For: June 30, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning to usher in what will be a holiday-shortened trading week.  Stocks closed higher on Friday to cap a record-breaking week with both the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq hitting all-time highs.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 432 points to 43-819.  The S&P 500 added 32 points to 61-73. The Nasdaq rose 105 points to 20-273.

>>What To Watch For This Week 

(Undated)  --  Coming up in the business week ahead, auto sales, job openings and construction spending kick things off on Tuesday.  ADP releases its employment report on Wednesday.  The always highly-anticipated monthly jobs report will be out Thursday, with markets closed on Friday for the 4th of July.  Most analysts expect to see 115-thousand new jobs created in June, compared to 139-thousand the month prior.  The unemployment rate is expected to tick up just a bit from four-point-two percent to four-point-three. 

>>Trump: I'll Send Letters To Countries That Don't Make Tariff Deals

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is shrugging off an upcoming deadline for U.S. tariffs to go back into effect on several countries.  The White House deadline for countries to come to the bargaining table is July 9th.  Trump told "Fox News" that "it's going to be very simple."  He says he's going to send letters to the countries that don't make a deal by then, and inform them they can trade with the U.S., but the tariffs are returning.

>>Consumer Sentiment Surges In June

(Ann Arbor, MI)  --  Consumer sentiment surged in June for the first time in six months.  The University of Michigan's final reading for the month jumped 16 percent from May.  The survey showed a broad based rebound, although the reading is still well below the post-election bounce seen in December 2024.  The survey's chief economist said consumers remain concerned about inflation and the potential impact of tariffs.  Year-ahead inflation expectations fell to five percent this month which is down more than one-and-half percent from May.

>>Ford Issues "Do Not Drive" Warning For 2025 Pickup Trucks

(Dearborn, MI)  --  Ford Motor Company is telling the owners of over 23-hundred Super Duty pickup trucks from model year 2025 not to drive them.  The order is due to an issue with the hydraulic brake system that can lead to brake failure.  The affected models are F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a spring in the braking system might not have been installed.

>>GM Recalls Over 62k Chevy Silverados Over Brake Fire Risk 

(Detroit, MI)  --  General Motors is recalling over 62-thousand Chevrolet Silverado pickups.  The recall is due to a brake pressure sensor assembly possibly leaking and causing a fire.  GM says the leak could cause a short circuit, resulting in a heightened risk of fire while driving or parked.  Owners of the recalled Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD pickups from 2019 to 2025 should park their pickups outside until the issue can be fixed.  Federal safety regulators advise parking the vehicles away from buildings as a precaution.

>>A Buyer For TikTok May Have Been Found 

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump says TikTok has a buyer.  Trump told "Fox News" a buyer is in place, but he won't say who it is at this time.  The President has extended the deadline to sell the company from Chinese ownership several times.  He says the new buyers are very wealthy and he'll have more to say in about two weeks.  Congress forced the sale fearing national security concerns over Chinese ownership.   

>>Top 5 College Degrees With Highest ROI   (New York, NY)  --  With a college degree now setting students back over 153-thousand dollars, a new report by Student Choice shares the top five programs with the strongest return on investment.  Number one is engineering, offering a median annual salary of 100-thousand dollars and growth opportunities in renewable energy, defense and manufacturing innovation.  Computer Science and IT make come in at number two with a salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.  Nursing is in third place, accounting claims number four and biochemistry at number five.

For Friday, June 27th, 2025

>>Stocks Close Higher 

(New York, NY)  --  Wall Street closed Thursday with stocks sharply higher.  The S&P 500 came with in a couple of points of breaking its all time closing record.  It all comes as the White House said July tariff deadlines could be extended.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 404 points to 43-386.  The S&P 500 rose by 48 points to 61-41. The Nasdaq gained 194 points to 20-167.

>>Spending Bill Stuck In Senate

(Washington, DC)  --  The Senate is hoping to start debate on President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" today, but there are new speed bumps. The Senate parliamentarian, also known as the "referee," rejected key Medicaid provisions in the GOP's tax and spending bill.  That means the measure is still being worked on, and several Republicans say they won't debate it until they see the final version.  Majority Leader Republican John Thune plans on having the Senate work through the weekend if need be. The President expects the bill to be on his desk by the Fourth of July. 

>>Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac To Consider Crypto Assets

(Undated)  --  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may soon start counting cryptocurrency assets in considering mortgage applications.  Bill Pulte [[ Pul-tee ]], who oversees the two government-created mortgage guarantors, posted on social media yesterday that the move is in keeping with President Trump's vision to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.  He said he's ordered the businesses to prepare for the new policy.  It's a change for Freddie and Fannie, which under President Biden were barred from considering crypto due to high levels of uncertainty in the digital currency market.  

>>Mexico Threatens Action If SpaceX Violated International Law

(Starbase, TX)  --  Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is threatening legal action following a failed SpaceX rocket test in south Texas.  No one was injured in the explosion at the company's Starbase earlier this month, but some debris from the rocket reportedly ended up in northern Mexico.  Some activists now claim the explosion had a negative effect on the local environment.  At a news conference Sheinbaum said her government was looking into the issue and would "file any necessary claims" if it found the rocket company violated international law.

>>First-Time Jobless Claims Down

(Washington, DC)  --  First-time jobless claims were down last week, according to numbers out yesterday from the Labor Department.  Some 236-thousand people filed for initial benefits, down from 246-thousand the week before.  Analysts had predicted around 247-thousand claims this time around.

>>Tesla Sales Down In Europe

(Undated)  --  Tesla sales are down in Europe for the fifth straight month.  The electric automaker sold about 14-thousand vehicles across the continent in May, a 28 percent drop from the previous year.  The company has taken a hit from reaction to CEO Elon Musk's political rhetoric and competition from Chinese car makers.  

For: June 26, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed mixed Wednesday.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 106 points to 42-982.  The S&P 500 fell by less than a point to 60-92.  The Nasdaq gained 61 points to 19-973.

>>Powell Defends Decision To Avoid Cutting Interest Rates

(Washington, DC)  --  Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is defending the central bank's reluctance to cut interest rates.  The chairman was questioned from Senate Republicans during an appearance before the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday as he's faced a barrage of insults from President Trump.  It comes after the Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously last week to hold rates steady.  Powell says while he and his Fed colleagues are keeping an open mind about the potential impact of Trump's tariffs, they felt it was unwise to cut rates before seeing the effects of the tariffs first-hand.   

>>New Home Sales Plummet

(Washington, DC)  --  The market for new homes is starting to spiral.  The Census Bureau confirms sales of new single-family houses last month came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 623-thousand.  That's nearly 14-percent below the April figure and a seven-month low.  New home data is watched as an indicator of the broader economy.  

