šŸ† CPI Day Arrives as Markets Sit at Records

Markets closed at fresh all-time highs Monday, but the real test comes this morning

šŸ˜Ž Market Vibes

šŸ† CPI Day Arrives as Markets Sit at Records

Markets closed at fresh all-time highs Monday, but the real test comes this morning. December's inflation data drops at 8:30 AM ET while JPMorgan kicks off earnings season - two major catalysts that could either validate current valuations or trigger a swift repricing. With the Fed under investigation, banks navigating political pressure, and gold flirting with records, today's data releases could set the tone for the entire quarter.

šŸ˜Ž CPI Surprise Keeps Markets Calm - JPM Kicks Off Earnings Season

Well, well, well - inflation decided to play nice for once. Markets opened Tuesday morning with the S&P 500 around 6,944, the Dow near 49,540, and the Nasdaq hovering at 23,734 after December's Consumer Price Index came in right on target. The headline number hit 2.7% year-over-year (exactly as expected), while core CPI surprised to the downside at 2.6% versus the 2.8% consensus. That's the kind of data that makes the Fed breathe a sigh of relief - and keeps traders from panic-selling their portfolios.

But before anyone gets too comfortable, remember that CPI data's been about as reliable as your buddy's "guaranteed" stock tips lately, thanks to government shutdown disruptions throwing sand in the statistical gears. Still, a win's a win, and markets are taking it.We're talking about a complete rebuild of digital civilization.

JPMorgan kicks off earnings season before the bell today, with analysts expecting revenue of $46.25 billion and EPS of $5.02. The big question: how will banks navigate a world where net interest income tailwinds from higher rates might be fading, and whether deal flow can pick up the slack. Bank of New York Mellon and Delta Air Lines also report Tuesday, with Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley following throughout the week.

[sponsored]
Our partners at Stock Earnings have released a free Q1 2026 Earnings Season eBook. Inside, you'll discover expert-backed strategies to handle volatility like a pro, profit-boosting insights to act early and ride the wave, and urgent earnings data you can’t afford to ignore.

This free access won't last… Download your free copy now.
(**By clicking this link you agree to receive emails from StockEarnings and our affiliates. You can opt out at any time.  Privacy Policy. **)

[ad]
Juicy Premiums are showing up…. here’s how you can play them

There are hidden pockets of ā€œJuicy Premiumsā€ appearing across the options market. And it’s all thanks to the spiked volatility we have been seeing over the last couple of months… This is pushing market makers to inflate premiums, leading to mispricings within the options chains that we can exploit. And if you know how to go after these premiums, you will be well-positioned to target ā€œIncome for Lifeā€ opportunities that open up week after week. Tap this link for the full breakdown.

šŸŽ­ Fed Drama Escalates - Bitcoin Consolidates Above $92K

The Department of Justice investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell dominated headlines Monday. Powell called it a "pretext" by President Trump to pressure the Fed into cutting rates, and central bankers worldwide rushed to express solidarity. When bank stocks like Capital One (-7%) and Citigroup (-3%) took hits Monday on speculation about Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, the political-monetary intersection got messy.

Markets are pricing in about a 95% probability the Fed holds rates steady at their January 27-28 meeting according to the CME FedWatch Tool, with potential cuts starting in June. Two cuts for the full year appears to be consensus, assuming inflation cooperates and labor markets don't deteriorate significantly.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin traded around $92,133, up about 1.85% as crypto markets held relatively steady. Privacy coins gained attention as the Powell-Trump saga escalated, with some traders viewing crypto as a potential hedge against political uncertainty. BTC remains well off its recent highs near $125K but has found support above the $90K level.

Gold traded around $4,606 per ounce, approaching fresh record territory as safe-haven demand intensified. When the DOJ investigates Fed chairs and political pressure on monetary policy becomes headline news, precious metals typically benefit from flight-to-quality flows.

[sponsored]
Our partners at Decentralized Masters want to make 2026 the year you profit in any market. Most investors will start the new year doing what they always do: panic selling when markets crash, chasing pumps when it's too late, and making $0 while their crypto sits idle. But a small group has a different resolution…

They're earning whether markets go up, down, or sideways. $500 weekly. $800 weekly. Some even $1,200+ weekly. Not from trading. Not from hoping prices go up. From collecting fees the same way BlackRock generates $20 billion annually.

