Market Signal Briefing

Shares of Rocket Lab NASDAQ: RKLB received another major vote of confidence this month after financial heavyweight Morgan Stanley significantly upgraded both its rating and price target on the stock. On Jan. 16, 2026, the firm raised its rating from Equal Weight to Overweight and lifted its price target from $67 to a Street-high $105.

The timing of the upgrade is notable. Rocket Lab is already trading at all-time highs, closing the Jan. 16 session at $96.30. That move pushed the stock’s year-to-date gain to 38%, while its one-year performance now stands at an eye-catching 287%. With shares already deep into a parabolic run, Morgan Stanley’s bullish call naturally raises an important question for investors: Is there still upside left in the short-term, or has the market already priced it in?

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Morgan Stanley Turns Bullish on Space and Rocket Lab Morgan Stanley analyst Kristine Liwag framed the upgrade within a broader, optimistic outlook for the space technology sector in 2026. The firm has adopted what it calls an “Attractive” view on space tech, arguing that many of the drivers behind last year’s outperformance remain firmly in place. 

Rocket Lab Today

$89.16 -7.14 (-7.41%)

As of 04:00 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$14.71▼

$99.58Price Target$72.92

It's a similar view to what MarketBeat had previously noted for Rocket Lab and the overall sector. 

“2025 was a banner year for the space industry on several fronts,” Liwag wrote, adding that higher launch cadences, new product introductions, and policy support should fuel 2026.

For Rocket Lab specifically, Morgan Stanley highlighted two key catalysts: expectations for the company’s first Neutron rocket launch in early 2026, and continued increases in launch cadence for its Electron rocket.

Neutron, in particular, represents a step-change opportunity for Rocket Lab, opening the door to larger payloads, higher-margin missions, and deeper exposure to defense and national security contracts.

Why the Bull Case Still Has Legs Despite the stock’s sharp run, Rocket Lab continues to benefit from multiple structural tailwinds. The company recently secured an $816 million multi-year contract, reinforcing its growing role in government and defense-related space infrastructure. At the same time, global investment in space and defense capabilities remains elevated, driven by geopolitical tensions and national security priorities that are pushing governments to accelerate spending.

There’s also a broader sentiment tailwind at work. Speculation around a potential SpaceX IPO has helped shine a spotlight on the broader space ecosystem, often lifting publicly traded peers like Rocket Lab along with it

That said, Wall Street remains divided. RKLB currently has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 16 analyst opinions, with an average price target near $64. That’s well below current levels. A successful Neutron debut, however, could force analysts to materially reassess both revenue potential and valuation, potentially triggering a broader re-rating.

Is RKLB a Buy at These Levels? Rocket Lab Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$72.92
-20.73% Downside

Moderate Buy
Based on 16 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$91.99High Forecast$120.00Average Forecast$72.92Low Forecast$18.00Rocket Lab Stock Forecast Details

While the long-term story remains compelling, the near-term technical picture suggests caution. Rocket Lab is firmly in overbought territory, with momentum indicators such as RSI stretched following the stock’s rapid ascent.

For investors who bought shares at lower levels, the trends look favorable for continuing to hold the stock. But for new investors, patience may be warranted. A pullback into key short- and mid-term moving averages, followed by consolidation and base-building, would offer a more attractive risk-reward setup.

In short, Morgan Stanley’s upgrade reinforces Rocket Lab’s long-term potential,  but after a near-vertical rally, the next high-probability entry may come on a pause, not a chase.

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WLFI Backlash as 9 ‘Team Wallets’ Swing 59% Vote on USD1 Growth Proposal

Hassan Shittu

Journalist

Hassan Shittu

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2023

About Author

Hassan, a Cryptonews.com journalist with 6+ years of experience in Web3 journalism, brings deep knowledge across Crypto, Web3 Gaming, NFTs, and Play-to-Earn sectors. His work has appeared in...

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Last updated: 

7 minutes ago

World Liberty Financial is facing mounting criticism from its community after a governance vote approving a USD1 growth proposal passed with decisive support from a small cluster of large wallets.

The vote saw objections from the community over the lack of voting access for locked WLFI holders, reigniting concerns about control, dilution, and the limits of WLFI’s on-chain governance.

Source: WLFIOn-chain voting data reviewed by market participants shows that the top nine wallets backing the proposal accounted for roughly 59% of the total voting power.

The single largest wallet alone represented 18.786% of votes cast in the snapshot.

WLFI Vote Passes 78%, but Access Dispute Overshadows OutcomeAnalysis shared by pseudonymous trader and researcher DeFi^2 showed that several of these addresses are flagged by on-chain mapping tools as team-linked or strategic partner wallets, effectively allowing a narrow group of insiders to determine the outcome.

Haven’t seen anyone else talk about this yet, so I wanted to bring up an alarming governance vote by World Liberty Fi this month that appears to be the start of a slow extraction of value from WLFI holders by the team:

What you see above appears to be a rigged vote, where the… pic.twitter.com/CGsj7vVUUk

— DeFi^2 (@DefiSquared) January 20, 2026 The proposal itself authorized World Liberty Financial to deploy less than 5% of its unlocked WLFI treasury holdings to support the adoption of USD1, the project’s dollar-backed stablecoin.

The vote, created on December 28 and closed on January 4, attracted 2,931 participants and passed comfortably, with 3.3 billion votes, or 77.75%, in favor.

Votes against totaled 944.3 million, while abstentions were negligible. The quorum level reached 426%, far exceeding the threshold required for validity.

Source: WLFIThe backlash has centered less on the mechanics of the proposal and more on who was able to participate.

Many WLFI holders remain locked out of their tokens following the project’s token generation event and cannot vote on governance matters until unlock conditions are changed.

Several community members pointed out that while these holders are unable to influence decisions, team and partner wallets appear to have had full voting access.

DeFi^2 described the episode as an “alarming governance vote,” arguing that a measure unrelated to token unlocks was pushed through despite repeated calls from holders to address access restrictions first.

Tokenholders opposing the proposal have also questioned its economic logic.

WLFI holders are not entitled to protocol revenue, according to the project’s own documentation, which allocates 75% of revenue to the Trump family and 25% to the Witkoff family.

WLFI Holders Voice Frustration Over Incentives and Locked SupplyAgainst that backdrop, critics argue that using WLFI tokens to incentivize USD1 growth increases dilution without offering a direct upside to tokenholders.

One tokenholder who voted against the proposal said the project had previously deployed more than nine figures of investor capital to accumulate assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, and Chainlink, yet WLFI holders saw no tangible benefit from those holdings.

Tensions increased further after on-chain data showed a transfer of 500 million WLFI tokens to Jump Trading shortly after the vote concluded, while early investor allocations remain locked.

