Economy Economy https://staging.voz.us/marca/Blue-VOZ.png Economy https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/ https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/ en-us https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261030/1000181/hack-binance-largest-theft-in-crypto-history.html 'It looks like a hack': Binance reacts to what could be the largest theft in crypto history and confirms that $2.54 billion has already been frozen The market reacted immediately to the news. According to Bloomberg, Bitcoin fell as much as 3.7% and dipped below $79,000, its lowest level since September, while other cryptocurrencies saw heavy selling. Fri, 30 Oct 2026 02:19:44 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261030/1000181/hack-binance-largest-theft-in-crypto-history.html Economy 2026-10-30T02:19:44+01:00 Emmanuel Alejandro Rondón Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is facing what could be the largest theft in the industry's history. The company is investigating a possible cyberattack that shook the market on Thursday and confirmed that $2.54 billion linked to the incident has been frozen, largely thanks to the swift response of the major issuers of stablecoins.

Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and largest shareholder of Binance, reacted to the news by warning the world: "It looks like a hack on Binance", he said on X. Zhao, known as CZ, no longer runs the company, but he assured users that their funds are safe and that, as a shareholder, he expects all customer losses to be covered.

The company, on the other hand, was a bit more cautious in its official statement.

First, he acknowledged that the company is aware of "reports of a possible security issue" and explained that its teams are urgently reviewing the information. Then, they assured users that "users' funds are completely safe" and urged their customers to be wary of unofficial links and messages that might take advantage of the confusion to carry out scams.

Stablecoin issuers, who can lock their tokens directly on the blockchain, responded fastest. Tether, which issues the largest stablecoin on the market, reported that it had frozen more than $1.567 million in USDT linked to the potential attack, according to its CEO, Paolo Ardoino. Circle, the issuer of USDC, froze more than $800 million "in coordination with law enforcement," according to its CEO, Jeremy Allaire. According to Reuters, Ripple also froze about $200 million, according to Yi He, Binance co-founder.

The figures kept changing throughout the afternoon, and Binance stepped in to clarify them amid the confusion and panic. The company verified that the total amount of frozen funds amounts to $2.54 billion and warned that the number could continue to rise as the investigation progresses in collaboration with authorities, issuers, and blockchain analysis firms.

What is still unclear is how much money was withdrawn in total. Various specialized outlets, including The Kobeissi Letter, estimate that Binance's wallets on the Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tron networks recorded outflows totaling about $5.7 billion, including about $1.45 billion in bitcoin and $875 million in ether. Binance has not officially confirmed that figure. If verified, it would far exceed Bybit's $1.5 billion theft in 2025, which until now has been considered the largest in the industry's history.

The market reacted immediately to the news. According to Bloomberg, Bitcoin fell as much as 3.7% and dipped below $79,000, its lowest level since September, while other cryptocurrencies saw heavy selling. James Seyffart, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, noted that wallet liquidations are nothing new in the crypto world, but that an attack of this magnitude against the market's largest platform would be significant. He also noted that this episode adds to a series of recent incidents, such as Bitget's multimillion-dollar losses and the tampering with Ledger devices.

Moreover, this is a particularly sensitive time. Crypto options worth about $11 billion are set to expire on Friday, and the midterms are next week, which could pave the way for greater regulatory scrutiny of the sector if the Democrats regain control of either chamber of Congress.

Binance has more than 335 million registered users worldwide. Its U.S. subsidiary, Binance.US, which operates independently, stated that it was not affected. The incident also reached Elon Musk, who reacted on X with a brief "Everyday is Zeroday," a reference to "zero-day" vulnerabilities, which attackers exploit before a fix is available.

This is a developing story

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261029/1000172/the-usda-announces-the-purchase-of-more-than-470-million-in-food-to-support-producers-and.html USDA announces purchase of more than $470 million in food to support producers and strengthen food supply These purchases are part of the AMS's regular operations, which involve purchasing domestically produced agricultural products for the USDA's nutritional assistance programs. The agency emphasizes that these foods are a key component of the country's food safety net. Thu, 29 Oct 2026 19:45:19 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261029/1000172/the-usda-announces-the-purchase-of-more-than-470-million-in-food-to-support-producers-and.html Economy 2026-10-29T19:45:19+01:00 Carlos Dominguez The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Thursday its intention to purchase domestic agricultural products worth up to $472.5 million. The goal is to distribute these products through the charitable food assistance network and other nutrition programs, at a time when several agricultural markets are facing strain.

A measure providing direct support to farmers

The Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, emphasized that the measure aims to reward the work of American farmers, ranchers and fishermen. According to her, the investment will ensure that products such as milk, cheese, lentils, almonds, rice and catfish reach those who need them, rather than going unsold. "We are committed to putting farmers first," Rollins said, linking the decision to the policy of the Trump administration to prioritize domestic production.

Purchases under Section 32 to stabilize the markets

Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32, a mechanism that allows the USDA to intervene in commodity markets when imbalances occur. This tool aims to stabilize prices, provide relief to producers during times of economic hardship, and contribute to a more resilient agricultural system.

Products and regions benefiting

The volume of purchases spans multiple regions and sectors. It includes legumes from the Northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest, nuts and citrus fruits, farmed catfish from the South, rice, pork and chicken, and Pacific hake from the West Coast. According to the USDA, each purchase generates economic activity in rural areas by supporting processors, packers, transporters and workers in the sector.

