Business and Finance News - 1.1.25

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!

The NYSE and Nasdaq will close on January 9 for a national day of mourning following the death of former President Jimmy Carter at age 100. This follows tradition, with the last closure occurring in 2018 for President George H.W. Bush’s passing. Bond markets will close early at 2 p.m. (CNBC)

Key Insight → The NYSE and Nasdaq will close on January 9 to honor former President Jimmy Carter, reflecting a long-standing tradition of pausing markets during national days of mourning. This highlights the intersection of historical events with economic activity, acknowledging the symbolic role markets play in national unity. For investors, it serves as a reminder of how major national events can influence trading schedules and financial operations.

BMW and Yamaha have invested in U.S. rare earths startup Phoenix Tailings to boost non-Chinese production of critical metals used in electric vehicles and electronics. Phoenix plans to open a $13 million facility in 2025, aiming to refine rare earths with low emissions and expand further in the U.S. (Reuters)

Key Insight → BMW and Yamaha's investment in Phoenix Tailings highlights growing efforts to secure rare earths supply chains outside China, crucial for electric vehicles and electronics. This supports the development of cleaner, more sustainable refining technologies, reducing reliance on environmentally harmful methods. For the market, it signals increased competition and diversification in rare earth production, crucial for technological and energy transitions.

Russia’s gas exports to Europe via Ukraine stopped on January 1, 2025, as the transit deal expired without renewal due to ongoing conflict. This ends a major supply route, costing Ukraine $800 million in transit fees and Gazprom $5 billion, while Europe shifts to alternative energy sources. (Reuters)

Key Insight → The halt of Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine signifies a major geopolitical and economic shift, underscoring Europe's determination to reduce dependency on Russian energy in response to ongoing conflict. This disruption not only impacts Russia’s financial stability, with significant losses in gas sales, but also pressures Ukraine, which will lose critical transit fees. For the larger market, this accelerates Europe's transition to alternative energy sources and diversification, reshaping energy alliances and market dynamics across the continent.

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 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 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): $93,528.24 (10:45PM PST on 12/31/25)

• Ethereum (ETH): $3,337.11 (10:45PM PST on 12/31/25)