SK Hynix joined other chipmakers and tech companies Samsung and Micron, crossing the threshold of a $1 trillion valuation. “The rapid rise of tech stocks has also raised concerns about an AI bubble, and the global economy’s susceptibility to a correction if AI fails to deliver on projected profits or its promise to revolutionize the workplace,” CNN Business detailed (more).

FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to drive about $8.1 billion in visitor spending in North America alone. “That should perhaps come as no surprise. Few events generate anticipation quite like a World Cup. Every four years, millions of people begin making decisions that extend far beyond the ninety minutes: where to travel, what to wear, how to celebrate, where to stay, who to bring and how close they want to be to the action,” Forbes’ Kate Hardcastle wrote (more).

The retail sector enjoyed strong profits and sales figures for the first quarter, but analysts say that tax check bumps and utilization of BNPL services may indicate problems simmering beneath the surface (more).

About 1 million new car buyers have disappeared from the U.S. economy, with doubts as to they will ever return. The sky-high cost of purchasing a new car added to the persistent inflationary pressure plaguing consumers is indicated as the primary root cause (more).

Unilever unveiled plans to launch a global innovation center in New Haven, Connecticut, with a $270 million investment promised. The center will play host to facilities around skin care and cleansing research, a polyculture skin and hair center of excellent, a lab dedicated to drive data insights on human performance, the Unilever Fragrance House, and a package innovation studio (more).