Breakdown of planned purchases

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will be responsible for carrying out the purchases. The planned allocation of funds includes dairy products ($165.5 million), pork ($41 million), split peas ($37 million), almonds ($30 million), lentils ($29 million), raisins ($25 million), hazelnuts ($22 million), rice ($21 million), chickpeas and catfish ($20 million each), chicken ($20 million), Pacific hake ($12 million) and a mix of dried fruits, grapefruit, and oranges ($10 million each).

These purchases are part of the AMS's regular operations, which involve procuring domestically produced agricultural products for the USDA's nutritional assistance programs. The agency emphasizes that these foods are a key component of the country's food safety net.

The announcement comes at a time when several agricultural commodity markets are facing marketing challenges, and is part of the USDA's efforts to link domestic production more directly to food aid distribution channels.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261029/1000168/inflation-accelerates-to-3-6-in-september-as-the-economy-grows.html Inflation rose in September, driven by higher gasoline prices The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve's (Fed) preferred measure of inflation, rose 3.6% year-over-year in September, up from the previous month's figure. Thu, 29 Oct 2026 18:07:32 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261029/1000168/inflation-accelerates-to-3-6-in-september-as-the-economy-grows.html Economy 2026-10-29T19:32:26+01:00 Williams Perdomo Inflation in the country accelerated in September to 3.6% year-over-year, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Commerce. The rise in prices poses a challenge for the Federal Reserve, which is keeping interest rates unchanged amid the midterm elections.

The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index—the Federal Reserve's (Fed) preferred measure of inflation—posted a year-over-year increase of 3.6% in September.

Consumer prices rose by 0.5% in September compared with August, when the monthly increase had been 0.3%. The year-over-year indicator also reflects persistent inflationary pressures in the U.S. economy.

Excluding food and energy, whose prices tend to fluctuate more, core inflation stood at 3.1% year-over-year. On a monthly basis, this indicator rose 0.3% compared with August.

The economy is growing faster than expected

At the same time, the Department of Commerce reported that personal income rose by $54.5 billion in September, according to estimates from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

The data also showed that the real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.4% in the third quarter of 2026, exceeding Wall Street's forecast of 3.1%. This result marks an acceleration from the 2.2% growth recorded in the second quarter, according to the preliminary estimate released by the BEA.
]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261029/1000162/gdp-grew-in-the-third-quarter-of-the-year-2026.html GDP grew 3.4% in the third quarter of the year, defying market expectations The economic growth was due mainly to an increase in investment and consumer spending, according to the Department of Commerce. Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:28:09 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261029/1000162/gdp-grew-in-the-third-quarter-of-the-year-2026.html Economy 2026-10-29T18:13:41+01:00 Alejandro Baños The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a macroeconomic indicator that measures the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a given period, recorded a 3.4% increase in the third quarter of 2026, defying market expectations.

Analysts expected the economy to grow, but at a slower pace (3.1%). In the second quarter, growth had been 2.2%.

In a press release, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), an agency within the Department of Commerce, reported the reasons that led the country's economy to post such growth during the period from July through September.

"Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a year-over-year rate of 3.4% in the third quarter of 2026 (July, August and September), according to the preliminary estimate released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)," the agency said.

"The factors that contributed to the increase in real GDP in the third quarter were increases in investment, consumer spending and government spending, which were partially offset by a decline in exports. Imports, which are subtracted from the GDP calculation, increased," the BEA added.

Interest rates remain unchanged

This assessment comes hours after the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced that it will not change interest rates. Its chairman, Kevin Warsh, appeared to confirm that rates will remain within the same range, even though some members of the central bank, such as Gov. Lisa Cook, were calling for a quarter-point increase.

"The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate between 3.75% and 4%, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system," Warsh said at a press conference, where he announced that the Fed will reduce the number of rate-setting meetings in 2027.

GDP growth is a boost for the president Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections, which will be held next week. The economy is one of the central issues of the election campaign.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261028/1000129/federal-reserve-fed-does-not-change-interest-rates-ahead-of-the-midterms.html Federal Reserve does not change interest rates ahead of midterms The central bank set interest rates between 3.75% and 4%, even though Governor Lisa Cook wanted a quarter-point increase. Wed, 28 Oct 2026 20:36:25 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261028/1000129/federal-reserve-fed-does-not-change-interest-rates-ahead-of-the-midterms.html Economy 2026-10-28T20:36:25+01:00 Alejandro Baños The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, in line with market expectations, just a few days before the midterm elections, for which the economy is one of the key issues in the election campaigns of both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

This Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), a body within the central bank, voted to keep interest rates unchanged, setting them between 3.75% and 4.00%.

The decision was supported by ten of the 12 members that make up the FOMC.

"The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-3/4 to 4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system," the Fed said in a statement.

"Economic activity is expanding at a strong pace. While uncertainty remains elevated owing, in part, to geopolitical developments, domestic spending has been resilient. Productivity growth is strong, and capital investment is robust. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little. Inflation remains elevated. The accumulation of more information will help the Committee determine the policy stance appropriate to ensure a timely return of inflation to the Committee's 2 percent goal. The Committee will deliver price stability," the central bank added.

The governor, Lisa Cook, and the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (Ohio), Beth Hammack, were the dissenting voices. Both called for a 0.25% increase in interest rates.

Warsh: "Inflation is too high"

Following the FOMC meeting, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, appeared before the media to share his views on the economic situation.

