Stardust Power Joins U.S. Defense Department's Cornerstone Consortium
Catch up on the top industries and stocks that were impacted, or were predicted to be impacted, by the comments, actions and policies of President Donald Trump with this daily recap compiled by The Fly.NOT GOING BACK FOR APPROVAL:President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social, "As President, I do not have to go back to Congress to get approval of Tariffs. It has already been gotten, in many forms, a long time ago! They were also just reaffirmed by the ridiculous and poorly crafted supreme court decision!"REFUND OF DUTIES:FedExhas filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade that seeks a refund for President Trump's emergency tariffs after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the levies were "illegal", Reuters.DOJ CLAIMS:The U.S. Justice Department announced that it has reached a settlement with CarMaxto resolve allegations that CarMax violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by illegally repossessing motor vehicles owned by members of the military. As part of the settlement, CarMax will pay at least $420,000 in damages to servicemembers and a civil penalty of $79,380 to the United States. The Department alleges that CarMax repossessed servicemember vehicles without obtaining court orders as required by federal law, as well as repossessed some vehicles even after owners told CarMax that they were in military service. CarMax also allegedly failed to extend SCRA protections to reservists who had received orders to report for active duty. In addition to paying a civil penalty and compensation to harmed individuals, CarMax will revise its policies and procedures to ensure that the rights of U.S. servicemembers are protected in the future. The SCRA is a federal law that provides legal and financial protections for servicemembers and their families. The law prevents an auto finance or leasing company from repossessing a servicemember's vehicle without first obtaining a court order, as long as the servicemember made at least one payment on the vehicle before entering military service. For members of a reserve component, the protections begin on the date the member receives orders to military service.PENTAGON DEAL:xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by TeslaCEO Elon Musk, has signed a deal with the Pentagon to allow the U.S. military to use Grok, xAI's model, in classified systems, a Department of Defence official told' Dave Lawler and Maria Curi. Up until now, Anthropic's Claude model has served as the sole model available in the systems on which the Pentagon's most sensitive intelligence work, weapons development, and battlefield operations take place, but the department is threatening Anthropic in a spat over safeguards and may have to find a replacement AI model, the authors note.CORNERSTONE CONSORTIUM:Stardust Powerhas joined the Cornerstone Consortium, a U.S. Department of Defense aligned collaborative framework focused on strengthening the domestic industrial base and securing critical supply chains. The Cornerstone Consortium brings together a broad range of domestically held organizations, including the U.S. Department of Defense, traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, small businesses, private equity firms, academic institutions, and federally funded research and development centers. The consortium supports collaboration across 18 industrial base sectors, including critical minerals & materials, to address capability gaps, supply chain vulnerabilities, and manufacturing resiliency essential to U.S. economic and national security. Stardust Power's participation aligns with Cornerstone's focus on accelerating the research, development, qualification, and integration of critical manufacturing capabilities into U.S. supply chains. As a developer of domestic lithium refining capacity, the Company believes its involvement supports national efforts to reduce reliance on foreign-sourced critical minerals and strengthen the U.S. industrial ecosystem underpinning energy storage, electrification, and defense-adjacent technologies. "Joining the Cornerstone Consortium reinforces our commitment to advancing secure, U.S.-based lithium supply chains that are critical to both economic competitiveness and national security," said Roshan Pujari, Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Power. "As we advance our Muskogee refinery toward construction and commissioning, participation in Cornerstone allows us to engage alongside government, industry, and research partners focused on strengthening America's critical minerals and manufacturing base."
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on FDX
About FDX
About the author
FedEx Shares Surge Due to Sector Trends
- Significant Stock Surge: FedEx shares have soared nearly 50% over the past year, with a remarkable 20.1% increase in February alone, driven by both sector trends and company-specific factors, reflecting strong market confidence in its future growth.
- ETF Holdings: As of February 2026, FedEx ranks among the top five holdings in two major transportation sector ETFs, which collectively manage about $1.5 billion in assets, indicating investor optimism regarding its long-term performance.
- Strategic Priorities: FedEx has outlined four strategic priorities to achieve its 2029 financial goals, focusing on high-margin commercial business and enhancing its digital and AI capabilities, which will help boost profits and create value for shareholders.
- Investor Day Highlights: During the Investor Day on February 12, FedEx emphasized its growth potential in high-margin sectors and projected that its upcoming fiscal third-quarter earnings will exceed market expectations, further bolstering investor confidence in its future performance.
FedEx Stock Surges Nearly 50% Over Last Year
- Strong Stock Growth: FedEx (FDX) has seen its stock price rise nearly 50% over the past 12 months, with a remarkable 20.1% increase just in February, reflecting robust performance in the transportation sector and a recovery in market confidence.
