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January 14, 2026   |   Read Online Not a fan of Fred? Unsubscribe here.   Trump vs. The Fed: Why markets are nervous Fed independence under fire January 14, 2026 MorningBullets is the fastest way to catch up on the market and political news that matter most to your money. Quick takes, sharp insight, and curated opportunities—served fresh every weekday morning. Sponsored Content Free Brief: 5 Stocks for the AI Infrastructure Cycle Markets are at highs, and policy is picking lanes. Discover five companies positioned for the administration's $500B AI buildout. Banking · Energy · Defense Immigration services · Media Why the next phase could move fast 📥 Download Your Complimentary Copy By clicking the link above you agree to receive periodic updates from our sponsor. The growing tug-of-war between the White House and the Federal Reserve over interest rates. Good Morning, Markets slipped in the final hour as the White House turned up the heat on the Federal Reserve. President Trump claims his tariffs are already reviving the auto industry, but his push to influence interest rates is making investors nervous. We break down the legal battle looming next week and why the Fed's independence matters for your portfolio. From backlash over NYC's nonprofit housing mismanagement to free Starlink in Iran and escalating anti-ICE riots, mounting political tensions and policy experiments could inject volatility into urban real estate, global tech, and municipal risk markets. Don't forget to voice your opinion in my polls below. Here are your Morning Bullets. – Truly yours, Fred Frost 📉 Yesterday's Market Recap Yesterday, markets stumbled as investors wrestled with mixed signals from tech earnings and lingering inflation concerns. The Dow dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq eked out a 0.1% gain on late buying in semiconductors. Key movers included healthcare and energy, though consumer confidence data kept sentiment in check. Tech Sector Volatility: Credo Technology Group (CRDO) jumped on optimism despite a lofty P/E ratio of 103.0, signaling high expectations but potential overvaluation risks. → Benzinga China's Record $1.2T Trade Surplus: China posted a historic $1.19 trillion trade surplus for 2025, up 20% year-over-year, driven by a 6.6% export surge in December despite U.S. trade tensions. → CNBC Energy Sector Watch: CenterPoint Energy (CNP) held steady as analysts set a $42.0 average price target, reflecting cautious optimism amid utility sector lag. → Seeking Alpha 📉 Daily Performance Snapshot Index/Asset Closing Value Change S&P 500 6,963.74 +0.19% Nasdaq 23,709.87 +0.10% Dow Jones 49,191.99 +0.80% Gold 4,642.40 +43.30 (+0.94%) Crude Oil 61.64 +0.71 (+1.17%) Bitcoin 95,058.00 +2,833.00 (+3.07%) 10-yr Treasury Yield 4.17% -0.01 (-0.24%) 🔭 What to Watch Today Today's calendar brings potential market movers with earnings releases and geopolitical developments. Keep your eyes on these events for ripples across sectors. BlackRock Q4 Earnings (Pre-Market): BlackRock (BLK) reports Q4 results, with analysts expecting $12.3 EPS and $6.75 billion in revenue, amid a 1% staff cut announcement. → Benzinga California Billionaires Tax Proposal: Debate heats up over a proposed 5% wealth tax on California billionaires, with tech leaders threatening exits and Governor Newsom opposing it. → ABC News Hong Kong Building Safety Reforms: Hong Kong officials propose stricter building maintenance oversight after a deadly 2025 fire, with legislative changes expected soon. → ABC News 💡 Opportunity Watch Amidst market turbulence, a few themes stand out for potential upside. Whether it's tech innovation or undervalued sectors, here are spots to consider for your portfolio. Alibaba's AI Open-Source Surge (BABA): Alibaba's Qwen AI models hit 700 million downloads, driving a 104% stock rally in 12 months, with cloud computing poised for growth. → Benzinga TTM Technologies Growth Outlook (TTMI): TTM Technologies stock soared 20% after projecting 15-20% annual revenue growth for three years, signaling strength in tech manufacturing. → Seeking Alpha Gelteq's Cannabinoid Breakthrough (GELS): Gelteq shares jumped 50% pre-market on positive preclinical results for its oral gel delivery platform, showing 22% higher bioavailability. → Benzinga Sponsored Content Crypto's "Second Chance" Opportunity is Live Fear kept most people out at the bottom. However, the recent crash served a vital purpose: it flushed out speculation. What remains are projects with real utility. We are tracking one specific coin with strong on-chain data and active development. It is currently showing a technical setup similar to historic 1,000%+ runners. Reveal the #1 Coin for 2037 By clicking the link above you agree to receive periodic updates from our sponsor. 