Latest Sectors News

The acquisition marks one of the first major strategic deals under Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel, who took over as CEO in the beginning of 2026. View More

Greg Abel, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, speaks during the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 2, 2026.CNBC Berkshire Hathaway agreed Sunday to acquire homebuilder Taylor Morrison Home in a $6.8 billion deal, deepening the conglomerate's bet on the U.S. housing market after a prolonged downturn.The Omaha, Nebraska-based company will pay $72.50 per share in cash for Taylor Morrison, according to a statement. The offer represents a 24% premium to the homebuilder's closing price on May 29 and values the company at about $8.5 billion, including debt.The acquisition marks one of the first major strategic deals under Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel, who took over as CEO at the start of 2026. The acquisition, expected to close in the second half of 2026, is relatively modest by Berkshire standards as it's sitting on a cash hoard nearing $400 billion. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon "Berkshire is acquiring a best-in-class national homebuilder, led by an exceptional team and backed by a trusted reputation for customer experience," Abel said in the statement. "Over time, we expect to unify our site-built homebuilding operations into a combined platform enabling us to deliver the dream of homeownership to more Americans."The deal suggests Berkshire is positioning for a recovery in U.S. housing demand despite elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures that have weighed on the sector in recent years."They are betting the housing cycle will turn and that there is pent-up demand," Bill Stone, Glenview Trust CIO and a Berkshire shareholder, told CNBC.The acquisition expands Berkshire's already sizable footprint in housing. The conglomerate owns manufactured-home giant Clayton Homes, a slew of building product companies as well as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, one of the largest residential real estate brokerage franchise networks in the U.S.Berkshire's last major deal came in October, when it reached a $9.7 billion cash deal to purchase of OxyChem, the chemical business of Occidental Petroleum. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

Thapanee Techajareonvikul reflects on family, succession and leadership inside the billionaire empire behind Chang beer, Big C and Singapore beverage giant Fraser & Neave. View More

In this articleT6W-FFFSRPFBLJZYFNEVYTCFLFSDIPFFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Thapanee Techajareonvikul, took the reins as CEO and President of Berli Jucker PCL in 2023, becoming the storied retail and packaging firm's first female chief executive. For Thapanee Techajareonvikul, the conviction that women belong in top leadership roles was never unusual.Her late mother, Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi, was instrumental in building TCC Group into a multi-billion-dollar empire spanning beverages, property, retail and manufacturing, with holdings including Chang beer and Singapore-listed Fraser & Neave.Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, her father, ensured his two sons and three daughters received equal opportunities within the family business. Today, each sibling oversees a different part of the empire.Thapanee, the couple's fourth child and youngest daughter, took the reins as CEO and President of Berli Jucker PCL in 2023, becoming the storied retail and packaging firm's first female chief executive.The company's portfolio includes Big C, Thailand's second-largest hypermarket chain, with operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Hong Kong."When I became a female leader, I didn't feel any nervousness," she said during a special recording of CNBC Meets: Legacies, held at a UOB private banking event in Singapore."I always saw Mom right there with Dad, at the front of the long table," the MIT and Harvard Business School graduate told CNBC's Tania Bryer. watch nowVIDEO16:5816:58Thapanee Techajareonvikul inherited an empire — now she’s making it her ownCNBC Meets Lessons from her parents Thapanee and her siblings grew up observing their parents in action, often accompanying them to business meetings. Watching how they reached decisions and navigated relationships became what she described as the "greatest teaching" a person could receive.Both parents emphasized hard work and humility as keys to unlocking opportunity. They were also diligent about ensuring every venture benefited all stakeholders."Dad was always looking at partnerships; he wanted a win-win situation for everyone involved," she said.Her mother played a balancing role, providing a vital counterweight to her father's risk-taking as he rarely proceeded without his wife's blessing. From left to right: Thapanee Techajareonvikul, Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and Aswin Techajareonvikul. Thapanee and her siblings grew up observing their parents in action, often accompanying them to business meetings. While TCC is a sprawling conglomerate, Thapanee said the group's expansion through mergers and acquisitions has long been driven by strategic fit.She cited the group's acquisition of Berli Jucker in 2001 primarily for its glass bottle manufacturing, which complemented its beer and spirits businesses.The group's liquor assets have since been consolidated under Singapore-listed Thai Beverage PCL, led by her older brother Thapana, who also heads the Sirivadhanabhakdi family's second generation.  The vast property portfolio is divided across several units. Her second sister Wallapa Traisorat leads Asset World Corp PLC in Thailand while her younger brother Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi, helms Singapore-listed Frasers Property.Atinant Bijananda, the eldest sibling, serves as vice chairman of the executive board of Thai Group Holdings, an investment holding company under the TCC group. Thapanee Techajareonvikul and her four siblings. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, her father, ensured his two sons and three daughters received equal opportunities within the family business. Today, each sibling oversees a different part of the empire. Forbes estimates the Sirivadhanabhakdi family's wealth at $10.5 billion, ranking them fourth on Thailand's latest rich list.For Thapanee, her parents remain the ultimate role models for spouses working in family businesses."My Mom and Dad were always telling guests and friends that they have never been apart, day or night, for 51 years continuously," she said. "So they are true partners in life and in business." Management style Asked about her management approach, Thapanee said she is influenced by her parents' emphasis on listening, respect and fostering a sense of belonging among their employees."I want to make the family business very professional, but the professional organization must also feel family-related," she said of Berli Jucker, which employs some 61,000 people. Notably, women account for about 60% of employees and roughly half of senior management.She works closely with her husband, Aswin Techajareonvikul, the former head of Berli Jucker. He currently leads Big C as it prepares for a public listing and serves as executive vice chairman of Berli Jucker's management board. Thapanee Techajareonvikul (left) with her husband, Aswin Techajareonvikul (right), the former head of Berli Jucker. Aswin currently leads Big C as it prepares for a public listing and serves as executive vice chairman of Berli Jucker's management board. Among the company's near-term priorities are integrating and expanding MM Mega Market, a Vietnamese wholesale distributor of consumer goods recently acquired from TCC for around $720 million, and expanding the use of artificial intelligence.Thapanee said that AI is already being used to optimize delivery schedules and reduce energy consumption at the group's manufacturing plants. The next generation Despite their busy schedules running their respective businesses, Thapanee and her siblings meet regularly for family gatherings.In the past, the meetings were mostly social, but that changed after their father transferred shares in the TCC group's holding company to his five children last year. The siblings now meet regularly to discuss matters related to the conglomerate.While she and her siblings were expected to join the family business, Thapanee, who worked at Merrill Lynch in Singapore before joining the group, said the next generation will be given greater freedom to chart their own paths. Thapanee Techajareonvikul with her husband, Aswin Techajareonvikul, the former head of Berli Jucker. Aswin currently leads Big C as it prepares for a public listing and serves as executive vice chairman of Berli Jucker's management board. One of her three children was in the audience during the interview as Thapanee spoke about the family's future"We will involve them (in the business) along the way, and they will get to choose what is best fitted for their expertise or preference going forward," she said.Some members of the third generation have already begun identifying areas of interest. One nephew, who is in graduate school, has expressed interest in the family's property business.As more family members get involved in the business, Thapanee said the family's shared values and sense of unity will help preserve the TCC Group for future generations. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

