Bitcoin dips below $79,000 as market digests silver sell-off, Trump’s Fed chair pick

Bitcoin dips below ,000 as market digests silver sell-off, Trump’s Fed chair pick

Bitcoin signage in Times Square in New York, Dec. 9, 2025. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana slumped as retail traders digested a busy market week that saw wild swings in commodities and a long-awaited announcement by President Donald Trump on his choice for the next Federal Reserve chairman. In … Read more

Here is what caused the wild swings in our 34-stock portfolio last week

Here is what caused the wild swings in our 34-stock portfolio last week

The S & P 500 closed lower on Friday but slightly higher for the week. It briefly topped 7,000 for the first time ever Wednesday. There was no storage of news: Ten portfolio names, including three of our megacaps, reported earnings throughout the week; the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday; software stocks … Read more

Buffett Watch: American Express challenges Apple for No. 1 slot in Berkshire’s portfolio

Buffett Watch: American Express challenges Apple for No. 1 slot in Berkshire’s portfolio

As Warren Buffett was appearing live on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Monday, February 24, 2020, futures were pointing to a drop of 3% for the stock market when it opened due to fears of a coronavirus pandemic. Buffett, however, wasn’t worried. He was, in fact, happy that stock prices would be going down. BECKY QUICK: … Read more

Earnings, jobs loom large in the week ahead for a discerning market. Here’s what’s coming up

Earnings, jobs loom large in the week ahead for a discerning market. Here’s what’s coming up

More Magnificent Seven earnings are coming next week, helping to decide the direction of a stock market that’s becoming more discerning, while the latest data on the labor market will cast light on the state of the economy. Alphabet and Amazon are the next big technology companies in line to have their income statements scrutinized, … Read more

Wealth inequality and the ‘K-shaped’ economy are more striking than ever, data shows

Wealth inequality and the ‘K-shaped’ economy are more striking than ever, data shows

The gap between the best and worse off Americans is growing — and economists don’t see an end in sight. The “K-shaped” economy has been top of mind for consumers, corporate leaders, policymakers and investors since the Covid pandemic drastically reshaped Americans’ financial habits almost six years ago. Economists now warn that this two-speed economic … Read more

Trump nominates Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve chair to succeed Jerome Powell

Trump nominates Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve chair to succeed Jerome Powell

President Donald Trump on Friday named Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair, ending a prolonged odyssey that has seen unprecedented turmoil around the central bank. The decision culminates a process that officially began last summer but started much earlier than that, with Trump launching a fusillade of criticism against the Powell-led … Read more

Gold and silver tumble as Trump’s Fed Chair pick Warsh seen as preserving central bank independence

Gold and silver tumble as Trump’s Fed Chair pick Warsh seen as preserving central bank independence

Argor-Heraeus’ CEO Robin Kolvenbach holds one kilo bars of silver and gold at the plant of refiner and bar manufacturer Argor-Heraeus in Mendrisio, Switzerland, July 13, 2022. Denis Balibouse | Reuters Gold and silver prices plunged Friday, as President Donald Trump’s nomination for the next chair of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, appeared to relieve … Read more

World leaders flock to Beijing, hedging against U.S. disruptions

World leaders flock to Beijing, hedging against U.S. disruptions

China’s President Xi Jinping (R) and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer shake hands before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 29, 2026. Carl Court | Afp | Getty Images BEIJING — Countries that shunned China during its trade dispute with the U.S. are now sending their leaders to … Read more

‘Very dangerous’: Trump reportedly warns UK of doing business with China as Starmer seeks a reset

‘Very dangerous’: Trump reportedly warns UK of doing business with China as Starmer seeks a reset

US President Donald Trump greets Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a summit on Gaza, Egypt, in Sharm el-Sheikh on Oct. 13, 2025. Evan Vucci | Afp | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday reportedly warned the U.K. that it would be “very dangerous” for the country to do business with China, after … Read more

Gold rally stalls as prices drop 4% after a sharp run-up; Asia-Pacific stock markets trade mixed

Gold rally stalls as prices drop 4% after a sharp run-up; Asia-Pacific stock markets trade mixed

A jeweller shows gold and silver bars at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on Jan. 12, 2026. Yasser Al-zayyat | Afp | Getty Images Gold and silver prices fell Friday, after hitting record highs a day earlier, as investors book profits after a record-breaking rally this year. Spot gold prices declined over 4% to … Read more