The Traderszone Network

Investors were hoping 2016 would be a fresh start after the U.S. stock market sputtered to wrap up 2015. Major averages kicked off the year with their worst week in more than four years as investors fled the market, and fear is on the rise that a full-blown bear market may be lurking. CHINA: The volatility surrounding the world’s second-largest economy is a primary concern of investors.

The activist investor, in a letter and presentation to Macy’s management on Sunday, said although it supports the retail chain’s plans of cost cuts, it wants the company to follow-through with real-estate deals to add more cash in its reserves, the WSJ said. Starboard said spinning off Macy’s real-estate assets could “create meaningful and lasting value for shareholders,” the newspaper reported, citing the letter it reviewed. The letter suggested two separate joint ventures, one for Macy’s landmark properties like Herald Square and a second for its hundreds of mall locations, the journal said.

General Motors (GM.N) is set to go to trial Monday in a lawsuit over its 2014 recall of millions of vehicles for a faulty ignition switch linked to nearly 400 injuries and deaths. In the lawsuit, plaintiff Robert Scheuers claims he was injured when his 2003 Saturn Ion ran off the highway, became airborne and then struck the ground and trees in May 2014. The front air bag did not deploy, which Scheuer blamed on the switch despite having followed GM’s instructions to remove all but a single key from his key ring.

The deal, which will be announced along with Alcoa’s quarterly results on Monday, will allow the aluminum producer to supply advanced nickel-based superalloy, titanium and aluminum components for engines and parts made by GE, the paper said, citing a GE news release it viewed. Alcoa will make the parts in six U.S. states, as well as in France and Canada, the WSJ reported. Alcoa and GE could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular business hours.

Singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer.

Squawk Box Live in Europe is watching reaction as China attempts to calm volatile markets.