In May, amidst a foggy morning in northern Oklahoma, Dennis Schoenhals led a group of crop scouts through wheat fields, conducting routine health evaluations. Yet, unlike in previous years, many farmers, including Schoenhals, had already decided to forgo harvesting the grain for sale. This decision is a direct consequence of wheat prices falling to five-year lows, compelling producers across the U.S. wheat belt—from Texas to Montana—to alter traditional farming strategies.
The long-running legal saga surrounding Venezuela’s U.S.-based oil refining asset—Citgo Petroleum—has reached a decisive phase, as the Delaware court-supervised auction of its parent company, PDV Holding Inc., approaches its conclusion. Multiple bidders have submitted enhanced offers in the final round of the auction, hoping to acquire one of the most strategic oil refining operations in the United States.
GameStop Corp. $GME, long known for its volatility and meme stock status, announced plans to issue $1.75 billion USD in convertible senior notes, signaling a transformative step in its evolving corporate strategy. The funds, according to the retailer, may be used for general purposes — including potential cryptocurrency acquisitions, such as Bitcoin $BTCUSD — under its newly defined investment policy.
In a major legal move with profound implications for biotech, privacy rights, and consumer protection, 27 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. have filed a lawsuit against personal genomics firm 23andMe $ME , alleging the unauthorized sale of DNA and personal genetic data during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.
Amazon.com Inc $AMZN is intensifying its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to enhance efficiency across its vast logistics and delivery network. In a recent announcement, the tech and e-commerce giant outlined plans to deploy multifunctional warehouse robots and improve last-mile delivery speeds, signaling a transformative shift in how AI supports operational scalability. This move aligns with Amazon’s ongoing efforts to reduce costs, accelerate package fulfillment, and stay competitive in a fast-evolving global supply chain landscape.
Victoria’s Secret $VSCO reported a significant cybersecurity incident that forced the company to temporarily shut down its e-commerce website and corporate IT systems last week. The shutdown, which began on May 26 and lasted until May 29, was implemented as a precautionary measure to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate potential network threats. This event underscores increasing cybersecurity risks confronting retail companies reliant on digital platforms for sales and customer engagement.
Amid escalating U.S.–China tech tensions, semiconductor design software giant Synopsys Inc. $SNPS has directed its staff in China to suspend all services and halt new sales following the latest wave of U.S. export restrictions. This internal directive comes as Washington tightens its grip on technology transfers to Beijing, aiming to curb China's access to advanced chip design capabilities critical for artificial intelligence and defense applications.
British American Tobacco $BATS.L, a leading global tobacco company, has recently completed a significant divestment by selling a substantial stake in India’s diversified consumer goods conglomerate ITC Limited $ITC.NS. The transaction, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, reflects BAT’s strategic portfolio management amid evolving global market dynamics and its ongoing focus on core tobacco operations. This move also underscores the growing significance of Indian consumer markets for multinational companies.
The Japanese government is re-evaluating its sovereign debt strategy as yields on super-long Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) have surged to recent highs. In response to growing investor unease about Japan’s fiscal trajectory, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is reportedly considering a reduction in the issuance of these ultra-long bonds, signaling a possible shift in policy for the current fiscal year.
Spanish gas network operator Enagas $ENG.MC announced a significant development in its ongoing arbitration case involving the Peruvian government. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), part of the World Bank Group, has increased the compensation awarded to Enagas from $194 million to $302 million. This arbitration concerns a gas pipeline project developed by Enagas in Peru, and the recent ruling marks a substantial escalation in the financial remuneration the company is entitled to receive.
The Indian rupee strengthened modestly on Friday, climbing 0.2% to 85.83 against the U.S. dollar by mid-morning trading, as a weakening greenback fueled gains across emerging market currencies. The rebound followed Thursday’s slip below the 86-per-dollar threshold — a level last breached a month ago — and coincides with rising investor unease over the fiscal trajectory of the United States.
Colgate Palmolive India $COLPAL.NS, a leading player in the Indian oral care segment, announced a 6.5% drop in net profit for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2025. The decline reflects softening sales primarily driven by weakening demand in urban markets and heightened competitive pressures in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.
