CNBC in the news as AI IPOs, big tech bets, and market moves reshape the dial — a go-to for live business, markets, and tech drama. (CNBC: American business news channel owned by Versant)
Several companies have announced expansion plans and new services for robotaxis. Mobileye has said it will operate a 100-vehicle robotaxi fleet in a US city in 2027 and aims to scale to about 17,000 within five years. Wayve is preparing to launch a small, supervised robotaxi service with Uber in London in the coming months. Autnmy AIs new Road to Autonomy indices rank Waymo top overall while Chinese players Apollo Go, Pony.ai and WeRide show rapid commercial growth.
Weight-loss GLP-1 drugs are expanding beyond injections to pills in the US, UK and UAE. Major manufacturers report rising uptake and ongoing development, with Medicare and NHS access shaping pace and affordability. Private prescriptions and new formulations are widening access while competition accelerates.
The Bank of England has voted 7-2 to keep its policy rate at 3.75%, with two members calling for a quarter-point rise. The decision follows weaker-than-expected UK inflation in May, signs of soft growth and a tentative US–Iran truce that has eased energy prices. Markets have pushed sterling lower and expect only one hike later this year.
A patchwork of updated data shows delistings rising in parts of the US and UK as higher mortgage costs, rent pressures, and regional price differences reshape affordability. In the UK, housing demand softens while some northern markets show stronger price moves; in the US, delistings rise amid higher rates and uncertain demand.
Global airlines face a sharp rise in jet-fuel costs as conflict in the Middle East pushes up oil prices. IATA now forecasts profits will fall sharply in 2026, driving airlines to raise fares and adjust routes while governments seek safety measures.
Airlines are expanding premium cabins and adding routes to host World Cup cities as bookings rise in June and July. United, Delta and others are boosting capacity with larger aircraft and special routes, while some markets see premium pricing and strategic network adjustments.
A round-up of fresh company updates shows mixed earnings across retailers and tech-adjacent firms. Pennon sees improving profit as storms and tariffs weigh on penalties; Mitie reports rising revenue and progress on strategy ahead of leadership change; S4 Capital trims job cuts while pursuing AI-driven growth; Debenhams, Macy’s, Ulta and Asda publish updates amid a churning retail landscape.
President Donald Trump has signed a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of his term, ending a months-long impasse that began after two civilians were killed during January immigration operations. Republicans passed the measure through budget reconciliation after Democrats demanded enforcement safeguards and blocked funding earlier this year.
The United States has proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from about 59–60 countries, citing failures to curb goods made with forced labour. The EU has negotiated a digital trade deal with South Korea and is preparing new industrial measures to reduce single‑supplier dependence. China has tightened controls on outbound investment and is hosting a steady stream of foreign leaders.
OpenRouter and Concentrate AI are expanding AI-model routing, driving demand for cheaper models and cost controls as Anthropic and OpenAI race to go public. The landscape shifts as buyers seek value and governments debate how to share benefits from AI progress.
OpenAI has submitted a confidential S‑1 to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a potential IPO, joining Anthropic and SpaceX in what could become a wave of blockbuster listings. The company has not set timing or deal terms and says it may remain private while it completes plans that are easier offline.
The White House has issued a scaled-back executive order asking frontier AI firms to voluntarily share advanced models 30 days before release for cybersecurity review. Last week the administration has imposed export-style restrictions that forced Anthropic to cut access to its Fable and Mythos models, prompting industry alarm about ad hoc controls and the limits of the voluntary framework.
Apple has unveiled Siri AI and expanded Apple Intelligence at WWDC, promising a conversational assistant that uses personal device data and Google-powered foundation models. The company has said Siri AI will enter beta this summer with a public fall release, but regulators in the EU and China will delay availability there. Apple has emphasised privacy and private cloud compute in its rollout.
The Makerfield by-election has intensified scrutiny of Keir Starmer’s leadership. Andy Burnham is positioned to challenge from Westminster if elected, with markets watching for policy signals on AI, Big Tech regulation and public spending as the party seeks a credible path forward.
US borrowers face higher debt levels with roughly a quarter saying their load is unmanageable. Experts advocate strategies like debt avalanche and snowball, with consolidation options and caution on budgeting to avoid slipping into a debt trap. Net worth and income do not fully ease financial anxiety.
