US economic growth bounces back

U.S. economic growth rebounded in the first quarter, with GDP rising at an annualized rate of 2%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The result was slightly below economists’ expectations of 2.3% but marked an improvement from the weaker end of 2025. Growth was driven by consumer spending, investment, exports, and government spending, with strong gains in AI-related technology investment. Some sectors like housing … Continue reading US economic growth bounces back

Wall Street expects solid Q1 results for GM

The three major U.S. automakers—General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis—are set to report first-quarter earnings this week amid rising costs tied to the Iran war and supply chain pressures. Analysts expect GM to outperform its rivals, Ford to post weak results, and Stellantis to face the most challenges despite support from its Jeep and Ram brands. Industry headwinds include higher commodity prices, slowing demand, and losses … Continue reading Wall Street expects solid Q1 results for GM

Domino’s Pizza stock falls on disappointing sales

Domino’s Pizza stock fell more than 8% after the company reported weaker-than-expected U.S. same-store sales growth of 0.9%, below Wall Street forecasts. The company also lowered its full-year outlook, now expecting only low-single-digit growth instead of 3%. CEO Russell Weiner pointed to weather issues, weak consumer sentiment, and rising competition from rivals offering aggressive promotions. Despite the short-term slowdown, Weiner said Domino’s remains confident due … Continue reading Domino’s Pizza stock falls on disappointing sales

Stock futures fall as Iran peace talks stall

Stock futures fell on Sunday night as renewed tensions over stalled U.S.–Iran peace talks and unrest in the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher. Major indexes including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all dipped slightly ahead of a busy week for markets. President Donald Trump cancelled planned envoy talks, saying negotiations could proceed by phone, while Iran said no meeting is scheduled. … Continue reading Stock futures fall as Iran peace talks stall

Oil prices rise amid stalled US-Iran peace talks

Oil prices rose more than 2% after stalled U.S.–Iran peace talks reduced hopes for a ceasefire and increased uncertainty in global energy markets. Brent crude climbed to around $106.99 as diplomatic efforts faltered following cancelled negotiations and ongoing tensions. Meanwhile, Iranian officials continued talks with Russia as Tehran sought support amid the deadlock. Despite the disruption in oil diplomacy, Asian stock markets opened higher, showing … Continue reading Oil prices rise amid stalled US-Iran peace talks

Intel’s stock soars 20% as results top estimates

Intel reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings, sending its shares sharply higher and fueling signs of a potential turnaround after years of struggling in the chip market. Revenue rose 7.2%, driven in part by a 22% jump in its data center business as demand for AI-related CPU processing grows. The company also issued an upbeat forecast for the next quarter, well above Wall Street estimates, even as … Continue reading Intel’s stock soars 20% as results top estimates

Nike cuts 1,400 roles in second round of layoffs this year

Nike announced a new round of layoffs affecting about 1,400 employees, mostly in its technology division, as part of its broader “Win Now” restructuring plan. The company said the changes are aimed at streamlining operations, modernizing manufacturing, and better integrating supply chain and footwear systems. The layoffs span North America, Europe, and Asia and represent less than 2% of Nike’s global workforce. Executives described the … Continue reading Nike cuts 1,400 roles in second round of layoffs this year

United Airlines slashes 2026 forecast as fuel costs surge

United Airlines cut its 2026 earnings forecast as rising jet fuel prices, driven by the Iran conflict, increase operating costs. The airline now expects adjusted earnings of $7 to $11 per share, down sharply from its earlier $12 to $14 outlook. It also lowered its second-quarter profit guidance and warned that higher fuel costs will significantly weigh on results. United is reducing planned flight capacity … Continue reading United Airlines slashes 2026 forecast as fuel costs surge

New York sues Coinbase and Gemini

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued Coinbase and Gemini, accusing them of running illegal gambling operations through unlicensed “prediction market” platforms. The lawsuit argues that the companies are offering wagering disguised as event-based trading and are therefore subject to state gambling laws. Officials say the platforms bypass licensing requirements, avoid casino tax rates, and allow users as young as 18, below New York’s … Continue reading New York sues Coinbase and Gemini

UK inflation jumps to 3.3% in March

UK inflation rose to 3.3% in March, driven mainly by higher fuel prices following the Iran conflict, according to the Office for National Statistics. Energy costs, along with airfares and food prices, contributed to the increase, while clothing prices slightly offset the rise. Economists say the UK is particularly exposed because it relies on imported energy, and further price increases are expected if the conflict … Continue reading UK inflation jumps to 3.3% in March

Amazon to invest up to another $25 billion in Anthropic

Amazon has agreed to invest up to $25 billion in AI startup Anthropic, adding to its earlier $8 billion commitment as part of an expanded partnership focused on AI infrastructure. Anthropic, the maker of Claude AI models, has also pledged to spend more than $100 billion on Amazon Web Servicesover the next decade, largely using Amazon’s custom AI chips. The deal will significantly expand computing capacity, including nearly 1 gigawatt … Continue reading Amazon to invest up to another $25 billion in Anthropic

Meta plans first wave of 8,000 layoffs

Meta Platforms is planning major layoffs starting May 20, with an initial cut of about 10% of its global workforce, or roughly 8,000 employees. The company is also expected to carry out additional job reductions later in the year as part of a broader restructuring tied to artificial intelligence investments. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is shifting the company toward AI-driven operations, aiming for fewer management layers and greater efficiency. … Continue reading Meta plans first wave of 8,000 layoffs

