AGP Executive Report

Economy Watch: The U.S. added just 57,000 jobs in June and hiring stayed cautious, while unemployment slipped to 4.2%, keeping pressure on consumers and the Fed. Markets & Energy: Oil prices inched up over the holiday weekend as traders weighed cautious optimism around U.S.-Iran peace efforts, with markets still sensitive to Strait of Hormuz supply risks. Crypto & Regulation: Crypto’s institutional pull is being tested after a $2T sell-off, while the U.S. also flagged potential price-fixing in oil markets and urged states to help enforce antitrust and consumer protection laws. Business & Tech: VC3 named Tom McAndrew CEO to expand managed IT and cybersecurity services for regulated organizations, and Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang’s auctioned jacket is set to benefit an innovation nonprofit. Policy & Trade: The U.S. told Canada talks on CUSMA renewal have made “no significant progress” after 14 months, even as negotiations continue. Corporate Moves: SHARP launched a health-focused smartwatch powered by HEALBE tech, aiming to make calorie and hydration insights more automatic.

Labor Market: The U.S. added just 57,000 jobs in June, far below forecasts, while unemployment slipped to 4.2%—a sign hiring is cooling and companies are staying cautious. Trade Policy: The U.S. declined to renew USMCA “in its current form,” pushing North America into a more uncertain, annual-review phase for businesses tied to cross-border rules. Monetary Policy: China’s central bank injected a net 10 billion yuan via open-market bond operations in June, adding liquidity as markets watch the next moves. Crypto & Ethics: Trump told CNBC he didn’t know the full extent of his family’s crypto ventures, insisting there’s “nothing illegal” despite disclosures showing major 2025 gains. Small Business & Agriculture: SBA and USDA signed an MOU aimed at helping farmers and ranchers report “lawfare” and seek regulatory reform. Local Business Boost: World Cup crowds are driving record sales for Atlanta-area restaurants and shops around Decatur Square and Seattle’s soccer neighborhoods. Infrastructure: Florida’s Keys are tightening sewer operations to protect fragile waters, reflecting the long-term strain of wastewater upgrades. Fraud Case: A Georgia man was sentenced to federal prison for identity theft used to finance farm equipment purchases from a North Carolina business.

Cloud Security Push: Google Cloud rolled out three zero-trust security products aimed at helping governments expand public-sector business while meeting new U.S. cybersecurity expectations. AI Trading for Retail: Robinhood says its “agentic trading” push will soon let AI agents perform the same trading tasks as human investors, moving brokerage tools closer to institutional automation. Labor Market Watch: U.S. employers added just 57,000 jobs in June and unemployment fell to 4.2%, a slower pace that kept Wall Street mixed and raised questions about economic momentum. Semiconductor Supply Chain: A techAsia report highlights how AI infrastructure demand is straining chip-material supply chains, with Taiwan suppliers prioritizing materials access to keep production running. Airline Expansion: American Airlines launched the only nonstop U.S. flights to Venezuela’s Maracaibo, adding daily service from Miami and boosting its Venezuela network. Ag Policy/Costs: Bayer reorganized its U.S. glyphosate business into Ruveon, reshaping pricing, production and go-to-market as crop-protection strategy shifts. Healthcare Coverage: GENFIT said Medicare coverage and future reimbursement were secured for Labcorp’s NASHnext non-invasive blood test, supporting broader adoption. Trade Uncertainty: Mexico’s economy minister said the U.S. is not willing to automatically extend USMCA, keeping North American trade rules and “economic security” chapters in play.

USMCA Shock: The U.S. says it won’t renew USMCA “in its current form,” setting up more contentious annual reviews and fresh uncertainty for cross-border businesses. Labor Watch: New Labor Department data on June hiring is expected to show whether the hiring slowdown is turning into a pickup, with inflation still a headwind. Antitrust & Food Prices: DOJ and state AGs sued major egg players, including Hickman’s Egg Ranch, alleging coordinated price inflation, with proposed settlements aimed at stopping repeat conduct. Tech IPO Signal: Italy’s Bending Spoons jumped in its Nasdaq debut after an upsized IPO, a key read on whether investors are warming to software listings again. Corporate Restructuring: VW warned of major job cuts as tariffs, shrinking volumes, and tougher competition squeeze its model. Markets & Rates: US stocks slipped as investors weighed Fed comments ahead of the jobs report. Small Business & AI: A new survey finds small businesses using AI are far more likely to report revenue gains, while benefits remain a major retention lever. Energy/Geopolitics: Oil eased on US-Iran talks, while the Treasury targeted Mexico’s fuel-smuggling cartel side business.

