U.S. investors headed into Wednesday watching two forces at once: a Federal Reserve rate decision due later in the day and a wave of high-profile corporate updates from Big Tech. Stock futures were higher after the S&P 500’s recent record run, while gold stayed firm and bitcoin hovered near the high end of its recent range. Corporate news also carried a sharper edge: Amazon signaled another major round of job cuts, and questions about AI spending and productivity gains remained front and center ahead of results from several household-name technology companies.
Amazon is cutting 16,000 roles worldwide in another major restructuring step, following a large reduction announced just three months earlier. Company leadership said the change is aimed at reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy, while continuing to invest in strategic priorities. The announcement follows reports of internal confusion after a draft message about the cuts circulated to employees. The move adds to a broader pattern in tech: even as firms spend heavily on AI infrastructure, many are also trimming headcount and reorganizing to move faster and protect margins.
South Carolina’s measles outbreak has continued to grow, with state updates highlighting that most infections are among people who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Public health officials have relied on quarantine and isolation measures, school exposure investigations, and contact tracing to reduce spread in affected areas. The outbreak has renewed debate about vaccine coverage, the speed of transmission in communities with pockets of low immunity, and the strain placed on local health departments when case counts rise rapidly.
Micron says it has started construction on a new advanced wafer fabrication facility in Singapore as part of a long-term investment plan focused on meeting demand for NAND technology fueled by AI and data-centric computing. The company set an initial production target for the second half of 2028 and described major capacity, sustainability and workforce plans tied to the project.
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers walked off the job in California and Hawaii in an open-ended strike, with unions citing staffing levels, compensation and patient care delays. The action adds to wider labor pressure across the health sector as hospitals and systems face recruitment and retention strains.
Israel said it recovered and identified the remains of Ran Gvili, described as the final hostage held in Gaza, a moment that carried emotional weight in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square while also shifting attention to what comes next in a fragile ceasefire. The development underscored the human toll of the war and the political disputes that still surround border access, reconstruction and security arrangements.
U.S. stock futures were split early Tuesday as chip names rose and health-insurance shares slid after a federal proposal pointed to nearly flat Medicare Advantage payment growth in 2027. Investors also sifted major earnings updates and watched signs of strength in tech spending, including Micron’s Singapore expansion and a large U.S. Army deal for Salesforce.
The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement push in Minneapolis drew intensifying scrutiny after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers. Minneapolis officials said the administration signaled a reduction in the number of federal agents starting Tuesday, as political pressure grew from local leaders, courts and lawmakers who demanded accountability and changes to tactics.
The NFL’s conference championships are complete, and the Super Bowl matchup is set: New England will meet Seattle in Super Bowl LX. With the bracket now finalized and the date approaching, attention turns from postseason chaos to preparation, matchups, and the massive stage awaiting both teams in early February.
General Motors reported a fourth-quarter performance that beat key expectations on an adjusted basis, raised its dividend and authorized a new $6 billion share repurchase. The automaker also issued 2026 profit guidance that suggested another strong year, even as it recorded a large quarterly loss tied to major charges and restructuring around its EV strategy.
Israel said it recovered and identified the remains of Ran Gvili, described as the final hostage held in Gaza, and mourners gathered as a symbolic national countdown clock stopped. Officials cast the moment as both closure and a pivot toward harder decisions about the fragile next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and border arrangements.
A sharp drop in the Conference Board’s January reading shows households growing more anxious about jobs, prices, tariffs and politics, even as the economy continues to expand. The expectations gauge remains at recession-warning levels, adding pressure on policymakers to show progress on affordability and hiring.
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