🔥 The Big Bullet Trump Increases Pressure on Federal Reserve Independence What happened: President Donald Trump is publicly criticizing the Federal Reserve again. During a recent speech in Michigan, he claimed that his tariff policies are successfully reviving the auto industry. He used this moment to argue that his economic plans are superior to the central bank's current strategy. The President believes the Fed should align its interest rate decisions with his administration's goals for manufacturing. This creates a direct conflict between the White House and monetary policymakers. It marks a tense moment for the country's financial leadership. Why it matters: Markets hate uncertainty, and this feud creates plenty of it. When political leaders clash with central bankers, investors often get nervous about the future value of money. We saw this unease recently as the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all dipped lower in trading. If the Fed loses its independence, it might keep rates too low for political reasons, which could spark inflation. Stable interest rates are essential for businesses to plan and for families to protect their savings. A shift here could change the rules for borrowing and investing for years. What's next: A critical legal battle is set to unfold very soon. On January 21, the Supreme Court will hear arguments that could determine the future of the Fed's independence. Investors should watch this date closely, as the outcome may cause volatility in stock and bond prices. We also need to monitor geopolitical shocks, such as the sudden arrest of Venezuela's leader, which could impact oil markets. These combined events suggest a rocky road ahead for the economy in the short term. The specific tactics the administration is using to pressure the central bank, including a criminal probe into renovation costs, and why economists fear this could lead to 1970s-style inflation if the Fed loses its ability to set rates independently. – NPR This legal analysis details exactly what is at stake: whether the Supreme Court will decide that the President has the constitutional power to fire Federal Reserve governors at will, effectively ending the bank's political neutrality. – Scotusblog.com Why, despite the "shock," investors shouldn't expect an immediate flood of new oil to lower prices, as rebuilding Venezuela's infrastructure will take years of capital investment. – Kingsview.com Reader Feedback Yesterday, I asked you: If the government caps credit card interest rates, who would be hurt the most? The majority of you at 23% said "The overall economy" Amanda from Georgia replied: "I think the whole economy would get hurt because banks might lend less money and slow things down." Here's what I'm asking you today: Who do you trust more to control interest rates and the economy? President Trump (He knows what business needs) The Federal Reserve (Keep politics out of money) Neither (I don't trust either of them) Unsure / No opinion Other 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 NYC Housing Policy Fallout: Mayor Mamdani's ideologically driven housing plans face backlash as a showcased nonprofit-managed building reveals 200+ code violations, hinting at broader mismanagement risks. → Daily Signal Starlink Free in Iran: Elon Musk's SpaceX reportedly offers free Starlink access in Iran amid protests and blackouts, a move that could boost goodwill but raises geopolitical questions. → Stocktwits Anti-ICE Riots Escalate: Nationwide unrest over immigration enforcement grows after a fatal incident in Minneapolis, with political rhetoric fueling tensions and potential disruptions in key cities. → Daily Signal 📜 This Day in History – January 14 January 14 favors architects of systems, people and institutions that standardized, centralized, or otherwise made the modern world easier to coordinate at scale. 1795 – France officially adopted the metric system, replacing local units with a rational standard and quietly lowering transaction costs across science, industry, and trade. 1967 – The U.S. Department of Transportation began operations, centralizing oversight of highways, aviation, and transit as mobility became national infrastructure. 1969 – Concorde made its first test flight, briefly proving that speed itself could be a premium commercial product. 1935 – George Gallup's polling methods gained national attention, turning public opinion into a measurable economic and political variable. Today's Trivia Why do economists often support free trade between countries? A) It eliminates the need for domestic industries B) It allows countries to specialize and trade, increasing overall efficiency and consumer choice C) It guarantees equal wages across countries D) It prevents economic recessions Yesterday, 27% of you chose the right answer to the trivia question: The total value of assets owned, minus liabilities It's money. I remember it from when I was single. – Billy Crystal Thanks for Reading. Stay Sharp. Stay Focused. Fredrick Frost Editor, MorningBullets   Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here © 2026 Morning Bullets 20 North Orange Ave. Floor 11 Orlando, Florida 32801, United States of America Terms of Service