Warsh stated that inflation remains "too high," which is why interest rates were not cut. He also reported that the central bank will reduce the number of rate-setting meetings in 2027.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261028/1000125/commercial-oil-reserves-are-falling-again-united-states.html Commercial oil reserves falling again During the seven-day period ending Oct. 23, commercial inventories fell by 1.9 million barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Wed, 28 Oct 2026 18:59:05 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261028/1000125/commercial-oil-reserves-are-falling-again-united-states.html Economy 2026-10-28T18:59:13+01:00 AFP Commercial crude oil reserves declined last week in the country, according to official data released Wednesday, while U.S. production continues to set record highs amid the war in the Middle East.

During the seven-day period ending Oct. 23, commercial reserves fell by 1.9 million barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The market expected inventories to remain stable from one week to the next, according to the analyst consensus published by the agency Bloomberg.

This decline can be attributed to a surge in exports (+41% compared to the previous period), which outweighed the effect of the decline in imports (around -11%).

The utilization rate of installed capacity remains particularly high (92.8%), even though October is typically a period for infrastructure maintenance.

At the same time, U.S. production reached a new all-time high of 13.99 million barrels per day—that is, nearly 350,000 more than a year earlier.

The conflict between Washington and Tehran has shaken the oil market and dealt a blow to hydrocarbon exports from the Gulf.

The report shows a decline in domestic demand (-4.81%), falling below 21 million barrels per day, weighed down in particular by the "gasoline" category.

Oil prices appeared to accelerate their rise on Wednesday following the release of the report. Around 11 a.m. E.T., the price of a barrel of North Sea Brent crude for December delivery rose 1.76% to $115.88.

Its U.S. equivalent, a West Texas Intermediate barrel for same-month delivery, rose 2.68% to $102.58.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261027/40340/consumer-confidence-improves-in-october-amid-easing-gas-prices-survey-shows.html Consumer confidence improves in October amid easing gas prices, survey shows The survey's respondents also expressed improving outlooks on their present situation, which rose 6.9 points to 72.6. Their short-term outlook increased 8.6 points to 120.4, according to The Conference Board. Tue, 27 Oct 2026 17:04:38 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261027/40340/consumer-confidence-improves-in-october-amid-easing-gas-prices-survey-shows.html Economy 2026-10-27T17:04:38+01:00 Just The News American confidence in the economy improved slightly in October, according to The Conference Board, a nonprofit think tank.

The consumer confidence index increased 7.5 points to 91.7 in October. September's figure, 84.2, was the lowest in the board's survey since April 2014. Last month's figure was also lower than the lowest level the index reached during the pandemic, the Associated Press reported.

The survey's respondents also expressed improving outlooks on their present situation, which rose 6.9 points to 72.6. Their short-term outlook increased 8.6 points to 120.4.

Fergus McCormick, a senior economist for The Conference Board, told the AP that the improving figures in October were associated with improving gasoline prices.

“Yet, despite the increase in October, consumer confidence remained on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years," McCormick said.

The average US price of gasoline was $4.27 per gallon on Tuesday, down from $4.28 per gallon a week ago, according to AAA. Gas prices were still well above the $3.05 per gallon they were at this week last year.

© Just The News

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261026/40304/anthropic-is-preparing-for-its-initial-public-offering-in-deal-that-could-break-historical-records.html Anthropic prepares for IPO in deal that could break historical records The artificial intelligence company filed paperwork with U.S. regulators to begin trading on Wall Street, despite posting losses of more than $80 billion during the first half of 2026. Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:35:35 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261026/40304/anthropic-is-preparing-for-its-initial-public-offering-in-deal-that-could-break-historical-records.html Economy 2026-10-26T17:35:35+01:00 Diane Hernández The technology company Anthropic, developer of the artificial intelligence assistant Claude, filed the necessary paperwork on Monday to go public for the first time, in a deal that could become the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history.

According to Just the News, the San Francisco-based company could make its debut on Wall Street in November, potentially surpassing the record set by SpaceX, which raised approximately $86 billion in its June IPO.

In an official statement, Anthropic confirmed that it filed its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer Class A common stock. The company plans to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ANT, although it has not yet determined the price or the number of shares it will offer for sale.

The offering comes at a time of strong growth in the artificial intelligence industry, but also amid high costs associated with developing advanced models and the infrastructure needed to operate them.

Estimated revenue of $16.3 billion during the first half of 2026

According to financial documents cited by Axios, Anthropic reported revenue of approximately $16.3 billion during the first six months of 2026, but incurred net losses of about $80.7 billion during that same period, largely related to accounting adjustments in the valuation of financial instruments.

Despite these figures, estimates published by financial media outlets place the company's potential valuation between $1.5 and $2 trillion. The offering could raise up to $100 billion, although these amounts have not yet been officially confirmed.

The IPO is also taking place amid an intense debate over the risks of artificial intelligence. Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, has warned about the potential consequences of the rapid development of increasingly powerful systems and has advocated for stronger safety measures.

If it goes through, the deal would mark one of the largest IPOs in history and would test investors' interest in funding the expansion of artificial intelligence, in a market where tech companies are competing to develop more advanced systems, despite their enormous capital requirements.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261025/40280/trump-announces-audi-is-investing-4-2-bn-in-its-first-us-auto-plant-in-georgia.html Trump announces Audi is investing $4.2 bn in its first US auto plant in Georgia The plant, which was scheduled to begin construction next year and start production in the early 2030s, would create about 4,500 jobs and produce 200,000 cars per year. Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:01:41 +0100 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261025/40280/trump-announces-audi-is-investing-4-2-bn-in-its-first-us-auto-plant-in-georgia.html Economy 2026-10-25T09:01:41+01:00 Israel Duro Donald Trump announced on Saturday that German automaker Audi planned to invest $4.2 billion to build its first factory in the United States, 10 days before midterm elections. Audi confirmed the investment in a release, saying the plant would create about 4,500 jobs.

