📈 US Strikes Iran, But Here’s Why Optimism’s Creeping In

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Good Morning! We’re back after a short vacation. 🌻 

Markets rally as investors hope Iran won’t escalate, Chinese exports to Dubai surge despite regional tensions, FedEx founder Fred Smith passes away at 80, the Fed splits on rate cut timing, and Tesla quietly launches its first robotaxi rides in Austin.

Grab your Iced Latte and let’s get into it. ☕️ 👇️ 

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Markets

📈 Stock futures rise amid hopes for a measured Iran response to attacks
Markets are catching their breath after this weekends escalation. US stock futures bounced back Monday as oil prices wobbled and traders digested the latest jolt from the Middle East. Futures on the S&P 500 ticked up 0.3%, Nasdaq gained 0.4%, and the Dow inched up 0.1%.

Why the optimism? Investors are cautiously betting that the US airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear sites in support of Israel, won’t spiral into full-blown war. For now, Wall Street seems to be treating this as a contained flashpoint, not a game-changer for oil or global markets.

🚢 The Iran-Israel conflict isn’t denting Chinese business optimism in the Middle East
Middle East tensions? Not slowing down China. Despite fresh conflict, Chinese exports to Dubai’s logistics hub have jumped 20% this month, with merchants racing to meet surging demand for essentials like batteries. Why the confidence? Chinese businesses see the region as a booming new frontier, and many believe the Iran-Israel flare-up won’t last long. Plus, with Beijing brokering peace moves and trade with the U.S. still rocky, the Middle East looks increasingly attractive.

🚚 FedEx Founder Fred Smith Dies at 80
Fred Smith, the legendary founder of FedEx, has died at 80. Starting with just 186 packages in 1973, he turned a bold Memphis startup into a global shipping empire moving 16 million parcels daily. Current CEO Raj Subramaniam called him “the heart and soul of FedEx”, a visionary who didn’t just launch a company but reshaped global logistics.

🤔 Fed starting to split on whether to hedge on inflation, or proceed with cuts
The Fed’s getting a little twitchy. After holding rates steady last week, a split is showing, some officials want to stay cautious on inflation, while others are pushing for cuts soon. Fed Governor Christopher Waller isn’t sweating tariffs, calling their inflation impact “small” and signaling a possible rate cut as early as July, citing mild price trends and worrisome job market signs, especially for recent grads.

🔋 Tesla's robotaxi service FINALLY begins in Texas
Tesla’s robotaxi dream just took its first cautious step. On Sunday, a limited rollout launched in Austin, with a few influencers and investors catching rides, driverless, but not alone. A Tesla staffer sat in the front seat, thumb hovering near what many think is a hidden "kill switch."

The service costs $4.20 a ride, runs only in dry weather from 6 a.m. to midnight, and is confined to geofenced zones. While Elon Musk calls it the result of “a decade of hard work,” Tesla’s still trailing Waymo’s massive head start in the robotaxi race.

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