Key Takeaways
- The FAA will allow Boeing (BA) to resume issuing airworthiness certificates for all 737 MAX and 787 aircraft starting July 20, 2026, ending years of direct federal oversight.
- Apple (AAPL) is reportedly in early-stage settlement talks with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding a landmark 2024 antitrust lawsuit.
- Anglo American (AAUKF) has named a consortium led by former CEO Gareth Penny as the preferred bidder for its De Beers diamond unit.
- The U.S. oil rig count rose by 7 to 452 this week, the highest level since early 2026, according to Baker Hughes.
- Fitch Ratings reported the U.S. high-yield default rate fell to 2.7% in June, though the figure was impacted by the $9.75 billion DISH DBS bankruptcy.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Friday that it will return the authority to issue airworthiness certificates for all 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Boeing (BA). This decision, effective Monday, July 20, 2026, follows months of data-driven safety reviews that confirmed the manufacturer's production quality has stabilized. The FAA had previously revoked this privilege in 2019 following two fatal crashes, requiring federal inspectors to sign off on every individual jet before delivery.
Apple (AAPL) has entered preliminary discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice to settle a major antitrust case filed in 2024. The lawsuit alleges that the tech giant maintains an illegal monopoly over the smartphone market by restricting competitors' access to hardware and software features. While Apple has reportedly made multiple offers to resolve the case this year, sources caution that the talks are in early stages and may not result in a final agreement.
In the commodities sector, Anglo American (AAUKF) is nearing a deal to divest its De Beers diamond business. The company has identified a consortium led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny as the preferred bidder, signaling a potential conclusion to a sale process that began in May 2024. The move is part of a broader restructuring at Anglo American to focus on copper, iron ore, and crop nutrients following a rejected takeover bid from BHP Group.
Energy markets saw a notable uptick in activity as the Baker Hughes weekly rig count showed the U.S. total rising by 7 to 588. The increase was driven entirely by oil rigs, which climbed to 452, while gas rigs remained unchanged at 126. This growth reflects a steady recovery in domestic drilling activity as operators capitalize on stable energy prices and improved production efficiencies.
Credit markets showed mixed signals as Fitch Ratings updated its U.S. Corporate Distressed and Default Monitor. The trailing 12-month high-yield bond default rate dipped to 2.7%, down from 2.9% in May, primarily due to "base effects" as older defaults exited the calculation window. However, the month was marked by the significant bankruptcy of DISH DBS, which filed for Chapter 11 with $9.75 billion in debt after failing to secure liquidity for maturing notes.
On the geopolitical front, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled state visit to the U.S. remains on track for September. The confirmation follows recent accusations from President Trump regarding alleged Chinese interference in U.S. elections. Despite the heightened rhetoric, both nations appear committed to maintaining the diplomatic summit, which was initially brokered during Trump’s visit to Beijing in May 2026.
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.