Business and Finance News - 1.10.25

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PowerSchool confirmed a December data breach where hackers accessed sensitive information, including student Social Security numbers, grades, and medical data, affecting users of its school information system. The company, used by over 16,000 customers across North America, paid an extortion fee but could not verify if the stolen data was deleted. (TechCrunch)

Key Insight → This breach highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity in education technology, as it jeopardizes the personal information of millions of students, teachers, and families. Beyond the immediate risks of identity theft and fraud, such incidents erode trust in edtech solutions, potentially slowing the adoption of cloud-based platforms that schools rely on for efficiency. For the broader market, this underscores the rising stakes of data privacy and the need for robust security protocols, particularly as technology becomes further entrenched in sensitive sectors like education.

Ubisoft announced it has hired advisors to explore strategic options, including a potential takeover, while delaying the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to March 20. Facing declining shares and operational challenges, the company is also focused on cost reductions, aiming to cut over €200 million annually by 2025-2026. (CNBC)

Key Insight → Ubisoft’s exploration of strategic options, including a potential takeover, signals significant change in the gaming industry, where consolidation and investment shifts are becoming more prominent. Delays in its flagship Assassin’s Creed Shadows and ongoing shareholder pressure highlight operational challenges and uncertainty about its direction. For the market, this reflects growing competition and evolving investor strategies in the entertainment technology sector.

A U.S. port strike was averted after the International Longshoremen’s Association and employers reached a tentative six-year agreement, including a 62% wage increase and job protections. The deal addresses automation concerns while avoiding significant economic disruptions, with ratification votes pending to finalize the agreement. (Quartz)

Key Insight → The resolution of the U.S. port labor dispute avoids potentially devastating economic impacts, including supply chain disruptions and billions in daily losses. It signals the importance of balancing automation's efficiency with job protection, highlighting broader tensions in global labor markets. This agreement reassures industries reliant on port operations, stabilizing costs and ensuring consumer goods flow uninterrupted.

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

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 42,635.20 +106.84 (+0.25%)

• S&P 500: 5,918.25 +9.22 (+0.16%)

• Nasdaq Composite: 19,478.88 -10.80 (-0.06%)

• Russell 2000: 2,238.96 -10.84 (-0.48%)

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

• Apple (AAPL) [3.669T]: 242.70 +0.49 (+0.20%)

• Nvidia (NVDA) [3.431T]: 140.11 -0.03 (-0.02%)

• Microsoft (MSFT) [3.157T]: 424.56 +2.19 (+0.52%)

• Alphabet (GOOGL) [2.374T]: 193.95 -1.54 (-0.79%)

• Amazon (AMZN) [2.336T]: 222.13 +0.02 (+0.01%)

• Meta Platforms (META) [1.542T]: 610.72 -7.17 (-1.16%)

• Tesla (TSLA) [1.268T]: 394.94 +0.58 (+0.15%)

Here’s how Bitcoin and Ethereum did yesterday:

• Bitcoin (BTC): $93,591.51 (8:30PM PST on 1/9/25)

• Ethereum (ETH): $3,250.38(8:30PM PST on 1/9/25)