CNBC Business News Update Market Close: Stocks Lower Friday But Notch A Winning January, Trump Nominates Warsh As Next Fed Chair, Silver Plunges 26% 1/30/26
Jan 30, 2026
Markets wobble but finish the month with gains. Big-name stocks show mixed moves, from dips to record highs. A high-profile Fed pick and concerns about central bank independence dominate the political finance headlines. Silver collapses after a speculative options frenzy. Inflation data and corporate results, including a strong quarter for a tech giant, round out the business news.
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Winning January Despite Friday Drop
- Stocks finished January with gains despite a losing day on Friday.
- The Dow, S&P 500 and NASDAQ all fell on Friday even as January closed positive.
Warsh Brings Wall Street And Fed Experience
- Kevin Warsh is President Trump's nominee to replace Jay Powell as Fed chair if confirmed.
- He brings deep Wall Street ties and prior Fed experience, including during the financial crisis.
Fed Independence Under Scrutiny
- Concerns about Fed independence rose with Warsh's nomination and past challenges to independence.
- Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic emphasized the need to protect Fed independence moving forward.