SpaceX has floated on Nasdaq under the ticker SPCX, raising about $75 billion at $135 a share and debuting with a market value above $2 trillion. The newly public group combines SpaceX's rocket and Starlink businesses with xAI and X. Analysts warn the valuation depends on unproven projects such as orbital data centres and Mars ambitions.
June data show inflation mounting and investors weighing potential rate hikes by year-end. Strong job market persists, while markets price in higher rates and the Fed stays on hold for now.
A wave of AI-related IPOs from SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI is unfolding, with markets facing a flood of new stock. Retail demand remains strong for SpaceX, but analysts warn supply could overwhelm demand, pressuring prices and testing market resilience.
European automakers have announced multiple defence-sector partnerships this week. Ineos has formed a "Team Grenadier" consortium to adapt its Grenadier 4x4 for Britain’s Light Mobility Vehicle programme, while Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz and Renault have unveiled defence projects. The moves come as Chinese EV exports surge and European auto demand softens.
Trump has claimed a peace deal with Iran could be signed soon, a repeated assertion that has yet to materialize. Markets have reacted with optimism and volatility as talks remain fragile and conflict persists. The narrative centers on the tension between optimism and reality as political statements influence oil and equities.
A wave of AI is accelerating in India, Hollywood micro-dramas, and Cannes-flagged experiments, driving cost savings and sparking workforce concerns as unions negotiate limits on synthetic performers and creators explore new workflows.
Mortgage rates have edged up again, with the 30-year fixed rate near 6.60% as lending activity strengthens after a lull. Refinancing remains soft while purchase applications show a modest uptick, reflecting ongoing sensitivity to inflation and oil-market tensions.
President Donald Trump has delayed Jay Clayton’s Senate confirmation and said Bill Pulte will remain acting director of national intelligence. Trump has tied progress on renewing Section 702 surveillance authority and Clayton’s confirmation to passage of a voter ID bill and has ordered Pulte to cut ODNI staff and return employees to their home agencies.
The Lyceum Theatre’s 2026-27 season is shaped by a shift from standalone productions to multi-company co-productions, due to sustained cost pressures and reduced public funding. Artistic director James Brining says the theatre aims to sustain scale, diversify audiences, and support Scottish theatre workers, even as opportunities shrink for freelancers.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has spurred a surge in sports betting in the United States and globally, with forecasts pointing to record wagers across online platforms and prediction markets. Analysts see major benefits for operators, data providers, and travel-related sectors as the tournament unfolds across North America.
AP and TechCrunch reports show OpenAI is pursuing a revamped ChatGPT and potential government stake discussions, signaling a broader push toward an AI-driven economy and public benefit. The story tracks regulatory talks, IPO timing, and competing strategies from Anthropic and rivals.
The U.S. and Iran have reached a framework to end the war, with the Strait of Hormuz set to reopen. Markets are reacting with equities hitting or near highs as oil dips and yields pull back; the timing now shifts to central-bank decisions this week.
CNBC reports on states competing for business through speed to market, infrastructure, and permitting reforms as they seek top rankings in a 2026 CNBC study. The piece also highlights governors' goals and how different states are positioning themselves for investment amid potential economic shifts.
A set of Business Insider UK pieces recounts personal moves into entrepreneurship and relocation, highlighting the strain and shifts in families and professionals as they pursue new ventures across Lisbon, Los Angeles and beyond.
Genesis AI has unveiled Eno, a wheeled, modular robot designed to work across manufacturing, logistics, hotels, and healthcare. Backed by $105 million in funding, the company aims to deploy dozens of units by end-2026 and scale to mass production, with LG as a key partner and a broader push into the AI-enabled physical economy.
The United States has carried out strikes on Iranian targets after a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache has gone down near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has said Iran shot the helicopter; U.S. officials and CENTCOM are investigating. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases across the Gulf and has reported civilian infrastructure damage.
A Penn State-led study shows four minutes of four key exercises can meaningfully improve physical function in adults 65+, with benefits appearing within 12 weeks. The quick routine, FAST-2, uses push-ups, chair stands, two-arm rows and stair stepping with minimal equipment, and high adherence was observed.
Trust funds for Social Security and Medicare are projected to face depletion in coming years, prompting renewed calls for action. The 2032 depletion date for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance is now forecast to precede earlier estimates, with Medicare facing its own near-term pressures. Policymakers are under pressure to act to avert potential benefit cuts.
