Business and Finance News - 1.2.25

A joint message from Skool Projekt and beehiiv

I was able to start my business because of beehiiv! It started as a simple newsletter and has grown into a small digital media company.

Ever thought about launching your own newsletter? Look no further than beehiiv—the ultimate platform for creating, growing, and monetizing your audience effortlessly! Whether you're a beginner or already have a thriving community, beehiiv equips you with everything you need to send stunning emails, track your progress, and build a loyal following.

Ready to get started? Sign up using my link to get 20% off for your first three months and take your newsletter game to the next level!

Alibaba will sell its 78.7% stake in Sun Art Retail to DCP Capital for $1.58 billion, following an 85% rise in Sun Art’s shares over the past year. The sale is part of Alibaba’s strategy to focus on core e-commerce operations and divest non-essential assets. (Reuters)

Key Insight → Alibaba’s decision to sell its majority stake in Sun Art Retail for $1.6 billion signals a strategic shift to streamline operations and prioritize its core e-commerce business. This move reflects Alibaba's focus on profitability and efficiency in a rapidly evolving retail landscape, suggesting that even major tech giants are reassessing brick-and-mortar investments. For the larger market, it highlights the growing influence of private equity in traditional retail sectors and underscores the importance of digital transformation as physical retail faces increasing pressure to innovate.

The Sugar Bowl was postponed by one day after a Texas man drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring 35. The suspect, linked to ISIS by an identified flag, also opened fire on police before being apprehended. (CNBC)

Key Insight → The Sugar Bowl postponement highlights the serious impact of the tragic attack in New Orleans on public events and safety. This decision underscores the importance of prioritizing security and reflects the broader concerns around large gatherings following acts of terrorism. For the larger market, it signals potential disruptions to major events, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance and contingency planning.

Major companies across industries are increasingly mandating employees to return to the office, with some requiring full-time in-person attendance by 2025. The shift reflects broader trends favoring office-based work, with 32% of U.S. firms already enforcing full-time office policies and more tightening attendance requirements. (Axios)

Key Insight → The return-to-office mandates from major corporations highlight a shift in workplace dynamics as companies prioritize in-person collaboration for productivity and oversight. This trend affects employee flexibility and may reshape job markets, influencing where talent chooses to work. For the larger market, it signals evolving expectations around workplace culture, impacting industries, real estate, and urban economies.

Saturday Skool is now joint venture between Skool Projekt and Skool Workshop, delivering weekly insights into behavioral economics. Enjoy one free edition each month, with exclusive weekly content for paid subscribers—upgrade now to explore think pieces, case studies, and expert advice on smarter decision-making!

Ready to turn your business challenges into actionable strategies or looking for personalized guidance? Connect with Skool Workshop today for tailored consulting solutions or schedule a personalized one-on-one session today!

Here’s how the major indexes did on Tuesday (the markets were closed yesterday):

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 42,544.22 -29.51 (-0.07%)

• S&P 500: 5,881.63 -25.31 (-0.43%)

• Nasdaq Composite: 19,310.79 -175.99 (-0.90%)

• Russell 2000: 2,230.16 +2.38 (+0.11%)

Here’s how The Magnificent Seven did on Tuesday (the markets were closed yesterday):

• Apple (AAPL) [3.785T]: 250.42 -1.78 (-0.71%)

• Nvidia (NVDA) [3.289T]: 134.29 -3.20 (-2.33%)

• Microsoft (MSFT) [3.134T]: 421.50 -3.33 (-0.78%)

• Alphabet (GOOGL) [2.317T]: 189.30 -1.94 (-1.01%)

• Amazon (AMZN) [2.307T]: 219.39 -1.91 (-0.86%)

• Meta Platforms (META) [1.478T]: 585.51 -5.73 (-0.97%)

• Tesla (TSLA) [1.296T]: 403.84 -13.57 (-3.25%)

Here’s how Bitcoin and Ethereum did yesterday:

• Bitcoin (BTC): $94,940.76 (6:15PM PST on 1/1/25)

• Ethereum (ETH): $3,384.82(6:15PM PST on 1/1/25)