The appointment of Bill Pulte as the new director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has sparked significant interest and speculation within the housing finance sector. Pulte, who now oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has made it clear that he has no plans to lower the conforming loan limit. This decision has far-reaching implications for the housing market and the broader economy.

During his first term in the White House, President Donald Trump was laser-focused on the booming stock market. Even the most pedestrian market milestones were celebrated. And if investors didn’t seem to like Trump’s policies, he’d back down. The script has been flipped during Trump 2.0. Post-election gains have faded fast. US stocks have tumbled. And confidence in Trump’s economic agenda has crumbled while frustration over trade war chaos has mounted.

The fintech industry is rapidly evolving, with innovative payment solutions gaining traction among consumers and merchants alike. One such solution, the "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) model, has become increasingly popular, offering consumers the flexibility to purchase goods and services with deferred payments. Affirm, a leading player in this space, has recently announced a significant partnership with JPMorgan Chase, one of the largest banks in the United States. This collaboration aims to integrate Affirm's BNPL services into JPMorgan's payment network, providing merchants with an additional payment option at checkout.

Florida has long been grappling with labor shortages, particularly in low-wage and undesirable jobs, as the state cracks down on employers hiring undocumented immigrants. This issue has come to a head in recent years, prompting Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature to propose a controversial solution: loosening child labor laws to allow younger workers to fill these roles.

President Donald Trump's tariff ambitions have been a source of significant controversy and market volatility. His plans to impose sweeping tariffs on a wide range of goods and trading partners have not only unsettled investors but also strained relations with key allies and trading partners. Despite the backlash, Trump has shown no signs of backing down entirely. Instead, he has adopted a strategic approach that involves setting high expectations and then delivering something less severe, a tactic that aims to balance his protectionist goals with the need to avoid spooking financial markets.

The economic mood in America is deteriorating, with consumers increasingly expecting higher inflation and a potential recession. According to the Conference Board's latest survey, consumer confidence slid 7.2 points this month to a reading of 92.9, reaching its lowest level since January 2021. This decline extends a trend that began in December following the US presidential election. The weakening sentiment is compounded by expectations of higher inflation and a possible economic downturn, a toxic combination reminiscent of "stagflation." Federal Reserve officials are also noting this trend, with expectations for future economic conditions at a 12-year low.

On Monday, President Donald Trump announced a significant shift in US trade policy, declaring that he would impose a 25% tariff on any nation purchasing oil from Venezuela. This move is part of a broader strategy to use tariffs as a tool to influence international trade and address what the administration perceives as unfair practices by other countries.

In a landmark announcement at the White House on Monday, South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Group and President Donald Trump unveiled a $20 billion investment plan aimed at on-shoring manufacturing to the United States. This ambitious initiative includes the construction of a $5 billion steel plant in Louisiana, marking Hyundai's first foray into steel manufacturing on US soil. The facility, which will produce over 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually and create more than 1,400 jobs, is set to supply steel to auto plants in Alabama and Georgia. This strategic move underscores Hyundai's commitment to bolstering American manufacturing and aligns with President Trump's economic policies focused on protectionism and job creation.

For over a month, President Donald Trump and his administration have been building up anticipation for April 2, a date that has been hyped as the "tariffs Super Bowl." This day was supposed to mark the implementation of a wide range of import taxes that Trump had promised. However, as history has shown with Trump's trade policies, the reality often falls short of the hype. Once again, it appears that the administration's promises are more about generating buzz than taking concrete action.

Gene testing firm 23andMe has reached a critical juncture in its journey. On Sunday, the company announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in order to facilitate its sale, following years of struggling to find a sustainable business model. This move comes after a series of setbacks, including a significant workforce reduction and the discontinuation of its therapeutics division. In a statement, the company revealed that its CEO, Anne Wojcicki, had resigned effective immediately, though she will remain on the company’s board of directors.

The South Korean entertainment industry, a high-stakes, billion-dollar powerhouse, has once again demonstrated its unforgiving nature with the recent controversy surrounding one of its top stars, Kim Soo Hyun. The allegations and subsequent fallout have not only tarnished the reputation of this beloved actor but also highlighted the precarious position of celebrities in a society that holds them to impossibly high standards.