SpaceX’s upcoming Nasdaq listing faces index inclusion hurdles as S&P 500 rules keep it out for now, while investors race into leveraged space ETFs and a rising tide of active funds reshapes the ETF landscape.
The US Commerce Department has issued an export-control directive requiring Anthropic to suspend foreign-national access to its newest models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5. Anthropic has disabled both models for all customers to comply, disputes the government20 9s evidence of a jailbreak and is working to restore access while other models remain available.
Stocks rebound after major tech IPOs, with AI-focused names leading gains while volatility remains elevated. SpaceX’s blockbuster listing prompts index-weight discussions; traders weigh how dispersion and inflation signals might steer the market ahead of more mega-IPOs.
Kalshi has started collecting job information to screen markets at heightened risk of manipulation and is rolling out a risk-scoring system plus 24/7 whistleblower channel. The measures aim to curb insider trading after a string of cases across Kalshi and Polymarket, including investigations into George Santos and a Google insider-trading case.
May data indicate a continued slowdown in China’s economy, with retail sales slipping for the first time in over three years and fixed-asset investment contracting. Industrial output marginally outpaced estimates, while energy-driven exports and AI-related demand provide some support amid a wider growth slowdown.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that U.S. consumer prices rose 4.2% in the 12 months through May, the fastest annual pace since April 2023, driven largely by a surge in energy and gasoline costs. Core inflation has remained cooler at 2.9%, while producers’ prices and oil-driven wholesale gains have also accelerated ahead of the Federal Reserve’s June meeting.
A new First Street study shows that 79% of data center capacity faces acute climate hazards, with half in markets exposed to chronic climate stress. Investors are urged to factor in evolving climate risks as underwriters rely on outdated models while developers adopt water- and energy-efficient cooling to bolster resilience.
A string of articles shows AI is transforming junior roles across finance and tech, boosting productivity while prompting debate about job quality and upskilling. Disney, Paramount and Thoma Bravo describe faster coding, more complex tasks for juniors, and government-led training initiatives.
The Fed has kept rates unchanged as Kevin Warsh begins a reform drive focused on limiting forward guidance and expanding task forces to rethink data, communications, and the balance sheet. Projections show some officials anticipating a hike this year, while Warsh withholds his own forecast.
Investors have priced in a protracted confrontation as U.S.-Iran hostilities escalate. Oil prices rise, while equities swing in response to shifting risk and higher energy costs. Analysts warn that higher energy costs and a higher cost of capital will pressure earnings in coming months.
Bezos has launched Prometheus to build an “artificial general engineer” that could accelerate the invention loop. He argues AI will create a labor shortage by boosting productivity and enabling faster design and production, countering fears of widespread job losses. The round of funding, leadership roles, and plans for AI-driven physical tasks are highlighted across multiple outlets.
The Pentagon has activated shelter-in-place protocols following reports of an air-quality issue detected by building systems. Hazmat teams are assessing the situation while tests determine the significance of the alert. No hazards have been confirmed and operations are resuming as tests proceed.
Waymo has launched Waymo Premier, a $29.99-per-month membership offering priority pickups, up to five free cancellations monthly, and 10% Waymo Cash back for trips. The program is initially invite-only in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, with plans to broaden to additional cities as it presses expansion and pursues higher-value riders.
Fostering the Future accounts launch, offering a $1,000 seed and potential matching funds to foster children and others under 18. Governors signing on, and advocacy groups push for automatic enrollment to boost participation; analysis notes persistently poor outcomes for foster youth.
The president has nominated Jay Clayton to be the next Director of National Intelligence, a move that has triggered a stalemate in Congress as Democrats oppose a quick confirmation amid a dispute over FISA and related security authorities.
SpaceX has completed the largest IPO in history, raising $75 billion and listing on Nasdaq under ticker SPCX. Shares opened at $150, climbed as high as $176 and closed the first day around $160–166 in extended trading, briefly valuing the company above $2.1 trillion and making Elon Musk the world's first likely trillionaire.
A trio of analyses show wage gains lagging energy-price spikes, financial literacy faltering, and the American Dream under pressure. Despite pockets of wealth, many Americans feel the economy is not working for them as inflation persists and costs of living stay high.