In a landmark move in the U.S. financial sector, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Apple Inc. (AAPL) announced on January 7, 2026, a strategic partnership that will see JPMorgan Chase become the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs (GS). This transition marks a significant expansion for JPMorgan’s credit card portfolio and

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London-based banking giant HSBC has agreed to pay €267.5 million ($312.33 million) to the French Treasury to resolve a legal case related to fraudulent dividend tax payments, according to a statement from the French financial prosecutor’s office on Thursday. Details of the Settlement The settlement concludes an investigation into HSBC’s tax compliance practices concerning dividends

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U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Defense Shares Rally on Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Budget ProposalU.S. stock index futures moved cautiously lower on Thursday as investors positioned themselves ahead of Friday’s highly anticipated nonfarm payrolls report, while defense companies climbed sharply on expectations of robust government spending following President Donald Trump’s proposal for an expanded military budget

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European defence stocks reached all-time highs on Thursday, while oil prices and the U.S. dollar climbed as geopolitical uncertainties—from Venezuela to Greenland—kept investors on edge. Market participants are closely watching global events and U.S. economic indicators, which are expected to influence currency markets, equities, and commodities in the coming days. Record-Breaking Gains in European Defence

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The Indian rupee slipped on Thursday, reversing earlier gains despite active intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as global tariff concerns and capital outflows weighed heavily on the currency. Analysts say that while RBI efforts temporarily supported the rupee, underlying external pressures have continued to challenge its stability. Rupee Movement and RBI Intervention

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Fast Retailing, the Japanese operator of the globally popular Uniqlo clothing brand, reported a 34% surge in quarterly operating profit, prompting the company to raise its full-year earnings forecast. The company cited robust global sales growth and a strategic expansion in international markets as key drivers behind the strong performance, allowing it to absorb additional

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British consumers focused their festive spending on food and groceries over Christmas, while scaling back on clothing, gifts, and other non-essential items. Retailers including Tesco, Marks & Spencer (M&S), and Primark reported strong food sales, but warned of ongoing consumer caution and economic pressures that could weigh on trading in 2026. Christmas Food Sales Boost

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India’s consumer price inflation (CPI) is expected to have risen to 1.50% in December 2025, marking a second consecutive month of increase, according to a recent Reuters poll. The uptick in inflation is attributed to a broad-based rise in food prices and the fading effects of previously low inflation rates. Economists suggest that the recent

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London’s stock market edged lower on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 index down about 0.3% as a slump in major oil stocks weighed on broader investor sentiment. The domestically focused FTSE 250 index also fell about 0.4%, reflecting weakness in energy and retail stocks amid mixed economic signals. Oil Sector Weakness Holds Back Market Shares

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Gold prices fell sharply on Thursday as investors prepared for major futures selling linked to annual commodity index rebalancing, while a firmer U.S. dollar made bullion more expensive for buyers using other currencies. Traders are also eyeing key U.S. economic data that could influence monetary policy and market sentiment. Index Rebalancing Weighs on Precious Metals

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