latest news in economy
2025 Migration Data Reveals Shift Back to Texas as Top Destination for Movers
Phoenix, Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
Texas reclaims the top spot for inbound moves in 2025, while California ranks last for the sixth consecutive year, underscoring a persistent migration toward business-friendly environments.
Global Markets Rally on US Plans to Revitalize Venezuela’s Vast Oil Reserves
New York, Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
On January 6, 2026, global equity markets surged, driven by renewed investor confidence following the US capture of Nicolás Maduro and subsequent plans to rehabilitate Venezuela’s energy sector. The NASDAQ and Nikkei 225 posted significant gains as traders assessed President Trump’s strategy to deploy American oil majors to rebuild Venezuela’s infrastructure. The most compelling factor driving this sentiment is the potential access to Venezuela’s 303 billion barrels of proven oil reserves—the largest in the world—which currently account for less than 1% of global output due to decades of neglect. While the initiative promises to reintegrate a massive energy asset into the global economy, analysts caution that the revitalization effort faces significant logistical hurdles and could require tens of billions of dollars in capital investment over the next decade.
Asia Stocks Surge and Oil Retreats as US Confirms Capture of Venezuelan President
Tokyo, Monday, 5 January 2026.
Japanese equities breached the historic 50,000 level and oil prices eased as traders reacted to the US military’s capture of Nicolas Maduro, anticipating stabilized energy flows under temporary American administration.
Colorado Retirement Plan Participation Surges Ahead of Mandatory Compliance
Denver, Sunday, 4 January 2026.
Colorado’s state-mandated retirement program reports a 38% increase in savers. As enforcement looms, officials purged 33,000 outdated records to precisely target non-compliant employers facing fines this year.
Bank of America Projects S&P 500 Companies Will Boost Payouts in 2026
New York, Sunday, 4 January 2026.
Strategist Savita Subramanian predicts accelerated year-over-year dividend growth, offering a critical opportunity for income investors as corporations prioritize returning capital despite expensive market valuations.
Financial Sector Shows Robust M&A Activity
New York, Saturday, 3 January 2026.
The financial services industry sees continued mergers and acquisitions as of January 2026. One notable recent merger: Mercantile Bank finalized its deal with Eastern Michigan Financial, combining assets to approximately $6.9 billion.
