Market Spy

Bluesky Leadership Shift as Jay Graber Moves to Innovation Role and Toni Schneider Steps In

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Economy

Kuwait Reduces Oil Output As Strait Of Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy Supply

Trade & Tariffs

US Set to Launch 15 Percent Global Tariff as Administration Signals Broader Trade Reset

Investing

Mick Mulvaney Pushes for State Oversight of Prediction Markets After Surge in Iran War Bets

Personal Finance

High-Income Americans Hit the Social Security Tax Ceiling Within Weeks in 2026

With the payroll tax cap set at $184,500, many million-dollar earners have already stopped contributing to Social Security this year, reigniting debate over whether the income limit should be lifted.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Middle East Airspace Shutdown Leaves Travelers Exposed as Insurance Gaps Emerge

Experts warn many standard travel policies exclude war-related disruptions despite widespread flight cancellations

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Federal Judge Keeps SAVE Student Loan Plan Alive — But Borrowers Still Face Uncertainty

Court dismisses key lawsuit, yet looming 2028 phaseout and political opposition cloud the program’s future

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Economy

Fed Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh Seeks Breakthrough as Key Senator Holds Up Confirmation

Meeting with Senator Thom Tillis could determine whether the Federal Reserve leadership transition moves forward amid political tensions and an ongoing Justice Department investigation.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Oil Prices Retreat as Markets Weigh Trump’s Iran War Remarks and Strait of Hormuz Risks

Crude markets swing sharply as geopolitical tensions, supply threats, and potential emergency reserve releases reshape global energy expectations.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

South Korea Introduces Fuel Price Cap as Global Oil Surge Hits Economy

Seoul moves to control soaring gasoline costs and stabilize financial markets as Middle East tensions send crude prices to their biggest spike in decades.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Investing

Mick Mulvaney Pushes for State Oversight of Prediction Markets After Surge in Iran War Bets

Former White House chief of staff argues event contracts resemble gambling and warns of potential national security risks

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Gold Surges as Middle East Conflict Shakes Markets

Here’s what investors should understand about risks, forecasts and portfolio strategy before buying in

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Thrive Capital Injects $1 Billion Into OpenAI as Valuation Climbs to $285 Billion

Longtime backer deepens commitment ahead of massive funding round that could push the AI leader toward an $800 billion valuation

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Lastest articles

Oracle’s Debt-Fueled Data Center Push Faces AI Chip Obsolescence

As AI hardware evolves faster than facilities can be built, Oracle’s ambitious data center expansion risks becoming outdated, raising concerns for investors and the broader AI infrastructure market.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Pentagon Cuts Ties With AI Startup Anthropic After Security Review

The Defense Department’s decision to blacklist a key artificial intelligence partner has shocked Washington, raising concerns about military readiness, government tech strategy, and the future of AI in national security.

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

High-Income Americans Hit the Social Security Tax Ceiling Within Weeks in 2026

With the payroll tax cap set at $184,500, many million-dollar earners have already stopped contributing to Social Security this year, reigniting debate over whether the income limit should be lifted.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Fed Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh Seeks Breakthrough as Key Senator Holds Up Confirmation

Meeting with Senator Thom Tillis could determine whether the Federal Reserve leadership transition moves forward amid political tensions and an ongoing Justice Department investigation.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Oil Prices Retreat as Markets Weigh Trump’s Iran War Remarks and Strait of Hormuz Risks

Crude markets swing sharply as geopolitical tensions, supply threats, and potential emergency reserve releases reshape global energy expectations.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

South Korea Introduces Fuel Price Cap as Global Oil Surge Hits Economy

Seoul moves to control soaring gasoline costs and stabilize financial markets as Middle East tensions send crude prices to their biggest spike in decades.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

U.S. Democrats Urge White House to Cancel Russian Oil Waiver to India

Lawmakers argue that allowing sanctioned Russian crude sales during the Iran conflict undermines sanctions policy while global oil prices surge amid disruptions in the Persian Gulf.

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Middle East Conflict Forces Bank of England to Delay Expected Interest Rate Cut

Surging oil and gas prices following the Iran war are complicating the U.K.’s inflation outlook, pushing policymakers to reconsider the timing of monetary easing.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Bluesky Leadership Shift as Jay Graber Moves to Innovation Role and Toni Schneider Steps In

The fast-growing decentralized social platform enters a new phase of expansion as its founding CEO transitions to product innovation while a veteran tech executive takes over daily operations.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

xAI’s Massive Mississippi Power Plant Plan Faces Scrutiny Ahead of Key Regulatory Vote

Elon Musk’s AI company seeks approval for a large natural gas power facility to support data centers, while community groups and environmental advocates challenge the timing and transparency of the approval process.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

China’s Export Boom Drives Record Trade Surplus in Early 2026

Stronger-than-expected exports and imports signal resilient global demand for Chinese goods despite ongoing trade tensions and cautious economic policy signals from Beijing.

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

ICON — The Startup 3D-Printing the Future of Affordable Housing

How a U.S. construction tech startup is using 3D printing to tackle the housing crisis

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Vast Secures $500 Million to Compete for NASA’s Next Space Station Contract

The 2023-founded startup closes a major funding round as it prepares to launch its first commercial space station and position itself for a pivotal NASA contract.