Community members have described the situation as asymmetric, with emissions rising and liquidity becoming available to select counterparties while long-term holders wait for unlocks.

Calls to release the remaining 80% of tokens for early investors have grown louder across social channels.

The governance dispute is unfolding as World Liberty Financial accelerates its broader expansion.

On January 8, the group disclosed that World Liberty Trust had filed a de novo application for a U.S. national banking charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

If approved, the charter would allow the trust to issue and safeguard USD1 directly within the U.S. banking system.

Days later, on January 12, World Liberty Financial announced the launch of World Liberty Markets, a lending and borrowing platform built around USD1 and WLFI.

Major blockchain infrastructure provider Chainlink is launching 24/5 support for key real-world assets, including U.S. equities, through an extension of its existing Chainlink Data Streams technology.

According to an announcement on Tuesday, Chainlink 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams are designed to deliver "fast and secure market data for U.S. equities and ETFs across all trading sessions," five days a week, including after-hours and overnight sessions.

In other words, Chainlink will now enable decentralized protocols to more easily integrate onchain stocks and ETFs into their offerings, helping to push U.S. equities trading closer to the always-on standard unlocked by blockchains.

Competitive landscape Both centralized and decentralized exchanges in recent months have been competing to roll out either 24/5 or even 24/7 stock and commodities trading capabilities. Perhaps most notably, on Monday, the New York Stock Exchange said it was building a new platform for tokenized securities trading, which could one day run round-the-clock, including weekends.

Additionally, Kraken began offering 24/5 access to a range of CME-based markets, like gold and oil and equities indexes, last year, while BitMEX recently jumped into the fray with a 24/7 Equity Perps offering, covering assets like Amazon, Apple, Circle, Coinbase, Meta, Nvidia, Robinhood, Tesla, and the S&P 500.

Coinbase Derivatives also launched 24/7 trading for its list of altcoin "perpetual-style" futures, following its acquisition of Deribit.

Chainlink said that several crypto-native platforms, including Lighter, which began listing 24/5 equity perps markets earlier this month, and BitMEX, will integrate its new RWA solution. ApeX, another prominent derivatives DEX, will also tap Chainlink 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams, as will HelloTrade, Decibel, Monaco, Opinion Labs, and Orderly Network.

"We're excited to expand our partnership with Chainlink as Lighter’s official oracle solution for RWA markets by integrating 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams," Lighter CEO Vladimir Novakovski said. "This enables us to extend our fair, low-latency perp execution beyond regular market hours without compromising data integrity."

New use cases In some sense, Chainlink’s oracle technology is relatively straightforward — a means of bringing offchain data, like bid and ask prices, trading volume, and other status flags, to onchain smart contracts. But the integrated solution also unlocks a range of new capabilities.

The team notes Chainlink 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams can support “new yield and exposure strategies” using structured products and vaults, power new prediction and lending markets, and enable new synthetic equities and funds, among other onchain products. The equities streams will go live on over 40 blockchains using the Chainlink Data Standard.

“Most onchain data solutions only provide a single price point for equities during standard trading hours (weekdays 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET), creating a gap where onchain markets are unable to reliably replicate market conditions all 24 hours of the day,” Chainlink noted. “These limitations create pricing blind spots, increase risk during off-hours, and make it difficult to build secure, scalable equity-based financial products onchain.”

Chainlink notes that 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams are “just the beginning,” inviting developer “to learn more about how to access 24/7 coverage.”

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Bitcoin plunged below $90,000 on Jan. 20, briefly touching $89,180 despite Strategy's $2.13 billion purchase of 22,305 bitcoins. Geopolitical Turmoil Drives Bitcoin Below $90,000 Bitcoin ( BTC) tumbled below the $90,000 mark on Tuesday, Jan. 20, as geopolitical tensions flared following U.S.

The commitment to adding seized Bitcoin to reserves may influence global digital asset strategies and impact future crypto regulations.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reiterated the government’s commitment to adding Bitcoin obtained through criminal seizures and legal forfeiture to the national digital asset reserve.

At a Davos news conference on Tuesday, Bessent told reporters that the sale of seized Bitcoin remains suspended.

“If anything was seized, I believe it would have been seized from the founders, and the policy of this government is to add seized Bitcoin to our digital asset reserve after the damages are done,” Bessent said in response to questions about America’s 2026 strategy for the strategic Bitcoin reserve and the alleged Southern District of New York (SDNY) seizure of Bitcoin from Tornado Cash developers.

“Our view was first you have to stop selling, which we have done, and then we can add the assets in asset forfeitures,” Bessent added.

He did not comment further on the litigation involving Bitcoin seized from Tornado Cash founders by the SDNY.

Bitcoin Magazine reported earlier this month that the SDNY may have acted contrary to Executive Order 14233 by failing to transfer forfeited Bitcoin to the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR).

The outlet also questioned whether the US Marshals Service (USMS), at the direction of the Department of Justice (DOJ), used Coinbase Prime to liquidate over 57 BTC forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill.

After the story was published, the USMS told DL News that it “has not sold the Bitcoin mentioned” and said it had “no idea how Bitcoin Magazine would get that information.”

In a statement last week from Patrick Witt, executive director of the White House President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, the DOJ said the Bitcoin forfeited in the Samourai Wallet case was not liquidated and will be retained in the SBR.

Still, questions remain over why the DOJ signed an Asset Liquidation Agreement with the Samourai developers.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the administration’s plans to acquire more Bitcoin through budget-neutral means.

Bessent has repeatedly noted that the US will focus on growing the SBR with seized Bitcoin for now and has no immediate plans to purchase additional sats, while clarifying that budget-neutral options are still under consideration.

One such method is the BITCOIN Act, reintroduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis in March 2025.

The legislation has shown little progress and is unlikely to advance soon, with the focus now on crypto market structure legislation. Lummis will retire from the Senate next year.

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Bitcoin’s dominance over the broader crypto market has become the main reference point for traders trying to determine when an altcoin season will finally take shape. At the moment, Bitcoin still controls close to 60% of the total market, and this has so far kept any meaningful altcoin breakout at bay.

However, according to a Bitcoin analyst, history suggests that once this balance begins to shift, the transition into altcoin season tends to happen quickly, often playing out within a tight one-to-two-month timeframe.

Why Bitcoin Dominance Matters For Altcoin Season In his analysis, the analyst explained that Bitcoin dominance, also known as BTC.D, is an important factor in determining when capital begins rotating into altcoins. BTC dominance measures Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market capitalization, and declines in this metric have historically coincided with explosive altcoin rallies. At the time of writing, CoinMarketCap puts the Bitcoin dominance at 59%.

