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Covering the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland every year is something I consider a competitive sport.
I actually start training for an intense week during the summer, as my close friends know (and yes, they all make fun of me). The number of workouts each week in the lead-up gradually increases so that I can easily run up and down a two-mile boardwalk with a backpack that I cram into as many meetings as possible (yes, I do that).
My one cheat meal a week is replaced with green drinks and vitamin supplements to ensure I don’t get sick. I meditate twice a day and carefully choose clothes that I know will help me perform at my highest level. Look good, feel good, good things happen.
For me, this event is the closest thing to being like Michael Jordan in the playoffs — and I’m very happy to be there.
And this year, the gathering of the elite who fly private jets to wax poetic about the world’s biggest problems is going to be especially crazy.
The conference unofficially begins on the day of Trump’s inauguration. Some CEOs I know who would normally be in Davos all week drop by mid-week after they’ve done their inaugural parties. By Tuesday, the newly minted president may have unveiled a series of executive orders that could affect the operations of top CEOs on the ground. And, of course, influence global markets.
This is why this year’s WEF will be more important than the norm for you, the average investor. The headlines will be hot and furious as CEOs look to challenge or side with Trump. They will also be looking to talk about their business before earnings season starts, and given that markets have been taking a bit of a turn lately.
Here’s what’s yours and what’s ours Jennifer Schonberger they’ll be looking bundled up in five layers all week. Be sure to check “streaming now” on Yahoo Finance to catch all our market-moving interviews in real time. Or tune in where you normally catch us, whether that’s on Samsung TV or our handy app.
Unlike our previous trips to Davos over the past decade, I will be filming a few special episodes Opening Bid podcast on earth. I could tell you who those guests are going to be, but where’s the fun in that? It’s best to be surprised!
Now, onto that guide…
Directors of large banks: The biggest names in banking, such as JPMorgan (JPM) Chief Director Jamie DimonBank of America (BAC) Chief Director Brian MoynihanGoldman Sachs (GS) Chief Director David SolomonCiti (C) Chief Director Jane Fraserand Morgan Stanley (MS) Chief Director Ted Pick will be present. While this group will be asked questions about Trump’s policies, their stance on interest rates will be most important to market sentiment. Most have not spoken publicly since the Fed signaled a likely halt in rate cuts last month, and will want to hear them before the Fed’s policy meeting on 28-29. January.
Tariff Executive Directors: Retail will be well represented in Davos, with the CEOs of Polo Ralph Lauren (RL), Williams Sonoma (WSM), and Gap (GAP) (their CEO is at the event for the first time) making the rounds. These companies are just in in the middle of the tariff debate. I will be interested to see how they are preparing for Trump’s tariffs from a supply chain perspective. I’m also interested in how much they might raise prices after the tariffs — that could offer valuable insight into the outlook for inflation in 2025 and Fed policy.
The Race to Catch Nvidia: It will be another year AI chatters in the corridors of Davos. This time, I think the discussions will take two forms. First, unlike last year, where AI discussions were mostly about potential, investors will want to see clear revenue and profit lines. So I encourage AI CEOs to bring it. And second, we’ll likely hear more about how the Big Tech players at Microsoft (MSFT) and the alphabet (GOOGLE) aim to develop their own high-powered AI chips to catch Nvidia (NVDA), or at least make good enough chips for diversification. Executives from OpenAI and Anthropic will also be in attendance, and their thoughts on the chips could be key. I’ll be watching Nvidia’s stock price like a hawk this week, and you should too.
Crypto delegation: The crypto industry has had a solid presence at Davos for the past five years. The industry is expected to be strong this year, led by the emergence of Coinbase (COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong. I’ll be keeping a close eye on what the crypto crowd thinks about the latest bitcoin volatilityMicroStrategy (MSc) binge buying bitcoinswhat they’re hearing from the pro-crypto Trump administration and an early assessment of Paul Atkins as the likely next chairman of the SEC.
Shares: Stocks are starting to look overpriced (especially Magnificent 7), as I reported. I’m eager to hear from market professionals like JPMorgan Maria Erdoes and economic experts like Nouriel Roubini if they see red flags on the horizon. Any call they make this Davos could carry more weight given more volatile market conditions and increased uncertainty about Trump’s policies.
Political wild cards: As of this writing, contacts have told me that President-elect Donald Trump plans to send delegates to Davos. Who exactly gets the approval is the wild card. (I’m guessing that would be potential Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a regular on the Davos party scene for many years. Elon has long hated Davos, so it’s hard to see him showing up). Trump himself is scheduled to give a speech remotely on Thursday, a source told Yahoo Finance.
But who eventually emerges from Trump’s orbit — and what they say after he touches down — could set the tone for US international relations right out of the gate. If an envoy arrives in Davos days after Trump has taken actions that could affect foreign economic growth, and then intends to explain those actions, you best believe the inevitable headlines may not be so market-friendly.
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Brian Sozzi is the executive editor of Yahoo Finance. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi, Instagram and further LinkedIn. Story tips? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com. Three times a week, Sozzi hosts insightful conversations with the biggest names in business and the markets on Yahoo Finance Initial offer podcast. Find more episodes on our video hub. Take care of your own desired streaming service. Or listen and subscribe Apple Podcasts, Spotifyor wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
