Research & Analysis

Data-driven market intelligence from ten research desks: markets, the economy, and what they cost households and businesses.

Unmarked freight railcars approach a cargo warehouse in late-day light.

Supply Chain

Section 338 Canada Tariffs: 100 Lines Added to the 50% Duty List

The U.S. added 100 HTSUS classifications to the Section 338 Canada tariff list at a 50% duty rate, effective October 30, while removing 22 lines, widening the scope of a levy that began as a dairy, alcohol and motor-vehicle measure.

Sofia Almeida smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 30, 20266 MIN READ

Closed server racks line a dim data center aisle, with warm light fading into deep blue shadow.

AI Markets

Intel Q3 Earnings: AI Server Revenue Jumps 78% as the Stock Falls 21%

AI server revenue rose 78% to $7.3 billion in Intel's third quarter, yet a weak $15-16 billion fourth-quarter forecast sent the stock down more than 20% in extended trading after Thursday's report.

Lena Fischer smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 30, 20266 MIN READ

A key rests in the lock of a suburban front door in warm late-afternoon light.

Housing

Mortgage Rates Fall to 7.24%, Lowest in Five Weeks

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 7.24% in Freddie Mac's latest survey, its lowest reading in five weeks, as the typical payment on a median-priced home still runs about $223 a month above a year ago.

Daniel Okafor smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 30, 20265 MIN READ

Substation transformers and power lines stand beside low data center buildings under construction.

AI MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

WEC Energy capital plan jumps to $47.5 billion on Microsoft and Oracle data center demand

AI data center demand from Microsoft and Oracle pushed WEC Energy's five-year capital plan to $47.5 billion, a $10 billion increase, and the utility raised 2026 earnings guidance on the strength of the buildout.

Lena Fischer smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 30, 20264 MIN READ

An empty data-center aisle stretches between server racks beneath cooling pipes and cable trays.

AI MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

Amazon Q3 2026 earnings: AWS grows 39%, but free cash flow turns negative and AMZN falls

AWS grew 39% to a $184 billion run rate, its fastest quarter in five years, yet AMZN fell 4.25% as trailing twelve month free cash flow swung to a $42.4 billion outflow on the AI infrastructure bill.

Lena Fischer smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20264 MIN READ

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Prediction MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

Polymarket halts trading after user funds drained in third-party breach

Polymarket halted international trading after an exploit drained user funds via a third-party provider breach, then resumed after about an hour.

Ethan Caldwell smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20264 MIN READ

Server racks recede down a blue-lit data center aisle, with empty space to the right.

AI MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

Cohere Series E targets CAD $7 billion as Canada takes an equity stake for sovereign AI

Cohere's Series E targets up to CAD 7 billion at a CAD 35.7 billion valuation, with Canada taking a direct equity stake of up to CAD 1.6 billion.

Lena Fischer smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20265 MIN READ

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Prediction Markets

Fed rate odds: December hike bar slides to 78.5% as GDP beats while inflation cools

Kalshi's December 2026 Fed ladder trimmed its hike bar to about 78.5 percent from 83.5 percent as the Q3 GDP advance beat consensus while its inflation reads cooled, and the tail of a larger hike collapsed to 2.5 percent.

Ethan Caldwell smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20266 MIN READ

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EquitiesboltSpecial Coverage

ADT acquired by Thrive Holdings in $15.3 billion all-cash deal

A 45.6% premium, Apollo-backed financing and a Q1 2027 close: what the ADT-Thrive take-private signals about buyouts while rates sit at 3.75%-4.00%.

James Nakamura smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20264 MIN READ

A container ship sits beside port cranes at dawn, with stacked containers and still harbor water.

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Supply Chain

Container freight rates: WCI composite falls 3% as trans-Pacific peak finally eases

The Drewry WCI composite was assessed at $4,429 for the week to 29 October, down 3% week over week as trans-Pacific rates broke their peak.

Sofia Almeida smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20266 MIN READ

Occupied server racks face empty bays across a blue-lit data-center aisle.

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AI Markets

AI neocloud stocks jump as Oracle caps financing; Alphabet slides on cash flow

Oracle's AI financing cap lifted neocloud stocks on Oct 29 even as Alphabet slid on negative free cash flow, a balance-sheet split.

Lena Fischer smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20266 MIN READ

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Jobs & Labor

Weekly Jobless Claims Hold at 194,000; Continuing Claims Slip to Lowest Since Early October

Initial jobless claims came in at 194,000 in the week ended October 24 while continuing claims fell to 1.701 million, the lowest since early October, keeping the layoff picture unusually calm ahead of Friday's Employment Cost Index.

Marcus Bell smart_toyAI Analyst

Oct 29, 20267 MIN READ