Browsing: Business

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / Content Syndication Services / – Apple and Microsoft are raising prices on major consumer devices as AI data center growth tightens global supply of memory and storage chips. The increases affect MacBooks, iPads and Xbox consoles, adding fresh pressure to buyers of computers and gaming hardware. Both companies linked the changes to higher costs for components used in everyday electronics. Apple raised prices on selected MacBook and iPad models by as much as $300. The MacBook Neo rose to $699 from $599. The 512GB MacBook Air moved to $1,299 from $1,099. The 1TB MacBook Pro increased to…

BRUSSELS / Content Syndication Services / – The Council of the European Union approved two tariff regulations on June 25, completing the bloc’s legislative process for commitments made with the United States in 2025. The measures implement tariff terms set out in the EU-US Joint Statement of August 21, 2025. They cover industrial goods, selected seafood and agricultural products, and lobster imports. The Council said the laws keep safeguards in place for European economic interests. The main regulation removes the remaining EU customs duties on US industrial goods. It also gives certain US seafood and non-sensitive farm goods access through…

WASHINGTON, D.C. / Content Syndication Services / – U.S. Congress has approved a broad housing bill that includes a ban on a Federal Reserve digital dollar through Dec. 31, 2030, placing central bank digital currency policy inside a wider package on home supply and affordability. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act cleared both chambers this week and now awaits final presidential action after a planned signing ceremony was canceled. The bill passed the Senate 85-5 and the House 358-32, giving the measure wide bipartisan support. Its central bank digital currency section bars the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC…

NEW YORK / Content Syndication Services / – Bitcoin traded near $61,486 on Thursday, June 25, slipping below the $62,500 level that had framed the latest bout of pressure across the crypto market. The largest cryptocurrency fell 2.1% on the day, with an intraday low near $59,102 and a high near $62,955. Ether traded near $1,643, down 1.7%, after moving between about $1,557 and $1,680. The move kept bitcoin close to the $60,000 area after a sharp decline from earlier June levels. The token had traded near $62,600 a day earlier, extending losses as major digital assets weakened. The wider…

NEW YORK / Content Syndication Services / – Oil prices rose in volatile trading as Brent crude futures reached $78.15 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude climbed to $74.19. The move kept global oil benchmarks in focus after sharp swings across energy markets. Traders tracked crude supply, refinery demand, and shipping activity tied to Middle East export routes. Brent crude remains the main global oil benchmark for many physical cargoes and futures contracts. WTI crude serves as the key U.S. benchmark. Both contracts have moved sharply this month as energy markets assessed supply flows, inventory levels, and fuel demand.…

NEW YORK / Content Syndication Services / – Gold rose on Monday after touching its lowest level in more than a week, as lower oil prices reduced some inflation concern across bullion markets. Spot gold gained 0.5% to $4,182.39 an ounce by 1:50 p.m. ET. The metal had dropped on Friday to its weakest level since June 11. U.S. gold futures for August delivery settled 1% lower at $4,202.70 an ounce. The rebound followed a drop in crude prices after Iran cited progress in talks with the United States. Brent crude fell nearly 2%, easing one pressure point for markets…

WASHINGTON / Content Syndication Services / – Brent crude futures rose to $81.66 a barrel as supply concerns returned to the oil market. The global benchmark gained $1.09, or 1.35%, after touching an intraday high of $82.30. The move kept crude oil prices above $80 as traders tracked energy shipments through key Middle East export routes and monitored global inventory levels. The rise followed renewed concern over flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that links Gulf producers with global markets. The route remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors. In 2024, oil flows through the…

NEW YORK / Content Syndication Services / – Wall Street indices closed higher Thursday as semiconductor stocks powered a broad rebound in U.S. equities. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.91% to 26,517.93. The S&P 500 advanced 1.08% to 7,500.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.14% to 51,564.70. Chip shares led the session. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed 6.4%, far above the broader market. Intel rose 10.6% and finished at a record high. The move followed a statement by President Donald Trump that Apple had agreed to work with Intel on chip design and manufacturing in the United States. Technology was…

NEW YORK / Content Syndication Services / – U.S. stocks closed mixed Tuesday as renewed pressure on technology and semiconductor shares pulled the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 86.10 points, or 0.17%, to 50,872.11. The S&P 500 fell 19.08 points, or 0.26%, to 7,386.65. The Nasdaq dropped 250.84 points, or 0.97%, to 25,678.82. The session opened with gains but turned lower as tech selling resumed. The Nasdaq fell more than 3% during the day before cutting its loss. The S&P 500 also swung between gains and losses. The Dow stayed positive at the close, helped by strength…

NEW YORK / Content Syndication Services / – Global oil prices fell sharply as Brent crude futures dropped more than 4% during trading before settling lower, extending volatility in energy markets tied to Middle East supply routes. Brent closed down 3% at $91.45 a barrel after touching its lowest level since April 17. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled 3.4% lower at $88.20 a barrel. The slide followed statements from Iran and Israel that they had stopped attacks after a call from U.S. President Donald Trump. The decline eased some of the recent pressure on oil prices, which had moved sharply during weeks…