Reem Raouda is a certified conscious parenting coach whose philosophy centers around emotional safety. After studying over 200 kids, she shares the key signs of emotionally intelligent kids. View More

Many parents are focused on raising smart kids. But emotional intelligence, or the ability to understand, navigate and express emotions in healthy ways, will strengthen your child's resilience and mental strength far more than any report card.The good news is that you can see it developing in real time. As a conscious parenting coach who has worked with over 200 kids, I try to look for clues of a child who feels emotionally safe enough to stay connected to themselves.Here are seven signs your child is building emotional intelligence. 1. They can name what they're feeling It's a healthy sign if your child can say things like "I'm frustrated" instead of throwing a toy, or "I feel left out" instead of shutting down. It means they've developed emotional vocabulary.This is one of the earliest indicators of emotional intelligence because feelings with names become feelings that can be processed instead of acted out. I always make it a point to acknowledge my chid's emotions instead of dismissing them with phrases like "you're fine" or "stop crying." 2. They come to you when something is wrong If your child comes to you with big feelings — the messy, inconvenient ones — it means they trust and feel safe with you.Children open up when their experience has taught them that they won't be shamed, punished or emotionally abandoned for what they feel. 3. They can experience disappointment without falling apart Emotionally intelligent children move through disappointment. They may cry after losing a game or feel upset when the answer is "no." But eventually, they recover.Be patient and allow your child to feel those uncomfortable feelings, instead of rushing them through it. 4. They notice how other people feel "Mom, are you sad?""That kid looks lonely."The ability to notice emotional shifts in others is a key part of developing empathy, one of the highest forms of emotional intelligence.Children absorb emotional awareness by being around adults who model it consistently. 5. They can apologize  I'm not talking about forced apologies where they say "I'm sorry" simply to avoid consequences.A truly emotionally intelligent child can recognize, for example, if they've hurt someone. They'll want to make things right.This requires self-awareness and empathy. It also reflects what they've experienced themselves. Children who receive repair become children capable of giving it. 6. They can ask for what they need "I need a hug.""Can I have a minute alone?""Can you sit with me?"Many adults struggle to express their emotional needs directly. So when a child can do this, it's a powerful sign of emotional intelligence. It usually means they've been in an environment where needs were responded to often enough that asking feels safe. 7. They don't feel like they have to perform around you This may be the most overlooked sign of all.Emotionally intelligent children don't spend childhood constantly managing the emotional atmosphere around them, nor do they suppress themselves to maintain connection with you.Reem Raouda is a certified conscious parenting coach, speaker, and author dedicated to one core idea: that loving your child and making them feel safe are not the same thing. She is the founder of The Safe Mom and creator of The Safe Mom Masterclass, helping parents raise emotionally healthy children through emotional safety, connection, and self-awareness. Find her on Instagram.Want to give your kids the ultimate advantage? Sign up for CNBC's new online course, How to Raise Financially Smart Kids. Learn how to build healthy financial habits today to set your children up for greater success in the future. Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.Gas prices are high right now. Use these 6 tools to save on fuel Does debt relief hurt your credit?The best high-yield savings accounts of May 2026Nearly half of Americans feel homeownership is impossible

Experts say that student loan borrowers should proceed with caution when taking on more debt or consolidating after July 1, due to upcoming changes. View More

