What are today's top business/market headlines?

The top business and market headlines for Wednesday, November 4, 2026, are dominated by the market reaction to the U.S. midterm elections, major corporate earnings, massive capital raises, and significant legal resolutions.

1. Stock Futures Slip and Dollar Softens as Early Midterm Results Signal Potential Democratic Sweep

U.S. stock futures erased earlier gains and the U.S. dollar softened as early vote counts and prediction markets (such as Kalshi and Polymarket) pointed to a rising probability of a Democratic sweep of Congress. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures slid as investors braced for the potential of legislative gridlock or increased regulation, particularly around artificial intelligence. The midterm results are being heavily scrutinized as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term.

2. Apple Hits Record $114.5 Billion Revenue, but Shares Slide on Holiday Margin Warning

Apple reported blockbuster results for its fiscal fourth quarter, posting a record September quarter revenue of $114.5 billion (up 12% year-over-year), bringing its total fiscal 2026 revenue to a massive $479 billion. Despite beating top-line expectations, Apple's stock slid roughly 2% due to a disappointing gross margin forecast for the crucial holiday quarter, which the company blamed on the rising costs of memory chips.

3. Tech and AI Stocks Rally to Lift Broad Market, Halting Correction

Despite Apple's individual slide, U.S. technology stocks staged a strong recovery to close out Tuesday. Chip giant Nvidia gained 2.3%, Broadcom rose 3.1%, and hyperscalers Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta Platforms all climbed over 2%. The rebound helped the S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq recover from a recent brief correction driven by investor anxiety over the viability of massive AI capital expenditures.

4. Meta Launches a $15 Billion Bond Sale to Fuel AI Infrastructure

Meta Platforms capitalized on strong investor demand by raising $15 billion through a massive U.S. dollar bond sale. This blockbuster debt offering highlights the aggressive, multi-billion-dollar race among Big Tech hyperscalers to fund the massive data center infrastructure and high-performance hardware required for the next phase of artificial intelligence.

5. 3M Reaches $5.8 Billion Settlement Over PFAS Personal Injury Claims

3M announced a comprehensive agreement to resolve personal injury claims tied to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or "forever chemicals") inside and outside the ongoing South Carolina Multi-District Litigation. Under the deal, 3M will pay a nominal $7.35 billion over a nine-year period (representing a present value of $5.8 billion). The company will record a pre-tax charge in Q4 2026 but expects its previously issued full-year guidance to remain unaffected.

6. Oil Prices Slip Toward $103 Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Global oil benchmark Brent crude fell more than 1% to settle at $103.60 a barrel. The decline comes amid shifting geopolitics in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine peace talks slated for mid-November. Market volatility was also impacted by remarks from President Trump indicating that the U.S. plans to end $4 billion in annual military funding to Israel "by the end of this year".