Here's how: Liquidity pools.

Tan Gera, CFA and former Wall Street investment banker, is revealing the pools their members use, the setup process, and how to start collecting fees in 2026.

Sponsor Box
Sponsored

Three key bullish indicators amid crypto panic

I've studied every significant crypto dip since 2013. And I've discovered something shocking: The biggest wealth-creating opportunities happen during moments of maximum fear – exactly like we're experiencing right now. The decisive window to position yourself is now – while fear is at its highest and prices are artificially suppressed. That's why one of the billionaire hedge fund managers in my network has activated his proprietary "Dip Protocol" – a strategy he implements only when specific market indicators align like they are right now.

Get The Crypto Dip Protocol Before Prices Reverse.

šŸ’„ Market Breadth Strong Despite Political Noise

Nine of the 11 S&P sectors closed higher Monday, led by consumer staples, industrials, and materials. The laggards? Financials absorbed pressure amid the Powell investigation and credit card rate cap speculation. Walmart surged 3.00%, Johnson & Johnson gained 2.64%, and IBM added 2.45%, while American Express fell 4.27%, Walt Disney dropped 2.77%, and Visa declined 1.78%.

The CBOE Volatility Index ticked higher Monday, though not to panic levels - more of a "let's hedge before CPI" positioning than genuine fear. With this morning's inflation data, tomorrow's Producer Price Index, and a parade of bank earnings this week, there's ample opportunity for market-moving surprises.

Small caps continue their impressive run - the Russell 2000 is up nearly 5% year-to-date and sitting 13% above November lows. Domestic-focused companies are benefiting as economic data suggests resilience better than many expected. However, with significant debt maturities approaching for many smaller companies, sustainability of this rally remains a question mark.

[sponsored]
Our partners at InvestorPlace are warning of an imminent $7 trillion event that they claim most Americans are unprepared for…

They are claiming this isn't a boom where everyone wins. It's a transfer from one group to another—like railroads (1800s) and internet (1990s). Louis Navellier, who spent 46 yrs on Wall St., built the grading system institutions paid $24,000/yr for him to evaluate stocks with. Now, his system shows exactly where the $7 trillion is flowing. And it’s not AI. Click here for the full story.

[ad]
Weird overnight pattern handed out 80% wins!

You probably won’t hear this from your favorite experts… But I’ve been quietly taking advantage of overnight activity to target payouts the very next day. Here’s how it works: A couple of minutes before the closing bell, I enter a very specific trade. Then, if everything lines up, I wake up to a payout sitting in my account by the next session. And right now, I’m already tracking the next trade window. If you want to see first-hand how these trades are even possible, and how you can follow along with the next opportunity, step by step… Go here now to get the full details.
By clicking the link above you agree to periodic updates from ProsperityPub and its partners (privacy policy)

šŸŒ€ Commodities Mixed, Treasury Yields Near 4.19%

Crude oil futures are trending higher with WTI near $59.82 per barrel, as energy markets balance geopolitical tensions against demand concerns. Trump announced Monday that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff "on any and all business" with the United States, effective immediately. The move aims to economically isolate Iran as the country faces ongoing anti-government protests.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield is near 4.19%, with bond markets positioning ahead of Tuesday's CPI release. Yields have been relatively stable as traders await concrete inflation data before making significant directional bets.

The dollar remains relatively firm despite mixed economic signals, with forex markets pricing in a Federal Reserve that stays on hold while other global central banks consider easing paths. China's central bank extended its gold-buying streak to 14 months, tightening available supply and providing structural support for precious metals prices.

[sponsored]
Our partners at The Oxford Club are claiming that when Trump signed Executive Order 14330, he quietly opened a $216 trillion opportunity to regular Americans. And Trump collects up to $250,000 a month through a little known fund directly tied to this boom. Now you can access it for less than $20. See how to get the full story here

[ad]
The Most Important Company in the World by Next Year?

Silicon is dead. And one tiny company just killed it. Here's why this one company - that just partnered with Nvidia - could become the most important company in the world.

šŸ’ø Earnings Week Kicks Off Today - Bank Focus Intensifies

JPMorgan reports this morning before the bell, marking the unofficial start of Q4 earnings season. The consensus estimate calls for $5.01 EPS, representing about 4.16% growth versus the prior year. Bank of New York Mellon expects $1.97 EPS, while Delta Air Lines consensus stands at $1.53, down 17.30% year-over-year.