Vladimir Vladimirov | E+ | Getty Images Student loan borrowers who take certain steps will soon face fewer repayment and debt forgiveness pathways, due to President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. "Be very careful when it comes to taking out new student loans," said Landon Warmund, a certified financial planner and certified student loan professional at Reliant Financial Services in Kansas City, Missouri. That's because those who borrow federal student loans after July 1 will go from a "legacy borrower" to a "new borrower," subject to a heap of different rules included in the legislation passed last year, said Kathleen Boyd, a CFP and founder of Student Loan Savvy in San Diego. It's "really high stakes stuff," Boyd said.Here's what to know. New borrowing affects older student loans The OBBBA eliminates several of the U.S. Department of Education's student loan repayment plans. Existing borrowers will maintain access to some of those plans, including the favorable Income-Based Repayment plan, or IBR, Boyd said. However, anyone who borrows a federal student loan after July 1 will be left with just two new repayment options across all of their debt, even their older loans: the Repayment Assistance Plan, or RAP, and the Tiered Standard Plan. "Even a small undergraduate or Parent PLUS loan after July 1 is enough to eliminate your opportunity to repay under your current desired plan," said Warmund, a member of CNBC's Financial Advisor Council. Read more CNBC personal finance coverageTrump Accounts app launches — here's how to get startedMore workers are raiding their 401(k)s as average balances fall, Fidelity saysMillions of people lose food stamp access as 'big beautiful bill' cuts take effectRoth IRA owners may need a second retirement account to claim the Saver's MatchCNBC's Financial Advisor 100: Best financial advisors, top firms ranked Many borrowers, especially, won't want to lose the option of IBR: The plan can lead to loan forgiveness in as little as 20 years and offers some low-income borrowers a $0 monthly payment, Boyd said. Under RAP, monthly payments typically range from 1% to 10% of your earnings; the more you earn, the larger your required payment. The plan leads to student loan forgiveness only after 30 years. The Tiered Standard Plan spreads your debt into fixed payments over one of four time frames, depending on what you owe. Consumer advocates say the monthly bill on this plan will be unaffordable for many. Parent borrowers have even fewer options Parent borrowers will want to be especially careful taking on new loans, said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. That's because those who take out Parent PLUS loans after July 1 will have just one way to repay their debt: the Tiered Standard Plan. Those parent borrowers will also no longer qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, since the program requires borrowers to be in either an income-driven repayment plan like IBR or RAP or the old Standard Repayment Plan. PSLF allows not-for-profit and government employees to have their student loans excused after a decade. Student loan payment pauses get harder The OBBBA also phases out some relief options for student loan borrowers who become unemployed or are dealing with an economic hardship. Current borrowers can still pause their loan payments during these periods, but those who take out loans after July 1 will no longer be able to use the unemployment deferment or economic hardship deferment. How to plan around new student loan rules But what if you were relying on additional student loans to continue paying for college or graduate school? Many families will have no choice but to keep borrowing, Kantrowitz said. In that case, it will be important to reassess your expected loan payments upon graduation and ensure you're not borrowing too much. Others can do some planning. For example, a second parent in the household who hasn't yet borrowed could take out the loan instead. That way, the parent who has already borrowed can preserve their loan forgiveness and affordable repayment options. Students who are nearing the end of their education may consider a small private student loan to avoid losing federal benefits on their earlier loans, Kantrowitz said. But be cautious: Private student loans can come with their own risks, including high interest rates and fewer protections compared with federal loans. Consolidating also counts as a 'new' loan Many student loan borrowers at some point chose to consolidate their debt, which repackages their several different loans into one, Kantrowitz said. Some of the common reasons borrowers consolidate include a desire to switch student loan servicers or to get a lower payment by restarting their loan term. But the new rules make that move less beneficial: "Obtaining a Direct Consolidation Loan on or after July 1 will be treated as a brand new loan," he said. It's effectively the same move as taking out a new loan, Kantrowitz said. That means, among other consequences, you'll be left with just two repayment options and no longer be able to pause your payments if you lose your job or fall on hard times. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

The Japanese tech giant plans to develop and operate 5 GW of AI data center capacity in France, with an initial 3.1 GW of facilities in the country's north. View More

The logo of Japanese company SoftBank Group at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2025.Kazuhiro Nogi | AFP | Getty Images Japan's SoftBank Group plans to invest 45 billion euros ($53 billion) over the next five years to build artificial intelligence infrastructure in France, the company said on Sunday. The tech giant said the commitment is part of a 75-billion-euro program to roll out 5 GW of AI data center capacity in France.Softbank said the initial phase of the plan involves building 3.1 GW of AI data centers in the northern Hauts-de-France region by 2031, including in Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain."The commitment marks SoftBank Group's largest AI infrastructure investments in Europe," Softbank said in a statement. "It is designed to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence by expanding access to high-performance compute capacity in France."The investment plans are due to be formally announced on Monday. "AI is entering a new era, and the countries that build the infrastructure for this transformation will shape the future of technology, industry and society," said Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son. "SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France. With its industrial capabilities, talent base and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe."Softbank said it would partner with French engineering company Schneider Electric to develop a large-scale industrial production cluster in Dunkirk as part of the buildout.Softbank's shares have risen more than 70% in 2026 so far on expectations its investments in AI infrastructure will reap big rewards. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attend an event to pitch AI for businesses in Tokyo, Japan Feb. 3, 2025.Kim Kyung-Hoon | Reuters The Japanese company's fortunes are closely tied to the AI boom through its stake in Arm Holdings, whose chip designs are used in AI servers and data centers powered by Nvidia systems, and its investments in OpenAI.Softbank has plowed more than $30 billion into OpenAI, with its investment gains in the company totaling $45 billion in the year ended March.Europe's high energy costs have become a major stumbling block in its bid to become a global AI super power, as the U.S. and China dominate the AI boom.The region is looking to get ahead in the AI arms race by ramping up compute capacity and building out the critical infrastructure needed for the technology. But power-hungry data centers mean investments are particularly sensitive to the cost of energy, and Europe's prices are surging amid the U.S.-Iran war.Data center projects are likely to migrate to parts of Europe with lower power costs, creating winners and losers across the continent, experts say.– CNBC's George Bextor contributed to this story. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

President Donald Trump is trying to fast-track research into psychedelics as treatments, creating new opportunities and risks. View More

