Business

Mortgage rates fell to 6.06%, the lowest in over three years, and the article reports the President plans to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to help lower borrowing costs.

The U.S. Education Department announced a pause on planned tax-refund seizures and administrative wage garnishments for loans in collection while it revises repayment regulations under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear Bayer's appeal seeking to limit state-law claims over the Roundup weedkiller; the article notes the court has not yet scheduled argument dates.

The America First Policy Institute and influencer Benny Johnson launched the 'Make Housing Great Again' initiative and released a white paper proposing supply-side deregulation, local incentives, and buyer-focused measures to address housing affordability.

Bill Ford told Yahoo Finance at the Detroit Auto Show that the United States still needs a strong manufacturing base and discussed Ford's domestic production, electric vehicles and its partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing in Formula One.

The IRS raised 2026 contribution limits for several retirement accounts, including a $24,500 cap for 401(k)s and higher IRA limits. The SECURE 2.0 Act also requires some high‑income catch-up contributions to be made as Roth contributions.

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation and the Federal Reserve approved Inter to establish a state‑licensed international banking branch in Miami, expanding its cross‑border services. The article notes Inter serves more than 41 million customers and that the branch will be a digital‑first banking hub.

The Education Department announced a temporary delay to wage garnishments and other involuntary collections for federal student loan borrowers in default, saying the pause will allow it to implement repayment reforms under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

President Trump will announce next week a proposal to let Americans use 401(k) funds for home down payments, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said. Hassett said final details are still being finalized and will be presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Federal Reserve reported industrial production rose 0.4 percent in December, and output was 2.0 percent higher than a year earlier.

Vanguard's 2025 Retirement Outlook found fewer than half of Americans (42%) are on track for retirement, with Gen Z (47%) and millennials (42%) more likely to be prepared than baby boomers and Gen X (about 40%); median-income baby boomers face a projected replacement rate near 56% and an estimated $9,000 annual shortfall.

U.S. stock index futures climbed as memory chipmakers drove Friday gains while the fourth-quarter earnings season began amid a volatile week for markets.

The Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched a study on cellphone radiation, and the FDA removed webpages that had stated there was no established link between cellphone use and health problems, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A 41.28-carat blue diamond was found at the Cullinan mine, and Petra Diamonds says the Type IIb stone—reported by the company as 41.82 carats—is being analyzed to confirm its final size and quality.

After six months as CEO, Antonio Filosa said he is enjoying the role and indicated Stellantis may revisit its large brand portfolio, with fuller details to be shared at Capital Markets Day in 2026.

Futures tracking Toronto's S&P/TSX were up 0.24% as oil steadied, and Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada and China agreed to cut tariffs on electric vehicles and canola.

The article reports that soaring demand for AI computing has prompted large infrastructure plans, yet public data center REITs have lagged in market performance as structural payout rules, capital limits, competition and power constraints limit their participation.

Small, mostly Latino-owned businesses on Lake Street have posted 'No ICE' signs and altered hours after frequent ICE raids and protests following a reported death, while the article says major Minneapolis-based corporations did not provide on-the-record comment or guidance.

Orient Securities maintained a Buy rating on Alibaba Group, and the article also notes UOB Kay Hian kept a Buy rating; Alibaba reported quarterly revenue of HK$247.65 billion and a net profit of HK$40.65 billion for the quarter ending June 30.

A National Bureau of Economic Research study finds married couples and married men accumulate substantially more wealth than singles, and many retirees spend only a modest share of their assets. The article outlines saving strategies the authors mention, including starting early, using tax-advantaged accounts, investing steadily, and automating contributions.

China and Canada announced a new strategic partnership that lowers tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and on Canadian canola; Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese EVs at a 6.1% tariff and China is expected to cut canola tariffs to about 15% by March 1.

An American Chamber of Commerce in China survey of 368 companies found 64% named slowing Chinese growth as their main concern, while 58% cited U.S.-China trade tensions.

An AFP survey of analysts estimated China's 2025 growth at a median 4.9 percent, while President Xi said growth was 'around five percent'; official national growth figures were scheduled for release on Monday.

China's record trade surplus last year generated about $1.2 trillion in foreign exchange, and the article reports roughly two-thirds of that flowed into private-sector foreign assets, boosting overseas purchases including a reported $535 billion surge in portfolio investment through September.

KeyBanc upgraded Intel to Overweight and raised its price target from $40 to $60; Intel shares jumped nearly 8% in Tuesday trading.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Beijing and is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping after almost a decade of strained relations; officials described the visit as consequential and historic.

Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher following a Wall Street rally led by chip and bank stocks; the article mentions a U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that includes at least $250 billion of Taiwanese semiconductor investment in U.S. production capacity.

A Jan. 14 Canadian Press story misreported Nova Scotia's planned offshore wind capacity as 40 megawatts beyond a 2.4-megawatt need; the correct figure is 40 gigawatts beyond the 2.4-gigawatt need, and the story has been updated to correct both errors.

California regulators gave final approval for Verizon’s planned $9.6 billion acquisition of Frontier after Verizon agreed to concessions including a $500 million small-business spending pledge and other state commitments; the company expects the transaction to close on Jan. 20.

Bilt launched three Bilt 2.0 cards that extend rewards to personal mortgage payments and shift housing rewards to a system where Bilt Cash earned on non-housing purchases is used to unlock Bilt Points.