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Markets steadied as the Dow set new records while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq showed mixed action. Investors rotated into value and cyclicals, lifting industrials and financials, while AI and semiconductor names remained volatile. Volatility eased slightly but travel and energy sectors reacted to shutdown and supply updates; Fed uncertainty and big AI infrastructure bets remain key catalysts.
Congress moved to end the record-long U.S. government shutdown, but operational fallout — especially for airlines and federal services — will linger. Lawmakers passed a funding bill to reopen agencies even as travelers and workers brace for continued disruption.
48,000 — Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 48,000 for the first time.
Newly released Epstein emails and a successful petition have propelled the long-running Epstein files fight into the House floor. Lawmakers are poised to force a vote that could compel Justice Department disclosures and further politicize the issue.
President Trump intensified pressure on Israel by formally urging a pardon for Prime Minister Netanyahu, escalating diplomatic and political tensions. The White House campaign marks an unprecedented intervention in an active legal case.
Skims Hits $5B Valuation — Expansion Backed by Goldman
Kim Kardashian’s Skims raised $225M led by Goldman Sachs, valuing the brand at $5 billion and funding retail expansion and product growth — a major win for consumer retail investors.
More on bbc.com
AI demand is reshaping infrastructure: Anthropic pledged massive data-center investment while the IEA warns global grids are unprepared for surging electricity needs. The twin headlines underline a looming power bottleneck for the AI buildout.
Cisco delivered better-than-expected results and raised guidance, driven by AI-networking orders, boosting investor confidence in legacy tech catching the AI wave. The earnings beat lifted sentiment across networking suppliers and data-center suppliers.
New Fortress Energy Delays Filing Amid Debt Talks
New Fortress Energy sought to delay its quarterly filing as it negotiates debt restructuring — a sign of mounting financial strain and heightened bankruptcy risk for the midstream player.
More on reuters.com
SoftBank dramatically trimmed its Nvidia stake to reallocate capital toward OpenAI bets, triggering concern about AI valuations. Nvidia denied a reported $1 billion data-center pledge in Mexico after a governor’s announcement sowed confusion.
Waymo expanded driverless service to freeways in major U.S. cities, marking a milestone for robotaxis and scaling autonomous mobility. The freeway rollout could shorten trip times and accelerate commercial adoption in metropolitan markets.
Congress passed a stopgap funding bill that reopens the government but includes a last-minute provision restricting hemp-derived THC products; OMB ordered agencies to resume operations; the SEC proposed a token taxonomy for crypto oversight; the U.S. Mint ended penny production.
The Dow surged to fresh records as value and old-economy stocks led a rotation away from tech. Markets celebrated cyclical strength even as debate continues over whether the rally can extend into 2026.
Federal Reserve policy faces a split as two officials opposed a December rate cut, while leadership turnover looms with the Atlanta Fed president set to retire. The moves complicate the outlook for U.S. monetary policy and markets.
The world isn’t ready for the electricity surge that’s coming.
— Fatih Birol, IEA
U.S. regulators are moving to define crypto’s legal boundaries: the SEC unveiled a token taxonomy to clarify which tokens are securities. The proposals signal a tougher, more structured regulatory era for digital assets.
Prediction markets are going mainstream as FanDuel and CME prepare a U.S. platform, even while operators shift strategies around state rules. The moves could reshape wagering, market data and regulatory debates over gambling and finance.
The FTC opened probes into proxy advisers as scrutiny mounts over their influence on corporate governance and ESG voting. Regulators are testing whether the advisers’ sway over investor decisions creates anti-competitive risks.
Toyota began production at a major U.S. battery plant and confirmed a multibillion-dollar investment plan, doubling down on electrification and domestic supply chains. The expansion signals intensified competition in battery production and EV supply.
Circle’s stock volatility captured investor attention as Ark Invest bought shares amid a post-earnings selloff. The episode highlights the high-stakes drama in crypto payments infrastructure amid regulatory shifts.
Air travel remained strained as the FAA maintained a 6% flight-cut mandate at busy airports and the shutdown’s impact was quantified across cancellations and delays. Recovery will take days to weeks even after agencies reopen.
The U.S. Mint terminated penny production, ending a 232-year run as officials cite cost and declining use. The move has symbolic and small-business implications for pricing, cash transactions and coin roll markets.
Ukraine’s government is rocked by high-level resignations and suspensions as a major corruption scandal unfolds, threatening Kyiv’s reform agenda and EU accession hopes. The upheaval comes amid wartime pressures and adds political risk to the economy.
Quantum computing is accelerating with IBM announcing a new milestone chip and DARPA launching a program to fast-track defense-grade quantum tech. The twin developments tighten the race between public research, big tech and defense contractors.
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