Category: News
Novea Brandon is Chesterton’s only junior. Leading a young team that wins games, she ‘has a big influence.’
Chesterton’s Novea Brandon is making the best of an unusual situation.
The 5-foot-9 guard is the only junior on a team predominated by sophomores and freshmen. Brandon is a captain along with guard/forward Allison Van Kley and forward Addison Glossinger, the only two seniors.
“It’s a lot of responsibility,” Chesterton coach Candy Wilson said of Brandon’s role. “She has a big influence because these girls are all coming back next year. She has a big responsibility, and she’s been doing a great job on and off the court.
“She’s really stepped up this year. We’re a very young team, so that’s pretty big for us.”
Brandon has embraced that responsibility.
“We just try to bring a strong leadership role to the girls,” she said. “In practice, we try to give them as much support as possible because stuff like this can be hard, mentally challenging for younger girls to have to step up in such a huge role, playing against a bunch of older girls.
“Having leadership, communicating, always supporting them, those are big things. That brings us together as a group and also makes sure they’re OK mentally and physically. We do our best to try to be role models.”
Brandon has been successful, according to sophomore forward Reese Dilbeck.
“She’s definitely a leader,” Dilbeck said. “She really helps everybody and tells them what their role is and what they need to do.”
Brandon also has produced on the court for the Trojans (11-5, 3-1), averaging 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and team highs of 3.6 assists and 3.8 steals before a Duneland Athletic Conference game against Merrillville on Friday. She has been a primary point guard while sharing some of those duties with sophomore guard Lindsi McGuffey, who is averaging a team-high 11.8 points.
“She brings a lot of energy,” McGuffey said of Brandon. “She likes to be a menace on defense, get in people’s heads, which is fun to see. She’s an offensive threat, for sure. Her shot’s good. She knows where to get the ball to people.”
Brandon also started last season, posting 4.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals, mostly playing off the ball.
Her more prominent position this season is part of a dramatically different roster. Senior point guard Kenedi Bradley, a Butler track recruit who was in position to become the team’s career scoring leader, suffered an ankle injury; senior post Tenley Davis, a Loyola volleyball recruit, opted to focus on that sport; and three other seniors didn’t return.
“I’ve definitely improved on my defense and just handling the ball, handling the pressure way better,” Brandon said. “Defense is just as important as offense. But on the offensive side, I’ve been able to shoot the ball way better this year.
“And then just being able to be a good point guard, seeing the floor, handling the ball, handling pressure in big moments and just using my voice to help everyone get situated.”
Wilson, who is in her second season at her alma mater, has been impressed by Brandon’s effort.
“She is really working so hard on her game,” Wilson said. “When last year ended, she didn’t miss a beat. She’s been working on her shot, she’s been working on her leadership, just playing as much as she can play. She’s just a hard worker and trying to improve. She wants to play at the next level, and she’s giving herself that opportunity.”
Brandon hopes the Trojans will have an opportunity to compete for their first sectional title since 2011. Rival Valparaiso is the undisputed team to beat.
“We’re in a pretty good spot,” Brandon said. “We’ve been the underdog the whole season, and it’s really just proving ourselves against the really good teams. We’re still just trying to get the small details, get really defined and specific on how we want things, because if we get those small details covered, it will make us that much better.”
The Trojans’ future could be even more promising.
“We’re definitely young, but we do have smart girls,” Brandon said. “Things just take time. Skill-wise, we have a really, really talented group of girls. Really skilled, really fast, long, athletic — you name it. We have a really strong, really talented group with much, much, much potential.
“We had a few girls who didn’t come back, so it was really only a couple of girls who played varsity, so everyone has had to step up. The good thing about the team this year is that we’re so competitive and everyone here wants to be here, which makes it fun because we all know this is where we want to be. Just have fun with it, be competitive, and that’s how we’ll grow. We’ve already made great growth and improvements, and we’ve been doing great this season. Next season is going to be amazing, the stuff we can do.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/basketball-chesterton-novea-brandon/
Futures Muted Ahead Of Two Key Events
Futures Muted Ahead Of Two Key Events
Stock futures are muted, with traders awaiting two major catalysts: A possible Supreme Court ruling on whether Trump’s tariffs are legal and December payrolls — a key datapoint for the trajectory of interest rates. As of 8:00amm, S&P 500 futures are up 0.1%, with Nasdaq 100 contracts +0.2% with Mag 7 stocks mixed premarket. Mortgage stocks jump after President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that he was directing the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds. LoanDepot (LDI) +16%, Rocket Cos (RKT) +5%. A four-day streak of gains set the greenback on course for its best week since November, with the yen losing the most ground among major peers. Treasuries extended Thursday’s slide, with the 10-year rate rising two basis points to 4.18% as investors braced for Friday’s payrolls report and a possible Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Commodities are mixed: oil and silver rallied 0.5% and 1.3%, respectively, while base metals are mostly lower this morning. Today’s US economic calendar includes December jobs report and October housing starts (8:30am), January preliminary University of Michigan sentiment (10am) and 3Q household change in net worth (12pm). Scheduled Fed speakers include Kashkari (10am), Bostic (12pm) and Barkin (1:35pm). We also get the Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs, typically released at 10am New York time.
In premarket trading, Mag 7 stocks are mixed (Alphabet +0.8%, Nvidia +0.3%, Apple +0.08%, Tesla +0.4%, Meta -0.2%, Microsoft -0.4%, Amazon -0.4%).
Mortgage stocks jump after President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that he was directing the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds. LoanDepot (LDI) +16%, Rocket Cos (RKT) +5%.
Aquestive Therapeutics (AQST) slumps 47% after flagging an FDA saying the agency has identified deficiencies that preclude labeling discussions for Anaphylm at this time.
AXT Inc. (AXTI) slides 14% after the semiconductor company’s fourth-quarter revenue forecast disappointed. The firm said revenue was impacted by fewer-than-expected export control permits for indium phosphide being issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Intel (INTC) is up 2% after President Donald Trump praised Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan on social media after a meeting between the two.
Oklo (OKLO) rises 19% and Vistra (VST) rallies 14% as Meta Platforms agreed to a series of electricity deals for its data centers that will make it the biggest buyer of nuclear power among its hyperscaler peers.
Olin (OLN) is down 8% after the chemicals company forecast adjusted Ebitda for the fourth quarter that missed the average analyst estimate.
Revolution Medicines (RVMD) gains 13% after the Financial Times reported that Merck is in talks to buy the cancer drugmaker.
WD-40 Co. (WDFC) slumps 7% after the lubricant spray maker posted disappointing earnings per share for the first fiscal quarter, where sales increased only 1% from the year-ago period.
In other corporate news, Rio Tinto is in talks to buy Glencore to create the world’s biggest mining company with a combined market value of more than $200 billion. In tech, TSMC’s quarterly sales beat estimates, bolstering hopes for sustained global AI spending in 2026. Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI burned $7.8 billion in cash in the first nine months of the year, according to internal documents. General Motors shares are lower in premarket trading after it announced another $6 billion in charges tied to cutbacks in its electric vehicle and battery operations. And Johnson & Johnson, one of 17 companies Trump called on last summer to cut drug prices, reached a deal with the government to do so for some Americans.
The S&P 500’s early-year rally has gone off the boil over the past two sessions. The period has been marked by rotation away from some of the past years’ biggest artificial-intelligence names toward a broader set of tech players and sectors, with investors largely united in seeing the bull run continue.
Meanwhile, traders are preparing for two back-to-back risk events on Friday that may offer global equities their biggest test since a rebound from April’s tariff-driven slump. The payrolls data for December is particularly important for the clues it will offer on the outlook for US interest rates. Also on Friday we get the SCOTUS ruling on Trump tariffs: If the Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs — with betting markets seeing a good chance of this — there are two schools of thought on how markets will react.
Stocks could rip on the prospect of a boost to company profits and consumer spending, while there may also be some relief that Trump’s excesses can be curbed. In the week since the US raid on Venezuela, Trump has threatened military strikes against drug cartels, told defense contractors to end buybacks and dividends, pledged to stop institutional investors buying more homes, and told Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds. Conversely, stocks may not like the prospect of lower Federal revenues and a wider deficit that pushes Treasury yields higher at a time when economic data give the Fed little reason to cut rates again anytime soon. See our Trader’s Guide to the decision.
“Returning those funds would weigh heavily on investor sentiment and could reignite a US bond selloff,” wrote Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote. “That said, US budget concerns have a long track record of being forgotten quickly. With or without tariffs, US debt continues to balloon.”
According to Goldman, NFP matters more. with Goldman expecting around 70k, in line with consensus. There are signs of labor-market stabilization. The Challenger data yesterday stood out… “The year closed with the fewest announced layoff plans all year… while December is typically slow, this coupled with higher hiring plans is a positive sign after a year of high job cutting plans.” If unemployment ticks down and NFP prints north of ~125k, that’s where rate volatility reawakens (bond vol small uptick). The sanguine rates view has been anchored on labor deceleration… but despite secular AI forces, overall GDP strength may matter more.
“The market is hoping for the jobs data to land on the fairway. Too much job creation would hint the economy is getting hot while a number close to zero would point, in contrast, to a slump,” said David Kruk, head of trading at La Financiere de l’Echiquier. “Neither option is good.”
The options market is signaling a muted S&P 500 reaction, with about a 0.6% move expected in either direction. JPMorgan’s head of global market intelligence, Andrew Tyler, expects the print to be in line or slightly stronger than consensus, triggering modest stock-index gains. Here is JPM’s reaction matrix (full preview here).
Above 105k. SPX is down 0.5% – 1%: probability 5%
Between 75k – 100k. SPX gains 0.25% to 1%: probability 25%
Between 35k – 75k. SPX gains 0.25% – 0.75%; probability 40%
Between 0k – 35k. SPX loses 0.25% to gains 0.5%: probability 25%
Below 0k. SPX is down 0.5% to 1.25%: Probability 5%
The tariff decision and jobs data will land in a surprisingly calm backdrop. The VIX — historically volatile in the first quarter — has been remarkably subdued amid a whirlwind of geopolitical news in the first week of 2026. In flows, money market funds attracted their third-largest weekly inflows ever, with the first week of the year typically strong for these funds, while US equities had outflows, Bank of America said.
