Good Afternoon. While the Monopoly man is getting his own coin (literally), Wall Street’s playing its own high-stakes game ahead of the Fed’s big move. Meanwhile, a “framework of a deal” has been reached for TikTok and Elon Musk just dropped a casual billion on Tesla stock, because why not start the week with a flex? Let’s get into it.

—Rosie, Wyatt, Evan & Conor

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1. Tesla stock surges as Musk buys $1B stake

The News: Tesla shares jumped over 5% as of early afternoon trading Monday, erasing year-to-date losses, after Elon Musk disclosed his first purchase of Tesla stock since 2020, scooping up 2.6 million shares worth about $1 billion. The move comes just a week after Tesla’s board unveiled a proposed $1 trillion compensation package for Musk, tethered to ambitious targets like scaling robotaxis, humanoid robots, and growing Tesla’s market cap to $8.5 trillion from roughly $1 trillion today.

Why It Matters: For investors, Musk’s billion-dollar buy-in is the ultimate “skin in the game” moment, a direct signal that he’s betting big on Tesla’s future, not just talking it up. The $1T pay package raises the stakes, essentially tying his fortune to whether Tesla can morph from an EV maker into a robotics and AI powerhouse. For consumers, it means Musk’s vision isn’t just about cars anymore, he’s pitching a world where your next Tesla product might walk your dog or babysit your kids. If it pans out, Tesla’s stock recovery could be just the start.
Source: finance.yahoo.com

2. U.S. and China Strike Framework TikTok Deal

The News: The U.S. Treasury says it has reached a “framework” agreement with China that could resolve the yearslong standoff over TikTok’s future in America. Details remain murky, especially around control of TikTok’s all-important algorithm, but officials on both sides said the deal respects U.S. national security concerns while giving Beijing a “fair investment environment.” The agreement comes just before a Wednesday deadline that could have banned the app outright.

Why It Matters: With 170 million U.S. users, TikTok has been a political and cultural flashpoint. This framework signals:

For investors, the deal reopens the possibility of a sale or partnership with U.S. firms like Oracle or Amazon. But the real wild card is the algorithm. If control shifts to an American buyer, the “For You” feed that made TikTok addictive could look very different.
Source: nbcnews.com

3. Trump calls to scrap quarterly earnings reports

The News: President Donald Trump is pushing to overhaul how U.S. companies report financials, calling for the SEC to replace quarterly earnings reports with semiannual updates. In a Truth Social post, he argued the shift would save companies money and free executives to focus on long-term growth instead of short-term Wall Street expectations. Trump also framed the idea as a competitiveness issue, noting that China’s businesses plan decades ahead while U.S. firms are pressured by 90-day cycles.

Why It Matters: For investors, less frequent reporting could mean less transparency, making it harder to gauge company performance and therefore, the likely value of your investments. On the other hand, fewer quarterly “earnings day freakouts” could encourage management to think beyond the next three months and invest in bigger, riskier bets. For policymakers, Trump’s push would align the U.S. with Europe, where semiannual reporting has been the norm since 2015. After deregulation, most European companies now report on a semiannual basis but some, especially large caps, voluntarily provide quarterly updates to meet investor expectations. The shift might reduce short-term noise, but it also risks leaving investors in the dark. Translation: fewer earnings calls, more time for executives to practice saying, “we’re focused on the long term.”
Source: axios.com

4. Apple maps out 10 new products through early 2026

The News: Apple isn’t slowing down after the iPhone 17 launch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company has sketched out a roadmap of 10 new products between now and early 2026 from updated iPads and MacBooks to AirTags, Vision Pro, and even a dedicated smart home hub. The first big debut could land as soon as October with an M5-powered iPad Pro, followed by M5 MacBook Pros in early 2026. Other highlights include refreshed AirTags with stronger tracking tech, a new HomePod mini, a faster Apple TV, and a 7-inch smart home hub running a new OS codenamed Charismatic. The Vision Pro lineup will also get a refresh later this year, though its true second generation isn’t expected until 2027.

