Contracts for the S&P 500 Index dropped 0.4% and Brent advanced 1.3% to nearly $103 a barrel. Asian shares fluctuated at the open and advanced 0.1%.

The fluctuating moves at the open in Asia came after the S&P 500 rose 1.1% to a record Wednesday, placing the index on track for its best month since 2020. The Nasdaq 100 gained 1.7% to also set a closing peak. US chipmakers climbed for a 16th straight day, the longest-ever advance.

Stocks rose during the US session after President Donald Trump’s extension of the ceasefire marked a retreat from threats to resume bombing Iran if a deal wasn’t reached by a Wednesday deadline. The focus now is on whether talks can resume and the two sides can reach an agreement, especially as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz keeps energy prices elevated, risking higher inflation and weighing on economic growth.

Tensions remain high as the US and Iran failed to meet for a fresh round of peace talks, with both sides blocking the waterway to gain leverage during an extended ceasefire. Tehran says it has no plans to take part in negotiations imminently.

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Strong corporate profits, the revival of the artificial-intelligence trade and an otherwise resilient economy have buoyed stocks despite lingering geopolitical risks. Nearly 80% of the S&P 500 companies reporting first-quarter results have beaten analyst earnings estimates so far, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Focus is likely to shift to Asian semiconductor stocks after the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index posted a record run, as investors bet on continued strength driven by artificial intelligence-related demand.The semiconductor sector is expected to grow revenue by about 57% in 2026, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data, which is twice the pace of the overall tech sector, and well above the 9.3% growth expected for the S&P 500 Index.

“There’s a huge amount of demand because of artificial intelligence, and I think we can expect the heavy spending on AI to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Mark Grant, chief global strategist at Alliance Global Partners. “The sector still looks attractive in terms of both valuation and growth, and that should be positive for both semiconductor stocks broadly, but also the market overall.”

NEW YORK — Fermi Inc. shares climbed sharply in early trading Wednesday, rising 13.14 percent to $5.72 as investors appeared to shake off recent volatility tied to a high-profile CEO departure and betting on the company’s ambitious plans to deliver gigawatt-scale power for artificial intelligence data centers.

The Nasdaq-listed stock (FRMI) gained 66 cents by 10:42 a.m. EDT on above-average volume, marking a partial rebound after Monday’s steep decline following news of leadership changes at the specialized real estate investment trust focused on energy infrastructure for hyperscale computing.

Fermi Inc., operating as Fermi America, develops private power campuses designed to supply behind-the-meter electricity directly to AI-centric customers, bypassing strained public grids. Its flagship Project Matador envisions an 11-gigawatt “HyperGrid” campus on more than 5,200 acres near Amarillo, Texas, combining data center facilities with on-site generation from natural gas, solar and planned nuclear units.

The company positions itself at the intersection of two explosive trends: surging electricity demand from AI training and inference workloads and chronic delays in traditional grid interconnections. By building dedicated power infrastructure, Fermi aims to offer tenants reliable, redundant energy faster than competitors reliant on utility-scale transmission queues that can stretch years.

Recent volatility stems from a leadership transition. On or around April 20, the company announced that CEO Toby Neugebauer had stepped down immediately, with the CFO also departing. The moves rattled traders, sending shares down more than 13 percent that day and contributing to broader uncertainty around execution of Project Matador. Short seller commentary, including critiques labeling the venture “not a field of AI dreams,” added pressure in recent sessions.

Despite the turbulence, some analysts and momentum investors see the dip as a buying opportunity. Fermi’s core thesis remains intact: U.S. data center capacity constraints and power shortages could drive hyperscalers toward behind-the-meter solutions. The company has highlighted partnerships, including advanced discussions with Hyundai Engineering & Construction for nuclear technology, and progress on permitting and front-end engineering design for AP1000 reactors.

Fermi went public in late 2025 via an IPO structured as a REIT, allowing tax-efficient operations while focusing on long-term leases for power and computing space. The REIT structure appeals to income-oriented investors but has drawn scrutiny over whether the company qualifies given its heavy development focus and limited current revenue.

Project Matador remains the centerpiece. Fermi has spoken of bringing the first gigawatt online by the end of 2026, with ambitions to scale to 11 GW or more. Executives have emphasized “HyperRedundant” power delivery — combining multiple generation sources for uptime critical to AI operations that cannot tolerate outages. The campus model includes land acquisition, permitting, construction and leasing to major tech tenants seeking to avoid public grid bottlenecks.

Financially, Fermi is still in the heavy investment phase. The company has reported net losses as it funds development, permitting and early construction. Recent secured financing facilities, including a $156 million committed facility announced in early April and earlier turbine equipment deals, provide runway but also raise dilution concerns if additional equity raises follow.

