Japan’s Nikkei 225 slumped 2.4% ahead of a rate decision while a broader gauge of Asian shares also fell more than 1.3% as investors trimmed risk. US futures edged lower after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both declined 1.4% Wednesday.

Brent crude rose above $111 per barrel as strikes between Iran and Israel on critical energy facilities, which included damage to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export plant in Qatar, raised concerns of a more lasting impact from the conflict.

Treasuries sold off across the curve on Wednesday, pushing yields higher and lifting the dollar after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Iran conflict has added fresh uncertainty to the inflation outlook, making the path for interest rates harder to gauge. Officials left rates unchanged and continued to expect one cut this year.

“There is little doubt that higher oil prices are starting to have a broader impact, and with volatility elevated, headline risk remains ever present,” Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group, wrote in a note. “The Fed meeting was largely a non-event, but once again it is developments in the energy complex that are driving cross-asset flows.”

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Beyond the focus of the war, concerns over the health of the private credit market continued to play out. S&P Global Ratings lowered its outlook on Cliffwater LLC’s flagship private credit fund to negative, citing elevated redemption requests. Pacific Investment Management Co. is staying away from private credit loans being put up for sale over quality concerns, its president Christian Stracke said.
Powell’s comments prompted traders to scale back expectations for rate cuts this year, reinforcing a higher-for-longer rate outlook amid volatility in energy markets.The yield on two-year Treasuries steadied on Thursday after jumping 10 basis points to 3.77% in the previous session. Traders are pricing in only about 15 basis points worth of Fed easing this year, less than one full quarter-point cut.

In economic forecasts released with their decision, Fed officials raised their outlook for inflation in 2026 to 2.7% from 2.4%. Notably, they saw the core measure — which excludes volatile food and energy categories — also rising to 2.7%.

“The Fed didn’t move today — but it didn’t need to,” said Gina Bolvin, president of Bolvin Wealth Management Group. “This is a central bank that’s comfortable waiting, watching, and staying flexible. One projected cut tells you everything: the Fed is not in a rush, and neither should investors be.”

Other major businesses across the country also deemed as critical, such defence firms, transport companies, and cyber security companies, have their own detailed contingency plans to follow in the event of crisis, both as a result of conflict with other countries, and challenges such as natural disasters.

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Grubhub is launching New Jersey’s first-ever commercial drone-powered food delivery service, the company announced last Wednesday.

The service, which will run for three months as a test program, will operate out of Green Brook Township, located one hour southwest of New York City. 

The food ordering marketplace will partner with autonomous drone company Dexa to deliver meals directly from a local Wonder food hall operated by its parent company. These Wonder facilities function as high-tech kitchens where staff assemble and finish dishes pre-prepared by its numerous restaurant brand partners, helping streamline the ordering process.

The drone service is expected to deliver food faster than traditional methods and comes at no additional cost beyond standard delivery and service fees, the Chicago-based company said.

AMAZON LAUNCHES 1-HOUR AND 3-HOUR DELIVERY OPTIONS WITH NEW TIERED PRICING STRUCTURE FOR CUSTOMERS

A Dexa drone takes off next to a Wonder food hall location. (Grubhub / Fox News)

“This service is a glimpse into the future of how autonomous technology will help restaurants and retailers serve customers at a completely new level,” CEO of Dexa Beth Flippo said in a statement. 

Customers can use the Grubhub app to order from the local Wonder location, which offers 15 different restaurant concepts prepared in a single location, and can specifically opt for drone delivery.

AMAZON EXPANDS SAME-DAY DELIVERY SERVICE TO INCLUDE PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS IN OVER 1,000 CITIES

A “Grubhub” branded drone flies across a city. (Grubhub / Fox News)

Dexa’s AI-operated drone, the DE-2020, will then take off and fly along approved paths designed to prioritize safety while minimizing noise and other community disruptions. 

Once it reaches the customer, instead of landing, it will safely lower the order to the ground using a controlled tether system.

