New economic data out of China on Wednesday shows the world’s second-largest economy is still struggling to bounce back from the pandemic. Until its government gets serious about announcing a consumption-driven stimulus plan, it could spell more bad news for U.S. companies that generate lots of sales in China, including three in the portfolio: Starbucks … Read more
Blank Street Coffee’s shops have taken over New York City as they lure in customers with cheap lattes and cold brew. Now the upstart chain aims to attract even more consumers who want to slash their coffee budgets through a subscription program. The Blank Street Regulars program, which opened to the public this summer, has … Read more
Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images There will be no fooling California fast-food workers come April 1. That’s the day they can honestly believe the minimum wage in the Golden State will jump to $20 an hour from $16, and only in that sector. The pay raise exclusive for that workforce, estimated … Read more
Pedestrians carrying Nike and Allbirds shopping bags in the SoHo neighborhood of New York on Oct. 24, 2021. Nina Westervelt | Bloomberg | Getty Images After years of unbridled consumer spending on everything from home improvement to dream vacations, some companies are now finding the limits of their pricing power. Shipping giant FedEx last week … Read more
Group of friends at a restaurant Santiago Nunez | Klaud9 | Getty Images The Singapore coffee market is already crowded, but brands continue to open new locations in the city-state in hopes success on the island will kickstart international expansions. In the last few months, at least five players – China’s Luckin Coffee, Indonesia’s Kenangan … Read more
Grocery items are offered for sale at a supermarket on August 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images When Kyle Connolly looks back at 2023, she sees it as a year defined by changes and challenges. The newly single parent reentered the workforce, only to be laid off from her job at … Read more
The 10 things to watch Wednesday, Dec. 6 1. U.S. stocks are higher in premarket trading Wednesday, with S & P 500 futures up 0.45% after back-to-back days of losses. The move comes amid increasing signs the labor market is loosening, suggesting the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hikes are succeeding in cooling the economy. U.S. private … Read more
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella arrives at federal court in Washington on Oct. 2, 2023. Nathan Howard | Bloomberg | Getty Images LinkedIn has set aside an effort to relocate its data center technology out of its physical facilities and into Microsoft’s Azure cloud, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision not to proceed … Read more
Starbucks is facing multiple challenges in major markets both internationally and in the U.S., making shareholders like us wonder if it’s a good idea to sell shares before the company’s next earnings report, which is expected in late January. “Starbucks is what I call a tough own right now,” Jim Cramer said Tuesday during the … Read more
An employee carries an order for a customer at a Domino’s Pizza restaurant in Detroit. Sean Proctor | Bloomberg | Getty Images Forget the battle for chicken sandwich supremacy. The loyalty program wars are coming. Restaurant digital orders surged 124% in the year ended in March, according to market researcher NPD Group. And … Read more