>>Three Mile Island Coming Back Online

(Harrisburg, PA)  --  The site of the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history will be roaring back to life soon.  The last working nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania will soon start generating power for Microsoft under a 20-year agreement.  Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro toured the reactor on Wednesday, saying the move will create jobs in the state by bolstering energy production.  In 1979, a partial meltdown of the Unit 2 reactor core caused national panic.  Three Mile Island has been renamed the Crane power plant.

>>Judge Rejects Argument Meta AI Violated Copyright

(Undated)  --  A federal judge is rejecting claims that Meta violated copyright when training its artificial intelligence model.  On Wednesday the judge ruled against 13 authors who claimed Meta violated their copyrights when it allowed its Llama language model to be trained using their books.  The judge concluded the company's use of the books falls under "fair use."  Despite this, he appeared open to arguments that if the AI model used original works to create knockoff versions, that likely wouldn't fall under fair use.  The ruling comes as dozens of lawsuits have been filed against AI companies on behalf of copyright holders concerned about AI models using their works.

>>Layoffs At Bumble

(Austin, TX)  --  Dating app Bumble is laying off 30 percent of its workers.  In its announcement on Wednesday, the company said it's part of a realignment that will save 40-million-dollars a year, money that will be reinvested into product development.  The layoff will affect about 240 people.  

>>Krispy Kreme, McDonald's End Partnership

(Chicago, IL)  --  Krispy Kreme and McDonald's are ending their partnership.  McDonald's locations will stop offering Krispy Kreme donuts on July 2nd.  The decision comes after the two companies paused their partnership in May.  The deal was first announced in late 2023 with the aim of making Krispy Kreme donuts available at McDonald's locations nationwide by 2026.  Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said the partnership became unsustainable due to costs.

>>"F1" Expected To Place First At The Weekend Box Office

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  The racing drama "F1" is expected to be atop the podium at this weekend's box office.  The film starring Brad Pitt and Damon Idris is projected to make between 35 to 60-million-dollars in its first week in theaters.

>>Jeff Bezos And Lauren Sanchez To Marry In Venice

(Venice)  --  Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are getting married this week.  The Amazon billionaire and his fiancée were seen arriving Wednesday in Venice, Italy, where the lavish wedding will be held.  Dozens of private jets are expected to land at the local airports as celebrity guests start to arrive, including Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Ivanka Trump.  The 45-million-dollar wedding will include three days of parties, ending Saturday night.  

For: June 25, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street After Stocks Close Higher On Tuesday 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks soared yesterday, closing higher as oil prices fell sharply for a second straight day with investors continuing to digest developments in the Middle East.  Airline stocks added lift to the broad-based rally with United, Frontier and Delta all climbing more than two percent.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 507 points to 43-089.  The S&P 500 added 67 points to 60-92.  The Nasdaq rose 281 points to 19-912.

>>Owens Corning Closing Prineville Plant

(Prineville, OR)  --  Prineville's economy will take a hit with the upcoming closure of the Owens Corning facility.  The company has notified the state it'll start closing the facility in August.  Owens Corning makes building materials.  One-hundred-84 employees work at the facility.  Most of the jobs will be cut in August with some employees remaining on the payroll through November to close the facility.

>>Powell: Was Considering Cutting Rates Until Trump Announced Tariffs

(Washington, DC)  --  The head of the Federal Reserve says he was considering cutting interest rates until President Trump's tariff announcements.  Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a House committee on Tuesday he decided against a rate cut, fearing the tariffs were raising the prospect of rising inflation.  Powell added that a rate cut was unlikely in July.  Trump has been at odds with Powell over rate cuts, nicknaming the Fed chief "Too Late Powell," claiming he was too slow to cut.  Powell will be back on Capitol Hill today to deliver remarks to the Senate Banking Committee.  

>>Consumer Confidence Dips

(New York, NY)  --  Americans aren't feeling great about the economy.  The consumer confidence reading dropped after sharply rising in May.  Most economists had forecast the June index increasing.  Conference Board analysts say the numbers suggest that consumers still anticipate a recession later this year.

>>Walmart Fined After Allegedly Enabling Wire Fraud

(Washington, DC)  --  Walmart is agreeing to pay ten-million-dollars to settle a Federal Trade Commission investigation.  The FTC alleged the retail giant allowed scammers to use its in-store money transfer services to defraud consumers out of hundreds of millions of dollars across the U.S.  A years-long investigation by the FTC claimed that Walmart failed to implement sufficient anti-fraud safeguards, including proper employee training and customer alerts.  According to the agency, these lapses enabled fraud-induced money transfers between 2013 and 2018 through Walmart's services and those operated in partnership with MoneyGram, Western Union, and Ria. 

>>Home Prices Cool In April

(Washington, DC)  --  Home prices are starting to cool due to rising supply and slowing demand.  The latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index shows prices rose just two-point-seven percent in April compared to the previous year.  That's down from a three-point-four percent annual increase in March and the smallest gain in nearly two years.  New York, Chicago and Detroit saw the biggest increase in prices.  Analysts say higher mortgage rates are keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines.  

>>JetBlue To Integrate AirTag Location Sharing For Luggage

(New York, NY)  --  JetBlue is the latest airline that will be able to track luggage using Apple AirTags.  The airline says it's integrating the iOS software so customers can share the location of their tagged luggage with the airline.  JetBlue is one of more than a dozen airlines that have announced similar plans.  

>>Minnesota Timberwolves, Lynx Franchise Sale Approved

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  The NBA says the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves is official.  The league announced the sale of the Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx after a unanimous vote made by the NBA Board of Governors Tuesday.  The franchises are being sold for one-and-a-half-billion-dollars by Glen Taylor to a group led by former baseball All-Star Alex Rodriguez and businessman Marc Lore.  

For: June 24, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening rings this morning after Wall Street saw stocks close higher following what was seen as a muted response by Iran to U.S. attacks over the weekend.  Stocks rose and oil prices slid after Iran fired a number of missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar, resulting in zero casualties.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 374 points to 42-581.  The S&P 500 added 57 points to 60-25.  The Nasdaq rose 183 points to 19-630.

>>Fed Chair To Testify On Capitol Hill 

(Undated)  --  Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is headed to Capitol Hill today where he's scheduled to testify before the House Financial Services Committee - a week after the central bank announced it would be leaving interest rates unchanged for now.  He'll be presenting the Fed's monetary policy report amid pressure from President Trump to cut rates.  Powell will return on Wednesday to deliver remarks to the Senate Banking Committee.   

>>Existing Home Sales Edge Higher In May

(Washington, DC)  --  Sales of previously owned homes rose slightly in May to an annual rate of just over four-million units.  According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales edged up eight-tenths percent for the month, but were still down from May of last year.  Housing analysts were predicting a one percent decline as mortgage rates remain high.  The median sale price last month was nearly 423-thousand dollars as home prices hit another record high.