- Sector Shift Benefits: As investors pivot from tech stocks to industrials, FedEx has become one of the top five holdings in two major transportation ETFs, which collectively manage about $1.5 billion in assets, further solidifying its market position.
- Strategic Transformation Plan: During its Investor Day on February 12, FedEx outlined a four-pronged strategy focusing on enhancing high-margin businesses, advancing digital and AI capabilities, and plans to spin off its freight division by June 1, 2026, aimed at driving profit growth.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company raised its revenue and earnings guidance for fiscal 2026 in December and expects its upcoming third-quarter earnings report to exceed consensus estimates, indicating strong profitability and ongoing growth potential.
Court Denies Trump Administration's Request to Delay Tariff Refunds
- Tariff Refund Progress: A federal court denied the Trump administration's request to delay the refund of billions in tariffs, stating that there is no reason to postpone the issuance of the mandate, which will expedite the refund process for small businesses and alleviate their financial burdens.
- Small Business Benefits: The U.S. Court of International Trade is now authorized to begin formulating relief for small businesses that successfully contested Trump's global tariffs, with lawyers indicating they will proceed immediately to handle the refunds, potentially improving cash flow for these businesses.
- Supreme Court Decision Impact: Last month, the Supreme Court invalidated $133 billion in tariffs, and while it did not rule on the matter of refunds, this decision provides legal support for small businesses seeking refunds, likely encouraging more businesses to engage in litigation.
- Trump Administration's Response: Trump questioned whether the case could be reheard; however, the DOJ did not signal any intention to request a Supreme Court review, indicating a potentially passive stance from the administration on this issue.
Three Stocks Poised for Significant Gains from Tariff Reductions
Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs without Congressional consent, leading to the immediate vacating of all tariffs imposed under that authority.
Market Reaction: Following the ruling, the market reacted with confusion, as the new effective tariff rate was slightly reduced, but the overall sentiment was more subdued than celebratory, indicating uncertainty among investors.
Temporary Tariffs: The tariffs established under Section 122 are temporary and must be reauthorized by Congress after 150 days, which could coincide with mid-term elections, adding political complexity to the situation.
Potential Refunds: Companies affected by the tariffs are seeking refunds, with estimates suggesting that around $175 billion was collected under the IEEPA tariffs, and successful lawsuits could lead to significant financial relief for many businesses.
FedEx Suspends Services in Middle East Region
- Service Suspension Announcement: FedEx has announced the temporary suspension of pickup and delivery services across Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE until further notice, highlighting the direct impact of the regional situation on logistics operations.
- Risk of Transit Delays: The company warned that due to airspace closures in the Middle East, flights to and from Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have been suspended, potentially leading to longer transit times for shipments to and from other markets, which could disrupt clients' supply chain management.
- Ongoing Situation Monitoring: FedEx stated it is closely monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it is safe to do so, reflecting the company's commitment to customer service and sensitivity to market dynamics.
- Industry Impact Assessment: This service disruption may affect relevant logistics companies including UPS, DHL, and XPO, indicating the potential threat of the Middle East situation to the global logistics network and possibly leading to a decline in overall industry operational efficiency.
U.S.-Israel Airstrikes on Iran Trigger Market Turmoil
- Middle East Market Decline: Following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Middle Eastern stock markets faced significant declines on their first trading day, with Saudi Arabia's Tadawul, Oman's Muscat index, and Bahrain's exchange all trading in the red, reflecting investor anxiety over the escalating conflict.
- Oil Price Surge Anticipation: Traders are predicting that Brent crude prices will spike above $80 per barrel due to the airstrikes, despite OPEC's recent decision to increase output, indicating heightened volatility in the global oil market.
- Strait of Hormuz Closure: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led global shipping companies to suspend all vessel transit, increasing shipping times and costs, which further exacerbates oil price instability in the wake of retaliatory strikes by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
- Air Travel Disruption: The airspace across the Middle East has been largely closed since the strikes, resulting in over 1,500 flight cancellations and more than 19,000 global flight delays, placing immense operational pressure on airlines as they work to reopen routes and arrange repatriation flights.
FedEx Shares Surge Due to Sector Trends
- Significant Stock Surge: FedEx shares have soared nearly 50% over the past year, with a remarkable 20.1% increase in February alone, driven by both sector trends and company-specific factors, reflecting strong market confidence in its future growth.
- ETF Holdings: As of February 2026, FedEx ranks among the top five holdings in two major transportation sector ETFs, which collectively manage about $1.5 billion in assets, indicating investor optimism regarding its long-term performance.
- Strategic Priorities: FedEx has outlined four strategic priorities to achieve its 2029 financial goals, focusing on high-margin commercial business and enhancing its digital and AI capabilities, which will help boost profits and create value for shareholders.