The big question for banks: can investment banking momentum from Q4 carry into 2026? Analysts are watching for commentary on the rumored $1.5 trillion SpaceX IPO and other potential blockbuster deals. Net interest income guidance will be critical as the Fed's rate hiking cycle appears to have ended.

Consumer credit metrics remain under scrutiny, with card charge-off rates and delinquency trends closely monitored. Banks have noted that consumers continue spending while businesses remain generally healthy, though labor markets have shown some softening.

Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley follow later this week, creating a comprehensive picture of how major financials performed in Q4 and what they expect for 2026. Deposit dynamics, loan growth, and M&A pipeline commentary will be key focus areas.

[sponsored]
Our partners at Brownstone Research have identified a breakthrough in artificial intelligence that Bloomberg reports has "investors pouring millions of dollars" into what they call "Manifested AI." But here’s the twist. Tesla won’t be the best way to play this opportunity. Instead, you can get in on this brand-new 25,000% growth market with a little-known stock that is 168 times SMALLER than Nvidia. Click here for the details.

Sponsor Box
Sponsored

What happens when investors start to panic

Do not underestimate the impact that fear and greed have on the stock market. Particularly, the effect it can have on large tech stocks… In recent weeks, the sentiment driving the stock market officially switched from fear to extreme fear. That's why I'm urging anyone who has yet to watch Futurist Eric Fry's "Sell This, Buy That" broadcast, to stop for a moment and do that right now. Eric's trade ideas in this video are exactly what everyone needs to hear in a fear-fueled market. Eric has 7 trade ideas you can steal today to prepare yourself for the changes this wave of greed will bring to the market.

Get Eric's "Sell This, Buy That" list completely free here.
What Traders Are Watching

šŸ”„ What Traders Are Watching This Week

[AD]
The Next Breakout AI Stock? You probably haven't heard about this revolutionary AI technology. Or the little-known startup behind it. Yet it could soon become the new top-performing AI stock. Discover why it may have the power to transform regular Americans' wealth here.
[AD]
Why this altcoin matters so much right now The crypto crash we just went through? It was a stress test. Projects with weak fundamentals got exposed. Overleveraged traders got liquidated. Paper hands got shaken out at the worst possible moment. But a few cryptos passed the test with flying colors. I'm watching one right now that actually saw its on-chain metrics IMPROVE during the carnage. That's not luck. That's underlying strength that the market hasn't priced in yet. See the crypto that emerged from the crash stronger than ever… go here now.
[AD]
Fight inflation with these ā€œweekly dividendsā€ The next few months will be tricky…And with a long cycle of rate cuts in motion, you and I both know what comes next… inflation heating back up. Layer in Trump’s latest tariffs… Prices for basic stuff are already climbing… and it may only get worse. It’s dangerous to rely only on a salary… Or on the slow returns of one investment account. That’s why I went on camera to uncover an unusual escape hatch for traders like you. A means for regular folks to target ā€œdividendsā€ā€¦ not in months or years, but every single week. Get the full ā€œweekly dividendsā€ scoop right here.

šŸ“Œ The Bottom Line

With the Fed investigation ongoing, bank earnings accelerating, and critical economic data releases throughout the week, volatility may increase from current levels. Gold approaching records and small caps at all-time highs suggest some portfolio positioning for uncertainty, even as major indices reach new peaks. Markets showed resilience Monday, but multiple catalysts today could alter the current trajectory.

āœŒļø Thanks for vibing with us.

āš ļø WARNING: Market data is subject to rapid change. Verify current information before making trading decisions.

DISCLAIMER: Stocks and options trading have large potential rewards, but also large potential risk. You must be aware of the risks and be willing to accept them in order to invest in the stocks and options markets. Don't trade with money you can't afford to lose. This is neither a solicitation nor an offer to Buy/Sell stocks or options. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those discussed in the linked report. The past performance of any trading system or methodology is not necessarily indicative of future results. All trades, patterns, charts, systems, etc., discussed in the linked report are for illustrative purposes only and not to be construed as specific advisory recommendations. Information contained in this correspondence is intended for informational purposes only and was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Information is in no way guaranteed. No guarantee of any kind is implied or possible where projections of future conditions are attempted. For full disclaimer information, click here.