Apple released its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, seven years after Samsung introduced its own. The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999. The company also rolled out iPhone 18 Pro and Max models priced $100 higher than last year's versions.
The iPhone Duo features external and internal screens, a fingerprint sensor on its side, and a titanium case. Social media commentary focused on a visible crease along the fold, though observers noted it is less pronounced than competing designs.
The U.S. Treasury announced it will buy up to $6 billion in government bonds during an operation scheduled for Thursday, tripling the normal buyback amount. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had stated less than a month earlier that the department would double its bond buybacks to $4 billion. Future operations will involve at least $4 billion and will focus on 10- and 20-year notes.
The move aims to maintain liquidity in government debt markets and cap Treasury yields, which had reached levels unseen since before the 2008 financial crisis. Despite the intervention, yields rose further, with long-dated securities gaining as much as five basis points each before easing.
Elevated bond yields combined with surging oil prices weighed on equities. The S&P 500 fell 0.5 percent, the Nasdaq dropped 0.6 percent, and the Dow Jones slid 0.8 percent—marking a third consecutive day of losses for all three major indexes.
Brent crude crossed the $100-a-barrel mark Wednesday, reaching $101.21. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures gained 3.3 percent, closing at $96.05. Both benchmarks hit their highest close since May, with oil prices continuing higher in early Asia trading Thursday.
President Donald Trump's personal energy portfolio surged by millions as global markets reacted to his directives in Iran. Between Feb. 27, the eve of the conflict, and Aug. 31, his nine largest oil and gas holdings gained approximately $1.5 million to $4.4 million, according to an analysis of Trump's annual financial disclosure, quarterly corporate reports, and FactSet market data. No evidence indicates Trump or his investment managers traded on advance knowledge.
Apple shares traded at $315.34 today, down 0.3 percent.
