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Earlier this year, we asked Realtor.com readers to share the paint color they think should be banned from listings forever. Their responses included hues from “that Santa Fe peach color” to beige, greige, and brown (which was described by one reader as “legit the worst color ever,” but there was one trendy shade that got more (ahem) shade than all the rest: Gray.  “I’m bored to death of seeing it everywhere,” one reader commented. “Reminds me of dreary & depressing winter skies,” said another. And our followers aren’t the only ones who are ready to move on. A recent trend report from Yelp confirms that the era of so-called “millennial gray”is officially over. So, what’s next? We asked color specialists, interior designers, and editors to share the hues that’re loving right now. 5 Paint Colors to Try Instead of Gray If you want something fresh and elegant: Vale Mist by Benjamin Moore “I repainted my bedroom Benjamin Moore’s Vale Mist and I love it so much,” says creative director Kristina Hacker. “It’s the perfect fresh, neutral sage and pairs really elegantly with white molding.” If you want something creamy and inviting: Natural Tan by Sherwin-Williams Designer Fariha Nasar painted over her millennial gray kitchen cabinets with this creamy off-white from Sherwin-Williams and the result is warm and inviting.   If you want something calming and sophisticated: Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball Don’t be put off by the “gray” in the name: Parma Gray is a “gentle and sophisticated blue tone,” says art director Samantha Bolton. “I color drenched our guest room, creating a calm feel in a very hectic home.” If you want something dramatic, but grounding: Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore “Hale Navy is our classic navy blue that gives a sense of balance, stability and reassurance,” says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore. She notes that it works in almost every room—from a mood-setting entryway to an accent wall by the fireplace—and is also a great option for your front door and shutters.  If you want something blue, but not babyish: Good Jeans by Clare I’m looking for a color for my 15-month-old boy’s new room. I could see painting the walls or the trim (or both!) this saturated blue, which feels appropriate for a toddler, without being babyish.  The realtor.com® editorial team highlights a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration; clicking a link to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission. Read More

Topline “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” grossed an estimated $40 million at the domestic box office over its second weekend in theaters, according to early estimates—falling below expectations and marking a steep decline after debuting at $117.6 million a week earlier. The Marvel film saw a 66% drop for its second weekend after opening with $117.6 million. Variety via Getty Images Key Facts The new Fantastic Four adaptation starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bacharach and Joseph Quinn remained at the top of the box office charts over its second weekend after becoming Marvel Studios’ biggest opening this year. However, box office sales dropped 66% compared to its opening weekend—largely in line with other second weekend declines from Marvel Studios films this year, including “Captain America: Brave New World” (68% drop after opening at $88 million) and “Thunderbolts*” (55% drop after opening at $74 million). Despite positive reviews and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the Marvel film’s second weekend lagged behind projections from Box Office Pro, which estimated the film would gross $45 million-$50 million over its second weekend. What Else Debuted This Weekend? Two new comedies debuting over the weekend competed for the second spot, although neither came close to surpassing Marvel’s blockbuster. “The Bad Guys 2,” DreamWorks’ new animated heist comedy with an ensemble cast, won the number two spot after opening at $22.8 million. The new reboot of “The Naked Gun” starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson debuted at number three, grossing about $17 million after largely positive reviews and audience scores. Two holdover blockbusters rounded out the top five for the weekend: “Superman” remained in theaters, grossing another $13 million over the weekend for fourth place, while “Jurassic World Rebirth” continued its run with $8.4 million for fifth. Key Background Last weekend’s opening for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” notched a big win for Disney-owned Marvel Studios, whose major releases this year have opened behind their blockbusters of the past as critics warn that audiences are developing “superhero fatigue.” However, DC Studios still holds the top spot for strongest superhero opening of 2025 so far after “Superman” debuted at $125 million earlier in July. Read More