In this articleCMPSFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch nowVIDEO9:4709:47Why Trump is pushing psychedelics research to treat mental illnessCNBC Digital Original Video Marie Phelan said she had never heard of MDMA before spotting a flyer seeking veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.Now, she says the psychoactive drug more commonly known as ecstasy or molly has changed the trajectory of her life. "My experience of MDMA was that it just cracked my heart wide open," said Phelan who enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1999 and was deployed to Iraq in 2003."I was carrying this big heavy rucksack and I just put it down on the beach and I started unpacking it one little teeny tiny thing at a time and setting each little thing out on the waves," Phelan said of the release from the treatment.Phelan isn't alone turning to alternative treatments for trauma. She is among a small group of Americans who have undergone psychedelic-assisted therapy through clinical trials studying new approaches to mental health treatment. Now, access to those therapies is closer than ever to being expanded more broadly, bringing new options for patients and opportunities for companies — but also new scrutiny about safety and effectiveness.In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating research into psychedelic drugs for mental illness. The move came as his administration issued priority review vouchers to three companies developing psychedelic or MDMA-like therapies — Compass Pathways, Usona Institute and Transcend Therapeutics — aimed at speeding up parts of the FDA review process.The order marks a notable shift in tone from Trump's first term, when his administration took a harder stance on cannabis and other controlled substances. This time, the White House said psychedelic compounds "show potential in clinical studies to address serious mental illnesses for patients whose conditions persist after after completing standard therapy." U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order on researching the effects of psychedelic drugs in medical treatment for veterans, on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images Investors quickly piled into the sector. Shares of psychedelic drug developers such as Compass Pathways and other rivals tied to the space rallied following the announcement, with Wall Street analysts arguing the order could legitimize an industry long viewed as fringe. The science, however, remains deeply debated, raising questions about how much room the segment has to grow. Inside the lab Historically, research into psychedelics has focused more narrowly on certain conditions. Psilocybin — the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms — was tied to treating depression, MDMA-assisted therapy to PTSD and LSD to anxiety.While drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine — a psychoactive compound derived from a West African shrub that some advocates believe may help treat addiction and traumatic brain injuries — are considered classic psychedelics, MDMA is technically classified as an empathogen. Still, researchers and regulators often group MDMA-assisted therapy within the broader psychedelic medicine field because the treatments involve supervised therapeutic sessions designed to address conditions like PTSD, depression and addiction. "One of the things that's important to recognize is these are all very different drugs," said Brandon Weiss, a researcher at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Ibogaine and other psychedelic compounds have different safety profiles and different risks." FILE PHOTO: Psilocybin or "magic mushrooms" are seen in an undated photo provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington, May 7, 2019.DEA | Reuters Clinical research around some of these compounds has shown promising results. In late-stage trials sponsored by the nonprofit psychedelic research advocacy group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, roughly 71% of participants with severe PTSD no longer met diagnostic criteria for the disorder after MDMA-assisted therapy sessions. The FDA rejected a previous application for MDMA-assisted therapy in 2024, citing concerns around the design of that same late-stage study and the need for additional data. Some psychedelic researchers viewed that decision as evidence the agency remains cautious despite mounting public enthusiasm.Countries outside the United States have already begun loosening restrictions. Australia became the first country to allow authorized psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin for certain mental health conditions in 2023. Researchers in Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have also expanded clinical studies examining psychedelic-assisted therapies. Even so, Weiss cautions that not all psychedelic compounds carry the same risks — or the same amount of evidence supporting their use."Psychedelic compounds, they have different safety profiles, different risks," said Weiss. "Ibogaine has particularly high cardiovascular risks, and so what needs to be done is a very measured, methodical weighting of the safety and the efficacy between ibogaine and other compounds."The White House executive order specifically referenced accelerating research of ibogaine. But unlike psilocybin or MDMA-assisted therapy, ibogaine has not undergone large-scale clinical trials in the United States and has been linked to potentially serious cardiovascular side effects. Weiss said the real worry among some researchers is not that psychedelic therapies are ineffective, but that political momentum could outpace the scientific process."My biggest concern would be that FDA standards are relaxed for politically motivated reasons," he said. "It's not clear that that is the case, but what's required is a lot more scientific research and a very objective interpretation of the risks and benefits."Kabir Nath, Compass Pathways CEO, said his company is adhering to the same standards the FDA holds for all drugs. He said the company would not have started the process of submitting its drug, COMP360 Psilocybin, for approval in the first place if it felt the data was insufficient.Even supporters of psychedelics used as treatment acknowledge the therapies are far more complex than taking a prescription pill at home. Most psychedelic-assisted therapy trials involve hours of preparation with clinicians, supervised treatment sessions and follow-up integration therapy afterward. The treatments also come with risks. Patients can experience panic attacks, paranoia, elevated heart rates or psychological distress during sessions. In some clinical environments, doctors use so called "rescue drugs" like benzodiazepines or antipsychotic medications to calm patients experiencing severe adverse reactions or overwhelming hallucinations. Phelan said her own experience with MDMA-assisted therapy felt less like intoxication and more like confronting years of trauma in a controlled setting. For veterans' advocates like Juliana Mercer, executive director of nonprofit Healing Breakthrough, the administration's order represents validation for patients who have spent years pushing for broader access to alternative mental health treatments. Mercer, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said psychedelic-assisted therapy "completely changed" her life after she struggled with trauma. "One of the things that this experience was able to give me was that permission to heal," said Mercer. Why now? As the Trump administration pursues VA staffing cuts and deeper military involvement with Iran, some veterans are increasingly questioning the prioritization of their care.Thus, some critics of the Trump administration have said that the executive order's timing is of particular importance as the president attempts to gain back veteran support ahead of the midterm elections. Phelan, however, rejected the idea that backing for psychedelic therapies will translate into into political support for Trump."They'd made so many cuts to veteran benefits and medical services," Phelan said. "Great, you did a good thing. You did a right thing ... I can't speak for how other people will react, but if that's the intention, I doubt it's effective."Some industry executives also argue the executive order may have less immediate impact than headlines suggest. Companies like Compass Pathways were already nearing the final stage of Phase 3 trials before the White House announcement, meaning FDA approval submissions were likely coming regardless. Nath, CEO or Compass Pathways, said the order primarily signals broader political acceptance of the field. "It certainly gives a significant tailwind, encouragement and validation," Nath said.— CNBC's Ryan Baker contributed to this report Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

