Markets, AI Spending and Bank Earnings in Focus

A holiday-thinned U.S. trading session sets the stage for a look at oil-market risks, technology valuations and the start of earnings season. Interviews with market strategists, reporters and company executives outline the factors investors are watching, from inflation and bank results to AI investment and cybersecurity.

■ Markets and the economic outlook
- Oil, Russia-Ukraine and Middle East tensions; upcoming inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary
- Earnings expectations, bank results and risks to consumer spending
■ Technology and corporate developments
- AI spending and returns, semiconductor competition, and Anthropic’s reported model incidents
- IonQ’s cybersecurity acquisition, Stellantis’ brand strategy and HSBC’s pay changes

For investors and business readers, the discussion provides context on the headlines and indicators to follow during the week. Use it to frame questions around company earnings, energy prices and economic data; it does not provide individualized investment advice.