In Europe, Stoxx 600 is up 0.5% with mining shares among the biggest gainers, after Rio Tinto and Glencore held talks to form the world’s largest miner. Technology and consumer stocks outperform, while insurers lag.Here are some of the biggest movers on Friday:
Glencore shares rise as much as 9.9% in London, hitting the highest since July 2024, after the miner confirmed it is in talks with Rio Tinto for a potential combination of some or all of their businesses including an all-share takeover, which would create the world’s biggest mining company.
Tecan shares rise as much as 9%, the most since August, after the Swiss maker of laboratory equipment reported order growth in the second half of 2025 that was better than expected.
L’Oreal shares rise as much as 5.1%, the most since July, as UBS upgrades the cosmetics group to buy from neutral, predicting an improvement in industry growth and the cosmetics group’s like-for-like sales outperformance.
TeamViewer shares rise as much as 8.4%, the most since September, after the software company reported FY25 sales in line with lowered estimates following a profit warning in October.
Yara International shares climb as much as 2.8% after the fertilizer company outlined ambitions to grow free cashflow by $600m by 2030, compared to 2024 levels, ahead of its capital markets day.
Sainsbury’s shares drop as much as 6.4% after the UK grocer reported disappointing sales for the holiday period. Analysts noted that while food sales were good, the non-food units (general merchandise, clothing and Argos) were weaker than expected and indicate ongoing consumer uncertainty.
Sartorius shares drop as much as 2.9% after RBC Capital Markets cut its rating on the stock to sector perform from outperform, citing “likely cautious industry commentary and strong share outperformance.”
SocGen shares fall as much as 2.6% after Kepler Cheuvreux cut its recommendation to reduce from buy following a rally over the past three months.
Euronext shares fall as much as 3.8% after BofA Global Research cut its rating to neutral due to high trading comps in 1H as volatility subsides.
Asian stocks fluctuated, with Japan outperforming regional peers, as investors awaited key US economic data and a possible US Supreme Court ruling on US tariffs.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose as much as 0.4% before paring gains, putting it on track for a weekly gain of about 1.6%, which would mark its best full week at the start of a year since 2023. Japanese stocks climbed as the yen weakened against the dollar and Fast Retailing reported strong earnings. Benchmarks also rose in South Korea, Hong Kong and China, while Taiwan slipped. Asian equities have had a mostly strong start in 2026, helped by continued enthusiasm over artificial intelligence, though geopolitical tensions have sparked some concerns. Investors are now focused on a potential decision by the top US court as early as Friday on the legality of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with large implications for Asian exporters. Next week, results are due from companies including TSMC and Tata Consultancy Services. Investors also await South Korea’s monetary policy meeting and Japan’s producer price data.
In FX, the dollar rises for a fourth consecutive session to the highest in a month, up against most major currencies ahead of payrolls data and a potential Supreme Court decision on President’s Trump’s tariffs. The yen is underperforming.
In rates, treasuries are weaker, with 10-year yields up about two basis points. Bonds across Europe and the UK little changed, though gilts are on track for the best week in months. Treasuries futures hold small losses in early US trading, near session lows with yields 1bp-2bp higher, underperforming European bond markets slightly. Move unwinds the late Thursday rally for long-end tenors — and related move in swap spreads — that followed Trump’s directive that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds. US 10-year yield near 4.185% is about 2bp higher on the day with German and UK counterparts little changed. Curve spreads are little changed, with 5s30s around 110bp, holding Thursday’s flattening move. Ahead of jobs report, swap contracts price in about 10bp of Fed easing is price in over January and March policy meetings; median economist estimate is for 70k nonfarm payrolls increase vs 64k in November; crowd-sourced whisper number is 69k. Focal point’s of Friday’s US session include December jobs report and potential Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs, typically released at 10am New York time.
In commodities, oil held onto its biggest daily gain since October, as Iran attempted to quell escalating protests while Trump threatened repercussions if demonstrators were targeted. Trump also said that a second wave of attacks on Venezuela was called off due to improved cooperation from the authorities. Brent now up 0.9%, trading above $62/barrel. Gold prices little changed, silver rebounding and copper pushing closer to $13,000/ton.
Today’s US economic calendar includes December jobs report and October housing starts (8:30am), January preliminary University of Michigan sentiment (10am) and 3Q household change in net worth (12pm). Scheduled Fed speakers include Kashkari (10am), Bostic (12pm) and Barkin (1:35pm). We also get the Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs, typically released at 10am New York time.
Market Snapshot
S&P 500 mini little changed
Nasdaq 100 mini +0.2%
Russell 2000 mini +0.1%
Stoxx Europe 600 +0.4%
DAX little changed, CAC 40 +0.6%
10-year Treasury yield +2 basis points at 4.19%
VIX +0.2 points at 15.65
Bloomberg Dollar Index +0.2% at 1211.28
euro -0.2% at $1.164
WTI crude +0.5% at $58.02/barrel
Central Banks
BoJ officials are set to keep rates on hold this month, Bloomberg reported citing sources; adds that officials have no preconceptions on the pace of hiking rates. Officials see little need to shift underlying inflation view. Will closely watch impact of weakening JPY. Likely to raise economic growth outlook on stimulus. The Bank is said to weigh downgrade of CPI outlook on government measures.
ECB’s Radev said the current level of rates is appropriate.
TD is now expecting the RBA to raise rates by 25bps at its next meeting in February.
Thai Central Bank Chief said gold trading has significant impact on Thai Baht.
Top Overnight News
Trump directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds to bring down housing-loan rates. Mortgage debt and US home-lender stocks rose premarket. BBG
The US Supreme Court will probably rule that the Trump administration’s fentanyl and reciprocal trade tariffs are unlawful, in a decision that may come today. But any refunds probably wouldn’t be immediate and other statutes may be used to recreate the levies. BBG
Trump on Venezuela: “I cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed, however, all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes”. Trump also said Thursday that the world’s largest oil companies had pledged to spend $100 billion to fulfill his promise of reviving Venezuela’s flagging oil sector. Politico
US shale bosses have warned Trump that his mission to seize Venezuela’s oil sector and drive down crude prices will put American output on the chopping block. Trump is set to meet US Big Oil chiefs on Friday, and said Venezuela is cooperating and “cancelled” a second wave of attacks on the country. FT, BBG
Treasury Secretary Bessent said US won’t force institutional investors to divest from home buying, also said lowering the suspicious activity report threshold to USD 3,000 and noted probe related to money services businesses in Minnesota.
Meta signed a series of electricity deals for its data centers, making it the biggest buyer of nuclear power among its peers. BBG
Majority of US House voted to support the bill to renew health insurance subsidies for three years.
China’s consumer inflation picked up modestly in December, while factory-gate prices remained in contraction, capping another year marked by persistent deflationary pressures amid weak domestic demand. Dec CPI comes in at +0.8% (inline w/the Street and up from +0.7% in Nov) while the PPI improved to -1.9% (up from -2.2% in Nov and vs. the Street -2%) WSJ
Chinese crackdowns on chemicals used to make illicit fentanyl may have played a significant role in the sharp reduction of US overdose deaths. WaPo
Hedge funds made their largest asset gains on record in 2025, as investors shift away from struggling private equity investments and seek to offset exposure to equities amid concerns about a bubble. The size of the global HF industry increased by about $628 bn in 2025. FT
South Korean Finance Ministry said will allow around-the-clock FX trading from July. said: To explore the possibility of joining CPTPP. To bring in various improvements to stock and forex markets for MSCI upgrade. To prepare policy support for semiconductor defence, biopharmaceutical, petrochemical, steel and steel industries. To introduce digital asset spot ETFs. USD 350bln in US investment package is to bolster shipbuilding and nuclear energy sectors.
Trade/Tariffs
US GOP is reportedly pushing ahead to prevent China from getting access to US tech such as chips, via Axios.
EU decision on Mercosur should come before 16:00GMT, Politico reported. Examination of the safeguard text will begin at around 10:00GMT. Italy is reportedly still weighing how much backlash it can absorb before agreeing to the deal, according to the diplomats cited. Italy continues to edge closer to supporting the agreement.
Japan’s Finance Minister Katayama will meet counterparts in Washington between January 11th to 14th on rare earth supplies.
US President Trump posted that data shows the US has the lowest trade deficit since 2009, and is going even lower, adds GDP is predicted to come in at over 5%, and success of the country is due to tariffs.
Japanese food and alcohol products are reportedly seeing customs delays in China, according to Nikkei.
UK PM Starmer will exclude the City of London from his push for “closer alignment” with the EU, following lobbying by financial services firms against any return to Brussels rule, FT reported.
A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk
APAC stocks followed suit to the mixed performance on Wall Street with the regional bourses predominantly in the green, albeit with traders bracing for the US Non-Farm Payrolls report and a potential Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs. ASX 200 was ultimately flat as strength in energy and consumer stocks was offset by losses in financials, tech and mining, while Rio Tinto shares fell by more than 6% after reports that the Co. and Glencore revived merger talks. Nikkei 225 outperformed following the stronger-than-expected Household Spending data from Japan, which showed surprise Y/Y growth of 2.9% (exp. -0.9%), while the gains were led by index heavyweight Fast Retailing after it posted higher profits and upgraded its guidance. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were indecisive after mixed inflation data from China and the substantial weekly liquidity drain by the PBoC, while there was a mixed reaction in tech stocks following reports that China is to approve some NVIDIA (NVDA) H200 purchases as soon as this quarter.
Top Asian News
Japan megabanks are to jointly lend USD 1.5bln to the Saudi government.
Capital Economics said regarding China’s inflation that the recent pickup in consumer inflation in China was driven by temporary factors like weather-related food price hikes and not successful policy measures. said:With these disruptions easing, headline inflation could turn negative again.