Students are seen on the campus of Columbia University on April 14, 2025, in New York City. The Trump administration is using rules, policies and agreements to discourage U.S. universities from enrolling international students. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images The Trump administration is using various policies and formal agreements to discourage U.S. universities from enrolling international students. A controversial immigration clause in the administration’s agreement with Columbia University represents the latest move to decrease international student enrollment. Settlements with other schools could soon follow. Despite what economists and educators view as the benefits of international students, Trump officials, led by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, appear determined to reduce the number of international students who enter and remain in the United States to work. For example, Trump officials and Columbia University signed an agreement on July 23, after the administration withheld over $400 million in federal research funds. The Trump administration accused the school of not sufficiently combating antisemitism on campus. Under the new agreement, Columbia will pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury and an additional $21 million into a fund associated with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to settle claims. A Resolution Monitor will “monitor Columbia’s compliance” with those and other provisions. Columbia’s leadership decided that future and current funding, more than $1 billion, would remain at risk without a settlement. The agreement includes a controversial provision that commits Columbia University to decreasing international student enrollment. The measure has received little attention. On page nine, the agreement states, “Columbia will examine its business model and take steps to decrease financial dependence on international student enrollment.” The measure is extraordinary, given that international students typically pay higher tuition than domestic students. Admitting more international students would likely improve the school’s finances. A Controversial Immigration Provision In The Agreement With Columbia University “It makes no economic sense for U.S. universities or the American economy to admit fewer international students,” Mark Regets, an economist and senior fellow at the National Foundation for American Policy, told me in an interview. “The United States benefits economically in several ways from international students and the same is true for the universities where they enroll.” The number of U.S.-born men and women of college age is declining, which means a more prudent policy for U.S. universities and the federal government might be to attract more international students. “Without immigrants, international students and the children of immigrants, the undergraduate student population in America would be almost 5 million students smaller in 2037 than 2022, or about two-thirds of its current size, while the graduate student population would be at least 1.1 million students smaller, or only about 60% of its current size,” according to a National Foundation for American Policy report by Madeline Zavodny, a professor of economics at the University of North Florida. Zavodny’s report also found that a higher enrollment of international students is associated with an increase in U.S. students majoring in STEM fields, stating: “Each additional 10 bachelor’s degrees—across all majors—awarded to international students by a college or university leads to an additional 15 bachelor’s degrees in STEM majors awarded to U.S. students.” According to Zavodny, “Colleges and universities that attract more international students likely are devoting more resources to STEM areas, such as increasing the number of courses and adding fields offered within STEM, hiring more faculty, and providing new lab spaces and buildings. To the extent such changes are occurring, they appear to be attractive to U.S. students as well.” International students also contribute as employees and entrepreneurs. At U.S. universities, 71% of the full-time graduate students in computer and information sciences and 73% of the full-time graduate students in electrical and computer engineering are international students. Regets added that even students who leave the country help connect Americans to the three-quarters of the research and development activities that are performed outside the United States. According to a statement released by NAFSA: Association of International Educators: “International students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion and supported 378,175 jobs to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year.” NAFSA expects the travel ban, visa interview suspension and limited appointment availability to result in a potential decline of 30% to 40% in new international student enrollment in the fall of 2025. “One-quarter (143 of 582, or 25%) of billion-dollar startup companies in the U.S. have a founder who first came to America as an international student,” according to an NFAP analysis. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump said at a press conference that Harvard “should have a cap of maybe around 15%” of international students in its student body.” In their agreements with universities, Trump officials may focus on including a provision to decrease financial dependence on international student enrollment at schools with a larger proportion of international students. While international students represent about 40% of Columbia University’s enrollment, the proportion is only about 14% at Brown University and it was not forced to include the provision on international students in an agreement signed on July 30. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller talks to reporters outside of the White House West Wing on May 9, 2025. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Getty Images Stephen Miller’s Impact On Immigration And The Columbia University Agreement Why does an agreement spurred by an investigation into Columbia University’s lack of response to antisemitism on campus include a measure to reduce international student enrollment at Columbia? The answer is that Miller leads negotiations between the White House and U.S. universities, and he may be using the opportunity to promote anti-immigration policies. Indeed, CNN reported that university leaders across the country are privately “negotiating with a deputy to top Trump aide Stephen Miller in hopes of avoiding the same aggressive targeting of Harvard University.” Many such university representatives are negotiating with senior White House policy strategist May Mailman, who CNN reporter Betsy Klein identified as working closely with Miller to enact

Topline The Powerball jackpot ticked up to $426 million after no winners were drawn Saturday night, but a lucky winner or winners would take home substantially less after paying federal and state taxes on their winnings. Winners from Monday’s upcoming drawing could get either $426 million in installments or a lump sum of $193.5 million, but that would get slashed significantly after taxes. Getty Images Key Facts No tickets were sold matching all of Saturday’s numbers (6, 18, 34, 35, 36, and Powerball number 2), raising the jackpot again for Monday’s upcoming drawing. If a winner is drawn Monday, they will have the option of either accepting the $426 million prize spread out over 30 annualized payments, or take the lump sum of $193.5 million, which is the more popular option for winners. However, a federal withholding tax of 24% is applied to that jackpot, bringing the winnings down to $323.7 million, or $147 million for the lump sum. The winnings are then taxed based on the winners income—which could rise as high as 37% for Americans in the highest tax bracket, bringing the final winnings for the lump sum down to $121.9 million. State taxes then reduce this jackpot even further, with New York charging the highest rate at 10.9%, though some states, including California, Florida and Texas, do not tax winnings. What To Watch For The next drawing is scheduled for Monday night at 10:59 p.m. EDT. If no winner is drawn Monday, the next drawings will take place Wednesday and Saturday. Key Background The odds for winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, according to the lottery organizers. The odds of winning the $1 million prize (with a ticket matching five numbers without the Powerball number) are 1 in 11.6 million. Big Number $526 million. That’s how much a lucky winner in California got after purchasing a winning ticket in March. Because that player won in the Golden State, they did not have to pay state taxes on those winnings. Read More

The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, one of the properties owned by Hong Kong-based Sino Group. Courtesy of Sino Group Daryl Ng, the eldest son of billionaire Robert Ng, is taking the helm at Sino Group, whose Hong Kong-listed real estate companies are valued at HK$127.7 billion ($16 billion), after his father steps down at the end-August. The 47-year old scion of the group’s founding family will become chairman of the group’s Sino Land, Tsim Sha Tsui Properties and Sino Hotels from August 31, the three companies said in separate filings to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong on Friday. Robert Ng, 72, who took over from his father and group founder—the late Ng Teng Fong—in 1991, is retiring from his positions at the Sino Group companies after building the group’s footprint across the Asia Pacific in the past four decades. “The board would like to express its sincere gratitude to Robert Ng for his contributions to the company over the past 44 years of service and his leadership in building a solid foundation for the company’s sustainable growth and development,” Sino Land said in its exchange filing. The late Ng Teng Fong moved from China to Singapore in 1934, built a fortune in real estate and came to be known as “The King of Orchard Road” for developing some of the oldest shopping malls in the area. Robert’s younger brother, Philip, also a billionaire, oversees the family’s Far East Organization, one of the Lion City’s largest private landlords and property developers. With a real-time net worth of $14.8 billion, the Ng family is among the richest in the city-state. Besides their vast interests in real estate—which includes the iconic Fullerton hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney—the family also holds a controlling stake in Singapore-listed food and beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng. Read More

