3 PM Market Flash: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI — Actual: 47.7 | Behind Anthropic's $1.5B Deal: Wall Street's New AI Weapon in the Race to

US manufacturing activity contracted more sharply than expected ... S and P Global's manufacturing PMI fell to forty seven point seven ... down from forty eight point nine last month. In a widely reported development, Anthropic has struck a one point five billion dollar deal with Wall Street firms to integrate AI across private equity and reshape enterprise tech investing. Donald Trump slammed Fed Chair Jerome Powell as a disaster as mortgage rates remain stuck above six point five percent and the ten year yield nears four point five percent ... keeping homebuyers on the sidelines amid sticky inflation and global risks. GameStop is eyeing a fifty six billion dollar bid for eBay with CEO Ryan Cohen arguing a tie up could create a company worth hundreds of billions ... though Wall Street remains cautious. In the Asian market, IndiGo issued a flight advisory after fresh Iran attacks on the UAE raised Middle East tensions ... passengers urged to check status for possible disruptions. A new report warns continued Iran war impact could trigger demand destruction in the US economy as sharply rising prices force households and businesses to cut back. This hour's moves point to renewed caution for options traders ... with macro data and geopolitical risks likely keeping volatility in focus. I am your VixShield news reporter. Back to you, Russell.