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US Stocks today: Dow Jones soars 1,125 points, Nasdaq, S&P 3% as Iran war de-escalation seen
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,125.07 points, or 2.49%, to 46,341.21. The S&P 500 gained 185.27 points, or 2.92%, to 6,528.99, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 795.99 points, or 3.83%, to 21,590.63.
The month-long war has left the S&P 500 and the Dow on track for their deepest quarterly declines since 2022 as investors worry that a wave of higher fuel costs could hurt demand for goods and services, while forcing the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to contain inflation.
“What you’re seeing in capital markets today is speculation around an earlier off-ramp, or a cessation of hostilities,” said Bill Northey, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, in Billings, Montana.
“Details are light, but the capital markets are looking for any indication that there is an opportunity for a more normal flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The U.S. stock market’s most valuable companies made big gains, with Nvidia, Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Amazon all higher.
The PHLX chip index also jumped. CoreWeave rallied after securing an $8.5 billion loan to expand AI infrastructure. Marvell Technology surged after Nvidia invested $2 billion in the firm. Many technology stocks have taken a beating in 2026 due to worries that Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and other heavyweights may be taking too long to show results from their massive spending in AI.
Last week, the Dow and the Nasdaq ended 10% below their record-high closes, confirming they were both in corrections. U.S. job openings fell more than expected in February and hiring dropped to the lowest level in nearly six years, government data showed.
The oil spike stemming from the Iran war has revived inflation worries, and money market traders think the Fed is more likely to raise interest rates by year-end than lower them, according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool. Unilever agreed to separate its food unit and merge it with McCormick in a cash-and-stock deal, valuing the spice maker at about $44.8 billion. McCormick shares fell. Constellation Energy dropped after forecasting 2026 profit below Wall Street expectations.
Altimeter Capital founder, Chairman and CEO Brad Gerstner discusses the benefits of Trump Accounts for kids on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
More than four million children have been enrolled in newly created Trump Accounts, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said Tuesday, marking a major rollout of the administration’s savings initiative.
Additionally, the IRS said more than one million children are covered by elections for the $1,000 Trump Accounts pilot program contribution.
Trump Accounts were created under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year, and contributions can begin July 4, 2026.
“The IRS has been working closely with the Treasury Department to make the election process as simple and easy as possible by permitting taxpayers to fill out a one-page form when they file their tax return,” IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano said in a statement. “Families with eligible children born between 2025 and 2028 just need to check the box on a form to stake their claim for the $1,000 contribution. It’s that simple.”
IRS UNVEILS PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR NEW TRUMP ACCOUNTS SAVINGS PROGRAM
A screenshot of the Trump Accounts’ homepage. (White House)
The new data is based on how many Form 4547, “Trump Account Election(s),” have been submitted with individual tax returns to date, according to the IRS.
To create a Trump Account and enroll in the pilot program with their 2025 tax return, parents can fill out IRS Form 4547.
The accounts will be available to every American child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, and will include a $1,000 seed contribution invested in an index fund. They can be created for anyone who has not turned 18 before the end of the calendar year in which the election is made and has a valid Social Security number.
Each account is in the child’s name and is controlled by parents until the child reaches age 18.
TRUMP ADMIN PROPOSES OPENING 401(K)S TO PRIVATE EQUITY, CRYPTO
President Donald Trump speaks on stage at Verst Logistics on March 11, 2026 in Hebron, Kentucky. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images / Getty Images)
While no contributions are required, up to $5,000 can be deposited into the accounts per year.
The U.S. Treasury previously estimated that Trump accounts could accumulate significant savings if families maximize contributions and allow the funds to grow.
For example, a fully funded account could reach as much as $1.9 million by age 28, according to the Treasury’s Office of Tax Analysis. At the lower end of projected returns, the account could still yield nearly $600,000 over the same period.
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President Donald Trump speaks during the Trump Accounts Launch Summit in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Without additional contributions beyond the federal government’s initial $1,000 deposit, it is estimated that the account could grow to between $3,000 and $13,800 over 18 years.
Children can receive contributions from parents, relatives, friends, employers, state governments and philanthropic organizations, according to the IRS.
Since the Trump Accounts were first unveiled, numerous major companies have expressed support for the initiative and announced plans to match the government’s $1,000 contribution for eligible employees’ children.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during the Trump Accounts Launch Summit in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28. (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
More information about Trump Accounts can be found at trumpaccounts.gov.
FOX Business has reached out to the White House for comment.
FOX Business’ Amanda Macias and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
YouTube has been ranked the world’s most influential brand, as technology companies continue to dominate global media and public discourse, according to a new report.
The 2026 Brand Influence Rank from Onclusive found that digital-first platforms occupy every position in the global top 10, reflecting their unrivalled ability to shape narratives across both traditional and social media.
Joining YouTube at the top of the rankings are Google, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok and ChatGPT, underscoring the structural advantage these businesses hold in driving attention at scale.
