In a striking twist, the Biden administration’s final week coincided with the best stock market performance since Trump’s re-election, fueled by a bond market rally following unexpectedly mild inflation data. The S&P 500 surged nearly 3%, just shy of the 6000 mark, while the Dow posted its strongest week in months, aided by a sharp decline in 10-year Treasury yields. 

Despite this upbeat sendoff, Biden’s term closes with a mixed economic legacy: robust job creation and stock market gains were offset by a historic drop in real disposable income and surging national debt. The inflation respite behind the rally may not indicate lasting relief, as core inflation remains stubbornly stalled near 3.3%. 

Rising crude oil and gasoline prices threaten to reignite inflationary pressures, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve’s path toward rate cuts. As the market shifts focus to Trump’s fiscal policy, investors brace for more stimulative measures that could push long-term Treasury yields past 5%, setting the stage for new challenges in both equity and bond markets.

Finsum: The most recent Fed minutes suggest a strong concern over taming inflation in the new administration so keep those inflation strategies handy. 

The box office saw indie films continue to make waves, led by “The Brutalist,” which expanded to 338 screens and earned $1.98 million over three days and $2.4 million for the holiday frame. The three-hour-plus epic has impressed with strong Imax sales and a total gross of $5.86 million, building momentum as Oscar nominations near. 

Meanwhile, Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” added $4.3 million to its $89.4 million domestic total, and Timothée Chalamet’s “A Complete Unknown” collected $3.8 million, reaching a $57.6 million cume.

A24’s “Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman, continues its steady climb with $2 million this weekend, bringing its total to $25.4 million. Other contenders like “The Substance” and Sean Baker’s “Anora” saw notable expansions. As the race to the Oscars heats up, indies are proving they can compete with the heavyweights, offering audiences a rich variety of standout cinematic experiences.

Finsum: While long, The Brutalist is a call back to an American cinema tradition in the vein of The Godfather or There Will be Blood.

World Liberty Financial (WLF), a crypto project linked to Donald Trump, announced it raised $1 billion in token sales, while the newly launched $TRUMP memecoin soared to a $10 billion market valuation as Trump assumed his second term. 

Promising to usher in a "golden age" for cryptocurrencies, Trump has positioned himself as a pro-crypto leader, contrasting the regulatory stance of the previous administration. Launched two months before the election, WLF and its tokens, including $TRUMP and Melania Trump's $MELANIA coin, have sparked both excitement and ethical concerns.

The $TRUMP coin’s meteoric rise, briefly peaking at $74.59, highlights the speculative fervor in the market, though experts warn of potential legal and financial pitfalls. Critics argue these ventures blur the lines between political influence and speculative assets, raising red flags about conflicts of interest and regulatory oversight. 

Finsum: Despite skepticism, the launch has fueled a broader rally in cryptocurrency markets, with Bitcoin hitting record highs amid optimism about Trump’s crypto-friendly policies.