Morning update on jobs data, a possible tariff decision, the situation in Venezuela, and more

January 9, 2026

Morning Briefing

Happy Friday! These weekly introductions have been a helpful reminder of what day it is, especially during such a hectic news cycle. But I still find myself getting used to the fact that it’s actually 2026.

Stock futures are looking pretty steady this morning. There hasn’t been much movement since yesterday’s trading session.

Here are five key points investors should keep in mind to kick off their trading day.

1. Job Report Countdown

This morning at 8:30 a.m., the highly anticipated December employment report is set to be released. It’s crucial for assessing the U.S. economy’s health and forecasting interest rates for the future.

Here’s what to look out for:

Economists expect nonfarm payrolls to increase by 73,000 for December, with an anticipated drop in the unemployment rate to 4.5%.
Recent data from Challenger, Gray and Christmas suggests some optimism, as job cuts have reached a 17-month low.
Consumer outlook is improving overall, as indicated by a New York Fed survey made public yesterday, despite some labor market skepticism.
Post-report, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, reportedly a candidate for the next Federal Reserve Chairman, will be talking on CNBC at 9 a.m. ET.
The stock market is heading towards a strong week, so keep an eye on live updates.

2. Supreme Court Decisions

The jobs report isn’t the only economic news today that could influence the markets; a decision is expected from the Supreme Court regarding President Trump’s tariff policies.

As reported by CNBC’s Jeff Cox, the ruling might not be clear-cut. There’s a possibility the court could allow limited powers to Trump, permitting some repayment arrangements for existing tariffs. Regardless, the Trump administration has indicated that it would impose tariffs by other means if the Supreme Court’s ruling doesn’t support their approach.

Meanwhile, recent data shows that the U.S. trade deficit decreased by 39% in October, reaching its lowest level since 2009, thanks to Trump’s previous mandates.

3. International Developments

President Trump announced this morning that military attacks on Venezuela have been canceled, stating that relations between the U.S. and Venezuela are improving. This announcement follows a Senate vote that effectively prohibited further military actions in Venezuela, although this was only a procedural step.

Today, Trump plans to meet with leaders from the oil industry to discuss Venezuela’s situation after the recent strikes and changes in leadership.

In other news, the U.S. government is considering a significant investment in a mineral mining project in Greenland. There have been earlier suggestions from Trump about buying Greenland, but, as reported, such a deal could be incredibly costly.

4. Saks in Trouble

Saks Global is facing serious challenges. The luxury retail chain is reportedly struggling to secure up to $1 billion in financing, which could lead to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Investors are hesitant to lend due to concern over the restructuring of related parent companies like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Without this funding, liquidation might be the only option for Saks, though company representatives have not made any comments on the developments.

5. General Motors’ Special Charge

General Motors announced yesterday that it will record a $7.1 billion special charge for the final quarter of 2025. Most of this stems from adjustments to electric vehicle plans in response to decreasing demand, alongside $1.1 billion related to a restructuring of its Chinese joint venture.

While this charge will affect GM’s net income, it is important to note that it won’t impact adjusted results. This announcement comes just ahead of their earnings report for this month, which looks promising for the company’s stock.