Children's clothing retailer Carter's is rebranding with a new logo and marketing campaign to appeal to Gen Z parents and reverse three years of declining stock performance. The 161-year-old company, which owns Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh brands, has restructured operations by closing stores and reducing workforce, while reporting improved sales growth and new customer acquisition in recent quarters.
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh faces uncertainty over the breadth of support for an expected quarter-point interest rate increase this week, with markets pricing in a 92% probability of a hike. While some Fed officials like Christopher Waller and John Williams advocate patience, inflation concerns from tariffs and energy shocks are pushing the consensus toward action despite disagreement over whether rate hikes address temporary factors.
The Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET) has surged 3,600% year-to-date, becoming the best-performing U.S. fund, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and supply chain disruptions drive record shipping costs. The Strait of Hormuz crisis, Houthi control of Yemen's Mocka port, and broader factors like tariffs and drought have created an unprecedented shortage of oil tankers, allowing shipping companies to command premium rates.
U.S. crude oil prices surged to $102 per barrel this week, their highest level since May, driven by escalating Middle East conflict and a potential shift in China's demand. China's reduction of crude imports during the Iran war has been a key factor suppressing prices, but refiners are now incentivized to increase purchases due to high profit margins, potentially pushing oil toward wartime highs of $112.95 if China sustains higher buying levels.
U.S. wholesale prices rose 0.4% in August as measured by the producer price index, matching expectations but keeping annual inflation at 5.4%, well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Energy and goods prices drove most of the increase, with the report influencing market expectations for the Fed's upcoming interest rate decision.
Macy's reported strong second-quarter results with 2.7% comparable sales growth and raised full-year guidance, citing success from its reimagined stores and higher-end brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury. The retailer now projects net sales between $21.68–$21.83 billion and comparable sales growth of 1–1.5%, while investing $96 million in tariff refunds toward customer experience and its turnaround strategy.
The Treasury Department announced it will buy back up to $6 billion in government debt, tripling normal operations, to maintain bond market liquidity and support Treasury yields that have risen to levels unseen since 2008. The move follows an August announcement to at least double buybacks, though market reaction was negative with yields continuing to rise. Future operations will be at least $4 billion, marking a significant shift in Treasury debt management strategy.
Gold rose 1.1% to $4,401.09 per ounce, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar, as investors awaited key inflation data to gauge the Federal Reserve's policy direction. Middle East tensions drove oil prices above $100 per barrel, while traders priced a 60% chance of an interest rate hike at next week's central bank meeting.
Apple launches its first foldable iPhone today with new CEO John Ternus debuting, while Brent crude surpasses $100 per barrel amid escalating U.S.-Iran military tensions. Trump signed proclamations banning Canadian imports and sanctioning Iranian airlines as part of broader economic measures, with his oil holdings gaining millions from the conflict.
U.S. and Iran escalate military conflict with strikes on oil tankers and sanctions on airlines, pushing crude prices toward $100 per barrel and threatening global energy supplies. Meanwhile, Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, and tech companies Qualcomm and Corning announce major AI infrastructure partnerships that lift semiconductor stocks.
Oil prices surged as U.S.-Iran military tensions escalated, with the U.S. destroying Iranian tankers in retaliation for attacks on an American warship. Brent crude approached $100 a barrel, and analysts warn prices could exceed $120 if Middle East shipping disruptions worsen over coming months.