"I'm thrilled to announce a massive auto manufacturing investment in the great state of Georgia by a fantastic company," Trump said at a campaign rally ahead of the November 3 vote that will determine control of the US Congress.

"Audi has just committed to invest $4.2 billion dollars in nearby Macon, Georgia, to begin the construction next month on a massive plant that will produce 200,000 cars a year," Trump continued.

Audi, which is a unit of Volkswagen, said in its release that construction was scheduled to begin next year and production in the early 2030s.

"North America, a third major pillar of Audi's global production network"

"The planned investment intends to mark a long-term commitment to the United States and to establish North America as a third major pillar of Audi's global production network alongside Europe and China," it said.

VW, long a titan of German industry, has struggled with US tariffs, Chinese competition and patchy demand in Europe.

In September, the 10-brand Volkswagen Group struck a deal with unions to axe up to 100,000 jobs by 2030, increasing by 50,000 the number of expected cuts across the group. The cuts will be the largest restructuring ever carried out in the global automotive industry.

"A roaring comeback"

Trump has claimed a "roaring comeback" in American auto manufacturing in response to his aggressive trade policy. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has wielded executive authority to slap tariffs on various products -including autos- and countries.

In response, carmakers including General Motors, Toyota, and Ford have announced plans to expand US plants or shift production from overseas.

Grievances over Trump's trade policies are among fault lines that Democrats hope will work in their favor in the midterm elections. Trump is putting all his efforts into campaigning ahead of the elections as he faces dismal polls and unexpectedly tight races in Republican strongholds.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261023/40248/consumer-confidence-revised-slightly-upward.html Consumer confidence revised slightly upward The University of Michigan index stood at 48 points, compared with the initially estimated 46.3. However, purchasing power remains one of Americans' main concerns. Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:24:16 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261023/40248/consumer-confidence-revised-slightly-upward.html Economy 2026-10-23T18:24:16+02:00 Williams Perdomo U.S. consumer confidence declined less than expected in October, according to a revision published Friday by the University of Michigan. Despite the improvement from the initial estimate, consumer sentiment continues to be marked by concerns about purchasing power.

The confidence index compiled by the university stood at 48 points, virtually unchanged from September.

The preliminary estimate had pointed to a steeper decline, down to 46.3 points—a figure close to the low recorded last May, when it reached 44.8 points.

Despite this upward revision, the indicator reflects a deterioration in households' economic outlook in recent months. In February, before the start of the war in the Middle East, which triggered a rise in energy prices, the index was 15% higher.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261022/40198/oil-prices-close-without-major-fluctuations-despite-middle-east-exports.html Oil prices close without major fluctuations despite Middle East exports According to data from Kpler, Middle East exports—including alternative routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz—exceeded 24 million barrels per day during the week ending Oct. 18, compared to 23.3 million barrels per day before the war. Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:18:06 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261022/40198/oil-prices-close-without-major-fluctuations-despite-middle-east-exports.html Economy 2026-10-22T17:18:06+02:00 AFP Oil prices closed Wednesday virtually unchanged, as strong performance in hydrocarbon exports from the Middle East contrasted with new attacks in the region.

The price of a barrel of North Sea Brent crude, for December delivery, fell just 0.03% to $108.79.

Its U.S. counterpart, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) barrel for delivery in the same month—which made its debut as a benchmark contract on Wednesday—fell 0.69% to $97.15.

According to data from Kpler, Middle Eastern exports—including alternative routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz—exceeded 24 million barrels per day during the week ending Oct. 18, compared to 23.3 million barrels per day before the war.

On Wednesday, explosions were heard in the southeastern Iranian province of Hormozgan, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, according to a state-run media outlet.

The situation also remains very tense in Saudi Arabia, which has been the target of nearly daily attacks by pro-Iranian Houthis from Yemen for several weeks.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261021/40163/musk-is-considering-merging-tesla-and-spacex-as-wall-street-rises-on-the-back-of-the-space-company-s-earnings.html Musk considers merging Tesla and SpaceX as Wall Street rises with latter's earnings The billionaire confirmed that both companies have set up independent committees to evaluate a potential merger that could create a tech giant valued at about $3.5 trillion. Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:03:16 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261021/40163/musk-is-considering-merging-tesla-and-spacex-as-wall-street-rises-on-the-back-of-the-space-company-s-earnings.html Economy 2026-10-21T18:03:16+02:00 Diane Hernández Entrepreneur Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a potential merger, a deal that could become one of the largest in corporate history. The announcement comes amid a positive trading day on Wall Street, driven by the financial results of SpaceX and other tech companies.

According to Just the News, Musk explained on Tuesday that both companies have formed special committees composed of independent directors to evaluate a potential merger, though he cautioned that there is still no agreement nor any guarantee that the deal will actually go through.

The entrepreneur said he views the idea of merging the two companies favorably because of the opportunities for collaboration in artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductor design and connectivity.

However, he noted that he will remain on the sidelines of the negotiations due to his role as CEO of both companies, which could create conflicts of interest.

Musk also emphasized that any agreement would require shareholder approval and that the committees have not yet reached a consensus on the terms of a potential transaction.

SpaceX's revenue soars, boosting Wall Street

The news coincided with the release of SpaceX's financial results for the third quarter of 2026, which exceeded analysts' forecasts.

