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This week’s U.S. stock market is filled with information such as the financial results of notable companies and the FOMC | Reuters

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 26, 2025

U.S. stocks are closely watching this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, scheduled for June 28th-29th, alongside ‌earnings reports from major companies-collectively known as the Magnificent 7-to gauge the future direction of monetary policy and⁢ market performance. Investors anticipate a 25 basis point interest rate cut, ‌but ‌are bracing for signals from Chairman Powell regarding⁤ the path forward.

The market’s sensitivity to the Fed’s messaging stems from already-priced-in expectations for rate reductions. Any indication of a deviation from this trajectory could‌ trigger significant market adjustments, impacting everything from tech giants to broader S&P 500 constituents. Recent financial results highlight a divergence in performance, with the Magnificent 7’s earnings under scrutiny as a key indicator of ⁤overall economic‍ health.

“The biggest impact ⁣would be if the Fed shows signs ‍of deviating from its⁣ rate-cutting path,” noted Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist at Morningstar Wealth.

October 26, 2025 0 comments

Technology

Anthropic Expands AI Chip Deal with Google for $Tens of Billions

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor October 24, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Anthropic, the AI safety and research company, will leverage Google’s cutting-edge AI chips in ‌a multi-year deal potentially ⁣worth tens ⁤of billions of dollars to power the training of its Claude ⁣chatbot, Reuters has learned.The agreement marks a significant win for Google as it⁢ seeks to establish its Tensor Processing ‍Units (TPUs) as the industry standard for demanding AI workloads and underscores anthropic’s rapid growth and escalating computational needs.

The partnership addresses a critical bottleneck in AI⁢ development: access to sufficient and advanced computing power. As large language models like Claude grow in complexity, the cost and availability of specialized hardware become paramount.This deal allows Anthropic to ⁢accelerate its AI research and ⁤deployment, competing more effectively⁣ wiht industry leaders like OpenAI and meta, while simultaneously solidifying Google’s ⁤position in the burgeoning AI infrastructure market.

Anthropic will utilize Google Cloud’s TPUs – specifically designed for machine learning – over the coming years. While the exact financial terms remain ‍undisclosed,⁢ people⁣ familiar with the agreement estimate‍ the total value could exceed‍ $10 billion, potentially reaching⁣ tens of billions depending on Anthropic’s scaling needs and future TPU generations.

The move comes as demand for AI chips surges, fueled by the⁢ rapid advancement of generative AI. Nvidia currently dominates the market, but google is aggressively pushing its TPUs as a competitive ⁢alternative, emphasizing their performance and cost-effectiveness for specific AI tasks. Anthropic’s decision ‌to adopt TPUs represents⁣ a major endorsement of Google’s technology.

anthropic, founded by⁤ former OpenAI researchers, is focused on building reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. Claude is designed to be a helpful, harmless,⁤ and honest AI ‌assistant, and the increased ⁢computational power will enable Anthropic to refine its model and expand its capabilities. The company recently secured a ⁣$4.1 billion investment led by Amazon.

October 24, 2025 0 comments

World

UK budget fears clouding L&G shares, says CEO

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor October 24, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

L&G ‍Shares Dip as UK Budget Uncertainty Looms,CEO Warns

LONDON,Oct 26 – ⁣Shares ‌in Legal & General (L&G)‌ have come under pressure amid growing investor ‌anxieties surrounding ⁢the upcoming UK budget,according to the company’s Chief Executive,Sir Nigel Wilson.Wilson attributed the⁤ share price weakness to⁣ market concerns ⁢over potential fiscal⁤ policy⁢ shifts⁢ and their impact⁣ on the broader economic outlook.

The concerns center‌ on the possibility of increased ‌government borrowing or changes to tax policies that could destabilize financial ⁢markets, already sensitive ‌following recent volatility. L&G, a major player in the UK’s pensions and investment landscape, is especially vulnerable‌ to shifts in gilt yields ‌and broader economic conditions.the company ⁤manages over £830 billion in assets, making it a bellwether for investor sentiment towards the UK economy.