The report measures influence not by size alone, but by a brand’s ability to generate sustained media coverage, spark conversation and shape public perception globally.
Digital platforms, with their always-on engagement and vast user bases, are uniquely positioned to dominate this landscape. Their central role in communication, content distribution and increasingly artificial intelligence gives them a powerful edge over traditional brands.
Jennifer Roberts, chief marketing officer at Onclusive, said the findings reflect a fundamental shift in how influence is defined.
“Influence is no longer just about reputation, it’s about the ability to generate continuous attention across multiple channels,” she said, noting that the rise of AI-driven search and content is accelerating this trend.
One of the most notable developments in the rankings is the entry of ChatGPT into the global top 10 for the first time, highlighting the rapid ascent of AI-focused brands.
Alongside Microsoft, AI platforms are generating disproportionate levels of media coverage, driven by innovation, competition and ongoing debate around regulation, ethics and the future of work.
However, this visibility comes with a trade-off. The report identifies a “sentiment ceiling” affecting many leading tech brands, where high levels of scrutiny limit positive perception despite strong influence.
Companies such as Google, Facebook, Apple and TikTok all recorded relatively modest positive sentiment scores, reflecting ongoing regulatory pressures, antitrust investigations and concerns over platform governance.
The report also highlights the growing role of corporate leaders in shaping brand narratives.
Elon Musk was ranked the world’s most influential CEO, with a media presence nearly ten times greater than his closest competitor. His influence is driven by his involvement across multiple high-profile companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and the social platform X, combined with a highly visible and often polarising public persona.
Sam Altman ranked second, reflecting the central role of artificial intelligence in global discourse. His prominence has grown rapidly as AI has become a defining topic in business, politics and society.
Other influential leaders include Mark Zuckerberg, Jensen Huang and Tim Cook, each contributing to their companies’ visibility through strategic positioning in key technology sectors.
The report underscores a key tension in modern brand building: influence does not necessarily equate to positive sentiment.
While tech companies dominate attention and conversation, they also face intense scrutiny over issues ranging from data privacy and competition to the societal impact of their technologies.
This dynamic creates a balancing act for brands, which must manage both visibility and trust in an increasingly complex media environment.
As digital platforms and AI continue to reshape how information is created, distributed and consumed, their dominance in global influence rankings is likely to persist.
However, with that influence comes heightened responsibility, and greater scrutiny.
For brands, the challenge is no longer simply to be seen, but to be trusted.
Jamie Young
Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.
When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
The company now offers microwave popcorn.
German automaker Mercedes-Benz said on Tuesday it will invest $4 billion at its Alabama plant through 2030 to boost SUV production as it seeks to address significant U.S. auto tariffs.
In total, luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz said it plans to invest more than $7 billion in U.S. operations in the coming years.
The company is moving up to 500 jobs from various locations across the country into a new, state-of-the-art research and development hub in Atlanta.
Automakers face steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on imported vehicles and parts.
AS TRUMP EASES AUTO TARIFFS, MERCEDES WILL EXPAND AT ALABAMA PLANT
Mercedes-Benz said last year it would shift production of its GLC SUV from Germany to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
In February, Mercedes said group operating profit more than halved to 5.8 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in part due to 1 billion euros in tariff costs.
Mercedes said U.S. passenger car sales rose by 1% to 303,000 last year.
MERCEDES-BENZ CEO SIGNALS POTENTIAL FOR MORE US INVESTMENT
Mercedes North America CEO Jason Hoff said in a recent interview with Reuters that the planned move of the GLC is in part because of tariffs.
Having localized production for the biggest volume products “just makes good business sense,” said Hoff, citing the influence of tariffs.
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Early last year, Mercedes-Benz said that lower tariffs – or even zero-zero tariffs – between the U.S. and European Union could allow the company to step up investment in the U.S. even further.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said in February 2025 that the company has “been operating in the United States for more than 120 years” and detailed the company’s American footprint.
“We have two large operations on the passenger car side, one in Alabama and one in South Carolina,” Källenius said. “Directly, we employ more than 11,000 people in the United States. If you would count in all the suppliers and the ones that kind of are dependent on those final assembly jobs, the usual calculation is roughly 1-to-10, so another 100,000 jobs are associated with those plants. Our dealer partners, strong private investors around the country, employ 28,000 people and then again, they have a residual effect. “
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“The several hundred thousand jobs, tax revenue, etc. is the Mercedes-Benz footprint in the U.S.,” he explained. “What’s the point I am making? The point is we’re also an American company. Yes, we have our headquarters in Germany and our European origins, but we feel American.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
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A UK technology company has secured a major $200 million contract with US authorities to deploy advanced fibre-optic sensing systems along American borders, marking a significant milestone for British-developed security technology on the global stage.
Sintela, headquartered in Bristol, will provide its “listening” infrastructure to support operations led by US Customs and Border Protection, expanding an initial $34 million agreement signed in 2020.