South Korea’s Blue House said President Lee and Japanese PM Takeichi are to discuss regional peace and stability and rapidly changing global politics, while the sides may discuss China-Japan disputes at their summit next week.
China’s Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Disney’s (DIS) CEO in Beijing and said they welcome companies to invest in China, according to Xinhua.
Mediatek (2454 TT) 2025 Revenue +12.3% Y/Y.
Acer (2353 TT) – FY25 (TWD): Revenue 28.5bln (prev. 24.5bln Y/Y).
TSMC (2330 TT) December (TWD) rev. 335.0bln (prev. 343.6bln M/M), 2025 rev. rose 32% Y/Y to 3.81tln.
European equities (STOXX 600 +0.4%) have opened mostly on a strong footing, tracking tailwind from APAC which finished higher after tentative trade during most part of the session. European sectors have opened slightly skewed to the green. Basic Resources is boosted by upside in Glencore (+8%) after the Co. and Rio Tinto (-2%) resumed talks on a mining megadeal. Elsewhere, ASML (+4.4%) jumps following strong Q4 TSMC (+0.7% pre-market) earnings, where its revenue jumped 20%.
Top European News
German Industrial Production MoM (Nov) M/M 0.8% vs. Exp. -0.4% (Prev. 1.8%); driven mainly by autos.
German Balance of Trade (Nov) 13.1B vs. Exp. 16.5B (Prev. 16.9B, Rev. 16.9B).
German Imports MoM (Nov) M/M 0.8% vs. Exp. 0.2% (Prev. -1.2%).
German Exports MoM (Nov) M/M -2.5% vs. Exp. 0% (Prev. 0.1%).
FX
DXY has been edging higher since APAC trade as traders position for the US jobs report, with the US data yesterday also pointing to no imminent meltdown in the labour market (with the 4-week initial claims average hitting its lowest level since April 2024, while Revelio estimated growth of 71k jobs). Headline nonfarm payrolls are expected to be relatively in line with the prior. Consensus looks for 60k nonfarm payrolls to be added to the economy vs the 64k in November.
JPY is the laggard amid a double-whammy from the firmer USD alongside net-dovish BoJ sources, via Bloomberg, which suggests BoJ officials are set to keep rates on hold this month, and that officials have no pre-conceptions on the pace of hiking rates. USD/JPY looks set to test a couple of resistance levels (19th Dec high at 157.76 and the 20th Nov peak at 157.89) ahead of 158.00.
Elsewhere, G10s are broadly lower with the antipodeans among the worst performers despite firmer copper prices and positive risk sentiment, but after Chinese CPI Y/Y missed forecasts. European FX are mildly pressured by the USD with region-specific catalysts on the lighter end. EUR/USD saw no reaction to above-forecast November Retail Sales or commentary from ECB’s newest member Radev, who joined as Bulgaria officially adopted the EUR.
Fixed Income
A contained session for fixed income as we count down to US NFP.
Into that, USTs are holding in a narrow 112-05 to 112-12+ band. As it stands, markets ascribe around a 13% chance of a cut in January, with a move not implied until the June meeting, where there are c. 22% implied odds for a hold. For 2026 as a whole, pricing currently looks for the Fed Funds Rate to end the year in a 3.00-3.25% band vs the current 3.50-3.75%, according to CME FedWatch.
Bunds are also rangebound. No move to the morning’s very strong November Industrial Production, a series that was driven primarily by 7.8% M/M growth in autos. That aside, specifics for EGBs are a little light with all eyes on NFP. For the bloc, we await the EU-Mercosur deal vote; it should pass; however, the support of Italy is not guaranteed, but is needed to hit the ‘qualified majority’ rule. On that point, France is set to vote against the Mercosur deal, as things currently stand with the safeguards.
China’s Finance Ministry sold 10-year bonds with the yield at 1.8627%. Into this, the OAT-Bund 10yr yield spread remains steady around the 70bps mark.
US FHFA Director Pulte said President Trump’s USD 200bln mortgage bond order can be executed quickly and that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have cash to buy.
US President Trump instructing representatives to buy USD 200bln in Mortgage Bonds to drive down mortgage rates and make cost of owning a home more affordable.
Commodities
Following Thursday’s bid higher, which saw WTI Feb return above USD 58/bbl and Brent Mar briefly topping beyond USD 62/bbl, benchmarks have fallen back lower at the start of Friday’s European session. WTI and Brent extended the lower bound of APAC’s USD 0.55/bbl range to trough at USD 57.62/bbl and USD 61.83/bbl respectively before rebounding to USD 58/bbl and USD 62.20/bbl.
Spot XAU started the Asia-Pac session on the backfoot, slowly falling from USD 4484/oz to USD 4453/oz, before oscillating in a tight c. USD 25/oz band as the European morning continues as markets await the highly-anticipated NFP report and the potential SCOTUS tariff decision.
After 2 days of selling from its ATH at USD 13.39k/t, 3M LME Copper has started to rebound from Thursday’s trough of USD 12.52k/t and is currently trading at USD 12.92k/t as the European session continues. The recent selloff in red metal comes amid a selloff in the tech-heavy NQ, with copper being a much-needed material in the semiconductor space.
Senior Thai Financial Official said they are looking into potential tax measures on gold trading and/or imports.
US shale chiefs warned that Venezuelan oil will hobble US drillers and that the President’s effort to reduce crude prices will hurt the sector struggling to sustain production growth, according to FT.
US President Trump said companies will spend at least USD 100bln in Venezuela and he is meeting with oil executives on Friday.
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) reportedly interested in Venezuelan oil and plans to submit a bid.
US Interior Secretary Burgum said the US is ending the discount on Venezuelan oil for China. Knocking Russia out of the Venezuelan oil market. Venezuela won’t use Russian diluent anymore.
Russian crude oil production came in at 9.33mln BPD in December, Bloomberg reports; over 100k BPD below November’s level due to drone activity and the impact of sanctions.
Geopolitics: Ukraine
Russian drone attack on Kyiv causes explosions and triggers a fire, according to the mayor.
US Interior Secretary Burgum said the US is ending discount on Venezuelan oil for China. Knocking Russia out of the Venezuelan oil market. Venezuela won’t use Russian diluent anymore.
Geopolitics: Middle-East
Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei said US President Trump should focus on running his own country. Iran won’t back down in the face of vandalism. Will not tolerate foreign-backed operatives.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is to give a speech about protests momentarily, according to state media.
Iranian state media claimed that terrorist agents from the US and Israel set fires and sparked violence on the streets amid unrest, according to Sky News.
Palestinian media reported Israeli raids continue on various areas of the Gaza Strip, according to Sky News Arabia.
Israel rejected Lebanon’s claim that Hezbollah has been disarmed, saying the effort is far from sufficient and that the group is rearming with Iranian support.
Geopolitics: Other
Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei said US President Trump should focus on running his own country. Iran won’t back down in the face of vandalism. Will not tolerate foreign-backed operatives.
China’s Foreign Ministry, on US President Trump’s remarks on Taiwan, said there is no room for any external interference and the issue is purely an internal matter.
Iranian state media claimed that terrorist agents from the US and Israel set fires and sparked violence on the streets amid unrest, according to Sky News.
South Korea’s Blue House said President Lee and Japanese PM Takeichi are to discuss regional peace and stability and rapidly changing global politics, while the sides may discuss China-Japan disputes at their summit next week.
US President Trump said they will start hitting cartels on land and he has asked Venezuela to free political prisoners.
Palestinian media reported Israeli raids continue on various areas of the Gaza Strip, according to Sky News Arabia.
Israel rejected Lebanon’s claim that Hezbollah has been disarmed, saying the effort is far from sufficient and that the group is rearming with Iranian support.
Russian drone attack on Kyiv causes explosions and triggers a fire, according to the mayor.
US Event Calendar
8:30 am: Dec Change in Nonfarm Payrolls, est. 70k, prior 64k
8:30 am: Dec Change in Private Payrolls, est. 75k, prior 69k
8:30 am: Dec Change in Manufact. Payrolls, est. -5k, prior -5k
8:30 am: Dec Average Hourly Earnings MoM, est. 0.3%, prior 0.1%
8:30 am: Dec Average Hourly Earnings YoY, est. 3.6%, prior 3.5%
8:30 am: Dec Unemployment Rate, est. 4.5%, prior 4.6%
8:30 am: Oct Housing Starts, est. 1330k
8:30 am: Oct P Building Permits, est. 1350k
8:30 am: Oct Housing Starts MoM, est. 1.76%
10:00 am: Jan P U. of Mich. Sentiment, est. 53.5, prior 52.9
DB’s Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap
Markets took a bit of a breather yesterday, though headline stability for the S&P 500 (+0.01%) masked a sizable sectoral rotation, with tech underperforming. Meanwhile, bonds continued to lose ground on both sides of the Atlantic, with a combination of solid US data and a rebound in oil prices raising prospects of a more hawkish Fed and pushing 10yr Treasury yields +1.8bps higher to 4.17%.
However, before we get onto all that, it’s worth noting that today is the first day we could find out the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Trump administration’s tariffs. As a reminder, the Court are ruling on whether the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) permits the imposition of widespread tariffs, and these IEEPA tariffs make up around half of the increases we’ve seen under Trump. The previous legal challenges in the lower courts were successful against the tariffs, but they’ve been appealed by the Trump administration, hence we’re waiting for the Supreme Court ruling now. As it stands, prediction markets think the Supreme Court is likely to rule against the tariffs, with Polymarket giving just a 25% chance they rule in favour. However, even if the tariffs are struck down by the Court, remember that the administration have several other legal avenues they can pursue. For instance, the sectoral tariffs (e.g. on steel and aluminum) aren’t covered by the court ruling, whilst another option would be to use Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which permits temporary 15% tariffs for 150 days. Generally our house view on tariffs this year is that they’ll likely consistently come in below the headline rates as the administration has to deal with cost of living issues ahead of mid-terms. However the path could still be volatile with the IEEPA decision probably the greatest potential source of this.
