Month: January 2025

Microsoft announced plans to invest approximately $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to expand its data centers, focusing on training artificial intelligence (AI) models and deploying AI and cloud-based applications, according to a blog post published on Friday. The surge in AI investments began after OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, as…

The Biden administration has informed Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a U.S. official announced on Friday. The move underscores Washington’s ongoing support for its ally amid a Gaza conflict that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. The deal, which requires approval from the…

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ: IBIT) recorded its largest daily outflow since its launch a year ago, coinciding with the resumption of U.S. trading following the New Year’s Day holiday. On January 2, the spot Bitcoin ETF saw an outflow of $332.6 million, surpassing the previous record of $188.7 million…

European stocks edged lower at the close of a holiday-shortened week as traders focused on economic data for signals on interest rate trends and potential policy shifts under Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency. The pan-European STOXX 600 index slipped 0.1% by 0815 GMT but remained on track for a 0.7% weekly…

The US dollar pulled back on Friday, but remained poised for a strong weekly performance, supported by expectations of US economic strength and fewer Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. At 04:20 ET (09:20 GMT), the Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was…

Bitcoin climbed on Friday, continuing its recovery from a sharp price drop over the New Year holiday as traders sought clarity on U.S. regulatory policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Tether (USDT) remained a focal point this week, suffering its steepest market capitalization decline since the 2022 FTX collapse. This…

The dollar was poised for its strongest weekly performance in over a month on Friday, supported by reduced expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year and a belief that the U.S. economy will continue to outperform its global peers. The greenback kicked off the new year with momentum, reaching…

China plans to significantly boost funding through ultra-long treasury bonds in 2025 to drive business investment and consumer-focused initiatives, a National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) official announced on Friday. The move is part of Beijing’s intensified fiscal stimulus to rejuvenate its slowing economy. Special treasury bonds will fund initiatives…

U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to block Nippon Steel’s proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, effectively ending a contentious merger plan, according to a report by the Washington Post. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had referred the decision to Biden, whose term ends…

Gold prices ticked up in Asian trading on Friday, poised for a weekly gain as a slight dip in the dollar provided support. However, the dollar remained near its two-year peak, keeping pressure on bullion. Spot gold rose 0.2% to $2,662.94 per ounce, while February gold futures climbed 0.3% to…