Nike, the world's largest shoemaker, is currently facing a significant downturn. The company announced a 9% drop in global sales last quarter, with a particularly sharp 17% decline in China and a 9% decrease in North America, its largest market. Despite these concerning figures, Nike's stock (NKE) managed to inch up by 4% during after-hours trading on Thursday, as the results were not as dire as investors had feared. However, the company's stock has still plummeted by around 30% over the past year, highlighting the severity of the challenges it faces.

The used Tesla market is currently facing a perfect storm of challenges that are causing a significant decline in both interest and resale value. According to recent data, searches for used Teslas have decreased by 16%, while their prices are falling at double the rate of average used cars. This downturn is not just a reflection of market forces but also a result of a complex interplay of factors, including increased competition, political controversies, and changing consumer sentiments.

The European Union's decision to delay retaliatory tariffs on American goods, including whiskey, until April 13, is a strategic move that underscores the complexities of international trade relations in the current geopolitical climate. This delay, announced by the European Commission, is contingent upon ongoing negotiations with the United States, a process that has significant implications for both economies and the broader global trade landscape. The EU's countermeasures, initially planned to take effect in a phased approach starting April 1, now include higher tariffs on a wide range of American exports, estimated to be worth around €26 billion ($28 billion).

Say your final farewells to the "Loaded Mashed Potato Omelette," because it’s one of the more than dozen menu items that the Cheesecake Factory has eliminated from its menu as part of a broader shakeup. This move is not just a routine update; it’s a strategic maneuver by a dining giant that has long mastered the art of keeping its customers intrigued and its brand relevant in an ever-changing culinary landscape.

The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates on Wednesday underscores the delicate balancing act the central bank is performing as it navigates the uncertain economic landscape shaped by President Donald Trump's aggressive policy initiatives. This decision, following a two-day monetary policy meeting, reflects the Fed's cautious approach as it awaits clearer signals that inflation is trending toward its 2% target or that the economy is experiencing more significant weakening than anticipated. These are the pivotal factors that would prompt the Fed to reconsider rate cuts.

The ongoing dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company, Unilever, has escalated to new heights, with the ice cream brand accusing Unilever of breaching their merger agreement. This conflict is not just a legal battle; it is a clash of values, a fight over the soul of a brand that has long been synonymous with progressive activism. At the heart of the matter is the removal of Ben & Jerry’s CEO, David Stever, a move that the brand claims was made unilaterally by Unilever without proper consultation or approval from the brand’s board.

Tesla's presence at this week's Vancouver International Auto Show was short-lived, as event organizers removed the company's display due to safety issues. This move underscores a series of challenges facing the electric vehicle giant, which has recently been embroiled in controversy and declining market performance. The auto show spokesperson stated that Tesla was "removed" after being given "multiple opportunities to voluntarily withdraw" from the event. The primary concern, according to the organizers, was the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving many to speculate about the underlying issues that led to this unusual development.

On Tuesday, Purdue Pharma took a significant stride toward finalizing a proposed opioid settlement of at least $7.4 billion by filing a new bankruptcy plan. This development comes nine months after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the company's previous attempt to resolve thousands of lawsuits through a bankruptcy settlement that would have granted the Sackler family, Purdue's wealthy owners, sweeping civil immunity from opioid-related litigation. The new plan, filed in White Plains, New York, offers a detailed roadmap for how the settlement funds will be allocated among states, local governments, and individuals affected by the opioid crisis. It is a crucial step in addressing the widespread devastation caused by Purdue's pain medication, OxyContin.

Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla, has always been a polarizing figure. His ambitious projects, from electric vehicles to space exploration, have garnered both admiration and skepticism. However, recent events have cast a dark shadow over Tesla's once-meteoritic rise. The company's stock has plummeted more than 40% since January, erasing the substantial gains it made following the 2020 election. Musk's personal wealth, heavily tied to Tesla, has taken a massive hit, with a staggering $121 billion loss in just three months. This downturn is not just a market fluctuation; it is a symptom of deeper, more systemic issues that have been exacerbated by Musk's recent forays into the political arena.