📈 Stocks / Finance

Meta begins FTC antitrust trial over Instagram, WhatsApp

Investor’s Business Daily

Meta faces an FTC antitrust trial alleging monopolistic acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC seeks divestitures, citing a 2008 email from CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating it's 'better to buy than compete.' Meta argues competition from TikTok and YouTube remains strong .

Magnificent Seven stocks underperform in early 2025

Investor’s Business Daily

Despite strong 2024 gains, the Magnificent Seven stocks have declined in early 2025. Nvidia leads with an 18.3% drop, followed by Tesla (-16.4%), Microsoft (-10.1%), Amazon (-9.2%), Alphabet (-8.7%), Meta (-1.5%), while Apple bucks the trend with a 5.6% rise.

Tech Tariff Reprieve Fuels Equity Gains, Dollar Slips

Reuters

Exemptions on U.S. tech tariffs lifted the S&P 500 by 1.2% and Apple by 3%. Treasury yields eased after last week’s spike, while the dollar fell 0.34% on policy uncertainty. Analysts flagged ongoing volatility and recession risk despite the 90-day tariff pause.

🪙 Crypto

Tether, Galaxy, and Ledn Dominate Rebounding Crypto Lending Market

Pymnts

As of Q4 2024, Tether, Galaxy, and Ledn held 88.6% of the CeFi lending market and 27% of total crypto lending. The market rebounded to $36.5B, up 157% from its Q3 2023 low, though still 43% below its 2021 peak. DeFi lending outpaced CeFi in recovery due to its decentralized nature.

🌎 Global Economy

OPEC Cuts Oil Demand Forecast Amid Trade Tariffs

NBC LA

OPEC lowered its 2025 oil demand growth forecast by 150,000 bpd to 1.3 million bpd, citing U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty. The group also reduced its global economic growth outlook to 3% for 2025.