Financial Daily News — 2026-07-29
AI spending, a divided Federal Reserve decision, and fresh megacap earnings dominated the market narrative, while fewer verified developments emerged across robotics, batteries, aerospace, and crypto.
News
Microsoft and Meta results highlight sharply rising AI expenses
Microsoft and Meta reported quarterly results after the July 29 close, with both companies facing substantially higher AI infrastructure costs. Microsoft increased profits, while Meta reported a sharp earnings decline as expenses rose faster than revenue.
Microsoft earnings put AI infrastructure spending back in focus
Microsoft’s quarterly results renewed investor attention on the cost of expanding cloud and AI infrastructure, with the company’s profit growth contrasting with Meta’s more severe expense pressure.
U.N. renewable-powered AI data-center goal faces practical constraints
The United Nations called for data centers to run on renewable energy by 2030 and urged greater transparency around their energy, water, and land use. Industry observers said the target faces significant practical challenges because data-center demand is expanding faster than renewable generation and grid infrastructure.
Federal Reserve holds rates steady despite three dissenting votes
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest-rate range unchanged at approximately 3.5%–3.75% for a fifth consecutive meeting. Three regional Fed presidents—Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie Logan—favored a quarter-point rate increase, underscoring concern about persistent inflation.
Earnings
Microsoft — MSFT
Microsoft reported fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 earnings after the market close on July 29. The main takeaway was continued profit growth alongside rising AI-related infrastructure costs; a verified beat-or-miss assessment is not included here.
Meta Platforms — META
Meta reported second-quarter 2026 earnings after the market close on July 29. The company reported sharply higher expenses and a decline in earnings, with AI investment weighing on profitability; a verified beat-or-miss assessment is not included here.
Sources
- axios.com (as of 2026-07-29)
- axios.com (as of 2026-07-28)
- apnews.com (as of 2026-07-29)