Market Spy

Tax Refunds Climb Early in Filing Season as Average Payout Jumps

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Economy

U.S. Signals Possible Exit From Global Energy Watchdog Amid Net Zero Dispute

Corporate & Industry Trends

Microsoft’s Brad Smith Warns U.S. Tech Firms to Monitor Chinese Government Subsidies

Corporate & Industry Trends

OpenClaw Founder Joins OpenAI as Company Doubles Down on AI Agents

Personal Finance

Tax Refunds Climb Early in Filing Season as Average Payout Jumps

Preliminary IRS data shows larger refunds and billions returned, though experts caution trends may shift as more returns are processed

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Sri Lanka Introduces Digital Nomad Visa Offering Remote Workers a Tropical Work-from-Home Option

New program allows foreign professionals to live, work, and explore Sri Lanka with annual renewable permits

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Intel Pledges to Match Federal $1,000 ‘Trump Accounts’ Deposits for Employees’ Children

Chipmaker deepens partnership with U.S. government as it mirrors new child investment benefit and expands wealth-building access for families

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Economy

U.S. Auto Industry Awaits Tax Refund Surge to Drive Spring Sales

Higher refunds under new tax law could boost vehicle purchases, but economic uncertainty keeps dealers cautious

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Amazon Overtakes Walmart as World’s Top Revenue Giant in Historic Retail Shift

Cloud computing, advertising, and AI investments propel the tech titan past its longtime brick-and-mortar rival

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

U.S. Signals Possible Exit From Global Energy Watchdog Amid Net Zero Dispute

Washington warns it could withdraw from the International Energy Agency if policy direction does not shift, raising stakes for global energy governance

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Investing

Private Credit Warning Signs Emerge After Blue Owl Tightens Fund Withdrawals

Liquidity limits and asset sales reignite debate over whether a decade-long lending boom is nearing a turning point

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Safe-Haven Currencies Lose Their Shine as Market Volatility Reshapes Investor Playbook

After a turbulent year for global markets, the dollar and yen face credibility questions while the Swiss franc’s strength brings its own economic challenges

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Axiom Space Secures $350 Million in New Funding Round Led by Qatar Fund and 1789 Capital

Houston-based space company accelerates commercial space station modules and NASA spacesuit production amid renewed investor interest in the space sector

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Lastest articles

Bath & Body Works Expands Beyond Stores With Official Amazon Debut

The beauty retailer taps Amazon’s vast fulfillment network to reach new customers while maintaining control over pricing and brand experience

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Hasbro Pulls Ahead of Mattel With a Powerful Growth Engine

While toy sales stabilize, a high-margin gaming ecosystem is reshaping the competitive balance between the industry’s biggest rivals

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

New Chief Takes Helm of World’s Biggest Energy Financing Office

Leadership shift signals a major pivot in U.S. energy lending priorities toward reliability, nuclear expansion, and critical minerals

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Global Tariffs Raised to 15% as Trump Escalates Trade Strategy

Policy shift follows Supreme Court setback and signals a more aggressive phase in U.S. trade negotiations

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Powerful East Coast Blizzard Grounds Flights and Strains U.S. Airline Networks

Widespread cancellations, airport shutdowns, and heavy snowfall disrupt travel from Virginia to New England as carriers activate emergency operations

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

American Girl at 40 Faces a Reinvention Moment as Mattel Reimagines a Legacy Brand

Sales stabilization, shifting play habits, and a growing “kidult” market are reshaping the strategy behind one of the toy industry’s most iconic franchises

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Inside India’s AI Mega-Summit: Logistical Turbulence Meets a $200 Billion Tech Vision

Despite organizational hiccups, global tech leaders doubled down on India’s talent, scale, and long-term artificial intelligence opportunity

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Trump Pressures Netflix Over Susan Rice as Regulators Scrutinize Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

Political tensions escalate while antitrust officials examine the competitive impact of a proposed multibillion-dollar media merger

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

China’s Humanoid Robots Make a Leap From Clumsy Demos to Precision Performers

A year of rapid breakthroughs, stronger supply chains, and falling costs is reshaping the global robotics race

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Asia Stocks Rally as South Korea Sets New Peak Despite Escalating U.S. Tariff Signals

Markets advance across the region while investors digest a potential jump in global tariffs to 15% and a major court ruling reshaping Washington’s trade toolkit

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

U.S. Auto Industry Awaits Tax Refund Surge to Drive Spring Sales

Higher refunds under new tax law could boost vehicle purchases, but economic uncertainty keeps dealers cautious

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Lazada — The Startup Powering E-Commerce in Southeast Asia

How two entrepreneurs built a regional online shopping giant connecting millions of consumers and merchants

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

RingCentral and Five9 Surge on Strong Earnings, AI Integration Eases Investor Fears

Customer service software leaders see AI driving growth as sector selloff slows

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Retailers Welcome Tariff Rollback but Warn the Policy Battle Isn’t Over