U.S. President Donald Trump said, “We’re gonna get the drug prices down. Not 30 or 40 percent, which would be great, not 50 or 60, no. We’re gonna get ’em down 1,000 percent, 600 percent, 500 percent, 1,500 percent.”(Photo by CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) POOL/AFP via Getty Images Would you like a reduction in the prices that you pay for medications? How about a 30% to 40% reduction? Or maybe a 50% to 60% reduction? Why stop there? U.S. President Donald Trump has promised an even greater reduction, a 500% to 1500% reduction. Yes, you heard that correctly. How that specifically is going to happen is unclear. But on Thursday, Trump did send letters to the heads of 17 major pharmaceutical companies pushing them to cut the prescription medication prices that Americans face down to the levels that people in other countries pay, which by the way would be around a 66% reduction. Trump Spoke Of 600%, 1000% And 1500% Reductions in Drug Prices Trump mentioned those, umm, interesting percentages in a July reception with members of Congress, when he declared, “This is something that nobody else can do. We’re gonna get the drug prices down. Not 30 or 40% which would be great, not 50 or 60, no. We’re gonna get ‘em down 1,000%, 600%, 500%, 1,500%.” You can see him saying this in a video that’s posted on what used to be Twitter: He went on to say, “We will have reduced drug prices by 1,000% by 1,100, 1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 700, 600; not 30 or 40 or 50% but numbers the likes of which you’ve never even dreamed of before,” as you can see in the following video posted on X: Well, there’s one thing that Trump’s probably 100% correct about: nobody else can do that. Getting a 1500% price reduction would presumably mean that pharmaceutical companies would be paying you to take their medications not just a little but a lot. Getting pharmaceutical companies to do that is probably something you have never even dreamed of before, since for-profit pharmaceutical companies are usually trying to make, you know, a profit. So, make that two things that Trump was right about. Trump Sent Letters To 17 Pharmaceutical Companies Outlining Steps To Reduce Drug Prices White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt displays a letter addressed to US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly from President Donald Trump during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2025. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images That 1500% number may not have been in the letters that Trump sent on Thursday to pharmaceutical manufacturers including AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Genentech, Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Regeneron and Sanofi. According to the White House, the letters listed steps to reduce the prices of prescription drugs in the U.S. “to match the lowest price offered in other developed nations (known as the most-favored-nation, or MFN, price)” The steps are as follows: “Calling on manufacturers to provide MFN prices to every single Medicaid patient. Requiring manufacturers to stipulate that they will not offer other developed nations better prices for new drugs than prices offered in the United States. Providing manufacturers with an avenue to cut out middlemen and sell medicines directly to patients, provided they do so at a price no higher than the best price available in developed nations. Using trade policy to support manufacturers in raising prices internationally provided that increased revenues abroad are reinvested directly into lowering prices for American patients and taxpayers.” The letters asserted that there’s been “global freeloading on American pharmaceutical innovation” and did warn that if the outlined steps weren’t taken by the pharmaceutical companies the federal government “will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices.” Trump Signed An Executive Order Regarding Drug Prices In May With that, pharmaceutical companies can now be 1500% or so sure that the Trump administration has them in its political line-of-sight. Back on May 12, Trump signed an Executive Order that asserted the following: “The United States has less than five percent of the world’s population and yet funds around three quarters of global pharmaceutical profits. This egregious imbalance is orchestrated through a purposeful scheme in which drug manufacturers deeply discount their products to access foreign markets, and subsidize that decrease through enormously high prices in the United States.” That Executive Order indicated that the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is currently Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., “shall facilitate direct-to-consumer purchasing programs for pharmaceutical manufacturers that sell their products to American patients at the most-favored-nation price.” Americans Do Pay Higher Drug Prices Than Those In Other Countries It is true that presciption medications are significantly mroe expensive in the U.S. than in other countries. For example, a June 2024 publication in the RAND Health Quarterly described how drug prices in the U.S. were on average nearly