**Markets Hold Steady After Record-Breaking Rally**

U.S. stock futures remained mostly flat on Wednesday following a strong two-day rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new record, closing above the 49,000 mark for the first time ever at 49,484—up 1.04%. The S&P 500 also reached a fresh high, ending the session at 6,947 with a 0.66% gain. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq rose by 0.64% to close at 23,546, driven largely by strength in tech stocks.

Investor optimism continues from Monday’s positive momentum, supported by solid economic indicators and strong performance in the semiconductor sector. Market watchers are hopeful for strong Q4 earnings from major tech and AI companies, especially as big banks are set to kick off the earnings season next week. AI and data center stocks, which had slowed down in late 2025, are showing signs of renewed growth heading into 2026.

**Treasury Yields Mixed as Investors Watch the Fed and Global Events**

U.S. Treasury yields saw mixed movement across the curve. Short-term bonds attracted buyers, while some selling was seen in mid- to long-term maturities. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note ended Tuesday at 4.17%, and the 30-year bond settled at 4.85%.

Investors are keeping a close eye on upcoming economic data and international developments, especially in Venezuela. Uncertainty around Federal Reserve policy and concerns about a potential tech bubble have added volatility to the bond market, pushing investors toward short-term assets for safety.

**Oil and Gas Prices Slip Amid Supply Concerns**

Energy stocks lost ground on Tuesday after starting the week strong. Crude oil prices dropped due to fears of a global oversupply in 2026 and a lack of immediate supply threats from geopolitical tensions in Venezuela. Despite political issues there, Chevron confirmed it would continue its oil operations in the country.

Brent crude closed at $60.49, down 2.06%, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipped 2.42% to $56.91. Natural gas also declined as warmer-than-usual weather reduced heating demand. Nat gas settled at $3.40, down 3.43%.

**Gold and Silver Stay Hot as Investors Seek Safety**

Precious metals continued their upward trend, fueled by ongoing central bank buying, increased retail interest, and global uncertainty. Gold rose nearly 1%, ending Tuesday at $4,492. Silver extended its strong rally with a 6.06% gain, closing at $81.18.

Both metals are benefiting from their status as safe-haven assets during times of market turbulence and geopolitical stress.

**Crypto Market Mixed as Traders Await Economic Data**

Cryptocurrencies were mixed on Tuesday ahead of key economic reports. Bitcoin remained steady in the $91,000–$92,000 range, while altcoins like XRP and Solana saw moderate gains.

Analysts believe the worst of last year’s crypto sell-off may be behind us, with some suggesting that a new upward trend is forming. As of 8:00 AM EST Wednesday, Bitcoin was trading at $91,940 and Ethereum at $3,212.

**Wall Street Analyst Ratings – Top Stock Changes**

Every day, Wall Street analysts issue updates on stocks based on new data or shifts in outlook. Here are some key upgrades and downgrades announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026:

**Upgrades:**
– *Amcor plc (AMCR)* upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird; price target set at $10.
– *Block Inc.* upgraded to Outperform from Neutral by BNP Paribas with an $82 target.
– *Colgate-Palmolive (CL)* moved to Overweight from Neutral by Piper Sandler; target raised to $88.
– *Hershey Company (HSY)* upgraded to Overweight by Piper Sandler; target now $213.
– *McDonald’s (MCD)* upgraded to Outperform from Perform by Oppenheimer; price target set at $355.

**Downgrades:**
– *Bank of America (BAC)* downgraded to Peer Perform from Outperform by Wolfe Research; target at $58.
– *BigBear.ai Holdings (BBAI)* lowered to Neutral from Overweight by Cantor Fitzgerald; target trimmed to $6.
– *Deckers Outdoors (DECK)* downgraded to Underweight from Neutral by Piper Sandler; target reduced to $85.
– *GitLab (GTLB)* cut to Neutral from Overweight by Cantor Fitzgerald; new target is $40.
– *Moderna (MRNA)* downgraded to Neutral from Buy by UBS; target price lowered to $34.

These analyst changes reflect shifting views on market conditions, company performance expectations, and broader economic trends.