Business

Avocado Imports at Risk as US Halts Government Work in Michoacán

The US suspended government activities in the Mexican state of Michoacán, affecting imports of avocados from the largest producing region in the country to the US.

Aggressive options trading helped drive the S&P 500’s latest rally. What that means for investors.

MarketWatch

Aggressive options trading helped drive the S&P 500’s latest rally. What that means for investors.

The S&P 500 has enjoyed an epic rally over the past five days — but the advance may be more mechanical and driven by options positioning, rather than by an improvement in investors’ fundamental outlook.

MarketWatch

CME, FanDuel Venture Falters As Prediction Startups Race Ahead

CME Group Inc. and FanDuel are scaling back a joint effort to take on prediction market startups after failing to gain traction in a booming industry that has quickly come to represent a threat to both Wall Street exchanges and traditional…

USA & Canada Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

USA & Canada Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Rio Times · USA & Canada Intelligence Brief August 5 USA & Canada Intelligence Brief August 5 — Key Facts —Democrats edge ahead A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 4,505 adults (29 July to 3 August) puts Democrats ahead on the economy for the first…

Asia Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Asia Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Rio Times · Asia Intelligence Brief August 5 Asia Intelligence Brief August 5 — Key Facts —Pakistan’s $10bn ask Islamabad has requested a US$10 billion currency backstop from the United States, negotiated after Iranian mediation, with army…

Europe Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Europe Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

x The post Europe Intelligence Brief — Wednesday, August 5, 2026 appeared first on The Rio Times .

Fed Governor Cook says she's 'prepared to act' on rate hike to address inflation

CNBC

Fed Governor Cook says she's 'prepared to act' on rate hike to address inflation

Cook was part of a 9-3 majority that voted last week to keep the central bank's benchmark borrowing rate in a range between 3.5%-3.75%.

CNBC

Zillow’s Revenue Jumps as Rentals Offer ‘Bright Spot’

Zillow Group Inc. said Wednesday that second-quarter revenue jumped 18% from a year earlier to $772 million, as the online real estate company sees rental agreements growing more quickly than home purchases on its website and app.

Blue Owl BDCs Buy Back $90 Million of Shares to Support Value

Two private credit funds managed by Blue Owl Capital Inc. bought back a combined $90 million of shares, marking a consecutive quarter of repurchases as the asset manager sought to steady the vehicles’ value amid turbulence in the sector.

Meta Debuts AI Coding Agent in Race With OpenAI and Anthropic

Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg announced the release of the company’s first AI coding agent, known as Muse Code, stepping up competition with OpenAI and Anthropic PBC.

Gran Tierra to Sell Colombia, Ecuador Assets for US$1.33B

Gran Tierra to Sell Colombia, Ecuador Assets for US$1.33B

Energy: Bogotá Key Facts —Deal. Gran Tierra Energy, a Calgary-based Canadian oil company, has agreed to sell its Colombia and Ecuador business to France’s Maurel & Prom for total consideration of about US$1.33 billion. —Assets. The…

Venezuela Oil Exports to US Hit Highest Since 2019

Venezuela Oil Exports to US Hit Highest Since 2019

Energy: Caracas Key Facts —Exports. Venezuela’s crude shipments to the United States averaged about 786,000 barrels per day in July, the highest level since early 2019, according to Reuters vessel-tracking data. —Rebound. US-bound volumes…