Fortune

The American Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which has an authorized capacity of 714 million barrels spread across caverns in Texas and Louisiana, currently holds approximately 293 million barrels. Operating near the 300-million-barrel threshold is hazardous, as federal law dictates a statutory stop at 252.4 million barrels. Crossing this legal limit transforms the reserve from an economic buffer into a restricted emergency asset.

Private equity faces a 'zombie company problem,' with PitchBook estimating about $860 billion in zombified net asset value across U.S. PE funds that are over seven years old. This issue is driven by the accumulation of companies, including over 4,500 firms held for five or more years, which theoretically should have been exited. The problem emerged during the zero-interest-rate-policy (ZIRP) era when cheap debt fueled a buyout boom.

Opposition to AI data centers has become a prominent issue during midterm races across states like Ohio and Wyoming, focusing on community risks such as water consumption and infrastructure costs. Addressing this failure of the existing 'bargain,' the article suggests implementing a Capacity Expansion Bargain: companies would pay for their projects' full costs—such as bringing new power to the grid—in exchange for governments honoring clear tax and permitting terms.

The article discusses a U.S.-Canada trade war dispute where Trump stated Canada was ‘the worst,’ to which Canada’s top trade envoy reportedly told him to ‘kiss my ass.’ Additionally, it mentions collapsing trade talks for Canada and details various market updates including Bitcoin, Nvidia stock, OnlyFans' financials, and Jeff Bezos' interest in the Indian Creek Country Club.

Trivago reported strong revenue growth in its second quarter, reaching $196.4 million. CEO Johannes Thomas plans to leverage AI for transformation, shifting away from downsizing by building systems like a "role evolution agent." He advises other CEOs to dedicate time to rethinking their work through AI investment.

The rapid $3 trillion global AI boom presents immediate challenges, particularly concerning its large, rapidly evolving financing ecosystem whose vulnerabilities are poorly understood. The article warns that policymakers should not treat all buildout pressure as an inflation problem requiring higher interest rates, as overly restrictive monetary policy can stunt necessary investment and innovation. Ignoring the financial architecture of this boom could inflict permanent damage on American productivity and competitiveness.

New research found that productivity dips over summer months because both workers and corporate management take time off. While 85% of managers suspect employees fake excuses like sick days or Wi-Fi outages, half of senior managers admit they utilize these same tactics. Ultimately, researchers suggest the trend of taking extended leave through medical or secret vacationing stems not from laziness but from workers feeling anxious about asking for a break honestly.

Four agrochemical companies—Bayer, Corteva, Syngenta, and BASF—control over half of the world’s seed supply and significant portions of its pesticide market. In response to this corporate control, an Italian farming network launched a project teaching members how to save, trade, and pass down seeds free of patents or genetic modification. The concentrated industry share has prompted discussion regarding antitrust concerns.

Jamie Dimon and his wife donated $12 million to 12 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through The James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation. This funding establishes The Dimon Fund to Advance Economic Opportunity, supporting education and career advancement for students in high-demand fields like healthcare.

Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei positions his company as committed to building AI safely, despite public skepticism highlighted by surveys from Gallup and Pew regarding AI's risks. The article suggests that negative public perception of AI may stem not from safety warnings but from the industry failing to deliver promised positive benefits. Furthermore, it cautions Amodei against associating with "safety," drawing a parallel to how the airline industry successfully removed safety messaging from its marketing.

Harvard Business School utilizes AI clones of its faculty in a $699 online startup bootcamp called HBS Foundry. The eight-week program provides founders with personalized AI mentorship to rehearse pitches and calls before they pitch investors, which culminates in an opportunity to win up to $100,000. This venture aims to extend entrepreneurial support to high-potential founders regardless of their access to traditional academic resources.

Asian tech founders are rapidly expanding into global markets, initiating cross-border growth even before finalizing their business concepts. Stripe supports this shift by linking various local payment platforms—including Samsung Pay and GCash—to facilitate cross-border transactions and is also establishing infrastructure for the budding agentic economy.

Workers are increasingly questioning traditional biweekly or monthly pay schedules due to expectations of instant compensation, a shift highlighted by the rise of the gig economy and drivers like Uber. According to Andrew Brandman, this demand is challenging employers, leading to increased interest in earned wage access. A 2024 CFPB study noted that roughly 10 million workers utilized early wage access in 2022, moving nearly $32 billion.

David Cote's career journey included a setback when Jack Welch wanted him out of GE, but three years later, Cote became CEO of Honeywell. After retiring, he joined Goldman Sachs to acquire Vertiv; despite initial struggles caused by COVID and pricing issues, cote guided Vertiv as demand from AI data centers took off. This trajectory demonstrates that defining setbacks can prove temporary.

Mark Cuban suggests that employers should be forced to give higher corporate taxes if they do not offer company equity to every non-founder executive, arguing that if employees benefit from the market, they should pay into society. Cuban stated this proposal during a discussion about reducing wealth inequality across the U.S. economy. He noted that awarding equity and cash bonuses was how he personally generated success for his employees.

Flock Safety successfully grew from a simple license-plate camera prototype into a major company operating in over 5,000 communities across 49 states, raising $500 million at an $8.3 billion valuation. Despite its massive success and early investment from firms like Andreessen Horowitz, the company has faced intensifying controversies concerning data privacy, allegations of stalking by officers, and state law violations. Furthermore, physical vandalism against Flock cameras has increased across many states.

Apple plans to launch its foldable 'iPhone Ultra,' reportedly priced over $2,000 in early September. In other market news, Shein launched a $27 billion IPO, while markets are mixed as traders await events from Bessent, Warsh, and Nvidia. Additionally, the report notes that 20 million Americans have opted out of work.

The article analyzes the successful turnarounds of Target, Starbucks, and Nike, focusing on how internal CEOs like Michael Fiddelke were better positioned than outside hires. For instance, under new leadership, Target achieved a 5.3% jump in second-quarter sales, grew digital sales nearly 9%, raised its full-year outlook, and saw its stock soar nearly 60% year to date.

Ingka Centres, the real estate arm of Ingka Group, sponsored a pillow fight event in Paris as part of a deliberate strategy for its properties. Faced with competition from online shopping, the company believes that hosting community experiences and making a shopping mall feel like an amusement park is necessary for physical retail to thrive.

A report by CBRE indicates that New York City has reportedly overtaken Silicon Valley as North America’s top market for tech jobs, citing 394,000 tech workers at year-end. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay area dipped to roughly 375,000, a change attributed partly to layoffs and Wall Street's demand for AI talent. Despite this shift, CBRE notes that the Bay Area still ranks No.1 for its overall “Tech Talent.”