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OKX launches an AI-agent marketplace where agents can hire and pay each other.
Rocket Lab agreed to buy Iridium for $8 billion as it looks to build an integrated launch and satellite-communications rival to SpaceX. Anthropic is also moving deeper into the public sector, partnering with California to offer Claude at half price for state and local government cybersecurity and workflow use.
Amazon and Google are leading hyperscalers in securing power for AI data centers, Martin Marietta is buying Lhoist North America for $13.5 billion as AI megaprojects lift demand for construction materials, and U.S. steelmakers are warning that data centers are pushing power costs higher even as they boost steel demand.
Markets were broadly strong underneath it all: Bloom Energy surged 9.12%, SpaceX gained 7.15%, and Alphabet, ASML, Amazon, Meta, Nvidia, and Micron all closed green.
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Bloom Energy was the clear standout, surging 9.12% on the day, with SpaceX also posting a strong gain of 7.15%.
Alphabet and ASML were the next-best performers, rising 4.96% and 4.93%, respectively. Amazon (+3.20%), Meta (+2.24%), NVIDIA (+1.27%), and Micron (+1.14%) also closed green.
IREN was the lone decliner on the board, finishing down 2.75%
Headlines
Rocket Lab agrees to buy Iridium for $8 billion as it builds an integrated launch and satellite-communications rival to SpaceX. (Axios)
Anthropic partners with California to offer Claude at half price for state and local government cybersecurity and workflows. (Business Insider)
South Korean chipmakers surge as AI demand drives Samsung and SK Hynix investment plans and the Kospi's strongest first half in decades. (The Guardian)
Businesses face budget-busting AI bills as usage-based pricing and agent workloads push companies to tighten controls. (Financial Times)
Bank for International Settlements warns the AI investment boom could trigger financial stress if hyperscaler returns disappoint. (Axios)
Martin Marietta agrees to buy Lhoist North America for $13.5 billion as AI megaprojects lift demand for construction materials. (Investor's Business Daily)
U.S. steelmakers warn AI data centers are driving power costs higher even as the buildout boosts steel demand. (The Wall Street Journal)
Apple accelerates security updates as AI shortens the window for hackers to exploit software flaws. (Reuters)
AI spending becomes a key test for U.S. stocks as Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and others ramp capex. (Reuters)
OKX launches an AI-agent marketplace where agents can hire and pay each other. (TechCrunch)
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