Vegetable-Oil Inflation Sends World Food Prices Higher The benchmark for global food commodity prices rose for a third consecutive month in April, hitting its highest level since early 2023, as Middle East supply disruptions, elevated energy costs, and tightening supplies of certain agricultural products appear to be driving the next leg higher in global food prices. This is a major risk we have w...
Vegetable-Oil Inflation Sends World Food Prices Higher The benchmark for global food commodity prices rose for a third consecutive month in April, hitting its highest level since early 2023, as Middle East supply disruptions, elevated energy costs, and tightening supplies of certain agricultural products appear to be driving the next leg higher in global food prices. This is a major risk we have warned about throughout the U.S.-Iran war, as energy and supply chain disruptions spread quickly through fertilizer, diesel, freight, biofuels, grains, and vegetable oils. We even treated readers to a special food debate late last week to examine how the conflict could produce a broader food-inflation shock later this year. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization's FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 130.7 in April, up 1.6% from its revised March level and 2% higher than a year ago. This places the global food index at its highest level since February 2023. The largest move in the food index came from vegetable oils, where prices jumped 5.9% to the highest level since July 2022. Palm, soy, rapeseed, and sunflower oils all rose, supported by stronger biofuel demand, higher crude prices, and tight Black Sea supplies. " Despite the disruptions linked to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, global agrifood systems continue to show resilience . Cereal prices have increased only moderately so far, supported by relatively strong stocks and adequate supplies from previous seasons. Vegetable oils, however, are experiencing stronger price increases, driven largely by higher oil prices, which are increasing demand for biofuels and putting additional pressure on vegetable oil markets ," said FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero. Here is how the other subcomponents performed last month: The FAO Cereal Price Index rose by 0.8 percent from March and was up 0.4 percent from a year ...
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” President Trump says in a Truth Social post .
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” President Trump says in a Truth Social post .
It's not hard to see how Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) could become a millionaire-maker stock . One of the company's earliest investors was Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI and ChatGPT . Altman served as the chairman of Oklo as recently as 2025, the year he stepped down to avoid any conflict of interest. What exactly was the conflict of interest? Altman's AI empire is one of the heaviest data center users in...
It's not hard to see how Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) could become a millionaire-maker stock . One of the company's earliest investors was Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI and ChatGPT . Altman served as the chairman of Oklo as recently as 2025, the year he stepped down to avoid any conflict of interest. What exactly was the conflict of interest? Altman's AI empire is one of the heaviest data center users in the world. Open AI, the parent company of ChatGPT, is highly reliant on more data centers being built to continue its rapid growth rates. There's just one problem: For more data centers to be built, a commensurate amount of new electricity sources will need to come online to power and cool those data centers. This is what got Altman so interested in Oklo's nuclear technology to begin with. He clearly believed small modular reactors, or SMRs -- the specific nuclear technology that Oklo designs and manufactures -- could be a meaningful solution to the AI industry's rapidly rising energy demands. Continue reading
Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take daily podcast today After eight years as chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term concludes this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Fed correspondents Catarina Saraiva and Amara Omeokwe to look back at Powell’s successes, missteps and legacy — and what shape the central bank could take in the future.
Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take daily podcast today After eight years as chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term concludes this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Fed correspondents Catarina Saraiva and Amara Omeokwe to look back at Powell’s successes, missteps and legacy — and what shape the central bank could take in the future.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026. Ronen Zvulun | Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the war with Iran is "not over," as the U.S. and Israel still aim to bring an end to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. "There's still nuclear material, enriched uranium that ...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026. Ronen Zvulun | Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the war with Iran is "not over," as the U.S. and Israel still aim to bring an end to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. "There's still nuclear material, enriched uranium that has to be taken out of Iran," he said in a taped interview on CBS's "60 Minutes" that is set to air Sunday night. "There is still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled, there's still proxies that Iran supports, there are ballistic missiles that they still want to produce ... there's work to be done." Pressed for how the U.S. and Israel would remove the nuclear material, Netanyahu said: "You go in, and you take it out." Read more CNBC politics coverage Boeing, Citigroup CEOs set to join Trump on China visit next week Marco Rubio heads to the Vatican as 2028 presidential buzz ramps up Epstein files: Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick questioned by House Oversight panel Netanyahu's comments come ahead of President Donald Trump 's expected trip to China later this week, where he's expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping . The war and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran have spiked global energy costs and sharply raised gas prices in the U.S. Washington and Tehran are trying to negotiate a peace deal through mediators in Pakistan, but the pact remains elusive. The Wall Street Journal on Sunday reported details of Iran's latest response to the U.S. proposal to end the war. According to the Journal, Iran did not agree to U.S. demands regarding its nuclear program and stockpile of highly enriched uranium, instead calling for separate nuclear negotiations and for some of its highly enriched uranium to be diluted and the rest sent to a third country. The uranium would be returned to Iran if the U.S. exits the deal, the Journal said. In addition, the U.S....