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

The Rise of Wellness Membership Clubs and Third Spaces

From saunas to social lounges, wellness-focused third spaces are reshaping how people connect, socialize, and invest in their health, creating a booming industry across the U.S. and beyond.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Weak U.S. Jobs Data Puts Federal Reserve Rate Decisions Under Pressure

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly says a surprising drop in employment combined with persistent inflation is making the central bank’s next interest rate move increasingly difficult.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Canadians Double Down on ‘Elbows Up’ a Year After Trump’s Sovereignty Rhetoric

Trade tensions, tariffs, and political rhetoric reshape Canadian consumer habits, travel patterns, and economic ties with the United States.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

OpenAI Hardware Chief Steps Down Following Controversial Pentagon AI Partnership

Senior technology leader resigns amid concerns about the pace and governance of OpenAI’s defense agreement to deploy artificial intelligence tools on classified U.S. military networks.

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Kuwait Reduces Oil Output As Strait Of Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy Supply

Shipping threats in the Persian Gulf force one of OPEC’s key producers to scale back production while energy markets react to growing supply disruptions across the Middle East.

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

China Urges Careful Planning As Trump Xi Summit Faces Uncertainty

Beijing calls for stable conditions and risk management before a potential leaders’ meeting while tensions over Iran and trade disputes continue to complicate U.S. China relations.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Global Oil Prices Soar Past $110 As Middle East Conflict Disrupts Supply

Shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz force major Gulf producers to cut output while U.S. officials say higher energy prices are a temporary cost of confronting Iran.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Airport Security Chaos Grows As TSA Staffing Shortages Trigger Massive Travel Delays

Government shutdown leaves thousands of security officers working without pay, forcing airports across the U.S. to warn passengers of wait times stretching beyond three hours.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

China Inflation Climbs To Multi Year Peak As Consumer Spending Rebounds

Holiday driven demand lifts consumer prices while factory deflation eases, signaling early signs of stabilization in the world’s second largest economy.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Oil Surges Above $110 As Middle East Conflict Escalates And U.S. Pulls Diplomats From Saudi Arabia

Rising military tensions involving Iran, Israel and regional allies disrupt global oil routes, trigger market volatility and deepen fears of a prolonged energy supply shock.

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

NotCo — The Startup Using AI to Reinvent Plant-Based Foods

How a Chilean foodtech startup is using artificial intelligence to create sustainable, delicious alternatives

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

Victoria’s Secret Hits Four-Year Sales Growth High as Pink Brand Reignites Shopper Interest

CEO Hillary Super’s turnaround strategy drives strong holiday-quarter results and upbeat guidance, signaling renewed momentum across bras, lingerie, and beauty lines.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

BYD’s Early 2026 Sales Slide Signals Intensifying Competition in China’s Electric Vehicle Market

Despite remaining the world’s largest EV maker, BYD’s market dominance is shrinking as Chinese rivals rapidly expand and new tax policies cool domestic demand.

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Middle East Conflict Disrupts Global Travel as War Shockwaves Hit Tourism Industry

Mass flight cancellations, airspace closures, and rising travel costs are shaking a $11.7 trillion global tourism sector and leaving millions of passengers stranded worldwide.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Severe Winter Storms Disrupt Gap’s Holiday Quarter as Hundreds of Stores Temporarily Shut Down

Nearly 800 store closures during peak winter storms hurt Old Navy’s momentum and pressured quarterly profits, even as Gap’s broader turnaround strategy continues to gain traction.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Amazon Shopping Outage Disrupts Thousands After Faulty Code Update

A software deployment error briefly shut down key shopping features, affecting checkout, account access, and product pages for tens of thousands of users before services were restored later in the evening.

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Morgan Stanley Tech Chief Says Software Industry Is Now in an AI “Battle Phase”

At a major technology conference, investors pressed CEOs to prove whether artificial intelligence will strengthen their businesses or threaten their survival.

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Anthropic CEO Vows Legal Fight After U.S. Government Labels AI Startup a Supply Chain Risk

Dario Amodei says the designation is unprecedented for an American AI company and threatens to restrict defense contractors from using Anthropic’s Claude models in Pentagon-related work.

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Microsoft Continues Offering Anthropic AI Tools Despite Pentagon Risk Designation

Tech giant says Anthropic’s Claude models will remain available across Microsoft platforms for commercial customers while defense-related use faces restrictions.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

China Sets Its Most Modest Economic Growth Target in Decades

Beijing lowers its GDP expectations to 4.5%–5% as global instability, trade tensions, and domestic economic weaknesses reshape policy priorities.

Contributor:

Junia Wells

U.S. Grants India Temporary Clearance to Buy Russian Oil Amid Global Supply Shock

Thirty-day waiver aims to stabilize crude markets as Middle East conflict disrupts Gulf exports and pushes oil prices sharply higher.

Contributor:

David Goldfarb

UAE Weighs Freezing Iranian Assets Worth Billions as Regional Tensions Intensify

Dubai’s financial system could become a key pressure point on Tehran as Emirati officials review sanctions enforcement and potential asset restrictions amid escalating Middle East conflict.

Contributor:

Calder Monroe

Tradeshift — The Startup Transforming Global Supply Chains

How a Danish fintech startup is modernizing B2B payments and digital commerce

Contributor:

Junia Wells

Lawmakers Push to Cut Capital Gains Taxes on Home Sales to Ease Housing Shortage

Proposals aim to incentivize home sales, but experts question impact on affordability

Contributor:

Leah Rosenfeld

Tech Industry Pushes Back on Pentagon’s Supply Chain Risk Label

Industry groups warn labeling U.S. AI companies as national security risks could set a dangerous precedent

Contributor:

Rachel Steinberg

Lawsuit Claims Google AI Chatbot Encouraged Violent Plot and User’s Death

Family alleges Google’s Gemini system manipulated a vulnerable user with missions and dangerous instructions, intensifying scrutiny of AI safety safeguards