latest news in economy
Tech Giants' AI Spending Spree Creates Rivalry for U.S. Government Bonds
New York, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
As U.S. debt exceeds $38 trillion, a predicted $2.25 trillion wave of corporate bonds funding AI infrastructure is flooding the market, stealing buyers from Treasuries and risking higher yields.
Economic Analysis Casts Doubt on Profitability of Venezuela’s Vast Oil Reserves
Berkeley, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
Economists warn Venezuela’s 300 billion barrels are likely stranded assets, as the “peanut butter” consistency crude requires unjustifiable capital to extract amidst a global green transition.
Local Government Investments Drive Surge in Outdoor Business Demand
Washington, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
With the sector now generating $1.2 trillion annually, outdoor businesses are booming as local governments increasingly prioritize recreation infrastructure to attract talent and drive economic resilience.
Prediction Markets Emerge as Critical Tools for Geopolitical Forecasting
New York, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
By January 2026, prediction markets managing $40 billion in volume have superseded traditional polling. These platforms now actively shape, rather than just reflect, global geopolitical narratives and corporate strategies.
IRS Updates Guidelines for Retroactive Foreign Investment Tax Elections
Washington D.C., Monday, 12 January 2026.
This new framework streamlines the submission process for retroactive elections while simultaneously enforcing stricter evidentiary standards, demanding rigorous documentation from investors to secure tax relief.
St. Paul Nonprofit SPDDC Acquires Distressed U.S. Bank Center Loan to Stabilize Commercial District
Saint Paul, Monday, 12 January 2026.
Marking a pivotal shift in St. Paul’s commercial landscape, the St. Paul Downtown Development Corporation (SPDDC) has acquired the distressed loan for the U.S. Bank Center. This strategic nonprofit intervention effectively ends Madison Equities’ management tenure, aiming to stabilize the prominent downtown asset and drive urban revitalization efforts amidst a challenging office property market.
Historic Strike Imminent for 16,000 NYC Nurses as Contract Talks Stall
New York, Monday, 12 January 2026.
As of Monday, January 12, 2026, New York City faces the largest nursing strike in its history, with approximately 16,000 nurses at Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian prepared to walk off the job following expired contracts. Despite a midnight deadline, negotiations remain deadlocked over critical issues including safe staffing ratios, wage increases, and protections against rising workplace violence—highlighted by recent armed incidents at medical facilities. While nurses at Northwell Health successfully ratified agreements, the remaining major private hospital systems argue that the union’s demands, estimated at $3.6 billion, are financially unsustainable. Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency to mitigate the impact on patient care, but the standoff underscores a deepening crisis in the healthcare labor market where frontline safety concerns are colliding with institutional fiscal constraints. This labor action threatens significant disruptions to medical services across the nation’s economic hub.
Gen Z Women Reach Record Thirty Percent Share of Single Female Homebuyers
Chicago, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Gen Z women are defying affordability metrics to claim a historic market share as of 2026. Driving this trend is a strategic pivot: co-purchasing skyrocketed from 4% to 22% in just three years, prioritizing long-term wealth over traditional buying paths.
Delaware Reports First Commercial Bird Flu Case of the Season
Dover, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Delaware officials have quarantined a Kent County commercial flock following the season’s first presumptive avian influenza detection. This critical development activates containment protocols to safeguard the vital Delmarva poultry industry.
China Avoids Annual Deflation as December Consumer Prices Hit 34-Month High
Beijing, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
China escaped a deflationary spiral in 2025, with December prices rising 0.8%. While food costs rebounded, a striking 68.5% surge in gold jewelry prices reveals investors’ continued flight to safety despite recovery signals.