Irrespective of whether we get a court ruling today, we’ll definitely get the US jobs report for December, which is out at 13:30 London time. In terms of what to expect, this will be a more “normal” report again, as the last one was delayed by the shutdown and saw the release of two months of payrolls at once. For today, our US economists think that nonfarm payrolls would be up by +50k, and the unemployment rate would tick down to 4.5%, reversing the consistent upward trend since the summer. But they caution there’s elevated uncertainty around their unemployment forecast, given that the previous month’s estimates from the BLS were associated with slightly higher than usual standard errors. Moreover, the BLS are incorporating annual revisions to the seasonally adjusted household survey data for the most recent 5 years. So the random number generator that is the initial payrolls print could be even more random than normal.
Ahead of all that, yesterday actually brought another strong batch of US data, which followed on from the ISM services on Wednesday that hit a 14-month high. For instance, the weekly jobless claims came in beneath expectations at 208k (vs. 212k expected), whilst the October trade deficit was smaller than expected at $29.4bn (vs. $58.7bn expected). So that helped lift the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow estimate, which now sees Q4 growth at an annualised pace of +5.4%. This will be flattered by gold exports though, but Q4’s print could still grab attention.
However, that strong data wasn’t entirely welcomed by markets, as it led investors to price in a slightly more hawkish path for the Fed this year. Indeed, the amount of rate cuts priced by the December meeting was down to 57bps by the close, -2.1bps on the day. And in turn, that helped to lift Treasury yields across the curve, with the 2yr yield (+1.7bps) up to 3.49%, whilst the 10yr yield (+1.8bps) rose to 4.17%. Matters also weren’t helped by the latest rise in oil prices, with Brent crude rising +3.39% to $61.99/bbl, its biggest daily rise since October. That meant inflationary concerns were also back in focus after a topsy turvy week for oil, albeit in a relatively narrow range post the weekend’s Venezualen news. Indeed, the US 2yr inflation swap (+4.0bps) moved up to 2.38%, its biggest daily jump since July.
In Fed-related news, the New York Times quoted Trump as saying in an interview that “I have in my mind a decision” on the next Fed Chair, but that “I haven’t talked about it with anybody.” However, Treasury Secretary Bessent later said that Trump hasn’t yet interviewed one of the four final candidates and that the President could make the announcement either side of his visit to Davos in two weeks’ time.
For equities it was a very mixed bag yesterday. The S&P 500 (+0.01%) was essentially unchanged by the close, but this masked some sharply divergent performances. The main theme was a rotation away from tech, with the information technology sector (-1.54%) the worst performer in the S&P but energy (+3.20%) and consumer staples (+2.26%) stocks posting outsized gains. So while the NASDAQ fell -0.44% with Nvidia down -2.15%, 70% of the S&P 500 constituents were higher on the day and the small cap Russell 2000 (+1.11%) reached a new all-time high.
Defence stocks did well after Trump’s post after Wednesday night’s close that the military budget should increase to $1.5tn in 2027 which came hot on the heels – just before that close – of him suggesting that defence companies would have to halt dividends and buybacks until federal contractors expedite production and delivery times. The likes of Lockheed Martin (+4.34%) almost erased the previous day’s decline, though the overall S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense index was only +0.18% by the close after a +4% opening gain. Defence companies also benefited globally, as BAE Systems (+5.04%) was the second best performer in the FTSE 100.
Shortly after the equity close, we saw further headlines on housing policy as Trump posted that he was directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200bn of mortgage bonds to help bring mortgage rates down. While this figure needs to be viewed in the context of a roughly $9trn agency MBS market, spreads between mortgage bonds and Treasuries tightened by nearly 10bps on the news with home-lender stocks gaining in after-hours trading.
Over in Europe, bonds and equities were on the softer side for the most part. So the STOXX 600 (-0.19%) lost ground for a second day running, with the STOXX Technology Index (-2.52%) leading the declines. Nevertheless, the German DAX (+0.02%) continued its outperformance of 2026 so far, inching up to another record high, whilst Spain’s IBEX 35 (+0.33%) also hit a new record. Otherwise, yields on 10yr bund (+1.3bps) and OATs (+0.6bps) both moved up a bit. Germany manufacturing orders were the highest YoY rate for 15 years if you exclude the Covid bounce back period, and as I said in my CoTD yesterday here, I’m still surprised how negative global sentiment is towards Germany. When the US spends big, everyone only talks about the growth impulse regardless of how inefficient the spending might be. However for Germany everyone is talking about the potential inefficiencies, and less about the obvious growth impact. Germany Industrial Production today is the next data point to watch on this front.
In Asia the Nikkei (+1.56%) and the Topix (+0.88%) are leading the way, supported by a weaker yen. The KOSPI is +0.39%, marking its sixth consecutive session of gains, while the S&P/ASX 200 is flat as I type. The Hang Seng (+0.10%) is edging up but the Shanghai Composite (+0.59%) is stronger, following a modest rise in China’s consumer inflation in December, although factory-gate prices continue to contract (details below). US equity futures are flat.
Turning back to China, consumer prices increased by +0.8% y/y as anticipated, reaching their highest level since February 2023 and marking a third consecutive month of growth in December. This rise follows a +0.7% increase in November. In contrast, producer prices have decreased by -1.9% y/y, slightly better than the expected -2.0% decline, and easing from November’s -2.2% drop. This data extends China’s streak of factory-gate deflation beyond three years, underscoring persistent excess capacity and weak pricing power within the industrial sector. However our economists think PPI does turn positive later this year. See their reflections on the number this morning here.
Looking at the day ahead, data releases include the US jobs report for December, the University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment index for January, German industrial production and Euro Area retail sales for November. Central bank speakers include the ECB’s Lane, and the Fed’s Kashkari and Barkin.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/09/2026 – 08:28
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/futures-muted-ahead-two-key-events
Atlanta Fed Nearly Doubles Q4 Growth Estimate To 5.4% After Strong Data
Atlanta Fed Nearly Doubles Q4 Growth Estimate To 5.4% After Strong Data
Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times,
U.S. economic growth prospects received a fresh boost this week as the Atlanta Federal Reserve nearly doubled its estimate for fourth-quarter output after a raft of strong data, while Fitch Ratings lifted its projections for full-year 2025 and 2026 growth after delayed government releases showed firmer economic momentum.
The Atlanta Fed’s closely watched GDPNow model lifted its estimate of fourth-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 5.4 percent on Jan. 8, up from 2.9 percent a day earlier, after incorporating new data on trade, consumer spending, and services activity.
Separately, Fitch said on Jan. 8 that delayed economic releases revealed firmer momentum in the second half of 2025 than previously assumed, prompting upward revisions to its medium-term growth forecasts.
Geiger Capital described the Atlanta Fed’s upgrade as a “massive expansion” largely attributable to the narrowing trade deficit, with new data released on Jan. 8 by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showing that America’s trade gap shrank to its lowest level in 16 years.
“We’re running it hot. Get on board,” Geiger Capital said in a post on X.
Trade Data
The Atlanta Fed upgrade was driven primarily by a sharp improvement in net exports following October trade data released by the BEA.
The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $29.4 billion, the smallest monthly gap since 2009, as imports fell sharply while exports climbed to a record high. In the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow calculations, the contribution of net exports to fourth-quarter growth swung from a 0.3 percentage-point drag to a nearly 2 percentage-point boost, accounting for most of the headline jump.
Consumer spending also strengthened modestly in the “nowcast” model, which showed real personal consumption expenditures growth rising to about 2.1 percent on Thursday from 1.8 percent a day earlier, while inventories, investment, and government spending were little changed.
The Atlanta Fed also cited recent business survey data showing improving momentum late in the year.
A Jan. 7 report from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed U.S. service-sector activity strengthening in December. The ISM Services Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 54.4, its highest level of 2025, as new orders, business activity, and employment all rebounded.
The service sector, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of U.S. economic output, saw business activity climb to its strongest level since December 2024, while the employment index returned to expansion territory for the first time in seven months.
Eleven industries out of 16 surveyed by ISM reported growth in December 2025, including retail trade, finance, and transportation.
However, price pressures remained elevated despite some easing, with ISM’s prices index staying above 60 for a thirteenth straight month, a level that signals persistent inflationary forces buffeting the service sector.
Fitch Lifts Outlook
In a separate assessment, Fitch said the U.S. economy performed better than previously estimated once delayed government data were incorporated.
Fitch now estimates that the U.S. GDP grew 2.1 percent in 2025, up from 1.8 percent projected in its December outlook, and raised its 2026 growth forecast to 2.0 percent from 1.9 percent.
The agency said third-quarter growth was “considerably stronger than anticipated,” with upside surprises in consumption, government spending, and net trade. While overall private investment was weaker than expected, information technology investment remained robust, rising by 14 percent year-over-year and contributing significantly to output.
Fitch noted that consumer spending has been supported by buoyant equity markets, even as real income growth slowed and households drew down savings. The saving rate fell from 5.1 percent early in 2025 to 4.0 percent by September, suggesting consumers were increasingly dipping into their savings to fund their consumption.
Fitch expects inflation pressures to reemerge in 2026 as delayed tariff pass-through feeds into prices, forecasting consumer inflation of 3.2 percent by the end of 2026. Unemployment is expected to average 4.6 percent, roughly in line with recent readings, as slower job growth is offset by a slowdown in the expansion of the labor force.
The rating agency expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates twice in the first half of 2026, taking the upper bound of the federal funds rate to 3.25 percent.
Further, the Congressional Budget Office on Jan. 8 released updated economic projections showing steady but moderating growth, with real GDP expected to rise by 2.2 percent in 2026 before easing to an average of 1.8 percent in 2027 and 2028, amid higher tariffs, slower labor force growth, and cooling inflationary pressures.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/09/2026 – 08:05
Daywatch: Fan fever builds as Bears prepare for playoff game
Good morning, Chicago.
Jenna Blazevich can’t claim to be a die-hard Chicago Bears fan. She’s never been to a game. But when she’s working in her embroidery shop next to a bar called Christina’s Place in Albany Park, the roar from fans through the walls alert her to big plays.