Crypto & Politics: Trump shrugged off questions about his finances after filings showed about $1.4B in 2025 crypto income, saying he’s profiting because “the stock market’s going up.” State Budget Watch: North Carolina’s $34B budget heads to a fast vote with limited amendments, pairing tax cuts and pay raises with DEI cuts and other policy riders. Small-Business Sentiment: A Citizens survey finds half of small firms expect revenue growth in the next quarter, even as confidence in the broader economy slips and inflation/costs stay top worries. Banking Deal: Huntington Bank’s $1.7B purchase expands its footprint to roughly 1,400 locations across 21 states, boosting deposits and lending capacity. Regulation & Rates: Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan downplayed recession fears despite a more hawkish Fed outlook, arguing policy aims to keep inflation in check. Insurance Product Launch: ARU rolled out a standalone commercial liability offering for hard-to-place E&S risks nationwide. Tech for Defense: Forward Edge-AI won a Phase I STTR award to advance AI-based chemical/biological threat detection for the U.S. Air Force. Utilities M&A Scrutiny: NextEra’s bid to build a massive utility company drew serious consumer-cost and regulatory concerns. Retail Loyalty: DICK’S launched ScoreCard+, a $99 paid tier promising $100 in annual rewards and added benefits.

Supreme Court & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s attempt to narrow birthright citizenship, keeping automatic citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil, while also upholding transgender athlete bans in Idaho and West Virginia—moves that will ripple through policy and compliance planning for employers and schools. Congressional Gridlock: House Republicans canceled votes and sent lawmakers home early after a revolt over Trump-linked priorities, including a voter ID push, stalling the annual defense bill. Crypto & Disclosure: New filings show Trump took in about $1.2B from crypto businesses in 2025, underscoring how political and financial risk are colliding in the market. AI Regulation: The Commerce Department lifted restrictions on Anthropic’s most powerful Claude models, easing a major export-control dispute. Biotech Approvals: Orca Bio won FDA approval for TREGZI, a precision-engineered cell therapy aimed at improving outcomes in adult hematological malignancies. Telecom Expansion: U Mobile completed migration to its own ULTRA5G network after exiting a wholesale deal, a sign of continued network buildout and competition. Energy Markets: A new report projects oil refining market growth to $3.75T by 2030, driven by upgrades and petrochemical demand. Local Business Impact: New Orleans businesses on Decatur Street say construction delays are hurting sales and jobs, pushing for faster project completion.

Supreme Court & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s bid to narrow birthright citizenship in a 6-3 ruling, while also allowing states to ban transgender student athletes from women’s sports and striking down parts of campaign finance limits—an outcome that will ripple through HR, schools, and compliance planning nationwide. Economic Messaging: The White House pushed back on recession worries, saying the economy’s “fundamentals” are “very strong,” as growth slows and housing/manufacturing indicators raise concern. Energy & Geopolitics: Iraq’s anti-corruption purge is disrupting Iranian oil-smuggling networks and opening space for U.S. energy firms, though entrenched factions could still derail reforms. Business & Fraud Watch: The USPTO impersonation scam is back—callers and emails demanding thousands right after trademark filings. Deals & Finance: Brink’s and NCR Atleos cleared a major shareholder vote toward Brink’s acquisition. Manufacturing Jobs: Goldhofer will build its first North American assembly/production facility in Hickory, N.C., creating 80 jobs. AI & Cyber Risk: WIRED’s report on Peter Thiel’s Dialog leak spotlights how private networks can expose sensitive attendee data. Retail/Consumer: Church’s Texas Chicken rolled out a catering option across its U.S. stores.

Banking & Markets: The Fed’s stress test passed for the biggest U.S. banks, and investors are watching whether the quick dividend hikes and buybacks signal real strength or just a payout cycle. Supreme Court & Elections: The Court ruled states can count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later, reshaping election administration timelines. Tech, Cyber & Supply Chains: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro supplier files reportedly leaked from Tata Electronics after a dark-web breach, raising new risks for component secrecy and pricing. Auto & AI in Manufacturing: Ford reversed course and rehired hundreds of experienced quality-control engineers after AI-based checks missed defects. Telecom Deal: Verizon and BT will combine international enterprise operations in a 50:50 joint venture aimed at scaling global connectivity for multinationals. Trade & Energy: Waaree’s solar tariff-evasion fight continues after CBP’s EAPA determination; Waaree says no Chinese-origin cells were used in U.S. shipments. Healthcare: Prime Healthcare hospitals made Becker’s “100 Great Community Hospitals” list, highlighting community-care performance. Privacy & Law Enforcement: SCOTUS said geofence warrants for bulk cellphone location data require Fourth Amendment protections. Business Policy: Congress advanced SBA disaster-loan accountability reforms to prevent funding shortfalls from delaying aid.

