$257B Shopping Spree, Housing Is Breaking & China Is Watching!

Money Masters' Market Pulse Week 2

January 09, 2026

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Dear Money Master,

Welcome to this week’s financial roundup! AI is reshaping the economy faster than governments, regulators, and consumers can adapt. During the holiday season alone, U.S. shoppers spent an eye-watering $257.8 billion online, with generative AI driving traffic to retail sites up nearly 700% and Buy Now, Pay Later usage hitting an all-time high.

At the same time, the social consequences of capital concentration are moving center stage. Housing affordability has become a political flashpoint, with renewed calls to bar large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, as younger Americans find ownership increasingly out of reach. Globally, tensions are rising as China steps up scrutiny of U.S. tech power, launching a probe into Meta’s multibillion-dollar AI acquisition while simultaneously celebrating the IPO of its first “AI tiger.” Additionally, Samsung foresees record-breaking profits.

On the earnings side, TD SYNNEX and Jefferies posted strong quarterly results, signaling resilient enterprise spending and active capital markets. Meanwhile, retailers such as Albertsons delivered revenue growth but faced margin pressure.

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - January 9th, 2025

🌍 Economics, Finance, and Retail:

  1. U.S. Holiday E-Commerce Sales Hit $257.8B 🎄
    Online spending rose 6.8% YoY from Nov. 1–Dec. 31, with BNPL contributing $20B and surging nearly 10%. Generative AI tools drove a 693% spike in traffic referrals to retail sites. Read More

  2. Trump Calls for Ban on Institutional Homebuyers 🏠
    The former president argued corporate ownership has worsened affordability, especially for younger buyers. The proposal comes amid persistent inflation pressures and rising home prices across major U.S. cities. Read More

  3. Claire’s Plans Major Tech Overhaul in 2026 💡
    The retailer aims to modernize legacy systems with improved data integration and a new point-of-sale platform, following financial strain in 2025 and a renewed focus on in-store customer experience. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. China Probes Meta’s $2B AI Acquisition 🔍
    Regulators will review Meta’s purchase of Singapore-based AI startup Manus for export-control compliance, signaling heightened scrutiny of cross-border AI deals involving U.S. tech giants. Read More

  2. China’s First ‘AI Tiger’ Debuts on Hong Kong Exchange 🐯
    Zhipu’s $558M IPO valued the startup at roughly HK$4.3B, with shares jumping up to 15% on debut, marking a milestone for China’s fast-growing AI sector. Read More

  3. Samsung Expects Profits to Triple on AI Memory Boom 🚀
    Q4 operating profit is projected at 20 trillion won, beating its 2018 record, as surging AI demand pushes memory prices higher and lifts overall chip margins. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. Albertsons Reports Lower Profit Despite Revenue Growth 🛒
    Sales rose 1.9% to $19.1B, but net income fell to $293M as margins tightened. Cost controls helped offset pressures from pricing and operating expenses. Read More

  2. Jefferies Delivers Strong Q4 Despite Investment Hit 💼
    Net revenue reached $2.07B with investment banking and equities up double digits. Adjusted EPS came in at $0.96 after excluding losses tied to a fund markdown. Read More

  3. TD SYNNEX Caps Record Year with Double-Digit Growth 📊
    Q4 revenue climbed 9.7% to $17.4B, EPS surged 24%, and free cash flow hit $1.4B. The company raised dividends and returned over $200M to shareholders. Read More

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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of actions taken based on the information provided. Always conduct your own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.