Blazevich does have a claim to fame related to the Bears, though. She was once invited by the Bears to embroider fans’ merchandise at the team’s draft party. Bears tight end Cole Kmet’s wife asked her to stitch his name and number into his jacket.
And her shop’s motto seems appropriate for Bears fans: “You can be thunderous.”
Blazevich does a unique form of chain stitching, similar to sewing, on an antique machine. She can write out any text requested, on the spot, on team hats, shirts and other paraphernalia. She also does work for the Cubs and other businesses.
“I’m always excited to see Chicago teams do well,” she said.
She’s not the only one. The whole city seems to be amping up for Saturday night’s playoff game against the archrival Green Bay Packers. The game will be only the third time in NFL history that the two teams have met during the playoffs, according to the Bears.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin and Talia Soglin.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the latest vote on federal health care subsidies, why last night’s Bulls game was delayed and our top 10 club concerts for early 2026.
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Law enforcement officials work the scene following reports that federal immigration officers shot and wounded people in Portland, Ore., Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Federal immigration officers shoot and wound 2 people in Portland, Oregon, authorities say
Federal immigration agents shot and wounded two people in a vehicle outside a hospital in Portland yesterday, a day after an officer fatally shot a woman in Minnesota, authorities said.
The Department of Homeland Security said the vehicle’s passenger was “a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring” who was involved in a recent shooting in the city.
Federal agents and police clash with protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 8, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fatal ICE shooting sparks jurisdiction clash between state and federal authorities
A day after a federal immigration officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, the case escalated sharply when federal authorities blocked state investigators from accessing evidence and declared that Minnesota has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing.
Anger and outrage spills onto Minneapolis streets after ICE officer’s fatal shooting of Renee Good
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz calls for ‘Day of Unity’ on Friday
Federal immigration agents walk through a cloud of tear gas while facing off against community members at 105th Street and Avenue N in Chicago on Oct. 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Judge cites Minneapolis shooting by ICE agent in declining to immediately dismiss lawsuit over use-of-force tactics in Midway Blitz
A federal judge in Chicago yesterday cited the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an immigration agent in Minneapolis in declining to immediately dismiss a lawsuit that led to her landmark injunction limiting the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz.
Darren Bailey, Republican candidate for governor of Illinois, leaves a series of media interviews at the Billy Goat Tavern, Dec. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey distances himself from President Trump but defends immigration crackdowns
Darren Bailey, the two-time Republican candidate for governor who has ardently courted President Donald Trump’s support in past bids for office, sought yesterday to distance himself from Trump in the minds of voters while staunchly defending the president’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics one day after a federal agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen in Minnesota.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of Republican leaders
In a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House passed legislation, 230-196, that would extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act as renegade GOP lawmakers joined essentially all Democrats in voting for the measure.
Then incoming president Tim Killeen talks with students who are mostly in the Honors College at University of Illinois Chicago, May 5, 2015. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen to retire in 2027
University of Illinois System President Timothy Killeen has led the university system, which includes campuses in Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign, since 2015. A researcher in geophysics and space science, Killeen took on the massive undertaking of overseeing the state’s largest public university at a time of economic uncertainty.
Chicago Bulls forward Dalen Terry walks across the floor as workers move mops across the floor as a game delay takes place due to condensation issues before a scheduled game between the Bulls and the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 8, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bulls-Miami Heat game delayed because of condensation on United Center court
The Bulls were forced to postpone their game against the Miami Heat last night because of condensation on the court at the United Center.
A combination of warm, rainy weather outdoors and humidity indoors following a Chicago Blackhawks game the night before created a slick playing surface that game officials deemed unsuitable for competition.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker (20) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
6 Chicago Bears players who could emerge as unsung heroes if they make a playoff run
If the Bears are going to make a postseason run, beginning with Saturday’s wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers, they likely will need some big plays from unexpected people.
Luckily enough for the Bears, they already have had plenty of unsung heroes step up over the course of the regular season.
‘You’re in the playoffs for a reason’: Short on postseason experience, Bears need key players to deliver
‘She’s been at every game’: Bears’ Jonathan Owens celebrating ‘special’ season with wife Simone Biles
The Chicago Bears’ locker room was a scene of joy as owner/coach George Halas, far left, led players, staff members and well-wishers in a rousing cheer after the team’s 33-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Wrigley Field on Dec. 14, 1941, in a playoff for the Western Division National League title. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Bears faced the Green Bay Packers in playoffs for the first time 85 years ago
Tomorrow’s game marks the 213th meeting between the Bears and the Packers and just their third postseason meeting. Here’s a look back at how the teams forced an unexpected playoff game against each other in late 1941.
Bears and Packers have played 212 times in the past 100 years: How the rivalry has unfolded
Brittney Denise Parks performs as Sudan Archives during Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park on July 19, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Sudan Archives, Perfume Genius: Our top 10 club concerts for early 2026
The new year means resolutions. One you might consider adding to your list: Frequenting some of the city’s smaller concert venues that help Chicago thrive as a live-music mecca. Since most large-scale tours don’t begin until late spring or summer, now is an ideal time to see artists who might not have household-name recognition.
Art exhibitions for winter 2026: Don’t miss these 10 at the MCA, Art Institute and in Elmhurst
Classical music for winter 2026: Embracing the unexpected
Dance for winter 2026: Our top 10 includes Joffrey, Red Clay and a visit from Martha Graham
Jazz for winter 2026: Concerts to heat up the cold months
Movies for winter 2026: Post-apocalyptic thrillers, crime stories and gothic romance
Museums for winter 2026: ‘Oz,’ owls and ‘Costumes of Paul Tazewell’
Theater for winter 2026: ‘Hamnet,’ a local ‘Evan Hansen’ and Robert Falls returns to the Goodman
With ‘best friend’ Maya Cobb out for season, Elliana Morris rises to occasion for unbeaten Waubonsie Valley
Waubonsie Valley senior forward Elliana Morris never thought she would get a lot of playing time on the basketball court.
Morris is a standout center midfielder in soccer, the sport she will play at Lewis. Basketball is her second sport. She played on the junior varsity team during her first two seasons and then mostly rode the varsity bench as a junior.
Morris figured she’d reprise that role this season, but that didn’t lessen her dedication to the Warriors.
“Even though basketball is not her first sport, she’s been putting in the work so she can be a better teammate and she can help out,” Waubonsie Valley girls basketball coach Brett Love said. “She actually played in the spring and summer to kind of help out with the team even though she’s going to college for soccer.”
Morris’ extra work unexpectedly came in handy when senior guard Maya Cobb suffered a torn ACL in the fourth game of the season. Love turned to Morris, inserting her into the starting lineup for the first time.
“She had to pick up the slack,” Love said. “She’s the opposite of (Cobb), who is very aggressive attacking the basket.”
Waubonsie Valley’s Elliana Morris, right, guards Naperville North’s Ava Podkasik during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Aurora on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (Sean King / Naperville Sun)
Morris is much more defensive-minded, which is fine considering the Warriors have three other solid scorers with Illinois State-bound senior guard Danyella Mporokoso, senior guard Arie Garcia-Evans and junior guard Maya Pereda.
Losing Cobb, a Southwestern Illinois commit, was a big loss, but Morris’ play has eased it.
“(Morris) knocks down shots when she has them but is being less aggressive in taking them,” Love said. “But she doesn’t turn the ball over, she plays great defense, turns the defenders and gets a lot of tips and deflections.
“She’s a very smart player as well.”
Morris demonstrated that against Naperville North on Thursday. She had one of her best offensive games, scoring 12 points on four 3-pointers, and added five rebounds, four assists and two steals as the host Warriors rolled to a 64-25 DuPage Valley Conference victory in Aurora.
Mporokoso finished with a game-high 28 points and five assists, Pereda had eight points and three steals, and Garcia-Evans had seven points, five rebounds and three assists for the Warriors (17-0, 4-0), who appreciate what Morris is doing.
“She’s a great player,” Garcia-Evans said. “She’s a great addition. She always practices hard, even when she wasn’t playing that much. She’s fast, she’s smart, she talks a lot, she helps with defense, so she definitely deserves that spot.”
Morris, who is averaging 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals, had mixed emotions about becoming a starter.
“Maya Cobb is my best friend, so it was also really hard seeing her go through that,” she said. “But she was like, ‘You got this.’
“She’s been so helpful, and I feel like with my role I just play defense and just work hard and feed the ball to my shooters and then sometimes when I’m wide open hit my shots. That’s what my role is, and I think I’ve adapted to that.”
Waubonsie Valley coach Brett Love, from left, Elliana Morris and Nicole Douglas celebrate during a Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional semifinal against the host Raiders on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Naperville Sun)
That was evident against Naperville North (13-5, 1-3), which couldn’t get past Morris’ defense. She made an inside steal and then fed Mporokoso for a breakaway layup for the game’s first points. Two minutes later, Mporokoso returned the favor, and Morris hit a 3-pointer.
After being knocked to the floor and missing several minutes, Morris returned and did a little bit of everything. She had a handoff assist to set up another 3-pointer by Mporokoso that gave Waubonsie Valley a 32-10 lead at the 1:34 mark of the second quarter.
Morris made a trio of 3-pointers in the second half. On the last one, she grabbed an offensive rebound, dribbled into the right corner, turned around and swished the shot.
The Warriors have been making a lot of shots, so much so that they believe they have a shot to do something they’ve never done.
“We want to win state, and that’s our goal,” said Morris, an aspiring teacher and coach who credits her success to her teammates. “We deserve it so much.
“We work hard every day. In the summer, we practice three hours a day. It’s really cool to see this. We have six seniors, and we’re all like best friends.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/basketball-waubonsie-valley-elliana-morris/
Six Global Energy Trends Shaping The Middle East In 2026
Six Global Energy Trends Shaping The Middle East In 2026
Via Rystad Energy,
Middle Eastern national oil companies (NOCs) reinforced their role as a critical buffer in the global energy system through a consistent strategy of capacity expansion and cost reduction, planning to grow investment to about $110 billion in 2026.
