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In today’s edition,
- Rates down, liquidity up
- Ad revenue tradeoff
- Faster, profitable delivery
- Crypto is also for efficiency and not speculation
Market Snapshot
Markets had another strong week, with the Nasdaq up 2.45%, the S&P 500 rising 1.76%, and the Dow gaining 1.33%. The rally was broad, with small-caps also jumping 3.19%, led by renewed confidence in the economy and continued AI enthusiasm.
Tech stocks stayed in focus after solid earnings and Meta’s energy deal to support its AI push. But what really gave markets a boost was the May jobs report with 139,000 jobs added, better than expected, and the unemployment rate steady at 4.2%. It pointed to a cooling labor market, but not a collapsing one.
On the flip side, both manufacturing and services activity dipped into contraction, suggesting softer demand ahead. Still, markets chose to lean into the positives: AI-led growth and signs that the economy is easing, not breaking.
Stock market closing data for the week of May 26th to May 30th, 2025
News Summaries
Walmart is expanding drone deliveries to 100 stores across five new cities, making it the first retailer to scale drone operations across five U.S. states. This move builds on its earlier drone programs in Texas and Arkansas, and strengthens its partnership with Alphabet’s Wing, whose drones can deliver up to six miles from stores. With delivery times down to minutes and items like eggs, fruit, and pet food among top orders, Walmart is targeting shoppers who now value speed and certainty. The company expects its online business to turn profitable this year after heavy investment and cost-cutting efforts, including warehouse automation and bundled deliveries. As consumers show willingness to pay for convenience, Walmart is pushing the boundaries on what quick commerce can look like beyond just vans and apps.
In a surprise move, the Reserve Bank of India cut its benchmark repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5% and lowered the cash reserve ratio by 100 basis points to 3%, injecting over 2.5 trillion rupees of liquidity into the system. This was the sharpest easing since 2020, aimed at reviving slowing growth, which fell to 6.5% last year, even as inflation slipped below the RBI’s 4% target for three straight months. The monetary policy committee’s vote was five to one, and the stance shifted to neutral, signalling less room for further cuts unless data worsens. While yields on short-term bonds dropped, longer-term rates moved up slightly, indicating markets view this as a one-time push rather than the start of a cycle. Credit growth had dipped below 10% for the first time in three years, and the RBI clearly wants banks to accelerate transmission to support lending. The repo cut, liquidity boost, and steady growth forecast show a central bank front-loading support while keeping its eyes firmly on data. For now, the RBI has taken a step back from inflation fighting and leaned into demand revival. It may not move again soon, but it has made this one count.
AMC Entertainment has ended its long-standing opposition to pre-movie ads. Starting July 1, it will show National CineMedia’s “platinum spot” just before films begin. This marks a change from AMC’s previous belief that such ads would hurt the moviegoing experience. Until now, AMC used the 20-minute window before the feature film for trailers and non-intrusive pre-show content. However, after a weak first quarter with the worst start to a year since 1996, not counting the pandemic and with credit investors watching closely, AMC is now monetising what was once considered sacred screen time. The deal gives AMC a share of ad revenue. Competitors like Regal and Cinemark have run these spots for over five years without affecting attendance. AMC’s stock fell by 3.2%, showing ongoing concerns. In contrast, National CineMedia’s stock rose by 4.8%, reflecting confidence in the ad rollout. Alongside midweek discounts starting July 9, this change signals a shift in strategy: from protecting tradition to maximising every minute for profit. For AMC, survival now means turning time into cash, even if it reshapes the viewer experience.
From the World of Crypto
Uber is considering using stablecoins, digital tokens tied to the US dollar, to facilitate faster and cheaper payments across international borders.
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said at the Bloomberg Tech conference that moving money through traditional banks is often slow and expensive, especially when currency conversion is involved.
For a global company like Uber, which had 171 million active users by the end of 2024, saving time and reducing fees in payments can make a big difference.
The idea is not to invest in crypto or hold it on the company’s books.
Uber is simply looking at whether stablecoins can be a more efficient way to pay drivers or manage money across borders. Right now, the company is studying all aspects on how stablecoins would work, what regulations apply, and how safe and reliable the system would be.
This is not the first time Uber has shown interest in crypto.
In August 2024, the CEO said the company might accept Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in the future, once it becomes technically and legally easier. Since then, teams at Uber have started looking at how a crypto wallet could be added to the app, and how to make sure all transactions stay secure and within legal rules.
In simple terms, Uber is not jumping into crypto for hype. It is looking at stablecoins as a tool that might help cut costs, move money faster, and give users more flexibility. The goal is to solve a problem, not chase a trend.
