Russia reacts to Trump tariff threat: BRICS not seeking a dollar alternative
A potential “BRICS currency” will not be a rival to the US dollar, but rather a tool for mutual investment within the group, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
A potential “BRICS currency” will not be a rival to the US dollar, but rather a tool for mutual investment within the group, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
According to new data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), pending home sales fell 5.5% month-over-month in December 2024. The West Coast in the United States was hit the hardest. Redfin Head of Economic Research Chen Zhao joins Wealth to discuss what this signals for the broader health of the housing market. Zhao notes that as 2024 came to a close, "housing market activity really slowed, and we're seeing that continue into the new year." She notes this is related to a rise in mortgage rates as the Federal Reserve began signaling a pause to interest rates. "I think that the housing market is likely to remain fairly sluggish in the near term," she tells Yahoo Finance, though she notes continued "uncertainty" stemming from new Trump administration policies that could drive mortgage rates higher. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Angel Smith
Mortgage rates remain nearly unchanged this week, with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage ticking down 0.01% to 6.95% as reported by Freddie Mac. Yahoo Finance senior housing reporter Claire Boston sits down with Brad Smith to talk more about the outlook on the rate environment after the Federal Reserve opted to hold interest rates where they are in its January FOMC meeting. Read up on Claire Boston's coverage of slowing housing contract activity in December. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.
In a recent episode of Trader Talk, Sylvia Jablonski, CEO and CIO of Defiance ETFs, pushed back against Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s claim that quantum computing is still 15 to 30 years away. Huang’s statement, made at the CES conference, sent quantum stocks plummeting, with names like IonQ and D-Wave taking severe hits. However, Jablonski argues that while large-scale quantum supercomputers may still be in development, the technology is already making an impact in key industries. “Quantum already exists in some form,” Jablonski explained, pointing to real-world applications in financial risk management, cryptography, and drug discovery. Companies like D-Wave are actively using quantum annealing technology, and major firms, including Google (GOOGL, GOOG) and IBM (IBM), continue to push forward with breakthroughs in quantum processing. She also questioned Huang’s authority in the quantum space, noting that while he is a leading voice in AI and GPU computing, he is not necessarily an expert in quantum technology. Notably, despite his dismissive remarks, Nvidia recently posted job openings for quantum computing roles, raising questions about the company’s actual stance. Jablonski remains bullish on quantum investing, acknowledging volatility but emphasizing the long-term potential. “It’ll take time,” she said, reinforcing the importance of looking beyond short-term market reactions. Watch more episodes of Trader Talk here. Trader Talk with Kenny Polcari on Yahoo Finance delivers expert analysis and actionable insights. Drawing on decades of trading floor experience, we empower you to navigate market volatility and keep your portfolio from getting burned. This post was written by Langston Sessoms.
On the latest episode of Yahoo Finance’s Trader Talk, host Kenny Polcari sat down with guest Bulleye Investment Group's Adam Johnson to break down the forces driving today’s market volatility. The pair explored how psychology, Federal Reserve policy, and the rise of algorithms contribute to the unpredictable ups and downs of the market. Johnson pointed out the market’s tendency to overreact to good news, which often triggers fears of inflation and interest rate hikes. “You buy stocks because of earnings growth, not because you think the Fed's going to cut rates,” Johnson said, urging investors to focus on long-term fundamentals instead of speculation. Polcari echoed this but stressed the importance of caution. “You should understand what the economy is doing around you before you just haphazardly go and start buying stocks,” he advised, noting the impact inflation could have on stock selection and timing. The conversation also highlighted the role of algorithms in driving erratic market movements. Johnson explained that pre-programmed systems often respond automatically to data, amplifying volatility. Polcari added that fear indicators like the VIX crossing 22 can set off sell programs, leading to further market turbulence. Both agreed that if the 10-year Treasury yield hits 5%, it could spell trouble for stocks, especially if inflation surges or economic growth slows. To gain more insights and discover potential investment strategies, tune into the full episode of Trader Talk on Yahoo Finance. This post was written by Langston Sessoms.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving fast. It was only two years ago that OpenAI's GPT-3.5 models sparked the AI arms race, and the pace of innovation has since been staggering. For instance, a China-based AI lab called DeepSeek dominated headlines this past week because of its latest large language models (LLMs), which offer a significant leap in efficiency compared to those that currently lead the industry.
Czech Finance Minister Stanjura warned against BTC’s volatility ahead of the central bank vote on Jan. 30.
MiCA-triggered crypto changes in Europe could create a “disorderly” market, according to USDT stablecoin operator Tether.
The original bill argued that mining facilities could pose a national security risk by compromising US military installations.
A complaint filed in January 2024 alleged that Binance, Changpeng Zhao, Iran and Syria provided “substantial assistance” that contributed to Hamas’ October 2023 attacks on Israel.