Disney is selling ads for the Super Bowl, Oscars and Grammys in 2027, all major advertising revenue drivers. Global ad president Rita Ferro is leading the charge. View More

In this articleDISFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Rita Ferro at Disney Upfront 2026.Courtesy: Disney Co. As Rita Ferro, Disney president of global advertising, prepared to take the stage at the company's recent upfront presentation, she had actor Paul Anthony Kelly on her mind. Kelly recently portrayed John F. Kennedy Jr. in the limited FX TV series "Love Story," and met Ferro at an earlier event. After a fangirl moment that included an iPhone snapshot, Ferro requested that Kelly introduce her at the annual pitch to advertisers."That's the Disney difference: trust, innovation and unrivaled fandom. Not just with the stories they tell, but how they operate as a company," Kelly said on stage earlier this month. "And all of this is in large part due to Rita Ferro." "She claims to be my biggest fan, but honestly I think I'm hers," Kelly said. Ferro is a 29-year veteran at Disney and has risen through various roles to the top of its advertising business. That places her at the center of a media industry rediscovering the importance of advertising, as traditional TV, streaming, digital and social platforms all jockey for viewers and ad dollars. While Disney and other media companies held shows in mid-May to dazzle advertisers, the negotiations to lock in commitments are currently underway. Ferro said in interviews with CNBC that she thinks fandom — from sports to entertainment franchises — is key to driving the Disney portfolio and what unites the company's divisions under newly installed CEO Josh D'Amaro. "When you think of 'One Disney,'" Ferro said, referring to the strategy being undertaken by D'Amaro, "and all of the opportunities to tie in brand partnerships with our movie studio partners, [and] the corporate alliance pieces that can tie into park activations, it's a far more interesting and dynamic opportunity than just a traditional media sales role." Rita Ferro and Paul Anthony Kelly.Courtesy: Disney From MTV to Disney Ferro previously held roles at Disney at ESPN International, Disney Media Network's Kids and Family, and Disney Interactive, which no longer exists but had focused on the development and distribution of video and mobile games, social media and other digital products. In 2018, Ferro became president of advertising in the U.S., and in 2023, she took over the business globally. She now leads all advertising sales for Disney's entertainment, news and sports properties across linear TV, digital and streaming. "Everyday you're learning, everyday is different and we spend so much time outside learning our partners' businesses," she said. "That's what I love." The daughter of Cuban immigrants who came to the U.S. just before the start of the Cuban Revolution, Ferro was born and raised in Miami. She moved to New York City after graduating from Florida International University with the intention to become a copywriter and art director. After one class, she said, it became clear she wasn't suited for that career. Ferro said she soon got involved in fundraising for a production company that showcased Latino comedians and "realized that I was much better at that side." She got her start in the media ad industry working for MTV in Latin America before its official launch. "Those were the very early, early, early days of cable. MTV was maybe the second channel that launched in the region. In 1993 you're building an industry that doesn't exist," said Ferro of her first job. "So I'm very fortunate, because I also got to do things with no blueprint. It was a little unsophisticated and unpolished ... which I think I thrived in at the time."A few years later, her knowledge of Latin America and ability to speak Spanish helped Ferro land a job at Disney, which led her back to New York. She now resides in New Jersey with her husband and daughter, working in Disney's Manhattan office when she's not traveling for work. Ferro said prior to the company's upfront presentation earlier this month, she had hardly spent an uninterrupted week at home this year. Her schedule has included the CES trade show in Las Vegas, the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, and the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. That's in addition to visiting various Disney offices to see her global team and often attending sporting events with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. L-R: Lisa Sherman, Roger Goodell, Jimmy Pitaro and Rita Ferro.Courtesy: Disney Co. "One of the things that I admire most about her is the fact that she is in the field. You get to a certain level in sales and a lot of folks decide they're going to focus on managing the team," said Pitaro, one of three Disney leaders who Ferro reports to. "Rita does a fantastic job managing the team, but that is only a small part of what she considers her role to be."Colleagues of Ferro's, both internally at Disney and more broadly across the industry, noted in interviews that her path to the top of a media giant's ad business has been non-traditional. At the same time — perhaps serendipitously — her various roles over the years align with some of the main areas of growth now central to the media industry. Selling the Disney portfolio Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman speaks on stage during the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 16, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Valerie Macon | AFP | Getty Images Disney has not been immune to recent industry turmoil, undergoing consolidations, reorganizations and leadership changes. In March D'Amaro took over as CEO following Bob Iger's second stint at the helm of the company — that most recent tenure lasting less than four years and designed to fortify Disney's position in streaming, return the movie studio to its prior dominance and further propel its theme parks and experiences. On his first day as CEO, D'Amaro said his goal was to focus the company on "coming together as one Disney to deliver a more connected, personalized and immersive experience to our consumers." Earlier this month during the company's quarterly earnings call, CFO Hugh Johnston added it's "about how we create, distribute, engage, and monetize our stories and brands across the company in a way that increases the lifetime value of our consumers and drives compounding returns for our bottom line – and thus for our shareholders."Monetizing stories is where Ferro comes in. Her mandate spans entertainment TV networks — with marquee events like the Oscars and Grammys —streaming platforms Disney+ and Hulu and Disney's sports portfolio, mainly comprised of ESPN's linear and streaming options."Our portfolio is large, but it's easy to navigate for our advertisers because of the way Rita has structured it. I'll call it one-stop shopping for everything that they need," said Debra OConnell, chairman of Disney Entertainment Television and another of Ferro's bosses alongside Pitaro and Disney Entertainment Chairman Alan