The company reported revenue of approximately $14.58 billion, a year-over-year increase of 161%, driven primarily by its artificial intelligence and satellite connectivity businesses.

In addition, SpaceX posted a net profit of approximately $4.4 billion, compared to losses exceeding $1 billion recorded in the same period the previous year.

The figures were well received by investors. SpaceX shares, which went public in June of this year, rose about 8% in early trading on Wednesday.

According to data from Investing.com, the company's revenue far exceeded market expectations, which were around $12.72 billion.

The results also reflect the growing importance of artificial intelligence-related businesses within a company traditionally known for its rockets, space missions and the Starlink satellite network.

Stock market impact

Against this backdrop, the New York Stock Exchange opened higher on Wednesday. In early trading, the Dow Jones index was up approximately 0.3%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.67%, and the S&P 500 rose 0.31%.
​
​The positive reaction was also bolstered by the earnings report from Super Micro Computer, which helped fuel interest in companies related to artificial intelligence.
​
​In contrast, shares of Netflix fell after the company presented forecasts that failed to convince investors, according to Reuters.

Potential $3.5 trillion tech mega-merger

The potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX would bring together under a single corporate structure activities including electric vehicles, robotics, satellites, aerospace technology, chip manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

According to another Reuters analysis, the combined valuation of both companies would be around $3.5 trillion, although the final value of any transaction would depend on its financial terms and market conditions.

Analysts point to potential benefits in technological and financial integration, particularly the ability to combine SpaceX's infrastructure with Tesla's robotics, manufacturing and data processing projects.

However, a deal of this magnitude would face significant obstacles, including shareholder approval, corporate governance issues, and potential regulatory reviews related to SpaceX's defense contracts and Tesla's international operations.

Meanwhile, SpaceX's results and the prospects for collaboration between the two companies keep Wall Street's attention focused on the technology business conglomerate led by the billionaire.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261021/40145/getty-images-files-for-bankruptcy-to-restructure-its-debt.html Getty Images files for bankruptcy to restructure its debt The photography company expects to complete the reorganization by the end of the year, with an investment of up to $533 million from members of the Getty family and subsidiaries of Koch Equity Development. The company says it will continue to operate as usual. Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:45:49 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261021/40145/getty-images-files-for-bankruptcy-to-restructure-its-debt.html Economy 2026-10-21T10:45:49+02:00 Williams Perdomo Getty Images, the U.S. photography company, announced Wednesday that it has initiated a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding as part of a previously announced plan to restructure its debt and transform the company into a privately held firm.

"The company has launched a solicitation process for formal approval of the prepackaged plan of reorganization and, to implement the plan in the most efficient manner, has commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware... for certain of its US entities," Getty Images stated in a press release.

The company, which partners with AFP and other media companies, announced this month that it had reached an agreement with its major lenders to proceed with a prearranged bankruptcy process.

The agreement calls for an investment of up to $533 million by members of the Getty family and subsidiaries of Koch Equity Development, with the aim of reducing the company's debt.

Getty Images reported on Wednesday that it "has moved forward to implement its previously disclosed financial restructuring," adding that it expects to complete the process." It also indicated that it expects to complete the process "by year end after customary regulatory approvals are obtained."

The company assured that it will continue to operate normally during the process. To this end, it has secured financing of up to $143 million from Koch, in addition to the cash generated by its regular business operations.

Once the restructuring is complete, Getty Images will become a privately held company owned by private equity investors, as announced by the company.

Shares Below a Dollar and Losses in the Millions

This month, Getty Images revealed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it had received notice of plans to delist its shares from the New York Stock Exchange, after its stock price fell below one dollar.

The company reported losses of $206.1 million in 2025.
]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261021/40135/trump-announces-8-billion-in-aid-to-farmers-over-diesel-costs-how-the-program-works.html Trump announces $8 billion in aid to farmers over diesel costs: How the program works The president announced the news during a campaign event in Wichita, Kansas, alongside Republican Senator Roger Marshall. Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:34:31 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261021/40135/trump-announces-8-billion-in-aid-to-farmers-over-diesel-costs-how-the-program-works.html Economy 2026-10-21T05:34:31+02:00 Joaquín Núñez Donald Trump announced a new $8 billion aid program to help farmers offset rising diesel prices during harvest season. The president announced the news during a campaign event in Wichita, Kansas, alongside Republican Senator Roger Marshall.

"The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will launch a new Harvest Fuel Relief program, providing our farmers with $8 billion in support to offset diesel costs during this harvest season," the president said.

Unlike gasoline, which is used primarily for cars and other personal vehicles, diesel is essential for freight transportation and activities such as agriculture, livestock farming, and construction. Trucks, tractors, buses, and much of the heavy machinery run on this fuel. During harvest season, these diesel-powered machines incur higher costs.

The announcement comes as the national average price of diesel stands at $6.31 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

How will the program work?

As explained by the USDA in a press release, farmers will receive a one-time payment to mitigate the impact of rising diesel prices. The payment will be calculated using a formula based on the number of hectares each producer planted and USDA estimates of costs, yields, and prices, to cover a portion of what they would have lost in the 2026 harvest.

Funding for the program will come from the Commodity Credit Corporation, the USDA fund that supports farm income, and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Since the program is specifically intended for crops listed under Title I of the Farm Bill—such as corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, and cotton—producers of other products, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as fishermen, will need to provide additional data on their diesel expenses to the USDA. They can submit this information by email to [email protected], and the USDA will take it into account when determining how much to pay them.

