Why analysts are calling Cava the next Chipotle

Why analysts are calling Cava the next Chipotle

Fast-casual Mediterranean chain Cava has had an impressive year since going public in June 2023. It posted a profit in its first quarterly report, repeatedly beat Wall Street’s earnings estimates and now boasts a more than $14 billion market cap, nearly 500% higher than its initial valuation. Now, Wall Street analysts see shades of another … Read more

Why U.S. auto factories are so unproductive

Why U.S. auto factories are so unproductive

Automotive factories throughout the United States and around the world are not producing nearly as many cars as they need to in order to be profitable. A mixture of factors are driving down productivity, but two stand out. First, new car demand simply hasn’t snapped back to pre-pandemic levels. A record 17.5 million cars sold … Read more

Why more men are dropping out of the workforce

Why more men are dropping out of the workforce

Men have been steadily dropping out of the workforce, especially men ages 25 to 54, who are considered to be in their prime working years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for prime-age working men was 3.4% in August 2024. This number primarily includes those who are unemployed and looking … Read more

How Federal Reserve interest rate cuts affect the global economy

How Federal Reserve interest rate cuts affect the global economy

The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions can influence the trajectory of the U.S. economy. “The U.S. economy’s stature is one of the key drivers of the importance of the Fed,” said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon. “The [U.S.] economy remains one of the largest economies in the world, and certainly of late, one of … Read more

Here’s why Americans are going back to Chili’s

Here’s why Americans are going back to Chili’s

Chili’s efforts to win back American consumers are working. Same-store sales, a key metric for the restaurant industry, jumped 14.8% in its fiscal fourth quarter, a significant increase as many chains struggle to bring in diners.  “Our marketing team has done a great job of getting back into what we call the zeitgeist or being … Read more

What VW’s $5 billion Rivian deal means for both companies, industry

What VW’s  billion Rivian deal means for both companies, industry

A Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicle (EV) at a Rivian charging station in San Francisco, California, US, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Electric truck maker Rivian’s $5 billion deal with Volkswagen Group nets Rivian some much-needed cash. But it also gives Volkswagen a path to a future in … Read more

How fracking helped the U.S. break the all-time oil production record

How fracking helped the U.S. break the all-time oil production record

The U.S. produced more oil in 2023 than has ever been produced in any year by any country, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  Big Oil has become more productive as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, which is also known as fracking, have seen technological breakthroughs.  U.S. oil production hit a low of 5 … Read more

Why U.S. citrus is facing a shortage crisis

Why U.S. citrus is facing a shortage crisis

U.S. orange production has plummeted as the industry faces volatile threats from extreme weather events, an incurable disease and economic pressures. Citrus growers are losing millions of dollars every year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.  At the same time, orange juice futures have hit record highs. “Citrus production in the United States … Read more

Biden’s exit highlights age of U.S. politicians

Biden’s exit highlights age of U.S. politicians

President Joe Biden, age 81, ended his 2024 reelection bid as concern for his vitality mounted within the Democratic Party. “There are cognitive issues,” said former Senator Bob Kerry, D-Neb., in a July interview with CNBC. The issue of aging lawmakers in the U.S. extends well beyond the presidency. At the start of the 118th … Read more

How Truth Social could potentially make Trump billions

How Truth Social could potentially make Trump billions

Truth Social is a social media platform whose majority owner is former President Donald Trump. A team of early investors say they want to “end Big Tech’s assault on free speech.” Achieving that may require a rapid uptick in the size of its user base, which is currently unknown. The public has limited access to … Read more