Structural Shifts in Higher Education

More Colleges Are Closing. It’s About Time
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/more-colleges-are-closing-its-about-time-3786b33a
The market for higher education isn’t failing, but it’s taking an awfully long time to adjust.
 
Will A.I. Make College Obsolete?
https://www.newyorker.com/news/fault-lines/will-ai-make-college-obsolete
Americans already distrust institutions, including academia. More and more people may decide that its stamp of approval isn’t worth the cost. 

AI Boom and the Stock Market Rally

Six reasons why America’s stock market rally could keep going
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/06/six-reasons-why-americas-stock-market-rally-could-keep-goin/
The S&P 500 hit a record high even in the face of growing economic uncertainty.
 

South Korea’s KOSPI: The world's hottest stock market just minted a trillion-dollar tech giant
https://www.businessinsider.com/south-korea-stock-market-samsung-1-trillion-club-ai-boom-2026-5

The A.I. Industry Is Booming. When Will It Actually Make Money?
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-financial-page/the-ai-industry-is-booming-when-will-it-actually-make-money
As Elon Musk sues his former OpenAI partners, A.I. companies are expanding rapidly, but profits are still scarce. 

Related:

https://www.wsj.com/tech/memory-makers-are-the-hottest-thing-in-tech-are-they-making-too-much-money-bad375da

China and the Iran War

How the Iran War Is Shifting Power Toward China
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-the-iran-war-is-shifting-power-toward-china
As the U.S.’s credibility and military capacity are tested abroad, China has gained leverage by staying out of the fight and learning from it. 

Global Current Account Imbalances

Imbalances are back on the global agenda
https://www.ft.com/content/72ab51ed-8dcc-46c5-8457-6944d98bf280

Impact of High Gas Prices

The 'K-shaped economy' has shown up at the gasoline pump
https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/the-k-shaped-economy-has-shown-up-at-the-gasoline-pump-172111222.html
Low-income households have seen the lowest increase in nominal gas spending because they have cut down their consumption by the largest margin. Conversely, high-income households have seen the largest jump in spending because they have done the least to reduce their consumption. ...
The same economic movements are holding true now, the analysis said. When energy prices skyrocket, low-income households reduce their consumption, while higher-income households may only slightly moderate their own consumption. 

America’s Army of Supercommuters Is Reeling Over High Gas Prices
https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/high-gas-prices-wreak-havoc-on-americas-army-of-supercommuters-99ee6cc0
While real estate far from big cities is cheaper, filling up for long drives has become painful.

AI and Layoffs

AI Is Forcing CEOs to Make a Stark Choice: Lay Off Workers or Make Them Do More
https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-is-forcing-ceos-to-make-a-stark-choice-lay-off-workers-or-make-them-do-more-6b1ed771
Company bosses are splitting into two camps, but neither are calling for more hiring anytime soon.
 
See the Corporate Layoffs So Far in 2026
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/layoffs-2026-tracker-784ea69f
Private-sector job cuts were down 1% in the first quarter, but AI led to 40% more layoffs in tech. 

Resilient Global Economy

Here’s What’s Shoring Up the Global Economy During the Energy Shock
https://www.wsj.com/economy/global/global-economy-iran-energy-abd8828f
In the two months since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, many of the world’s major economies have been soldiering on.