Looking back at 2017, the BTC.D chart shows Bitcoin’s dominance falling very quickly from around 96% in early March to about 60% by mid-May. That drop was the playout of one of the most aggressive altcoin rallies the market has ever seen. 

Source: Chart from Waterman on X A similar pattern played out in 2021, when BTC dominance fell from about 60% in early April to near 40% by mid-May. That move coincided with another powerful altcoin expansion, pushing Ethereum and several other major altcoins to new all-time highs. Many of those peaks, particularly among meme coins such as Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, are unbroken to this day.

The most important takeaway from both cycles, according to the analyst, is the speed of the move. In each case, it took just one to two months for a full-blown altcoin season to unfold once Bitcoin dominance began rolling over decisively.

BTC’s Next Move Could Decide Everything The analyst notes that many investors underestimate how quickly this transition can happen. After waiting through multiple years of accumulation and consolidation, market participants often grow impatient just before the final stage. Historically, however, altcoin season has tended to play out very quickly once conditions align, not gradually over many months. Therefore, investors waiting for an altcoin season can still hold on for that move and not lose focus.

He also pointed to macro signals supporting a risk-on environment, referencing strength in assets such as small-cap equities, gold, and silver hitting all-time highs. These conditions are lining up for capital flowing into higher-beta assets once confidence returns.

Nonetheless, altcoins cannot sustain a true breakout without BTC first making a convincing move. If Bitcoin fails to push to a new all-time high, altcoins may see only short-lived relief rallies. On the other hand, a new Bitcoin all-time high could act as the deciding factor that brings retail traders back into the market and eventually leads to FOMO plus a breakout altcoin season.

BTC trading at $90,971 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

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Scott Matherson is a leading crypto writer at Bitcoinist, who possesses a sharp analytical mind and a deep understanding of the digital currency landscape. Scott has earned a reputation for delivering thought-provoking and well-researched articles that resonate with both newcomers and seasoned crypto enthusiasts. Outside of his writing, Scott is passionate about promoting crypto literacy and often works to educate the public on the potential of blockchain.

Cycle analyst reveals Dogecoin-NVIDIA ratio chart showing historical support levels that preceded major DOGE price outperformance in 2017 and 2021 cycles.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

20 January 2026, 08:02 PM

A technical analysis comparing Dogecoin to NVIDIA has surfaced, drawing attention to capital rotation patterns that have repeated across multiple market cycles. Cycle analyst Cryptollica shared a chart tracking the DOGE-to-NVIDIA ratio over several years, revealing a structural relationship between the tech leader and the meme cryptocurrency.

The analysis strips away fundamental narratives to focus on relative performance and capital flows. The chart shows the ratio moving within a defined downward channel, with critical turning points occurring at the lower boundary. This zone has marked significant shifts in past cycles.

The ratio currently sits near long-term support levels that previously triggered notable reversals. In 2017 and 2021, similar compression points preceded periods where Dogecoin outperformed NVIDIA on a percentage basis. These episodes occurred after NVIDIA had already captured substantial gains while DOGE remained relatively depressed.

Historical Pattern Recognition in Capital FlowsThe framework presented by Cryptollica examines where capital has generated higher marginal returns during different cycle phases. When the ratio reached support in previous years, it signaled an imbalance. NVIDIA had priced in expected growth while Dogecoin traded at suppressed relative valuations.

What followed was not a collapse in NVIDIA shares but a reallocation toward higher-risk opportunities. Speculative capital rotated into assets offering greater upside sensitivity. Dogecoin benefited most from these transitions.

The current technical structure mirrors earlier conditions. The ratio tests the same support area that preceded major relative performance shifts. This suggests extended gains may already be reflected in NVIDIA's price while Dogecoin remains compressed in comparison.

Rotation Mechanics and Speculative Asset PerformanceThe chart highlights rotation as the core mechanism rather than directional decline. When market leadership saturates, capital typically remains deployed but shifts toward higher beta exposures. Dogecoin has historically absorbed these flows during dispersion phases.

NVIDIA's fundamentals remain anchored to artificial intelligence growth trajectories. Its valuation reflects expectations for sustained technological expansion. Dogecoin operates under different dynamics, driven primarily by sentiment shifts and liquidity conditions rather than earnings or revenue.

During previous cycles, assets like DOGE delivered outsized gains when markets transitioned from concentration to broader participation. The ratio chart identifies these windows based on technical levels rather than narrative catalysts.

The analysis does not imply weakness in NVIDIA as a company or investment. The stock continues to benefit from structural AI demand. The ratio simply measures relative capital allocation efficiency during specific cycle phases.

If historical patterns hold, the current support level could mark another inflection point. Past instances at this technical zone preceded periods where Dogecoin outperformed on a percentage basis as speculative interest intensified.

At the time of writing, Dogecoin trades at around $0.1237, down 4.38% in the last 24 hours.

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Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.

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Dogecoin (DOGE) News

Analog January is meeting Bitcoin at the custody layer as some investors seek exposure without screen time.

The digital-minimalism push, framed as “tech-low and slow living,” is landing as crypto returns to a volatility regime that makes constant checking expensive.

Analog January for BitcoinLivingetc reported that “Analog January” (sometimes shortened to “Janalog”) is a reset from compulsive micro-checking rather than a move off-grid, quoting productivity specialist Emily Austen in a piece published Jan. 7, 2026.

In parallel, markets swung through a liquidation cascade, with 24-hour liquidations at $874 million and Bitcoin peaking near $95,000 before reversing as major tokens opened lower.

The overlap between a “check less” cultural reset and a “move fast” trading tape is turning custody into a lifestyle variable.

Investors already have tools that reduce attention, such as index funds or ETF wrappers, but most crypto interfaces still nudge users toward prices, alerts, and leverage.

Bitcoin is unusual among widely traded assets because its low-touch mode is not a platform feature; it is a custody choice.

Holders can self-custody in cold storage, keep keys off connected devices, and verify ownership without maintaining a perpetual account relationship with a broker or exchange.

That makes it legible as an “anti-screen” store-of-value posture in a way that looks closer to a vault than an app.

What this means for adoption, culture, and the next phase of crypto infrastructureETF flows show the other side of the same behavior, reducing touchpoints by delegating custody and execution.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $394.7 million of net outflows yesterday, while spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $4.64 million of net inflows.

BTC liquidationsThe figures do not map one-to-one to on-chain transfers, but they show that “set-and-forget” can mean convenience through regulated wrappers just as easily as sovereignty through keys.

They also show flows can pivot even during a culture moment built around stepping away from screens.

Hardware wallets sit at the center of the offline custody pathway, and the market is scaling beyond early-adopter cycles.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the hardware wallet market is valued at $0.56 billion in 2026, estimated at $0.72 billion by the end of the year, and forecast to reach $2.58 billion by 2031.