The three-year deal represents a substantial scale-up of the company’s capabilities and highlights growing demand for AI-driven monitoring systems in border security and critical infrastructure protection.
Sintela’s technology is based on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), which uses fibre-optic cables to detect and interpret vibrations and sounds across long distances.
By attaching to existing fibre networks, the system can identify specific activities such as footsteps, digging, fence cutting or climbing, all in real time. The data is then analysed using artificial intelligence models that classify and prioritise potential threats.
The approach offers a significant advantage over traditional surveillance methods, particularly in remote or large-scale environments where installing and monitoring cameras would be impractical or prohibitively expensive.
Chief executive Magnus McEwen-King described the contract as a breakthrough moment for the company and the wider technology.
“We are inventing things others can’t do and are now deploying them at scale,” he said, calling the development a “quirky British success story”.
While the US-Mexico border is a key focus, Sintela’s systems are already deployed across multiple international borders, as well as in maritime environments.
Beyond border security, the technology is being used to protect critical infrastructure, including subsea pipelines, power lines and transport networks. Through a joint venture with SLB, the sensors have been installed on offshore pipelines to detect potential sabotage.
In urban environments, the same technology is being applied to monitor water networks for leaks and to assess wear and tear on railways and roads. In parts of Africa, it is being used by utilities to detect attempts to dismantle electricity pylons.
The technology originated from research at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, with several of the original researchers now forming part of Sintela’s team.
Since its founding in 2017, the company has grown steadily, reaching revenues of around £13 million in 2023 and expanding its international footprint with offices in the US, including a recent $10 million investment in its Michigan operations.
The new contract is expected to support further expansion, with Sintela having already recruited 50 additional staff across the UK and US and planning to hire another 50 in the near future.
The growth reflects increasing demand for technologies that combine physical infrastructure with digital intelligence, particularly in areas such as security, energy and transportation.
The deal underscores the rising importance of advanced sensing technologies in addressing complex security challenges, from border control to infrastructure resilience.
It also highlights the UK’s strength in deep-tech innovation, particularly in fields that combine academic research with commercial application.
As geopolitical tensions and infrastructure risks continue to evolve, demand for scalable, cost-effective monitoring solutions is expected to grow.
For Sintela, the $200 million contract represents not only a commercial milestone but also a validation of its technology at scale, positioning the company as a leading player in a rapidly emerging sector.
For the UK, it is another example of how homegrown innovation can compete globally, translating cutting-edge research into real-world applications with international impact.
Read more:
UK tech firm Sintela lands $200m US border security deal
From Pizza Hut to Dunkin’, Tom Brady is seemingly everywhere these days promoting food brands he once wouldn’t have touched during his NFL playing days.
The seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback famously followed a strict health-focused diet and once referred to soda and sugary cereals as “poison for kids.” But Brady says he’s softened his stance in retirement.
“I think it’s moderation in all things,” Brady told CNBC’s Alex Sherman in a recent interview while discussing his partnership with Ferrero, one of the world’s biggest sweets makers. CNBC Sport’s full interview with Brady will be released on Thursday.
“I think there’s probably been people who have gone overboard with the kind of rigidity of my lifestyle or diet,” he said. “I have kids, and I have Halloweens and birthday parties, and we’re like a normal family.”
Brady built his career on health and longevity, pillars that helped him to play top caliber football until age 45. He’s also the co-founder TB12, a wellness brand centered on an anti-inflammatory diet, known for unconventional recipes such as avocado ice cream.
Brady recently wound down his TB12 brand, folding it into the Nobull fitness brand. Now, when it comes to endorsements, Brady said he’s focused more on creativity and connection.
“It’s good scripts and writing,” he said, along with opportunities to engage with fans.
During this year’s Super Bowl, Brady debuted both a Pizza Hut ad in which he gets tackled by an elderly woman while delivering pizzas, and a Dunkin’ ad spoofing “Good Will Hunting.”
Brady’s partnership with Ferrero includes a campaign pegged to the 2026 World Cup. In the ad, Brady is shown taking a bite of a chocolate Crunch bar and posing next to a trophy filled with chocolatey, sugary snacks.
“I just want to get out there and have a great time with the people,” Brady said.
Even so, Brady said he still aims to make healthy choices, but when he’s watching a football game, or traveling, he said it can be more difficult.
Despite hanging up his football cleats, Brady said he still works out frequently and makes sure to stay hydrated.
“I understand the reality of life as well,” he added. “I’ve been very fortunate over the course of my life to have people make food for me all the time and, we’ve had nutritionists as part of our teams, and I’ve been very blessed to have that.”
“I know there’s a lot of other people that are working really hard year round to provide for their family, and I have a lot of respect for those people and the way that they go about enjoying their life too,” Brady said.
Brady said when it comes to his own family, he makes pancakes for his kids with Nutella — another Ferrero product.
As for his own guilty pleasure? “Tic Tacs,” Brady said. (Yet another Ferrero brand.)
“They are everywhere in my house, and when I’m broadcasting,” he said.
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