CrowdStrike Holdings (NasdaqGS:CRWD) expanded its Project QuiltWorks AI cybersecurity coalition with new global technology and consulting partners. New members include Armadin, Cognizant, HCLTech, Infosys, KPMG, NTT DATA, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wipro. The company also launched Falcon OverWatch for Defender, bringing AI powered threat hunting to Microsoft endpoint customers. CrowdStrike Hol...
CrowdStrike Holdings (NasdaqGS:CRWD) expanded its Project QuiltWorks AI cybersecurity coalition with new global technology and consulting partners. New members include Armadin, Cognizant, HCLTech, Infosys, KPMG, NTT DATA, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wipro. The company also launched Falcon OverWatch for Defender, bringing AI powered threat hunting to Microsoft endpoint customers. CrowdStrike Holdings, trading at about $505.74, has seen very strong multi year share price appreciation,...
End the Year Strong With These 3 Comeback ChampionsHawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE:HE) said it entered 2026 in a “year of transition” after finalizing the Maui wildfire tort settlement and moving forward with a rate rebasing proposal designed to support utility investment whil
End the Year Strong With These 3 Comeback ChampionsHawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE:HE) said it entered 2026 in a “year of transition” after finalizing the Maui wildfire tort settlement and moving forward with a rate rebasing proposal designed to support utility investment whil
Carnegie Mellon University conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 128th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 10. Bridging the gap between technological innovation and the transformative power of the arts, these new alumni are ready to address society's most urgent needs with the bold, collaborative spirit that defines the Carnegie Mellon experience.
Carnegie Mellon University conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 128th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 10. Bridging the gap between technological innovation and the transformative power of the arts, these new alumni are ready to address society's most urgent needs with the bold, collaborative spirit that defines the Carnegie Mellon experience.
When Kevin Hart announced in January that he’d licensed his name to Authentic Brands Group , the popular comedian was silent on a key detail: the future of his namesake media company. Hart sold some ownership and oversight of his brand in exchange for an undisclosed sum of money and a stake in Authentic, a New York-based firm that manages the likenesses of Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O...
When Kevin Hart announced in January that he’d licensed his name to Authentic Brands Group , the popular comedian was silent on a key detail: the future of his namesake media company. Hart sold some ownership and oversight of his brand in exchange for an undisclosed sum of money and a stake in Authentic, a New York-based firm that manages the likenesses of Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O’Neal and David Beckham. Hart used the partnership with Authentic to reset his relationship with the people around him and his company, according to six current and former employees. Hart’s employees say they worry that this deal marks the beginning of the end of Hartbeat, the comedian’s namesake media company that produces films, owns a network of short-form video channels and handles marketing for brands. Though the announcement made no mention of Hartbeat, the agreement gave Hart money to buy out his private equity partner in the company over time and regain control of the use of his name, image and likeness. Hart’s endorsement deals, which had been a pillar of Hartbeat business, will now be handled by Authentic. Once valued at about $650 million, Hartbeat has shriveled over the past few years. The company enacted its latest round of job cuts in December, firing the heads of its scripted TV division, as well as employees working across marketing, social media and brand partnerships, said the people. Earlier this year it let go the leaders of its podcast division and later sued them for breach of contract. Hart has withdrawn from the company, leaving day-to-day management in the hands of a small group of executives. Staff meetings have been canceled. The development of new film and TV projects has slowed. A slate of new podcasts was pitched but never produced. Hartbeat’s struggles reflected the challenging environment for many Hollywood production companies as media giants merge and cut spending. The company is also a cautionary tale in this age of the celebrity media mog...
LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RadNet, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDNT), a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 435 outpatient imaging centers and a premier developer of radiology digital health solutions, today reported financial results for its first quarter of 2026.
LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RadNet, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDNT), a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 435 outpatient imaging centers and a premier developer of radiology digital health solutions, today reported financial results for its first quarter of 2026.
Wall Street is increasingly nervous about hyperscaler capex. The combined capital expenditure of the four biggest hyperscalers — Amazon ( AMZN ), Microsoft ( MSFT ), Alphabet ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ), and Meta ( META ) — was just over $200B in 2024. Two years later it is on track to approach $700B. Free cash flow at the same four companies fell to a combined $200B last year, down from $237B in 2024, con...
Wall Street is increasingly nervous about hyperscaler capex. The combined capital expenditure of the four biggest hyperscalers — Amazon ( AMZN ), Microsoft ( MSFT ), Alphabet ( GOOG ) ( GOOGL ), and Meta ( META ) — was just over $200B in 2024. Two years later it is on track to approach $700B. Free cash flow at the same four companies fell to a combined $200B last year, down from $237B in 2024, consumed by the build-out. The question investors are asking: what happens to this spending if the economy turns? History offers a partial answer from an unlikely source. By 1930, AT&T's ( T ) Bell System was spending $585M annually on construction — the largest single private infrastructure program in American history. Then the Depression hit. GDP collapsed, unemployment reached 25%, and corporate America retrenched. Bell did not. Telephone installations declined, but infrastructure investment continued. The dividend held at $9 per share every year from 1929 to 1942 without interruption — through the worst economic catastrophe in American history. The mechanism was simple: Bell had no choice. Stopping was more dangerous than continuing. A telephone network only has value if it keeps growing. The moment Bell stopped building, it began losing the monopoly logic that justified its existence. The arms race imperative made retrenchment structurally irrational. That logic has a modern echo. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently described AI as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where the current growth is unprecedented and the future growth even bigger." That's not a growth forecast. It's a statement about competitive risk. Hyperscaler capex budgets are now set to make up 2.2% of U.S. GDP — and the companies spending it have said, repeatedly, that the danger is not over-investing but being caught under-invested when the cycle matures. Combined capital expenditure at the five largest hyperscalers - adding Oracle ( ORCL ) - has been growing at an average of 72% per year since mid-2023. AI as...
Investors riding a scorching run of market momentum will look for fresh signs Mideast hostilities can be defused when trading resumes Sunday night New York time. Iran offered to transfer some of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country in its response to the latest US proposal to end 10 weeks of war, but rejected the idea of dismantling its nuclear facilities, the Wall Street Jo...
Investors riding a scorching run of market momentum will look for fresh signs Mideast hostilities can be defused when trading resumes Sunday night New York time. Iran offered to transfer some of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country in its response to the latest US proposal to end 10 weeks of war, but rejected the idea of dismantling its nuclear facilities, the Wall Street Journal reported. Highlighting ongoing tension in a conflict that has killed thousands and driven up oil prices, a drone strike on Sunday briefly set a cargo vessel ablaze off Qatar in the Persian Gulf. Futures trading in stocks, bonds and energy resumes in earnest at 6 p.m. New York time. President Donald Trump has proposed that Iran permit passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington end its blockade on Iranian ports in the next month. The two sides remain far apart on the question of Tehran’s nuclear program, according to the Journal. Global stocks surged last week, pushing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 to fresh records, while 10-year Treasury yields rose and crypto jumped. A solid US employment report, along with a drumbeat of strong corporate results, has bolstered speculation that the world’s largest economy remains resilient in the face of energy stress triggered by the Iran war. “With the earnings season now largely behind us, investors’ focus remains firmly on the Strait of Hormuz and whether tanker traffic through this critical chokepoint improves,” said Julien Lafargue , chief market strategist at Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management. “Recent developments have been modestly encouraging.” About 82% of the S&P 500’s companies have beaten first-quarter profit estimates, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Across markets, the success of the momentum strategy — piling into recent winners, effectively — has become a defining feature. Junk bonds and crypto have been drawn in, and one momentum index in equities closed Friday near the highest since the globa...