That implies a 29.05% compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2031.

Hardware wallet forecastThe trajectory suggests supply chains, retail distribution, and support infrastructure that can absorb demand bursts when volatility or security headlines push users toward cold storage, rather than constraining adoption to specialist circles.

MetricFigureTimeframeLiquidations$874.01M24 hoursSpot Bitcoin ETF net flow-$394.7MSame windowSpot Ether ETF net flow+$4.64MSame windowHardware wallet market$0.72B2026 estimateHardware wallet market$2.58B2031 forecastCrypto stolen$2.2BH1 2025Thefts targeting individuals23%H1 2025Security is the other structural driver for going offlineThe Financial Times reported demand for secure crypto devices as hacks hit record levels, citing Chainalysis data that $2.2 billion was stolen in the first half of 2025, with 23% of thefts targeting individual wallets.

The report also noted that Ledger’s revenue reached “triple-digit millions” in 2025.

Beyond hacks and phishing, crypto holders are increasingly facing real-world violence designed to bypass even the strongest wallet security. These incidents, often referred to as “$5 wrench attacks,” involve criminals using threats, kidnapping, home invasions, or torture to force victims to hand over seed phrases or authorize on-chain transfers, which are typically irreversible once sent.

CryptoSlate has reported on a growing pattern of attacks across 2024 and 2025, including cases where victims were specifically targeted after their identities, addresses, or holdings were exposed through data leaks or doxxing, and even situations where attackers posed as delivery workers to gain access.

The rise in these crimes is pushing some high-net-worth investors to adopt more aggressive personal security measures and rethink how publicly they discuss crypto wealth, because in the self-custody era, the weakest link is often no longer the code, but the person holding the keys.

For this reason, wallets that allow multiple accounts with separate PIN codes are preferred, as they allow holders to create “distress” or “honey-pot” wallets to avoid losing everything in the event of a physical attack. Users split holdings across distinct pin codes to be compliant with attackers without giving the keys to every sat.

That backdrop turns self-custody from an identity choice into an operational choice because the attack surface for individuals sits at the intersection of always-connected devices, phishing vectors, and hurried transaction signing.

Whether the analog mood is converting into custody behavior can be tracked with public indicators that move faster than quarterly surveys.

Google’s Trends' Trending Now experience uses a forecasting engine that refreshes every 10 minutes, allowing short-window comparisons between terms tied to digital fatigue (“Analog January,” “digital detox”) and terms tied to offline security (“hardware wallet,” “cold storage,” “seed phrase”).

Past the attention layer, intent can be watched through exchange-balance proxiesCryptoQuant’s Exchange Reserve is defined as the total coins held on exchanges, a series market participants often use as a proxy for potential sell-side inventory and post-shock transfers into longer-term storage.

Volatility can also be anchored in a forward-looking measure rather than spot swings.

According to CF Benchmarks, the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX) is a 30-day constant-maturity implied volatility measure derived from CME Bitcoin and Micro Bitcoin options.

When implied volatility reprices, hedging costs, and the day-to-day friction of monitoring positions reprice with it, which is where a “check less” habit and “hold offline” tools can converge into observable shifts in custody and flow.

Bitcoin fits the ‘Analog January' mindset more cleanly than most large-cap tokens because its store-of-value framing maps onto cold storage workflows.

Ethereum can still see the same custody reflex, especially for holders who want safer transaction signing, even if its usage narrative is tied to application interaction.

XRP is closer to rails, where an “anti-screen” posture leans toward automation and settlement rather than vault storage, even when broader risk-off conditions hit multiple tokens at once.

Mentioned in this article

Bitcoin slid below $90,000 for the first time in more than a week, extending losses alongside a sharp global market selloff as investors pulled back from risk amid mounting geopolitical tensions and turmoil in bond markets.

Summary

The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell as volatility swept across equities, long-dated U.S. Treasuries and Japanese government bonds. The downward trajectory underscores Bitcoin’s continued sensitivity to macro shocks rather than its “digital gold” narrative. Trump doesn’t feel the sting, having raked in an estimated $1.4 billion since his second term began. Bitcoin dropped 3.9% to about $89,417 by about 3 p.m. in New York, its lowest level since Jan. 9. Losses were steeper across smaller tokens, with Ether tumbling more than 7% and Solana down 5.3%. Crypto-linked equities also came under pressure, with Coinbase Global Inc. falling more than 5% and Bitcoin-heavy Strategy Inc. sliding nearly 10%.

Source: CoinGecko The selloff unfolded as broader financial markets reeled after President Donald Trump’s latest foreign policy remarks, which revived fears of a fractured transatlantic alliance, as he reiterated plans to assert U.S. control over Greenland. The comments added to the already fragile sentiment across global markets, Bloomberg reported.

Bond markets were also rattled, particularly in Japan, where yields on 30- and 40-year government bonds surged more than 25 basis points. The move followed comments from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging tax cuts as part of her election campaign, fueling concerns over looser fiscal policy and higher government spending.

Despite the downturn, Strategy, led by Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor, disclosed Tuesday that it purchased nearly $2.13 billion worth of Bitcoin over the past eight days—its largest accumulation since July—offering a rare note of institutional support.

Still, on-chain data suggests momentum is cooling. CoinGlass’ net realized profit and loss metric has slipped slightly into negative territory after months of strong gains, a signal that buying pressure is fading as the market digests selling. While that doesn’t point to an imminent collapse, it leaves Bitcoin more vulnerable without fresh inflows.

Technically, traders are watching whether Bitcoin can reclaim the $97,000–$98,000 range, which would suggest bulls are regaining control. On the downside, a sustained break below $90,000–$91,000 could open the door to a deeper pullback, with some analysts eyeing levels as low as $62,000.

For now, Bitcoin’s outlook remains clouded, caught between weakening technical signals and lingering macro uncertainty—setting the stage for a volatile battle over its next move.

Trump profits despite volatility Meanwhile, the Trump family’s crypto ventures have become a central pillar of its fortune, with an estimated $1.4 billion generated since January 20, 2025.

Each project, such as World Liberty Financial, has been bolstered by the Trump administration’s pro-crypto legislation and regulatory rollbacks, according to a Bloomberg analysis.

Tue, 20/01/2026 - 20:16

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is doubling down on his most aggressive price targets, telling Bloomberg that Bitcoin (BTC) remains on track to hit $1 million.

Cover image via U.Today Despite recent market pullbacks and a tense legislative battle in Washington, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong remains extremely bullish on Bitcoin (BTC). The crypto boss has told Bloomberg that the flagship coin could surge all the way to $1 million. 

"I’ve said publicly I think that Bitcoin could hit $1,000,000 by 2030. I still think that’s true," Armstrong stated. "So whatever happens in any given week or month, I, you know, we try not to track it too much. It’s the longer-term trend that I think is interesting."

