Money

TikTok executive falls short on China questions

Published

3 years ago

September 16, 2022

ticker NEWS

TikTok’s Chief Operating Officer has faced questions over whether or not the company hands data to China

Vanessa Pappas has become the first TikTok executive to answer questions from lawmakers about the company’s alleged ties to Beijing.

Pappas was facing members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

U.S. officials asked whether TikTok shares data with the Chinese Government. But Pappas was unable to confirm whether the company shares data, and if it can cut off its information-sharing.

“ByteDance is founded in China, but we do not have an official headquarters as a global company,” she said.

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, which is based in China.

The popular video-sharing platform has faced a series of probes by U.S. authorities, including by former President Donald Trump who placed an executive order to limit unspecified “transactions” with the Chinese owners of the app.

“I’m concerned that you’re not able to answer the question, except to say that you will not make the commitment to cutting off this data to China,” Senator Rob Portman said during the hearing.

“We also have very strict access controls around the type of data that they can access and where that data is stored, which is here in the United States. And we’ve also said under no circumstances would we give that data to China.”
VANESSA PAPPAS, TIKTKOK CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The executive maintained the Chinese Government “in no way, shape or form—period” has control over TikTok’s corporate policies.

Money

Wall Street eyes further gains in 2026 as rate cuts fuel optimism

Wall Street enters 2026 optimistic as falling interest rates and strong earnings drive stock market expectations amid economic resilience.

Published

7 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Wall Street enters 2026 optimistic as falling interest rates and strong earnings drive stock market expectations amid economic resilience.

Wall Street is entering 2026 with renewed confidence as falling interest rates and robust corporate earnings lift expectations for continued stock market gains. Analysts say an easier monetary policy is providing fresh momentum for equities after several strong years.

The US economy has continued to show resilience, with businesses maintaining healthy balance sheets and earnings growth holding up despite global uncertainty. Lower borrowing costs and supportive fiscal settings are expected to further boost investor sentiment.

However, market watchers remain cautious, warning that optimism could fade quickly if economic data disappoints or inflation pressures return.

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Money

US captures Maduro, investors brace for market impacts

US captures Venezuela’s Maduro, marking significant geopolitical escalation and sparking mixed reactions from investors and economists

Published

1 day ago

January 4, 2026

ticker NEWS

US captures Venezuela’s Maduro, marking significant geopolitical escalation and sparking mixed reactions from investors and economists

In Short:
– The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026, amid geopolitical tensions.
– Experts predict varied market impacts, emphasising complexities in Venezuela’s oil sector recovery.

The United States has announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a military strike on January 3, 2026.

The intervention marks a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions, with accusations against Maduro including drug trafficking and illegitimacy in power.

President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, stating Maduro and his wife were apprehended and removed from Venezuela.Washington’s direct military engagement in Latin America has been rare since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Trump indicated in a later press conference that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela’s governance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio involved in planning the next steps.

Economic experts provided varied opinions on the situation.

Market Impact

Jamie Cox of Harris Financial Group stated market reactions will likely remain muted pending the outcome of an OPEC meeting.

Helima Croft from RBC Capital Markets highlighted the complexities of rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector post-conflict.

Brian Jacobsen from Annex Wealth Management expressed that the campaign was expected and could significantly unlock oil reserves.

Marchel Alexandrovich noted that geopolitical risks are increasingly influencing market dynamics, while Tina Fordham warned about the potentially messy nature of change in Venezuela despite optimistic outlooks.

Money

Global stocks rise to record highs in 2025

Global stocks surge to record highs at 2025 year-end, driven by Fed rate cuts and AI optimism across markets

Published

7 days ago

December 30, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Global stocks surge to record highs at the 2025 year-end, driven by Fed rate cuts and AI optimism across markets

In Short:
– World equities are expected to reach record highs in 2025, driven by anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts and AI gains.
– The MSCI index gained nearly 21% in 2025, while the S&P 500 achieved its 39th record close this year.

Global equity markets ended 2025 on a historic high, capping off a year of extraordinary gains. The MSCI world equity gauge recorded an almost 21% year-to-date increase, while the S&P 500 closed at 6,932.05 on Christmas Eve—its 39th record close of the year. European shares also touched intraday records, as investors bet on continued Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and strong AI-driven growth.

Asian markets led the year-end surge, with Taiwan’s benchmark index hitting a record high of 28,832.55, fueled by gains from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. South Korea’s Kospi rose 2.2%, marking its best year since 1999. Across the region, investors placed big bets on artificial intelligence, overshadowing concerns about trade tariffs and economic uncertainty.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate cuts provided further optimism for global markets. After lowering its main funds rate to 3.5%-3.75% in December, money markets are anticipating additional cuts in 2026. While gold dipped slightly, it still recorded its largest annual gain since 1979, and copper hit a new record high. Investors are balancing bullish AI exposure with safe-haven hedges, signaling cautious confidence as 2025 draws to a close.