Analysts remain divided. Some maintain bullish price targets well above current levels, citing massive addressable demand from AI growth and Fermi’s first-mover advantage in private power campuses. Others have lowered targets or expressed caution over execution risks, lack of signed major tenant contracts to date, regulatory hurdles for nuclear components and competition from established data center REITs and utility-backed projects.

The stock’s journey has been dramatic since going public. Shares experienced sharp swings, hitting new 52-week lows in early April before rebounding on AI sector momentum and then pulling back again on leadership news. Wednesday’s 13 percent gain suggests some traders are looking past the near-term noise toward longer-term potential in the AI power infrastructure theme.

Fermi’s board and interim leadership have not yet detailed a permanent CEO search, but the company continues to push forward on strategic initiatives. Recent updates have included progress on clean air permitting in Texas and deepened nuclear collaboration talks. The involvement of high-profile figures, including former Energy Secretary Rick Perry on the board in earlier stages, lent credibility to the nuclear angle, though the company has since emphasized a hybrid generation approach.

Broader market context supports selective buying in AI-adjacent names. While major indices trade modestly higher Wednesday, stocks tied to data center infrastructure and energy have shown sporadic strength as investors weigh the massive electricity needs of next-generation AI models.

For Fermi, the path forward hinges on several milestones: securing anchor tenants for Project Matador, advancing nuclear or gas generation timelines, maintaining financing discipline and navigating regulatory processes in Texas. Success could validate the private power campus model and deliver substantial upside; delays or cost overruns could pressure the stock further given its already volatile history.

Retail investor interest has been notable, with social media and trading forums frequently discussing FRMI alongside other small-cap AI infrastructure plays. High short interest and elevated options activity have amplified swings, creating opportunities for nimble traders but also significant risk for those chasing momentum without regard to fundamentals.

As the morning session continued, Fermi shares held most of their gains, though volatility remained elevated. The upcoming earnings cycle and any fresh updates on Project Matador or leadership will likely dictate the next leg of movement.

Fermi Inc. represents a high-risk, high-reward bet on the infrastructure layer supporting the AI boom. While recent leadership changes have introduced uncertainty, the underlying demand for reliable, scalable power for data centers continues to grow. Whether the company can execute on its ambitious Texas vision will determine if today’s rebound marks the start of sustained recovery or another chapter in its volatile trading story.

Here are 10 fun facts about Earth that many people still don’t know, even as the planet marks another Earth Day on April 22, 2026. These surprising details highlight our home’s unique quirks, hidden extremes and ongoing mysteries revealed by recent science.

1. Earth is not a perfect sphere — it’s an oblate spheroid that bulges at the equator. Due to its rapid rotation, Earth’s diameter at the equator is about 27 miles (43 kilometers) wider than from pole to pole. This equatorial bulge, combined with surface features like mountains and ocean trenches, means our planet is technically the smoothest object in the solar system when scaled to the size of a billiard ball, yet still deviates from a true sphere.

2. The longest mountain range on Earth is underwater. The Mid-Ocean Ridge system stretches roughly 40,000 to 50,000 miles (65,000 to 80,000 kilometers) across the ocean floors, far longer than the Andes or Himalayas. This volcanic chain forms where tectonic plates pull apart, creating new seafloor and driving the planet’s constant geological renewal.

3. More than 97 percent of Earth’s water is in the oceans, and much of it remains unexplored. Scientists estimate we have mapped and explored only about 25 percent of the ocean floor in high resolution. Recent discoveries include subsea lakes on the seafloor and thriving ecosystems in extreme depths, reminding us that our “blue planet” still holds vast unknowns beneath the waves.

4. Earth’s core is nearly as hot as the surface of the Sun. Temperatures at the inner core reach around 10,800 degrees Fahrenheit (6,000 degrees Celsius), comparable to the Sun’s photosphere. This intense heat, combined with immense pressure, keeps the outer core liquid and generates the magnetic field that shields us from harmful solar radiation.

5. The Moon is drifting away from Earth at about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) per year. Tidal forces cause this gradual separation. In the distant future, this will lengthen Earth’s days, but for now it contributes to stabilizing our planet’s axial tilt, which helps maintain relatively stable seasons essential for life.

6. Earth once may have been dominated by purple rather than green life. Ancient microbes called retinal-based phototrophs likely used a purple pigment for photosynthesis before chlorophyll-based plants took over. Some scientists suggest early Earth landscapes could have appeared violet or reddish from space, a stark contrast to today’s green-dominated view.

7. Trees communicate through an underground fungal network known as the “Wood Wide Web.” Mycorrhizal fungi connect tree roots, allowing them to share nutrients, water and even warning signals about pests or drought. This symbiotic system helps forests function like a cooperative community, with older “mother trees” often supporting younger ones.