Armstrong emphasized that the finite nature of Bitcoin distinguishes it from traditional fiat systems. 

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"The cool thing about Bitcoin is that...there’s no money printer, right? So the supply of it is fixed, it’s finite. And so as more people integrate crypto and use crypto, there’s more demand and finite supply. That only means the price can go up," he said. 

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Armstrong offered a stark warning for those on the sidelines: "If they don’t have at least 5% of their net worth in Bitcoin, they’re going to be pretty sad."

The battle with the banks Coinbase is currently entrenched in a high-stakes political battle regarding the future of market structure legislation. Last week, Coinbase pulled its support for a draft Senate bill, a move that caused shockwaves in Washington. Armstrong revealed that the decision stemmed from what he viewed as protectionist measures designed to shield traditional banks from competition.

"There were too many giveaways to Tradfri, if I can say that," Armstrong explained. "Our view is that there should be a level playing field, for this is allowed. This is not allowed. And then all the US companies compete, and banks didn’t like that."

The CEO did not mince words regarding the lobbying efforts of the incumbent financial institutions. "The bank lobbying groups and bank associations are out there trying to ban their competition, and I have zero tolerance for that. I think it’s un-American. It harms consumers. And the banks need competition. They need to innovate."

A primary friction point involves stablecoins. Banks have argued that platforms rewarding customers for holding stablecoins create a "deposit flight risk." Armstrong countered this by drawing a sharp distinction between the risk profile of a crypto exchange and a fractional reserve bank.

"We do not do fractional reserve lending," Armstrong said. "In a crypto world, there’s a 100% reserve, so all your money is there. It eliminates this entire category of risk around a bank run. No such thing is possible if there is 100% of the money there."

Related articles

Spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have continued to attract the interest of institutional investors, posting inflows every day of the past week amid improving regulatory clarity.

Unfortunately, these positive fundamentals have not helped the price of the cross-border payments token hold above the psychologically important $2 support zone.

XRP Falls Below $2 As Crypto Markets Correct The Ripple-linked XRP token is consolidating after a strong start to 2026. XRP slid below the $2 mark on Monday, marking six straight days of declines. The asset was valued at $1.95 as of press time, down 0.3% over the last 24 hours. 

The correction extends across the broader crypto market, with Bitcoin dropping below $92,000 and Ether (ETH) testing support at $3,000. The drop came after U.S. President Donald Trump reignited trade tensions, threatening new tariffs on Denmark and other European countries over disputes tied to Greenland.

Over $873 million in long positions were liquidated, with Bitcoin accounting for $220 million of that total. $38 million in the long liquidations can be attributed to XRP — the highest since Nov. 22, 2025.

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XRP Ignores Regulatory Clarity, ETF Demand Notably, XRP’s retreat comes amid improving regulatory conditions and increasing institutional demand.

Ripple recently obtained preliminary approval for an e-money license in Luxembourg, a move that would allow the company to expand regulated digital-asset payment services across Europe. The San Francisco-headquartered company is also seeking a CASP license under the EU’s MiCA framework, positioning the XRP ecosystem to function inside the bloc’s new regulatory regime.

Meanwhile, institutional appetite remains relatively steady. Spot XRP ETFs have continued to draw in money from investors, with cumulative net inflows now approximately $1.28 billion and only one single withdrawal day since their launch in November 2025.

XRP has also witnessed a sharp rise in on-chain demand, as reflected by the increase in transactions to a six-month high last week. According to data from XRPScan, the number of transactions carried out on the XRP Ledger surged to 2,575,560 on Wednesday, reaching levels last seen in July of last year.

Despite these longer-term positives, the XRP price has underperformed, falling 19% from its eight-week high of $2.41, set on January 6.

XRP might be currently trading in corrections, but technical analysis shows the cryptocurrency is still headed in an upward direction.

A recent analysis shared on X by crypto analyst JD frames the pullback as a calculated reset, arguing that the correction fits neatly into a larger setup that may determine XRP’s next major move. The lower the XRP price goes, the higher the breakout will be.

Falling Wedge Breakout: The July 2025 Precision Move Technical analysis shared on X by crypto analyst JD shows that XRP’s price action has been following a well-laid-out plan that goes as far back as early 2025. The 3D candlestick price chart shows that XRP spent the first half of 2025 trading inside a falling wedge, a structure that is known for resolving to the upside. 

That setup played out cleanly in July 2025, when the XRP price broke above the falling wedge and reached JD’s projected measured target with accuracy. The completion of that measured target led to the start of a correction, which is where the current technical structure comes into focus.

Source: Chart from JD on X After the July breakout, XRP transitioned into a descending broadening wedge characterized by lower lows and lower highs that expand over time. This structure has governed price action since mid-2025 and explains the steady grind lower. JD’s comments reference this phase directly, noting that the recent 23% correction unfolded as he had predicted. With this in mind, the analyst noted that the lower the XRP price goes, the higher the breakout will be.

Next Direction For XRP Price The descending broadening wedge on the three-day chart comes with a clear measured projection that outlines where this corrective phase could terminate. As it stands, there’s still a possibility that the XRP price will continue declining to as low as $1.5 before rebounding at the lower trendline of the descending wedge. 

If the price reaches this projected region and selling pressure weakens as anticipated, the setup favors a sharp reversal higher, consistent with how XRP previously reacted after the falling wedge completed in July 2025. However, it is important to keep in mind that the price doesn’t necessarily have to fall to as low as $1.5 before an upward rebound happens. 

On the other hand, an eventual break above the upper trendline of the descending wedge is projected by crypto analyst JD to push XRP as high as $4, which would place the cryptocurrency trading at new price highs. The most important thing right now is a close above $2.3 in order to cement this break above the descending wedge.

At the same time, on-chain data points to cautiousness in the near term. Data from Glassnode shows that XRP is slipping back into a cost-basis setup similar to what was last observed in February 2022, a trend that might influence sell pressure in the near future.

XRP trading at $1.93 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

The privacy-coin crypto market has taken a noticeable knock, moving in lockstep with bitcoin and ethereum as both slid lower. While the broader crypto economy is off more than 4% over the past day, the privacy-coin segment has fared worse, slipping 9.9% against the greenback.

Jan 20, 2026 2:11 PM Eastern Standard Time

VALHALLA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the launch of the new "FUJIFILM SX400" (hereafter "SX400") as part of its SX Series lineup of lens-integrated long-range cameras. SX400 is equipped with a new lens designed to suppress noise that occurs when sensitivity is increased, enabling clear imaging of subjects in low light environments.

