Dow Jones| Nasdaq | S&P 500 | US Stock Market Today | Highlights: US stocks end higher as semiconductors surge amid Mideast war intensifies

The proposed “drop-down” structure could move assets beyond the reach of existing lenders, prompting pushback from creditors concerned about weakened claims. Some have already taken steps to block the deal, as Aston Martin’s bonds slide to record lows.

The situation underscores growing complexities as asset managers expand across strategies. BlackRock maintains its units act independently, but the case highlights potential internal tensions, especially as Aston Martin grapples with weak demand, delays and ongoing cash flow pressure.

Warren raised concerns that the cuts may have benefited industries regulated by the agency and called for a thorough review of their impact. The GAO confirmed it has received the request and is assessing it, while the CFTC has not yet responded.

The regulator has previously said it plans to rebuild staffing and can meet its obligations with the help of artificial intelligence. The scrutiny comes as the CFTC’s role is set to expand, including oversight of prediction markets and potentially cryptocurrencies under pending legislation.

• Senator Elizabeth Warren called for an investigation into significant staffing reductions at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, warning that the cuts could weaken the agency’s ability to enforce financial regulations. In a letter to the Government Accountability Office, she highlighted a roughly 25% drop in workforce since early last year, alongside a decline in enforcement actions.
• Warren raised concerns that industries overseen by the regulator may have benefited from the layoffs and urged a thorough review of whether the reductions have undermined the CFTC’s statutory mandate. The request comes as the agency’s responsibilities are expanding, including oversight of prediction markets and potentially cryptocurrencies under pending legislation.
• The CFTC has maintained that it has adequate resources and plans to rebuild staffing levels, partly relying on artificial intelligence to support operations. Both the agency and the GAO have yet to comment on the request.

A US federal judge approved a $1.5 billion settlement requiring Anthropic to compensate authors and publishers after using pirated books to train its Claude chatbot. The deal will pay roughly $3,000 per book, with more than 91% of the 482,000 works already claimed by rights holders.

The ruling follows earlier findings that while training AI on copyrighted material can qualify as fair use, Anthropic improperly sourced millions of books from piracy websites. The court described the agreement as providing “meaningful relief” to affected parties.

The case, first filed in 2024, marks the largest known copyright recovery and the first major resolution among numerous ongoing AI-related copyright lawsuits, setting a potential precedent for how similar disputes may be handled going forward.

President Donald Trump dismissed the likelihood of immediate talks with Iran, saying the US has “no interest” unless Tehran engages meaningfully, even as both sides continue military strikes. His comments come amid escalating conflict and renewed threats to global shipping routes, particularly from Iran-backed Houthi militants targeting Red Sea traffic.

Geopolitical risks have pushed oil prices higher, with Brent crude hovering near $90 a barrel after rising about 20% in July. Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding regions have disrupted shipping, while the Houthis have threatened a maritime blockade on Saudi exports, raising concerns over global energy supply.

Despite ongoing mediation efforts involving countries like Pakistan and Qatar, diplomatic progress remains limited as both sides maintain hardline positions. The US has signaled continued military action, while Iran insists it will not negotiate under pressure, prolonging uncertainty in energy markets and regional stability.

• Nvidia Corp. said its latest Vera Rubin AI chip systems are now in full production and being deployed across major customers, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google Cloud and Meta. The company emphasized that deliveries are underway and systems are being installed, addressing investor concerns about potential delays or manufacturing issues.
• The rollout comes as Nvidia faces intensifying competition from rivals such as AMD and Broadcom, as well as large cloud providers developing in-house chips. Despite lagging peers in stock performance this year, Nvidia maintains dominance in AI accelerators and expects strong financial growth, with revenue projected to rise sharply and margins remaining high.
• Nvidia highlighted significant design improvements in its new systems, including reduced reliance on manual assembly, elimination of internal cabling and the adoption of liquid cooling. These changes improve efficiency, lower failure rates and boost performance, with its latest NVL72 racks delivering up to 10 times more AI processing capacity than previous generations, reinforcing its push to sustain leadership in the AI infrastructure market.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is prepared to act if Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis follow through on threats to block commercial shipping in the Red Sea, signaling a potential escalation in regional tensions.

According to Bloomberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will brief U.S. officials and lawmakers on its next generation of AI models as Washington moves closer to establishing a formal safety review framework. Discussions will focus on new capabilities, particularly their impact on work and productivity, alongside broader regulatory clarity.

The meetings come amid rising competition from China, highlighted by Moonshot’s latest AI model, which has intensified concerns over U.S. leadership and sparked market volatility. OpenAI stressed the need for a coordinated national AI strategy and stronger cybersecurity safeguards.

