- Ring The Bell
- Posts
- Quantum Computers And AI Could Dominate 2026
Quantum Computers And AI Could Dominate 2026
Plus, changes could be coming for the prediction markets, and more
Josh Enomoto
January 02, 2026
Happy Friday! According to Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods, quantum computing could still see significant growth amid the potential for new contracts being inked. In addition, the market veteran still sees opportunity in AI, particularly for some overlooked entities.
Also, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is warning that the rapid expansion of sports-related prediction markets poses serious legal, economic and ethical risks. Learn more about how he believes such platforms undermine the integrity of professional and amateur sports.
TOP STORY
While Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods sees the S&P 500 having a lower return in 2026 than in 2025, the market veteran still sees opportunity in quantum computers and generative AI.
SPECIAL OFFER
Markets will move, volatility will return, and narratives will shift in 2026. Benzinga Pro helps you stay grounded with early news, Audio Squawk, and real-time alerts that cut through noise. Build a repeatable trading process with Benzinga Pro using our limited-time BOGO deal.
MARKET RECAP
| Averages & Assets | ||||
| Asset | Close 12/31/25 | Price Change | ||
| $6,845.50 | -0.74% | ||
| $23,241.99 | -0.76% | ||
| $48,063.29 | -0.63% | ||
| 4.16% | +0.04 bps | ||
| $63.71 | +4.12% | ||
| $1,690.62 | -3.16% | ||
| $87,520.00 | -1.01% | ||
| $2,966.77 | -0.11% | ||
| $1.84 | -2.13% | ||
Yesterday: U.S. indexes ended the final trading day of 2025 modestly lower, extending a four-day losing streak as thin holiday liquidity left markets struggling for direction. Despite the late-year softness, major benchmarks posted strong full-year gains, with the S&P 500 up 16%, the Nasdaq advancing 20%, and the Russell 2000 rising 11%. The gains capped a sharp recovery from early April, when markets sold off on tariff news, which nearly put the S&P 500 into a bear market down 19%. In commodities, precious metals pulled back, led by silver, after higher margin requirements were announced following recent volatility, though gold still finished the year up 64% and silver surged 145%. Oil prices hovered near $57 per barrel, closing the year down 20%.
On Our Radar: Analysts will be closely watching employment data for signs of labor-market distress. So far, though, sentiment appears to be modestly rising.
MARKET HEATMAP
Intelligent Bio Solutions (INBS) soared more than 100% and Anghami (ANGH) was also one of the biggest daily winners. Meanwhile, SMX (SMX) suffered one of the biggest losses on the day, down nearly 70%. But those weren’t the only companies making big moves. Here’s a look at some of the biggest winners and losers on Wednesday.
Discover how the market is moving with our interactive heatmap. Filter by market cap, or click on any box to explore specific sectors or assets in more detail.
FIVE ZINGERS
Earnings Season: Grocery giant Albertsons will release earnings results for the third quarter before the opening bell next Wednesday. Read more about what analysts expect the company to generate.
Technical Rumblings: Broadcom experienced a significant Power Inflow alert, a key bullish indicator that is closely tracked by traders who value order flow analytics, specifically institutional and retail order flow data. Click here to discover this potential edge.
Slowing Sales: Apple has reportedly scaled back production and promotion of its Vision Pro headset after sluggish sales underscored the company's struggle to turn its much-hyped mixed-reality device into a mass-market success. Discover what management plans to do next.
Serious Talks: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with the Donald Trump administration over drug trafficking and the country’s oil reserves. Learn more about this latest geopolitical twist.
Old School: Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, has made it clear that he does not take phone calls but instead prefers emails. Learn more about this quirky habit.
Join more than 10,000 advisors who start their week with Benzinga Advisor — a free Sunday newsletter built to make you the smartest and most proactive advisor in the room.
Get the most important client talking points, timely reminders and market context delivered straight to your inbox every Sunday.
Stay prepared, informed, and one step ahead of the curve.
MARKET HISTORY
On This Day In 2000…
Yahoo! shares reached an all-time high of around $500, giving the company a market capitalization exceeding $120 billion at the height of the dot-com bubble. Yahoo! had become one of the defining tech companies of the era, dominating online search and digital media. However, over the following years, the company struggled to compete with emerging rivals like Google and Facebook. By the time Yahoo! was acquired by Verizon in 2017, its market value had fallen to roughly $50 billion, less than half of its peak during the dot-com boom, reflecting the dramatic rise and fall of one of the internet’s pioneering giants.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The market will test your patience, your courage, and your discipline.“
— Carl Icahn
BEFORE YOU GO
Were you forwarded this email? Click here to subscribe.
And be sure to check out our other newsletters:
Future Finance: Where fintech, crypto and the future of finance collide. Future Finance is a perfect lunch read packed with quick bites for industry enthusiasts. Subscribe here.
Advisor: Tailor-made for Financial Advisors, this weekly newsletter has industry-specific insights, analysis and news. Subscribe here.
Tech Trends: Get the inside scoop on AI, the hottest gadgets and mind-blowing tech trends. Subscribe here.