>>Target Not Raising Prices On School Supplies

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Target says it won't raise prices on back-to-school items this year.  The retailer said Monday it will also offer discounts for students and teachers.  This is all ahead of the company's annual Target Circle Week, which offers deals on school supplies and electronics starting July 6th.  

>>SCOTUS Declines To Hear Tesla's LA Sales Ban Case

(Washington, DC)  --  The Supreme Court is declining to intervene in Tesla's case against Louisiana's ban on direct sales by automakers.  In 2022 Elon Musk's Tesla sued members of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association.  The company claimed they were abusing their control of the commission to take aim at Tesla's sales model and push it from the market.  The law prohibits car manufacturers from directly selling to consumers which Tesla said violates its due process.  Louisiana's Attorney General sought to stop the case from moving forward, but the justices declined to intervene in the matter. 

>>Hundreds Of Rite Aid Stores Designated For Closure

(Philadelphia, PA)  --  Rite Aid is closing more than 800 stores.  The latest round of more than 100 location closures across eleven states including California, New York and Pennsylvania were unveiled in court documents on Friday.  The company is in the process of selling some of its storefronts and prescription files to other retail pharmacy chains, and it has been listing dozens of stores designated for closure weekly as part of its second bankruptcy filing.  The closures are pending court approval and could face objections.

>>Memphis Airport May Be Renamed To Honor FedEx Founder Fred Smith

(Memphis, TN)  --  Memphis International Airport may soon be renamed in honor of FedEx founder Fred Smith, who died Saturday at the age 80.  Airport officials say a resolution could be introduced at next week's board meeting to explore the renaming.  Smith launched FedEx in 1973, turning it into a global shipping giant with deep ties to the city.  The airport credited him as a transformative figure in Memphis's growth and economy. 

For: June 23, 2025 

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed mix on Friday to end the Juneteenth holiday-shortened trading week.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 35 points to 42-206.  The S&P 500 lost 13 points to 59-67.  The Nasdaq fell 98 points to 19-447.

>>Oil Prices Jump After U.S. Strikes On Iran

(New York, NY)  --  Oil prices have been on the rise following U.S. airstrikes on Iran.  U.S. crude oil went up more than two-percent Sunday evening to 75-dollars-and-60-cents per barrel.  This comes as there is uncertainty regarding the oil supply outlook in the Middle East.  According to Iranian state media reports, the country's parliament supports closing the Strait of Hormuz.  According to the Energy Information Administration, 20-percent of the crude oil consumed by the world passed through the strait last year.  

>>Airlines Look At Middle East Cancellations

(Undated)  --  Airlines are considering how long to cancel flights in the Middle East after the U.S. attack Iran over the weekend.  The airspace was already contentious due to the ongoing exchange of missiles and strikes between Israel and Iran.  The region has become especially important for commercial air routes due to Russian and Ukrainian airspace mostly closed because of war. 

>>A Week Of Noteworthy Economic Reports 

(Undated)  --  Coming up in the business week ahead, existing home sales kick things off today.  On Tuesday, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to testify before the House Financial Service Committee just days after the central bank announced it would be keeping interest rates unchanged for now.  The latest data on consumer confidence and the S&P Case-Shiller home price index are due the same day.  Wednesday brings word on new home sales, followed by pending home sales and weekly jobless claims on Thursday.  The week wraps up Friday with personal income and spending numbers and consumer sentiment.

>>Layoffs Expected At SC Lockheed Martin Site

(Greenville, SC)  --  Layoffs are expected at the Lockheed Martin site in Greenville, South Carolina.  The company announced the decision Friday.  A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said it came as the result of an Air Force decision not to extend the F-16 maintenance facility contract.  Approximately ten percent of the Lockheed Martin workforce in Greenville is expected to be impacted by the layoffs.

>>Tesla Launches Limited Robotaxi Service In Austin, Texas 

(Austin, TX)  --  Tesla has started limited operations of its self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas.  The service began Sunday and was only available to select guests and the vehicles were restricted to certain streets.  Those who received invitations to use the service were told by Tesla that safety monitors rode in the front passenger seats and the vehicles do not operate in bad weather.  Musk has told investors that people who own Teslas will be able to upgrade their cars so they can function as self-driving taxis.  Tesla also plans to sell a two-door car it calls the Cybercab. 

>>16 Billion Apple, Facebook, Google Other Passwords Leaked

(Undated)  --  Around 16 billion passwords are reportedly comprised after one of the largest data breaches in history.  According to Cybernews, logins to social media, VPNS, and user accounts for companies like Apple and Google had been left exposed.  The passwords are often put up for sale on the dark web and can be used for identity theft, fraud and blackmail.  The data watchdog said it's been monitoring the exposed passwords since the start of this year.

>>Kroger Announces Closures Of 60 Stores Across The US

(Cincinnati, OH)  --   Kroger is downsizing.  The Ohio-based company shared in its first quarter earnings report that it will take a one-time charge of 100-million-dollars as it plans to close 60 grocery stores over the next 18 months.  The company said Kroger employees who work at closing locations will be offered positions in other stores.   The earnings report comes months after Kroger's former chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen resigned after a board investigation found his personal conduct was "inconsistent with Kroger's Policy on Business Ethics."  

>>FedEx Founder Fred Smith Dies At 80

(Memphis, TN)  --  FedEx founder Fred Smith is dead at age 80.  Smith helped create the overnight delivery industry which revolutionized the way business and consumers receive goods and packages.  He founded the company as Federal Express in 1971 and began operations in Memphis two years later.  The Mississippi native served four years in the U.S. Marines and returned from Vietnam to start his company which grew into a 90-billion-dollar global shipping giant.  FedEx's current CEO said "Fred was more than just the pioneer of an industry and founder of our great company. He was the heart and soul of Fed-Ex."  

For: June 20, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning as the Juneteenth holiday shortened trading week starts to wind down.  The last time the closing bell rang, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 44 points to 42-171.  The S&P 500 lost one point to 59-80 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 25 points to 19-546.

>>TikTok Sale Deadline Extended Again

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is once again extending the deadline for a TikTok sale.  The popular video sharing app's China-based owner ByteDance now has until September 17th to sell it or have it possibly banned in the U.S.  This is the third time Trump has extended the deadline.  Earlier this week, Trump said he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping [[ she jeen-peeng ]] would be willing to approve a deal to sell the app.  The law banning TikTok if it isn't sold was passed under former President Biden.

>>Honda, Ford Both Announce Recalls 

(Torrance, CA)  --  Nearly 260-thousand Honda vehicles are being recalled due to possible brake pedal issue.  A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the cars' brake pedal could move side to side due to it not being properly staked during production.  The issue could affect 2021-2025 Acura TLXs, 2023-2025 Acura MDXs and 2023-2025 Honda Pilots.   Ford is recalling nearly 200-thousand Mustang Mach-E vehicles.  It's because of a safety issue that could trap people in the backseat due to a low battery charge that can cause the electronic door latches to stay locked after the front doors are shut.  The recall covers model years 2021 to 2025.  

