Apple Folds, Meta Chats, Bessent Bets Against Bond Traders

Welcome to LazyListen. This is The Daily Rip for today. Stocks dipped Wednesday as geopolitical tensions with Iran pushed oil prices above 100 dollars a barrel, reigniting inflation concerns.

S. S. strikes on Iranian tanker ships.

Tehran signaled more regional attacks could follow, keeping energy the only sector to finish in the green. Meanwhile, August payrolls showed a solid 162,000 job gain with unemployment steady at four point one percent. All eyes now turn to Thursday’s producer price index for fresh inflation clues.

I. agent integrated into its apps and WhatsApp. Muse can handle tasks like sending emails and shopping, with free and paid subscription tiers starting at 20 and 100 dollars.

I. investments. Despite the rally, Meta shares remain slightly down for the year.

I. researcher announced his departure, highlighting ongoing talent shifts in the industry. Apple made headlines with its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, marking its biggest redesign in nearly a decade.

Priced at just under 2,000 dollars and hitting stores October 23rd, the Duo aims to be a premium halo product rather than a mass-market device. Apple also launched the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, and Apple Watch Series 12. I.

tasks. Notably, Apple’s new C2 modem boosts speed by fifty percent while cutting energy use, reducing reliance on Qualcomm. Despite the buzz, Apple’s stock dipped slightly during the event but recovered modestly after hours.

I. I. I.

systems could lead to uncontrollable outcomes. I. could pose existential risks within the next decade.

I. behaves as intended. This sparked debate about the balance between innovation and safety, with some critics questioning whether such warnings are genuine or tied to fundraising efforts.

I. risk discussions are intensifying as the technology advances. Turning to macro markets, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made waves by asserting he holds “asymmetric information” on Japanese policy and essentially calling himself “the house” in bond and currency markets.

The Treasury announced a sizable buyback of up to 6 billion dollars in 10- to 20-year debt, triple the previous operation, aiming to contain rising long-term yields. Yet the 10-year Treasury yield still touched nearly four point nine percent, its highest since last year, before a strong auction eased pressure. S.

bought yen to prevent Japan from selling its Treasury holdings, which would have pushed yields higher. Bond traders pushed back on Bessent’s confident stance, signaling skepticism about the Treasury’s ability to control yields amid persistent inflation concerns. In sector moves, retail names saw mixed action.

GameStop climbed six percent after a director bought over a million dollars in shares following earnings that showed net income rising despite a sales decline. Collectibles now account for forty five percent of GameStop’s revenue, surpassing video games, reflecting the company’s ongoing reinvention. American Eagle, however, fell after hours despite beating earnings estimates, as comparable sales growth missed expectations and tariff refunds boosted results.

The company also lowered its operating income outlook. S. officials urging the automaker to reduce ties citing national security concerns.

Looking ahead to Thursday, the market will digest key economic data including the producer price index, weekly jobless claims, and GDP estimates. Several companies report earnings before the open, including Macy’s and Kandi Technologies, while Oracle and Adobe are set to report after the bell. These releases will help clarify the economic and corporate outlook amid ongoing geopolitical and inflation uncertainties.

Thanks for listening. Catch you next time on LazyListen.