Welcome to CFO Briefing, a newsletter dedicated to corporate finance and what leaders need to know. This week’s edition features a Bloomberg interview with KKR CFO Robert Lewin. But first, here’s a look at finance chiefs’ pay and tenure. The tradeoff Companies are getting pickier about who they want to lead their finance departments, and they’re willing to pay a premium for the right candidate. Co...
Welcome to CFO Briefing, a newsletter dedicated to corporate finance and what leaders need to know. This week’s edition features a Bloomberg interview with KKR CFO Robert Lewin. But first, here’s a look at finance chiefs’ pay and tenure. The tradeoff Companies are getting pickier about who they want to lead their finance departments, and they’re willing to pay a premium for the right candidate. Compensation for chief financial officers has jumped 62% over the past six years, about 2.4 times faster than for the average American worker and outpacing even chief executive pay, according to a study by financial planning and analysis platform Datarails . The average salary for CFOs at America’s largest companies is approaching $3.9 million annually. At the same time, finance chiefs have the least job security in the C-suite, with an average tenure of just 2.1 years, the report says. These two seemingly contradictory trends can be explained by one inescapable force: a more volatile operating environment, according to Jonathan Marciano , the report’s lead author and head of communications at Datarails. Amid shocks including the pandemic, tariffs, geopolitical conflict and the rise of generative AI, companies are seeking CFOs who can meet the moment—and are quick to replace those who fall short. “Boards are increasingly impatient,” Marciano said. “When you’ve got a volatile macroeconomic environment like rates and inflation and tariffs, obviously the CFO is often the first person the board looks to when financial performance disappoints.” This hair-trigger mindset has resulted in an elevated turnover rate among CFOs. Sixty percent of companies have changed their CFO in the past six years, while 8.8% are repeat switchers, replacing their finance chief at least twice. In some cases, the churn has tracked specific market events, such as one Bitcoin miner’s rapid-fire rotation through four CFOs as the cryptocurrency peaked and crashed. “It’s a high-pressure environment with high...
asbe/iStock via Getty Images In a week when the US-Iran conflict escalated, de-escalated, and then escalated again, the S&P 500 ( SPY ) seemed mostly oblivious as it exceeded 7400 for the first time and closed 2.33% higher. It is now within 0.35% of the first major technical target of 7425, and it may be time to prepare for the unwind of the trend. That doesn't mean close all long positions and lo...
asbe/iStock via Getty Images In a week when the US-Iran conflict escalated, de-escalated, and then escalated again, the S&P 500 ( SPY ) seemed mostly oblivious as it exceeded 7400 for the first time and closed 2.33% higher. It is now within 0.35% of the first major technical target of 7425, and it may be time to prepare for the unwind of the trend. That doesn't mean close all long positions and look for a top; the unwind can take weeks and typically consists of a series of failed new highs and dips. October '25 to February of this year is a good example. My preparation involves setting expectations and thinking about how the bias can shift from bullish to bearish. I plan to lighten up into strength, buy weakness, and I won't reduce exposure significantly until my expectations are met. S&P 500 Monthly There are three full weeks to go in May, so we can't read much into the monthly bar yet. It is currently 2.33% higher, and in midterm years, it averages -0.7%. It's quite possible to rally further to the monthly target of 7490 (where the 2025-2026 rally would be equal in size (points) to the 2022-2025 rally), then reverse and close lower or flat. If that were to happen, it could develop into a reversal. SPX Monthly ( TradingView ) 7,002, 6,901, and 6,474 are potential supports. A DeMARK exhaustion count was completed in February and had a brief effect with the March drop. No new signal is due this year. S&P 500 Weekly The weekly chart is about as bullish as it gets, and last week followed the usual bullish pattern of a quick dip on Monday to set the low of the week, followed by expansion higher and a close at the highs on Friday. While I always accept that anything can happen, as long as the weekly chart looks like this, new highs are very likely. SPX Weekly ( TradingView ) As each new bar unfolds, there is the potential to form a reversal. The usual way to do that would be to make a new high that fails and then drop into a weak (at the low of the weekly range) close on...