Industry groups call the court decision a boost for supply chains and margins, while executives say lingering trade risks could still reshape costs

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

E-Commerce Stocks Surge After Supreme Court Limits Trump Tariff Powers

Landmark ruling eases cost pressures on online retailers and sparks broad rally across digital marketplaces

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Judge Upholds $243M Verdict Against Tesla in Fatal Autopilot Crash Case

Court says trial evidence strongly supports jury’s decision, keeping compensation intact for victim’s family and survivor

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Tax Refunds Climb Early in Filing Season as Average Payout Jumps

Preliminary IRS data shows larger refunds and billions returned, though experts caution trends may shift as more returns are processed

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Supreme Court Tariff Ruling Reshapes Apple’s Cost Outlook and Supply Chain Strategy

Decision could ease billions in import expenses while leaving open questions about refunds, future levies, and production shifts

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Phil Spencer Steps Down After Nearly Four Decades as Microsoft Hands Xbox Leadership to Asha Sharma

Leadership transition signals a strategic pivot toward AI driven innovation as the gaming division navigates slowing revenue and intensifying competition

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

National PTA Ends Funding Partnership With Meta as Legal Pressure Mounts

Breakup reflects growing scrutiny of social media’s impact on youth and reshapes a years-long collaboration on digital safety education

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Global Allies Welcome U.S. Tariff Decision but Trade Outlook Remains Uncertain

Supreme Court ruling offers relief to exporters worldwide, yet legal complexity and policy alternatives keep businesses on alert

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Blue Owl Loan Sale Sparks Fresh Anxiety Across Private Credit Markets

Near-par asset disposal and redemption overhaul raise questions about liquidity risks in software-focused lending

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

OpenAI Scales Back Long Term Compute Spending Target to $600 Billion by 2030

Revised projections aim to align infrastructure investment with a sharper revenue path and rising global demand for AI services

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Tanium — The Startup Securing Enterprise Systems at Scale

How Orion and David Hindawi built a cybersecurity platform trusted by Fortune 500 companies

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

New York Governor Halts Commercial Robotaxi Expansion Outside NYC, Challenging Waymo’s Growth Plans

Labor opposition and safety concerns stall autonomous ride-hailing pilots in upstate New York

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Amazon Overtakes Walmart as World’s Top Revenue Giant in Historic Retail Shift

Cloud computing, advertising, and AI investments propel the tech titan past its longtime brick-and-mortar rival

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Hollywood Showdown: James Cameron Warns of “Irreversible Damage” in Netflix–WBD Tie-Up

Filmmaking icon urges U.S. lawmakers to scrutinize the proposed mega-deal, citing risks to jobs, theaters, and creative competition

Contributor:

Junia Wells

U.S. Signals Possible Exit From Global Energy Watchdog Amid Net Zero Dispute

Washington warns it could withdraw from the International Energy Agency if policy direction does not shift, raising stakes for global energy governance

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

U.S. Trade Gap Holds Near $900 Billion in 2025 Despite Sweeping Tariff Campaign

Imports and exports both climbed as policy shifts reshaped supply chains but failed to significantly narrow the nation’s long-standing imbalance

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Vietnam Airlines and Peers Seal Major Boeing Orders During High-Level U.S. Visit

Nearly 100 aircraft commitments underscore Vietnam’s aviation growth ambitions and deepen commercial ties with the United States

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Japan Inflation Slips Under Central Bank Target as Price Pressures Continue to Ease

Cooling food and energy costs end a nearly four-year streak above the 2% threshold, while policymakers weigh the next steps for interest rates

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Nvidia Weighs Massive OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies

Potential multibillion-dollar stake could reshape the competitive landscape while signaling sustained demand for advanced AI infrastructure

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Sumitomo Pharma Stock Slides After Rally Even as Japan Backs Breakthrough Cell Therapy

Profit-taking hits shares following a massive run-up, while investors weigh the long timeline to commercialization of regenerative treatments

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Private Credit Warning Signs Emerge After Blue Owl Tightens Fund Withdrawals

Liquidity limits and asset sales reignite debate over whether a decade-long lending boom is nearing a turning point

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Silicon Valley Trade Secrets Case Expands as Three Engineers Face Federal Charges

Prosecutors say sensitive chip design and security data were allegedly transferred overseas, raising fresh concerns about insider risk in the semiconductor sector

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Rapyd — The Startup Powering Global Fintech-as-a-Service

How a UK-based fintech startup is simplifying payments worldwide

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Microsoft’s Brad Smith Warns U.S. Tech Firms to Monitor Chinese Government Subsidies

U.S. technology leaders face growing pressure as Beijing-backed AI initiatives gain traction globally, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in emerging markets.

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Saudi AI Firm Humain Commits $3 Billion to xAI Funding Round

Strategic investment deepens Saudi Arabia’s push into global artificial intelligence infrastructure and strengthens ties with Elon Musk’s expanding tech ecosystem.