>>L.A. Metro Needs Trump Administration Help For Olympic Bussing Plan

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  L.A. Metro is asking the Trump administration for two-billion-dollars to add 27-hundred buses for the 2028 Olympics.  The new buses are key to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' "no-car" plan, since many venues aren't accessible by rail.  City leaders say buses will be the main transit option for fans, especially international tourists.

>>Tubi Adds YouTuber Creators Content

(San Francisco, CA)  --  Free streaming service Tubi is adding some popular YouTube creators' content to its library.  The move aims to bring young viewers to the add-supported service.  Some of the YouTube content going to Tubi is Mythical Entertainment's Last Meals, Mr. Creepy Eyes hosted by FunnyMike, and Dan and Riya's Beverly Valley High. 

>>Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Earn 400% Pay Increase

(Dallas, TX)  --  Cheerleaders for America's Team are receiving a 400-percent pay raise.  That's according to members of the Dallas Cowboys revealed in the latest season of "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders."  The Netflix docu-series following the team's cheerleaders showed one of the cheerleaders meeting with the team's director discussing their pay raise.  This ends a lawsuit filed in 2018 claiming one former DCC made eight-dollars per hour with no overtime pay.

For: June 19, 2025

>>Markets Closed In Observance Of Juneteenth 

(New York, NY)  --  Markets are closed today in observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday.  Stocks closed mixed on Wednesday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 44 points to 42-171.  The S&P 500 lost one point to 59-80.  The Nasdaq gained 25 points to 19-546.

>>Fed Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged

(Washington, DC)  --  The Federal Reserve is leaving interest rates unchanged.  Yesterday's decision marks the fourth straight time the Central Banks have kept rates steady.  Rates will remain high and hover between four-and-a-quarter and four-and-a-half percent.

>>SpaceX Starship Explodes On The Ground

(Starbase, TX)  --  A SpaceX Starship has exploded during a test in Starbase, Texas.  Video online shows Ship 36 erupting into a massive fireball late Wednesday.  It was expected Ship 36 would be used for the next Starship launch.  The explosion happened during what's called a static fire test.  No word yet on why.   

>>NTSB Issues Jet Engine Warning

(Washington, DC)  --  The National Transportation Safety Board is warning about some jet engines that could allow smoke to enter the cockpit when damaged.  The bulletin out Wednesday cited some models of LEAP engines, manufactured by CFM International and used in the Boeing 737 Max and some Airbus A320neos.  The FAA is requiring the manufacturer to address the issue and asking operators to update their training and flight simulator software.

>>U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel Finalize Deal  

(Pittsburgh, PA)  --  A deal to merge U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel is being finalized.  Under the agreement, U.S. Steel will keep its headquarters in Pittsburgh and more than 100-thousand jobs are expected to be created across the country.  The agreement states that Nippon Steel will invest eleven-billion-dollars in new investments in U.S. Steel by 2028.  The deal also ensures that the majority of U.S. Steel's board of directors, including its CEO, will be American citizens.

>>Texas Instruments Investing $60B In Chip-Making

(Dallas, TX)  --  Texas Instruments says it will spend more than 60-billion dollars to grow its chip-making operations in the U.S.  The company said Wednesday it will build or expand seven semiconductor plants in Texas and Utah.  It also said it would create 60-thousand jobs.  TI makes analog chips used in cars, phones and medical devices, supplying major brands like Apple, Ford and SpaceX.  The move comes as President Trump pressures tech giants to build their products in the U.S.

>>Wendy's Restaurants Introducing New Takis Collaboration

(Madison, WI)  --  Wendy's restaurants across the country are launching a new collaboration.  The company is planning to introduce their new "Takis Fuego Meal" on Friday.  The combo includes a spicy chicken filet sandwich topped with crushed Takis chips, chili lime sauce, creamy corn spread, and cheddar cheese sauce.  The sandwich will be served with a side of "Fuego Fries" tossed in chili lime seasoning and a bag of Takis Fuego chips while supplies last.

For: June 18, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street

(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after Wall Street saw stocks close lower Tuesday. Stocks fell as President Trump met with his national security team at the White House and the Pentagon moved additional forces to the Middle East. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 299 points to 42-215. The S&P 500 fell 50 points to 59-82. The tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 180 points to 19-521.

>>Federal Reserve Expected To Hold Rates Steady

(Washington, DC) -- The Federal Reserve is not expected to announce any interest rate cuts today for the fourth consecutive time. Rates are still high hovering between four-and-a-quarter and four-and-a-half percent. Mortgage rates are near seven-percent, and the average credit card rate is north of 20-percent. President Trump has been pressuring Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates.

>>Homebuilder Sentiment Drops To Near Pandemic Lows In June

(Washington, DC) -- Homebuilder sentiment is nearing its pandemic low. The National Association of Home Builders cites high mortgage rates and uncertainty over the economy as key factors in a two-point drop in sentiment in June. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell to 32, hitting its lowest level since December, 2022. The survey shows more than a third of all builders saying they had cut prices due to rising inventory levels. The survey's chief economist says many potential buyers are "on hold" waiting for affordability issues to improve.

>>Meta Testing Spoiler Text On Threads

(Menlo Park, CA) -- Meta is testing what is called spoiler text on its Threads platform. It's text that is grayed out and can only be read when a user manually taps on the grey bar over the text. It helps with things like not spoiling a plot twist or ending for a movie, TV show or book. It's a popular feature on platforms like Reddit and Discord. It can also be used to blur out text or images that might be uncomfortable for some.

>>Senate Passes Crypto Bill

(Washington, DC) -- A bill to regulate cryptocurrency has passed the Senate. The bipartisan vote Tuesday was seen as a win for the crypto industry, which has lobbied for the bill that would regulate stablecoins. Those are a type of cryptocurrency tied to an asset like the U.S. dollar, whereas most cryptocurrency is valued based on market fluctuations.

>>Tron Going Public

(Undated) -- Tron, a cryptocurrency platform created by billionaire Justin Sun, is planning to go public. The deal is through a reverse merger with SRM Entertainment and arranged by Dominari Securities, a group with links to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. The new entity will be called Tron Inc. The move comes after the federal government decided to stop pursuing fraud charges against Sun to discuss a possible settlement.

>>Amazon Prime Day To Be Held Over 4 Days

(Seattle, WA) -- Amazon Prime Day will last four days this year. The online retail giant announced its popular annual sale for members will be held July 8th through the 11th. Prime Day started as a one day event ten years ago before eventually expanding to two days. New this year are "Today's Big Deals" which will see themed daily deal drops featuring deep discounts on a host of brands from Samsung to Levi's. 

