Latest Business News
Wall Street and global equities climb toward record highs on soft U.S. jobs data
U.S. stocks are starting the year near **record highs** as a weaker‑than‑expected December jobs report fuels hopes for further Federal Reserve rate cuts. The S&P 500 has added around 0.5–0.65%, extending gains from earlier in the week, while London’s FTSE 100 has also hit a record, as investors bet on at least one or two Fed cuts in 2026.
Markets are largely looking past geopolitical risks and focusing on inflation, growth and the U.S. monetary policy path.
US adds only 50,000 December jobs, bolstering expectations of more Fed rate cuts
The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created about **50,000 jobs** in December, below analyst forecasts, even as unemployment unexpectedly fell to 4.4%. The “tepid” report is reinforcing expectations that the Fed, which cut rates three times in 2025, could deliver one or two additional cuts in 2026, supporting risk assets globally.
Analysts say inflation, growth and labor data will remain key in determining the policy outlook.
Rio Tinto in talks to acquire Glencore, aiming to create world’s largest miner
Rio Tinto has confirmed talks on an all‑share bid to buy **some or all of Glencore**, in a move that would form the world’s biggest mining group and intensify the race for copper and other strategic minerals. Under UK takeover rules, Rio Tinto has until February 5 to make a formal offer, with analysts saying the deal would follow other large mining tie‑ups focused on securing copper for the energy transition and AI demand.
The potential megamerger increases competitive pressure on rivals such as BHP to pursue further consolidation.
Healthcare dealmakers converge on J.P. Morgan conference expecting 2026 megamergers
Bankers and executives heading to the **J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference** in San Francisco are anticipating a new wave of megamergers that could rival 2019 and 2021, when deals neared $500 billion. Looser U.S. antitrust scrutiny is emboldening big pharma to consider acquisitions of around $30 billion or mergers with similarly sized peers, particularly in cancer and obesity drugs.
Recent activity includes Eli Lilly’s $1.2 billion bid for Ventyx Biosciences and intense competition between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk over obesity‑drug developer Metsera, valued up to $10 billion.
Merck in talks for roughly $30 billion acquisition of Revolution Medicines
Merck is reportedly in discussions to buy **Revolution Medicines** for about **$30 billion**, targeting the cancer‑drug developer’s promising pipeline. Speculation around a potential AbbVie bid and Merck’s interest has already driven Revolution’s market value up about 34% to around $20 billion, despite AbbVie denying active talks.
A Merck deal of this size would be one of the first flagship megamergers in the anticipated 2026 healthcare consolidation wave.
Eli Lilly moves to buy Ventyx Biosciences for $1.2 billion
Eli Lilly has announced plans to **acquire Ventyx Biosciences** in a deal valued at about **$1.2 billion**, expanding its immunology and inflammation pipeline. The transaction underscores large pharma’s push to bolt on innovative biotech assets ahead of expected larger megadeals in 2026.
It also highlights sustained appetite for strategic acquisitions amid competitive pressure in key therapeutic areas like obesity and autoimmune diseases.
UWM Holdings to acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp in $1.3 billion all‑stock deal
UWM Holdings has agreed to acquire **Two Harbors Investment Corp** in an all‑stock transaction valued at about **$1.3 billion**, aiming to build a larger, more stable mortgage‑servicing platform. The deal offers Two Harbors shareholders an estimated 21% premium and helped drive the stock up nearly 12%, reflecting investor optimism about cost synergies and scale benefits.
The combined entity is expected to strengthen its position in the U.S. housing finance market by mid‑2026.
Trump administration signals support for lower mortgage rates via $200 billion bond‑purchase plan
President Donald Trump has floated a plan for the **government to buy $200 billion in mortgage‑backed bonds** to bring down mortgage rates, echoing past Fed quantitative easing programs. Homebuilders and housing‑related stocks rallied on the announcement, as investors anticipate lower borrowing costs could spur housing demand.
The proposal comes as markets weigh mixed labor data and shifting expectations for monetary and fiscal support.
General Motors takes $6 billion charge as it retreats further from electric vehicles
General Motors said it will record a **$6 billion charge** for Q4 2025 tied to its pullback from electric vehicles, on top of a $1.6 billion charge in the prior quarter. The automaker cited weaker demand due to reduced tax incentives and looser fuel‑emission rules, which have eroded the economic case for EVs.
GM shares fell about 3.3% as investors digested the financial hit and strategic shift away from earlier aggressive EV targets.
Oklo shares jump after nuclear power deal with Meta to supply data‑center energy
Shares of **Oklo** surged about 12.3% after the advanced nuclear company said it signed a deal with **Meta Platforms** to help secure nuclear fuel and advance its planned facility in Pike County, Ohio. The agreement is intended to support Meta’s long‑term clean energy needs for data centers and AI workloads, while giving Oklo a marquee commercial partner.
The move highlights growing big‑tech interest in next‑generation nuclear as a stable low‑carbon power source.
Andreessen Horowitz raises new $15 billion fund, signaling focus areas for startup investing
Venture capital firm **Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)** has unveiled a new **$15 billion** fund complex, underscoring continued investor interest in AI, infrastructure, and other high‑growth tech sectors despite market volatility. The firm’s deployment plans highlight where it sees the biggest opportunities, including AI‑native software, cybersecurity, and next‑generation computing platforms.
The fund size cements a16z’s position among the most influential global venture investors in technology and fintech.
OneStream to go private in $6.4 billion deal to accelerate AI‑driven finance software
Corporate performance management software company **OneStream** is set to go private in a **$6.4 billion** transaction, which its CEO says will speed up its AI strategy in finance and planning tools. Private ownership is expected to allow heavier long‑term investment in AI features for enterprise customers without the pressures of quarterly earnings targets.
The deal fits a broader pattern of private‑equity and strategic buyers targeting cash‑generative software firms with mission‑critical products.