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Markets Breathe Easier as Tariff Threats Cool Headlines Ease, but Policy Risk Isn't Gone January 23, 2026 |
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 Trade policy and the courts sit at the center of today's market mood
Good Morning, Markets are pushing toward fresh highs as trade tensions ease and tariff headlines take a quieter turn. Reports that new tariff threats may face legal limits helped cool policy risk and lifted shares tied to global supply chains, especially in tech. We break down what changed, why investors reacted quickly, and where unresolved court and policy questions could still matter.
Binance's EU license bid, Saks Global's bankruptcy, and the surging value of copper and cocoa reflect a volatile mix of crypto regulation, retail distress, and commodity-driven power shifts that could reshape investor sentiment across sectors and regions.
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📈 Yesterday's Market RecapYesterday, markets staged a powerful comeback as President Trump's announcement of a Greenland deal framework and tariff suspension eased trade tensions. The Dow soared 588.64 points (1.2%) to 49,077.23, the S&P 500 gained 78.76 points (1.2%) to 6,875.62, and the Nasdaq rose 270.50 points (1.2%) to 23,224.82. Beneath the headline rally, though, cracks remain—weekly losses persist, and investors are eyeing precious metals over tech. Here's what drove the action.
- Trump Reverses Tariff Threats: President Trump's decision to shelve a 10% tariff on eight European nations, set for February 1, lifted a major overhang on global trade sentiment. → CNBC
- Greenland Framework Boosts Confidence: A preliminary agreement on Greenland with NATO, as announced in Davos, further fueled optimism, though details remain vague. → MarketWatch
- Small Caps Outpace Giants: The Russell 2000 outperformed with a 2% gain, closing at 2,698.17, signaling broader market participation beyond megacaps. → ABC News
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📉 Daily Performance Snapshot| Index/Asset | Closing Value | Change |
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| S&P 500 | 6,913.35 | +37.73 (+0.55%) | | Nasdaq | 23,436.02 | +211.19 (+0.91%) | | Dow Jones | 49,384.01 | +306.78 (+0.63%) | | Gold | 4,939.71 | +3.34 (+0.07%) | | Crude Oil | 60.43 | +1.07 (+1.80%) | | Bitcoin | 89,262.00 | -673.00 (-0.75%) | | 10-yr Treasury Yield | 4.233% | -0.018 (-0.42%) |
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🔭 What to Watch TodayToday's calendar offers critical data points and corporate moves that could sway markets. Keep your eyes on these developments as they unfold. Intel Earnings Report: Intel's quarterly results are due after hours, with supply chain constraints in focus despite strong AI demand. Analysts expect $13.42 billion in revenue. → CNBCWinter Storm Impact on Airlines: A major winter storm is set to disrupt Southern airports starting tomorrow. Watch for flight cancellations and potential logistics hits. → MarketWatchFed Rate Decision Outlook: With November PCE inflation steady at 2.8%, markets are pricing in a 95% chance the Fed holds rates at 3.5%-3.75% in the next meeting. → Fox Business |
💡 Opportunity WatchAmidst the noise of policy shifts and market rallies, a few sectors and stocks stand out as potential winners. Here are three areas worth your attention for upside in the near term. - BitGo (BTGO) Post-IPO Momentum: Fresh off its $212 million IPO, BitGo's stock stabilized near $20 after peaking at $24. Crypto infrastructure could be a long-term play despite Bitcoin's dip. → Fortune
- Tesla (TSLA) Robotaxi Rollout: Tesla's unsupervised robotaxi launch in Austin signals a pivot to autonomy. Shares rose 4%, and widespread adoption by year-end could drive further gains. → StockTwits
- Silver Surge Continuation: With a 215% YOY gain and industrial demand soaring, silver near $100/oz remains a hedge against volatility. Supply deficits suggest more room to run. → Money.com
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🔥 The Big BulletMarkets react as Trump drops Greenland tariff threats, and legal risk hangs over broader tariffsWhat happened: U.S. stocks got a boost after talk of new Greenland-related tariffs cooled off. Investors also focused on the idea that courts may take a harder look at other tariff moves that are already in place. The thinking is that if tariffs are blocked or rolled back, costs could fall for some companies that import goods or parts. That shift in mood showed up in early trading, where big premarket moves in major stocks signaled how fast traders were adjusting. Some of the strongest reactions tend to show up in global brands that depend on wide supply chains. The overall message from markets was simple: less trade pressure often feels like less risk. Still, traders treated it as a short-term relief rally, not a final decision. The bigger questions now move from headlines to courts and policy details.
Why it matters: Tariffs can change prices quickly, and that can flow straight into inflation, profits, and consumer demand. If tariffs look less likely to expand, companies may feel more confident about ordering inventory and setting prices. Chip and hardware firms are especially sensitive because they sell globally and rely on cross-border sales. For example, Nvidia's CEO planning a China visit as AI chip sales stall highlights how trade rules can shape revenue, not just costs. Supply decisions matter too, and TSMC's plan to cut older chip capacity and lean into next-gen tech shows where the industry is placing long-term bets. For investors, tariff risk is not only about one policy headline—it can change forecasts for whole sectors. Lower trade stress can support stocks, but sudden rule changes can also bring fast market swings. The key point is that policy headlines can hit earnings expectations before any law is fully settled. What's next: The next market test is whether legal pressure truly grows on tariffs, or if the story fades without action. Investors will watch for new court steps, official statements, and any fresh tariff timelines that show up in policy documents. Traders will also track whether companies change guidance, especially those that talk a lot about import costs and overseas demand. Watch the China-tech angle closely, since even small signals can move chip stocks fast. One example is a report that China may allow Nvidia's H200 chips, which could affect both sales hopes and policy response. Currency and central bank decisions can also matter, because they influence trade flows and global pricing. In Asia, the BOJ holding policy steady and the PBOC setting a stronger daily fix could shape how markets price trade and growth risks. If volatility rises again, it may be less about one headline and more about how policy, courts, and global demand interact. |
| | Reader Feedback | Last time, I asked you: Which statement best matches how you feel about gold right now? | The majority of you at 47% said "I like both—gold for safety, stocks for growth" | Michelle from Colorado replied: "I like having both because gold feels safer, and stocks help my money grow over time." | Here's what I'm asking you today:Which do you think matters more for markets right now? | |
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| As always if your opinion is not here, or you want to throw your two cents at me, reply to the E-mail, and let me know your exact thoughts. |
🧭 Policy & Market Ripples- Binance's EU License Push: Binance files for a MiCA license in Greece, aiming for EU-wide operations by mid-2026. A regulatory win could bolster crypto confidence. → Fortune
- Saks Global Bankruptcy Shock: Saks Global files for Chapter 11 with $1-10 billion in debt, straining luxury retail. Inventory gaps signal deeper supply chain woes. → ABC
- Copper and Cocoa Power Shift: Surging demand for copper (up 20% in 2025) and cocoa (over $10,000/ton) reshapes global trade, favoring the Global South. Supply risks loom. → World Finance
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📜 This Day in History – January 23 January 23 has a publisher's spine and a systems-builder's patience: information gets industrialized, transit gets denser, and medicine upgrades the baseline of human productivity. The throughline is coordination — the thing markets and societies quietly worship. |
| Today's TriviaWhat does the term financial cushion typically refer to? | |
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| 72% of you chose the right answer to our previous trivia question: To provide assistance only to individuals or households that meet certain income or asset criteria |
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
– Spike Milligan | Thanks for Reading.
Stay Sharp. Stay Focused.
Fredrick Frost
Editor, MorningBullets |
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