U.S. policymakers are considering creating an independent regulator to vet advanced AI systems, while companies push for clearer, consistent rules. In the absence of federal standards, OpenAI is also backing state-level efforts to align regulations and address risks tied to powerful AI models.

Bitcoin advanced more than 2% toward $67,000, while Coinbase shares surged after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said lawmakers are close to passing the Clarity Act, signaling progress toward a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets. The comments provided a fresh catalyst for crypto markets that have been subdued for months.

The rally comes alongside improving market fundamentals, with Bitcoin up about 14% this month after prior declines. Spot ETF inflows have turned positive, trading volumes have rebounded and derivatives data indicate easing selling pressure, suggesting sentiment is stabilizing.

Analysts say Bitcoin’s recent range-bound trading between $60,000 and $67,000 may be nearing a breakout as investor focus shifts away from AI-driven equity trades and toward crypto. Growing institutional interest and reduced selling pressure have led some to believe the latest downturn may have already bottomed out.

Oil prices rose about 2% to a five-week high as escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and a potential Houthi naval blockade of Saudi Arabia heightened fears of supply disruptions. Brent climbed above $91 a barrel, while WTI topped $85, with tanker rerouting in the Red Sea adding to concerns.

Markets remain on edge over risks to key shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea corridor. Analysts warn prolonged conflict could tighten global energy supplies further. Meanwhile, investors await U.S. inventory data, with expectations of a modest crude draw signaling steady demand.

Stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data is increasingly weighing on equities, as investors fear it could prompt a more aggressive Federal Reserve response. Analysis shows that when economic surprises are high, the S&P 500 often posts short-term losses.

While solid growth supports earnings, it also raises inflation and rate concerns, creating a “good news is bad news” dynamic. Geopolitical tensions, higher yields and a rotation away from tech stocks are further pressuring markets, prompting calls for cautious positioning.

U.S. Treasury yields rose to a two-month high as escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran pushed oil prices higher, raising concerns about renewed inflation and future Federal Reserve rate hikes. With little economic data to guide markets, geopolitical risks dominated sentiment.

The 10-year yield climbed above 4.63%, while the 2-year yield also rose, reflecting shifting rate expectations. Traders are now pricing in a high probability of a rate hike by year-end, as rising energy costs threaten to reverse recent easing in inflation.

GE Vernova has emerged as a major AI-linked stock, rallying over 500% since its 2024 spin-off, driven by rising demand for power infrastructure supporting data centres. Investors are shifting focus from chips to electricity, grid equipment and gas turbines as key AI bottlenecks.

Strong first-quarter 2026 results, including a sharp rise in orders and backlog, along with improved guidance, have reinforced the bullish outlook. Growth in electrification and gas turbine businesses, along with increased spending by utilities and data-centre developers, continues to drive the stock’s surge. Read more

Gold prices climbed more than 1% as hopes of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran lifted sentiment and eased concerns over prolonged high energy prices. The move also tempered expectations of a more hawkish Federal Reserve, supporting bullion.

Spot gold held above the key $4,000 level, aided by technical buying, though gains may remain limited due to interest rate uncertainty. Markets are now focused on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision, with traders still pricing in a potential rate hike in September.

The United States and China plan to hold talks on artificial intelligence in September, marking the first formal AI dialogue under President Donald Trump. The discussions, expected to be led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, will focus on managing risks from advanced AI models, including security, intellectual property and regulation.

The move follows growing concerns in both countries over each other’s AI capabilities as competition intensifies. While details such as agenda, participants and venue remain undecided, the talks are likely to precede President Xi Jinping’s planned U.S. visit.

Both sides are grappling with how to regulate frontier AI technologies that could impact military use, cyber security and critical infrastructure. The discussions are expected to be preliminary, focusing on defining key terms and establishing a framework for future engagement rather than delivering major policy outcomes.

PayPal, once a Wall Street favourite and a pioneer in digital payments, is now facing a potential $53 billion takeover bid from Stripe and Advent International. The company’s board is reviewing the offer but reportedly believes the $60.50 per share proposal undervalues the business. PayPal’s market dominance has weakened as rivals like Apple Pay gain ground, despite its strong legacy. Read more

On Tuesday, oil prices surged nearly two percent amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The situation was further complicated by threats from Yemen’s Houthis regarding a potential naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia. Additionally, reports emerged of an unknown projectile hitting a tanker in the sensitive Strait of Hormuz. In light of these events, Iran is now considering mediators’ proposals for a ceasefire to restore diplomatic relations. Read more

Among individual stocks, 3M surged after raising its annual profit forecast, signalling resilience in industrial demand. Semiconductor-related assets also advanced, with strong gains in chip ETFs. Meanwhile, Equifax declined sharply after issuing a weaker profit outlook. Nvidia-related developments boosted AI-linked names, highlighting continued investor appetite for the sector despite recent volatility.