The Small Business Administration will now block all non-U.S. citizens or nationals from the agency's primary 7(a) loan program.
The big picture: TheSBA's move — and President Trump's broader, expansive targeting of immigrants— underscores the administration's attempts to curtail economic opportunities for non-citizens.
Software stocks are getting dumped as investors price in a world where AI could replace software services.
Why it matters: The software selloff dragged down the entire market on Tuesday—it's the first example of how the market will respond when presented with evidence that AI could disrupt or even replace an entire industry.
SpaceX's acquisition of xAI — likely to be followed by an IPO and possibly even a megamerger with Tesla — will serve as the ultimate test of Elon Musk's seemingly mystical ability to captivate investors based on far-out promises.
Why it matters: The mashup reflects the interlocking nature of Musk's empire — a sprawling mix of companies that have long competed for his attention and now look increasingly like a single enterprise.
Multiple segments of border wall construction are being held up by lack of finalsign-off from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Axios has learned from two sources familiar with the delays.
Why it matters: Only 30 miles of border barriers— out of a target of nearly 2,000 miles by 2029 — have been started and completed since the beginning of President Trump's second term.
Businesses that held the line on tariff-related price increases last year might be passing more of those costs on to consumers at the start of 2026.
Why it matters: The Trump administration is celebrating how little its huge levies have impacted inflation. But new signs indicate the policies are appearing with a lag, complicating their push to address affordability concerns.
Cavu Consumer Partners tells Axios that it raised $325 million for its fifth fund, with a continued focus on better-for-you products.
Why it matters: Big CPG companies are playing catch-up on Gen Z and millennial health trends, which means there are both entry and exit opportunities for startups.
Walmart's stock climbed roughly 1% on Tuesday morning, vaulting the world's biggest retailer into the trillion-dollar market valuation club.
Why it matters: The stock gain is an affirmation of both Walmart's status as the biggest shopping destination in the trade-down economy and its transformation into an online powerhouse.
The Trump administration's aim to build a U.S. strategic reserve of critical minerals for commercial use opens a new front in U.S. efforts to ease reliance on China.
Why it matters: It's designed to protect domestic manufacturers from supply shocks.
Car insurance prices dipped last year after a post-pandemic stretch of skyrocketing costs, a new Insurify report finds.
The average annual full-coverage premium fell 6% nationally from 2024 to 2025, to $2,144.
Some states saw much larger drops, including Wyoming (-30%), Iowa (-25%) and Arkansas (-23%).
Reality check: That relief comes after car insurance costs rose 46% from 2022 to 2024, "partially due to risky driving behavior following the pandemic," said Insurify, an insurance-comparison platform.
A Democratic senator is demanding answers from an AI toy company accused of exposing tens of thousands of children's private conversations, according to a letter shared exclusively with Axios.
Why it matters:AI-powered toys are rapidly entering children's homes, but safeguards around how companies collect, store and monitor kids' data haven't kept pace.
Amazon Prime members are using fast delivery less like a convenience perk — and more like a substitute for routine shopping trips, according to new data from Amazon.
Why it matters: Groceries and everyday household essentials now account for half of all same- or next-day deliveries to U.S. Prime members, signaling a deeper shift in how Americans buy basics — and their reliance on delivery instead of physical stores.
A former Google engineer was found guilty of economic espionage and theft of confidential AI technology for the benefit of China's government, the FBI said Monday.
Why it matters: Intelligence and defense officials have long warned of increased efforts by Beijing and others to obtain U.S. intellectual property and use AI against American interests.