The drone company’s flight crews will also verify that the food is correctly packaged and secured before taking off, Grubhub said.

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The Grubhub logo on a smartphone in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Through the Grubhub platform, diners can also monitor food delivery using real-time GPS tracking and arrival notifications.  

After the three-month trial at Green Brook, Grubhub will then evaluate the program’s success and consider expanding the service to other nearby restaurants. 

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is a leading global asset management group that provides a broad range of actively managed investment strategies and solutions for individual, institutional and corporate clients around the world. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global asset management group of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP). For more information please visit columbiathreadneedleus.com.

Sydney — Traffic congestion continues to exact a heavy toll on Australian businesses, with recent estimates showing national economic losses from road delays and related inefficiencies reaching into the billions annually. While comprehensive 2026-specific figures for business-only impacts remain limited, updated analyses and reports from 2025 point to broader congestion costs exceeding $10 billion yearly across major cities, with a substantial portion borne by commercial operations through delayed deliveries, lost productivity and higher operating expenses.

A November 2025 report highlighted by iSelect and covered in outlets like Drive.com.au calculated that full-time workers in Australia’s 11 largest cities collectively lose 212 million hours annually to traffic. This translates to $9.7 billion in lost productivity — valued at average median hourly wages — plus $462 million in wasted fuel, for a combined national hit of more than $10.1 billion per year. Although the figure encompasses all motorists, businesses feel the pinch acutely: freight delays, employee commute times affecting work hours, and supply chain disruptions directly erode profits and competitiveness.

For businesses, the costs manifest in multiple ways. Logistics firms, construction companies, tradespeople and delivery services bear disproportionate burdens from idling vehicles, unpredictable travel times and increased fuel consumption. In sectors reliant on timely transport — such as retail, manufacturing and services — every extra minute in gridlock equates to lost revenue. Older Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) modeling from 2015 broke down metropolitan congestion costs into roughly $8 billion in business time losses out of a $16.5 billion total, suggesting commercial impacts historically comprised nearly half the burden. Adjusted for inflation and growth, similar proportions in recent years imply business-specific losses in the range of $4-6 billion annually, though no updated BITRE breakdown for 2026 has been released.

Projections indicate the problem is worsening. Infrastructure Australia and iMOVE Australia reports consistently forecast road congestion costs in major cities approaching $38.8 billion to $39.6 billion per year by 2031 without significant intervention, up from around $19 billion in 2016. These long-term estimates include private time, business productivity, vehicle operating expenses and environmental factors, with road delays accounting for the vast majority. A 2025 analysis cited in economic commentary estimated national road congestion at $13.8 billion (US) for 2024, exceeding the United Kingdom’s figure and positioning cities like Brisbane and Melbourne among global leaders in delays. Without policy shifts, costs could more than double by 2030, reaching $27.6 billion (US) or higher.

City-specific data underscores regional variations. Melbourne topped the 2025 iSelect rankings as Australia’s most congested capital, with motorists facing average annual costs of about $4,627 per person from delays and fuel — the highest among major centers. Sydney followed closely at $4,567, with Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide ranging from $3,377 to $3,495. These per-driver figures compound for businesses operating fleets or relying on employee mobility. For example, outer-suburban commuters in Sydney and Melbourne reportedly spend 41% of their trips stuck in traffic, equating to roughly 77 hours — or two full working weeks — per year, amplifying productivity drags for employers.

Experts attribute the rising toll to population growth, urban sprawl and insufficient infrastructure investment relative to demand. Freight remains overwhelmingly road-dependent, with national projections showing road freight volumes rising 77% by 2050 while rail share stays minimal. This intensifies congestion in key corridors, particularly around ports and urban centers. Reports from groups like the Business Council of Australia have called for congestion pricing mechanisms — such as peak-hour charges — to be incorporated into evolving road user fees as electric vehicle adoption reduces fuel excise revenue.

