Key Takeaways
- Anthropic reached a staggering $965 billion post-money valuation following a $65 billion Series H funding round, fueled by a $47 billion revenue run-rate.
- CBOE Global Markets (CBOE) received SEC approval to launch extended trading hours for select single-stock options, including the "Magnificent 7" tech giants, starting July 13, 2026.
- Southwest Airlines (LUV) reported a 25% year-over-year surge in business travel revenue for March, signaling robust consumer resilience despite seven consecutive fare increases.
- Iran’s Tasnim News Agency denied reports that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. has been finalized, stating the draft text remains incomplete.
- Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto Musalem signaled that the Fed’s previous easing bias is no longer appropriate as the neutral rate may be higher than previously estimated.
Anthropic Valuation Skyrockets in Historic Funding Round
AI powerhouse Anthropic has announced a massive $65 billion Series H funding round, propelling its post-money valuation to $965 billion. The round was led by heavyweights including Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital, with significant participation from Blackstone, Brookfield, and Temasek.
The funding package incorporates $15 billion in previously committed investments from hyperscalers, including a $5 billion contribution from Amazon (AMZN). Anthropic revealed its run-rate revenue surpassed $47 billion earlier this month, highlighting the unprecedented scale of enterprise demand for AI infrastructure.
CBOE to Launch Near Round-the-Clock Trading
CBOE Global Markets (CBOE) has cleared a major regulatory hurdle, receiving SEC approval to offer extended trading hours for select single-stock options. The new session, set to debut July 13, 2026, will initially feature approximately 20 high-liquidity names, specifically targeting the "Magnificent 7" mega-cap tech stocks.
Furthermore, CBOE plans to expand 23×5 U.S. equities trading on its EDGX Equities Exchange in December. To qualify for the extended-hours options session, stocks must maintain a market cap above $50 billion and a daily average trading volume exceeding 10 million shares.
Southwest Airlines Signals Strategic Shift Amid Strong Demand
Southwest Airlines (LUV) CEO reported that business travel revenue jumped 25% year-over-year in March, with momentum sustaining through the second quarter. Despite implementing seven fare increases since February, the airline noted that consumers remain highly resilient and show little price sensitivity in the face of rising fuel costs.
In a potential departure from its historic low-cost model, management signaled Southwest may add "true first class" cabin options and expand into long-haul international routes. The goal of this strategic pivot is to increase brand relevance and reduce the frequency of passengers switching to legacy competitors for premium services.
Geopolitical Tensions and Monetary Policy Outlook
Iran’s state-aligned Tasnim News Agency officially denied reports that a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding has been finalized. The agency clarified that the draft text has neither been completed nor confirmed by the negotiating team, and the Pakistani mediator has not been notified of any final agreement.
On the domestic front, Fed’s Musalem noted that the recent rise in Treasury yields reflects a resilient economy and a higher expected neutral rate. Musalem emphasized that current policy appears to be at or below the long-run neutral level, suggesting that rate cuts may not be imminent as the FOMC navigates sticky inflation and balance sheet normalization.
Corporate and Regulatory Briefs
Petrobras (PBR) confirmed that negotiations with SBM Offshore for the commissioning of two FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) have been completed. Contract signing is expected shortly, marking a key step in the Brazilian oil giant's production expansion.
In regulatory news, the U.S. CFTC has filed a lawsuit to block Rhode Island state enforcement actions to protect federal jurisdiction over commodity markets. Additionally, the FAA has established "No Drone Zones" around 2026 FIFA World Cup stadiums and team base camps to ensure security during the global event.
Finally, the European Commission approved a €500 million Spanish state aid program to support agricultural firms struggling with high fertilizer costs. The Federal Reserve also issued a public warning regarding unsolicited scam calls from individuals posing as Fed officials to steal personal banking information.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.