FOMC Cuts Rates for the Third Time to 3.50%-3.75%
The FOMC delivered its third rate cut of the year as widely expected, taking its fed funds rate target to 3.50%-3.75%, but while the No-Cut camp gained another dissenter, the "hawkish cut" nervousness heading into the announcement largely did not come to pass. The Fed maintained its dot-plot projections anticipating one more rate cut in 2026, though Fed Chair Powell's press conference also gave plenty of attention to the labor market headwinds while noting that inflation pressures would be well-contained in the absence of tariffs. Equity markets rallied, with S&P 500 briefly topping 6,900 while Treasuries were bought across the curve - particularly on the short end - sending the 2-10 maturity spread to its highest level since September. Fed Funds futures still give preference to two rate cuts in 2026 but with an even higher probability than going into today's meeting. US Dollar also weakened as yields fell while precious metals gained in the wake of today's Fed decision.In the opening hour of the evening session, stock futures are consolidating gains. S&P e-minis are off by 0.1% and Nasdaq Composite is down 0.3%. Weakness in Oracle shares after the company's Q2 earnings beat was accompanied by in-line guidance and a call for higher spending is weighing on sentiment in the Tech space, particularly Infrastructure Software - Oracle is down over 10%, Nvidia is off by 1.3%, and CoreWeave is off by 3% afterhours.Check out this evening's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER AFTER EARNINGS -Planet Labs PBCup 13.6%Amtech Systemsup 10.3%Nordsonup 7.5%Exzeo Groupup 5.4%Synopsysup 2.7%Vail Resortsup 0.4%ALSO HIGHER -4Gemini Space Stationup 18.3% after getting designated contract market license from CTFCDOWN AFTER EARNINGS -Skillsoftdown 16.8%Oracledown 10.8%; Nvidiadown 1.4%, CoreWeavedown 3.2% in sympathyAdobedown 0.7%ALSO LOWER -Ur-Energydown 11.8% after convertible debt offeringT1 Energydown 10.6% after equity, convertible debt offering
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Space Stocks Face Resistance in 2026 Amid SpaceX IPO Hype
- IPO Anticipation: SpaceX's potential IPO in 2026, valued at $1.5 trillion, is drawing investor attention while simultaneously causing capital outflows from other space companies, indicating a strong market preference for SpaceX.
- Capital Rotation: As investors shift funds from established public players to SpaceX, many public peers have experienced significant double-digit declines over the past 30 days, reflecting a cautious market sentiment towards emerging space companies.
- Divergent Stock Performance: While AST SpaceMobile has shown resilience due to its satellite-to-phone milestones, hardware and launch providers like Rocket Lab and Sidus Space have suffered greater losses, highlighting varying levels of market confidence among different companies.
- Challenges for Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab is racing to deploy its reusable Neutron rocket, but remains at a disadvantage until it transitions from the expendable Electron model, impacting its competitive position in the market.
Palantir Deepens Defense Ties with Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
- Software Platform Deployment: On January 20, Palantir announced it would provide the Ukrainian defense ministry with the Brave1 Dataroom software platform to counter Russian drone threats, enhancing Ukraine's defensive capabilities and operational efficiency through real-time war data protection.
- AI Technology Application: The Brave1 system will enable Ukraine to utilize advanced military software and data infrastructure for developing next-generation algorithmic weapon systems, which not only enhances Ukraine's combat capabilities but also lays the groundwork for sharing battlefield experiences with allies in the future.
- International Support Network: Palantir's expanded role is part of a broader effort by US and European tech firms to support Ukraine's war efforts, with private sector involvement reshaping national defense strategies, particularly in response to Russian aggression.
- Digital Capability Enhancement: Palantir has signed agreements with multiple Ukrainian government ministries to enhance digital capabilities for defense, reconstruction, and strategic planning, which not only strengthens Ukraine's digital resilience but also opens avenues for future technological collaboration.
Director Kristen Robinson Sells 47,835 Shares of Planet Labs PBC
- Transaction Overview: Director Kristen Robinson sold 47,835 shares of Planet Labs PBC on January 21, 2026, for approximately $1.3 million, indicating active trading in the market.
- Ownership Changes: Post-transaction, Robinson retains 37,107 shares directly and 222,897 shares indirectly, suggesting a significant ongoing investment in the company that warrants investor attention.
- Performance Highlights: Planet Labs PBC's stock soared approximately 381% in 2025 and increased by 26% in January 2026, despite a net loss of $129.56 million, reflecting strong market confidence among investors.
- Strategic Partnership Opportunity: The company recently secured a nine-figure deal with Sweden's Armed Forces to provide outer space data for security operations, further solidifying its market position in aerospace and defense.
Microsoft Falls, Sandisk Prevails, Apple Stagnates: The Disruption of Tech by AI.
- Mixed Earnings in Tech Sector: The technology sector is experiencing a varied start to the earnings season, indicating both successes and failures among companies.
- AI as a Driving Force: The rise of artificial intelligence continues to be a significant influence on the tech industry, contributing to growth for some companies.
- Challenges from Chip Shortage: A shortage of chips is impacting production and performance, leading to difficulties for certain tech firms.
- Doubts About AI's Software Impact: There are growing concerns regarding the actual effects of AI on the software sector, resulting in uncertainty for investors and companies alike.
York Space Systems' IPO Aims to Leverage Trump's Golden Dome Advantage
Defense Companies' Optimism: Defense companies are anticipating significant financial gains from President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense plan.
Stock Market Reaction: Several defense stocks have surged in value due to expectations of benefiting from the $151 billion SHIELD program.
