Finland stocks higher at close of trade; OMX Helsinki 25 up 0.82%

For the first time ever, a Persian Gulf country is introducing a personal income tax—a major shift for a region long known for its tax-free salaries and oil-funded economies. The move signals that even wealthy Gulf states are adapting to tighter budgets and the global push for economic diversification beyond fossil fuels.

Microsoft is laying off around 9,000 employees—roughly 4% of its workforce—while shifting resources toward artificial intelligence. The move reflects a broader industry trend of tech companies trimming staff to fund aggressive AI investments.

The US House is revisiting Trump-era tax cuts, but Republicans aren’t all on the same page. Some lawmakers are pushing to extend or expand the policies, while others are hesitant, either over cost concerns or political strategy. It’s shaping up to be a messy internal debate with big implications for the 2024 election.

The stock market is off to a cautious but slightly optimistic start today, with Dow futures ticking upward. All eyes are on two key data points—Tesla’s latest delivery numbers and the ADP private payroll report—which could give traders a clearer sense of where the economy (and certain high-profile stocks) are headed.

A major mortgage lender has acquired a top real estate firm, and the merged company is now promising lower mortgage rates to homebuyers. Essentially, they're betting that bigger scale will let them cut costs—and pass some savings to customers.