Health Care Crackdown: Federal officials announced a record $6.5B health care fraud takedown, with Florida suspects accused of more than half the alleged false Medicare/Medicaid claims. Supreme Court & Elections: The Court upheld Mississippi’s rule allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive within five business days, a blow to efforts to force a strict receipt deadline. Fed Independence: In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court blocked Trump’s attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook without cause, while also expanding presidential power over some independent agency heads. FDA & Biotech: FDA approved United Therapeutics’ LungFX device for centralized ex vivo lung perfusion, aiming to better assess donor lungs before transplant. Finance & Crypto Rails: BNY expanded stablecoin custody support for Circle’s USDC, while J.P. Morgan broadened its blockchain settlement platform to add more currencies for 24/7 cross-border payments. Markets & Consumer Brands: McDonald’s shares slid near 52-week lows despite improving comparable sales; Starbucks edged up as investors bet on menu and digital loyalty momentum. Defense Manufacturing: Ukraine’s F-Drones partner UDD will build a drone assembly and manufacturing center in Northwest Ohio, targeting at least 300 jobs after a Pentagon contract. Media Corporate Moves: Comcast’s plan to spin off NBCUniversal and Sky adds to the reshaping of U.S. media as streaming accelerates.

Retail & Power Procurement: Walmart inked its first nuclear power purchase deal, securing 176 MW from Constellation’s Dresden plant via 15-year contracts starting in 2029/2030, aimed at powering a high-tech perishable distribution center in Illinois and supporting the grid. M&A in Healthcare: HB Fuller moved to acquire Advanced Medical Solutions Group in an all-cash offer to expand into medical adhesives and biosurgical technologies, boosting its medical market reach. AI Chips & Markets: Baidu’s Kunlunxin is reportedly targeting a $50B Hong Kong IPO, as China pushes chip listings and investors weigh AI hardware demand. Crypto & National Security: Sen. Elizabeth Warren warned that the Clarity Act could worsen risks as adversaries allegedly exploit crypto rails, citing Iran-linked activity tied to CoinEx. Energy & Business Climate: The Dallas Fed found oil-and-gas activity in its district jumped to a four-year high, but costs and regulation are squeezing margins. Finance Access: A new look at “unbanked vs. underbanked” highlights how millions in the U.S. still rely on costly alternatives like check-cashing and payday loans. Real Estate & Growth: Private Real Estate Collection founder Heather Herr will speak at Inman Connect San Diego on navigating buyer-rep changes. Public Notices: Wisconsin lawmakers face renewed pressure over proposals that could weaken newspaper publication of local government public notices.

Travel & Small Business Pulse: Travel agents are seeing a comeback as customers want help when flights change or trips go sideways, while small businesses brace for a “summer of uncertainty” amid inflation and lingering COVID-era caution. Antitrust Watch: U.S. senators questioned whether a Kroger–Albertsons merger would lower grocery prices, setting up another high-stakes FTC/DOJ review. Consumer Cost Transparency: Florida signed a law requiring restaurants to disclose “hidden” mandatory fees before customers order, with new rules starting July 1. Private Credit Tech: Investors are funding software that tracks and values private loans, highlighting trust-and-valuation stress in a $2 trillion private credit market. Crypto Regulation: California’s DFAL licensing regime starts July 1, raising compliance pressure for digital-asset firms. Trade & Spirits: Brazil’s cachaça makers see EU–Mercosur tariff cuts as a chance to expand in Europe. Disaster Relief Tech: SpaceX’s Starlink will provide free internet in quake-hit Venezuela while it deploys terminals to restore connectivity.

Energy & Industry: TVA won a $400M U.S. Department of Energy grant to speed up deployment of a Generation III+ small modular reactor at the Clinch River site, aiming for early-2030s commercial operation. Markets: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh all-time highs as investors bet on easing U.S.-Israel/Iran tensions and lower oil and gasoline prices. EV Charging: ELEKTROS dropped a Jaguar Land Rover patent dispute and is now negotiating sites for 10–15 branded high-speed EV chargers. Immigration & Courts: A Supreme Court ruling expands federal discretion over some green-card holders with pending criminal issues at ports of entry, while another decision clears the way to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians. Politics & Power: Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff is set after Julia Letlow beat John Fleming; South Dakota delegates chose Heather Baxter over incumbent Monae Johnson, backing hand-counting. Business & Consumer: Pennsylvania gaming hit a new monthly record, and South Carolina advanced a shrimp-labeling bill requiring restaurants to disclose domestic vs. imported. Local Economy: Google faced heavy pushback at a Minnesota open house over its nearly $2B data center plans.

