owning stations that collectively reach more than 39% of U.S. households. For the Nexstar-Tegna deal to move forward, the FCC would need to relax or eliminate that ownership cap. Nexstar has been lobbying for deregulation, arguing that existing limits are outdated and place traditional broadcasters at a disadvantage. In a prior statement, Sook said easing ownership restrictions would help level the competitive playing field across the media industry. |
Brad Arnold, Lead Singer Of 3 Doors Down, Dies | Image courtesy of Getty Images |
Brad Arnold, the lead singer and founding member of American rock band 3 Doors Down, died Saturday following a battle with cancer. He was 47. A representative for Arnold said he passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his wife and family. Arnold helped form 3 Doors Down in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi, originally serving as the band’s drummer and vocalist. He went on to become the group’s frontman and was the primary creative force behind its breakout 2000 hit “Kryptonite,” one of the band’s most enduring songs. Arnold famously wrote the lyrics to the track when he was just 15 years old. In May 2025, Arnold revealed in a social media video that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer. In the message, he explained that the cancer—identified as clear cell renal cell carcinoma—had spread to his lungs. While acknowledging the seriousness of the diagnosis, Arnold spoke with faith and resolve, telling fans he had “no fear” and asking for prayers as the illness forced the band to cancel its summer tour. He also referenced the group’s song “It’s Not My Time,” a track that would later take on deeper meaning for many fans. |
📉 ON THE MOVE AND NOTABLES 📈 |
✔️ As risk appetite improved, bonds sold off modestly, with the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury rising two basis points on the day. ✔️ The U.S. dollar and WTI crude oil were little changed, as investors continued to track geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran. ✔️ Amazon’s announcement that it plans to invest $200 billion this year in data centers, chips, and other equipment marked the latest headline in the AI investment arms race. Shares slid more than 8% despite quarterly revenue and forward guidance coming in broadly in line with expectations. ✔️ Earnings momentum is widening, with 79% of S&P 500 companies beating expectations this season and delivering an average upside surprise of 8.2%. As a result, earnings growth forecasts have risen to 11.4% from 7.2% at the end of last quarter, with gains spanning eight of the index’s 11 sectors. ✔️ Software stocks staged a modest rebound Friday morning, with Salesforce up 1.2% and Adobe gaining just under 1%. Valuations across the software space have compressed meaningfully, with the sector’s forward price-to-earnings ratio falling by 10.7 points over the past four months—the steepest decline since 2002. ✔️ Eli Lilly, which surged into double digits earlier in the week on strong earnings, gave back most of those gains Thursday after Hims & Hers Health announced plans to launch a $49 weight-loss pill. Rival Novo Nordisk also sold off sharply and reportedly warned of potential legal and regulatory action against Hims & Hers. Both Lilly and Novo recovered some ground in early trading Friday, while Hims & Hers shares plunged. ✔️ Hims & Hers (HIMS) said in a statement on Saturday that it will stop offering access to the compounded semaglutide pill after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it would take action against the telehealth provider for its $49 weight-loss pill. ✔️ Stellantis dropped announcing $26 billion in restructuring charges tied to a strategic pullback from parts of its electrification plans. Thursday’s lone bright spot came from Hershey, which jumped 9% after beating earnings expectations and issuing an upbeat outlook. ✔️ In commodities, metals were mixed early Friday following a punishing week for silver, which fell another 12% after last Friday’s sharp selloff and was down nearly 2% again this morning. Gold was modestly higher on the week and up about 1% on the day, with investors closely watching geopolitical developments—particularly nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran—which could provide additional support if tensions escalate. ✔️ Cryptocurrencies had another volatile week with bitcoin falling to $60,000 on Thursday. Bitcoin rose roughly 4% in early trading on Friday, likely driven by technical factors, lifting shares of Strategy and Coinbase by 6% and 5%, respectively. While some analysts believe the recent crypto selloff remains contained, others warn that heavily leveraged investors could face pressure to liquidate equities and other assets to offset crypto-related losses. ✔️ Once Upon a Farm (OFRM) stock rose 16.9% in its market debut on Friday, as the Jennifer Garner-backed kids' food brand went public amid a pickup in IPO activity on Wall Street. |
💲What to Watch Next Week💲 |
The monthly Nonfarm Payrolls report is slated to be released on Wednesday while the CPI report is scheduled to be released on Friday. 🟢 Economic: Monday (Feb. 9): no reports Tuesday (Feb. 10): Business Inventories, Employment Cost Index, Export Prices ex-ag, Factory Orders, Import Prices, Retail Sales Wednesday (Feb. 11): Nonfarm Payrolls, Average Hourly Earnings, Average Workweek, Unemployment Rate, EIA Crude Oil Inventories, MBA Mortgage Applications Index, Treasury Budget Thursday (Feb. 12): Producer Price Index (PPI), Continuing Claims, EIA Natural Gas Inventories, Existing Home Sales, Initial Claims Friday (Feb. 13): Consumer Price Index (CPI) 🟢 Earnings: Monday (Feb. 9): Apollo Global Management Inc. (APO), Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL), Becton Dickinson and Co. (BDX), Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF), CNA Financial Corp. (CNA), Dynatrace Inc. (DT), Monday.com Ltd. (MNDY), ON Semiconductor Corp. (ON), Principal Financial Group (PFG), Waters Corp. (WAT) Tuesday (Feb. 10): America Movil SAB de CV (AMX), Barclays PLC (BCS), BP PLC (BP), Cloudflare Inc. (NET), Coca-Cola Co. (KO), CVS Health Corp. (CVS), Duke Energy Corp. (DUK), Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD), Marriott International Inc. (MAR), Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Spotify Technologies SA (SPOT) Wednesday (Feb. 11): Applovin Corp. (APP), Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO), Equinix Inc. (EQIX), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT), Martin Marietta Materials Inc. (MLM), McDonald's Corp. (MCD), Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI), NetEase Inc. (NTES), Shopify Inc. (SHOP), T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS), Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT) Thursday (Feb. 12): Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM), Airbnb Inc. (ABNB), American Electric Power Company Inc. (AEP), Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (BUD), Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT), Arista Networks Inc. (ANET), Brookfield Corp. (BN), Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX), Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) Friday (Feb. 13): Cameco Corp. (CCJ), Enbridge Inc. (ENB), Magna International Inc. (MGA), Moderna Inc. (MRNA), Natwest Group PLC (NWG), TC Energy Corp. (TRP) |
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