OPEC+ successfully transitioned from reactive production cuts to a sophisticated strategy of controlled optionality, leveraging its spare capacity for economic influence, while facing the primary factor of a projected liquids surplus in 2026.
The region’s energy sector is tackling structural cost inflation and supply-chain pressures by adopting AI for efficiency and is shifting to a sophisticated capital recycling model through infrastructure monetization, while also advancing large-scale decarbonization projects like CCUS hubs.
In 2025, the Middle East solidified its role as the primary stabilizing force in a fragmented global energy system. While international markets faced geopolitical dislocation and divergent transition pathways, the leading Middle Eastern national oil companies (NOCs) adopted a consistent strategy of sustaining hydrocarbon primacy while systematically reducing costs and carbon intensity. More than $100 billion in upstream capital deployment enabled the NOCs to expand crude spare capacity and accelerate gas development, while selective international acquisitions and portfolio realignments extended their global footprints, strengthening access to advantaged resources across multiple basins. Collectively, these dynamics reinforced the region’s role as a critical buffer against market volatility while shaping the structural economics of global supply. Against this backdrop, we discuss six emerging trends from 2025 which are likely to continue shaping the regional energy sector in 2026.
Investment architecture: Disciplined expansion
The 2025 fiscal year marked a decisive inflection point as regional NOCs reconciled capital discipline with sustained capacity expansion. While Western majors prioritized shareholder returns, Middle Eastern NOCs sanctioned record volumes of long-cycle projects to reinforce structural supply leadership. Approximately $50 billion in conventional projects were sanctioned in 2025, marking three consecutive years of record spending on approvals, alongside unprecedented unconventional gas activity, led by Saudi Aramco’s Jafurah project. This methodical oil and gas expansion across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq reinforces the Gulf’s role as the world’s primary swing producer and provides a sovereign insurance mechanism against market volatility.
Natural gas was a central pillar of regional planning in 2025, with the Middle East capturing nearly a quarter of global upstream gas investment, tallying around $40 billion. The planned development is anchored by Qatar’s North Field expansion, Saudi Arabia’s Jafurah, UAE’s drive for gas self-sufficiency, and Iraq’s flared-gas capturing efforts. This regional pivot to gas serves a dual imperative: meeting rapidly rising domestic power demand from industrial growth and data infrastructure, while displacing liquid fuels to preserve higher-value crude exports.
Looking ahead to 2026, overall investment is set to grow by 10% to about $110 billion as several megaprojects move from final investment decision (FID) to execution. Competition will grow for EPC capacity, liquefied natural gas modules, subsea kit, and skilled labor, driving up cost and schedule risk. Domestic pricing reform and subsidy rationalization will be crucial to unlocking gas?for?power switching at scale and to free crude for export while meeting emerging climate constraints. Lastly, OPEC+ production policy decisions will define crude market dynamics and regional revenue stability ? and by extension, upstream capital outlay or tightening.
OPEC+ management: From cuts to controlled optionality
Throughout 2025, OPEC+ successfully transitioned from reactive production cuts to a sophisticated strategy of controlled optionality. This shift reflected an effort to reclaim market share from the Americas ? specifically, the US, Brazil, Guyana, and Canada ? while defending a critical price floor. By December 2025, the alliance had implemented a modest production increase of 137,000 barrels per day, to be followed by a pause in the first quarter of 2026, allowing the group to monetize capacity buffers when fundamentals were favorable while retaining flexibility for seasonal demand lulls. The maneuver signaled that OPEC+ had moved beyond simple volume management to using its massive spare capacity as a tool for economic leverage and market share diplomacy.
The primary factor to watch for in 2026 is a projected liquids surplus of over 3 million bpd, which could force the group to choose between defending a price floor or aggressively pursuing market share. The group’s response to a potential shale production plateau, shifting US trade policy, and rising buyer power from India and others, will determine whether 2026 is characterized by managed stability or renewed competition.
Aditya Saraswat, Research Director MENA
OPEC+ also will launch an independent audit of its member states’ production capacities that will redefine 2027 baselines and serve as a litmus test for alliance cohesion. High-investment members including UAE and Saudi Arabia likely will seek formal recognition of their expanded capacities during this assessment, as well as higher quotas.
Operational pressures: Supply chains, inflation, and AI adoption
Cost inflation in the Middle East energy sector had settled into a structurally higher baseline by 2025, with supply-chain costs rising at roughly 4% annually over five years and operating expenditure increasing 6-7% per year due to production growth, aging assets, and operational complexity. As mature and marginal fields claim a growing share of production, the system tilts toward more intervention-intensive and higher-cost barrels.
Inflation in 2025 was broad-based but uneven, hitting execution-heavy segments hardest. Globally, offshore vessel day rates climbed amid strong upstream demand and preference for high-spec tonnage, but the Middle East registered the sharpest increases as NOCs advanced ambitious offshore programs. Subsea costs surged, as brownfield-driven demand for specialized equipment led to limited regional supply and long lead times. Fabrication yard pricing stayed elevated, despite easing costs of materials and labor, due to tight Asian hub capacity and embedded risk premiums. Land rigs and equipment markets firmed on high utilization and robust order books, with suppliers retaining input-cost relief to safeguard margins via lump-sum contracts.
Short-lived tariff shocks created episodic volatility but did not shift the core trajectory, which was marked by sustained investments, execution capacity competition, and rising project complexity. At the same time, maturing AI technology went from pilots to industrial-scale adoption in key practices such as predictive maintenance, autonomous drilling, and production and emissions optimization, with efficiency gains helping offset cost inflation.
Cost discipline in 2026 will entail contracts with escalation indices and risk-sharing, portfolio rephasing to dodge peaks in constrained categories, and deeper ties with integrated EPCs and local joint ventures for bundled services. AI deployment will be crucial, unlocking productivity to preserve the region’s cost advantages in megaproject execution.
Portfolio engineering: Capital recycling and infrastructure monetization
Middle Eastern NOCs transitioned in 2025 to a sophisticated capital recycling model, leveraging infrastructure monetization and over $22 billion in lease-and-leaseback deals to fund aggressive expansions while retaining operational control.
ADNOC, via its XRG arm, advanced its global gas strategy in 2025 with the acquisition of equity stakes in the Caspian region’s Southern Gas Corridor, following equity deals in 2024 involving Rio Grande LNG, in the US, and Mozambique’s Area 4, complemented by an $11 billion commitment to its Hail and Ghasha sour gas development. Also in 2025, QatarEnergy accelerated its 142 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) by 2030 vision by advancing the North Field West project and securing a massive LNG shipping fleet. Saudi Aramco executed an $11 billion monetization of Jafurah midstream assets while scaling its international LNG footprint through MidOcean Energy. These maneuvers transitioned infrastructure from static cost centers to liquidity engines, effectively hedging against service inflation and funding low-carbon transition programs.
Heading into 2026, the strategy shifts toward digital technologies and equity globalization. Key developments will include QatarEnergy finalizing international partnerships for the North Field West project, ADNOC’s potential consolidation of Mubadala’s energy portfolio, and KUFPEC’s targeted equity expansion into North American gas. The new frontier is data-as-an-asset, led by Aramco’s HUMAIN AI initiative, which seeks to commercialize proprietary seismic and digital-twin data into tradable energy data hubs.
Success in 2026 will hinge on sustaining institutional investor appetite for these “yield plus growth” assets while balancing domestic decarbonization mandates with rapidly expanding global equity footprints.
Geopolitical hedging and operational resilience
For Middle Eastern producers in 2025, energy infrastructure served as both economic asset and diplomatic instrument amid US-China competition, Iranian supply uncertainty, and Red Sea security risks. Investments in bypass routes such as Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, strategic storage in the UAE, and Omani export alternatives were designed to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining dollar pricing and diversified security partnerships.
Iranian exports, oscillating from around 1.5 million to 2 million barrels per day, functioned both as a competitive source of barrels and an embedded risk premium of roughly $3-5 per barrel in global pricing. Long?term supply contracts into China and equity in Asian downstream systems deepened commercial interdependence without displacing US security ties, illustrating a hedging strategy that maximizes flexibility rather than alliance exclusivity.
Asia has become a central pillar of the Middle East energy equation. After the 2020 pandemic, while western players were busy balancing low-carbon and conventional investment priorities, Asian companies expanded equity positions and supply chain capacity in the region. By 2025, Chinese and Southeast Asian service firms represented around 15% of the region’s active supplier base, a share that continues to rise as these players deliver the compressed margins required to secure new bids. In markets such as Iraq, Asian companies, mostly Chinese, now account for a leading share of equity production. This growing operating presence supports an increasingly consolidated ecosystem led by CNPC, CNOOC, Sinopec, and their associated service providers. While alternatives exist, their cost-competitiveness is limited, effectively embedding Chinese participation across upstream development and contracting activities.
In 2026, Middle East energy stability hinges on competitive recalibration. Geopolitical volatility, driven by the renewed and aggressive US energy policies, Red Sea insecurity, and shifting Iran ties, will force producers to harden infrastructure and secure alternative export routes. OPEC+ cohesion faces tests from Russian production and growing buyer leverage in India. Amid this multipolar friction, success depends on maintaining operational flexibility and strategic hedging. Producers will prioritize extracting maximum value from fragmented global relationships while ensuring uninterrupted flows through a risk-embedded energy landscape.
Decarbonization: From pilots to commercial-scale partnerships
In 2025, Middle East decarbonization shifted from aspiration to execution. NOCs embedded emissions management in core operations via technologies including hub-based carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), methane abatement, and oilfield electrification using nuclear and solar power. Partnerships like Saudi Aramco’s Jubail CCS hub, ADNOC’s Habshan project, and ENEC’s small modular reactor (SMR) collaborations exemplified pragmatic approaches to energy transition, taking decarbonization from goals to measurable metrics.
Saudi Aramco’s 50% stake in the Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases Company joint venture integrated blue hydrogen and CCS into Jubail’s industrial base, while ADNOC, Aramco, and partners advanced multimillion-tonne hub-based CCUS for LNG, hydrogen, steel, and chemicals infrastructure.
