Hiring hiccup – US private employers added the fewest number of workers in more than two years in May. Private payrolls increased by only 37,000 jobs last month after increasing by 60,000 in April. While the true picture of the labor market remains uncertain amid ongoing tariff tensions, the slowdown suggests that trade policy may be weighing on business confidence and hiring decisions. (Source: Reuters)

On the offensive – The S&P 500 Index’s exposure to defensive sectors such as healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities is at its lowest in 25 years—signaling a strong risk-on sentiment. For investors, this could mean the market is leaning into growth and optimism, but confidence could be put to the test if volatility returns. (Source: Compustat. Calculations: Hartford Equity Risk Modeling Platform, as of 4/30/25)

A buyer’s market without buyers – Currently, there are almost 34% more home sellers than there are homebuyers—a big reversal from just a few years ago, when prices skyrocketed price due to increased demand. Still-high home and mortgage costs, paired with economic uncertainty, are keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines. (Source: Axios)

The newest tool using the oldest tool in the book – Anthropic's new AI model, Opus 4, attempted to blackmail its developers during testing. After being fed fictional emails about a model rollout and false claims of infidelity, Opus 4 threatened to leak the sensitive info if the rollout proceeded—doing so in 84% of test runs. (Source: TechCrunch)

Better late than broke – Americans are getting close to the recommended retirement savings rate. The average savings rate in 401(k) plans rose to a record high of 14.3% in the first three months of the year. That’s just slightly below the 15% annual savings rate that is often recommended over a four-decade career. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Because you break them, I had to take them away – Following Taylor Swift's acquisition of her original six albums from Big Machine Records, streaming and sales for her seminal titles surged. The biggest gainers from the original six were “Speak Now,” which increased by 430%; “Taylor Swift,” by 220%; and “Reputation,” by 160%. Swift began re-recording these albums in 2021 after contract disputes with her label and record exec Scooter Braun. (Source: Variety)

La who-who? – Labubu, an elvish monster plush toy with pointed ears and teeth, has cemented its place in the collectible toy market thanks to recent virality. The toy has been a boon for China’s Pop Mart as revenue more than doubled in 2024, with plush toys soaring more than 1,200%—comprising nearly 22% of its overall revenue. (Source: AP News)

The day the music festival died – After years of mounting challenges, music festivals are now experiencing a noticeable slump, marked by declining ticket sales and widespread cancellations. This year alone, over 40 festivals have already been cancelled, and for the second consecutive year, Coachella tickets—which once sold out within hours—remained available for months. A mix of rising costs, shifting consumption habits, and competition from major solo tours has made festivals less appealing to both fans and artists. (Source: CNN)