Market Summary
U.S. markets rebounded Friday, snapping a three-day losing streak as the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge matched expectations. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq gained amid easing tariff fears and optimism on AI industry growth. Electronic Arts led gains, fueled by near $50 billion buyout rumors. Tariff announcements continue weighing on some sectors, especially pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
Electronic Arts nears historic $50 billion leveraged buyout led by Silver Lake, Saudi PIF, and Jared Kushner’s firm, sparking a surge in its stock price.
Figure of the Day
100% – Tariff imposed by U.S. on imported patented pharmaceutical drugs starting October 1 under President Trump’s new trade policy.
President Donald Trump announces sweeping tariffs including 100% on imported pharmaceutical drugs, heavy trucks, and furniture, escalating trade tensions and market uncertainty.
Five U.S. federal rulings concerning former FBI Director James Comey, including indictment and legal battles, highlight a politically charged legal campaign by the Trump administration.
Bullish
Costco Beats Expectations With Strong Growth in Key Segments
Costco surpassed analyst revenue predictions with robust growth in multiple segments, reinforcing its status as a resilient retail giant.
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TikTok’s U.S. operations sale progresses amid a $14 billion valuation dispute, with involvement from Oracle, Silver Lake, and Dubai’s MGX, causing political and market scrutiny.
Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge (PCE) shows a slight acceleration amid ongoing economic inflation concerns, influencing market expectations and Fed policy outlooks.
Bearish
Profit Margins on Home Flipping at 17-Year Low Due to High Prices
Flipping homes yields the lowest profit margins in nearly two decades, squeezed by soaring real estate prices and market challenges.
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Sinclair and Nexstar end boycott of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following political backlash, restoring one of the most popular late-night shows to major ABC affiliates nationwide.
Amazon settles with the FTC for $2.5 billion over deceptive Prime subscription practices, prompting significant consumer refunds and regulatory scrutiny on subscription services.
Regulatory Impact
Trump administration imposes 100% tariffs on imported pharmaceutical drugs lacking U.S. manufacturing and expands tariffs on heavy trucks and kitchen furniture starting October 1.
Walmart issues nationwide recall on certain meatball pasta meals amid listeria outbreak concerns linked to past fatalities, raising public health alarms.
President Trump targets Microsoft’s Lisa Monaco, calling for her firing amid political clashes, reflecting escalating tensions between administration and corporate leaders.
Quote
“OpenAI will be the next multi-trillion-dollar company—this is just the beginning of AI’s impact,”
— Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
Boeing regains FAA authorization to certify 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, ending six years of regulatory restrictions and boosting the aerospace giant’s stock momentum.
Kraken raises $500 million at $15 billion valuation and seeks additional $200-300 million boost ahead of a planned IPO, emphasizing growth in the crypto exchange market.
Trump administration aggressively pursues legal and political battles targeting opponents, including indictment of James Comey and threatening further prosecutions to consolidate power.
Amazon quietly builds a $35 billion B2B empire shifting focus from retail to enterprise supply operations, signaling a major transformation in its business model.
Starbucks announces nationwide closures amid restructuring struggles with slow recovery, impacting hundreds of stores including notable locations in Baltimore and Washington.
U.S. consumer spending remains solid with inflation pressures persistent, keeping economic growth on track while markets digest Fed’s inflation gauge and tariffs impacts.
U.S. government shutdown looms with major political deadlock; high-profile visits and meetings continue amid uncertainty over potential economic disruptions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to uphold nuclear treaty despite recent U.S. sanctions, warning that Trump’s policies could ignite broader Middle East conflicts.
Investors and analysts adjust to the impact of Trump’s new tariff regime on pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, with big drug makers largely insulated while small biotechs face risk.
Electric vehicle makers face rising challenges amid stalled sales and shifting trade regulations, with German automaker Volkswagen pausing production due to weak EV demand.
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman and other officials call for aggressive rate cuts amid labor market fragility and tightening economic conditions.
China investigates Mexico for high tariffs on Asian imports as trade tensions rise, signaling escalating global disputes over trade policies and economic security.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicts OpenAI will become a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise, highlighting Nvidia’s central role in the AI revolution and semiconductor demand surge.