Morning Business Report: Amazon launches Prime Big Deal Days as markets hit records and new tariffs loom

If you’re looking to start your holiday shopping early — you’re not alone.

(LILAMAX)- More than one-third of shoppers plan to, according to RetailMeNot — and Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days may be the place to start.

The two-day sales event begins today, featuring major discounts on electronics, beauty products, and home goods. Some deals actually started yesterday. While the sale is exclusive to Prime members, shoppers can still take advantage through discounted or trial memberships. New users can sign up for a 30-day free trial, though Amazon does require a credit card. The annual membership costs $139, but the trial can be canceled before the charge goes through.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced on social media that new 25% tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty truck imports will take effect November 1st. The tariffs were originally set to begin in early October. Bloomberg reports the delay follows an intense lobbying push by Detroit automakers, with Stellantis especially concerned about how the levies could impact its Mexican-made Ram pickups.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at new record highs Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped slightly.

Across global markets, gold, bitcoin, and several major stocks also hit record levels. Analysts say a rising mountain of sovereign debt across the U.S., Japan, and Europe has boosted investor demand for alternative assets like cryptocurrencies and precious metals. Gold alone has reached 42 record highs this year.

And at the box office, Hollywood is rebounding. This year’s total ticket sales have already reached $6.5 billion, up from $6.3 billion last year, according to Comscore. The industry is now on track for its best year since the pandemic, eyeing a possible $9 billion finish thanks to upcoming releases like “Wicked: For Good,” “Zootopia 2,” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”