Those who meet the requirements should create an account now at Login.gov, the federal government's online identification system, before the aid application period is announced. Producers with that account linked to the USDA can find online application forms already filled out with their information to streamline the process.

The amounts producers will receive will be announced in November, and agency officials emphasized that enrollment in the program will not be required for agricultural insurance.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261020/40098/united-airlines-ceo-proposes-wealth-tax-and-inheritance-taxes-of-up-to-100.html United Airlines CEO proposes wealth tax and inheritance taxes of up to 100% The executive made these remarks during an interview with The New York Times, in which he argued that these policies would help combat inequality in the United States. Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:48:42 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261020/40098/united-airlines-ceo-proposes-wealth-tax-and-inheritance-taxes-of-up-to-100.html Economy 2026-10-20T02:48:42+02:00 Joaquín Núñez Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, proposed establishing a national wealth tax and raising the taxes paid on a person's estate upon death to levels approaching 100% in certain cases. The executive made these remarks during an interview with The New York Times, in which he argued that these policies would help combat inequality in the United States.

"Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that," Kirby told the NYT. He then proposed a federal wealth tax and "inheritance taxes approaching 100% at some level," adding that he would pay them himself.

Regarding the wealth tax, he noted that it should not be implemented at the state level to prevent wealthier taxpayers from moving to other jurisdictions to avoid it.

The United Airlines CEO's proposal would represent a major shift from the current tax system. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), inheritances are currently subject to a federal tax that applies only to estates worth more than $15 million per person. On the portion that exceeds that threshold and is subject to the tax, the maximum tax rate is 40%.

Also during the interview with the Times, Kirby defended the additional fee for certain seats on airplanes, after being asked about the cost that non-frequent-flyer passengers must pay to avoid middle seats: "There are some customers who want to sit in a window seat or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver."

Kirby's remarks add to the debate over how to tax large fortunes. For example, in March 2026, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Ro Khanna introduced a bill to establish a 5% annual tax on the wealth of billionaires, with the goal of raising approximately $4.4 trillion over 10 years. The bill specifically targets individuals with a net worth exceeding $1 billion.

"At a time of unprecedented income and wealth inequality, this legislation demands that the billionaire class in America finally pay their fair share of taxes so that we can create an economy that works for all of us, not just the 1%," Senator Sanders said of his proposal.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261017/40040/wall-street-suffers-its-worst-weekly-drop-due-to-rising-tech-debt.html Wall Street suffers its worst weekly drop due to rising tech debt The accumulation of debt to build data centers and persistent inflationary pressure led the Nasdaq to post its worst weekly performance since June. Sat, 17 Oct 2026 09:39:15 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261017/40040/wall-street-suffers-its-worst-weekly-drop-due-to-rising-tech-debt.html Economy 2026-10-17T09:39:15+02:00 Andrés Ignacio Henríquez Financial markets closed Friday's session with sharp losses, dragged down by a massive sell-off of tech stocks. Investor skepticism about the sustainability of the massive expenditures allocated to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure triggered a sharp correction in Wall Street's major indices.

The Nasdaq Composite technology index fell 573 points, or 2.1%, to 26,140, marking its worst week since June. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 fell 1.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.3%.

The heavy burden of debt in the IT sector

Pressure on semiconductor manufacturers and infrastructure providers has intensified as the market scrutinizes the high level of financial leverage required to build and operate thousands of data centers.

So-called "neonube" companies, such as CoreWeave, were among the hardest hit due to their reliance on debt and equity issuance to finance their capital expenditures, rather than using their operating cash flow.

According to market analyst Adam Crisafulli, founder of Vital Knowledge, this scheme has set off alarms regarding the accumulation of liabilities. CoreWeave's stock fell nearly 12% on Friday and posted a decline of nearly 24% for the week.

The jitters had a widespread impact on the semiconductor industry. Micron Technology shares fell 5.6%, Advanced Micro Devices lost 6%, Broadcom dropped 4.5%, and Intel fell 5.8%. Tesla also fell 2.1% after unveiling its new Roadster sports car.

Caution also increased in light of valuation projections for Anthropic's upcoming IPO. According to a Reuters report, investors are now pricing the AI firm at $1.5 trillion , cutting the initial target of $2 trillion.

Inflationary pressures and the outlook for interest rates

Adding to the backdrop of technological uncertainty were new signs that inflation in the United States continues to drift away from the Federal Reserve's 2% annual target.

The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds remained stable at 5.1%, staying near its highest levels in more than two decades due to concerns about public debt and rising prices.

This persistent inflation paves the way for adjustments to monetary policy. Although most analysts expect the central bank to keep interest rates unchanged at its Oct. 28–29 meeting, market odds for a rate hike at the December meeting rose to 74.3%, up from 50.2% a month ago, according to CME FedWatch data.

During a meeting of financial leaders in Bangkok, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh chose not to offer any clues about the central bank's next steps, which in September raised the federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%, its highest level since late 2025.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261016/40027/hispanic-owned-businesses-in-the-country-are-growing-13-times-faster-than-us-businesses-as-whole.html Hispanic-owned businesses in the country are growing 13 times faster than US businesses as a whole Hispanic-owned companies with employees grew by 49.5% over five years and generated $832 billion in annual revenue, according to a NAHREP report. Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:41:05 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261016/40027/hispanic-owned-businesses-in-the-country-are-growing-13-times-faster-than-us-businesses-as-whole.html Economy 2026-10-16T16:41:05+02:00 Williams Perdomo Hispanic entrepreneurship is growing at a rate far exceeding that of U.S. businesses as a whole. Hispanic companies with employees reached nearly 496,000 in 2023, a 49.5% increase over five years, more than 13 times the growth rate recorded by American businesses with employees as a whole, according to the 2026 State of Hispanic Wealth report, released on Sept. 14 by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and the Hispanic Wealth Project.