Why It Matters: This roadmap signals a steady drumbeat of upgrades. The iPad Pro finally fixes its awkward camera angle, AirTags get more precise, and Apple’s long-teased home hub could finally give the Amazon Echo and Google Nest a real challenger, if Siri is smart enough to run the show. For investors, the takeaway is consistency. Apple is sticking to its strategy of layering AI deeper into hardware while keeping customers locked into its ecosystem. With rivals racing into foldables and generative AI devices, Apple is betting that a slow-and-steady rollout of polished, tightly integrated products will keep its premium edge intact.
Source: 9to5mac.com

5. Ford announces new global headquarters after seven decades

The News: Ford is packing up and leaving its iconic “Glass House” for the first time since 1956. The automaker will relocate its world headquarters three miles down the road in Dearborn, Michigan, to a brand-new 2.1 million-square-foot facility opening in November 2025. The new building — complete with six design studios, a 160,000-square-foot food hall, wellness rooms, and 300+ high-tech meeting spaces — is designed to bring executives, engineers, and designers under one roof. Ford calls it a physical symbol of its Ford+ transformation as it leans harder into electrification, autonomy, and AI-powered vehicles.

Why It Matters: For Ford, this isn’t just a change of address. It’s a cultural reboot. By trading the mid-century glass fortress for a modern campus, Ford signals it wants to act less like an old-school manufacturer and more like a tech-driven innovator. For employees, the new HQ means better collaboration and amenities (yes, even a massive food hall), while for investors it reflects the company’s bid to compete with Tesla and tech-heavy rivals. And for Detroit? It’s part of a broader reshaping, as both Ford and GM are moving into sleeker, more flexible headquarters that better fit the future of cars.
Source: abcnews.go.com

1. Pass Go, Collect Your 50p

The News: The Royal Mint has unveiled a new 50p coin to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Monopoly — the first time a board game has ever been featured on UK currency. The collectible design includes Mr. Monopoly, iconic game tokens, and a lenticular GO sign that flips to reveal the game’s famous “M” money symbol. To mark the launch, a giant silver top hat will roll through London this Thursday, giving fans the chance to win one of 100 limited-edition coins. Coins start at £15 for the Brilliant Uncirculated version, with premium silver and gold editions also on sale.

Why It Matters: Britain’s finances aren’t exactly in game-winning shape, so limited-edition collectibles like this aren’t just nostalgia, they’re revenue streams. Every £15 coin snapped up by collectors (and the pricier silver and gold versions) helps funnel cash into the Treasury without raising taxes. For collectors, it’s a quirky investment; for Hasbro, it’s another branding win; and for the government, it’s a reminder that sometimes the easiest way to raise money is to literally mint it.
Source: royalmint.com

2. BYD’s $45 Billion Stock Wipeout Raises Doubts on China Outlook

The News: BYD has lost $45 billion in market value after its shares plunged 30% from their record May highs. The EV giant cut its 2025 sales target from 5.5M to 4.6M vehicles after reporting its first profit drop in three years, raising questions about its price-cutting strategy and slowing demand at home. Beijing has begun cracking down on the industry’s bruising price war. BYD is now banking on overseas growth, where it could top 1M sales this year, and a slate of new models in 2026 to restore momentum.

Why It Matters: BYD’s $45B selloff isn’t just about one company, it highlights the limits of China’s cutthroat EV strategy. The government wants to cool a price war that’s made cars cheaper but left profits razor-thin, raising doubts about whether China can sustain global EV dominance. For investors, BYD’s stumble shows how fast market leaders can lose momentum. For global automakers, it’s a reminder that competing with China means surviving both technological leaps, pricing battles, and at the end of the day a company needs to make a profit.
Source: bloomberg.com

3. AI chatbot helps 180,000 Malawi farmers boost crop yields

The News: An AI-powered chatbot called Ulangizi (“advisor” in Chichewa) is transforming farming in Malawi, reaching more than 180,000 households with tailored crop advice via WhatsApp. Built by nonprofit Opportunity International and backed by the government, the app gives guidance through text, voice, or photos, making expert farming knowledge accessible even to those who can’t read or don’t own smartphones. The tool has already helped farmers rebound from climate disasters. After Cyclone Freddy in 2023 nearly wiped out his harvest, farmer Alex Maere used the chatbot’s advice to diversify into potatoes, earning $800 and paying his children’s school fees. Inspired by Malawi’s success, a new pilot has launched in Kenya, with plans for broader rollouts across Africa.

Why It Matters: Smallholder farmers produce up to 80% of Africa’s food but are among the most vulnerable to climate shocks. Ulangizi shows how AI can deliver practical, low-cost solutions that strengthen food security, improve incomes, and give communities a fighting chance against climate change. If scaled, tools like this could reshape agriculture for millions across the continent. Remember, knowledge is power.
Source: africanews.com

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