For: July 7, 2026
>>Ahead Of The Bell
(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed higher and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched a record high, topping 53-thousand for the first ever. Dell shares jumped four percent after President Trump promoted its computers after ringing the opening bell of the stock market from the Oval Office. The historic ceremony marked the launch of new investment accounts for children. At the closing bell, the Dow gained 155 points to 53-055. The S&P 500 added 54 points to 75-37. The Nasdaq rose 288 points to 26-121.
>>SpaceX Stock Getting A Big Boost This Week
(Undated) -- It's been less than a month since SpaceX became a publicly traded company, but the rocket maker is about to join a very exclusive Wall Street Group. Starting today, the company owned by Elon Musk will be listed as part of the NASDAQ 100. The move automatically forces massive index-tracking funds and exchange-traded funds, with more than over a trillion dollars in global assets, to buy the company's stock. And that creates immediate market liquidity, increasing a company's mainstream credibility. Most companies wait years, not months to join the exchange, if they're ever invited at all.
>>Texas Stock Exchange Opens Trading
(Dallas, TX) -- The Texas Stock Exchange is up and running. The Dallas-based startup is planning a phased rollout to unfold over the rest of the month after going live on Monday. Yesterday's trades were only open to TXSE members, including approved broker-dealers, banks, and trading firms, to trade test stocks at first. The symbols for thousands of stocks and other equities will come online through the end of July, as the public is allowed to start trading.
>>IL Gov. Pritzker Signs Artificial Intelligence Safety Law
(Chicago, IL) -- Illinois is taking action to protect residents from harm when it comes to advancements in artificial intelligence. Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signed the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act on Monday. The landmark legislation established what officials say is the nation's strongest framework for AI safety, transparency and accountability. The law requires the largest AI developers to identify, disclose and mitigate risks while providing independent oversight and protections for workers who report safety concerns.
>>Microsoft Cutting Thousands Of Jobs From Xbox Unit
(Redmond, WA) -- Microsoft is slashing three-thousand-200 jobs from its struggling Xbox video game business. The move comes as part of a broader push by Microsoft to lower its labor costs, and it also follows voluntary buyouts the company began offering to employees in May. Microsoft will immediately eliminate one-thousand-600 positions, while other jobs will be cut as four game development studios leave the Xbox unit.
>>Lockheed Martin Seeking Multi-Billion Dollar Ultra Maritime Acquisition
(Bethesda, MD) -- Lockheed Martin is announcing plans to buy the naval defense group Ultra Maritime for over three billion dollars. According to reports from CNBC, Lockheed Martin is leading the race to buy Ultra and Guggenheim, along with JPMorgan, are advising on the sell side. Ultra makes radar and electronic warfare systems as well as torpedo defense countermeasures. After the deal closes, Ultra's team will reportedly become part of Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems business area.
