CNBC — 2026-06-26#
Lead Story#
A deepening global technology rout commanded Wall Street’s attention today as soaring memory chip costs and the emergence of a highly capable, low-cost Chinese AI model from Zhipu rattled the artificial intelligence sector. The resulting market volatility has reportedly prompted OpenAI to delay its highly anticipated IPO until 2027, accelerating a broader rotation out of megacap tech names.
Markets & Economics#
Economic data revealed that the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index spiked to 3.4% in May, while headline inflation rose to 4.1%, marking the highest levels since late 2023 and April 2023 respectively. In response to the stubborn inflation, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari shifted his outlook in a panel discussion, stating that he now expects one interest rate hike this year instead of a cut. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has notably eased its pressure on new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh to slash rates immediately, affording him an extended political grace period to navigate the tricky economic environment. In energy markets, crude oil extended its declines, sliding roughly 2% as traders focused on long-term supply dynamics and largely shrugged off the U.S. military strikes against Iran following a ceasefire violation in the Strait of Hormuz.