Happy Tuesday! Google unveiled its new quantum chip, Willow, capable of solving problems in minutes that would take supercomputers 10 septillion years. Here’s how this breakthrough could reshape industries — and the opportunities it creates for investors. Also, take a look at this list of enticing stocks that stand poised to break out.

—Josh Enomoto

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MARKET RECAP

Yesterday: Markets started the week lower, led by mid-cap declines, as most sectors slipped despite gains in healthcare and real estate. Investors are eyeing key inflation data this week, with forecasts suggesting gradual cooling, supporting expectations for slower Fed rate cuts.

On Our Radar: After pouring over the latest U.S. productivity report, analysts will be eager to view tomorrow morning’s release of the consumer price index. On the corporate financial side, investors will also dissect Dave & Buster’s earnings results.

TOP STORY

Google Quantum AI's New Willow Chip Can Do in Minutes That Supercomputers Would Take 10 Septillion Years

Google’s new Willow chip marked a quantum milestone, performing calculations in minutes that supercomputers would take septillions of years to complete. With 105 qubits and cutting-edge error correction, it’s a leap toward commercial quantum computing.

Here’s what this innovation means for industries — and how investors can position themselves for the quantum future.

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FIVE ZINGERS

Striking Back: Chinese regulators have claimed that tech giant Nvidia violated anti-monopoly laws. The news comes amid the president-elect Trump’s suggestions that he will raise tariffs against Chinese goods, prompting concerns about a US-China tit-for-tat.

Homeward Bound: Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings and revenue, leading to a solid pop in its shares. However, afterhours trading saw volatility, likely due to one notable concern.

Green Haven: Thanks to Colorado and Washington taking the early step of legalizing recreational cannabis in 2014, the marijuana industry has since blossomed. In fact, analysts are declaring that “dry” states are missing out on an important revenue source.

Under Questioning: Law enforcement officers have arrested Luigi Mangione, a person of interest in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Read about the potentially pivotal piece of evidence found on Mangione.

Cynical Beneficiary: Chaos in Syria is rising as Bashar al-Assad’s regime has fallen due to a blisteringly quick advance by rebels over the last several days. In turn, an ETF focused on a neighboring country has popped up conspicuously.

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New Highs as Stocks Soar and Crypto Climbs

Editor’s Note: Every week, Benzinga Edge members receive the Insider Report. It’s a rundown of what to expect from the markets in the week to come, which sectors are outperforming and why, and most importantly, a selection of hand-picked stocks that are poised to move up because of that week’s trends. Here’s a sneak peek:

As a reader of Benzinga’s Edge report, it's important to me that you won't be caught off guard by this rollercoaster setup when it comes to inflation going into 2025. First and foremost, I'm looking for crude oil to experience a major selloff.

It may sound silly, but this will set the stage for a return of inflationary pressures in 2025. The key to understanding this setup is thinking in terms of percentages. The first part of this setup entails crude oil dropping hard into the $45-$50 range.

The second part of this setup entails crude oil prices rallying from that zone up to the $85-$90 zone. This would mean that energy prices could double at some point, and by incorporating how inflation data moves off percentages, this will certainly put upside pressure on CPI and PCE data. I don't see this becoming a big problem until the back-half of 2025, however.

To keep reading and to find out how investors can prepare for the coming oil price rollercoaster, sign up for Benzinga Edge here.

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