Surge in Space Stocks: The Convergence of Retail Investors and Wall Street
Retail vs. Institutional Investors: Over the past five years, retail traders have pursued hype-driven investments while institutional investors have focused on fundamentals, leading to a divide in strategies. However, recent trends suggest a shift as institutional investors begin to align with retail trends, particularly in the technology sector.
Rocket Lab's Market Position: Rocket Lab has gained significant attention from retail investors due to its transparent leadership and frequent launches. Recent upgrades from major investment banks have raised its price targets, indicating a bullish outlook for the company as it transitions into a larger-scale infrastructure provider.
AST SpaceMobile's Ambitious Goals: AST SpaceMobile is attempting to connect standard cell phones directly to satellites, a feat previously thought impossible. The company is currently trading around $108, but it remains a controversial stock with a significant portion of shares sold short, indicating skepticism among some investors.
Investment Strategies in the Space Sector: Investors are encouraged to consider diversified options like the Procure Space ETF, which holds shares in various space-related companies, providing exposure to the sector's growth without the volatility of individual stocks. This approach allows for a balanced investment strategy amid the excitement surrounding space exploration.
Space Stocks Face Resistance in 2026 Amid SpaceX IPO Hype
- IPO Anticipation: SpaceX's potential IPO in 2026, valued at $1.5 trillion, is drawing investor attention while simultaneously causing capital outflows from other space companies, indicating a strong market preference for SpaceX.
- Capital Rotation: As investors shift funds from established public players to SpaceX, many public peers have experienced significant double-digit declines over the past 30 days, reflecting a cautious market sentiment towards emerging space companies.
- Divergent Stock Performance: While AST SpaceMobile has shown resilience due to its satellite-to-phone milestones, hardware and launch providers like Rocket Lab and Sidus Space have suffered greater losses, highlighting varying levels of market confidence among different companies.
- Challenges for Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab is racing to deploy its reusable Neutron rocket, but remains at a disadvantage until it transitions from the expendable Electron model, impacting its competitive position in the market.
Palantir Deepens Defense Ties with Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
- Software Platform Deployment: On January 20, Palantir announced it would provide the Ukrainian defense ministry with the Brave1 Dataroom software platform to counter Russian drone threats, enhancing Ukraine's defensive capabilities and operational efficiency through real-time war data protection.
- AI Technology Application: The Brave1 system will enable Ukraine to utilize advanced military software and data infrastructure for developing next-generation algorithmic weapon systems, which not only enhances Ukraine's combat capabilities but also lays the groundwork for sharing battlefield experiences with allies in the future.
- International Support Network: Palantir's expanded role is part of a broader effort by US and European tech firms to support Ukraine's war efforts, with private sector involvement reshaping national defense strategies, particularly in response to Russian aggression.
- Digital Capability Enhancement: Palantir has signed agreements with multiple Ukrainian government ministries to enhance digital capabilities for defense, reconstruction, and strategic planning, which not only strengthens Ukraine's digital resilience but also opens avenues for future technological collaboration.
Director Kristen Robinson Sells 47,835 Shares of Planet Labs PBC
- Transaction Overview: Director Kristen Robinson sold 47,835 shares of Planet Labs PBC on January 21, 2026, for approximately $1.3 million, indicating active trading in the market.
- Ownership Changes: Post-transaction, Robinson retains 37,107 shares directly and 222,897 shares indirectly, suggesting a significant ongoing investment in the company that warrants investor attention.
- Performance Highlights: Planet Labs PBC's stock soared approximately 381% in 2025 and increased by 26% in January 2026, despite a net loss of $129.56 million, reflecting strong market confidence among investors.
- Strategic Partnership Opportunity: The company recently secured a nine-figure deal with Sweden's Armed Forces to provide outer space data for security operations, further solidifying its market position in aerospace and defense.
Microsoft Falls, Sandisk Prevails, Apple Stagnates: The Disruption of Tech by AI.
- Mixed Earnings in Tech Sector: The technology sector is experiencing a varied start to the earnings season, indicating both successes and failures among companies.
- AI as a Driving Force: The rise of artificial intelligence continues to be a significant influence on the tech industry, contributing to growth for some companies.
- Challenges from Chip Shortage: A shortage of chips is impacting production and performance, leading to difficulties for certain tech firms.
- Doubts About AI's Software Impact: There are growing concerns regarding the actual effects of AI on the software sector, resulting in uncertainty for investors and companies alike.
York Space Systems' IPO Aims to Leverage Trump's Golden Dome Advantage
Defense Companies' Optimism: Defense companies are anticipating significant financial gains from President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense plan.
Stock Market Reaction: Several defense stocks have surged in value due to expectations of benefiting from the $151 billion SHIELD program.
Surge in Space Stocks: The Convergence of Retail Investors and Wall Street
Retail vs. Institutional Investors: Over the past five years, retail traders have pursued hype-driven investments while institutional investors have focused on fundamentals, leading to a divide in strategies. However, recent trends suggest a shift as institutional investors begin to align with retail trends, particularly in the technology sector.
Rocket Lab's Market Position: Rocket Lab has gained significant attention from retail investors due to its transparent leadership and frequent launches. Recent upgrades from major investment banks have raised its price targets, indicating a bullish outlook for the company as it transitions into a larger-scale infrastructure provider.
AST SpaceMobile's Ambitious Goals: AST SpaceMobile is attempting to connect standard cell phones directly to satellites, a feat previously thought impossible. The company is currently trading around $108, but it remains a controversial stock with a significant portion of shares sold short, indicating skepticism among some investors.
Investment Strategies in the Space Sector: Investors are encouraged to consider diversified options like the Procure Space ETF, which holds shares in various space-related companies, providing exposure to the sector's growth without the volatility of individual stocks. This approach allows for a balanced investment strategy amid the excitement surrounding space exploration.