“In addition to traditional fixed installations for monitoring specific areas or inspecting infrastructure, SX400 is a great fit for a variety of needs requiring added flexibility, including mobile deployment on vehicles and ships, and temporary installation at construction sites or event venues for surveillance purposes,” said Stosh Durbacz, vice president, Sales, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Optical Devices Division.

Main features of FUJIFILM SX400

Lightweight, compact, powerful

Measures 11.8 inches (300mm) in length and weighs 8.6 pounds (3.9kg). Equipped with a 32x optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 12.5mm wide-angle to 400mm telephoto (horizontal field of view: 31.8°–1.0°), and supporting a 1/1.8-inch effective image size1, SX400 achieves a compact body of approximately 300mm in length and 3.9kg in weight. This enables not only fixed installations but also mobile deployment on vehicles and ships, as well as portable surveillance and inspection systems. The Brightest Lens in the SX Series

SX400 features the newly developed F2.8 zoom lens – the brightest in the SX Series2. Fujifilm’s proprietary optical design enables the lens to maintain F2.8 brightness from 12.5mm to 200mm focal lengths, delivering clear, low-noise images even in dark environments3. High-performance image stabilization system

Fujifilm’s proprietary stabilization system offers cooperative control of optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) to reduce blurring caused by vibrations or wind when shooting at long distances. It detects and compensates for even subtle movements with precision, enabling steady footage 3 . The stabilization mechanism adopts Fujifilm’s proprietary "ceramic ball roller system," minimizing friction resistance during stabilization and achieving high responsiveness and durability. In addition, high-performance gyro sensors detect minute vibrations without time lag, enabling precise correction. Fast, accurate autofocus (AF)

SX400 features a rear-focus mechanism that drives lightweight lens groups for rapid focusing. By combining on-sensor phase-detection autofocus for speed and contrast AF for accuracy, it achieves focus as quickly as 0.1 second 3 , ensuring subjects are captured instantly and sharply. Heat haze and fog reduction capabilities

Fujifilm’s image processing technology reduces visual distortions caused by airborne particles, temperature differences, or haze, ensuring clear visibility. Combined with a built-in visible light cut filter, SX400 helps enable clear imaging even in foggy or hazy environments 3 . Significant reduction in installation effort

SX400 integrates the lens and camera into a single unit, removing the need for adjustments like optical axis alignment, flange back calibration, and color fringing (magnification chromatic aberration) correction. This simplifies pre-installation work. Furthermore, with power and control systems consolidated at the rear of the camera, complicated cable connections are eliminated, making the installation process significantly easier. FUJIFILM SX400 Lens-Integrated Long-Range Camera will be available early 20264. For more information, please visit https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/business/optical-devices/security-camera-lens/sx.

About Fujifilm

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, consists of six operating divisions. The Imaging Division provides consumer and commercial photographic products and services, including silver halide consumables; inkjet consumables; digital printing equipment, along with service and support; personalized photo products fulfillment; film; one-time-use cameras; and the popular instax™ line of instant cameras, smartphone printers, instant film, and accessories. The Electronic Imaging Division markets its GFX System and X Series lines of mirrorless digital cameras, lenses, and accessories to provide a variety of content creation solutions for both still and moving imagery. The Optical Devices Division provides optical lenses for the broadcast, cinematography, closed circuit television, videography, and industrial markets, and also markets binoculars and other optical imaging solutions. The Business Innovation Division offers a full lineup of digital print and toner technologies focused on enabling the digital transformation of businesses and print shops with its offerings of multifunction printers, digital inkjet presses, production toner printers, software, and more. The Industrial Products Division delivers new products derived from Fujifilm technologies including data storage tape products, including OEM and FUJIFILM Ultrium LTO cartridges, desalination solutions, microfilters and gas separation membranes.

For more information, please visit https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region, go to https://x.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on X, or go to www.facebook.com/FujifilmNorthAmerica to Like Fujifilm on Facebook.

FUJIFILM Corporation is a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation. FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, leverages its depth of knowledge and proprietary core technologies to deliver innovative products and services across the globe through the four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging with over 70,000 employees. Guided and united by our Group Purpose of “giving our world more smiles,” we address social challenges and create a positive impact on society through our products, services, and business operations. Under its medium-term management plan, VISION2030, which ends in FY2030, we aspire to continue our evolution into a company that creates value and smiles for various stakeholders as a collection of global leading businesses and achieve a global revenue of 4 trillion yen (29 billion USD at an exchange rate of 140 JPY/USD). For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com.

For further details about our commitment to sustainability and Fujifilm’s Sustainable Value Plan 2030, click here.

FUJIFILM and instax are registered trademarks of FUJIFILM Corporation and its affiliates.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

© 2026 FUJIFILM North America Corporation and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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Meta Platforms and Walt Disney are compelling buys for value investors in the new year.

At its core, long-term investing is all about finding quality companies, buying them for reasonable prices, and letting gains compound over time. But many top growth stocks fetch premium valuations -- especially after three consecutive years of more than 15% gains in the S&P 500.

Granted, some of these leaders can grow into their valuations over time. But investors looking for stocks trading at a discount to the S&P 500 may have to venture beyond high-profile artificial intelligence (AI) names.

Here's why Meta Platforms (META 2.40%) and Walt Disney (DIS 0.91%) stand out as two undervalued stocks to buy in January.

Image source: Getty Images.

This "Magnificent Seven" stock is a bargain Meta Platforms generates most of its revenue from advertising on its Family of Apps (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger). For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2025, Family of Apps generated $50.08 billion in advertising revenue and $24.97 billion in operating income -- for an operating margin of 49.9%.

To illustrate just how elite that is, consider that Alphabet's Google Services (which consists of Google Search, YouTube ads, Google Network, and Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices) generated $87.05 billion in revenue for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2025 and $33.53 billion in operating income for an operating margin of 38.5%.

Meta has done a masterful job of boosting engagement through curated short-form video content and targeted ads, making it an appealing destination for ad spending. Its Family of Apps is truly one of the best business models on the planet. So you may be wondering why investors have soured on the stock, with Meta down 12.6% in the last six months compared to an 11.2% gain in the S&P 500.

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Meta has a lot of moving parts outside its core Family of Apps that have investors on edge. It continues to burn through money with Reality Labs, which reported an operating loss of $13.17 billion for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2025.

Reality Labs consists of metaverse investments, the Meta Quest headset, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, AI research, and other virtual reality/augmented reality bets. It's basically Meta's massively unprofitable research and development arm, which the market tolerates because Family of Apps is so profitable. But Meta could soon strain its margins because of its massive AI spending.

Meta owns and operates its own network of data centers and works with public clouds. Meta's AI and data center budget is ballooning as it delivers AI features like Meta AI assistants across its Family of Apps and builds out its Llama 4 AI models.

