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Happy Friday. In a saga of two viral hotspots, Polymarket is planning a pop-up bar in Washington, D.C., and a New York City pharmacy is booming after being featured on FX’s “Love Story.”
Stock futures fell this morning after another losing day on Wall Street.
Here are five important things investors need to know to start their trading day.
1. Dow in the dump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026.
Ronen Zvrun | Reuters
Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that Israel supports the US reopening of the Strait of Hormuz sparked optimism among investors. Still, Wall Street is coming off a chaotic week across asset classes.
Here’s what you need to know:
2. Hold the line
U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speak with reporters during a tour of the $2.5 billion Federal Reserve Headquarters renovation project in Washington, DC, July 24, 2025.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images
President Donald Trump suggested yesterday that the Justice Department should continue its investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell even after a judge blocked a subpoena issued last week as part of the investigation. “All I want to do is expose the public that this man may be an incompetent, very incompetent, dishonest man,” Trump said.
However, as CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger points out, if the investigation continues, it could complicate confirmation of Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee to replace Powell. Sen. Thom Tillis (R.N.C.) has vowed not to approve any Fed nominee until the investigation is resolved.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has indicated it may issue a decision today, meaning it could rule on President Trump’s efforts to fire Federal Reserve President Lisa Cook.
3. Supply chain disruption
Garrett Mauf applies fertilizer to a field on his family’s farm in Lamar, Colorado, on January 21, 2026.
RJ Sangosti | The Denver Post via Getty Images | The Denver Post | Getty Images
It’s not just oil. The war between the United States and Iran threatens the world’s supply of helium, a key ingredient in semiconductor manufacturing.
Before the war, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that Qatar produced more than a third of the world’s helium. However, Qatar Energy facilities that produce gas as a by-product have been shut down following attacks by Iranian drones.
Meanwhile, fertilizer prices are rising due to traffic disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. As CNBC’s Garrett Downs points out, rising prices could give Democrats an affordable sell in farm-heavy states ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
4. Going further
Pablo Gonchar | SOPA Images | Light Rocket | Getty Images
Meta Yesterday, it reversed its decision to shut down Horizon World after fans of the virtual reality platform spoke out.
Technical director Andrew Bosworth said Meta decided to continue Horizon World in existing games “to support our fans who have reached out.” Earlier this week, the tech company announced it would completely remove the platform from Quest VR headsets in June.
As CNBC’s Lola Murti points out, Horizon Worlds’ popularity pales in comparison to that of its competitors. CNBC previously reported that the platform never exceeded hundreds of thousands of monthly users. roblox It regularly has more than 100 million daily active users.
5. Novo’s next shot
A Wegovy injection pen located in Waterbury, Vermont, USA on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Shelby Knowles | Bloomberg | Getty Images
High-dose weight loss drugs may soon be on the market.
The Food and Drug Administration approved a more powerful version yesterday. novo nordiskWe Goby. A phase 3 study showed that obese patients lost an average of more than 20% in weight after 72 weeks, compared to about 15% for standard doses in clinical trials.
As CNBC’s Annika Kim Constantino reports, the new version, scheduled to launch next month, comes as Novo looks to regain market share from rivals. Eli Lilly.
daily dividend
Here are some of the stories you may have missed this week.
—CNBC’s Sean Conlon, Chloe Taylor, Kevin Brueninger, Lisa Kailai Han, Garrett Downs, Laura Murti and Annika Kim Constantino contributed to this report. Josephine Rozzelle edited this version.
