Stock Market Mixed Following Four-Day Losses in 2025
The stock market starts 2026 mixed after major indexes ended 2025 with losses. Sandisk stock leads gains, while Tesla faces delivery setbacks. Federal student loan forgiveness programs resume, and housing reforms are promised amidst high costs.
Stocks mixed at start of 2026
Sandisk stock jumps 12%
Tesla sales fall 16% in Q4
Debt relief programs resume
Housing reform plans promised
Lower borrowing limits for student loans
Rising mortgage rates affect affordability
Stock markets opened mixed in 2026 after facing a four-day losing streak in 2025. Sandisk shares surged while Tesla reported disappointing deliveries.
Stock Performance at 2026’s Opening
Sandisk’s stock soared by 12% on the first trading day of 2026, following a remarkable 559% increase in 2025. The company, which spun off from Western Digital, benefits from high demand for data storage products.
Meanwhile, Tesla reported Q4 deliveries at 418,227, a 16% decrease from the same time last year. The company’s 2025 total vehicle deliveries fell 9% compared to 2024, marking a second consecutive year of decline.
Student Loan Forgiveness and Housing Reforms
The Department of Education has resumed several student loan forgiveness programs that were delayed in 2025. This includes relief for income-based repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
As mortgage rates exceed 6%, housing affordability remains a concern. President Trump announced plans for aggressive reforms to tackle the high costs in the housing market, including lower mortgage payments.
Changes in Education Financing for 2026
High school seniors starting college in fall 2026 will face new borrowing limits for Parent PLUS loans, capped at $20,000 annually and a total of $65,000 per child.
Graduate students will lose access to Grad PLUS loans starting with the 2026-2027 school year, making it harder for them to finance their education.
Rachel Patel is a senior news editor and journalist specializing in political journalism and digital media. With over seven years of professional experience, she is recognized for her accuracy, source verification, and audience-focused reporting approach.
Rachel earned her M.S. in Journalism & Media Studies from Stanford University (2018), where she developed expertise in media ethics, political communication, and digital storytelling.
Her career has centered on bridging traditional political reporting with the fast-paced world of online journalism. She has contributed to major global media outlets, analyzing how digital platforms — from YouTube and Reddit to TikTok and Bluesky — shape political narratives, influence public opinion, and redefine news consumption.
Now based in Berlin, Germany, Rachel serves as a Senior News Editor at Faharas NET, leading coverage on digital politics, media literacy, and social communication trends in the modern information landscape.
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