Investors start the year by betting on stocksartificial intelligence and chip production. Trading is low this morning because China and Japan are still closed for holidays., while the prices start to rise again precious metals After the decline of the last few sessions, the futures on the Nasdaq 100 stock index are up by 0,7%, while the contracts indicate aweak opening for Europe.
The spot up 1,3% and thesilver up 2,5%, consolidating their best annual performance since 1979. The Copper Gold's gains in 2025 were the largest in 46 years, while silver and platinum posted their biggest gains on record, driven by a mix of factors, including Fed rate cuts, geopolitical flashpoints, robust central bank purchasing, and ETF inflows.
Wall Street awaits Tesla's sales data today, potentially overtaking China's BYD.
The main indices of Wall Street They closed lower on December 31, with the Dow at -0,63%, the S&P 500 at -0,74%, the Nasdaq at -0,76%, but have posted double-digit gains this year, their third consecutive year in the black, a trend last seen in the 2019-2021 period. The rally has been fueled by an insatiable appetite for artificial intelligence-related stocks, which pushed all three indexes to record highs this year. The leading chipmaker Nvidia Up 39% since the beginning of the year, it was one of many companies to benefit from AI trading, becoming the first publicly traded company to reach a market capitalization of $5 trillion. The Nasdaq 100 Index gained 20% last year, posting a third consecutive year of gains.
This year, much of investors' attention will be focused on strength of the US economy and the monetary policy path of the FedIt will be published in the next few days a series of economic data Delayed by the U.S. government shutdown, which could prove crucial in determining how far rate cuts can go. Market participants estimate only a 15% chance that the U.S. central bank will ease rates this month, although a further cut is expected by June. The U.S. president is preparing to announce Chairman Jerome Powell's replacement at the end of this month.
Today Tesla Inc. is expected to report vehicle shipments of about 440.900 in the fourth quarter, down 11% from a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, while Byd It hit its annual sales target and likely surpassed Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle maker by 2025.
instead Byd, the Chinese electric vehicle giant listed on Hong Kong achieved its full-year sales target and has probably surpassed Tesla, becoming the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer by 2025. Shares rose on the first trading day of the new year, gaining as much as 2,3%. The Shenzhen-based automaker shipped 4,6 million vehicles last year, a 7,7% increase from 2024. This figure is in line with the lowered annual target the company announced in September. Among vehicles sold, it sold nearly as many fully electric vehicles—2,3 million—as plug-in hybrids.
Asia's growth is driven by tech. DeepSeek presents a new development model for AI.
Exchanges in Asia are reduced with China and Japan still on holiday, but they are positive with the technology sector leading the rise: Hong Kong is at +2,5% and South Korea is at +2,2%, with Samsung Electronics, which grew 126% in 2025, reached a new all-time high. The Chinese tech giant Baidu is up 7,5% after announcing that it wants to spin off its subsidiary Kunlunxin, which specializes in artificial intelligence chips, and list it in Hong Kong, while Shanghai Biren TechnologyAI chipmaker , Inc., doubled in value on its Hong Kong debut. DeepSeek has published a paper outlining a more efficient approach to AI development, demonstrating how China's AI industry is striving to compete with companies like OpenAI despite the lack of open access to Nvidia Corp.'s chips. The paper, co-authored with founder Liang Wenfeng, introduces a framework called Manifold-Constrained Hyper-Connections. Analysts note that similar publications by DeepSeek have previously heralded the launch of relevant models.
Il dollar The new year started in decline, with theeuro on the rise The dollar rose 0,1% to $1,1759, while the pound gained 0,16% to $1,3481. The yen strengthened slightly to $156,64 per dollar, but is still not far from the levels that had investors worried about possible intervention by the Japanese authorities to support the struggling currency.
The prices of Petroleum rose slightly, after posting their biggest annual loss since 2020. Brent crude futures rose 0,25% to $61,00 a barrel, while U.S. crude rose 0,26% to $57,57 a barrel.
European stocks opened lower. At the Milan Stock Exchange, Unicredit and Saipem were all eyes on the stock market.
Le European stock exchanges are seen opening lower, based on what is indicated by the Eurostoxx 50 futures at -0,60%
The salary is in the spotlight Christine Lagarde which is 50% higher than what was declared by the ECB, according to an analysis by Financial Times, at a level nearly four times higher than that of Fed Chairman Jay Powell.
PirelliThe Italian and Chinese partners have started negotiations aimed at making the company compliant with regulations and strengthening its competitiveness in key markets, as stated by the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso.
Saipem It has been awarded two offshore contracts in Saudi Arabia, as part of its existing long-term agreement with Aramco (2223.SE), worth approximately $600 million. It also won another $425 million contract to continue development of Turkey's largest offshore natural gas field.
Unicredit UniCredit has signed an agreement with the Fabi banking union and other unions to manage staff turnover through voluntary departures and new hires. Meanwhile, CEO Andrea Orcel has sounded cautious regarding the takeover of Commerzbank: "At these valuation levels, plus the expected premium, the operation would not work for UniCredit shareholders. The situation could change," Orcel explained in an interview with the German financial newspaper Boersen Zeitung, "if Commerzbank were to achieve its financial targets and the valuation converged towards more reasonable levels."
Bpm bankAhead of the board of directors' renewal next spring, the latest announcements show that the foundations and savings banks' shareholding has fallen from 6,51% to 5,93%. The seller was the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca, which dropped from 1,24% to 0,646%, selling nearly 10 million shares on the market.
Ps announced that it has called an extraordinary shareholders' meeting for February 4th to deliberate on certain statutory amendments.
Prysmian – CEO Massimo Battaini confirms plans for a dual listing on Wall Street, which the company will decide with its board of directors "when and if there is an opportunity to implement," said in an interview with Repubblica. When asked about potential major acquisitions in 2026, he replied that the group is always considering extraordinary transactions to be ready when opportunities arise on the market.
Eni – A Kazakhstan court has upheld a $4,4 billion fine imposed on NCOC (Eni's 16,8%) operator of the Kashagan offshore field for allegedly exceeding permitted sulfur storage volumes.
Fincantieri – Subsidiary Wass has been awarded a contract worth over €200 million by the Indian Navy to supply Black Shark Advanced heavy torpedoes for six Scorpène-class submarines. Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030. Fincantieri was the best Italian blue chip company in 2025, with a performance of 141%.
Juventus Consob has concluded the proceedings initiated against Juventus and several former executives, imposing an administrative fine of €190 on the club, reduced from the initial €200 proposal. The former executives were fined a total of €310, also reduced from the €840 initially proposed, plus additional measures. No fines were imposed on the current manager. Juventus is jointly liable for the payment of the fines and will evaluate whether to appeal the decision within 30 days.
