On January 15, 2026, crude prices pulled back after President Donald Trump signaled no immediate U.S. military action against Iran. Benchmarks surrendered a recent rally, with Brent and WTI down about 2–3% in after-hours trade. The move reflected a swift fade in geopolitical risk premiums amid Middle East unrest.

On January 15, 2026, U.S. financial stocks came under pressure as markets reacted to President Donald Trump's push for a 10% federal ceiling on credit card interest rates. Major issuers including Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, and Citigroup saw share prices decline amid fears the plan could reduce interest income, trigger legal challenges, and force banks to rethink lending and rewards strategies.

On January 14, 2026, Hong Kong fintech WeLab raised $220 million with participation from HSBC and Prudential. The funding will support product expansion and regional growth as the firm builds on its virtual banking and consumer credit businesses. The deal also signals renewed confidence in Hong Kong’s digital finance sector.

On Jan. 6, 2026, global equities advanced as investors weighed US policy moves and tensions linked to Venezuela. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose, the Dow hit a record, and energy, technology, defense, and major oil names gained, while gold and silver also climbed as some investors rotated toward safe havens.

On January 6, 2026 in New York, Manhattan's housing market was reported to be rebounding as lower mortgage rates supported a recovery in sales. Reduced borrowing costs are drawing buyers back, especially for 30-year fixed loans, but analysts warn that mortgage rates remain high by historical standards and could limit affordability. They also note that ongoing economic uncertainty and elevated property prices may challenge the durability of this upturn through 2026.