Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has joined an elite group of tech giants to reach a $4 trillion market valuation, becoming the fourth firm to achieve the milestone after Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. The milestone reflects soaring investor confidence in artificial intelligence and other digital innovations.

The company’s stock has climbed roughly 75 percent over the past year, including a nearly 7 percent rise since January. Analysts said a key boost came from Apple’s announcement that it will integrate Google’s Gemini AI model into Siri, giving Alphabet a significant vote of confidence in the competitive AI landscape. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Alphabet’s AI strategy has intensified following the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The launch of the Gemini 3 model has received strong reviews, with tests showing 72 percent accuracy on standard benchmarks. The new model offers enhanced capabilities, including the integration of text and graphics in responses and improved coding functionality.

“Alphabet is consistently making smart innovations which should keep them relevant for years to come,” said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell. She noted that Google has managed to stay ahead in a sector where some disruptors of the last decade could become today’s disrupted firms.

Unlike emerging AI firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic, Alphabet’s established funding and infrastructure give it a clear advantage. The company has integrated an AI-powered “mode” into its search engine while competing with rivals like Microsoft, which added its Copilot tool to the Edge browser, and OpenAI, which has launched its own web browser.

Legal and regulatory developments have also supported Alphabet’s growth. The company concluded a high-profile US antitrust case in September, allowing it to retain control of its Chrome browser while agreeing to share search data with competitors. The resolution removed a key potential obstacle to further growth. Another trial regarding its ad tech business is ongoing.

Alphabet’s revenue performance across multiple units has contributed to its market cap. In its latest earnings report, Google Cloud revenues rose 34 percent to $15.2 billion, while YouTube advertising revenue grew 15 percent to $10.26 billion. Alphabet has also strengthened its cloud business by supplying AI chips to clients like Anthropic, enabling smaller firms to access high-performance hardware.

“Alphabet is very much a ‘sum of the parts’ story,” said Ben Barringer, head of technology research at Quilter Cheviot. “Search, YouTube, cloud computing, and Waymo all contribute significantly. Stabilising revenues across these units will be key to maintaining momentum.”

Despite the milestone, analysts caution that the stock carries a high valuation relative to earnings expectations. Investors will closely monitor the AI market and Alphabet’s ability to sustain growth across its diverse businesses.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Cuba, saying the flow of Venezuelan oil and financial support to the island will stop unless Havana “makes a deal.” The statement comes after US forces carried out a raid in Caracas on 3 January, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on drug trafficking and other charges.

Venezuela, a long-standing ally of Cuba, has reportedly sent around 35,000 barrels of oil daily to the island. The Trump administration has seized multiple Venezuelan oil tankers in recent weeks for carrying sanctioned fuel, worsening Cuba’s ongoing fuel and electricity shortages. On Friday, US authorities seized a fifth vessel linked to Venezuelan oil.

Trump highlighted the raid in Caracas on social media, writing that Cuba had relied on Venezuelan oil and money in exchange for providing security services to past Venezuelan leaders, “BUT NOT ANYMORE!” He warned that there would be “ZERO” oil or financial support unless Cuba reaches an unspecified deal.

Cuba’s leadership responded firmly. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the nation retained the right to import fuel “without interference or subordination to the unilateral coercive measures of the United States.” President Miguel Diaz-Canel added that no foreign power dictates Cuba’s actions. Rodriguez also noted that Cuba has never received monetary or material compensation for the security services it provided abroad.

The US raid in Caracas reportedly killed 32 Cuban nationals who were part of Maduro’s security detail. Trump said the operation demonstrated that Venezuela no longer needed protection from what he described as “thugs and extortionists,” asserting that the US military would now provide security.

While Trump has not outlined specific plans for Cuba, his administration has signaled ongoing pressure. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American, suggested that Cuban leaders should be concerned about US actions. On social media, Trump shared a post suggesting Rubio could become president of Cuba, commenting: “Sounds good to me!”

Trump’s policy toward Latin America has intensified in recent months, with a focus on left-wing governments and combating drug trafficking. Following the Caracas raid, he mentioned a potential operation in Colombia and has criticized its president, Gustavo Petro, for allowing drug cartels to operate. He has also highlighted drug flows from Mexico, offering US military assistance despite Mexican authorities rejecting foreign troops on their soil.

US-Cuba relations have been tense since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. While diplomatic ties improved during Barack Obama’s presidency, Trump reversed many of these measures, including reinstating Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which had been lifted by President Joe Biden.

Diaz-Canel dismissed Trump’s remarks, accusing the US of trying to interfere in Cuba’s domestic affairs and defending the island’s political model.

The situation underscores rising tensions in the Caribbean following the US raid in Caracas, highlighting the complex dynamics between Washington, Havana, and allied governments in the region.

The FTSE 100 crossed the 10,000-point mark for the first time since its creation in 1984, marking a milestone that has delighted investors and drawn attention from policymakers encouraging more UK residents to move money from cash into investments. The index, which tracks the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, rose by more than 20% in 2025.

While the milestone reflects long-term growth in the UK equity market, some experts warn that rising stock prices and high valuations mean first-time investors should approach with caution. Investing offers the potential for higher returns than cash savings, but it carries risks, and the value of investments can fluctuate significantly over time.

“People starting out should have a cash buffer in case of emergency before going into investing,” said Jema Arnold, a voluntary non-executive director at the UK Individual Shareholders Society. Experts agree that savings remain crucial for immediate needs such as emergencies, holidays, weddings, or major purchases, providing security without risk of loss. Anna Bowes, savings expert at financial advisers The Private Office, noted that savings allow investors to avoid cashing out investments at an inopportune time.

Cash savings, however, are not without drawbacks. Inflation can erode the purchasing power of money held in savings accounts, particularly if interest rates fall. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reports that one in ten UK adults has no cash savings, while 21% have less than £1,000 set aside. For those with larger cash holdings, investment could offer better long-term growth. The FCA estimates that seven million adults with £10,000 or more in cash savings could see higher returns through investing.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has advocated for greater consumer participation in investments, highlighting the potential benefits for individuals and the broader economy. Planned changes to tax-free Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) aim to encourage more investing. An upcoming advertising campaign funded by the investment industry will promote the idea, echoing the “Tell Sid” campaign of the 1980s that encouraged investment in privatised British Gas.

Despite the optimism, some commentators warn of overvaluation in certain sectors, especially technology and AI companies. The Bank of England has cautioned about a possible sharp correction, and figures including JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon and Google CEO Sundar Pichai have raised concerns about irrationality in the current tech boom.

To help first-time investors navigate the market, the FCA plans to allow banks and other registered financial firms to offer targeted guidance starting in April. While this support will stop short of fully personalised advice, it will allow recommendations based on the actions of similar groups of investors, potentially bridging a gap for those unable to afford traditional financial advisers.

For UK savers and potential investors, the FTSE milestone represents both opportunity and caution. While long-term investment can grow wealth beyond what savings accounts offer, experts stress the importance of a balanced approach that includes accessible cash reserves and awareness of market risks.