Bergman."She's always been a leader, and asks, 'How can I bring opportunities to clients that feel not only different, but also amplifying the engagement that a client could have with our audience?" said OConnell in an interview.Media companies have leaned into established intellectual property in the face of widespread industry challenges including the decline of traditional cable TV subscribers; the push to make streaming profitable in a highly competitive landscape; and the slow recovery of the theatrical industry after the Covid pandemic — all while fighting to regain consumers' attention that has shifted to social media platforms like TikTok. The Walt Disney Company and CEO Josh D'Amaro, ring the Opening Bell from the 2026 Disney Upfront at the North Javits Center in New York City on May 12, 2026. NYSE Amid the shift to streaming, advertising's role has only gained importance.Wall Street once rewarded media companies for streaming subscriber growth, but as those numbers have plateaued for most companies, the addition of ad-supported options has been a new measure of success. Although Hulu — which Disney acquired in pieces and took full control of in 2025 — was the first streamer to get in the advertising game, the company's flagship service, Disney+, launched in 2019, added a cheaper, ad tier in late 2022. During Disney's most recent quarterly report in early May, the company's entertainment segment reported that streaming revenue offset declines in both linear affiliate fees and advertising. Disney+ saw double-digit ad revenue growth compared to the same period last year. 'She's always delivering' As advertising reclaims the spotlight, live sports increasingly dominates the conversation. The category, which now grabs the biggest audiences and ad dollars, is seeing ever-rising media rights costs. The NFL is in the midst of an 11-year, $111 billion media rights deal, while the NBA is in the first season of its 11-year, $77 billion deal. Higher rights fees means a need to capture return on investment. At Disney, that means leveraging "the power of live [events] and sports, and the strength of ESPN's upcoming slate," Pitaro said in an interview. "[Ferro] gets and understands that," he said. "That also comes with responsibility, right? Sports rights are expensive and so they have to be monetized, not just through affiliate fees but through ad sales and sponsorships. And she's always delivering for us." This year ESPN will air the Super Bowl for the first time ever, and the game will return to Disney's broadcast network ABC after 20 years. Super Bowl ads, which garner record money each year, are reportedly expected to sell for $10 million per 30-second spot. Disney's bet on sports and streaming amplified last August when the company launched the ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming app, which features all of the content from its TV network as well as exclusive programming. "To me, live sports is just massively, massively valuable to to us," said CFO Johnston at a recent investor conference. "More importantly, it's massively valuable to advertisers because they want these big aggregated audiences and they value that tremendously." ESPN rings The Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 21, 2025.NYSE Getting ahead with tech Emerging as a key differentiator in global advertising, and on display during this year's upfront presentations, is technology. "We've really redone our ad tech stack in a way that allows us to target for advertisers much, much more effectively," Johnston said at an early March investor conference. For Disney, that's included the buildout of tools and offerings to unite streaming and linear TV for ad buyers; expanding measurement partnerships; creating Disney's Audience Graph, essentially its own in-house first-party data about viewership; and in 2025 unveiling its ad-supported monthly active user methodology. "That was very clear to me, that if we were to compete we needed to control our destiny," rather than rely on a third-party platform, Ferro said. These additions have debuted as part of Disney's Tech and Data showcase at CES, which began in 2021, and serves as the unofficial kickoff to the upfront. Many ad tech and data firms offer these services to allow for better targeting as advertisers are demanding increasingly accurate audience measurement. "She's had the clarity of thought to say, 'We need to be a tech-driven, data-driven organization with platforms that can compete at the level of Google and Meta,'" said Kevin Krim, CEO of ad data firm EDO. "Disney was early in investing in that stuff and aggressive in a way I think others sort of hesitated and then later went all in." Rita Ferro at Disney Upfront 2026.Courtesy: Disney Co. Much of Disney's in-house tech has been integral as advertisers look for specifics to target viewers and measures outcomes. Josh Mattison, executive vice president of digital revenue pricing, planning and operations at Disney, who reports to Ferro, said in an interview that Ferro made a point to learn the ins and outs of the digital tools at Disney's disposal. "She understood the importance of having your own ad tech stack in order to scale globally and respond to the market's expectations," Mattison said. "If you look at one dimension of how Rita leads, it's through the lens of not just embracing technology, but really driving technology, both within Disney, but also taking a position in the industry of how important it is for customers and how important it is for our business." Tapping into international Ferro's next frontier is one that calls back to the beginning of her career. International growth has emerged as a priority for many media companies, especially streaming services that see much of their additions outside of the U.S. The same is true for Disney. "Disney+ has meaningful opportunity for growth internationally, and we're focused on scaling outside the U.S.," D'Amaro said during the company's most recent quarterly earnings call. "We are increasing our local content investments, and early results — they're encouraging."For Ferro, this translates to building out the ad-supported streaming business abroad in a similar way to what she's done in the U.S."I started my career international, and so I'm very passionate about the international part of my job," Ferro said. "The U.S. business is not only mature, but there is a like a cadence, if you will, that's very regular." In comparison, she said, international markets come with more variety and more to learn. This summer, Ferro plans to go to Paris for VivaTech, which she described as "the CES of Europe." She'll take her mother with her to celebrate the elder's 80th birthday. While in Paris, Ferro said she plans to meet with companies and discuss how the nuances of international markets can improve Disney's business. "For me, that's super exciting," Ferro said. "There's a vibrancy and an opportunity that you're like, 'OK, I could really make an impact here." Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

Koizumi calls for transparency and dialog as he addresses tensions in the region. View More

