Tesla Inc. $TSLA is making a pivotal move in its long-promised autonomous vehicle strategy, launching a limited, paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. The rollout, set for Sunday, June 23, marks the first tangible test of Elon Musk’s vision for a self-driving future — one in which Tesla vehicles operate entirely without human drivers.

On June 20, Kroger Co. $KR, one of the largest grocery chains in the United States, announced a significant operational restructuring. The company plans to close 60 stores over the next 18 months, representing approximately 2% of its total footprint across 35 U.S. states. While specific locations have not been disclosed, the closures mark a clear move to enhance financial efficiency and streamline underperforming assets.

The United States is reportedly preparing to cancel key export waivers that have allowed global semiconductor giants—Samsung Electronics $005930.KS, SK Hynix $000660.KS, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company $2330.TW —to supply advanced chipmaking equipment to their fabrication plants in China. This shift comes amid escalating strategic competition between the U.S. and China and could signal a renewed tightening of export controls on sensitive technologies.

At the start of 2025, Wall Street entered the year with bullish expectations for Chinese equities. Institutional investors were largely positioned in favor of a rebound in mainland Chinese stocks, betting that Beijing would deploy robust fiscal and monetary stimulus to offset mounting pressure from U.S. tariffs and domestic economic fragility.

Frederick W. Smith, the founder and executive chairman of FedEx Corporation $FDX, has died at the age of 80. His passing marks the end of an era for the global logistics and transportation industry. Smith's bold vision, conceived during his time at Yale University, redefined international shipping and positioned FedEx as a cornerstone of global commerce. His death prompts both a reflection on the company's history and questions about its future trajectory in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

Darden Restaurants Inc. $DRI has confirmed it is reviewing strategic options for Bahama Breeze, its Caribbean-themed dining chain, just weeks after closing 15 of its locations. The decision reflects a broader operational reassessment aimed at streamlining underperforming assets.

Couchbase Inc. $BASE recorded a significant jump of 29% in after-hours trading following confirmation of a definitive agreement to be acquired by Haveli Investments. The all-cash transaction assigns the enterprise software firm an equity value of approximately $1.5 billion, marking a substantial valuation uplift for shareholders.

Shares of leading chipmakers fell sharply following reports that the U.S. Department of Commerce may revoke key export exemptions for companies operating semiconductor facilities in China. The move, spearheaded by Jeffrey Kessler, head of export enforcement at the Commerce Department, could mark a pivotal escalation in U.S. efforts to curtail Beijing’s access to advanced chipmaking tools.

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc. $LIPO saw its stock plunge by 23% following the company’s removal from the Nasdaq Capital Market due to non-compliance with listing regulations tied to private placement transactions. The biotech firm, currently in the clinical stage, is now facing intensified scrutiny from investors and regulators.

Marin Software Inc. $MRIN experienced a 12.2% drop in after-hours trading following its disclosure of a pending delisting from Nasdaq, driven by prolonged reporting deficiencies. The digital marketing software provider failed to meet mandatory filing obligations with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), prompting regulatory action.

Davis Commodities Limited $DTCK, a Singapore-based agricultural trading company, has outlined a strategic shift aimed at integrating blockchain applications and digital asset structures into its business model. The company is preparing to raise $30 million to support the development of a dual framework: a treasury-focused digital asset strategy and a blockchain-powered platform for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. This initiative reflects a broader ambition to modernize commodity financing through technological innovation, enhancing operational transparency and efficiency while expanding its role in the evolving digital asset ecosystem.

Apple Inc. $AAPL is holding early-stage internal talks over a possible acquisition of Perplexity AI, a rapidly scaling startup in the generative AI space. The discussions, involving top executives including M&A lead Adrian Perica and Services chief Eddy Cue, reflect growing urgency inside Apple to reinforce its AI capabilities. The potential deal, though not yet formalized, would mark Apple’s largest AI-related move and one of its most significant acquisitions to date.