Oil prices jump after Iran and U.S. attack commercial ships

Oil prices surged on Monday after escalating tensions between the United States and Iran raised fears of renewed conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate both rose sharply following reports of attacks on commercial vessels and a U.S. seizure of an Iranian-linked ship in the Gulf of Oman. Donald Trump said the ship was detained after attempting to breach a naval blockade and warned Iran of further … Continue reading Oil prices jump after Iran and U.S. attack commercial ships

OpenAI loses multiple executives in latest leadership shakeup

Three senior OpenAI executives have announced their departures, adding to a wave of leadership changes at the AI company. Bill Peebles, Kevin Weil, and Srinivas Narayanan all confirmed they are leaving or transitioning out of their roles, which spanned product, science, and enterprise applications. The exits follow recent high-profile staffing shifts, including medical leaves and role changes among other top executives. OpenAI said it is … Continue reading OpenAI loses multiple executives in latest leadership shakeup

Home shopping network pioneer QVC files for bankruptcy protection

QVC Group, the parent company of QVC and HSN, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. The company said its international operations are not included and that it still has over $1 billion in cash to continue operating normally. QVC has been struggling with declining sales as consumers increasingly move to livestream shopping and online marketplaces like TikTok and Shein. Its … Continue reading Home shopping network pioneer QVC files for bankruptcy protection

China economic growth accelerates to 5% in first quarter

China’s economy grew 5% in the first quarter, faster than expected, as strong exports helped offset weak domestic demand. Growth slightly improved from the previous quarter, but officials warned that global uncertainty and weak consumption remain major risks. Investment in infrastructure and real estate was weaker than forecast, with the property sector continuing a sharp decline. Retail sales growth slowed in March, while industrial output … Continue reading China economic growth accelerates to 5% in first quarter

Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Powell if he doesn’t leave in May

President Donald Trump has threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not leave office at the end of his term in May, escalating an ongoing dispute over interest rate policy. Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for not cutting interest rates and has also accused him of mismanaging a Federal Reserve building renovation project. Powell’s term ends on May 15, but he … Continue reading Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Powell if he doesn’t leave in May

Struggling shoe retailer Allbirds makes bizarre pivot to AI

The footwear company Allbirds announced a major pivot on Wednesday, shifting its business from shoes to artificial intelligence and rebranding as NewBird AI. The announcement caused its stock to surge more than 500%, despite the company’s small market value and recent financial struggles. The new strategy focuses on building AI compute infrastructure by acquiring high-performance hardware and leasing access to customers under long-term contracts, with … Continue reading Struggling shoe retailer Allbirds makes bizarre pivot to AI

Chevron says Venezuelan oil imports are helping curb U.S. gas prices

Chevron is increasing imports of Venezuelan crude oil to its U.S. refineries, including a key facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in an effort to help ease gasoline prices during a global oil supply squeeze linked to the Iran war. A senior Chevron executive said the company is running the refinery continuously and using shipments of heavy Venezuelan oil to expand supply and reduce costs for consumers. … Continue reading Chevron says Venezuelan oil imports are helping curb U.S. gas prices

Wall Street rallies to the edge of its all-time high as oil prices ease

U.S. stocks rose sharply on Tuesday, bringing the S&P 500 close to an all-time high as optimism grew over possible renewed talks between the United States and Iran. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed as investors reacted to hopes that the conflict could be contained. Oil prices eased as markets anticipated that successful diplomacy could prevent prolonged disruptions to … Continue reading Wall Street rallies to the edge of its all-time high as oil prices ease

Disney lays off 1,000 employees across TV and film

The Walt Disney Company announced it will lay off about 1,000 employees across its film, television, ESPN, and technology divisions as part of an internal restructuring. CEO Josh D’Amaro said the company is streamlining operations to create a more agile and tech-focused workforce in a rapidly changing industry. Reports suggest that units such as Marvel Studios were significantly affected, particularly in areas like visual effects. … Continue reading Disney lays off 1,000 employees across TV and film

Texas attorney general probes Lululemon over potential ‘forever chemicals’ in its activewear

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Lululemon Athletica over concerns that its activewear may contain PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.” The probe will examine whether the company’s products include substances that consumers would not expect based on its marketing claims. Lululemon Athletica says it does not use PFAS in its products and claims it phased out limited use in 2023, while also cooperating with … Continue reading Texas attorney general probes Lululemon over potential ‘forever chemicals’ in its activewear

Stocks rally, oil dips below $100 a barrel

U.S. stocks rebounded on Monday after an early drop, as investors remained hopeful that tensions between the United States and Iran could ease despite a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all closed higher, led by gains in technology shares. Oil prices, which had traded above $100 a barrel earlier in the day, pulled back by the close. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped … Continue reading Stocks rally, oil dips below $100 a barrel

McDonald’s to add energy drinks, crafted sodas to US menus

McDonald’s is planning to expand its U.S. drink menu later this year with new beverages, including a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer, according to reports. The rollout is expected to begin in August and will also include drinks like Dirty Dr Pepper and Mango Pineapple Refresher. The company aims to price these items lower than competitors such as Starbucks, Dutch Bros, and Sonic to attract cost-conscious … Continue reading McDonald’s to add energy drinks, crafted sodas to US menus

Asia markets trade lower as oil surges after U.S. moves to blockade Iran ports

Asia-Pacific markets fell on Monday as investors reacted to escalating tensions after U.S.-Iran talks collapsed and a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports was announced. The breakdown in negotiations raised fears that the conflict could last longer, driving a sharp surge in global oil prices. West Texas Intermediate rose above $104 a barrel and Brent crude climbed above $102, adding pressure to global inflation concerns. … Continue reading Asia markets trade lower as oil surges after U.S. moves to blockade Iran ports