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 29, 2026. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP via Getty Images)Jam Sta Rosa | Afp | Getty Images "Japan's door to dialog is always open" to the international community even as it increases defense spending and revises its arms exports guidelines, according to defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi.Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Koizumi said that Tokyo has consistently respected international law, adding that "Japan's path as a peace-loving nation has been valued by the region and by the international community. This fact will not be shaken by false claims because it is a fact."He also said about accusations Japan is engaging in "neo-militarism" that there's "nothing further from the truth."China's defense ministry on May 28 had called on the international community to jointly contain Japan's "neo-militarism," according to state media outlet Xinhua.Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its constitution, which renounces war and the maintenance of armed forces.Koizumi said, "Think about it. There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labeled neo-militarist. Isn't it strange?" The Japanese defense minister highlighted Beijing's lack of a ministerial-level official at the Dialogue, saying that he was "feeling sad" that he was unable to meet with Chinese counterpart Dong Jun at the forum. Koizumi said that differences in perception and frictions do arise between nations, but that a repetition of "unfounded claims in the other side's absence" was not what was needed.Beijing had sent a lower-level delegation led by Major General Meng Xiangqing from the People's Liberation Army National Defence University, after Dong skipped the Dialogue for a second year running. Earlier at the Dialogue, Meng had taken a swipe at Tokyo, noting that 2026 was the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, where Japanese leaders were tried for their crimes in World War II in 1946. Transparency In his remarks, Koizumi also called for "trust, transparency and talks" in the Asia-Pacific, so as to maintain peace and security in the region. The Japanese defense minister said transparency is "the baseline for reducing tensions and preventing crises." He said that Tokyo will build up its defense capabilities with a "high level" of transparency," and added that Japan is reinforcing these capabilities because of new ways of warfare that are emerging around the world, including AI, cyber warfare and the usage of unmanned systems. "We will make the necessary preparations with a sense of responsibility," Koizumi added. Koizumi, also said that China continues to increase its defense spending at a high level and is "rapidly expanding its military capabilities across a wide range of areas without sufficient transparency."The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation had noted back November 2022 that its members were concerned about China's rapid and opaque military buildup, according to Reuters. This has caused serious concern to Tokyo and in the international community, with Koizumi also saying that Japan believes it is essential to have "persistent, candid dialog and communication" without shying away from difficult issues.He acknowledged that nations will have different positions and views, "but that is precisely because we need to have talks." Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

Dizzyingly deep pits from large-scale mining scar India's ancient Aravalli mountains, threatening the future of a forested buffer that New Delhi relies on for protection from furnace-hot desert winds. "If we don't protect the Aravalli, the northern Gangetic plains -- which is a food basket for the rest of the country -- would become a desert," he said. View More

Neem ka Thana: Dizzyingly deep pits from large-scale mining scar India's ancient Aravalli mountains, threatening the future of a forested buffer that New Delhi relies on for protection from furnace-hot desert winds. Residents have long protested that the hills of the 700-kilometre (435-mile) range are being torn apart by unchecked mining, to feed an insatiable hunger for concrete in some of the world's fastest-growing cities. Late last year, India's top court ordered a ban on new mining licenses in the region, but some fear the move comes too late. Loss of the hills is boosting already dangerously hot city temperatures, raising the risk of desertification, and worsening health problems, experts warn. For those living in the Aravallis, which stretch from western Gujarat state through Rajasthan to the heart of New Delhi, the consequences are already existential. Live Events "Mining has destroyed our region," said Salle Kumar, a 34-year-old farmer who lives in a village sandwiched between two massive mines in Rajasthan. "Our rivers are dead, our farms barren." ' Violently shakes' Lung disease is also common, residents say. "There is a blanket of dust all day from all the mining and stone crushing," said Subhash Saini, whose brother died from what private doctors said was silicosis, an illness caused by breathing in dust. A government hospital insisted it was tuberculosis, although silicosis can also make people more susceptible to TB. Most of the Aravallis lie in Rajasthan, and a quarter of the state's hills have been quarried, a 2018 Supreme Court-constituted committee found. Mines extract gneiss and granite for construction from the gigantic pits that now ring the village of Chatru Ki Dhani, home to fewer than 200 people. When AFP visited, explosions rang repeatedly through the burning hot air, as blasts split stone for mining. At villager Om Prakash Verma's home, the constant activity has left cracks in the walls. Other homes have simply collapsed, residents said. "The earth violently shakes every time there is a blast, which is all day all night," said Verma, who described quarry workers beating his aunt when she joined protests against the mines. 'Alarmist claims' India's environment ministry says just 0.19 percent or 277 square kilometres (106 square miles) of the Aravalli landscape is open to mining. "Contrary to alarmist claims, there is no imminent threat to the Aravallis' ecology," it said in a December statement. But independent audits suggest a much wider mining footprint. A 2020 report by India's Comptroller and Auditor General, using satellite imagery and field verification, found around 34 percent of surveyed licensed mines extended beyond their legal boundaries. A 2025 judicial committee found 2,339 square kilometres of mines in the Rajasthan portion of the Aravallis alone. The scale of illegal activity means the Supreme Court's December decision to ban new mining licenses is too little, too late, activists say. "Most existing mining leases are flawed and given without proper verification," said veteran anti-mining campaigher Kailash Meena. "On top of that, there is widespread illegal extraction -- as audit after audit has confirmed." 'Physical barrier' The Aravallis' degradation will affect all of northern India, experts say. The range is a "physical barrier for dust storms and heat waves" from the western Thar desert, said ecologist C.R. Babu. The desert is already advancing eastwards, threatening the river floodplains of the Ganges, he warned. "If we don't protect the Aravalli, the northern Gangetic plains -- which is a food basket for the rest of the country -- would become a desert," he said. Delhi, where temperatures in May hit 45C for several days running, is at particular risk of becoming "a dust bowl with extreme heat load," he said. Activists like Meena, whose brother died of lung disease two decades ago, say they have repeatedly warned of these consequences. "For years we have called for a crackdown on mining," he said. "But now that urban dwellers realise their cities are getting hotter, everyone now wants to save the Aravallis." Parts of the hills, which peak at 1,722 metres (5,813 feet), still house dwindling populations of leopards, sloth bears, hyena and antelope. They offer a glimpse of what has been lost, with resilient shrubs painting the rolling hills dark green. In Rajasthan's Bhagwanpura village, 18-year-old Nikita Meena and fellow residents have camped on a hilltop since January to stop miners entering one of the last untouched stretches. "Come what may, we will not let the miners come here," she said. "All mining brings is destruction." .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

With Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO ahead, retail investors are rushing into space-themed ETFs including NASA which offers direct access to the rocket company. View More

In this articleNASAUFOROKTARKXSPRXFLYORBXRONBXOVRWARPMARSFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch nowVIDEO4:4904:49How ETF investors are getting in on SpaceX IPO and boom in space investingETF Edge Retail investors are rushing into the space investing trade ahead of the SpaceX IPO, and one ETF has cashed in on the excitement.Tema ETFs' Space Innovators ETF, which launched on March 30 and trades under the ticker symbol NASA, crossed $1 billion in assets in just 37 trading days, and by the end of this past trading week, had reached over $2.6 billion in assets. That rapid rise is due in part to retail investors hunting for exposure to SpaceX before it goes public.While SpaceX has taken an unusual approach to its offering, setting up access for retail investors through brokerage firms at a level atypical in new deals typically dominated by institutions, the NASA fund is another alternative for investors to gain access to Elon Musk's rocket company. It already holds privately traded SpaceX shares directly. It is one of the few investment vehicles available to retail investors that does, with SpaceX currently representing around 7.5% of the fund. "If we're going to invest in space ... We have to offer exposure to SpaceX," said Maurits Pot, Tema ETFs founder and CEO on CNBC's "ETF Edge" on Wednesday.Pot said there is no plan to sell shares once the IPO occurs. "The IPO for us is simply a remarking of the position to market price," he said. Stock Chart IconStock chart iconNASA 1 M NASA isn't the only ETF that has access to SpaceX, though the options are limited. Mutual fund manager and billionaire Ron Baron, a long-time Tesla and SpaceX investor, owns the rocket company through his First Principles fund (RONB). Tesla is the top holding in the RONB ETF, at over 14%, while holding close to 2% of the fund's assets in SpaceX. The ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF (XOVR), which offers access to late-stage private companies, also owns shares of SpaceX, which it says are worth close to $300 million based on an expected IPO value of over $1.5 trillion.Setting a precise valuation for the SpaceX deal remains a point of contention in the market and among investors ahead of the deal's pricing.Mike Akins, founding partner at ETF Action, said on "ETF Edge" that the ETF structure itself is what makes this kind of access possible for the everyday investor. "Ten, twenty years ago, you talked about a space theme like this, an investor would have to go out and look up all these companies. Now there's a ticker," Akins said.Todd Sohn, chief ETF strategist at Strategas, noted that several new space ETFs have launched over the past few months, including the Van Eck Space ETF (WARP), the Global X Space Tech ETF (ORBX), and Roundhill Investments' Space & Technology ETF (MARS), which is itself a signal that retail investors are expected to pursue the theme as they have with other recent thematic trades playing off tech innovation, from AI to quantum computing. "That to me is usually a pretty good read that the industry expects space to be the next big thing," Sohn told CNBC. "It's a very similar idea to what AI was a few years ago and continuing on."Six space-themed ETFs in all debuted over the past three months. But Sohn cautioned that not all funds are created equal. "It all depends on how pure or watered down the ETF is. So the due diligence for this is really important now," he said.There are other ETFs branded under the space investing theme that have been in the market for years already, building portfolios of stocks that include pure-play, high-risk space exploration companies, satellite companies, and broader aerospace and defense sector names.The Procure Space ETF (UFO), which launched in 2019 and has over $1.2 billion in assets, holds Rocket Lab, Firefly Aerospace, and Planet Labs among its top holdings. The SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT), which launched in 2018, also holds Intuitive Machines and Redwire. Stock Chart IconStock chart iconFive-year performance of UFO ETF which invests in space and aerospace stocks. The ARK Space and Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX) is a good example of how the definitional set of top stocks can range far across the market, with its portfolio also including Amazon and Deere.Sohn says investors interested in these ETFs and the space investing theme should consider how much overlap there is in a portfolio with more classic defense industry names, as well as how concentrated the fund is in a small group of high-risk stocks."There's only so many companies who are doing this that are public," Sohn said. "Some of them may have 30 holdings, some of them may have closer to 50 or so," he said of the current crop of space ETFs. "I have a feeling once SpaceX is public and trading for some time, you're going to see some of these funds morph into more concentrated bets, depending on how they are managed," he said.That's another factor for investors to consider: NASA, for example, is an actively managed fund, rather than tracking an existing index of stocks designed to represent the theme, which is the approach of UFO, ORBX, ROKT and others. Investors will pay more for an actively managed approach from a stock picker in space: NASA has an annual net expense ratio of 0.87%, while ORBX charges 0.50%, and ROKT's expense ratio is 0.45%.It is clear that Elon Musk is going to be a big winner from the SpaceX IPO and likely the world's first trillionaire. But both Akins and Sohn said the biggest risk for retail investors getting in on the space theme is volatility.The risks in the space market were made vivid this week with the launchpad explosion of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. "Expect volatility. That is usually what happens with very early-stage industries. There will be companies that outperform and companies within ETFs that fall apart because the business model doesn't make sense," Sohn said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market. Disclaimer Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.