Microsoft (MSFT.O) plans to offer buyout packages to about 60,000 employees in its latest round of cost reductions.

Meta Platforms (META.O): AI presents significant opportunities across its core business and in new products and services.

I. Latest Election Overview 1. House of Representatives (Democrats Lead in Polls): According to Call the Map, the latest national average intention-to-vote polls show the Democrats leading by approximately 7-8 percentage points. Predictive models suggest a strong chance of a Democratic majority, but national polls do not reflect specific district results. 2. Senate (Closer Race): Republicans currently hold a majority with 53 seats to 47. Democrats need a net gain of 4 seats to gain control; Maine, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas are key states to watch. II. Four Factors Influencing the Election 1. Cost of Living and Energy Prices: Food, housing, and gasoline prices remain a focus for voters; influencing their assessment of the ruling party's economic governance. 2. Trump's Approval Rating: Recent polls show his approval rating under pressure, but results vary across different organizations; this could affect the performance of Republican candidates. 3. Immigration Policy: Border enforcement and immigration enforcement controversies remain prominent; this could strengthen the mobilization of supporters from both parties. 4. The Iran War and Diplomacy: Energy prices are influenced by geopolitics, and the costs of war are entering domestic political discussions; diplomatic and energy issues are linked to voters' cost of living. III. Key Senate Battlegrounds The following elections could impact control of the Senate: 1. Maine: Susan Collins (Republican) vs. Troy Jackson (Democrat). Incumbent Republican Senator Collins seeks re-election, while Democrats hope to win the seat. Recent models show the Democratic candidate with a slight lead, but the gap is small. 2. Texas: James Talarico (Democrat) vs. Ken Paxton (Republican). A competitive Senate race has emerged in a state traditionally Republican-dominated. The cost of living, candidate controversy, and voter turnout could influence the outcome. Recent polls show a small gap between the two candidates. 3. Ohio: Sherrod Brown (Democrat) vs. the Republican candidate. Ohio is a key state where both parties invest heavily in their campaigns. The Senate race is closely related to issues such as the cost of living and energy prices. 4. Alaska: Mary Peltola (Democrat) challenges Dan Sullivan (Republican). The race in this state is influenced by unique factors such as similar candidate names, and the Trump campaign is also involved in election authentication lawsuits. Continued monitoring of the lawsuits and election results is necessary. (Source: The Financial Express; candidate support figures are recent poll averages or summaries from reports, not final results. Note: Data as of October 26, 2026, 8 days until Election Day, November 3rd in the US)