For: June 16, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning to kick off what will be a holiday-shortened trading week.  Stocks closed sharply lower on Friday, extending losses after Iran launched missiles into Israel in retaliation for a series of Israeli air strikes against Tehran.  Oil and defense stocks rose while tech shares and travel stocks took a hit as global markets reacted to the conflict.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 769 points to 42-197.  The S&P 500 lost 68 points to 59-76.  The Nasdaq fell 255 points to 19-406.

>>Interest Rate Decision Coming This Week   

(Undated)  --  Coming up in the business week ahead, Tuesday brings the release of retail sales data along with the home builder confidence index.  The ball continues to roll on Wednesday with housing starts and building permits.  Also, because this is a Juneteenth holiday-shortened week, initial jobless claims will be out a day earlier than usual, with just a slight uptick in first-time requests for unemployment benefits expected.  Most of the focus on Wednesday, however, will go to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision with the central bank seen keeping its benchmark rate unchanged for now.

>>G7 Leaders To Talk Trade, Etc. In The Canadian Rockies 

(Alberta)  --  G7 leaders are gathering in Canada for policy discussions on trade and other topics.  President Trump is among the heads of state in Alberta as the world's economic powerhouses hold their crucial summit.  The meetings take on heightened importance ahead of the President's tariff deadlines and the escalating crisis in the Middle East.  The White House has been downplaying expectations of any major breakthroughs on trade agreements.  The G7 summit brings together the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the U.S. and the European Union all taking part.

>>Consumer Sentiment Improves In June

(Ann Arbor, MI)  --  Consumer sentiment is on the rise for the first time in six months.  The University of Michigan's early reading for June climbed 16 percent from last month.  The survey showed across-the-board rebounds as consumers grew more optimistic about the economy.  Year-ahead inflation expectations plunged one-and-half percent from last month to their lowest level in three months.  The survey's chief economist said despite the notable improvement, consumers remain "guarded and concerned" about the outlook for the economy.  

>>Mitsubishi Recalls Nearly 200k Vehicles Over Rearview Camera Issue

(Undated)  --  Mitsubishi Motors North America is recalling nearly 200-thousand Outlander and Outlander plug-in hybrid electric SUVs.  The recall is due to faulty software that could cause rearview cameras to malfunction.  The automaker said in a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall report that the infotainment system in over 198-thousand Outlanders from model years 2022 to 2025 could "freeze or display a black screen."  The NHTSA recall report said that could cause the rearview camera image to "be lost" while baking up, which could increase crash risk. 

>>Billionaire Cosmetics Heir Leonard Lauder Dead At 92

(Undated)  --  Billionaire cosmetics heir Leonard Lauder is dead at the age of 92.  Lauder was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder and the former head of cosmetics giant Estée Lauder Companies.  He died on Saturday.  His son released a statement crediting his father with having "worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today."  

For: June 13, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed higher on Wall Street Thursday.  It comes after the latest producer price index reported showed a point-one-percent increase last month.   That was against expectations of point-two-percent.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 101 points to 42-967.  The S&P 500 gained 23 points to 60-45.  The Nasdaq rose by 46 points to 19-662.

>>Oil Futures Surge After Israel Strikes Iran 

(Undated)  --  Oil futures saw a major surge after Israel carried out a massive series of air strikes on Iran.  Crude oil futures were up more than eight percent as of last check, after climbing as high as 13 percent Thursday evening.  The price of a barrel of West Texas crude was at about 73-dollars-and 60 cents, close to some of the largest single-day gains since 2020. 

>>Trump Ends CA Vehicle Mandate

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is putting the final nail in the coffin for California's EV mandate.  Trump held a ceremony at the White House yesterday, signing legislation that halts Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom from requiring California residents to buy electric cars.  Newsom has vowed to fight the law in court, but now faces an uphill battle.  The mandate required all vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission by 2035.  Trump said getting rid of the mandate will save the U.S. auto industry. 

>>Food Distributor Hit By Cyberattack

(Providence, RI)  --  Whole Foods locations around the country are starting to see shortages after a major supplier was hit by a cyberattack last week.  United Natural Foods reported Monday the company had to take some systems offline to deal with the attack and that it has temporarily impacted their ability to handle customer orders.  The company didn't share the details of the breech but there have been a series of ransomware attacks on major retail customers in recent weeks.  A spokesperson for Whole Foods says the grocery chain is working to restock shelves as quickly as possible.

>>Social Security Payments Could Go Up 2.5% In 2026

(Undated)  --  Social Security's cost of living adjustment could go up two-and-a-half-percent in 2026.  That's what analysts are predicting, but that could change depending on what effect President Trump's sweeping global tariffs could have on prices.  The adjustment is calculated based on price and inflation data from July, August and September.  The increase could go up if those numbers do too.  

>>Autonomous Vehicles Impact On Accidents And Insurance

(Undated)  --  Autonomous vehicles could lead to fewer car accidents, but are not expected to lead to fewer dollars spent on insurance in the near future.  According to new research from Goldman Sachs, the types of risks insurers cover in the future may shift rather than disappear. In the meantime, drivers can expect modest growth in auto insurance premiums partially because newer tech-heavy cars have pushed up repair expenses, leading to higher costs per claim.  While lower premiums won't come soon, Goldman analysts predict insurance costs will decrease by more than 50 percent in the next 15 years. 

>>"How To Train Your Dragon" Set To Make $75 Million

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  "How to Train Your Dragon" is expected to fly off to fast start at the box office.  The live action remake is projected to make between 70 and 80-million-dollars in its first weekend in theaters.  The film will overtake Disney's "Lilo & Stitch", which took first three weeks in a row and has brought in 775-million worldwide.  Meanwhile, A24's "Materialists" starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans is projected to make between eight and nine-million-dollars in its debut.

For: June 12, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell

(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed lower on Wall Street Wednesday. It comes after new inflation data showed it slowed last month. The latest CPI report revealed a point-one-percent increase in May, against projections of point-two-percent. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 1 point to 42-865. The S&P 500 lost 16 points to 60-22. The Nasdaq dropped by 99 points to 19-615. Investors today will be keeping an eye out for the producer price index, which also measures inflation, along with weekly jobless claims. Not much change is expected in the number of Americans seeking first-time unemployment benefits.

>>WH: Trump Happy With China Trade Deal

(Washington, DC) -- The White House says President Trump is going over the proposed trade deal with China. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is happy with the work his trade team has done, and "what the President heard, he liked." Leavitt added China has agreed to open their markets and will supply the U.S. with critical rare earth minerals. She said Trump will have more to say on the subject soon.

>>Nintendo Switch Breaks Sales Records

(Undated) -- Nintendo's newest video game console is breaking sales records. The Switch Two, released last week, managed to rack up more than three-point-five million units sold in just four days. That makes it the fastest selling console in the history of the company. The Switch Two retails for about 450-dollars.