These companies generated $832 billion in annual revenue, according to the report, which analyzes the evolution of Hispanic household wealth in the country and the factors driving its growth.

The rise of entrepreneurship is part of a broader trend of wealth accumulation. According to the report, Hispanic household wealth has more than tripled since 2014, the year the Hispanic Wealth Project was founded. During that period, the relative wealth gap with non-Hispanic white households also narrowed: for every dollar of Hispanic wealth, the wealth of these households fell from $8.87 to $4.47.

Larger companies drive growth

The report highlights that business growth has been particularly concentrated among Hispanic companies with annual revenues of at least $1 million.

These businesses accounted for 86% of the net increase in Hispanic companies with employees and 36% of employment growth within that business segment, according to data collected by NAHREP.

The report identifies business ownership as one of the main pillars of Hispanic wealth. This component accounts for 17.8% of household wealth, while real estate constitutes the largest share at 45.5%, and financial assets account for 28.1%.

In the financial sphere, the report notes that nearly half of Hispanic households have a tax-advantaged retirement account. Likewise, the proportion of Hispanic households that hold trusts increased from 7% to 11.1% over the past year.

Homeownership also reaches record levels

Business growth coincides with gains in the real estate market. Hispanic households reached a record 10.2 million home ownership units in 2025, according to the report.

During that year, Hispanic families formed 1.1 million new households, accounting for 92.6% of total household growth in the United States.

The report also notes that Hispanic homeowners have a net worth 26.4 times higher than that of Hispanics who rent, which reflects the importance of homeownership in the accumulation of family wealth.
]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261015/39994/the-u-s-halts-withdrawals-from-its-strategic-reserve-for-the-first-time-as-the-war-with-iran-continues-to-put-pressure-on-the-energy-market.html US halts withdrawals from its strategic reserve for the first time as the war with Iran continues to put pressure on the energy market The reserve remained at 283 million barrels, according to weekly data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:46:34 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261015/39994/the-u-s-halts-withdrawals-from-its-strategic-reserve-for-the-first-time-as-the-war-with-iran-continues-to-put-pressure-on-the-energy-market.html Economy 2026-10-15T20:46:34+02:00 Carlos Dominguez The United States did not withdraw a single barrel from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) during the week ending October 9, the first pause since Washington began using it regularly to mitigate disruptions caused by the war with Iran.

The reserve remained at 283 million barrels, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A pause in a larger plan

The SPR has become a central tool in the U.S. response to the conflict that began in February, when the United States and Israel attacked the Iranian regime. To offset disruptions in global supply, the Trump administration announced in March the release of 172 million barrels, as part of a coordinated effort with 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency.

The releases are being carried out primarily as swaps. The Department of Energy (DOE) delivers crude oil to companies, which must return the same volume plus an additional premium in barrels. This mechanism, documented by the DOE, aims to stabilize the market at no cost to taxpayers and strengthen the reserve in the long term.

The first five auctions totaled more than 133 million barrels awarded. In late September, Washington launched the final phase, for up to 40 million barrels, with deliveries scheduled for November and December 2026.

According to Argus Media, in early October, a new tranche of between 20 and 25 million barrels was awarded, with the majority going to ExxonMobil, although the actual delivery of the crude oil could take several weeks.

Commercial reserves and domestic production fall

Meanwhile, according to AFP, commercial crude oil inventories fell last week by 8.6 million barrels, as a result of a 12% decline in imports and an increase in the volume of crude processed at U.S. refineries.

At the same time, domestic production fell to its lowest level since early May, a decline that could be related to the temporary shutdown of some facilities due to Hurricane Isaias passing through the southern part of the country.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261015/39993/holiday-season-sales-are-projected-to-exceed-one-trillion-dollars-for-the-first-time.html Holiday season sales are projected to exceed one trillion dollars for the first time The NRF's figures cover sales between November 1 and December 31 and excludes sales at automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants. Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:27:18 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261015/39993/holiday-season-sales-are-projected-to-exceed-one-trillion-dollars-for-the-first-time.html Economy 2026-10-15T19:32:35+02:00 AFP US consumers will spend more than $1 trillion this holiday season, gifting generously despite persistent inflation, according to a forecast released Thursday.

The National Retail Federation estimated 4.2 percent growth in spending to just over $1 trillion, topping last year's rise of 3.1 percent to $972 billion.

Officials with the trade group flagged higher fuel prices as a headwind for discretionary purchases, particularly among low-income households.

But the NRF's chief economist, Mark Mathews, described the labor market as "resilient."

Consumer confidence readings have been weak, but the indicator has not proven to be a reliable predictor of sales, he said.

"We do expect households to continue to prioritize spending on families, friends and loved ones," Mathews told reporters. "We've seen that throughout the course of the year."

The NRF projects that retailers will hire between 325,000 and 375,000 temporary employees this year, a figure comparable to last year's 356,000.

But Mathews characterized this staffing addition as smaller than those "in the more distant past."

He also said retailers were unlikely to pass on all of the increased costs from shipping due to soaring diesel prices.

"I think it's really hard for any retailer to go out there and to have higher prices than anybody else," he said. "So as we saw with tariffs, this is an industry that survives on providing lower prices to consumers and potentially eating some of those costs."