8. Gravity is slightly weaker in certain spots, such as parts of Hudson Bay in Canada. Post-glacial rebound and varying density in Earth’s crust create measurable gravity anomalies. In Hudson Bay, the force of gravity is lower than average, a subtle reminder that our planet’s interior remains dynamic millions of years after the last ice age.

9. Earth is the only planet in our solar system not named after a Roman or Greek god. Its name derives from Old English and Germanic words meaning “ground” or “soil.” While every other planet honors deities, Earth stands apart, reflecting humanity’s direct, grounded connection to the world beneath our feet.

10. The planet’s magnetic poles are on the move, with the north magnetic pole drifting westward at an accelerating pace. Recent observations show the magnetic north pole shifting faster than in previous decades, influenced by changes deep in the liquid outer core. This movement affects navigation systems and highlights the dynamic, ever-changing nature of Earth’s protective magnetic shield.

These facts only scratch the surface of what makes Earth extraordinary. From its imperfect shape and hidden underwater wonders to its internal heat engine and biological networks, our planet continues to surprise scientists with new revelations. As 2026 research advances our understanding of ancient rocks, ocean depths and core dynamics, one truth remains clear: Earth is a living, breathing world full of marvels waiting to be appreciated and protected.

On this Earth Day, these lesser-known details serve as a reminder of the planet’s complexity and fragility. Whether through small personal actions or larger collective efforts, humans have the power to safeguard the only home we know — a blue marble hurtling through space at 67,000 miles per hour, carrying billions of interconnected lives.

TUCSON, Ariz. — More than 80 days after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, the investigation remains active but without a named suspect or identified motive, as authorities continue analyzing DNA evidence and the family maintains a $1 million reward for information leading to her safe return.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos on Friday night firmly denied a viral rumor circulating on social media and news aggregator sites that a new person of interest had been detained in the case. When asked directly by a Fox News reporter whether authorities had taken anyone new into custody, Nanos responded with a single word: “Nope.” The denial came after claims spread rapidly online, drawing tens of thousands of views and adding to the intense public scrutiny surrounding the high-profile disappearance.

Guthrie, the mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last known to be at her residence on the night of Jan. 31 or early Feb. 1, 2026. She had plans to watch a church service online with friends the following morning but failed to appear. When she did not show up, friends contacted her daughter Annie, who lives nearby, prompting a welfare check that revealed signs of a struggle, including drops of blood on the front porch. Authorities believe she was taken against her will in the middle of the night, possibly while in her pajamas and without shoes.

Surveillance footage released by investigators shows a masked, armed individual approaching Guthrie’s doorstep on the night of the abduction. The images, which include video and still photos of the suspect wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack, have been widely circulated but have not yet led to a positive identification. The family has described the footage as chilling, with Savannah Guthrie noting the intruder appeared to move with purpose.

The FBI has joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation, bringing additional resources and forensic expertise. Sources familiar with the case told ABC News that the FBI recently received and is now analyzing a potentially critical DNA sample recovered from Guthrie’s home, including a hair that was collected in February. Advanced laboratory techniques are being used to generate a profile that could be entered into databases for comparison. Gloves found about two miles from the residence also contained unknown male DNA, which investigators continue to examine.

Early in the case, two ransom notes were sent to local media outlets demanding payment in Bitcoin. Savannah Guthrie has said her family tends to believe at least one of the notes is legitimate. A Bitcoin wallet linked to the demands showed limited activity — a small deposit on Feb. 10 with a message stating “We are ready to talk. Contact us” — but has seen no further transactions. The FBI has monitored the wallet closely but has not made any payments, consistent with standard policy in such cases.

No arrests have been made, and law enforcement has cleared all immediate family members, including Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, as possible suspects. Profilers consulted on the case, including former FBI behavioral analyst Ann Burgess (known for her work inspiring the “Mindhunter” series), have suggested possible motives ranging from financial gain to personal retribution linked to the family’s public profile. Some experts have noted the unusual nature of targeting an elderly woman in a relatively quiet suburban neighborhood.

The search has involved extensive ground efforts, drone surveillance and analysis of neighborhood security cameras. In recent weeks, police have returned to the Catalina Foothills neighborhood to follow up on tips, though residents have complained about amateur sleuths and true-crime vloggers trespassing and disrupting the area. Sheriff’s officials have urged the public to respect the ongoing investigation and report any credible information through official channels rather than speculating online.

Savannah Guthrie has spoken publicly about the agony of not knowing her mother’s whereabouts. In a video statement, she appealed directly for help: “Someone knows how to find our mom and bring her home.” The family has offered up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery, with payment criteria aligned with FBI guidelines for kidnapping cases.

As the investigation stretches into its third month, experts note that the passage of time makes solving the case more challenging. Retired FBI supervisory special agent Lance Leising told CBS News that without meaningful new leads, momentum can fade, though the high-profile nature of the case ensures continued attention and resources. Tips continue to pour in, but authorities stress the need for verified, actionable information.