three times higher than those in 33 other high-income countries. These are for the identical medications. It’s not as if Americans are paying a premium for extra special, more fashionable medications. And the prices keep going higher and higher. Over the past two decades, yearly rises in drug prices have easily outpaced inflation. Not surprisingly, the affordability of prescription medications or lack thereof has become a big concern in the U.S. A 2024 KFF poll showed that the majority of Americans surveyed were worried about prescription medication costs being too high. Many prescription medications are not like mullets or fruitcakes. Taking such meds in many cases isn’t simply a luxury or a choice. Your well-being and even your life could literally depend on being able to afford different medications. And many pharmaceutical companies have shown no qualms about raising the price of medications as soon as they can. For example, even after receiving substantial funding from

AI tools are reshaping programming, automating tasks from bug fixing to full code generation, and leaving many developers wondering if their jobs are safe. Adobe Stock Have computer programmers innovated themselves out of a job? That’s the fear driving theories that AI will remove the need for humans who can write computer code. Today’s most sophisticated large language models like GPT-4o and Claude Sonnet are just as fantastically efficient at coding as they are at drafting emails and essays in human languages. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently said he believes AI will soon be writing 90 percent of all code. And Amazon CEO and President Andy Jassy said his company will hire fewer software engineers thanks to AI. So does this mean that learning to program—since the start of the computer age, an accessible gateway to a lucrative career for many—is pointless now? Regardless of the capabilities of today’s AI, is there any way that someone setting out to learn software development now can hope to be able to compete with the AI coders of five years in the future? With 30 percent of coders saying they believe that AI will replace them, there’s fear and uncertainty in the air, but how does this affect the reality of the situation? Let’s take a look: Why Are Programmers Worried They Will Be Replaced? Evidence certainly seems to be growing that generative AI tools can carry out many of the tasks associated with coding and programming. Commonly cited use cases include creating new code, optimizing existing code, detecting bugs, explaining code, maintaining documentation and detecting security vulnerabilities. Although quantitative research is limited at this point, one study found that programmers assisted by Microsoft’s AI coding assistant, GitHub Copilot, have been able to complete tasks 55 percent faster than those without. It’s frequently speculated that entry-level programming roles are the most likely to be affected because their work is more easily automated. Senior roles such as team leaders and lead engineers, requiring a broader skillset and the ability to deal with strategic challenges, may be less exposed. But there’s still the question of where the next generation of human software development leadership will come from if there are no jobs for beginners! According to the Washington Post, computer programmer jobs have declined by almost 30% compared to the previous two years. It’s important to note that this isn’t reflected in the figures for software development as a whole, which has declined by only around 3%. Jobs with the title of “programmer”, however, are more likely to be entry-level roles that can more easily be replaced by automation. This does point towards the possibility of major shifts in the labor landscape. But it also gives anyone who programs computers for a living useful clues about what they need to do to stay relevant. Evolving Roles The truth is that the role of the programmer, in line with just about every other professional role, will change. Routine, low-level tasks such as customizing boilerplate code and checking for coding errors will increasingly be done by machines. But that doesn’t mean basic coding skills won’t still be important. Even if humans are using AI to create code, it’s critical that we can understand it and step in when it makes mistakes or does something dangerous. This shows that humans with coding skills will still be needed to meet the requirement of having a “human-in-the-loop”. This is essential for safe and ethical AI, even if its use is restricted to very basic tasks. This means entry-level coding jobs don’t vanish, but instead transition into roles where the ability to automate routine work and augment our skills with AI becomes the bigger factor in the success or failure of a newbie programmer. Alongside this, entirely new development roles will also emerge, including AI project management, specialists in connecting AI and legacy infrastructure, prompt engineers and model trainers. We’re also seeing the emergence of entirely new methods of developing software, using generative AI prompts alone. Recently, this has been named “vibe coding” because of the perceived lack of stress and technical complexity