U.S. Small-Business Sentiment Inches Up

AI data centers are projected to incur over $6 billion in tariffs in 2025, raising concerns about the financial implications for the U.S. AI industry. This significant cost is expected to impact the pricing of servers and infrastructure, potentially hindering the sector's growth and competitiveness.

The U.S. has seized an oil tanker near Venezuela, a move that has led to a rise in oil futures by 56 cents to $58.93 per barrel. This action reflects escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly in the context of U.S. military presence in the region and ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Nissan's new U.S. chief has acknowledged that the automaker has lost its direction, promising to introduce more models and a significant number of hybrids to revitalize the brand. This statement reflects a critical assessment of the company's current market position and strategy.

U.S. manufacturers are slowing down their orders as they await a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, with the index measuring North American manufacturing activity hitting its lowest level since May. This decline reflects ongoing uncertainty in the market as businesses navigate the implications of these tariffs.

Silicon Valley is experiencing a surge in startups and venture capital investments aimed at developing new sources of critical minerals, a move seen as essential to reduce the U.S.'s reliance on China for these vital resources. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to secure a stable supply of metals necessary for various industries, including technology and renewable energy.

TUI's shares experienced a decline following disappointing revenue data from winter bookings, despite the company reporting an increase in net profit. This drop in stock value highlights investor concerns regarding future performance amidst fluctuating market conditions.

Coupang's CEO has resigned following a significant data breach that compromised the personal information of approximately 33.7 million users in South Korea. The breach, which was disclosed last month, has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place at the e-commerce giant.

Cracker Barrel is facing criticism as diehard fans express dissatisfaction with the quality of its food, coinciding with the company's efforts to recover from a logo controversy and a downward revision of its sales and profit outlook. This situation highlights the challenges the Southern-style chain is experiencing in maintaining customer loyalty and satisfaction.