Projected

• Truckload markets are tightening faster than anticipated, with freight costs now projected to increase 16–17% year over year in 2026, according to C.H. Robinson's April freight market update. • Capacity constraints and carrier attrition are driving the acceleration in transportation costs across North America. • The tighter capacity environment signals sustained pressure on logistics expenses for shippers as supply chain challenges persist into the second quarter.

• AI's growing appetite for compute power is forecasted to hit $100 billion, creating new industrial layers like AI factories and energy-to-intelligence conversion. • This shift is rewriting rules for tech supply chains, with Nvidia at the forefront of the transformation. • The development signals a pivotal moment for US AI infrastructure investment and energy demands.

• US healthcare costs for employers are forecasted to increase more than 9% in 2026, driven by regulatory changes, labor shortages, and rising demand. • Growing use of specialty drugs, particularly GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes, significantly contributes to the cost surge. • Businesses face pressure to redesign benefits packages amid these economic pressures on public health spending.

• International medical graduates play a vital role in addressing the U.S. physician shortage projected at 86,000 by 2036, particularly for Medicare patients and underserved communities. • The American Medical Association's March 27, 2026 National Advocacy Update calls on representatives to co-sponsor H.R. legislation to support these essential workers. • This effort aims to ensure adequate healthcare workforce amid growing demands from aging populations and expanded coverage.

• Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are collectively projected to spend approximately $630 billion on data centers and AI chips in 2026 alone, representing massive capital commitments to AI infrastructure. • Industry analysts suggest this $630 billion splurge may still prove insufficient to meet the surging computational demands for artificial intelligence development and deployment. • The investment reflects intensifying competition among tech giants to secure AI capabilities and infrastructure advantages in an increasingly AI-dependent market.