Market News

Mizuho Adds Walmart to August Top Picks List

Mizuho has expanded its roster of preferred stocks for August to include major retailer Walmart alongside other significant holdings. The announcement reflects the bank's assessment of attractive investment opportunities in the current market environment.

MySpace Targets Comeback as Social Media Fatigue Antidote

MySpace is attempting a relaunch positioned as an alternative to algorithm-driven social platforms, capitalizing on nostalgia for earlier internet culture. Industry observers suggest the effort faces significant challenges in recapturing market relevance amid established competitors.

Verizon Restores Mobile Service After Widespread U.S. Outage

Verizon's mobile service was restored following an outage that affected thousands of customers across the United States, though the carrier did not disclose the underlying cause. The company advised affected customers to restart their devices to restore full connectivity.

Iran's chief negotiator slams Trump 'theater diplomacy' as Hormuz traffic stalls

Iran's chief negotiator has accused Trump of engaging in 'theater diplomacy,' while the conflict is broadening across the region with Gulf energy infrastructure and key shipping chokepoints facing renewed threat. The standstill in Hormuz traffic signals escalating tensions that could impact global oil markets and maritime trade.

Oil Rises Amid Supply Disruption Fears From Iran's Strait of Hormuz Plan

Oil prices climbed following reports of Iran's restrictive draft plan concerning the Strait of Hormuz, reigniting concerns about potential global energy supply disruptions. The announcement underscored geopolitical tensions in a critical shipping chokepoint through which a significant portion of world oil transits.

Meta Ordered to Pay $567M into Abatement Fund in New Mexico Child Harms Case

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into an abatement fund after a jury found the company violated the state's unfair practices act in connection with child harms. The ruling represents a significant legal liability for the social media giant and reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of technology platforms' impact on minors.

U.S.-Japan Intervention May Reshape Global Currency Markets

An unprecedented coordinated intervention between the United States and Japan to support the yen signals a potential shift in how central banks approach currency management. The action may have lasting implications for foreign exchange trading behavior and currency market dynamics globally.

South Korea Sees Surge in Infant Investment Accounts

South Korean parents are opening investment accounts for their babies, creating a wave of infant shareholders in the country. This trend reflects broader parental strategies to build long-term wealth and financial security for their children from birth.

S&P 500 Futures Flat Ahead of July Jobs Report

S&P 500 futures showed little movement as traders positioned ahead of the closely watched July employment data release. The market was digesting losses from the previous trading session while awaiting the jobs report, a key economic indicator that typically influences equity valuations and Federal Reserve policy expectations.

Cramer Identifies Five Key Investing Themes for Market Opportunities

CNBC's Jim Cramer highlighted five investing themes that emerged from the recent earnings season, which he believes represent the market's best buying opportunities. The themes were reinforced by corporate earnings reports and suggest potential areas for investor focus.

GAO: Musk's DOGE Inflated $110B Federal Savings Claims

A nonpartisan government watchdog found that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) significantly overstated its federal spending reductions and fell substantially short of its $2 trillion savings target. The findings raise questions about the initiative's actual impact on federal expenditures and efficiency gains.

Michigan Eases Lettuce Advice as Cyclosporiasis Cases Decline

Michigan's health department has relaxed guidance on lettuce consumption as cyclosporiasis outbreak cases decline, though the state reported its first two associated deaths this week in individuals with significant underlying health conditions. The easing of restrictions signals that the state believes it has passed the peak of the foodborne illness outbreak.

Major Stocks Post Significant Moves in After-Hours Trading

Several major stocks including Sweetgreen, Airbnb, DraftKings, and Trade Desk experienced notable price movements during extended trading sessions. The after-hours activity reflects investor reactions to company-specific developments and broader market sentiment shifts.

Airbnb Stock Surges 9% on Earnings Beat and Upbeat Q3 Outlook

Airbnb shares jumped 9% following the company's earnings report that exceeded expectations, with management citing strong demand across all regions to support an optimistic third-quarter forecast. The positive guidance reflects confidence in sustained travel demand globally despite macroeconomic uncertainties.

Virginia Governor Intervenes in NextEra-Dominion Merger Over Power Prices

Virginia's governor is taking action regarding the proposed merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, citing concerns about electricity prices. The state's regulatory body will review the deal and determine whether to approve, reject, or conditionally accept the combination.

Sweetgreen Cuts Full-Year Outlook Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Concerns

Sweetgreen has reduced its full-year financial guidance as cyclospora outbreak fears impact consumer spending at the salad chain, despite the company not being directly implicated in the outbreak. The pullback reflects how food safety concerns can dampen sales even for unaffected establishments in the fresh food sector.

American Airlines Ends Elite Upgrade Privileges on Long Domestic Routes

American Airlines announced it will discontinue complimentary upgrades from economy to business class for elite frequent flyers on select long-haul domestic flights. The move represents a significant reduction in loyalty program benefits as airlines seek to maximize revenue from premium cabin seats.

Grindr's AI Investment Yields Results as Premium Tier Launches

Grindr reports that artificial intelligence investments are enhancing engineering productivity and supporting a new premium subscription tier priced at $350 per month, according to the company's leadership. The platform indicates that AI deployment has contributed to improved subscriber growth and retention metrics.

Savers Value Village Deploys AI Tool for Consistent Thrift Store Pricing

Savers Value Village has launched a new artificial intelligence tool designed to maintain consistent and competitive pricing across its thrift store inventory, according to an exclusive announcement to CNBC. The deployment reflects the retail sector's broader adoption of AI technologies to optimize pricing strategies and operational efficiency.

AMD Acquires AI Chip Startup Taalas to Embed Models in Silicon

Advanced Micro Devices has acquired Taalas, a chip startup specializing in hardwiring artificial intelligence models directly into silicon architecture. The move positions AMD to compete in the growing market for specialized AI processors capable of running large language models efficiently at the hardware level.