“The market is understandably nervous about the budget,” Wilson told ⁢Reuters. “Ther’s‍ a lot of uncertainty around what the government⁣ will ⁤do, and that’s reflected in our ⁣share price.” He emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and a clear economic plan to restore investor confidence.

The UK government is scheduled to unveil its budget plans on November 22nd.Investors⁣ are keenly‍ awaiting details⁤ on how the government⁣ intends to address the country’s economic challenges, including high inflation and slowing growth.

L&G’s shares‍ were‌ down⁣ approximately 2.5% in early trading on Thursday, mirroring ⁣a wider downturn in the financial sector. Analysts suggest that ‌the market reaction highlights the sensitivity surrounding the UK’s fiscal outlook and ‌the⁣ potential for further volatility in ‍the coming weeks. The company’s performance is closely watched as an indicator of the health of the⁢ UK’s financial ⁢services industry and the broader economy.

October 24, 2025 0 comments

Technology

Wyoming dinosaur ‘mummies’ reveal a surprise: hoofed feet

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor October 24, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Wyoming Dinosaur Finding Challenges Existing Understanding of Early Mammal Evolution

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Newly analyzed fossils of dinosaur “mummies” unearthed in Wyoming reveal a startling characteristic: evidence ⁣of hoof-like feet, a feature⁤ previously ⁢thought to‍ have ‌evolved much later in mammalian history. The remarkably preserved specimens,dating back to ⁣the late Jurassic period (around 150⁢ million years ago),are ‍forcing paleontologists to re-evaluate the evolutionary⁣ timeline of⁢ foot structures and the origins‌ of mammals.

The discovery, detailed in research ‌published this‍ week, centers on skin and soft tissue impressions found on several Camptosaurus fossils – ⁢a plant-eating dinosaur. These impressions ⁢clearly show a hardened, ‍hoof-like structure covering the‍ ends of the digits, a trait ‍typically associated with later mammals and not previously observed in‌ dinosaurs. This finding suggests that the evolutionary pathway towards modern ‍hoofed mammals may ⁤have begun far earlier than scientists believed, possibly with dinosaurs experimenting with similar adaptations⁢ for locomotion ‌and protection.

researchers from the University of⁢ Wyoming, ‍who led the analysis, utilized advanced‌ imaging techniques, including microscopy and chemical analysis, to confirm the nature of the preserved foot structures. ⁢”What we’ve found is ⁤a⁣ clear indication that some dinosaurs ⁣were developing⁣ foot‌ structures that⁤ are surprisingly similar to those ⁢seen ⁤in modern hoofed mammals,” explained Dr. Brent Breithaupt, a professor of paleontology at the‌ University of‍ Wyoming and lead author of the study. “This challenges ⁤the conventional wisdom‍ about‍ when and how these features evolved.”

The Camptosaurus fossils were originally⁢ discovered in the‌ Como Bluff region of Wyoming, a renowned fossil locality. The exceptional preservation of the specimens – essentially “mummified” by natural processes – allowed for the unprecedented examination of skin‌ and soft tissue details. ‍ The team’s⁣ analysis⁤ revealed that⁢ the hoof-like structures were ‍composed‍ of keratin, the same protein that makes up modern hooves,⁣ claws, and hair.

The‍ implications of this⁢ discovery extend beyond ‌simply revising the ‌dinosaur‍ family tree. It suggests that the selective pressures driving the ⁤evolution of‍ hoof-like feet – likely related to efficient locomotion on varied terrain and protection⁢ from injury - were ⁢present in dinosaur populations much earlier than⁢ previously thought.Further research will focus on examining other dinosaur⁤ fossils for similar features and investigating the⁢ biomechanical advantages offered ⁢by these early hoof structures. The ⁢team plans⁢ to‍ expand ‌their research to other dinosaur species and ⁣explore the potential link‍ between dinosaur⁣ foot evolution and the eventual rise of mammals.

October 24, 2025 0 comments

Business

US Banks’ Loan Surge to Private Credit Raises Risk Concerns

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 22, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

US banks’ lending to private credit ‍firms is rapidly increasing, possibly ⁤creating new vulnerabilities within the financial ‍system, according to a new report from MoodyS Investors Service. ‌Loans extended to these non-bank lenders have ⁤surged from $67 billion in 2020 to $168 billion in the first quarter of 2024, fueled ⁤by demand for financing outside the customary⁢ banking⁤ sector.