Guthrie, a widow whose husband Charles died in 1988, was known in her community as an active participant in local church activities and social gatherings. Her sudden disappearance from a home she had lived in for years has shaken neighbors and highlighted vulnerabilities for elderly residents living alone.

The case has drawn national and international attention, in part because of Savannah Guthrie’s prominent role on morning television. The “Today” show host has balanced her professional duties with private family concerns, occasionally sharing emotional updates while urging patience and respect for the investigative process.

Pima County authorities have emphasized that the case remains a top priority. They continue to review surveillance footage, examine digital evidence and pursue forensic leads. Bluetooth data from Guthrie’s pacemaker reportedly disconnected around 2:30 a.m., suggesting the abduction occurred in the early morning hours when she was most vulnerable.

As of April 22, 2026, Nancy Guthrie has been missing for approximately 81 days. No new public press conferences have been scheduled in recent weeks, but officials say the investigation is ongoing with no leads ruled out. The family continues to hope for her safe return while cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Tips can remain anonymous. The $1 million reward is available for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery, subject to FBI criteria.

The prolonged uncertainty has taken an emotional toll on the Guthrie family and the broader community. As the search enters its third month, the focus remains on following every scientific and investigative avenue — from advanced DNA analysis to public appeals — in the hope of bringing Nancy Guthrie home.

Seattle could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue as Starbucks expands operations in Tennessee, a local outlet estimates.  

Fox 13 Seattle reported Tuesday that the Emerald City “could lose up to $750 million in tax revenue in the coming years as Starbucks expands in Tennessee instead of Washington.”

In a press release Tuesday, Starbucks announced it will invest $100 million and bring 2,000 new jobs to Nashville. 

WASHINGTON BUSINESS OWNERS FEAR SOCIALIST ‘MILLIONAIRES TAX’ IS DRIVING BUSINESSES OUT — AND THEY’RE NEXT

A worker at a Starbucks coffee shop makes a drink at the Detroit Metro Airport in Michigan. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“Starbucks has major plans for its newest business location, where it will employ up to 2,000 people over the next several years to serve in a variety of corporate-related operations,” the announcement said.

“The Nashville office will directly support continued coffeehouse expansion and rising customer demand, particularly in the southeastern U.S., while working closely with the company’s global headquarters in Seattle.” 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee welcomed the announcement Tuesday, writing in a post on X, “​​Great to welcome @Starbucks’ continued investment in TN as it establishes its new Southeastern hub in Music City. 

“This iconic global company’s $100 million investment — a testament to our strong economy & unmatched workforce — will create 2,000 new jobs for Tennesseans.” 

Fox 13 Seattle called Lee’s attitude “sharply different from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson when she encouraged a crowd to boycott the company shortly after she was elected mayor,” noting that Wilson’s remarks were given to a crowd during a Starbucks union workers rally in November.

“I am not buying Starbucks, and you should not too,” Wilson said.

AS SOCIALIST MAYOR BATTLES ICE, SEATTLE POLICE AND CRIME VICTIMS SAY REPEAT OFFENDERS ARE TERRORIZING THE CITY

A closed Starbucks location at 505 Union Station as demonstrators protest nearby in Seattle July 16, 2022. (David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

In a statement to Fox 13 Seattle, Wilson said, “Starbucks is a core part of Seattle’s identity. We’re proud to be home to its first store, its headquarters and so many of the workers who make the company what it is. We’re focused on maintaining a strong partnership with leadership and with employees, so Starbucks continues to succeed in the city where it all began.”

The Tax Foundation ranked Washington state sixth overall in the nation for doing business in its 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index. 

In 2026, the Tax Foundation ranked the state as 45th overall. 

In March, Washington state Democrats passed the “millionaires tax,” which Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson signed March 30. 

WILL SOCIALISM SAVE SEATTLE? CITY ADVOCATES STRUGGLE TO FIND SOLUTIONS AS HOMELESS, DRUG ADDICTS FLOOD STREETS

Starbucks employee Charlie Grandos leads a rally as part of a collective action over a Pride decor dispute outside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle June 23, 2023.  (Reuters/Matt Mills McKnight / Reuters Photos)

The “millionaires tax” is the state’s first-ever income tax, supported by progressives and socialists and opposed by conservatives. The Wall Street Journal editorial board called it a “con” after its passage that will “inevitably capture the middle class.”

It will impose a 9.9% income tax on households earning more than $1 million each year. The tax applies to any money earned after the first $1 million of someone’s annual income. It will take effect Jan. 1, 2028, with the first payments due in April 2029, KOMO News reported. 

The Seattle skyline (Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Starbucks and Wilson for comment but did not immediately receive responses.