Buffett Steps Down, Tesla Misses, and Baidu Spins Off AI Unit

Money Masters' Market Pulse Week 1

January 02, 2026

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Dear Money Master,

Happy New Year from the Money Masters Team! 🎉 We wish you all the best in 2026! As we step into the new year, markets are still finding their footing after the holidays, giving us a calm but interesting start. So, to ease you back into the swing of things, we’ve put together a crisp and focused newsletter to keep you informed without overwhelming your inbox.

In this edition, we unpack Tesla’s latest delivery numbers and the surprise market reaction, even as the EV giant continues to face global competition and political backlash. Warren Buffett has officially handed over the reins at Berkshire Hathaway, marking the end of an era. Meanwhile, Baidu is making moves in the AI chip race with plans to spin off Kunlunxin in a Hong Kong IPO. Back in the U.S., millions of workers are starting the year with a raise thanks to new minimum wage laws, and Stellantis is revving up with a bold comeback strategy built around V8 muscle and brand revival. There’s also big news in India’s fast food landscape with a $934M KFC and Pizza Hut merger you’ll want to know about.

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - January 1st, 2025

🌍 Economics:

  1. Minimum Wage Rises in 22 States Across the U.S. 💵
    Over 8.3 million workers saw a raise this week as states like Hawaii, California, and New Jersey implemented higher minimum wages. Hawaii led the way with a $2 boost. These increases are expected to add $5 billion in annual earnings. Read More

  2. Furniture Stocks Rally as Trump Delays Tariffs 🛋️
    RH, Wayfair, and Williams-Sonoma surged after Trump postponed a tariff hike on imported furniture. Duties on upholstered goods will stay at 25%, avoiding a jump to 30%. The move eases pricing pressure during a volatile year for furniture retailers. Read More

  3. Warren Buffett Hands Over Reins to Greg Abel at Berkshire 🤝
    Warren Buffett, 95, has officially stepped down as Berkshire CEO after six decades. Greg Abel takes charge with Buffett’s full backing. Buffett will stay on as chairman but won’t speak at the 2026 shareholder meeting—a symbolic shift in leadership tone. Read More

  4. KFC & Pizza Hut India Franchisees Merge in $934M Deal 🍗
    Devyani International and Sapphire Foods will merge to form Yum! Brands’ largest operator in India. The deal is expected to boost KFC expansion and revive Pizza Hut, with $25M in annual savings projected from improved supply chain and outlet efficiency. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. Baidu to Spin Off AI Chip Unit Kunlunxin via Hong Kong IPO 💾
    Chinese tech giant Baidu plans to list Kunlunxin, its AI chip arm, to attract semiconductor-specific investors and boost China’s chip independence. Kunlunxin chips are now used beyond Baidu, including government and telecom clients, with revenue projected to hit $500M. Read More

  2. Stellantis Brings Back Ram TRX as Emissions Rules Ease 🚙
    The $100K, 777-horsepower Ram TRX returns in 2027, fueled by a rollback in emissions rules under the Trump administration. The move highlights Stellantis' pivot back to V8 engines and its effort to revive U.S. sales after years of market share loss. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. Tesla Misses Q4 Delivery Estimates, Shares Still Rise 🚗
    Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles in Q4—down 16% year-over-year and below Street forecasts. Yet shares rose 1% as energy storage deployments hit a new record. Annual deliveries fell for the second straight year amid political backlash and rising competition from China. Read More

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To your financial empowerment, The Money Masters Team

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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.