Trade Policy Shock: Trump is imposing a 15% “worldwide tariff” immediately after the Supreme Court struck down many of his earlier tariff moves, with the new tariffs set to expire in 150 days unless Congress extends them. AI & Regulation: OpenAI rolled out new models (Sol, Terra, Luna) but limited access after a U.S. government request, while other AI firms are racing to launch amid export-control pressure. Immigration & Labor Fallout: The Supreme Court’s move ending TPS for Haitians and Syrians leaves about 400,000 people with roughly three months to respond, with major knock-on effects for U.S. healthcare and direct-care work. Semiconductor Supply Chain: LA Semiconductor’s Pocatello fab is up for sale through a court-approved process, highlighting ongoing onshoring demand. Small Business & Community Finance: Idaho’s Salmon gets nearly $105,000 for healthy-food access via USDA’s Healthy Food and Financing Initiative, and a free financing workshop is set for NSCC/Union Bank to help underserved founders. Energy/Markets Watch: Investors are weighing geopolitical risk from the Strait of Hormuz against the market’s continued AI-driven momentum.

Outdoor Management: Washington’s Enchantments hiking season is set to get busier again, with renewed staffing and nonprofit partnerships after last year’s overcrowding and understaffing—yet day-use management still isn’t in place. Immigration & Refugees: A UNHCR leadership appointment puts a U.S. career diplomat in a key role as Trump-era refugee policy and border politics keep driving national debate. Energy & Geopolitics: The U.S. struck Iranian targets after an attack in the Strait of Hormuz, while an interim U.S.-Iran deal is now shaping midterm messaging around energy prices and security. Trade & Supply Chains: China’s industrial profits jumped 18.8% in Jan–May, while AI chip demand collides with tungsten export controls, pressuring specialty gas supplies. Housing & Veterans: HUD and VA announced $33M for HUD-VASH vouchers, adding 2,532 vouchers for homeless veterans across 44 states. Local Business Growth: Micron’s Academic Center expansion in Boise and new retail openings in Idaho highlight continued investment in workforce and consumer demand. Labor Market Watch: Florida’s first-time jobless claims rose again, signaling uneven momentum.

Geopolitics & Finance: China’s yuan is gaining ground as a sanctions-bypass tool, with its share of global finance rising even as the dollar still dominates trade—raising questions about U.S. leverage in global business. Markets & Investing: A popular preferred ETF (PFFA) is paying out more than its recent earnings support, with investors warned about capital erosion and the risk of future distribution cuts. Consumer & Household Risk: The U.S. savings rate has fallen to a multi-year low while household debt hits a record, a setup that could make consumer spending more fragile if wealth effects reverse. Energy & Industry: Utah is naming Brigham City its “nuclear hub,” pitching small modular reactors to attract about $750M in private capital and 1,350 jobs. Regulation & Health: The FDA proposes rules to force foreign tobacco makers to register and list products, aiming to tighten accountability for illegal imports. Public Safety Tech: Dane County reinstated $80K for a new ALPR system after privacy concerns over a prior vendor. Auto Policy: Polestar is exiting the U.S. market in 2027 after connected-vehicle data rules, while GM Korea faces strike pressure tied to tariff costs. Business Climate: California plastics mandates are being challenged by a 17-state coalition in federal court.

Stablecoin Push in Asset Management: Invesco filed for a tokenized fund aimed at stablecoin reserve management as the stablecoin market could swell to trillions by 2030, intensifying competition with BlackRock, State Street and others. Sports Labor & Economics: MLB proposed capping most free-agent deals at five years and 15% of a team’s salary cap, plus changes to deferred compensation—moves that drew sharp pushback from the players’ union. Energy & Grid Reliability: Nashville’s electric system is set to get 100 MW of battery storage backed by a $439M USDA package, targeting peak-demand stability and lower reliance on expensive power. Retail Convenience Growth: Casey’s is rolling out sauced chicken wings to more locations over the next two years, betting prepared food can keep lifting sales. Legal/Immigration Impact: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, raising major work-permit and deportation risks for hundreds of thousands. Tech for Industry: The ITC reaffirmed Voltage Energy’s right to supply trunk bus solutions to the U.S. solar market, keeping its projects moving amid patent disputes. Local Broadband Gap: Greenville, Miss. ranked near the bottom for broadband access, with residents reporting frequent outages that disrupt work and daily life. Business Succession: Domino’s named Joe Jordan as next CEO, continuing a franchise-focused leadership pipeline.