US Economy Surges 4.3% Amid Holiday Calm: The 2026 Investor Playbook

U.S. equities pulled back from early highs in midday trading, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 ceding ground as unexpected weakness in private sector hiring intensified bets on an upcoming Federal Reserve rate cut. Divergence defined the session, with defensive stocks and surging Bitcoin providing support against pressure from key tech names and anticipation for the Salesforce earnings report after the close.

The battle for AI infrastructure dominance just saw a major escalation as Marvell Technology (MRVL) announced it will acquire Celestial AI in a deal valued at approximately $3.25 billion. This strategic move, reported during midday trading, immediately sent Marvell's stock surging and underscores the intense competition to build the foundational hardware for the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem. The acquisition is a clear signal that chipmakers are not just building components but are actively consolidating specialized AI capabilities to offer more integrated, powerful solutions for hyperscale data centers.

Genius Group Limited (GNS) has launched legal action against four major brokerage firms—Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, and Robinhood—through The Basile Law Firm P.C. This follows the brokers' non-compliance with Demand Notices to reinstate the full "Buy Button" functionality for GNS shares. GNS claims that restricting buying while allowing selling creates a "structural imbalance" that depresses the stock price. This lawsuit adds to GNS's ongoing battle against alleged market manipulation, which includes a $250 million suit against Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial.

The legal structure of a business—be it a Sole Proprietorship, a Partnership, or a Corporation—is a fundamental decision that dictates who is responsible for the business's debts (liability) and how the profits are taxed. Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships are simple but carry greater personal risk (unlimited liability), while a Corporation offers the vital protection of limited liability but involves more complexity and potential for double taxation.