>>Chime IPO Values Company At $11.6B

(San Francisco, CA) -- Online financial services company Chime is pricing its IPO at 27-dollars a share, valuing the company at eleven-point-six-billion dollars. The company raised about 700-million-dollars through the IPO and the stock begins trading today on the Nasdaq. Chime offers no-fee banking services and gets most of its revenue from interchange fees.

>>Torrid Closing More Than 150 Stores

(City of Industry, CA) -- A leading plus-size clothing retailer is planning to close more than 150 stores this year. Torrid will shut down 180 underperforming stores which represents nearly 30-percent of its physical locations, and it comes as part of the company's strategy to focus on digital sales. Store closures are expected to occur mostly in the fourth quarter, but the company has not yet disclosed which specific stores will shut down. The retailer has already closed 632 locations as of January.

>>States With Best And Worst Tippers

(Undated) -- Tipping is slightly rising this year for full-service restaurants. New data from the payment company Toast found tipping averages rose to 19-point-four-percent from 19-point-three-percent in 2024. The data also showed servers in Delaware get the best tips, and those in California receive the worst. While the numbers are still down from peak pandemic highs of 19-point-nine-percent, it's similar to numbers seen in 2018 and 2019.

>>Disney, Universal Sue AI Image Generator

(Los Angeles, CA) -- Disney and Universal Pictures are suing an AI image generator for copyright infringement. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Wednesday says Midjourney's program creates images that "blatantly incorporate and copy" some of the studios' characters from franchises like "Star Wars" and "Despicable Me." This is the first lawsuit against alleged AI-theft brought by major Hollywood studios. Universal and Disney argue Midjourney should be able to use the same safeguards used to prevent images with violence or nudity from being created to block images with their characters.

For Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

>>Stocks Close Higher

(New York, NY)  --  Wall Street closed higher Tuesday investors awaited details on trade talks with China.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 105 points to 42-866.  The S&P 500 added 32 points to 60-38.  The Nasdaq rose 123 points to 19-714.

>>U.S., China Reach Agreement In Trade Talks

(London)  --  U.S. and Chinese officials have apparently reached a trade deal in London.  Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters after Tuesday's meeting that the two sides have reached a "framework to implement" a Geneva trade agreement following last week's phone conversation between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.  The negotiators will now head back to their countries to seek approval from their leaders.  Lutnick suggested that under the agreement, restrictions on sales of advanced technology to China could be rolled back if Beijing approves rare-earth exports.

>>Bill To Raise Minimum Wage

(Washington, DC) --  A bipartisan bill is seeking to raise the minimum wage. Republican Senator Josh Hawley and his cosponsor Democratic Senator Peter Welch filed the legislation on Tuesday to double the federal minimum wage to 15-dollars an hour. The bill would also set automatic increases to match inflation over time to prevent future standstills like the nation has faced since the last federal hike in 2009. The increase would take effect next year, when Hawley's home state of Missouri hikes its rate to the same level. 

>>General Motors Investing $4B In U.S. Plants

(Detroit, MI)  --  General Motors says it's investing four-billion-dollars in three U.S. plants, moving some production from Mexico.  The plans announced Tuesday will bring assembly of the Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox to the U.S.  The money will also be used to convert a Michigan plant that was expected to produce electric vehicles into making gas-powered SUVs and trucks.  The move comes after President Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts.

>>Disney Agrees To Pay Comcast $438.7 Million For Hulu Stake

(Burbank, CA)  --  Disney is taking full control of Hulu.  The media giant has agreed to pay Comcast more than 438-million-dollars to buy its stake in the streaming service.  Back in 2023, Disney paid Comcast eight-point-six-billion dollars when it announced it intended to buy Comcast's 33-percent stake.  Disney CEO Bob Iger said the deal clears the way for "a deeper and more seamless integration" of Disney-Plus and Hulu content.  The deal is expected to close by July 24th.

For: June 10, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed mostly higher Monday to start the week.  Stocks traded in a narrow range as a high-level U.S. delegation held trade talks with their Chinese counterparts in London.  The new negotiations follow a phone call between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last week which Trump described as a "very good" talk.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost a point to 42-761.  The S&P 500 rose 5 points to 6,005.  The Nasdaq gained 61 points to 19-591.

>>Waymo L.A. Service Suspension Over Protest Disruptions 

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Waymo is suspending its robotaxi service in Los Angeles due to protests taking place in the city. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, demonstrators stopped various vehicles in the downtown area and ignited them, which officials warn can "release toxic gases" due to the lithium-ion batteries. Some of the vehicles were also broken into and vandalized with spray paint. 

>>Noteworthy Economic Reports Ahead 

(Undated)  --  Coming up in today's business news, the National Federation of Independent Business, or NFIB, optimism index is due to be released.  The following day sees the release of the consumer price index, which is the most widely followed inflation gauge.  

>>Musk Debunks X Post After Incorrect AI Verification 

(Undated)  --  Elon Musk is pushing back against his own artificial intelligence chatbot over a fabricated social media post. It comes after Grok incorrectly verified a post on X reportedly showing a fake screenshot in which Musk appeared to reply to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, saying, "Just like I took your wife."  When asked by an X user to verify the post, the AI chatbot responded that it "likely existed and was deleted," however, Musk has since rebuked the claim.  Miller's wife, Katie, served as an adviser and spokesperson for Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency and was among those who left the White House alongside the Tesla CEO late last month.

>>Study: Living Comfortably Beyond Reach Of Median Salary

(Undated)  --  An average wage isn't enough to live comfortably in the U.S., according to financial tech company SmartAsset.  The median wage is at about 62-thousand dollars a year.  But you need nearly 81-thousand dollars to live comfortably in West Virginia, the most affordable state in the study.  "Living comfortably" in this case is defined as spending half your income on essentials like food and rent, 20 percent toward savings and paying off debt and the other 30 percent for whatever you want.  Hawaii is the most expensive state, where it would take more than 124-thousand-dollars annually to meet that goal.  

>>Warner Bros. Discovery Split Into Two Public Companies

(New York, NY)  --  Warner Bros. Discovery is planning to split into two public companies. According to a company announcement, WBD will separate into a streaming and studios company, which will include its movie properties and streaming service HBO Max while a global networks company will include CNN, TNT Sports and Discovery. CEO David Zaslav will lead the streaming and studios company, and the company's current CFO will become CEO of the global networks business. Warner Bros. Discovery expects to complete the split by the middle of 2026.    

>>Record Father's Day Spending Predicted

(Undated)  --  Some 24-billion-dollars is expected to spent this year for Father's Day.  That would be a record amount, according to the National Retail Federation, up more than seven percent from last year.  Three out of every four people surveyed said they planned to celebrate the event in some way, this year on June 15th.  Average spending is expected to come in at just under 200 dollars.  

For: June 9, 2025

>>Wall Street Welcomes Fresh Trading Week 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning, kicking off a fresh trading week on Wall Street.  This, after stocks closed higher on Friday.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 443 to 42-762.  The S&P 500 rose 61 points to 6,000.  The Nasdaq climbed 231 points to 19-529.