in relation to traditional coding. In truth, these are really just new methodologies that require developers to focus on more strategic tasks like project management and program architecture, rather than the nuts and bolts of getting code to do what we want it to do. The term is sometimes used by traditional coders in a derogatory way to imply that those coding with AI are scared of getting their hands dirty with “real” coding. However, the practice also serves as an indicator of how software development is likely to change, and what skills coders and engineers should be developing now if they want to remain relevant. A glimpse of one potential future is provided in this quote from Adjrej Karpathy, director of AI at Tesla: “A large portion of programmers of tomorrow do not maintain complex software repositories, write intricate programs, or analyze their running times. They collect, clean, manipulate, label, analyze and visualize data that feed neural networks.” Myth Or Reality? Software development and programming jobs are not going to disappear, in the short term at least. But the role will change immeasurably, and there are firm clues in place as to the direction of that change. What’s the key learning here? I’d say it’s that the ability to learn new skills and continuously stay ahead of change is the one skill everyone involved in programming, software engineering and development needs to develop if they don’t want to be left behind. Creativity, innovation and real-world problem-solving skills are vital to ensuring AI can be used to improve people’s lives. While I believe emerging and future generations of AI technology will deliver wonders, humans will still be at the heart of the process. Partly this is down to the ethical responsibility to ensure there is always human oversight. But also because it will be some time (if ever) before AI has the strategy-focused, people-centric skills needed to

Last week started as a blockbuster one for markets but ended with a trade war whimper. Earnings from Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and industrial heavyweights like UPS and Boeing dominated early headlines, GDP data came in somewhat stronger than expected, even as tariffs scrambled some of the data, and the Fed held interest rates steady — keeping a September cut in play. But then President Donald Trump unveiled a parade of tariffs late Thursday on dozens of countries that will take effect August 7, threatening to upend global commerce and trigger price increases for U.S. consumers. And a brutal jobs report Friday showed that employers added just 73,000 jobs in July, while job gains for the previous two months were revised drastically lower — the market’s weakest stretch since 2020. It all sent stocks swooning to end the week. Now the focus shifts to the next phases of the trade war and another mega-week for earnings, with Disney, McDonald’s, Palantir, and a wave of pharmaceutical giants set to report — all against the backdrop of ever-volatile geopolitics. Here’s what to watch in the markets this week. Monday, August 4 The week kicks off with June factory orders at 10 a.m. ET, offering a read on capital spending and manufacturing demand heading into late summer. On the earnings side, it’s a busy start with more than 150 companies reporting, including Palantir Technologies, MercadoLibre, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Tuesday, August 5 Here comes another heavyweight day for both data and earnings. On the economic front, the morning starts with June’s U.S. trade deficit at 8:30 a.m. ET, followed by the July ISM services at 10 a.m., a closely watched gauge for the economy’s largest sector. The earnings calendar is even more packed, with 335 companies reporting. Headliners include AMD, Caterpillar, Amgen, Arista Networks, Pfizer, Duke Energy, TransDigm, BP, Marriott, and Diageo. Expect plenty of commentary on sector-level performance, spanning AI, semiconductors, energy, alcohol, travel, and the consumer discretionary sector. Wednesday, August 6 Midweek brings a breather on the economic data front — nothing is scheduled — but it’s one of the busiest days of earnings season, with an eye-watering 465 companies set to report. The day’s marquee names span multiple sectors: Novo Nordisk (GLP-1 drugs), Disney (streaming, theme parks), and McDonald’s (snack wraps, chicken strips). Results will also come from Uber, Shopify, AppLovin, DoorDash, McKesson, Thomson Reuters, and Airbnb. With such a broad lineup, investors can expect market-moving headlines across various sectors again, including healthcare, tech, and industrials — and plenty of guidance updates that will shape the market narrative for Q3. Thursday, August 7 Trump’s latest tariffs are set to take effect on Thursday. The week’s heaviest economic calendar also lands Thursday, pairing a flood of data with the single biggest earnings day of the season — with count ‘em — 606 companies reporting. On the macro side, the morning brings initial jobless claims and Q2 productivity at 8:30 a.m. ET — key reads on labor-market strength and efficiency. At 10 a.m., June wholesale inventories arrive alongside a speech from Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, giving