Hydrogen strategies grew selective in 2025, sidelining export-only models for cluster-based CCS, refining, and ammonia projects, while ADNOC’s XRG rebrand to broader “energy solutions” aligned with data-center and firm power demand.
The focus in 2026 will be on commercial viability amid material inflation, along with increased drilling efficiency and emissions reduction through AI. We expect to see investment decisions on CCUS projects, hydrogen to consolidate around industrial demand, and a solar-led renewables rollout that will transform the region’s power sector and increase demand for grid-integrated storage. On the sustainability front, the need to enhance transparency around CO2 and CH4 emissions will grow. The test for Middle Eastern NOCs will be scaling incremental, infrastructure-led transition economically without eroding production or competitiveness, delivering durability even as the region’s emissions intensity declines.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/09/2026 – 07:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/six-global-energy-trends-shaping-middle-east-2026
El jefe del poder judicial de Irán promete castigos “decisivos, máximos y sin indulgencia legal” para los manifestantes
DUBÁI, Emiratos Árabes Unidos (AP) — El jefe del poder judicial de Irán promete castigos “decisivos, máximos y sin indulgencia legal” para los manifestantes.
Amazon’s Prime Video has the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers playoff game. Here’s how you can watch.
It’s playoff time. The NFL regular season is over, but the Chicago Bears season is not.
That’s a refreshing change of pace for Bears fans, whose team is in the postseason for the first time in five years and won the NFC North for the first time since 2018.
The Bears (11-6) are the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will host the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field. The game will be broadcast on Amazon’s Prime Video and will be simulcast in the Chicago area on Fox-32.
Here’s what to know about the wild-card round matchup and how to watch it.
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What happened in the regular season?
Bears wide receiver DJ Moore celebrates after making the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime against the Packers on Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Bears and Packers will square off for the third time this season. Each team won at home, with both games coming down to the final minute.
The Packers intercepted Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the end zone with 22 seconds left for a 28-21 win on Dec. 7 at Lambeau Field. Then Williams tossed a 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore in overtime to beat the Packers 22-16 on Dec. 20 at Soldier Field.
The Bears won the NFC North, ending a two-year reign by the Detroit Lions, despite a 2-4 record in division games. The Packers haven’t won a division title since winning three in a row from 2019-21.
What is the Bears-Packers playoff history?
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is hit hard by Packers linebacker Erik Walden (93) and defensive tackle Howard Green near the end zone in the second quarter of the NFC championship game Jan. 23, 2011, at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-14. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
These two historic franchises will meet for the 213th time Saturday, but it will be only the third time they’ve met in the postseason.
The last playoff meeting came in the NFC championship game on Jan. 23, 2011. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers beat the Bears 21-14 at Soldier Field on their way to the Super Bowl XLV title. Jay Cutler suffered a knee injury in that game, and it eventually fell to third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie to try to rally the Bears. The Bears scored 14 fourth-quarter points but came up short.
Before that, the only other playoff meeting came on Dec. 14, 1941. The Bears beat the Packers 33-14 at Wrigley Field in a game played a week after the Pearl Harbor attack. The Bears went on to defeat the New York Giants for the NFL championship a week later.
Why is this game on Prime Video?
Amazon gained exclusive rights to broadcast “Thursday Night Football” on its Prime Video streaming service starting in 2022. Prime Video also has rights to the annual Black Friday game on the day after Thanksgiving.
Beginning last season, Prime Video gained exclusive rights to one wild-card round playoff game per year. That deal reportedly will last through the 2032 season.
How can I watch or listen?
Fans wave towels as the Bears and Packers kick off Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Anyone with an Amazon Prime membership has access to Prime Video. Amazon also offers a 30-day free trial. Announcers Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call.
In the Chicago area, the game also will air on Fox-32.
The Bears radio broadcast with Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer is available on WMVP-AM 1000. The game is also available on radio at Westwood One (WYKT-FM 105.5 in the Chicago area) and in Spanish at WVIV-FM 93.5.
If the Bears win, when will they play next?
If the Bears beat the Packers to advance to the divisional round, they would play either Saturday, Jan. 17, or Sunday, Jan. 18, at Soldier Field. There are two games each day.
Their opponent would be the highest remaining NFC seed among the No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles, No. 4 Carolina Panthers and No. 5 Los Angeles Rams.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/chicago-bears-green-bay-packers-prime-video/
‘You’re in the playoffs for a reason’: Short on postseason experience, Chicago Bears need key players to deliver
Kevin Byard remembers his first playoff game. It was Jan. 6, 2018. Byard’s Tennessee Titans headed to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I just remember going out for pregame warmup, and it was like the lights felt a little brighter, the sidelines were a lot more packed with media and all these different people out there,” the Chicago Bears veteran safety said this week. “The intensity level just ramps up.”
Among players on the 2025 Bears, Byard is one of the more experienced when it comes to postseason play. In his 10-year NFL career, the 32-year-old Byard has made the playoffs five times — four with the Titans and once with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 2019 Titans reached the AFC championship game after upsetting the No. 1-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. Byard had an interception against the Ravens.
The Bears signed Byard as a free agent in March 2024, hoping his veteran leadership and experience would be the right addition for a team with a lot of young talent. Byard was the model of consistency long before he arrived in Chicago, but that has continued since he showed up at Halas Hall. He has appeared in 164 consecutive regular-season games with 155 straight starts over 10 years. His teammates voted him a captain during both of his seasons in Chicago. He led the NFL with seven interceptions this season and earned his third Pro Bowl nod.
5 things to watch for in the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers playoff game — plus our predictions
Byard has been everything the Bears hoped he would be when they signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract nearly two years ago.
And yet, it feels like it was all building toward this moment.
The Bears will begin what they hope is a long playoff run with Saturday night’s wild-card round matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
“We’re mentally prepared to play for five more weeks,” coach Ben Johnson said.
In a lot of ways, the Bears feel like a team that arrived early. They won five games a year ago and brought in a new coach in Johnson, who has galvanized the city. This 11-6 season blew away all expectations.
But make no mistake, the Bears are not thinking about the bright future ahead. They are thinking about winning right here, right now. It has been five years since the franchise’s last playoff game, seven since the last home playoff game at Soldier Field and 15 since the last playoff victory.
Guard Joe Thuney (62) celebrates after a Bears touchdown against the Raiders on Sept. 28, 2025 , at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
This moment is why a team brings in a veteran such as Byard. It’s why general manager Ryan Poles traded for guard Joe Thuney, who has 21 playoff games under his belt (tied for sixth-most among active players). It’s why Poles signed guys such as linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards and doled out some of the franchise’s biggest contracts to veterans such as receiver DJ Moore, defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
If the Bears make a playoff run, they almost certainly will need contributions from unexpected places. Every playoff run has its unsung heroes. Thuney has played on four championship teams, two with the New England Patriots and two with the Chiefs. What did those teams have in common?
It comes back to selflessness.
“It doesn’t matter who gets the yards or touchdowns or who has good stats or who doesn’t,” Thuney, 33, said. “All that matters is that we want to win. It doesn’t matter how we win, what it looks like.”
All that may be true, but if the Bears make a run they’re going to need big-time contributions from their veterans, their highest-paid players and their premium draft picks.
All week at Halas Hall, the veterans have been stressing that nothing really has changed.
“Honestly, it feels like another week,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said.
“I mean, pretty much the same,” Sweat said.
“It’s still 60 minutes, same football dimensions,” Thuney said. “So once you get in the rhythm of the game, kind of just go with it.”
‘You’re in the playoffs for a reason’
Bears tight end Cole Kmet catches a two-point conversion pass during the fourth quarter against the Lions on Jan. 4, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Cole Kmet remembers his first playoff game too.
It was his rookie season in 2020. The Bears lost the regular-season finale in Week 17 but still squeaked into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. That 2020 team struggled for much of the year, flip-flopping between quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. At one point it lost six consecutive games but somehow finished 8-8 and made the postseason.
“I remember it being weird,” Kmet, 26, said. “As a rookie, you don’t really know this from that, and you’re 8-8, and there was, it felt like a lot of negative sentiment around the team at the time, even though we were going to the playoffs.”
The Bears lost 21-9 against the New Orleans Saints in a wild-card-round game, with their only touchdown coming on the final play of the game. The Bears haven’t been back to the playoffs since.
“I just look back on it, and you realize, first of all, you never take a playoff berth for granted,” Kmet said. “Maybe I did a little bit at the time.”
Kmet and kicker Cairo Santos are the only Bears remaining who played in that playoff game at the Superdome in New Orleans. Jaylon Johnson also was a rookie on the 2020 Bears but missed the game because of a shoulder injury.
Much has changed since then. There’s a new GM in town, and the Bears are two coaches removed from Matt Nagy. Foles, Andy Dalton, Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian, Nathan Peterman and Tyson Bagent all started games at quarterback between then and 2024, when the Bears selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in draft.
Poles has completely reworked the roster. Given all the turnover, this roster by and large has little playoff experience. None of the players who Poles drafted since taking over in 2022 has any playoff experience.
Asked about playing in his first playoff game in the aftermath of the Week 18 loss against the Detroit Lions, safety Jaquan Brisker’s eyes lit up.
“It’ll be loud, it’ll be rocking,” he said of the expected atmosphere at Soldier Field. “But don’t let the moment get too big.”
Bears coach Ben Johnson walks along the bench in the second quarter against the Lions at Soldier Field on Jan. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Bears are taking on a Packers team they are intimately familiar with. These teams will meet for the third time in 35 days. The crowd was amped when they met on Dec. 20 at Soldier Field. For the first home playoff game in seven years, it should be amped again Saturday night.
When teams meet for a third time, they become desperate for any advantage. This is where both coaches, Ben Johnson on the Bears side and Matt LaFleur on the Packers side, can flex their creativity.
