Does McDonald's need a refresh? Their CEO believes so🍟 McDonald's announced an $8.5 billion investment through 2036 to support franchisees amid slowing sales growth and declining customer traffic. The plan delivers approximately $5 billion by 2030 through rent relief and capital assistance to fund restaurant remodels, employee training, and technology upgrades. The company projects each location will gain roughly $100,000 in additional annual cash flow. The hefty commitment signals McDonald's urgent need to reverse momentum after facing persistent inflation and intense competition in the fast-food market, as the chain works to win back customers and strengthen its struggling franchise network.

Today on Taking Stock | 10Y Treasury yield soars above 5.1% amid ongoing geopolitical developments. @roundhill with market overview, @bretttejpaul of @CoinbaseInsto talks tokenized stocks + @TradiamAfrica on Bullish Africa 2026! @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1PJqrNkzB…

Today on Taking Stock | Markets pull back as the 10Y Treasury yield hits 5% and oil prices rise. @Marcomadness2 on market pressure points + @samcallah of @ORANJEBTC discusses Bitcoin's strengthening fundamentals. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1XxygwYge…

Today on Taking Stock | Stocks waver as Wall Street monitors UNGA and ongoing Middle East developments. @calebsilver of @investopedia with the tale of the tape + @ddisparte of @circle discusses Arc Mainnet now being live. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1lKQRWXVq…

This deal might just change everything in Hollywood🎬🍿 Months of legal battles that threatened to derail the deal for years, Paramount’s settlement with state attorneys general has cleared the final major hurdle for what would be the most concentrated media empire in Hollywood history. The agreed-upon concessions include $1.5 billion in U.S. film production commitments and a promise of 30+ theatrical releases annually. This represents Paramount’s attempt to convince regulators that such consolidation won’t harm consumers, workers, or the creative community. However, it also does signal a regulatory acceptance of a n unprecedented concentration of power in entertainment that many feared would squeeze out independent voices and reduce competition in how stores reach audiences.

Today on Taking Stock | Tech stocks and falling oil prices lead markets higher to open trading week. @JayWoods3 discusses key levels for the S&P + @SolomonTesfaye_ of @AptosLabs on @Aptos nearing $1B in tokenized real-world assets. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1aKbdEpXj…

Today on Taking Stock | Oil and yields remain in focus to wrap a volatile Fed week. @Eric_Criscuolo on this week's price action + @itsbrendanma of @Arbitrum Foundation dives into what's actually moving on-chain. @jd_durkin has more after the close. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1wxWjlMmz…

Same phone, same features, but vastly different prices💷💰 Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max officially hit shelves today in 65+ countries, with early reports showing massive demand. China leads the charge with over 7 million preorders, generating double the revenue of last year’s iPhone 17 Pro in the first three days. In Zhengzhou, all models sold out within hours. The new A20 Pro chip, 48MP adjustable camera, enhanced Apple Intelligence, and extended battery life are driving early adopters worldwide. Prices start at $1,200 in the US, but costs vary dramatically by region (Turkey’s most expensive at $3,083). Despite lower US shipping dates suggesting moderate demand, the global reception is overwhelmingly strong. Apple Stores are managing queues with barriers as preorder customers pick up their devices today.

What does this interest rate hike mean for your wallet? The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in over three years, making borrowing more expensive for businesses and consumers. The move comes as the central bank tries to tackle inflation, which has kept prices high across the economy. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh explained that despite some recent improvement in inflation data, prices are still rising too fast, so the Fed decided to act. By raising rates, the Fed hopes to slow down spending and bring inflation back down. Warsh also hinted that more rate increases could happen in the coming months as the Fed continues its fight against rising costs.

Today on Taking Stock | Fed hikes rates by 25 bps for first time since 2023. Trajan Wealth reacts to Warsh's commentary, @ttraina on @KresusOfficial as the "execution layer" for digital assets + @Cinemark posts its best-ever summer! @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1lKQRWYjL…

Today on Taking Stock | Fed meeting kicks off as 10-year yield hits highest level since 2007. @Truist with the tale of the tape, @MoneyGram launches the MoneyGram Card + @Queathem on @velocityxyz_'s Series A. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1AJEmvBaa…

Today on Taking Stock | Tech pulls back, software rallies after AI warnings spook investors. @JessInskip_ talks market participation, @annabelleacta of @DinariGlobal discusses stocks on-chain + @IngramMicroInc on their evolution. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1nGeLMEWk…

One does not simply ignore this $24,000 Lord of the Rings Balrog🌋👹 Standing at 13.75-foot-tall and 17.3-foot wingspan, this LOTR Balrog pans its head, flaps its wings, and syncs its glowing flame whip and mouth movements to the film's audio. This officially licensed, life-scale animatronic released in limited quantities of 6 models, made for serious collectors and commercial haunts. But who's taking one home?!

Today on Taking Stock | Wall Street commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11. @JayWoods3 and Dr. Thomas Lo reflect on 9/11's impact on the NYC community and lessons learned 25 years later. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1RKjpbENk…

2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor🗽 On September 9, 2026, Sky Elements, designer Studio Drift, and architect Shigeru Ban orchestrated a free public memorial using 2,977 illuminated drones to recreate the Twin Towers at full scale. Each drone honored one victim of 9/11, while families of the deceased, survivors, and first responders helped shape this powerful 25th anniversary tribute. The massive coordination effort required months of planning across multiple federal, state, and city agencies, with each illuminated drone representing one life lost on 9/11, creating an unforgettable aerial installation visible across the water as a free public memorial. (Video by IG skyelementsdrones)

Could this AI system revolutionize tennis? 🎾🤖 At the U.S. Open, IBM’s technology is processing 4.6 MILLION data points per game to deliver insights that don’t exist anywhere else. How will these data points impact both the players and the audience? Check out the entire coverage on our Youtube channel! #USOpen #AI #SportsInnovation

Today on Taking Stock | Investors digest inflation data, oil, and yields ahead of Friday's CPI. @RyanDetrick with market outlook, @YorkSpaceSystem on the economics of space, @MSAsafety commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11. @jd_durkin has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1nxeLMWOL…

Today on Taking Stock | Rising Oil and Yields Drag Stocks Lower Ahead of Friday's CPI nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1lKQRWEgL…

📱 iPhone... more like iFold! Apple just introduced iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, with a massive 7.6-inch inner display, 48MP Dual Fusion cameras, with a new A20 Pro chip, dual-battery power, and a flexible design built for more ways to use iOS 27. It looks your next phone just got a whole lot more… flexible. 👀

Today on Taking Stock | Dow slips to start holiday-shortened week as investors watch oil prices and trade tensions. @Eric_Criscuolo with the tale of the tape + Super Group $SGHC discusses their Q2 earnings results. @Ash_TV has more. nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1nGnRBXkv…