Government shutdown looms, EA buyout, tariffs hit movies

US stocks rally as President Trump strikes a conciliatory tone toward China after threatening new tariffs last week. Futures and European markets surged after Trump said “all will be fine” between Washington and Beijing, reassuring investors following a $2 trillion market sell-off on Friday. Chip and rare-earth stocks led gains as traders bet on a trade deescalation. Broadcom (AVGO) jumped after announcing a multiyear AI chip partnership with OpenAI, adding 10 gigawatts of computing capacity beginning in 2026. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) launched a $10B initiative to invest in critical US industries like energy, aerospace, and defense, ahead of Tuesday’s big-bank earnings kickoff that also includes Citigroup (C), Wells Fargo (WFC), and Goldman Sachs (GS). Rare-earth miner MP Materials (MP) and fuel-cell firm Bloom Energy (BE) both rallied on new deals tied to AI infrastructure, while Fastenal (FAST) fell on weak construction activity. Takeaways: Trump eases tone on China; markets rebound after $2T sell-off Broadcom surges on new multiyear AI chip deal with OpenAI JPMorgan launches $10B investment push into US industrial sectors MP Materials and Bloom Energy rise on trade and AI tailwinds Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks edge higher as the “buy-everything” rally stretches into another session. Gold hits fresh records, crypto surges, and the dollar posts its best week of the year as investors juggle the so-called debasement trade narrative. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is recalling furloughed workers to release September CPI data despite the government shutdown, after the White House ordered the report’s completion to calculate next year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. Levi Strauss (LEVI) tumbled 11% after warning of a soft holiday quarter even as profits beat expectations and full-year guidance was raised. Qualcomm (QCOM) fell after China opened an antitrust probe into its AutoTalks acquisition, while Applied Digital (APLD) jumped on stronger-than-expected revenue tied to AI data center builds for CoreWeave. Rare earth stocks rallied after the Trump administration took a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals (TMQ) to secure US access to critical minerals. Takeaways: Stocks extend “buy-everything” rally as gold, crypto, and dollar surge BLS recalls workers to finish CPI report amid government shutdown Levi’s beats but warns of tariff headwinds and weak Q4 outlook Qualcomm faces China antitrust probe; rare earths rally on US investment Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks hold near record highs after the S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq (^IXIC) both closed at all-time highs. Gold remains near $4,000 an ounce, driven by safe-haven demand and central bank buying, even as Fed minutes showed policymakers divided on the pace of rate cuts. Chair Jerome Powell delivers remarks today at a community banking conference but is not expected to comment on monetary policy. Delta Air Lines (DAL) jumped after a strong Q3 earnings beat, reporting $15.2B in revenue and raising guidance for the rest of the year. CEO Ed Bastian said Delta could see its most profitable Q4 ever, fueled by strength in premium and business travel. PepsiCo (PEP) also topped estimates, with beverage sales offsetting weaker snacks as activist investor Elliott Management pushes for a portfolio review. Intel (INTC) rose on new chip rollout plans, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) reported a 30% quarterly sales jump, and Nvidia (NVDA) got a fresh price target hike to $300 from Cantor Fitzgerald. Takeaways: Delta beats big and raises guidance; premium and business travel soar PepsiCo tops estimates as beverage strength offsets snack weakness Gold holds near $4,000; Fed minutes show divided policymakers Intel, TSMC, and Nvidia rise on new AI chip optimism Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks rebound after a rare pullback, with futures pointing higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes. Gold surges past $4,000 an ounce for the first time as billionaire investor Ray Dalio calls it a stronger haven than the dollar, citing echoes of the 1970s inflation era. Nvidia (NVDA) reportedly invests up to $2B in Elon Musk’s xAI as the startup raises $20B to fund its Colossus 2 supercomputer project. The move follows OpenAI’s blockbuster AMD (⁠AMD⁠) deal, intensifying the AI arms race. Meanwhile, investors await Fed commentary for clues on future rate cuts amid a data vacuum caused by the government shutdown. In trending tickers, Verizon (VZ) partners with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to launch satellite-to-phone service, Penguin Solutions (AVCTQ) sinks on weak sales guidance, and Jefferies (JEF) slides after revealing $161M exposure to bankrupt auto supplier First Brands Group. Takeaways: Gold tops $4,000 as investors seek safety from inflation and a weak dollar Nvidia to invest up to $2B in Elon Musk’s xAI, fueling AI competition Fed Minutes expected to show division on pace of rate cuts amid shutdown Verizon expands space partnership, Jefferies discloses bankruptcy exposure Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks rise to new records as OpenAI and AMD (AMD) announce a massive AI computing partnership that includes OpenAI taking a 10% stake in the chipmaker. The deal cements AMD’s position as Nvidia’s (NVDA) top challenger in the race for AI dominance, with OpenAI agreeing to purchase six gigawatts of AMD’s Instinct GPUs over several years. Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) will acquire Comerica (CMA) in an all-stock deal valued at $10.9 billion, creating the nation’s ninth-largest bank by assets. Bitcoin (BTC-USD) topped $125,000 and gold surged to record highs as investors hedge against the ongoing US government shutdown. In corporate shakeups, Verizon (VZ) named former PayPal CEO Dan Schulman as its new chief executive, replacing Hans Vestberg. Abroad, France’s prime minister abruptly resigned after less than a month on the job, while Japan prepares to swear in its first female prime minister, sparking a 4.7% surge in the Nikkei. Takeaways: OpenAI buys 10% of AMD in landmark AI chip partnership Fifth Third to acquire Comerica in $10.9B regional bank merger Gold and bitcoin rally to all-time highs amid US shutdown Verizon names Dan Schulman CEO; Japan elects first female prime minister Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks edge higher as Wall Street extends its record run despite the government shutdown entering day three. Economic data remains frozen, with the September jobs report delayed, but investors continue to ride the AI wave as Nvidia (NVDA) and OpenAI unveil new partnerships. President Trump is reportedly preparing a $10B bailout package for US farmers hit by China tariffs, with soybean producers set to benefit most. Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) and Comerica (CMA) shares remain in focus after their $10.9B merger announcement, while Bitcoin (BTC-USD) and gold hover near record highs. In trending tickers, Applied Materials (AMAT) slides after a $600M revenue hit tied to China export rules, Chevron (CVX) investigates a refinery fire in Los Angeles, and Cracker Barrel (CBRL) falls after reversing its controversial logo redesign following backlash from President Trump. Takeaways: Government shutdown extends into day three; September jobs data delayed Nvidia and OpenAI strike new partnerships, fueling AI momentum Trump proposes $10B farmer bailout amid ongoing China tariffs Applied Materials, Chevron, and Cracker Barrel move on headlines Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tech stocks powered futures higher after OpenAI’s valuation jumped to $500B in a secondary share sale, igniting fresh momentum in AI names. Nvidia (NVDA), AMD (AMD), Intel (INTC), and Qualcomm (QCOM) all rallied, while Samsung and SK Hynix surged in Asia on news that they signed supply deals with OpenAI. The US government shutdown entered its second day with no resolution as President Trump threatened permanent federal worker layoffs, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant warned of growth risks. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) agreed to buy Occidental Petroleum’s (OXY) petrochemical business for $9.7B, deepening his bet on the energy giant. Tesla (TSLA) topped delivery estimates at 497,000, easing concerns about slowing sales. In trending tickers, REIT Fermi ([FERMI]) surged 55% in its IPO, and credit reporting firms Equifax (EFX) and TransUnion (TRU) tumbled after FICO (FICO) launched a new direct-to-lender scoring model. Takeaways: OpenAI hits $500B valuation, fueling global AI chip rally US shutdown enters day two; Trump threatens mass federal layoffs Buffett’s Berkshire buys OXY petrochemical unit for $9.7B Tesla beats Q3 deliveries; Fermi IPO surges, Equifax/TransUnion sink on FICO move Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US government has officially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal, furloughing 750,000 workers and risking delays to jobs and inflation data critical for the Fed’s next moves. Markets opened Q4 lower, with futures and the dollar slipping while gold rallies toward $3,900 an ounce. ADP private payrolls fell 32,000, deepening concerns about a weakening labor market as investors now price in an October Fed rate cut with near certainty. Nike (NKE) rose after beating Q1 estimates but warned tariffs could cost $1.5B this year. Occidental Petroleum (OXY) gained after reports that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) is in talks to buy its petrochemical unit for $10B. Lithium Americas (LAC) jumped after the Department of Energy confirmed plans to take a 5% equity stake in the company and its Nevada mining project to boost domestic supply chains. Takeaways: US government shutdown begins, delaying jobs and inflation data Gold nears $3,900 on safe-haven demand; Fed cut bets rise Nike beats earnings but warns $1.5B tariff hit this year Buffett’s Berkshire eyes $10B Occidental deal; DOE takes stake in Lithium Americas Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks edge lower on the final trading day of Q3, with the S&P 500 (^GSPC) heading for its best September since 2010. According to Washington watchers, investors brace for a potential government shutdown as talks stall in Congress, with odds now above 90%. A shutdown would delay key economic data, furlough hundreds of thousands of workers, and risk disrupting the Fed’s October meeting. President Trump announced new tariffs: 10% on lumber and timber, plus 25% on wood furniture, set to take effect on October 14. Sector-specific levies on pharmaceuticals and semitrucks are also in the pipeline. Spotify (SPOT) fell after CEO Daniel Ek said he would step down and move to chairman, while two longtime executives would take over as co-CEOs. ExxonMobil (XOM) is cutting 2,000 jobs, about 3% of its workforce, as part of a global restructuring. CoreWeave expanded its business beyond Microsoft with a $14.2B AI infrastructure deal with Meta (META). Takeaways: Government shutdown odds top 90%; key data, Fed decision at risk Trump tariffs expand to lumber, timber, and furniture imports Spotify CEO Daniel Ek steps down; co-CEOs appointed Exxon cuts 2,000 jobs; CoreWeave inks $14.2B deal with Meta Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US stocks open the week higher as investors brace for a potential government shutdown if Congress fails to pass a short-term funding bill by tomorrow night. A shutdown could delay key economic reports, including Friday’s jobs data, and the Trump administration has threatened permanent layoffs for federal workers. Electronic Arts (EA) agreed to go private in a $55B leveraged buyout, the largest LBO ever, sending shares higher. President Trump announced sweeping tariffs set to take effect this week, including 100% duties on foreign-made movies alongside earlier measures on pharmaceuticals, furniture, and trucks. CSX (CSX) CEO Joe Hinrichs abruptly resigned amid activist pressure, with Steve Angel named as successor. Pot stocks, including Tilray (⁠TLRY⁠) and Canopy Growth (⁠CGC⁠), rallied after Trump touted hemp-derived CBD for seniors. Takeaways: Government shutdown risk rises; federal worker layoffs possible EA agrees to $55B buyout, marking the largest LBO in history Trump tariffs expand to include 100% duties on foreign films CSX CEO exits under activist pressure; pot stocks jump on CBD push Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices