Business
Raytheon Wins $745 Million MDA Contract for SM-3 IIA Interceptors
Raytheon, an RTX business, won a $745 million Missile Defense Agency contract for SM-3 IIA interceptor production and sustainment through 2031.
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Raytheon Wins $745 Million MDA Contract for SM-3 IIA Interceptors
Raytheon, an RTX business, won a $745 million Missile Defense Agency contract for SM-3 IIA interceptor production and sustainment through 2031.
Anthropic to Watermark Claude Text and Files Worldwide for EU AI Act
Anthropic says future Claude models will embed text watermarks and file provenance metadata as EU AI Act labeling rules take effect Aug. 2, 2026.
Smartkem Strikes $125 Million All-Stock Deal for Ferrox
Smartkem agreed to acquire Ferrox Critical Minerals in an all-stock deal valuing Ferrox at $125 million, adding South African critical minerals exposure.
China's Critical Minerals Chokehold Still Runs Through Refining and Magnets
China still dominates critical-mineral refining, rare-earth magnets and battery-grade graphite, leaving Western defense and clean-energy industries exposed.
AnalysisNiobium's Bull Case Rests on Supply, Not a Demand Surge
Niobium's 12-month bull case rests on firm prices, concentrated Brazilian supply and steady demand from steel, aerospace and superalloys.
AnalysisAnthropic and OpenAI Test the Rules for Valuing AI Revenue
Anthropic and OpenAI are not at $1 trillion ARR, but rapid run-rate growth and $1 trillion-plus combined valuation are reshaping AI valuation norms.
AnalysisWhite House Completes Voluntary Frontier AI Testing Framework, Calls in Labs
The White House completed a voluntary framework for testing frontier AI models and invited OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Meta for review.
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Work to Automate Tasks Across Workplace Apps
OpenAI launched ChatGPT Work, an agent that runs tasks across apps and files, expanding its push into enterprise productivity software.
SSR Mining Shares Fall After Q2 Costs Climb and Output Slips
SSR Mining reported Q2 production of 101,959 gold-equivalent ounces and AISC of $2,622 per ounce, while maintaining a $0.03 quarterly dividend.
China Gold Imports Hit 26-Month High in May, up 76% Year to Date
China imported about 163 tonnes of gold in May, the highest in 26 months, lifting 2026 imports through May to roughly 692 tonnes, up 76% year over year.
Belrise Industries Buys Hyva India Tipper Body Unit for $5.65 Million
Belrise Industries agreed to buy Hyva India's tipper body business for about $5.65 million, adding three plants and widening its commercial-vehicle reach.
Moderna Wins EU Contract to Supply RSV Vaccine to Six Countries
Moderna won a European Commission framework contract for up to 24 million mRESVIA RSV vaccine doses over four years across six countries.
Global Lithium Wins Manna Mine Plan Approval in Western Australia
Global Lithium won WA approval for Manna's mine development and closure plan, supporting early works, a Q4 2026 FID and 2027 DSO.
Chery to Invest $75 Million in KG Mobility via Convertible Bonds
Chery will invest $75 million in KG Mobility through convertible bonds, deepening an auto technology partnership and potentially securing a sizable equity stake
Shell Sells European Onshore Renewables Business to TotalEnergies
Shell will sell its European onshore renewables business to TotalEnergies, extending its focus on upstream, LNG and trading. Closing is expected by end-2026.
Northrop Grumman Signs $3 Billion Missile Defense Production Frameworks
Northrop Grumman signed two seven-year framework agreements worth more than $3 billion to expand PAC-3 MSE and THAAD missile component production.
Pentagon Signs Framework Deals to Expand Patriot and THAAD Component Production
The Pentagon signed Aug. 3 framework deals with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to expand Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD component production.
U.S. Q2 GDP Growth Slows to 1.5%, Undershooting Forecasts
U.S. GDP grew at a 1.5% annualized rate in Q2 2026, down from 2.1% in Q1, raising fresh questions for equity valuations, Treasury yields and Fed policy.
Fed Holds Rates at 3.50%-3.75% as Three Officials Dissent for a Hike
The Fed kept rates at 3.50%-3.75% for a fifth meeting, with three dissenters favoring a hike, challenging soft-landing bets and delaying cut hopes.
China State Buyers Book Large U.S. Soybean Volumes Ahead of Xi Visit
Chinese state trading firms bought an estimated 14 to 16 cargoes of U.S. soybeans after a price dip, ahead of Xi Jinping's expected U.S. visit.
Iraq's SOMO Cuts August Basrah Prices for Hormuz-Loaded Cargoes
Iraq's SOMO offered steep discounts on August Basrah crude loaded inside Hormuz, reflecting Gulf transit risk and possible pressure on sour crude benchmarks.
Meta Targets September 2026 Production for Custom IRIS AI Chip
Meta is reportedly targeting September 2026 production for its IRIS AI chip, designed with Broadcom and made by TSMC for data-center workloads.
TSMC Lifts 2026 Capex Plan to $64 Billion on AI Demand
TSMC lifted its 2026 capex plan to $60 billion to $64 billion, above prior guidance, on sustained demand for AI chips, packaging and fab capacity.
FTC Filing Shows Musk Acquired APR Energy in Unannounced Deal
A May 14 FTC notice names Elon Musk as buyer of APR Energy's operating business in an unannounced deal reports value at more than $1 billion.
Uber to Buy Delivery Hero in $14.8 Billion Cash Deal
Uber agreed to buy Delivery Hero for €41.50 a share in a $14.8 billion cash deal, with closing expected in 2027 pending regulatory approvals.
TSMC Raises 2026 Sales and Capex Outlook on AI Chip Demand
TSMC lifted its 2026 revenue and capital-spending outlook after stronger AI and data-center chip demand, signaling continued intensity in chip supply chains.
Eli Lilly to Buy AtaiBeckley in Deal Worth up to $3.8 Billion
Eli Lilly agreed to buy AtaiBeckley for $2.8 billion upfront plus up to $1.0 billion in milestones, adding psychedelic depression assets to its pipeline.
British Columbia clears Vitreo's Angus silica sand mine after environmental review
British Columbia issued an environmental assessment certificate for Vitreo's $300 million Angus silica sand mine, letting the project advance to permitting.
Cameco restarts Cigar Lake as McClean Lake mill returns to service
Cameco has resumed production at Cigar Lake after Orano restarted the McClean Lake mill, with 2026 output guidance unchanged at 17.5-18.0 million lb.
OpenAI broadens GPT-5.6 release after restricted two-week preview
OpenAI broadened GPT-5.6 across ChatGPT, Codex and its API on July 9 after a limited preview, introducing Sol, Terra and Luna tiers.
Crude oil hits four-week high as Middle East risks rise
Brent and WTI rose to four-week highs on renewed Middle East supply fears, while gold struggled to hold gains despite softer U.S. inflation data.
Stripe and Advent bid $53 billion in cash for PayPal
Stripe and Advent have offered $60.50 a share for PayPal, valuing the payments company at more than $53 billion with $50 billion in financing.
1.2 million Korean margin accounts hit calls in KOSPI rout
Market data show 1.2 million Korean margin accounts faced calls on July 13 as the KOSPI fell nearly 9%, with up to 360,000 fully liquidated.
U.S. revokes Iran oil export license, restoring full sanctions
Treasury revoked a license allowing Iranian oil exports, restoring sanctions and requiring a wind-down by July 17 after tanker attacks near Hormuz.
Canada backs Novamera, Koonkie mining projects with C$6.7 million
Canada will provide C$6.7 million to Novamera and Koonkie mining projects focused on precision critical-minerals extraction and AI mine restoration.
Canada commits C$6.7 million to AI mining and restoration projects
Canada will provide C$6.7 million to Novamera and Koonkie projects focused on AI-driven critical-minerals mining and mine-site restoration.
Kratos wins $100 million sole-source space surveillance contract
Kratos received an approximate $100 million sole-source prime award for a ground-based space domain awareness system, adding to its defense backlog.
Rheinmetall wins $1.1 billion share of UK Army training deal
Rheinmetall won a contract worth just under €1 billion in the UK's 15-year Army training modernisation programme, adding long-term defence revenue.
Shell to sell India renewables platform Sprng Energy for $1.8 billion
Shell agreed to sell India renewables platform Sprng Energy to Aditya Birla Renewables for about $1.8 billion, exiting the market pending approvals.
Fed report ties critical minerals supply to inflation risk
The Fed's July 2026 report flags commodity and supply-chain risks, tying critical-minerals policy more directly to inflation, growth and resource equities.
Fed funds futures point to October 2026 rate increase
CME fed funds futures and StreetStats data imply the effective federal funds rate rises to about 3.8% by October 2026, matching the Fed's June projection.
Gold and silver retreat ahead of Fed minutes as dollar firms
Gold and silver fell on July 7 as investors positioned ahead of Fed minutes, with a stronger dollar and higher yields pressuring bullion prices.
IMF says global disinflation has stalled in July outlook update
The IMF lifted its 2026 global inflation forecast to 4.7% and cut growth to 3.0%, raising uncertainty for rates, bonds and equities.
Germany to buy U.S. Tomahawk missiles and base them at home
Germany plans to buy U.S. Tomahawk missiles and station them at home, adding long-range strike capacity. Quantities, value and timing remain unclear.
Rheinmetall, MBDA win German Navy laser weapon development contract
Germany awarded Rheinmetall and MBDA a mid three-digit million-euro contract to develop a naval laser weapon system due to be operational by 2029.
Micron lifts U.S. chip investment plan above $250 billion
Micron plans to invest more than $250 billion in U.S. chip plants and technology through 2035, citing AI memory demand and a larger domestic supply chain.
J.P. Morgan Flags AI Memory Margins at 54% as Sector Stocks Surge
J.P. Morgan Asset Management said AI-driven memory margins reached 54%, with net income up 450% and related stocks up 638% over the past year.
Meta to Invest Over C$13 Billion in First Canadian AI Data Center
Meta will invest over C$13 billion in a 1GW AI data center in Alberta, its first in Canada and largest facility outside the U.S.
Gold Falls Below 200-Day Average as Bear Market Deepens, OANDA Says
OANDA said gold closed at $3,972 on July 1, down 10.4% month on month and below its 200-day average, as tighter U.S. monetary conditions weighed.
Novartis to Buy UK's Myricx Bio in Deal Worth Up to $1.5 Billion
Novartis will buy UK biotech Myricx Bio for $1.1 billion upfront plus up to $400 million in milestones to expand its targeted cancer therapy pipeline.
South32 Wins U.S. Approval to Expand Hermosa Project in Arizona
South32 secured a final U.S. Forest Service decision for Hermosa in Arizona, clearing a major federal permitting hurdle for the critical minerals project.
Apple shares rise 5% on iPhone roadmap and China memory talks
Apple shares rose about 5% as investors focused on its iPhone roadmap, foldable plans and China memory talks despite a reported production cut.
Major Banks Initiate Bullish SpaceX Coverage as Quiet Period Ends
JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley led major banks initiating bullish ratings on SpaceX after its post-IPO quiet period ended.
Copper futures rise after fatal collapse halts Codelco's El Teniente mine
Copper futures climbed after a fatal collapse at Codelco's El Teniente mine in Chile raised new supply concerns in an already tight market.
India to Keep Buying Russian Oil Despite Trump Tariff Threat
India said it will keep buying Russian crude and has issued no directive to refiners, despite Trump's tariff threat tied to Moscow oil purchases.
Samsung Profit Jumps 19-Fold, Shares Fall on AI Valuation Doubts
Samsung guided Q2 operating profit to 89.4 trillion won and revenue to 171 trillion won, but shares fell as investors questioned AI-chip valuations.
United Therapeutics to Buy Thymmune for Up to $300 Million
United Therapeutics will acquire Thymmune for $140 million upfront plus up to $160 million in milestones, adding a preclinical thymic cell therapy platform.
Dan Ives Exits Wedbush to Launch Technology Merchant Bank
Dan Ives left Wedbush on July 1 to launch a merchant bank combining research, advisory, capital raising and investing.
C3.ai Jumps After Earnings Beat as Siebel Flags Stronger AI Demand
C3.ai shares rallied after a quarterly earnings beat and upbeat AI demand comments, even as revenue declined and losses remained substantial.
