China Cracks, Inflation Reignites in the UK & OpenAI Chases $50B!

Money Masters' Market Pulse Week 4

January 23, 2026

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Dear Money Master,

China just recorded its first fixed-asset investment decline in decades, reigniting fears of credit stress across banks and local governments. In the U.K., inflation is heating back up right after a rate cut, raising questions about whether the central bank moved too soon.

Meanwhile, capital is flooding into the future. OpenAI is hunting for up to $50 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, Waymo is locking in U.S. robotaxi dominance, and Jeff Bezos is preparing a satellite war in space.

Earnings are sending mixed but telling signals. Johnson & Johnson and United Bankshares delivered solid beats, highlighting resilience in healthcare and financials, while Procter & Gamble’s revenue miss shows how pricing power is starting to meet consumer resistance.🌍💼

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - January 22nd, 2026

🌍 Economics, Finance, & Retail:

  1. China’s Fixed-Asset Investment Falls for First Time in Decades 📉
    Investment dropped 3.8% in 2025 to 48.52 trillion yuan, hit by a worsening property slump and tighter local government borrowing limits. Fitch warned the slowdown is creating rising credit risks across banks, corporates, and public finances. Read More

  2. U.K. Inflation Reaccelerates, Complicating Rate Cut Outlook 🇬🇧
    Consumer prices rose 3.4% in December, topping forecasts and reversing November’s cooling trend. The hotter print follows the Bank of England’s recent rate cut, raising concerns inflation may stay stickier for longer. Read More

  3. Tariffs Could Squeeze Birkenstock’s Margins 👡
    Management outlined that absorbing a $10 tariff on a $100 shoe would cut gross margins from 60% to 54.5%. To preserve profitability, prices would need to rise by $25, highlighting tariff-driven inflation risks for consumers. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. OpenAI Explores $50 Billion Funding Round with Middle East Backing 🤖
    The AI leader is in talks with sovereign wealth funds to raise fresh capital, potentially valuing the company at unprecedented levels. Discussions remain preliminary, but the round could become one of the largest private raises ever. Read More

  2. Blue Origin Unveils Satellite Network to Rival SpaceX 🛰️
    Jeff Bezos’ space venture plans to deploy 5,408 satellites under its “TeraWave” network. The system targets enterprise, data center, and government users, intensifying competition in the fast-growing satellite internet market. Read More

  3. Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Miami 🚕
    Alphabet’s autonomous unit launched in its sixth U.S. city, aiming to lock in rider loyalty as rivals lag behind. Waymo plans to expand into more major markets throughout 2026, strengthening U.S. leadership in self-driving tech. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. Johnson & Johnson Beats Earnings and Revenue Expectations 💊
    Adjusted profit came in at $2.46 per share, slightly ahead of forecasts, while revenue reached $24.56 billion. Strength across pharmaceuticals and medical devices helped offset broader healthcare cost pressures. Read More

  2. Procter & Gamble Tops EPS but Misses on Revenue 🧴
    The consumer goods giant posted $1.88 adjusted EPS, beating expectations, though revenue fell short at $22.21 billion. Net income declined year over year as pricing gains faced volume pressure. Read More

  3. United Bankshares Delivers Record 2025 Earnings 🏦
    Fourth-quarter profit reached $128.8 million, with strong returns on assets and equity. Performance remained resilient despite tighter credit conditions and elevated interest rate volatility. Read More

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