Government responses include billions in transport commitments: New South Wales allocated $55.6 billion over four years for transport projects, Queensland $41.7 billion focused on highway upgrades, and Western Australia $10.7 billion emphasizing freeway improvements and METRONET. Yet critics argue these efforts lag behind freight and passenger growth, failing to curb worsening gridlock. Calls for road pricing reforms persist, with advocates arguing time-based charges could manage demand, fund alternatives and offset future revenue shortfalls.

The human and environmental costs add layers to the economic strain. Commuters report stress, fatigue and reduced family time, while idling vehicles contribute to higher emissions and poorer air quality. Businesses face indirect hits through employee well-being, recruitment challenges in congested areas and supply chain unreliability amid global disruptions.

As Australia navigates post-pandemic recovery and urban expansion, traffic congestion stands as a persistent drag on economic efficiency. With projections signaling escalation toward $30 billion or more in avoidable costs by decade’s end, stakeholders urge accelerated investment in public transport, active mobility and smart pricing to alleviate the burden on businesses and households alike.

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Popular ticket-selling platform SeatGeek is facing backlash after a job posting offering up to $175,000, along with perks like $25,000 in “gender-affirming care” benefits, sparked outrage online and renewed criticism over the company’s pricing.

The company is seeking an analytics engineer to join SeatGeek’s data team, noting applicants should have a “strong opinion” on how data should drive decision-making.

Along with a salary range of $121,000 to $175,000, the listing highlights a slate of benefits, including mental health subscriptions, unlimited paid time off (PTO), four months of fully paid family leave, remote or in-office work options, a home office stipend and a student loan matching program.

TAYLOR SWIFT BREAKS SILENCE ON TICKETMASTER FIASCO

The SeatGeek ticket app on a smartphone.  (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The application also includes a section labeled “Voluntary Demographic Questions,” asking candidates to identify their gender as “male, female, non-binary, third gender, prefer not to say, or prefer to self-describe.”

Prospective employees can also indicate if they consider themselves “a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Critics have raised concerns about the relevance of the prompts, with some social media users calling for a boycott of the platform.

GAVIN ROSSDALE ON TAYLOR SWIFT TICKET FIASCO: ‘EVERYBODY WANTS TO CRASH THE SERVERS’

SeatGeek lists a number of gender options on its job application, including “third gender.”

Multiple people questioned whether the $25,000 could be used for elective surgeries that are not related to sex reassignment, while others pointed out the four months of paid family leave seemed unnecessary given the unlimited PTO.

“Private companies can offer incentives to employees. If it’s still legal and that’s the kind of employee they want to attract,” X user @dank1j wrote in a comment on a post shared by @LibsofTikTok. “Of course those who aren’t trans inclined ought to be able to substitute breast augmentation or other plastic surgery. I’d be PO’d if they don’t pony up for my tattoo.”

User @WomanDefiner commented he would like to put the funds toward male “self-care.”

“I need 25k to affirm my Gender as a biological male,” @WomanDefiner wrote. “I’m going to take a fishing trip. It’s called we do a little selfcare.”

Jack Groetzinger, CEO of SeatGeek, testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2023.  (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images)

TAYLOR SWIFT TOUR DEBACLE: TICKETMASTER AND LIVE NATION MAY NEED BREAKUP, DEMOCRATIC SENATORS SAY

The generous salary and benefits also reignited a debate about the company’s high ticket pricing and price-gouging accusations.

“I would conclude that their prices are inflated, if they can offer such expensive ‘benefits,’” user @Mayhawwoman wrote.

User @Gentrywgevers added, “This also proves they’re price gouging if they can afford to offer this.”

Others, like user @AmericanPamia, suggested lower prices for all so “they can save their own money for their own preferences.”

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SeatGeek said the demographic questions are voluntary and used to “measure our own diversity and inclusion efforts,” in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting requirements.

Questions about gender and sexual identification are standard and voluntary in many U.S. job applications for EEO compliance.

SeatGeek did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.