The Nasdaq 100 Index and the QQQ ETF had a strong performance in 2025 as the artificial intelligence boom entered its third year. The two assets jumped by over 20%, adding trillions of dollars in value. Most companies in the index and its ETFs were in the green, with companies like Western Digital, Micron, Seagate,
US stocks rose on Friday, the first trading day of 2026, as technology shares extended their momentum from last year’s artificial intelligence-driven rally and investors entered the new year with a broadly constructive outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded 124 points higher, or 0.3%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.6%. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed,
The JPMorgan NASDAQ Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) had a strong performance last year as it jumped to a record high of $59. It has risen in the previous three consecutive years, with its assets under management (AUM) rising to over $32 billion. Similarly, the NEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income ETF (QQQI) rose to a
Prediction markets gained immense popularity in 2025 – moving well beyond commodities and into elections, sports, and even central bank appointments. Once niche hedging tools, they now attract mainstream attention and billions in trading volume. Former CFTC enforcement director Ian McGinley told CNBC that “prediction markets have existed for decades,” but their rapid expansion this
Big investors placed a flurry of options bets on Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD stock), according to Benzinga’s options scanner, which flagged 32 unusual trades. Calls outnumbered puts, and the largest tickets targeted a wide range of strikes from $140.0 to $280.0 over the last three months. The trading activity occurs because AMD’s stock price
Corcept Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CORT) crashed about 50% on Dec. 31 after the FDA requested additional data to support the efficacy of relacorilant, its candidate treatment for Cushing’s syndrome. The setback cast doubt on CORT’s pipeline strength and triggered a sharp re-evaluation by analysts. It underscores the market’s sensitivity to regulatory developments in small-cap drug makers.
Over 40 countries have started implementing sweeping new rules that seek to make crypto taxes more transparent and harder to avoid. According to a Financial Times report, crypto exchanges in the UK will now be required to collect complete details of user activity and report it to HM Revenue & Customs under global rules developed
Logan Mohtashami, a senior HousingWire analyst, believes mortgage rate stability – not rate cuts – will be the key driver for the US housing market in 2026. While many focus on the Fed policy, Mohtashami told CNBC today that the real story actually lies in whether mortgage rates can hold steady near 6% next year.
On December 1st, famed investor Jim Cramer looked into the camera on CNBC’s Mad Money and made a provocative statement – “maybe the stretched consumer is a false narrative.” At first glance, the statement seemed to fly in the face of conventional wisdom. For months, headlines have been dominated by “vibe-cession” talks, the impact of
Analysts increasingly believe Microsoft could reach a $5 trillion market valuation in early 2026. The analysis is driven by accelerating artificial intelligence monetisation, dominance in enterprise cloud infrastructure, and expanding operating margins that are reshaping the company’s earnings trajectory. Currently valued at approximately $3.59 trillion as of late December 2025, Microsoft would need a 41%