Trump scales back enforcement of law against bribing foreign...
Trump scales back enforcement of law against bribing foreign officials. It’s probably still not a good idea to go around bribing people, but President Trump signed an executive order pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, saying it puts American companies at a disadvantage. The law, dating back to 1977, makes it illegal for US companies to bribe foreign government officials to score or keep business. The order directs the Justice Department to come up with revised enforcement guidelines, with the White House saying that the current rules bar US companies from behavior that’s common among international competitors.
Hamas said it would delay a hostage release scheduled to take place on Saturday “until further notice” after accusing Israel of violating their ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, President Trump said that Palestinians would have no right of return under his plans for US ownership and redevelopment of Gaza.
The Justice Department told prosecutors to drop the public corruption case against NYC mayor Eric Adams.
Jerome Powell will testify before Congress today and tomorrow for a semiannual update on the Fed.
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration hadn’t fully complied with an order to unfreeze federal funds, saying the original order barred the administration’s halt of billions of dollars in National Institutes of Health grants.
Hyatt agreed to buy Playa Hotels for $2.6 billion to bulk up its all-inclusive offerings.
Oil prices shake off tariff worries to finish higher after 3 straight weekly declines
Oil futures settled higher on Monday, finding...
Oil futures settled higher on Monday, finding support after three straight weekly declines that took crude to its lows of 2025, with traders appearing to shake off worries about President Trump’s latest threats around tariffs.
West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery rose $1.32, or 1.9%, to settle at $72.32 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
April Brent crude , the global benchmark, added $1.21, or 1.6%, at $75.87 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.
March gasoline fell less than 0.1% to $2.10 a gallon, while March heating oil added 0.8% to $2.45 a gallon.
Natural gas for March delivery settled at $3.44 per million British thermal units, up 4.1%.
U.S. stocks end higher as investors brush off Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminum
U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday, as investors continued...
U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday, as investors continued to assess President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and awaited economic data due later this week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 167.01 points or 0.4% to end at 44,470.41, according to the preliminary closing data from FactSet.
The S&P 500 rose 40.45 points or 0.7% to finish at 6,066.44.
The Nasdaq Composite increased 190.87 points or 1% to close at 19,714.27
🇨🇳 🇺🇸This week in tariffs: China’s retaliatory measures take effect.
Earlier today, China’s counter-tariffs went live,...
Earlier today, China’s counter-tariffs went live, adding 10% to 15% levies on US exports of natural gas, oil, and coal, as well as some automotive parts and farm equipment headed for China. President Trump described the tariffs that went into effect against China on February 4 as an “opening salvo,” and experts are monitoring the situation to see if the trade war between the two countries will escalate or if the fight will be called off after further negotiations. Consumer electronics, furniture, and appliances may soon get more expensive in the US due to the retaliatory tariffs, the AP reported. Fast fashion and home goods from Temu and Shein are safe for now, as the Trump administration is keeping the de minimis exemption in place.
Americans will learn if their new fears about rising inflation are justified...
Americans will learn if their new fears about rising inflation are justified when the January consumer price index is released on Wednesday. A survey by the University of Michigan showed that respondents expect the inflation rate to be 4.3% a year from now, and Reuters expects to see the CPI rise by 0.3% on a monthly basis. On the earnings front, McDonald’s will report today, although it will be too early to gauge the impact of the return of Uncle O’Grimacey, and Coca-Cola reports tomorrow.
