stocks

US stock futures are holding steady as investors await President Trump's decision on Iran, according to Investor's Business Daily. Traders are watching closely for signs of escalation or de-escalation in the standoff, with energy prices and safe-haven assets likely to react sharply to any announcement involving military action or new sanctions.

The BBC has published a list of foods to stock up on in case supply chains are disrupted by extreme weather or global conflicts. Commentators note the guidance resembles the British government's early 1980s 'Protect and Survive' civil defence booklet, though with healthier food suggestions. The advice has reignited debate about preparedness and rising global instability.

Japanese secondhand bookstores are reporting a fivefold surge in sales as bulk buyers purchase entire stock loads, in some cases tens of tons at once. One order of around 50 tons was shipped to the United States, and store owners suspect many large purchases end up in overseas facilities where books are scanned to train artificial intelligence models and then destroyed. The trend has raised concern among booksellers about losing rare volumes and the fate of the books themselves.

US 10-year Treasury yields have climbed into 5% territory, a level not seen in years, prompting renewed concern across equity markets. A Japanese commentary highlights a rare combination of interest rate hikes in both Japan and the United States — the first US hike in over three years — and its knock-on effects: a stronger yen pressuring tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq 100 and FANG+ stocks.

Analysts say the $32 trillion US Treasury market may be entering a new phase in which interest rates around 5% become the norm, as yields on instruments such as the five-year note move higher. The shift would mark a break from the near-zero rate years and reshape expectations for borrowing costs, equities and the broader economy.

Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, has sold roughly $52 million worth of her holdings days before the company's next Starship test flight, scheduled for Monday. The sale is drawing attention because it comes shortly before a high-profile launch, though executives routinely sell shares for diversification and tax reasons and SpaceX remains a private company with limited disclosure.

U.S. stock markets finished the week higher, rebounding after several days of sharp swings between gains and losses. The Wall Street Journal reports the week saw pronounced volatility before equities stabilized with a Friday rally, with investors weighing economic signals and market uncertainty as they closed out the trading week.

Financial commentary is weighing what could come next for Apple under new leadership, pointing to three likely priorities: a long-rumored foldable iPhone, building out AI server infrastructure, and expanding manufacturing and sales in India. The discussion frames these as key tests for the company's next phase, with investors watching how the strategy could affect Apple's stock and its competitive position against rivals in smartphones and artificial intelligence.

In US pre-market trading, SpaceX shares reversed early losses and turned positive after dipping below their IPO debut price, moving against a broad market decline. Chip stocks fell collectively, dragging Nasdaq futures down 2.7%. Traders are watching whether the space company's recovery can hold once regular trading begins amid the semiconductor-led selloff.

The Wall Street Journal reports that equity markets are holding up despite a sharp rise in bond yields, a divergence that historically has not lasted. The piece examines past episodes when stocks and yields moved in opposite directions and what patterns suggest could follow for investors.

Stocks continue to climb even as bond yields surge, a divergence that has caught the attention of market watchers. The Wall Street Journal examines historical episodes when equities pushed higher despite rising yields, warning that such disconnects have often resolved with stocks eventually correcting as borrowing costs weighed on valuations and economic growth.

Wall Street's institutional money has taken back over from small retail investors as the main driving force behind the stock market, according to CNBC. After a stretch in which individual investors were widely credited with powering rallies and driving trading volumes, professional traders and funds are once again setting the market's direction. The shift is drawing attention as analysts reassess who is really behind recent market moves.

The Wall Street Journal reports that stocks have climbed back to par, meaning major share indexes have returned to their previous levels after earlier losses. The item is circulating among markets and finance readers, who typically treat such recoveries as a signal of renewed investor confidence, though the article itself offers only the headline-level claim that equities have regained lost ground.

Huawei has announced plans for two advanced AI chips slated for 2027, putting Nvidia stock in focus as investors weigh rising Chinese competition in the AI semiconductor market. Traders are watching how Huawei's roadmap could challenge Nvidia's dominance in AI accelerators and what it means for US export restrictions and Nvidia's China business.

Berkshire Hathaway has increased its position in a homebuilder whose stock has been falling, after nearly doubling the stake earlier. The move by Warren Buffett's conglomerate draws attention because investors often read Berkshire's purchases as a signal of conviction in a beaten-down sector, even as homebuilders face pressure from elevated mortgage rates and softer housing demand.

Tesla's stock has been overshadowed by excitement around SpaceX, leaving questions about whether investors still value the electric car maker's core business. Analysts and market watchers are debating whether attention has drifted from Tesla's vehicle sales, margins and AI ambitions toward Elon Musk's space ventures, prompting a broader reassessment of what drives the shares.

Spotify Technology is facing a fresh valuation test as investors weigh how much of the company's growth story now rests on podcasts and audiobooks rather than music streaming alone. The company has been pushing to diversify revenue beyond its core music business, expanding spoken-word content and subscription tiers, and markets are reassessing what that expansion means for the stock's worth.

Berkshire Hathaway has raised its position in homebuilder Lennar, according to a report from GuruFocus, a move that comes amid ongoing fluctuations in the US housing market. The purchase has drawn attention from investors tracking Warren Buffett's conglomerate, whose stock picks are widely seen as signals, with some viewing it as a vote of confidence in homebuilders despite higher interest rates.

Speculation that Tesla and SpaceX could merge is picking up as attention turns to a potential SpaceX stock market listing. Analysts are split on the idea, with some arguing a combination would consolidate Elon Musk's business empire and attract investors, while others see it as unlikely given the two companies' different structures and regulatory hurdles. No merger has been announced.

The Saudi Central Bank has increased its shareholding in Meta Platforms, according to a regulatory filing report. The move means the institution, which oversees Saudi Arabia's financial system, now holds a larger position in the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Market watchers flagged the disclosure as notable given Meta's recent stock performance and growing interest from sovereign-linked investors in major US technology firms.

Investors are watching two key indicators this week that could signal the health of the AI-driven stock rally and the broader economy. Analysts say upcoming economic data and earnings from major AI-related companies will help determine whether the market's enthusiasm for artificial intelligence is supported by fundamentals or showing signs of strain amid ongoing uncertainty about growth and interest rates.

Bond yields reaching the 5% level have put financial stocks back on retail investors' radar. Yahoo Finance highlights three financial names that individual investors are watching as higher yields improve lending margins and make fixed-income assets more attractive. The development is prompting debate about whether banks and other financial firms can keep benefiting, or whether elevated yields will ultimately pressure the broader equity market.