In its third-quarter earnings release, Meta boosted its 2025 capital expenditure (capex) guidance from a range of $66 billion to $72 billion to a new range of $70 billion to $72 billion. Just three years ago in 2022, Meta spent $32.04 billion in capex.

Meta can afford to swing for the fences on AI thanks to its high margins and cash flow. Meta's risks are already reflected in its valuation, as it is the least expensive Magnificent Seven stock by forward earnings and the only one trading at a discount to the S&P 500.

TSLA PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts

Disney has become too cheap to ignore Disney's latest animated feature, Zootopia 2, just surpassed Frozen 2 to become Walt Disney Animation Studios' highest-grossing film, with global box office earnings of $1.46 billion as of 2025's end. Disney is overcoming the narrative that its creative days are behind it, with several box office hits in recent years, from Zootopia 2 to Inside Out 2.

This is big news for Disney, which endured a box office glut that started roughly after Avengers: Endgame in 2019 and carried forward until 2025. Part of the issue was the COVID-19 pandemic, but the bigger problem was an overabundance of Marvel and Star Wars films. As you can see in the following chart, Disney's earnings are still below pre-pandemic highs, but have dramatically improved in recent years thanks to rising revenue and margins

DIS Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts

At just 16.8 times forward earnings, Disney is looking like an impeccable bargain for long-term investors. It is back in a box office groove that is likely to keep on rolling with the highly anticipated releases of Avengers: Doomsday and Toy Story 5 later this year. Disney+ is now consistently profitable, and the Parks and Experiences segment continues to boom despite pullbacks in consumer spending.

Disney is investing its most profitable ideas with a blend of streaming and theatrical release content, global park renovations and expansions, the opening of Disneyland Abu Dhabi (roughly in the early 2030s) and the possibility of a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World after 2035.

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Disney is firing on all cylinders, which should help its earnings and margins improve and more than offset declines from its linear networks (cable) business. Netflix's big bet on Warner Bros. Discovery showcases the importance of intellectual property in streaming and entertainment, which Disney has in spades.

Throw in a modest 1.3% dividend yield, and Disney looks like one of the best value stocks for investors to scoop up in January.

Daniel Foelber has positions in Nvidia and Walt Disney and has the following options: short February 2026 $125 calls on Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Tesla, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Wendy's revamped its value menu offering, joining rivals who have been boosting their affordable bundles and promotions to drive traffic among budget-conscious consumers. 

The fast-food chain said its refreshed value menu, dubbed "Biggie Deals," introduces new customization options across three price points: $4, $6 and $8. Customers can choose from the $4 Biggie Bites, $6 Biggie Bag and $8 Biggie Bundle at participating locations nationwide.

Wendy’s has introduced similar value meal deals in the past, making this the latest iteration of its ongoing value strategy.

MCDONALD'S BRINGS BACK EXTRA VALUE MEALS TO LURE BUDGET-CONSCIOUS CUSTOMERS

"We know customers want choice and a meal option made just for them. That's why we're expanding Biggie Deals — to give more ways to customize and enjoy great value," Wendy's U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Lindsay Radkoski said in a statement.

A customer goes into one of the Wendy's restaurants in Lower Manhattan, New York City. (ZAMEK/VIEWpress)

The deals are seen as a way for the company to better compete in the highly competitive, promotion-driven market.

In September, McDonald's brought back its Extra Value Meals, offering customers eight meal bundles for breakfast, lunch and dinner, saving customers 15% more than if they bought items separately.

Mark Wasilefsky, head of restaurant and franchise finance at TD Bank, predicted that McDonald's strategy to double down on its value proposition to rejuvenate traffic among its cost-conscious customers would force its top rivals to follow suit with discounts of their own, especially during the mornings.  

A walks near one of the Wendy's restaurants on November 13, 2025 in lower Manhattan, New York City.  (ZAMEK/VIEWpress)

MCDONALD'S TO SLASH COMBO MEAL PRICES TO WIN BACK BUDGET-CONSCIOUS SHOPPERS

"The restaurant industry is responding to what is effectively a period of some of the lowest measures of consumer sentiment in the last 50 years, and during these times, consumers want to feel like they're getting the best value for their money," Wasilefsky told FOX Business. 

With McDonald's recent lean on value, "most scaled restaurants are working very hard with their existing menus and ingredients along with their back-office finance teams to derive wholesome, satisfying and substantive offerings at competitive prices to both retain existing clients and drive new customers," Wasilefsky said.

A customer goes into one of the Wendy's restaurants in New York City.  (ZAMEK/VIEWpress)

THIS FAST-GROWING CHAIN SAYS ‘NO DISCOUNTS’ – AND IT’S PAYING OFF

For instance, shortly after McDonald's announced it was bringing back Extra Value Meals for the first time since 2019, IHOP announced it was introducing an everyday value menu as part of its core offerings.

Here are Wendy's new value meals: 

$4 Biggie Bites:Choose One: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, 4pc. Nuggets or Jr. FryChoose a Second: 4pc. Nuggets, Jr. Fry or Small Soft DrinkChoose One: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, 4pc. Nuggets or Jr. FryChoose a Second: 4pc. Nuggets, Jr. Fry or Small Soft Drink$6 Biggie Bag:Choose One: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Double Stack4pc. NuggetsJr. FrySmall Soft DrinkChoose One: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Double Stack4pc. NuggetsJr. FrySmall Soft DrinkGET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

$8 Biggie Bundle:Choose Two: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Double StackJr. FrySmall Soft DrinkChoose Two: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Double StackJr. FrySmall Soft Drink

Choosing whether to own SiriusXM stock may come down to one's investment goals.

SiriusXM (SIRI 1.20%) may be one of the more difficult stocks for some investors to understand. Berkshire Hathaway certainly likes it, as it accumulated about 37% of its outstanding shares while Warren Buffett was at the helm.

However, subscribers are leaving the platform, and its stock is down more than 60% over the last five years. Knowing those facts, is there something in SiriusXM stock that only Buffett's former team sees, or should investors pass on this name?

Image source: Getty Images.

The state of SiriusXM SiriusXM offers considerable surface-level appeal. It holds a legal monopoly on satellite radio within the U.S. With that, the company has leveraged new car sales and exclusive contracts with stars such as Howard Stern and Andy Cohen to attract subscribers.

Moreover, SiriusXM can look like a great holding for income-oriented investors. Its yearly payout of $1.08 per share amounts to a dividend yield of 5.3%, an attractive return considering the S&P 500 average yield of just 1.1%.

Additionally, SiriusXM can afford that payout. In the first nine months of 2025, the company generated $715 million in free cash flow. That is well above the $274 million in dividend costs over the same period, making a dividend cut less likely.