“You’re going to see something that’s an unscouted look,” Bears defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett said. “It always happens on both sides of the ball, even on special teams. It always happens when you get to this time of the year. So your fundamentals, your eyes, your technique have to come to play. You have to keep your composure because there’s going to be emotions.”
From the coaching staff, the message hasn’t changed. Any game, especially a big game, is about who can execute the fundamentals best.
“You just try to keep the main thing the main thing,” Sweat said. “All the outside factors and people that’s not in the building and the man in the arenas, those things really don’t matter. You just kind of focus on the game plan.”
Sweat will be playing in his second-career playoff game after reaching the postseason in 2020 with the Washington Commanders. The Bears acquired him at the trade deadline in 2023 and gave him a four-year, $98 million contract extension before he played a snap in Chicago. With a $25 million salary-cap hit in 2025, Sweat is also the highest-paid player on the team.
Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) pursues Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the second quarter Jan. 4, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Defensively, all eyes will be on him. As the Eagles demonstrated a year ago, a dominant defensive front can carry a team to a Super Bowl. The Bears, as a group, probably have a ways to go before they’re in that conversation.
As a defense, the 2025 Bears ranked 22nd among 32 teams with 35 sacks this season, and they ranked 27th with a 31.6% QB pressure rate. Sweat led the Bears with 10 sacks and 48 QB pressures. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Bears are 7-2 when Sweat records three or more QB pressures in a game.
The Bears defense has thrived off turnovers. But when the turnovers aren’t coming and the pass rush goes quiet, the defense is susceptible to giving up yards in big chunks. Heading into the playoffs, the Bears allowed 437.7 yards per game over their last three contests.
Garrett said he doesn’t think there’s any additional pressure on Sweat to perform in the postseason. He sees a guy who never gets too high after a win or too low after a loss. That approach, Garrett believes, will serve him well in the postseason.
“You’re in the playoffs for a reason,” Garrett said. “You don’t have to go and make a complete change to what you’re doing, but there is another level of focus that you need to go to because the intensity (goes up).”
‘We’re going to need all of our players’
Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) makes the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime against the Packers on Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Moore will surely remember his first playoff game. It will be Saturday.
Eight years, 131 regular-season games, 608 catches and 8,213 receiving yards into his NFL career, Moore will finally taste postseason football.
“It’s my first time in this thing too,” Moore said. “So I’m just going with the flow, working hard. Everything is, you can tell everything has been amped up, even our practice has been.”
Moore was sort of the linchpin to the Bears rebuild. When Poles traded the No. 1 draft pick in March 2023, the goal was to pick up future draft capital, but acquiring a veteran player who could help his team immediately was also a priority. The trade with the Carolina Panthers netted the future first-round pick that wound up becoming Williams, but it also gave the Bears a playmaker they saw as a part of their future.
Moore had a career-high 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023 with Fields at quarterback. His production has dipped since then, but that has coincided with an increase in weapons available to the Bears on offense.
For the first time since 2014, the Bears this season had four players surpass 600 receiving yards: Moore (682), Colston Loveland (713), Rome Odunze (661) and Luther Burden III (652). The 2014 and 2025 seasons are the only instances in the 106-year history of the franchise that has happened.
All four of them caught at least 40 passes. Seven Bears, if you add Kmet, D’Andre Swift and Olamide Zaccheaus, caught at least 30 passes.
“(It’s) open communication with those guys, being on the same page with them, training camp and all the tough days, those have been big for us,” Williams said. “And then the details have been, over the past couple weeks, have been better — of landmarks and assignments and spacing and routes and things like that. When all that comes together, it turns out to be pretty good.”
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Moore, a Panthers first-round draft pick in 2018, was a priority in that blockbuster 2023 trade. Loveland and Odunze were first-round draft picks. Burden went 39th overall, the seventh pick in the second round.
Add in a coach like Ben Johnson, who finds creative ways to spread the ball around, and you’ve got a balanced passing attack that ranked 10th with 225.1 passing yards per game.
“You’ve got to defend the entire field,” the coach said. “That’s the way we really wanted it. All these guys know that they’ll have plays in this week to make an impact on this game. Caleb’s job is to help distribute that football so they all get an opportunity to do that.”
The pressure and the scrutiny is going to be on Williams. That comes with the territory. But the second-year QB, who will be making his first postseason start, is not going to be alone out there.
“We’re going to need him at his best,” Ben Johnson said. “We’re going to need all of our players at their best. I’m hopeful we’re going to get that.”
Tribune reporter Phil Thompson contributed.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/chicago-bears-playoff-experience/
6 Chicago Bears players who could emerge as unsung heroes if they make a playoff run
Playoff heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Think of David Tyree on the 2007 New York Giants, Nick Foles on the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles or Malcolm Butler on the 2014 New England Patriots. None of those players was a starter when those Super Bowl seasons began.
If the Chicago Bears are going to make a postseason run, beginning with Saturday’s wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers, they likely will need some big plays from unexpected people.
Luckily enough for the Bears, they already have had plenty of unsung heroes step up over the course of the regular season. This team came out of nowhere to go 11-6 and win the NFC North. It’s hard to do that without key contributions from all corners of the 53-man roster.
Quarterback Caleb Williams will, of course, take center stage, as will many of this team’s stars, including DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Montez Sweat and Kevin Byard. But the Bears are going to need contributions from some role players if they’re going to make noise in the playoffs.
Below are six players who could become unsung heroes if the Bears make a run.
Jahdae Walker, wide receiver
Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker catches a touchdown pass against the Packers in the fourth quarter Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
An undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M, Walker already has had his moment on the big stage. He caught the game-tying touchdown pass in the dramatic comeback victory against the Packers on Dec. 20. If fans didn’t know his name before that game, they certainly did after.
Walker caught another touchdown in a Week 18 comeback effort against the Detroit Lions. He has caught only six passes this season, but all of them have come over the last three games. He’s finding his stride at the right time.
With Odunze potentially returning, Walker might not see a ton of playing time, but Williams has shown he’s not afraid to look Walker’s way in big moments.
Nahshon Wright, cornerback
Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (26) runs to the bench after his interception against the Vikings on Nov. 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Wright was not supposed to be a starter. When the Bears signed him as a free agent in April, the move registered as a footnote.
But a rash of cornerback injuries quickly moved Wright’s name up the depth chart. When Pro Bowl corner Jaylon Johnson missed much of the season, it was Wright who stepped into a starting role.
He produced too. Wright has five interceptions and two forced fumbles this season, including a momentum-turning fumble on the “Tush Push” play against the Eagles. He was NFC Defensive Player of the Month in November.
With an unconventionally long and lanky body type for his position, opponents look at Wright and see a corner they think they can attack. He has made them pay for it often. Wright solidified himself as a starter long ago, but that has only become more clear with Johnson’s recent return and the Bears seemingly benching Tyrique Stevenson.
It would be a fitting ending to what has been an emotional season for Wright if he were to make a big play in a playoff game.
Cairo Santos, kicker
The Bears’ Cairo Santos kicks a 41-yard field goal against the Packers on Dec. 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Maybe this is cheating, but the kicker has to be on this list.
The last time the Bears played a home playoff game at Soldier Field, the kicker was in the headlines for the wrong reason. But the kicker just as easily could be the hero.
If winds are swirling throughout Soldier Field, Santos has more experience than anybody kicking in adverse conditions along the lakefront. A member of the team since 2020, he’s among the longest-tenured Bears players and he has lived the ups and downs of the last five years alongside fans. Some of those fans might give Santos a hard time when he misses. But among kickers with at least 100 field-goal attempts, Santos is the most accurate field-goal kicker in franchise history at 88.3% — more accurate than even Robbie Gould.
Santos made a game-winner this season in Minnesota as time expired. He’s 7-for-7 on field-goal tries in the postseason, including his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kyle Monangai, running back
Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) is stopped by Packers safety Xavier McKinney on Dec. 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Monangai was the 22nd running back selected in the 2025 NFL draft. Yet he finished fifth among rookies in rushing yards with 783, behind only Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Monangai came on strong in the middle of the season, but he went somewhat quiet down the stretch — culminating in just six carries for 14 yards in Week 18 against the Lions. If the Bears are going to make a run, they need their two-pronged rushing attack of Monangai and D’Andre Swift at full force.
Twice this season Monangai topped 100 rushing yards, including a career-high 176 against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. The Bears don’t need him to be the primary workhorse, but they do need him to be an effective second option.
Austin Booker, defensive end
Bears defensive end Austin Booker sacks 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Much like Wright, Booker is a defender Bears fans will know if they’ve been paying attention. The Bears need someone to step up on the defensive line, and if anyone other than Sweat is going to make a clutch sack or a game-changing strip, it just might be Booker.
The 2024 fifth-round draft pick played sparingly as a rookie, then missed the first half of this season with a knee injury. Since returning for a Nov. 2 matchup in Cincinnati, Booker has 4½ sacks, including 3½ in December. That doesn’t include one against the Packers that was waved off for a roughing-the-passer penalty in the Dec. 20 game at Soldier Field.
Lately, Booker keeps finding his way to the quarterback. The Bears, who rank 27th in QB pressure rate, need more of that.
Josh Blackwell, special teams ace
Josh Blackwell (39) blocks a field-goal attempt from Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson to give the Bears a 25-24 win Sept. 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
This list wouldn’t feel complete without Blackwell’s name.
Blackwell embodies the notion that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound special teams ace won the Bears a game when he sped around the edge and blocked a last-second Las Vegas Raiders field-goal attempt in Week 4.
He’s listed as a cornerback, but with only three snaps on defense all season, special teams is where Blackwell makes his mark. Bears fans will remember the perfectly executed punt return fake-out that went for a 94-yard touchdown last season in the Week 18 win over the Packers. This season, teams have tried to kick away from primary kick return man Devin Duvernay. When they do, Blackwell winds up with the ball. He’s also a gunner on punt coverage, using his speed on the outside to get downfield in a hurry.
It would surprise nobody if Blackwell makes a key play with the ball in his hands, comes up with a huge tackle, forces a fumble or blocks another kick.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/chicago-bears-playoffs-unsung-heroes/
