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Lyft's Q4 earnings and 2025 outlook disappointed investors, with shares dropping 14%. Severe U.S. winter storms impacted demand, while 2025 operating loss projections defied profit expectations. Despite a $1 billion share buyback announcement, weak forecasts overshadowed Lyft's revenue growth in premium ride offerings and partnerships.

Coca-Cola reported a 3% premarket share drop despite a 2% increase in net sales for Q4, driven by a 5% organic revenue growth. While demand for premium drinks like Smartwater and Fairlife rose, overall volumes remained flat. The company forecasts modest growth of 4%-5% in organic revenue and 7%-8% in earnings per share through 2026, as inflation impacts consumer spending habits.

Stock futures saw modest gains with the Dow Jones hovering near a record high. Investors regained confidence in tech stocks following recent pullbacks, while key economic data, including retail sales and jobs reports, remain in focus. Meanwhile, earnings season continues with Coca-Cola, Ford, and CVS Health leading the docket. Bitcoin and gold faced mixed performance, reflecting ongoing market volatility.

Alphabet Inc. raised $20 billion through a bond offering, surpassing expectations of $15 billion. The funds will support its ambitious $185 billion capital expenditure plan for 2026, focusing on data centers and AI advancements. This move aligns with a broader trend of hyperscalers, including Amazon and Microsoft, driving a record corporate bond issuance year, projected to reach $2.25 trillion.

Despite recent sell-offs triggered by fears of AI disrupting the software industry, experts argue that the pessimism is exaggerated. Analysts highlight opportunities for companies that adapt to AI advancements, with stocks like Oracle, Salesforce, and ServiceNow showing resilience. While AI-native startups and infrastructure spending have pressured the sector, software companies with strong data access and workflows are poised to benefit long-term. The rebound in software stocks reflects growing investor confidence in the industry's ability to coexist with AI.

Chinese regulators have advised financial institutions to reduce their holdings of U.S. Treasuries, citing market volatility and concentration risks. While this directive excludes state-held bonds, it reflects a broader global trend of reducing exposure to U.S. government securities. China's holdings have declined to $682.6 billion, the lowest since 2008. Economists warn that such moves could lead to inflationary pressures if the Federal Reserve steps in to purchase these bonds, potentially impacting consumer prices.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged 5% to a record high following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling party securing a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections. This historic win is expected to empower Takaichi to implement market-friendly policies aimed at revitalizing Japan's sluggish economy. The election results also boosted other Asian markets, with South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng showing significant gains.

Washington Post publisher Will Lewis has announced his resignation following a period of significant layoffs that impacted one-third of the newspaper's staff, including 300 journalists. His tenure was marked by controversies, including ethical concerns and strained relations with staff. CFO Jeff D'Onofrio has been appointed as the interim publisher, while the union representing staff calls for further action to secure the newspaper's future.

Telehealth company Hims & Hers has decided to stop offering a compounded version of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss pill, Wegovy, following FDA warnings and potential legal action from Novo. The FDA cited safety, quality, and efficacy concerns over compounded drugs, which bypass clinical trials. Hims originally planned to sell the drug at a significantly reduced price to compete in the booming weight-loss drug market.

General Motors (GM) announced a $7.1 billion charge in Q4 2025 due to restructuring in China and a pullback in EV investments amid weakening demand. The charges include $6 billion from EV-related impairments and $1.1 billion for joint venture restructuring in China. Despite this, GM remains committed to EVs but plans to lower production costs and adapt its strategy to evolving market conditions.

The U.S. stock market concluded 2025 on a high note, with major indexes achieving significant double-digit gains despite a slight dip on the year's final trading day. The S&P 500 rose 16%, the Nasdaq surged 20%, and the Dow gained 13%, driven by optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and resilient corporate earnings. However, challenges like tariff concerns and market dependency on tech remained. Looking ahead, analysts predict continued market strength in 2026, though risks from AI and economic uncertainties persist.

Novo Nordisk's FDA approval for its oral weight-loss drug, Wegovy, marks a significant milestone for the company and the obesity market. The pill, which showed superior weight-loss results in trials, offers a convenient alternative to injectables and aims to expand access for millions of patients. This development could help Novo regain market share amidst competition from Eli Lilly and others in a rapidly growing $150 billion obesity market.

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have agreed to create a joint venture, granting American investors majority control of its U.S. operations. Key investors include Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, holding a 45% stake collectively. ByteDance retains 20% ownership, with the deal expected to finalize by January 2026. The new entity will oversee data security, content moderation, and algorithm integrity, addressing U.S. national security concerns. This agreement marks a significant step in resolving tensions over TikTok’s Chinese ownership.

Amazon has appointed Peter DeSantis, a 27-year veteran and former AWS executive, to lead its new AI-focused organization. This unit will unify efforts in AI models, custom silicon, and quantum computing as Amazon doubles down on its AI investments. DeSantis' leadership comes as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the competitive AI landscape, following major investments in AI infrastructure and partnerships with firms like OpenAI and Anthropic.

Warner Bros Discovery's board has urged shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion offer, citing its financial and structural risks, and instead favor Netflix's binding $83 billion merger proposal. The board highlighted Netflix's superior offer, which includes robust financing and fewer regulatory hurdles, as a more secure and beneficial option for shareholders. Paramount's claims of "air-tight financing" were questioned, with concerns over its creditworthiness and operational risks. A shareholder vote on the Netflix deal is anticipated in spring or early summer.