CEO confidence plummeted to 47 in Q2 2026, with 47% of top executives saying the economy is worse than six months ago, according to a new survey. Business leaders are bracing for a downturn, with corporations signaling reduced hiring and capital spending. J.P. Morgan's 2026 Business Leaders Outlook found only 39% of leaders hold an optimistic view of the national economy. The data points to growing anxiety about tariffs, inflation persistence, and slowing consumer demand as the second half of the year begins.
The IMF warns the UK will be the hardest-hit G20 advanced economy from the Iran conflict, slashing its 2026 growth forecast to 0.8% from 1.5%. Soaring energy prices and trade disruption through the Strait of Hormuz are driving the downgrade, with the IMF saying the global economy risks recession if the war continues.
GameStop pledged on Friday to continue pursuing its unsolicited $56 billion cash-and-stock takeover bid for eBay, even after the e-commerce giant's board unanimously rejected the offer. The videogame retailer's aggressive move signals a new chapter for the meme-stock darling as it seeks to transform into a major e-commerce player.
GameStop pledged Friday to continue pursuing its roughly $56 billion cash-and-stock bid for eBay, after the e-commerce giant rejected the offer as inadequate. Volkswagen separately confirmed it is weighing up to 100,000 job cuts and four plant closures in Germany. S&P affirmed the US 'AA+' credit rating. Meanwhile, Trump threatened 100% tariffs on countries imposing digital services taxes, escalating global trade tensions.
The US goods trade deficit widened sharply in May to a 14-month high, according to Commerce Department data released June 26. The deficit reached $72.4 billion as imports surged 4.2% month-over-month, driven by consumer goods and industrial supplies. Exports rose a modest 1.1%, leaving the gap at its widest since March 2025. Economists say the data suggests tariff policy has not reshaped trade flows as intended.
The US Personal Consumption Expenditures price index surged 4.1% year-over-year in May, the highest reading since April 2023 and the first time above 4% in three years. Core PCE, excluding food and energy, rose 3.4%. The data keeps a Federal Reserve interest rate hike on the table for later this year. Markets now see a September rate increase as likely, though falling oil prices following the US-Iran peace deal may ease inflation pressures in coming months.
Small businesses across the United States say relentless pressure from tariffs and higher energy prices has sapped their resilience, with many struggling to maintain operations. A New York Times survey found that small business owners report shrinking margins as input costs rise faster than they can pass on to customers. The impact has been especially severe in manufacturing and retail sectors, where tariff-driven steel and aluminum price increases have compounded energy cost pressures.
U.S. stock markets closed sharply lower Monday as a broad selloff in semiconductor stocks triggered declines across major indices. The Nasdaq fell 2.4% with Nvidia dropping 5% and AMD losing 4.3% after analysts questioned whether AI infrastructure spending can sustain its current pace. Investors rotated out of tech and into defensive sectors amid growing uncertainty about the AI boom's trajectory.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan died Monday at his home at age 100 from complications of Parkinson's disease, his wife Andrea Mitchell announced. Greenspan served as Fed chief for nearly 19 years under four presidents from 1987 to 2006, guiding the US through Black Monday, the dot-com boom and the post-9/11 recession. Hailed as a maestro during his tenure for presiding over a record economic expansion, his legacy was later dimmed by the 2008 financial crisis that erupted after he left office. He called the credit market breakdown a once-in-a-century tsunami.
Small businesses across the US say relentless pressures from tariffs and higher energy prices have sapped their resilience, according to a New York Times report. In Europe, the EU crafted a plan to give industries extra free CO2 permits this year. Steel industry leaders warned about slow progress on green steel projects, and community bankers expressed fear of being sidelined amid crypto-focused deregulation.