Apple shares rise 5% as investors bet on stronger iPhone margins
Apple rose 4.84% on July 2 as investors focused on iPhone price hikes, memory sourcing and foldable plans over near-term production concerns.
India Waives 11% Cotton Import Duty Through October to Cut Textile Costs
India suspended its 11% cotton import duty from June 1 through end-October 2026 to cut textile input costs and increase raw cotton availability.
Oil Futures Rise as Iran Strikes Deepen Strait of Hormuz Risk
WTI and Brent opened higher after Iranian strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait and a tanker attack near Hormuz raised new risks for oil shipping and supply.
Cameco Halts Cigar Lake Mining After Acid Plant Failure at McClean Lake Mill
Cameco suspended Cigar Lake mining after a sulfuric acid plant failure at Orano's McClean Lake mill, with processing expected to resume in about two weeks.
U.S. Army Awards Lockheed $9.8 Billion Patriot Missile Contract
The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $9.8 billion multiyear contract for 1,970 PAC-3 MSE interceptors for U.S. forces and international partners.
U.S. Army launches FUZE to speed new technology to soldiers
The U.S. Army has launched FUZE, targeting about $750 million a year to speed drones, counter-drone, EW and energy tech to troops.
Microsoft Forms 6,000-Person Enterprise AI Unit to Speed Business Deployments
Microsoft is creating a 6,000-person enterprise AI unit to help businesses deploy AI, manage costs and speed revenue from commercial adoption.
Tesla Q2 Deliveries Rise 25%, Beating Wall Street Forecasts
Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles in Q2 2026, up 25% from a year earlier and well above Wall Street estimates, signaling stronger EV demand.
China Extends Fortescue Iron Ore Curbs to New Purchases
China Mineral Resources Group widened curbs on Fortescue's Super Special Fines to include new purchases, escalating pressure in contract talks.
Canada Pledges C$500 Million for Newmont’s Red Chris Copper Expansion
Canada pledged C$500 million to support Newmont’s Red Chris underground expansion in British Columbia after key approvals, ahead of a final investment decision.
G7 Sets 2030 Target to Cut Rare Earth Supply Dependence
G7 leaders set a target to cut single-supplier dependence in rare earths and magnets, adding recycling, stockpiling and supply-chain tracing.
Global M&A Hits Record $2.8 Trillion in First Half on Megadeal Surge
Global announced M&A reached a record $2.8 trillion in H1 2026, up 48%, as 47 megadeals above $10 billion drove nearly half of total deal value.
Sinda Raises $213 Million in NYSE IPO, Shares Open 10% Lower
Sinda raised about $213 million in its NYSE IPO, but shares opened 10% below the $12 offer price as investors weighed valuation and development risk.
DOE Awards Georgia Tech $7.5 Million for Atlantic Minerals Mapping
DOE awarded Georgia Tech $7.5 million to lead CM-MAP, a regional effort to map and assess critical minerals in Atlantic Coastal Plain deposits and waste.
Bundesbank Raises Germany’s Statutory Basic Interest Rate to 1.52%
Germany’s statutory basic interest rate rose to 1.52% from July 1, following the ECB’s 2.40% refinancing rate and lifting default-interest calculations.
Nvidia, Palantir Launch AI Stack for U.S. Government Use
Nvidia and Palantir unveiled a U.S. government AI initiative using Nemotron open models in classified and air-gapped environments. No financial terms were discl
Apple Price Hikes Put Demand Resilience Under Wall Street Focus
Apple raised prices on several Macs and iPads as memory chip costs climbed, prompting Wall Street to watch demand, margins and the next hardware cycle.
Study Warns Critical Minerals Stockpiling Could Deepen Supply Disruptions
A new study says uncoordinated critical mineral stockpiling could worsen shortages and price volatility in cobalt, lithium, graphite and copper.
Copper and Gold React to Supply Disruptions and Fed Signals
Copper and gold are moving on mine disruptions and Fed expectations, supporting producer cash flow while raising volatility and policy risk.
Greenland Mines Takes 9.9% Stake in AnorTech, Signals Push Into Critical Minerals Processing
Greenland Mines Ltd (Nasdaq: GRML) announced a strategic share-exchange investment in AnorTech Inc.