>>Michael's Acquires JoAnn's Brands

Craft retailer Michaels is expanding its sewing and yarn selection, aiming to appeal to customers affected by Joann’s bankruptcy and store closures. Michaels will soon begin selling Brother and Singer sewing machines, broadening its inventory of sewing products. The yarn department is also expanding: a 25% increase in selection is planned, with 60 new Loops & Threads yarns already arriving in stores and online. Additional yarns from Bernat, Lion Brand, and Red Heart will be available this summer. Products from Joann’s Big Twist line are also set to launch later this year, as Michaels ramps up fabric offerings for quilting, apparel, and home décor.

>>Economic Reports On The Horizon

(Undated)  --  Coming up in the business week ahead, things get started today with data on wholesale inventories.  Tuesday brings the National Federation of Independent Business, or NFIB, optimism index.  Things heat up the following day with the release of the consumer price index, which is the most widely followed inflation gauge.  The producer price index and weekly jobless claims are due Thursday, and the week wraps up on a Friday the 13th with word on consumer sentiment.  

>>Musk's Net Worth Takes Big Hit  

(Undated)  --  Billionaire Elon Musk's saw part of his net worth evaporate last week as his feud with President Trump played out.  According to Bloomberg, the Tesla CEO's net worth fell to 334-billion-dollars as of late Thursday.  On Friday Forbes reported it rebounded to nearly 400-billion thanks to a slight recovery in Tesla's stock.   It's the second-largest loss that Bloomberg's Billionaire Index has ever seen.  Musk's net worth comes from his stake in Tesla where he is the largest individual shareholder.  But he also has major holdings in SpaceX, NeuraLink and The Boring Company. 

>>Trump Touts Trade Meeting With China

(Washington, DC)  --  China and the U.S. are meeting in the hopes of striking a trade deal.  President Trump confirmed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, will be meeting today in London with their Chinese counterparts.  

>>Report: Trump To Extend TikTok Sale Deadline Again

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is reportedly planning to extend the deadline for a TikTok sale again.  That's according to the Wall Street Journal which cited people familiar with the latest plan.  This would be the third extension granted by Trump since he retook office in January.  TikTok's Chinese owner must sell the popular video sharing app or it will face a ban in the U.S.  The current deadline is June 19th.

>>Apple WWDC 2025 Starts Today

(Cupertino, CA)  --  Apple's 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off today.  The event is being held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California and runs through the 13th.  You can check out the live stream on YouTube, Apple's website and the Apple App.  
 

For: June 6, 2025

>>Trading Week Winding Down

(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed lower on Wall Street Thursday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 108 to 42-319. The S^P 500 dropped by 31 points to 59-59. The Nasdaq lost 162 points to 19-298.

>>Tesla Stock Plummets Following Trump, Musk War Of Words

(Austin, TX) -- Tesla stock is down almost 15-percent following a war of words between CEO Elon Musk and President Trump on Thursday. Trump and Musk traded escalating insults Thursday afternoon, with the president threatening to "terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts." Musk has been critical of Trump's "big beautiful bill" since ending his time at DOGE, and yesterday, Trump said he asked Musk "to leave" his administration. The spat across social media has seen the EV maker drop over 150-billion dollars in value, the biggest hit to its market cap ever, while shares fell 14-percent.

>>Jobs Report Due Today

(Undated) -- The always closely-watched monthly jobs report is due out this morning. It's expected to show 125-thousand new jobs created last month, versus 177-thousand the month prior. The unemployment rate is seen holding steady at four-point-two percent.

>>Average 401(k) Balances Fell In First Quarter

(Undated) -- Economic uncertainty is taking a toll on retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, which is the largest provider of 401(k) plans in the U.S., average balances fell three-percent while the average individual retirement account balance fell four-percent. The findings come even as savings rates hit a record high in the quarter at a combined 14-point-three-percent. The analysis was reported on the heels of news that U.S. gross domestic product shrank zero-point-three-percent during the first quarter of this year.

>>Procter & Gamble To Cut 6% Of Workforce

(Cincinnati, OH) -- Procter & Gamble is set to cut six-percent of its workforce. The maker of Pampers diapers and Tide detergent will get rid of seven-thousand jobs over the next two years as it restructures. Executives at a conference in Paris on Thursday said this approach is not new and is meant to accelerate the company's current strategy. In April, Procter & Gamble said it would raise the price of some of its products and it was set to make every move it could to offset the impact of tariffs. 

For: June 5, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell  

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed mixed on Wall Street Wednesday.  That came after an ADP payrolls report showed private sector hiring hit its lowest level in over two years.  At yesterday's closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 91 points to 42-427.  The S&P 500 gained less than a point to 59-70.  The Nasdaq rose by 61 points to 19-460.  Traders will have further data to comb through today with the release of weekly jobless claims and then it will be on to Friday's always closely-watched jobs report.  That's expected to show 125-thousand new jobs created last month, versus 177-thousand the month prior.  

>>Elon Musk Calls For New Spending Bill

(Washington, DC)  --  Elon Musk is calling for President Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill" to be killed.  In a post on X, Musk said, "A new spending bill should be drafted that doesn't massively grow the deficit and increase the debt ceiling by five-trillion dollars."  In a later post, the tech billionaire urged Americans to call their senators and congressmen, saying "Bankrupting America is not OK!  Kill the bill!"  Musk has been highly critical of the spending bill in the days since ending his work with DOGE for the White House.  On Tuesday, he called it a "disgusting abomination."

>>Feds Cutting Back On Inflation Data Collection

(Washington, DC)  --  The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scaling back the data it collects on consumer prices, the basis for measuring inflation.  Every month, federal workers visit stores across the country to check the prices of things like eggs, haircuts and countless other goods and services.  The bureau said Wednesday it was scaling back in some areas and had stopped collecting data entirely in Buffalo, New York; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah.  It said it makes cuts when the resources are no longer there to support data collection, while also saying the cutbacks would have a minimal impact on inflation estimates.

>>Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

(Undated)  --  The Nintendo Switch Two is out, hitting shelves today - at least in theory.  All major retailers are sold out through pre-orders, but some are expecting to be restocked at some point for today's launch day.  The console is priced at 449-dollars or 499-dollars bundled with Mario Kart World.

>>Ford Issues Pair Of Recalls

(Dearborn, MI)  --  Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 550-thousand vehicles.  According to the NHTSA, the recall was issued due to airbag and structural concerns that could increase the risk of crashes and injuries.  The recall affects 2025 Ford Maverick models as well as 2016 to 2017 Ford Explorers.  Owners can contact Ford customer service if their vehicle is impacted.