- Investor Day Highlights: During the Investor Day on February 12, FedEx emphasized its growth potential in high-margin sectors and projected that its upcoming fiscal third-quarter earnings will exceed market expectations, further bolstering investor confidence in its future performance.
FedEx Stock Surges Nearly 50% Over Last Year
- Strong Stock Growth: FedEx (FDX) has seen its stock price rise nearly 50% over the past 12 months, with a remarkable 20.1% increase just in February, reflecting robust performance in the transportation sector and a recovery in market confidence.
- Sector Shift Benefits: As investors pivot from tech stocks to industrials, FedEx has become one of the top five holdings in two major transportation ETFs, which collectively manage about $1.5 billion in assets, further solidifying its market position.
- Strategic Transformation Plan: During its Investor Day on February 12, FedEx outlined a four-pronged strategy focusing on enhancing high-margin businesses, advancing digital and AI capabilities, and plans to spin off its freight division by June 1, 2026, aimed at driving profit growth.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company raised its revenue and earnings guidance for fiscal 2026 in December and expects its upcoming third-quarter earnings report to exceed consensus estimates, indicating strong profitability and ongoing growth potential.
Court Denies Trump Administration's Request to Delay Tariff Refunds
- Tariff Refund Progress: A federal court denied the Trump administration's request to delay the refund of billions in tariffs, stating that there is no reason to postpone the issuance of the mandate, which will expedite the refund process for small businesses and alleviate their financial burdens.
- Small Business Benefits: The U.S. Court of International Trade is now authorized to begin formulating relief for small businesses that successfully contested Trump's global tariffs, with lawyers indicating they will proceed immediately to handle the refunds, potentially improving cash flow for these businesses.
- Supreme Court Decision Impact: Last month, the Supreme Court invalidated $133 billion in tariffs, and while it did not rule on the matter of refunds, this decision provides legal support for small businesses seeking refunds, likely encouraging more businesses to engage in litigation.
- Trump Administration's Response: Trump questioned whether the case could be reheard; however, the DOJ did not signal any intention to request a Supreme Court review, indicating a potentially passive stance from the administration on this issue.
Three Stocks Poised for Significant Gains from Tariff Reductions
Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs without Congressional consent, leading to the immediate vacating of all tariffs imposed under that authority.
Market Reaction: Following the ruling, the market reacted with confusion, as the new effective tariff rate was slightly reduced, but the overall sentiment was more subdued than celebratory, indicating uncertainty among investors.
Temporary Tariffs: The tariffs established under Section 122 are temporary and must be reauthorized by Congress after 150 days, which could coincide with mid-term elections, adding political complexity to the situation.
Potential Refunds: Companies affected by the tariffs are seeking refunds, with estimates suggesting that around $175 billion was collected under the IEEPA tariffs, and successful lawsuits could lead to significant financial relief for many businesses.
FedEx Suspends Services in Middle East Region
- Service Suspension Announcement: FedEx has announced the temporary suspension of pickup and delivery services across Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE until further notice, highlighting the direct impact of the regional situation on logistics operations.
- Risk of Transit Delays: The company warned that due to airspace closures in the Middle East, flights to and from Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have been suspended, potentially leading to longer transit times for shipments to and from other markets, which could disrupt clients' supply chain management.
- Ongoing Situation Monitoring: FedEx stated it is closely monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it is safe to do so, reflecting the company's commitment to customer service and sensitivity to market dynamics.
- Industry Impact Assessment: This service disruption may affect relevant logistics companies including UPS, DHL, and XPO, indicating the potential threat of the Middle East situation to the global logistics network and possibly leading to a decline in overall industry operational efficiency.
U.S.-Israel Airstrikes on Iran Trigger Market Turmoil
- Middle East Market Decline: Following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Middle Eastern stock markets faced significant declines on their first trading day, with Saudi Arabia's Tadawul, Oman's Muscat index, and Bahrain's exchange all trading in the red, reflecting investor anxiety over the escalating conflict.
- Oil Price Surge Anticipation: Traders are predicting that Brent crude prices will spike above $80 per barrel due to the airstrikes, despite OPEC's recent decision to increase output, indicating heightened volatility in the global oil market.
- Strait of Hormuz Closure: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led global shipping companies to suspend all vessel transit, increasing shipping times and costs, which further exacerbates oil price instability in the wake of retaliatory strikes by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
- Air Travel Disruption: The airspace across the Middle East has been largely closed since the strikes, resulting in over 1,500 flight cancellations and more than 19,000 global flight delays, placing immense operational pressure on airlines as they work to reopen routes and arrange repatriation flights.
