Fed holds rates steady, but slows expected pace of future cuts

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest made some notable moves in its portfolio—snapping up shares of BWX Technologies (a defense and nuclear tech firm) while offloading its stake in Adaptive Biotechnologies (a healthcare diagnostics company). It’s a classic ARK pivot, doubling down on sectors Wood sees as high-growth while trimming exposure to underperformers.

Editor’s Note: ARK’s trades always grab attention because Wood’s bets often reflect big-picture trends—think AI, space, or genomics. This time, it’s a shift toward defense tech (BWX) and away from biotech (Adaptive), which might signal changing confidence in those sectors. For investors, it’s a clue to watch where ARK’s putting its money next.

On24 CEO Sharat Sharan just sold $202,000 worth of his company's stock. While insider sales can sometimes raise eyebrows, this isn’t necessarily a red flag—executives sell shares for all sorts of reasons, like personal financial planning or diversifying their portfolio. Still, investors often keep an eye on these moves for hints about leadership confidence.

Editor’s Note: CEOs selling stock isn’t uncommon, but it’s always worth noting—especially for shareholders. A one-off sale like this doesn’t spell doom, but if it’s part of a bigger trend, it might signal something worth digging into. For now, it’s just a routine blip on the radar.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that Americans should brace for more price increases in the coming months, driven by tariffs. He didn’t specify which goods might get pricier, but the message was clear: trade policies are likely to push costs higher for consumers and businesses alike.

JD.com is taking its fierce competition with Meituan global—this time to Saudi Arabia. The Chinese e-commerce powerhouse just launched JoyExpress, its own courier service, offering speedy same-day and next-day deliveries across most of the country. This marks JD.com’s latest move to expand its logistics muscle in the Middle East, directly challenging rivals like Meituan on an international stage.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about faster deliveries in Saudi Arabia—it’s a strategic chess move in the high-stakes battle between China’s tech giants. JD.com’s push into the Middle East signals how fiercely companies are competing for global e-commerce dominance, especially in emerging markets. For consumers, it could mean better service and more options. For investors, it’s a sign of how aggressively these companies are scaling beyond China’s borders.

Hollywood's skyrocketing production costs are pushing filmmakers to cheaper locations, and LA—once the undisputed heart of the movie biz—is feeling the pinch. As studios chase tax breaks and lower expenses in places like Georgia or Canada, local jobs and businesses in Los Angeles are taking a hit. It's part of a bigger trend where even iconic industry hubs aren't immune to economic shifts.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about movies—it’s about what happens when a city’s identity is tied to an industry that can pack up and leave. LA’s economy relies heavily on film production, and if that work dries up, everything from coffee shops to costume rentals could suffer. It’s a wake-up call for cities banking on being "the place" for any single trade.