The NRF's figures cover sales between November 1 and December 31 and excludes sales at automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261015/39987/ppi-soars-in-september-amid-war-with-iran-testing-the-resilience-of-trump-s-economy.html PPI soars in September amid war with Iran, putting the resilience of Trump's economy to the test The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 6.3% compared with the same month a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), exceeding analysts' forecasts. Thu, 15 Oct 2026 17:04:10 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261015/39987/ppi-soars-in-september-amid-war-with-iran-testing-the-resilience-of-trump-s-economy.html Economy 2026-10-15T17:04:10+02:00 Carlos Dominguez Inflation in the production chain accelerated in September to its highest year-over-year increase since 2022, driven by rising energy costs following the start of the war against the Iranian regime.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 6.3% compared to the same month last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), exceeding analysts' forecasts. The market had expected a 5.5% year-over-year increase, according to MarketWatch.

The cause: War with Iran

The monthly increase in the PPI was 1.3%, the largest in more than four years. The trigger was energy: since the United States and Israel launched the war against the Iranian regime in late February, the price of crude oil and its derivatives has surged sharply, driving up the cost of diesel, gasoline, and logistics across the entire economy.

The effect had already been felt in August, when the final demand PPI rose by 0.4% month-over-month and 5.4% year-over-year. That month, more than a third of the increase in final-demand goods was attributed to diesel, which skyrocketed by 24.1%.

In September, the upward pressure continued. Gasoline was the main driver of the increase in PPI goods prices, with a rise of 20.3%, according to BLS data. Gasoline rose 9.1% month-over-month in the Consumer Price Index and accounted for more than half of the total CPI increase, while the price of unleaded gasoline has risen 45% since late February. Prices also rose for diesel, fresh and dried vegetables, jet fuel, residential electricity, and crude oil.

Core inflation: The key figure to watch

Excluding food and energy, the PPI rose 0.7% month-over-month and 5% year-over-year in September. That figure warrants attention: if production costs continue to rise beyond oil prices, companies will have less room to absorb them and will ultimately pass them on to consumers.

Consumer inflation had already risen to 3.7% year-over-year in September, above the 3.6% forecast. But the cause remains primarily energy-related, not structural. Despite the spike in prices, retail sales rose 0.8% month-over-month in September, according to the Department of Commerce, with increases at restaurants, bars and gas stations.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261014/39958/chipmaker-globalfoundries-will-build-two-plants-in-the-u-s-for-21-billion.html Chipmaker GlobalFoundries will build two plants in the US for $21 billion Japan will provide the funding, and under a separate agreement, the U.S. government will acquire a 4% stake in the company, GlobalFoundries said. Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:35:32 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261014/39958/chipmaker-globalfoundries-will-build-two-plants-in-the-u-s-for-21-billion.html Economy 2026-10-14T21:35:32+02:00 AFP The semiconductor company GlobalFoundries announced on Wednesday the construction of two microprocessor manufacturing plants in New York, with an investment of $21 billion from a U.S.-Japan initiative.

Japan will provide the funding, and under a separate agreement, the U.S. government will acquire a 4% stake in the company, GlobalFoundries said.

Donald Trump praised the agreement in a social media post on Wednesday.

"An initial investment of approximately $10 billion will accelerate the construction of a new semiconductor factory, which is expected to begin operations in 2029," the company said in a statement.

It added that another investment of about $10 billion would be for a second plant.

GlobalFoundries noted that the joint initiative between the two countries was made possible by the prior trade and investment agreement between Washington and Tokyo.

The goal is to boost semiconductor production in the United States, as processors are in high demand across various sectors.

The Department of Commerce added in a separate statement that it would reallocate up to $955 million in incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act for the modernization and expansion of GlobalFoundries' factories.

Around 1:20 p.m. (EDT), GlobalFoundries shares were up 4.8% on the New York Stock Exchange.

]]> abierto https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261014/39941/trump-says-massive-oil-gas-mineral-exploration-to-begin-in-greenland.html Trump says 'massive' oil, gas, mineral exploration to begin in Greenland Greenland, which lies on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States, represents a highly strategic location for Trump's desired Golden Dome defense shield. It also has untapped rare earth deposits and could be a critical player as melting polar ice opens up new shipping routes. Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:56:22 +0200 https://staging.voz.us/en/economy/261014/39941/trump-says-massive-oil-gas-mineral-exploration-to-begin-in-greenland.html Economy 2026-10-14T14:43:45+02:00 Israel Duro Donald Trump said Wednesday that oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland, and hailed the Arctic island's position for US and European security.

Washington signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark after Trump threatened to take Copenhagen's strategically important Arctic Circle territory by force.

"Getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!"

Greenland, which lies on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States, represents a highly strategic location for Trump's desired Golden Dome defense shield. It also has untapped rare earth deposits and could be a critical player as melting polar ice opens up new shipping routes.

"Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Citing experts, Trump said "the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost... anywhere in the World." He did not give details of prospective American involvement.

In August, media reports of a US oil company's preparatory operations in a remote region of eastern Greenland left locals and authorities on the island uneasy.

Trump hailed Greenland's position as "second to none" for US and European security

In the same message on Truth Social, Trump hailed Greenland's position as "second to none" for US and European security.

"Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived. It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!"

Trump signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark in September. Under the 10-page pact, the US will build two military bases in southern and eastern Greenland.

These will be established in Narsarsuaq in the south of the island and Mestersvig in the east, in addition to the Pituffik base it already operates in the north.

]]> abierto