Trump’s Fed Pick, Apple’s Record Quarter, & Retail’s Silent Collapse!

Money Masters' Market Kickoff Week 6

February 02, 2026

In partnership with

Dear Money Master,

Donald Trump’s decision to name Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair signals a potential reset for U.S. monetary policy. India is pushing ahead with deficit reduction while still targeting nearly 7% economic growth, setting itself apart from many developed economies. Saks Off 5th is shutting most of its stores, and Amazon is walking away from palm-scan payments.

In Tech, Waymo is nearing a $16 billion funding round that would value it at $110 billion, with Alphabet doubling down on autonomy as a long-term growth engine. SpaceX is seeking approval to launch up to one million solar-powered satellites designed to function as AI data centers in orbit. Elsewhere, OnlyFans is exploring a $5.5 billion majority sale.

Earnings season is in full swing. Apple posted one of the strongest quarters in corporate history, fueled by record iPhone demand, surging services revenue, and an installed base that now exceeds 2.5 billion active devices. SanDisk crushed expectations as AI-driven demand for memory accelerated, while Exxon Mobil managed to beat estimates despite lower profits, reflecting resilience even as energy prices cool.🌍💸

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - February 2nd, 2026

🌍 Economics, Finance, & Retail:

  1. Trump Names Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair 🏦
    Warsh previously served on the Fed during the financial crisis and is seen as more skeptical of prolonged rate intervention. He is set to take over in May, pending Senate confirmation. Read More

  2. India Targets Lower Deficits as Growth Outpaces Peers 🇮🇳
    The government projects a 4.3% fiscal deficit for 2026–27 and expects GDP growth between 6.8% and 7.2%. Debt-to-GDP is also forecast to decline, reinforcing India’s position as one of the fastest-growing major economies. Read More

  3. Saks Off 5th to Close Majority of Stores Amid Bankruptcy 🛍️
    Only 12 physical locations will remain as 57 stores shut down, while its spun-off e-commerce unit enters liquidation under Chapter 11, highlighting continued pressure on off-price and department store retail models. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. Waymo Nears $16B Funding Round at $110B Valuation 🚗
    Alphabet is expected to provide more than 75% of the capital, reinforcing its long-term commitment to autonomous vehicles as Waymo scales robotaxi operations amid intensifying AI-driven competition. Read More

  2. SpaceX Seeks Approval for 1 Million AI Data Satellites 🛰️
    The proposed constellation would function as solar-powered AI data centers in orbit. If approved, it would dramatically expand Earth’s satellite count, raising concerns about space debris and orbital congestion. Read More

  3. Amazon Shuts Down Palm-Scan Payments 🤚
    Amazon One is being discontinued after limited customer adoption, signaling a pullback from experimental biometric payments as the company refocuses on higher-impact retail and cloud technologies. Read More

  4. OnlyFans Explores $5.5B Majority Sale 💸
    Architect Capital is considering acquiring a 60% stake through a mix of equity and debt, potentially reshaping ownership of one of the most profitable creator platforms on the internet. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. Apple Posts Record Q1 on iPhone and Services Strength 🍎
    Revenue surged 16% year over year to $143.8B, while EPS jumped 19%. The installed base surpassed 2.5 billion active devices, reinforcing Apple’s ecosystem-driven growth strategy. Read More

  2. SanDisk Crushes Estimates on AI Memory Demand 💾
    Earnings nearly doubled expectations as revenue topped forecasts, driven by surging demand for flash memory used in AI servers and data centers. Read More

  3. Exxon Mobil Tops Expectations Despite Profit Decline ⛽
    EPS and revenue both edged past estimates, even as net income fell nearly 15% year over year, reflecting softer energy prices and narrowing downstream margins. Read More

Investor-ready updates, by voice

High-stakes communications need precision. Wispr Flow turns speech into polished, publishable writing you can paste into investor updates, earnings notes, board recaps, and executive summaries. Speak constraints, numbers, and context and Flow will remove filler, fix punctuation, format lists, and preserve tone so your messages are clear and confident. Use saved templates for recurring financial formats and create consistent reports with less editing. Works across Mac, Windows, and iPhone. Try Wispr Flow for finance.

To your financial empowerment, The Money Masters Team

P.S. Stay connected! Don't forget to follow us on social media! 📱🌐

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.