Furthermore, Buffett always liked to pay a fair price for a great company. Considering its P/E ratio of just above 7, he and his team might have thought that was an appealing price, considering its monopoly and the dividend income.

Unfortunately for SiriusXM bulls, this is where the appeal ends. Customers can get around the monopoly through wireless internet connections offering content. While SiriusXM also offers streaming, its competitive advantage does not appear to extend beyond exclusive content. Additionally, its strategy of obtaining customers through new car sales is becoming less effective as new vehicles become less affordable.

Consequently, its subscriber base in the third quarter of 2025 was 33 million, a 1% yearly decline. That trend is not new, and it led to the aforementioned stock price decline over the last five years.

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Looking at its business, the company appears to have difficulty convincing investors that it has options for growth. Even when evaluating SiriusXM's exclusive content, it seems better suited to maintaining subscriber levels than generating growth, leaving the company with no obvious path to drive sustained increases in its subscriber base.

Is SiriusXM worth owning? Considering the state of the company, SiriusXM looks like a buy, but only if one is an income investor. The 5.3% return on the dividend is compelling. Also, at a valuation of just 7.6 times earnings, the stock is unlikely to have much further downside.

However, SiriusXM's satellite radio monopoly does not give it a compelling competitive moat, and with widely available options for streamed media, fewer customers feel compelled to pay for a SiriusXM subscription. Thus, unless one buys the stock for the dividend, investors should probably avoid owning shares of this company.

Fastenal Company (FAST) Q4 2025 Earnings Call January 20, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Company Participants

Dray Schreiber - Accounting Manager
Jeffery Watts - President & Chief Sales Officer
Max Tunnicliff - Senior EVP & CFO
Daniel Florness - CEO & Director

Conference Call Participants

David Manthey - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division
Ryan Merkel - William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division
Thomas Moll - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Kenneth Newman - KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Research Division
Christopher Snyder - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Stephen Volkmann - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Christopher Dankert - Loop Capital Markets LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Greetings, and welcome to the Fastenal Fourth Quarter and Annual 2025 Earnings Results Conference Call and Webcast. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.

It's now my pleasure to turn the call over to Dray Schreiber. Please go ahead.

Dray Schreiber
Accounting Manager

Welcome to the Fastenal Company 2025 Annual and Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call. This call will be hosted by Dan Florness, our Chief Executive Officer; Jeff Watts, our President and Chief Sales Officer; and Max Tunnicliff, our Chief Financial Officer. This call will last for up to 1 hour, and we'll start with a general overview of our annual and quarterly results and operations with the remainder of the time being open for questions and answers.

Today's conference call is a proprietary Fastenal presentation and is being recorded by Fastenal. No recording, reproduction, transmission or distribution of today's call is permitted without Fastenal's consent. This call is being audio simulcast on the Internet via the Fastenal Investor Relations homepage, investor.fastenal.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website until March 1, 2026, at midnight Central Time.

As a reminder, today's conference call may include statements regarding the company's future plans and prospects. These statements

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Oil company Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) could highlight the opportunity ahead for the sector in Venezuela when the company reports fourth-quarter financial results before market open Wednesday.

Here are the earnings estimates, analyst ratings and key items to watch.

• Halliburton stock is showing upward bias. What’s ahead for HAL stock?

Halliburton Q4 Earnings EstimatesAnalysts expect Halliburton to report fourth-quarter revenue of $5.41 billion, down from $5.61 billion in last year's fourth quarter, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in three straight quarters, but only in four of the last 10 quarters overall.

Analysts expect Halliburton to report fourth-quarter earnings per share of 55 cents, down from 70 cents per share in last year's fourth quarter.

The company beat analyst estimates for earnings per share in the third quarter and has beaten estimates in five of the last 10 quarters, along with three in-line earnings per share figures.

Analysts Raise Halliburton Stock Price TargetHalliburton analysts raised their price targets after the third quarter double beat and have been raising the price target to start 2026.

Here are several recent analyst ratings on Halliburton and their price targets:

Piper Sandler: Maintained Neutral rating, raised price target from $29 to $30 TD Cowen: Maintained Buy rating, raised price target from $38 to $39 Susquehanna: Maintained Positive rating, raised price target from $29 to $36 Evercore ISI Group: Downgraded from Outperform to In-Line rating, raised price target from $28 to $35 Key Items to Watch for Halliburton's Q4 Earnings ReportHalliburton's earnings report comes on the heels of the recent military action in Venezuela that could see the U.S. open up drilling opportunities in the country for American oil companies.

With a need to improve the country's oil drilling infrastructure, Halliburton is viewed as one of the potential winners and could be a winner no matter which oil companies land drilling rights.

The company could be asked about its conversations with the Trump administration and oil companies regarding Venezuela and how big a future opportunity for revenue and earnings the country could be.

In the third quarter, Halliburton saw North America segment revenue up 5% quarter-over-quarter, while International segment revenue was flat quarter-over-quarter.

Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller said the company is investing in "differentiated technologies that drive long-term performance."

New investments, international growth and the opportunity in Venezuela could be key topics to watch from the earnings report and conference call.

Halliburton Stock PriceHalliburton stock trades at $32 on Tuesday versus a 52-week trading range of $18.72 to $33.72. Halliburton stock is up more than 8% over the last 52 weeks.

Photo by Casimiro PT via Shutterstock

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© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of GBDC, EPD, MPLX either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 20, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of agilon health, inc. (NYSE: AGL) between February 26, 2025 and August 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important March 2, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased agilon securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the agilon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46039 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 2, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants recklessly issued guidance for 2025 that they knew or should have known was not going to be achieved, given material industry headwinds of which they were aware; (2) defendants materially overstated the immediate positive financial impact from "strategic actions" taken by agilon to reduce risk; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about agilon's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the agilon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46039 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280954

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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Carlyle Group Co-founder and Co-chairman David Rubenstein told CNBC on Tuesday there's “probably a lot of room for compromise” on U.S. involvement in Greenland, citing military and mineral interests, even as the idea has upset many in Europe.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has continued its investigation into agilon health, inc. ("agilon" or the "Company") (NYSE: AGL).

On January 5, 2024, the Company disclosed that it was slashing its 2023 profit forecasts, specifically, lowering its 2023 Medical Margin expectation to "$340 million to $360 million, approximately $110 million below the previous guidance range…due to $90 million in higher-than-expected medical costs" and that its Chief Financial Officer, Timothy Bensley would retire and be replaced later in the year.

Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. Recently, the court denied the Company's motion to dismiss the case in part, allowing the case to continue.

KSF's investigation is focusing on whether agilon's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws. 

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of agilon shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-agl/ to learn more.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
[email protected]
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 960
New Orleans, LA 70163

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SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC