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Happy Friday. These introductions have helped me remember what day it is during a busy news week, but I’m still struggling to get the hang of writing that it’s 2026.
Stock futures were almost flat this morning. of S&P500 After yesterday’s session, little had changed.
Here are five important things investors need to know to start their trading day.
1. Clock in
More than 75 employers accepted resumes and spoke with prospective employees at a career fair in Lake Forest, California, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Paul Basebach | Media News Group | Orange County Register | Getty Images
We’re counting down to the all-important December jobs report, which will be released at 8:30 a.m. this morning. Labor market data is key to gauging the health of the U.S. economy and predicting the future path of interest rates.
Here’s what you need to know:
Economists polled by Dow Jones expect nonfarm payrolls to rise by 73,000 in December and the unemployment rate to fall to 4.5%. Challenger Gray and Christmas data released yesterday provided reason for optimism. The number of announced job cuts hit a 17-month low this month, the consulting firm found. Additionally, despite labor market concerns, the average consumer’s overall outlook is improving, according to a New York Fed survey released yesterday. National Economic Council Secretary Kevin Hassett, the leading candidate to become the next Federal Reserve Chairman, will appear on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” starting at 9 a.m. ET. Stocks are on track for a strong week. Follow live market updates here.
2. Decision day?
U.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Friday, December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC, USA.
Will Oliver | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The jobs report may not be the only economic event that could move markets this morning. The Supreme Court could issue a ruling today on the legality of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
As CNBC’s Jeff Cox reports, the court’s decision may not be so black and white. For example, a court could grant President Trump limited authority to lead to limited repayment of previously imposed tariffs. In any case, the Trump administration has repeatedly said that if the Supreme Court rejects the high tariffs, it will impose them through other means.
As the world awaits the decision, data released yesterday showed the effectiveness of the mandates President Trump launched last year. The U.S. trade deficit fell 39% in October from the previous month, the lowest level since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.
3. International situation
Tankers dock at a terminal in Matanzas, Cuba, January 7, 2026, as Cubans brace for worsening fuel shortages after the United States seized a Venezuela-linked tanker, cutting off a vital energy lifeline.
Norris Perez | Reuters
President Trump announced this morning that he had called off a second wave of military strikes against Venezuela, writing in an early morning social media post that the United States and Venezuela are “working well together.” The news comes after the Senate yesterday voted to block President Trump from further military attacks on Venezuela. Although the bill’s passage was a procedural matter, it showed that it has the support to become law when the final vote is taken.
President Trump is scheduled to meet with oil industry leaders this afternoon to discuss Venezuela in the wake of the weekend strikes and the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. CEO of exxon, conocophilips And with the shell, chevron A person familiar with the matter told CNBC that the representative will attend a meeting at the White House.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government is considering investing in a major mineral mining project in Greenland run by Amarok, company CEO Erdur Ólafsson told CNBC. President Trump has repeatedly suggested buying all of Greenland, but as CNBC’s Kevin Browninger reports, such an agreement could cost trillions of dollars.
4. Sax out
Shoppers walk outside the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan, New York City, USA on January 6, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis | Reuters
Saks Global is in trouble. The beleaguered luxury retail chain is struggling to raise the up to $1 billion it needs to stay afloat as it considers filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, people familiar with the matter told CNBC’s Gabriel Fontrouge.
Investors have been reluctant to make any loans due to concerns about Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman’s parent companies’ restructuring and subsequent repayment ability, according to people familiar with the matter. That’s creating difficulties for the 159-year-old company as it seeks so-called debtor financing.
Why it matters: Without the bankruptcy loan, Saks would likely face liquidation. Mr. Sacks declined to comment.
5. Cruising for bruises
New cars on display at the General Motors Company Chevrolet dealership on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Miami, Florida, USA.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
general motors announced yesterday that it will record a special charge of $7.1 billion in the final quarter of 2025. Approximately $6 billion of that is related to changes to electric vehicle plans amid cooling demand, and the remaining $1.1 billion is related to the realignment of the China joint venture.
As CNBC’s Michael Weiland points out, this charge will impact GM’s net income, but not the company’s adjusted results. The Detroit-based automaker’s announcement comes ahead of its earnings report later this month, marking a bumper year for the stock.
daily dividend
Did we already mention how many big headlines there were this week?Here are some stories you may have missed.
CNBC’s Jeff Cox, Jessica Dickler, Lori Ann LaRocco, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Chloe Taylor, Garrett Downs, Kai Nichole-Schwartz, Kevin Bruninger and Michael Weiland contributed to this report. Josephine Rozzelle edited this version.
