U.S. Stock Markets Open Mixed on March 24, 2026 Amid Fed Rate Speculation

• Seagate Technology (STX.US) will go ex-dividend on March 25, 2026, with shareholders of record receiving a cash dividend of $0.74 per share payable on April 8, 2026. • The ex-dividend date marks the deadline for investors to hold shares to qualify for the upcoming dividend distribution, a common corporate action in the technology hardware sector. • Cash dividends provide shareholders periodic income distributions, though they may trigger tax consequences and can cause temporary share price adjustments equivalent to the dividend amount.

• Edmonton-born startup Smart Access raised $12 million in Series A funding from Bay Area investors Lobby Capital, Aspenwood Ventures, and Coelius Capital to expand its digital workforce management platform. • The company, co-founded by Tim Regnier and John White, helps large distribution operations optimize training, safety programs, and adherence to standard operating procedures across their workforce. • Smart Access, which relocated its operating base to San Francisco while maintaining Edmonton roots since its 2015 founding, plans to scale deployments across North America using the new capital.

• Baker Hughes announced a collaboration with Google Cloud on March 24, 2026, to develop AI-enabled power optimization and sustainability solutions for data centers. • The Houston-based initiative targets efficiency in high-demand AI computing environments using advanced cloud technology. • This partnership addresses growing energy challenges in U.S. data centers powering AI workloads.

• Samsung began rolling out Quick Share with AirDrop interoperability on Galaxy S26 devices and additional models on March 24, 2026, enhancing cross-platform sharing for U.S. users. • The update improves file transfer compatibility between Android and iOS ecosystems. • This move strengthens Samsung's position in the competitive U.S. smartphone market.

• Broadcom announced supply chain bottlenecks across the tech sector, particularly at TSMC, due to skyrocketing demand for AI chips on March 24, 2026. • The constraints affect networking, custom silicon, and data-center hardware critical for AI infrastructure beyond major model developers. • This highlights the AI hardware race creating opportunities for startups to innovate in chip manufacturing tools amid industry-wide shortages.

• Lumen Technologies was named to Fast Company's 2026 list of the World's Most Innovative Companies, announced on March 24, 2026. • The recognition highlights Lumen's advancements in networking and edge computing solutions amid U.S. tech infrastructure demands. • This accolade underscores Lumen's role in supporting AI and cloud growth through innovative fiber and digital services.

• CompTIA's State of the Tech Workforce 2026 report, released March 24, predicts net U.S. tech employment growth of 1.9%, creating 185,499 new jobs to reach nearly 9.8 million workers. • Texas leads with 32,238 jobs added, followed by California (16,949), Florida (14,453), and New York (13,566); all states expect gains. • High-growth roles include data scientists (420% over 10 years), cybersecurity analysts (346%), and software developers (188%), driven by AI impact.

• The National Science Foundation awarded $45 million over three years to the NSF Energy Storage Engine, led by Binghamton University, entering its second phase on March 24, 2026. • The Upstate New York initiative, partnering with Cornell, RIT, Syracuse, and others, aims to make the region America's battery tech capital. • Phase one funded over 15 battery startups, securing $20 million in follow-on funding and national awards like Battery Manufacturer of the Year.

• The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its Covered List on March 24, 2026, to include all consumer-grade routers produced outside the US due to national security risks. • China controls at least 60% of the US home router market; the ban prohibits new FCC equipment authorizations for these devices, though existing models remain unaffected. • Malicious actors exploited vulnerabilities in foreign routers for cyberattacks like Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon targeting US infrastructure, enabling espionage and IP theft.

• NASA's X-59 Quesst low-boom supersonic demonstrator had its second flight on March 20, 2026, cut short after just 9 minutes due to a cockpit warning light. • The aircraft returned to base immediately, marking another delay for the already behind-schedule program. • NASA plans a speedy return to flight testing to advance quiet supersonic technology over land.

• FANUC America announced a $90 million investment on March 24, 2026, to build production-ready capacity for robot manufacturing in Rochester Hills, Michigan. • The project, targeting completion in late 2027, will create 225 new jobs and boost engineering for automation solutions including physical AI and digital twins. • This brings FANUC's US investments since 2019 to nearly $300 million, expanding facilities to 3 million sq. ft. and creating over 700 jobs.