The growth raises concerns about risk concentration adn potential ⁣instability, as these loans are frequently enough used to fund riskier borrowers and less clear transactions then traditional bank lending.Moody’s warns that a slowdown in private credit markets could lead ‍to ⁤losses for banks, ⁢particularly ‍regional lenders heavily involved in this lending segment. The report highlights a potential for increased systemic risk if problems in the private credit space were to cascade into the broader banking system.

Private credit⁤ firms, which include direct lenders and business progress‌ companies, have gained prominence in recent years by providing loans to⁣ companies that may not qualify for traditional bank financing. These firms frequently enough‍ specialize ⁢in leveraged loans to mid-sized ‍companies, offering higher yields but also carrying greater risk. Banks ⁢are increasingly willing to provide these ⁢firms with lines of credit to fund their lending activities, attracted by the fees generated and the potential for higher⁤ returns.

Moody’s noted that approximately 68% of the $168⁢ billion⁣ in bank loans to private credit firms are held by large US banks, while regional banks represent a meaningful portion⁤ of the remainder. The ratings‌ agency emphasized that the ⁣increasing ‍interconnectedness between banks and private credit firms warrants⁢ close ⁢monitoring, particularly given the opacity⁢ of the private credit market ‌and the potential for rapid shifts in investor sentiment.”The rapid⁣ growth in bank lending to private credit ⁢funds introduces new channels for risk transmission within ⁢the financial system,” the Moody’s report stated. “A significant deterioration in private credit⁢ performance could‍ lead⁤ to credit losses for banks and potentially reduce their lending capacity.”

October 22, 2025 0 comments

World

US-Australia rare earths deal is a start but won’t shake China dominance any time soon

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor October 21, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) – The United States⁣ and Australia have forged a deal to accelerate‍ the development of rare earths refining⁣ capacity, a move aimed at diversifying supply chains and lessening China’s dominance in the critical⁤ minerals sector, though ⁤experts⁣ caution it will take years to significantly alter the global landscape.

The agreement,announced ⁣Wednesday,will see the U.S. Department of Defense ‍provide up to $6.7 million in funding to‌ Lynas⁤ Rare Earths, an Australian company, to build a heavy rare earth separation facility in texas. This facility will process material from Lynas’ mine in Western ⁢Australia,aiming⁣ to produce separated ⁤rare⁤ earth products vital for electric vehicles,defense technologies,and ⁤other key industries. ‌Currently, China processes‍ the vast majority of the world’s rare earth elements, ⁣controlling a‌ crucial link in the supply chain.

While⁤ the U.S.-Australia partnership represents a significant step towards building a more resilient ⁣supply chain, analysts say it’s unlikely ⁤to challenge⁣ China’s⁢ dominance in the short to medium term. ‌China’s established infrastructure, ‌lower costs, and extensive refining capabilities mean ‍it will remain the primary global supplier for the foreseeable future. The new facility is projected to produce enough separated⁤ rare earths to support 10% of the annual demand for permanent magnets in electric vehicles by 2027, according to a U.S. official.

“This is a welcome development, but ‌it’s ⁢a marathon, not a sprint,” said Jon Hyner, director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center. “Building a fully independent, competitive rare earth supply chain outside of China will require sustained⁢ investment, strategic partnerships, and a long-term commitment.”

The deal builds ⁤on previous ⁣U.S. efforts to‌ bolster domestic rare earth production, including funding for MP Materials’ Mountain Pass mine in California. Though, even with increased domestic⁣ production, the U.S. ⁢still relies heavily on China for processing. Lynas’⁣ Texas facility aims to address this processing bottleneck, ⁢but ‌scaling up production and navigating regulatory hurdles will be key challenges.

The ⁤U.S. government views securing access ‌to rare ‍earths as a national security priority, citing ‌concerns about potential⁤ supply disruptions and China’s⁣ potential to weaponize its dominance in the sector. The agreement with Australia is part of a broader strategy to diversify critical‌ mineral supply chains and ‌reduce reliance on a single⁤ country.

October 21, 2025 0 comments

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