US December Core CPI Data and the Ripple Effect of JPMorgan's Decline
US December Core CPI hit 2.6%, lower than expected, while JPMorgan shares fell 4%. Meta cuts 10% of Reality Labs staff to focus on AI development in 2026.
Your grocery bills remain high, but the market is betting on a potential rate freeze. On January 14, 2026, CNBC and Bloomberg reported that December's Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in lower than economists expected, sending mixed signals to investors.
Core CPI at 2.6% and the Fed's Dilemma
The core reading, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, rose 0.2% for the month and 2.6% from a year ago. These figures were slightly below the 0.3% and 2.7% estimates. While this indicates cooling inflation, it might give the Federal Reserve enough breathing room to hold interest rates steady rather than cutting them.
Mixed Bank Earnings and Meta's AI Pivot
The latest earnings reports showed a divide. Bank of America and Citigroup beat Wall Street expectations, but JPMorgan shares tumbled 4%. The decline followed CFO Jeremy Barnum's pushback against President Donald Trump's proposed 10% interest rate cap on credit cards, citing fiduciary duties to shareholders.
In the tech sector, Meta is slashing over 1,000 jobs, roughly 10% of its Reality Labs unit. This move signals a significant shift as the company redirects resources from the metaverse to artificial intelligence to maintain its competitive edge.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
The RBI is pushing for BRICS CBDC linkage to be on the 2026 summit agenda. Explore how this move impacts global trade and the future of de-dollarization.
Bitcoin prices fell alongside global equities on Jan 19, 2026, as the EU reportedly prepares retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. Trade war fears are driving a market-wide sell-off.
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has called a snap election for Feb 8, 2026, promising a bold sales tax cut. Markets hit historic highs as political tension rises with the new opposition alliance.
U.S.-listed spot bitcoin and ether ETFs recorded their strongest week in three months, fueled by bullish market sentiment and significant capital inflows.
The RBI is pushing for BRICS CBDC linkage to be on the 2026 summit agenda. Explore how this move impacts global trade and the future of de-dollarization.
Bitcoin prices fell alongside global equities on Jan 19, 2026, as the EU reportedly prepares retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. Trade war fears are driving a market-wide sell-off.
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has called a snap election for Feb 8, 2026, promising a bold sales tax cut. Markets hit historic highs as political tension rises with the new opposition alliance.
U.S.-listed spot bitcoin and ether ETFs recorded their strongest week in three months, fueled by bullish market sentiment and significant capital inflows.