Big banks kick off earnings season with expectations of blockbuster results after a record year for M&A and IPOs. Investors eye inflation data for clues on Fed rate cuts, while tech watchers await TSMC’s numbers to see if the AI boom will keep rolling along. Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Rio Tinto revived merger talks with Glencore, eyeing a more than $200B deal amid soaring copper demand. Warner Bros continued to resist Paramount’s advances. And defense stocks climbed after Trump pledged $1.5T in military spending. Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A spike in copper prices is reviving talks of a mining mega‑merger that could reshape global supply. Elsewhere, investors brace for a pivotal tariff ruling and fresh signals on whether the U.S. labor market is quietly cracking. Today’s recommended read: Murky US jobs data risk deepening historic Fed divisions, Jamie McGeever Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump takes aim at defense companies and Wall Street landlords, jolting markets. Bond investors pile in as yields slide, jobs data looms, and the AI trade keeps roaring - even as signs of fatigue creep in. Today’s recommended read: Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ targets China, US oil firms could pay the price, Ron Bousso Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: **The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Markets react to plans to ship stranded Venezuelan oil to the U.S., reigniting oversupply fears. Attention now turns to U.S. labour data and jitters in Asia after China tightens export rules. Today’s recommended read: Trump's Venezuela oil grab revives 'petrodollar' debate, Jamie McGeever Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: **The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nvidia and automakers take centre stage at CES with big bets on AI and autonomy, while the dollar drifts as investors refocus on U.S. data and Fed easing. Meanwhile, a $400,000 Venezuela wager shines a light on the risks - and reach - of prediction markets. Today’s recommended read: Trump offers US oil companies a poisoned chalice in Venezuela, Ron Bousso Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: **The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. action in Venezuela sets the stage for a major shift in global energy flows. But rebuilding Venezuelan output from 900,000 barrels per day to its former glory will take years, billions of dollars, and political stability that’s still far from certain. Today’s recommended read: US oil refiners win, Chinese rivals lose in Trump’s Venezuela strike, Ron Bousso Subscribe to Ron Bousso’s Power Up newsletter Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: **The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investors are bullish, cash levels are low, and fiscal stimulus is set to supercharge growth. But with inflation still sticky and Trump’s policies only beginning to bite, could this be the year the bull market stumbles? Anna Szymanski and Mike Dolan discuss on this special Year Ahead episode of Reuters Morning Bid. Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fed minutes reveal sharp divisions on rate cuts, leaving markets cautious and the dollar under pressure. Plus, Warner Bros looks set to reject Paramount’s latest hostile bid. Meanwhile, IPO momentum is building, with potential record-breaking listings from OpenAI and SpaceX coming in the new year. Today’s recommended read: What just happened? Ten charts to help make sense of markets in 2025 by Anna Szymanski Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chinese onshore yuan has reached its highest level against the U.S. dollar in years, while silver and gold swing wildly on thin year-end liquidity. Plus, traders are watching geopolitical flashpoints - from Iran to Taiwan - going into one of the last trading days of the year. Today’s recommended read: Tariffs, China, and the dollar: What Wall Street got wrong in 2025 by Jamie McGeever Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Precious metals are shining, with silver surging to $80 an ounce and outpacing gold as investors hedge against uncertainty and potential Fed rate cuts. Markets now await the Fed’s meeting minutes for clues on policy shifts, even as leadership changes loom. Meanwhile, dealmakers stayed busy through the holidays - could next year break M&A records?  Today’s recommended read: Every mineral is critical in the new metals age by Andy Home Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Amanda Cooper and Mike Dolan for a special edition of Reuters Morning Bid, as they look back on a whirlwind year for global markets. From Trump’s return to the White House and the ripple effects on trade and tariffs, to the AI-fueled stock boom and Europe’s historic rearmament, 2025 has been a year to remember for traders. Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Markets are waiting today to see how the U.S. economy performed in Q3. Plus, Novo Nordisk has capped off a difficult year with a decisive victory, with the FDA approving sale of its weight-loss pill for U.S. consumers. And Japan may have calmed its currency markets - for now.  Today’s recommended read: Guns and gold win in 2025, but other 'safety' trades bomb by Mike Dolan Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Japan’s yen keeps sliding despite last week’s rate hike, raising the specter of government intervention. Meanwhile, Washington’s campaign against Venezuelan oil tankers is keeping energy markets on edge. And with Christmas week underway, traders are still waiting for the famed Santa rally to appear.  Today’s recommended read: Oil’s geopolitical premium vanished in 2025 - and may not return by Ron Bousso Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A backlog of U.S. economic indicators will hit markets this week, including GDP, consumer confidence, factory orders, and jobless claims. What story will they tell? Plus, geopolitical events are continuing to stir up energy markets ahead of the holidays. Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Central banks sound hawkish heading into 2026. Plus, Warner Brothers rejects Paramount’s hostile bid, and Trump Media bets $6 billion on fusion energy. Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: **The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bank of Japan ends a 30-year era of near-zero interest rates with a historic hike in an effort to tackle sticky inflation. Meanwhile, U.S. inflation may be sliding - but the data is leaving some economists scratching their heads. Plus, TikTok may have found a new set of ownership partners for its U.S. business.  Today’s recommended read: Five charts that defined agricultural markets in 2025 by Karen Braun Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI stocks are taking another beating as Oracle and Nvidia lead a bruising tech selloff into year-end. Meanwhile, U.S. inflation is set to show prices still running hot, and Europe’s central banks deliver their final policy calls of 2025. Today’s recommended read: BoE needs to rein in rising real rates, Mike Dolan Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crude oil rebounds on talk of a Venezuelan blockade, but the bigger story is a looming global glut. Plus, US jobs data muddies the waters for markets, and Warner Brothers is facing a blockbuster takeover decision. Today’s recommended read: Investment herd got it mostly right a year ago by Mike Dolan Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wall Street faces a double dose of payroll data as investors hunt for clues on the Fed’s next move. Meanwhile, Nasdaq pushes for near-24/7 trading and Ford pivots on EVs amid Trump's policy shifts. Today’s recommended read: US Treasuries rebuilding risk premia, Mike Dolan Subscribe to Mike Dolan's Morning Bid newsletter, and check out his columns on Reuters Open Interest Produced by Eliza Davis Beard and Ethan Plotkin Sound engineering and music by Sebastian and Josh Sommer Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices