New Year, New Momentum for Investors
We’re here to break it all down, spotlight what matters, and keep your portfolio in focus.
New year, new headlines, and no shortage of market-moving news to track. From Prime Minister Carney’s high-stakes trip to China, to mixed signals in Canada’s labour market, and a strong start for stocks in 2026, investors have plenty to weigh as the year begins.
We’re here to break it all down, spotlight what matters, and keep your portfolio in focus.
Wishing you a successful and opportunity-filled year ahead.
Stay sharp with B-TV’s latest feature.
Visit www.b-tv.com for exclusive updates and breaking news, helping you make informed investment decisions before the rest of the market catches on.
Let’s see where the markets take us next.
4 Minute Read:
Here's how some major markets/indexes performed in the last 5-days:
- Dow Jones: 49,520 (2.15%)
- Nasdaq 100: 25,783 (1.23%)
- TSX: 32,572 (1.84%)
- BTC: 90,350 (-1.25%)
- Ethereum: 3,079 (-2.04%)
(USD)
As of 01/09/2026 at 12:00PM PST
Markets Start 2026 on a High Note
What happened:
North American markets kicked off the year with a rally. The Nasdaq led the charge with a 1.8% jump, while the S&P 500 and Dow both posted gains as investors cheered soft inflation data and reinforced bets on Fed rate cuts in the first half of the year.
Catch up:
The rally extends a strong finish to 2025, when the S&P closed out the year up 24%. Tech names like Nvidia and Apple saw renewed momentum, while energy stocks also gained ground on rising crude prices.
Why it matters:
Markets are signaling a shift back to risk-on territory. With rate cuts potentially on the horizon, investor appetite is rotating toward growth stocks and sectors sensitive to borrowing costs. The rally also sets the tone for Q4 earnings, with expectations rising for strong tech and consumer results.
HIVE Digital Technologies (TSX.V: HIVE, NASDAQ: HIVE) isn’t just mining Bitcoin—it’s powering the next era of high-performance computing. With a strong focus on sustainability and AI infrastructure, HIVE is executing on two transformative trends at once.
Carney Heads to China With Trade on His Mind
What happened:
Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to China next week, marking the first official visit by a Canadian PM in nearly a decade. On the agenda: a sweeping reset of Canada-China relations, focused on trade, energy, agriculture, and international security. Carney is expected to meet directly with President Xi Jinping, amid what his office is calling a strategic effort to diversify Canada's global partnerships.
Catch up:
Canada has spent the last few years rebuilding fractured diplomatic ties with Beijing, while simultaneously navigating escalating trade tensions with the U.S. The visit signals a shift in tone — and perhaps urgency — as Canada looks to deepen access to non-U.S. markets, particularly in Asia.
Why it matters:
With U.S. protectionism rising and CUSMA under review in 2026, Canada’s economy can’t afford to be overly reliant on one trade partner. A renewed relationship with China could open doors for key sectors like critical minerals, energy, and agri-tech — but the risks remain high. Investors will be watching for signs of actual policy movement, not just photo ops.
As the U.S. continues to import 100% of its natural graphite—a vital component in energy storage, defense, and advanced manufacturing—Titan Mining (TSX: TI, NYSE-A: TII) is rising to the challenge.
With a shovel-ready project and a strong development timeline, Arizona Sonoran Copper (TSX: ASCU, OTCQX: ASCUF) is poised to help meet America's growing copper demand from right in its backyard.
Jobs Are Up, But So Is Unemployment
What happened:
Canada added 8,200 jobs in December, marking the fourth straight month of gains — but the unemployment rate still climbed to 6.8%, the highest in almost two years. Why the disconnect? A surge in the number of Canadians entering the job market added more competition for roles, pushing the jobless rate higher.
Catch up:
Most of the hiring came from full-time positions (+50,200), with strength in sectors like healthcare, social assistance, and construction. Meanwhile, part-time employment saw a sharp drop of 42,000 jobs. Self-employment also jumped, pointing to more Canadians carving out their own income streams.
Why it matters:
The labour market is still expanding, but the uptick in unemployment shows cracks forming beneath the surface. For investors, it’s a signal that wage growth could cool, reducing pressure on the Bank of Canada to keep rates high. It also reflects a more cautious consumer — something to watch in earnings season.
📢 This Week's Selected Company News:
Rio Tinto and Glencore Explore Merger
Two of the world’s largest mining companies, Rio Tinto and Glencore, are reportedly in early talks for a potential mega-merger. If completed, the deal would reshape the global resource landscape and create a dominant force in metals critical to the energy transition.
Aritzia Hits $1 Billion in Quarterly Sales
Canadian retailer Aritzia has surpassed $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, signaling strong consumer demand and brand momentum. The milestone highlights Aritzia’s continued growth as it expands across North America and strengthens its premium positioning.
OpenAI and SoftBank Launch $1B AI Energy Venture
OpenAI and SoftBank have announced a $1 billion investment into SB Energy, aimed at building AI-optimized energy infrastructure. The initiative reflects growing demand for energy to power large-scale AI systems and signals deeper ties between tech and clean energy sectors.
📬 That’s a wrap for this week!
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Until next time!
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Trade tides shift and gold chills
2026 is already setting the pace. Canada struck a breakthrough trade agreement with China, easing tariffs and opening key lanes for agri-exports and electric vehicles, a move that could reshape cross-Pacific commerce. Meanwhile, gold took a healthy pause after a record-setting run, as upbeat U.S. data lifted the dollar and brought rate cut expectations back down to earth. Investors are watching closely, and so are we.