markets a potential policy cue amid weeks (and weeks) of heavy Fed chatter. The day wraps with June consumer credit at 3 p.m., offering insight into borrowing trends. Earnings are headlined by Eli Lilly (GLP-1s again), Toyota (global auto demand amid tariffs), and Sony (gaming and entertainment). Gilead Sciences, ConocoPhillips, Constellation Energy, and Brookfield also report. Once again, earnings will span nearly every sector: pharma, cars, finance, you name it. Friday, August 8 The week ends on a quieter note for economic data, with no major U.S. reports scheduled — a welcome breather after Thursday’s data deluge. Markets will still have plenty to digest, though, with earnings season winding down and a few notable names set to report. Highlights include Under Armour, offering a read on athletic apparel demand, and Wendy’s, which will give insight into fast-food foot traffic and pricing power. While not market movers on their own, these results should add texture to the overall consumer spending picture, such as it may be. 📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief Read More

Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Nintendo has a new hit on its hands. The company has sold 5.82 million Switch 2 consoles since its June 5 debut — making it the fastest-selling console launch in Nintendo’s history. Suggested Reading The huge demand gave Nintendo a massive boost in its latest quarter. For the three months ending June 30, revenue more than doubled to 572.3 billion yen ($3.8 billion), blowing past Wall Street estimates. Operating profit came in at 56.9 billion yen ($384.4 million), also ahead of expectations. Related Content A launch that’s setting records Most of that growth came from hardware. Nintendo says sales from its video game platform business jumped 142.5% year over year to 555.5 billion yen ($3.7 billion). And the Switch 2 isn’t just selling fast — it’s selling at a higher price point than the original Switch. In its first four days on shelves, the Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units. Seven weeks later, it’s already close to 6 million. That’s nearly half of Nintendo’s full-year forecast of 15 million units, which some analysts think is conservative. “Nintendo’s 15 million unit target looks conservative, given the pace of early sales,” said Kazunori Ito, director of equity research at Morningstar. Not everything is up Nintendo’s movie and licensing arm, which includes The Super Mario Bros. Movie, saw sales dip 4.4% in the quarter as box office and streaming revenue slowed. Even so, excitement around the new console has sent Nintendo’s stock up around 40% so far this year. What’s next Nintendo didn’t raise its full-year outlook despite the blowout launch, sticking with guidance for 1.9 trillion yen in revenue and 320 billion yen in operating profit for the year ending March 2026. The company also said that U.S. tariffs aren’t expected to significantly impact its forecast this year. If demand for the Switch 2 keeps up at this pace, those forecasts could end up looking cautious. 📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief Read More

After more than a year of nonstop growth, Chinese EV giant BYD just logged its first production dip in 16 months. Suggested Reading The Tesla competitor said in a voluntary update to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Friday that it built 317,892 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in July, down 0.9% from the same month last year. Sales, however, managed to edge up 0.6% to 344,296 vehicles. Related Content Battery cars up, hybrids lagging Under the hood, the numbers tell a more mixed story: Battery EVs remain BYD’s growth engine. Production climbed to 160,050 units in July from 125,808 a year ago, while sales jumped 40% to 177,887 units. Plug-in hybrids are losing steam. July production fell 24.6% to 155,219 units and sales dropped 22.6% to 163,143 units compared with last year. Commercial EVs — including buses — were a rare bright spot, with production up more than 390% from last July, though volumes are still relatively small. Still strong over the longer haul Looking at the year so far, BYD has built 2.45 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) and sold 2.49 million, both up more than 25% from the first seven months of 2024. The company also shipped out 80,737 units in July and reported battery and energy storage installations of 22.35 GWh for the month, bringing the 2025 total to 156.88 GWh. From record highs to a more cautious pace BYD hasn’t posted a year-over-year production decline since February 2024, when the Lunar New Year holiday slowed output across the industry. After hitting record production and sales late last year, the automaker has dialed things back this year as it weathers a brutal price war in China’s EV market. That competition has already prompted the company to cut back shifts at some plants and delay expansion plans. Even with this summer slowdown, BYD remains the world’s biggest EV seller, having overtaken Tesla last year. The challenge now: how to keep that lead while growth cools in an increasingly crowded market. 📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief Read More