President Trump's tariffs will cost businesses more than $1.2 trillion this year, with most of that cost being passed on to consumers, according to a new study from S&P Global.
Why it matters: It's the latest sign that Americans will end up bearing the brunt of Trump's trade war.
The number of people looking for work this holiday season is surging, a new report from the jobs site Indeed finds. But they'll be fighting it out for spots — the number of available jobs hasn't budged much from last year.
Why it matters: A lot of these folks are looking to make extra cash to get through the holidays — a sign that rising costs are weighing on Americans.
President Trump on Thursday promised an imminent deal to lower the quickly rising price of beef.
Why it matters: As inflation picks back up, beef has been leading the surge, putting more pressure on the growing share of consumers who say it's gotten harder to afford groceries.
The White House on Thursday announced measures aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization, including a new "most-favored nation" pricing deal with the manufacturer of a leading fertility drug.
Why it matters: The effort combines two Trump priorities: lowering drug prices and making IVF treatment more affordable.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday sued to block the Trump administration's plan to charge a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, a move businesses say could deprive them of skilled foreign workers.
Why it matters: For all of the actions taken by the administration that pressured corporate America, from DOGE to tariffs, the proposed visa changes proved a bridge too far for the influential business lobby.
WeightWatchers is emerging from bankruptcy with a plan to "radically evolve," new CEO Tara Comonte tells Axios.
Why it matters: The company, long synonymous with its calorie-counting points system, is fighting to stay trusted — and profitable — in an era of telehealth startups, buzzy weight-loss meds and women's health innovation.
Harvard University ended its most recent fiscal year with an operating deficit, despite increased giving, according to an annual report released on Thursday.
Why it matters: The Trump administration's efforts to cut Harvard's federal funding took a toll, even though a federal judge has reinstated much of the money.
Most communication teams have long avoided Reddit's corner of the internet, but AI scraping methods are changing that.
Why it matters: Reddit is not just a place to find communities that are already talking about your company, brand or products. It's also a key information source for large language models.
American companies are bundling years' worth of planned U.S. investments into one package and delivering it to the White House, hoping to strengthen government relations and make a PR splash.
Why it matters: This tactic is the latest addendum to the corporate Trump playbook.
The Energy Department on Thursday finalized a $1.6 billion loan guarantee for American Electric Power to optimize and rebuild around 5,000 miles of transmission lines across five states.
Why it matters: Getting new interstate lines approved is really hard even as power demand rises, and grid analysts see lots of potential in boosting capacity along existing infrastructure and corridors.
Blackstone has launched a defined contribution business unit, just months after President Trump issued an executive order to encourage 401(k) investment in private equity.
Why it matters: One of private equity's biggest names, and balance sheets, is preparing to capitalize on the industry's controversial expansion into retirement accounts.
Microsoft on Thursday announced new Windows features aimed at making the still-fuzzy notion of an AI PC more concrete.
Why it matters: Microsoft and Apple are both touting their computers as built for AI, though for most people that still means using them to access a cloud-based service such as ChatGPT.
Self-driving car company Waymo is partnering with DoorDash to provide deliveries, beginning in the Phoenix area.
Why it matters: The deal marks the first collaboration between the two companies, and could open the door for a wider deployment of autonomous vehicles for delivery purposes.
Here's what's new on Netflix, Peacock, Apple TV+, Hulu, BET+, Prime Video, HBO Max and Tubi.
What we're watching: The second season of "Starting 5," a dramatic series following serial killer John Wayne Gacy, and a documentary about Martin Scorsese.
A key measure of CEO confidence dipped slightly lower into negative territory, according to a survey of executives out Thursday morning.
About two-thirds said they expect stagflation over the next year and a half.
Why it matters: It's a sign of the uncertain business environment — as leaders grapple with a constantly changing policy landscape, particularly around tariffs.
The man who made TED a household name is moving from ideas to (climate) action.
Why he matters: After nearly 25 years at TED, Chris Anderson is stepping back to launch a new initiative seeking to mobilize businesses on climate change — as political focus wanes and investor energy shifts to AI.
The White House and Anthropic, maker of the Claude chatbot, are in a war of words over AI regulation.
Why it matters: AI may be the century's most consequential technology, possibly even determining the geopolitical order, and rules are (or aren't) being written right now.
The U.S. passport dropped from the world's top 10 most powerful list for the first time in the 20-year history of a key rankings index.
Why it matters: The declining strength of the U.S. passport since its No. 1 spot in 2014 "signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics," per a statement from Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index.