>>Forbes' Lists Most Successful Self-Made Women

(Undated)  --  Forbes is out with its annual list of the country's most successful self-made women.  There's 38 billionaires on the list of 100 entrepreneurs, executives and entertainers, that's seven more than last year.  At the top of the list for the eighth year in a row is the richest, Diane Hendricks, owner of building materials company ABC Supply.  Three new billionaires are on the list, majority owner of the National Women's Soccer League's Washington Spirit, Michele Kang, co-owner of the league's San Diego Wave Lauren Leichtman, and investor Maky Zanganeh [[ mack-ee zang-ah-neh ]] who runs Summit Therapeutics.  Musician and actress Selena Gomez is also on the list this year with an estimated net worth of 700-million dollars.  Most of that comes from her stake in Rare Beauty, a cosmetics company worth more than one-point-three billion dollars.

>>Hooters Shuts Several Locations 

(Atlanta, GA)  --  Hooters on Wednesday closed more than 30 restaurants across several states.  The company, which has been closing locations since last year, said the move was a difficult decision.  The company didn't provide a complete list of closures, but some of the affected locations are in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, the Carolinas and Texas.

>>Americans Say Tipping Culture Is 'Out Of Control'

(Undated)  --  More Americans say tipping culture is 'out of control.'  According to a new Bankrate survey, 41-percent of respondents said tipping culture has gotten out of control, while that share rose to 45-percent amongst Gen Xers and baby boomers.  While Bankrate found older generations are more likely to hold negative attitudes about tipping, they're also more likely to tip.  The survey also found pre-entered tip screens have become a particular pain point for consumers, with nearly two in five respondents saying they find them annoying. 

For: June 4, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed higher on Wall Street Tuesday.  Tech stocks helped lead the advance.  Nvidia shares rose three percent to extend Monday's gain and surpass Microsoft in market cap for the first time since January.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 214 points to 42-519.  The S&P 500 added 34 points to 59-70.  The Nasdaq gained 156 points to 19-398.

>>Trump's New Steel Tariffs Are Now In Effect

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump's high tariffs on imported steel and aluminum are now in effect.  The 25-percent tariffs doubled up to 50 percent just after midnight Eastern time.  The White House says the increase is in response to "trade practices that undermine national security."  Trump announced the new tariffs last week during a rally at a Pittsburgh steel mill, saying they "will even further secure the steel industry in the United States."  He also used the rally to announce a proposed partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel of Japan.  

>>Toyota Shares Tank After Buyout Plan Announced

(Toyota, Japan)  --  Toyota shares are plummeting after it reported a deal to take the company private.  Stock in Toyota Industries fell 13 percent after the 33-billion-dollar deal was announced.  The deal includes a tender offer of 26-billion dollars for Toyota shares.  Toyota Industries produces a wide range of products besides the popular vehicles, including forklifts, engines and electronic components.

>>Meta Inks Nuclear Power Agreement

(Menlo, Park, CA)  --  Meta has signed a 20-year agreement to use nuclear power for its technology and AI projects with Constellation Energy.  The partnership aims to boost energy production at the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, which nearly closed in 2017 due to financial issues.  The agreement will increase the plant's output by 30 megawatts starting in June 2027, supporting just over one-thousand local jobs and generating about 13 and a-half million dollars in yearly tax revenue.    

>>Job Openings Rose In April

(Washington, DC)  --  The number of job openings rose more than expected in April.  The Labor Department says seven-point-four million jobs were available last month which is up from seven-point-two million in March.  Hiring also increased in April while layoffs fell by nearly 200-thousand.  Arts, entertainment and recreation led the way with new job openings, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report.  

>>Dollar General Beats Quarterly Expectations For Revenue

(Goodlettsville, TN)  --  Dollar General is raising its full-year forecast after beating first-quarter expectations for earnings and revenue. As a result, shares of Dollar General jumped more than ten-percent on Tuesday and the company said it now anticipates net sales will grow about three-point-seven to four-point-seven-percent. Dollar General has attracted more middle- and upper-income customers seeking value. The company's CEO said it is working to reduce its exposure to China and minimize price increases for customers. 

For: June 3, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after Wall Street closed higher Monday to start the new month.  Stocks edged higher as investors largely shook off increasing global trade tensions.  Major steel stocks rallied after President Trump said he would double steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 percent.  Cleveland Cliffs surged more than 20 percent while Steel Dynamics and Nucor rose about 10 percent.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 35 points to 42-305.  The S&P 500 rose 24 points to 59-35.  The Nasdaq climbed 128 points to 19-242.

>>Tax Refunds Coming In June

(Washington, DC)  --  Some taxpayers can expect to receive refunds this month.  While many have already received their 2024 tax returns, most who filed their taxes in May are receiving their refunds in June.  According to the IRS, refunds for taxpayers who filed online and opted for direct deposit should generally arrive within three weeks, but the process could take longer if a check in the mail was requested.  Taxpayers can track their refund status on the IRS's 'Where's My Refund?' tool and via the I-R-S-2-GO app. 

>>Disney Lays Off Hundreds

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Disney is laying off hundreds of employees.  That's according to Deadline, which reported most of the layoffs are across divisions of Disney Entertainment with corporate financial operations also being impacted.  This is the fourth round of layoffs by the media giant in the past ten months.

>>Powell Speaks At International Finance Conference

(Washington, DC)  --  Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says it's vital that the Central Bank understands the financial practices of other nations.  Speaking Monday at the International Finance Division's 75th anniversary conference, Powell said seeing data from around the world, helps the Fed navigate inflation and employment.  Likewise, Powell said the world looks at the Federal Reserve when there's a crisis to see how it responds.  It comes as the Fed has held interest rates steady, despite calls from President Trump to lower them.

>>Bill Gates To Spend Fortune In Africa

(Addis Ababa)  --  Bill Gates says he plans to spend the majority of his fortune on improving health and education across Africa.  Speaking in Ethiopia at the headquarters of the African Union Monday, the Microsoft co-founder said he plans to put 200-billion-dollars from the Gates Foundation towards addressing challenges across the continent.  He said the money will be spent over the next 20 years before his foundation is shut down in 2045.

>>Hundreds Of CVS Store Closures

(Woonsocket, RI)  --  Hundreds of CVS pharmacies are closing this year. The national drug store chain confirmed the closure of 270 stores as part of an ongoing effort to "realign" the company's retail footprint. News of the closures were first announced in October of 2024. The company also said it planned to open nearly 30 CVS Pharmacy locations this year and it previously shared plans to open "smaller format" stores in select communities. 

>>Auto Repair Chain Shutting Down Stores 

(Fairport, NY)  --  An auto-service giant with locations spanning the U.S. is closing over 100 locations. According to the company, Monro has more than one-thousand-250 auto repair shops and tire dealers across 32 states, and now 145 of those locations will be shutting its doors. Monro's president said the move comes after leadership identified key areas of potential improvement which are customer experience and selling effectiveness, customer acquisition and activation, and increasing merchandising productivity. The company did not identify which locations are slated for closure.