Good morning investors! Oil continues to go up as the US-Iran situation declines to change.
Today we cover:
US-Iran war continues
Meta’s big announcement
Oracle in trouble?
📊 Economy and News
US-Iran Talks Continue as Senate Rejects Bid to End War
U.S. and Iranian negotiators in New York are exploring a phased deal to end the nearly seven-month conflict, with Tehran potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington lifting its economic blockade, sources close to the talks said.
Iran seeks relief from the U.S. blockade choking its economy, while the U.S. wants free navigation through the critical oil route. Neither side wants to surrender leverage first. A senior Iranian official suggested staged steps, starting with ending the blockade and reopening Hormuz, possibly unlocking frozen assets. President Trump has indicated a deal could come after the November midterms, though a White House official said Iran is desperate while the U.S. holds the stronger position amid Iran’s collapsing economy.
Separately, the Senate narrowly rejected a War Powers Resolution by a 49-50 vote that would have directed Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from hostilities in Iran unless Congress approved the war. The measure was largely symbolic.
Gas prices averaging $4.48 a gallon and rising diesel costs are fueling voter discontent ahead of the midterms, with some Republicans breaking ranks over the war’s economic toll.
Global hits:
Japanese 10-yr bond yields soar to 30-yr high amid bets on more rate hikes.
German home prices edge up but pace slows.
Canada retail sales slide in July, raising fresh concerns over consumer strength.
Mexico’s inflation rises to 3.42% in early September as Bank of Mexico keeps rates on hold, tweaks its forward guidance.
Check this: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported at least $3.1 million in cash, retirement investments and bitcoin in his newly released 2025 annual financial disclosure.
U.S. 30-year bond yield rises to highest since 2004 as selloff deepens.
Global debt tops $365 trillion as economists sound alarm over ‘vicious cycle’.
👨 Sponsored
“Pick a trade and collect the premium” sounds simple. Maybe too simple. Because the premium is only one piece of the trade. Jay Soloff’s recorded training shows how he looks at the opportunity, the downside, the capital required, and what may need to happen after entry.
The replay takes you through Jay’s weekly options income process step by step… from narrowing thousands of stocks down to a potential setup, through strike selection, expiration, risk, and position management. Instead of guessing what comes next, you’ll see how Jay thinks through it before the trade is even placed.
📈 Stocks
S&P 500 7,704.13 (-0.025%)
DJIA 51,349.98 (-0.31%)
NASDAQ 26,939.37 (+0.012%)
BRENT CRUDE 106.04 (+3.54%)
* Prices as of Sep 25th, 12:20 AM UTC
Zuckerberg Unveils $1,299 Meta VR Glasses and Muse Charm Pendant in AI Push
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg debuted two new devices at the company’s Connect conference: the $1,299 Meta VR Glasses and the Muse Charm pendant, both tied to Meta’s Muse AI personal agent.
The VR Glasses are Meta’s first new virtual-reality device since the $299 Quest 3S in 2024. Slimmer and lighter than previous Quest headsets, they use an external puck with a Qualcomm processor and battery for better visuals, eye- and hand-tracking, and a true glasses form factor. They go on sale in spring 2027.
The Muse Charm is a small handheld pendant that lets users talk to their Muse AI agent without unlocking a phone or opening an app. Zuckerberg shared few details on its capabilities or price but said Meta aims to ship it in time for the December holidays. It features a fingerprint sensor for quick activation.
The moves put Meta ahead of OpenAI in consumer AI hardware, with Muse already topping Apple’s App Store. Investors rewarded the momentum, lifting Meta shares. Zuckerberg is also expanding Muse to Ray-Ban smart glasses and aiming to reduce reliance on Apple for distribution. Monetization plans center on taking a small fee from transactions completed through Muse.
Experts remain mixed on demand for yet another device alongside smartphones, and Meta still needs to prove a lasting market for both the new hardware and its AI agent strategy.
Interesting: KFC’s new Open House restaurant concept opens this Saturday in McKinney, Texas. The new store will offer expanded menu offerings, including breakfast, which is a new venture for the fast-food chain.
MGM Resorts shares sink 11% after Barry Diller’s People Inc. rescinds takeover offer.
Surprising: New York sues Polymarket U.S., two months after filing lawsuit against Kalshi. In other news, Hyundai expected to outsell Ford in third quarter as Detroit automakers lack hybrids. Elsewhere, Bentley takes on Ferrari with its first EV priced at $230,000.
Don’t forget: Oracle sent a “force majeure” notice to the developer of its data center project in New Mexico. The company is looking to delay payment if the project doesn’t come online in 2028, according to Bloomberg.
💵 Personal Finance
Student Borrowers Sue Over Forgiven Loans Still on Credit Reports
Student loan borrowers filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the Education Department continues reporting their canceled federal debts to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
The suit, Woods v. U.S. Department of Education, alleges the inaccurate reports harm borrowers’ ability to secure mortgages, housing, auto loans, and jobs. The debts were forgiven under the Biden administration between 2022 and 2025 for students who attended fraudulent or misleading schools.
Plaintiff Jorge Cortes, a Marine veteran, had his ITT Technical Institute loans discharged in 2022, yet a $21,586 balance still appeared on his credit report this summer. The Project on Predatory Student Lending, which represents the borrowers, estimates more than 300,000 people are affected.
💰 Be a Better Investor
"Earning money is a skill; keeping it is a discipline; growing it is an art."
What did you think of today's newsletter?
👩🏽⚖️ Legal Stuff
FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY; NOT ADVICE. Morning Download products and services are offered for educational and informational purposes only and should NOT be construed as a securities-related offer or solicitation or be relied upon as personalized financial advice. We are not financial advisors and cannot give personalized advice. There is a risk of loss in all trading, and you may lose some or all of your original investment. Results presented are not typical. This message may contain paid advertisements, or affiliate links. This content is for educational purposes only.
Please review the full risk disclaimer: MorningDownload.com/terms-of-use