Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market shows mild gains in pre-market trading on January 16, 2026, as U.S. futures point higher following yesterday's positive close driven by strong bank earnings and semiconductor strength. 📈 Tech optimism persists amid AI supply chain boosts, though caution lingers over tariffs, inflation data, and geopolitical tensions with Iran. Markets remain near record highs, with small-caps leading via the Russell 2000's new peak.
Major Indices 📊
Dow Jones futures gain about 0.1%, after rising 0.6% to 49,442 yesterday.
S&P 500 futures up 0.1-0.3%, following 0.3% advance to around 6,945.
Nasdaq futures climb 0.4-0.6%, supported by chip rally after TSMC's upbeat outlook.
Market Movers 🚀
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) U.S. shares surged 4.4%, Applied Materials +5.7% on AI demand.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley up over 4% post-earnings beats.
Bank of America rose in premarket on strong trading revenue.
Key Events 🗞️
Investors eye bank earnings like M&T and PNC amid a light Friday schedule before MLK Day closure Monday. 🏦 Tariff exemptions for U.S. chip supply chains and Taiwan's $250B investments lift sentiment. Oil ticks up on Iran concerns, while 10-year Treasury yield hovers near 4.14-4.17%.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Mood tilts bullish with futures edging higher, blending earnings optimism and record proximity against tariff and inflation watches. Volume stays subdued ahead of the long weekend. 🐂📉
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Goldman Sachs reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, boosting its shares over 4% amid strong banking sector performance. Read more.
Morgan Stanley's stock jumped nearly 6% following upbeat quarterly results that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Read more.
Taiwan Semiconductor stood out with an impressive fourth-quarter earnings report, fueled by a new U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement requiring $250 billion in investments. Read more.
Micron led a chipmaker rally with shares up 6.4% in premarket trading, driven by AI demand in the semiconductor sector. Read more.
Equinor received U.S. court approval to restart its Empire Wind offshore project, previously halted by the Trump administration. Read more.
Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
