Consumer Backlash

Business

Detroit's Financial Engine Revs Up: FDIC Greenlights Ford, GM to Launch In-House Banks

In a landmark regulatory decision, the FDIC has granted Ford and General Motors approval to establish their own FDIC-insured industrial banks. This move, set to fundamentally alter the landscape of auto financing, allows the automakers to directly gather customer deposits and fund loans, potentially reshaping competition and consumer options.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

General Mills Navigates Dual Challenges: Board Refresh Amid Expanded Product Recall

General Mills faces a pivotal moment as it appoints a new independent director and updates governance bylaws, while simultaneously expanding a voluntary recall of Pillsbury Pizza Pops in Canada over potential E. coli contamination. These parallel developments underscore the balancing act between strategic oversight and operational risk management for the consumer staples giant.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Kiyosaki's Market Mantra: Why the Wealthy Buy When Others Panic

Finance author Robert Kiyosaki highlights a stark behavioral divide: while average consumers chase retail sales, the affluent see market crashes as prime buying opportunities. He points to recent dips in gold, silver, and Bitcoin as a case in point.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Polish E-Commerce Battle Escalates: Erli Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Market Leader Allegro

Polish online marketplace Erli has launched a legal challenge against rival Allegro, accusing the e-commerce giant of anti-competitive pricing policies that allegedly force sellers to raise prices across the internet, potentially harming consumer choice.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

AMD and GIGABYTE Deepen Alliance to Bring AI to the Desktop, Challenging NVIDIA's Dominance

AMD and GIGABYTE are significantly expanding their collaboration, aiming to embed advanced AI capabilities directly into consumer hardware like laptops, motherboards, and monitors, signaling a strategic push to make on-device AI a mainstream feature.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

McDonald's Franchise Engine Powers Steady Growth, Dividend Streak Nears Historic Milestone

As consumer spending tightens, McDonald's asset-light franchise model proves its resilience, driving consistent sales and positioning the fast-food giant to become a Dividend King in 2026.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Marzetti Acquires Bachan's in $400 Million Deal to Spice Up Sauces Portfolio

Marzetti expands its flavor footprint with the strategic purchase of the fast-growing Japanese-American sauce brand Bachan's, aiming to capitalize on consumer demand for global and premium products.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

PepsiCo Tops Q4 Revenue Forecasts, But Volume Declines Raise Questions on Growth Strategy

PepsiCo reported stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 revenue of $29.34 billion, a 5.6% year-over-year increase. However, a continued drop in sales volumes and margin pressures highlight the challenges facing the consumer staples giant as it navigates a shifting market.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Sysco Stock Slips as Restaurant Sector Headwinds Dampen Investor Appetite

Despite a strong quarterly market rally led by tech, Diamond Hill Capital's Large Cap Fund underperformed, citing caution on AI hype. Food distribution giant Sysco was a notable laggard in the fund's portfolio, with analysts pointing to broader concerns over consumer spending and the restaurant industry's outlook.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Graphic Packaging Beats Q4 Revenue Forecasts, But Profit Miss and Cautious Outlook Weigh on Shares

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) reported fourth-quarter 2025 sales that surpassed analyst expectations, yet flat year-over-year revenue and a significant earnings miss led to a sharp sell-off. The consumer packaging giant faces headwinds from competitive pressures and shifting consumer spending, prompting a strategic review by its CEO.

Feb 3, 2026

US

D.C. Attorney's Vow to Jail All Gun Carriers Draws Fire from Second Amendment Advocates

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro faces backlash after stating she would jail anyone bringing a firearm into the District, regardless of permits from other jurisdictions, igniting a debate over gun rights and federal enforcement.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Carnival Corporation Sails Past Headwinds: Record Profits, Dividend Return, and Bullish Analysts Signal Strong Recovery

Carnival Corporation & plc posts historic annual earnings, reinstates its dividend, and receives a price target upgrade from TD Cowen, underscoring resilient consumer demand despite sector-wide pricing pressures.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

AG Barr Doubles Down on Premium Drinks Market with Strategic Acquisitions of Fentimans and Frobishers

The maker of Irn-Bru has expanded its portfolio in the growing premium 'adult' soft drinks segment through the purchase of two UK-based beverage companies, signaling a strategic shift towards health-conscious and sophisticated consumers.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

BellRing Brands Beats Q4 Estimates, but Volume Growth Stalls

BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR) reported fourth-quarter revenue that surpassed analyst expectations, though sales remained flat year-over-year. The company's full-year outlook and adjusted earnings also topped consensus forecasts, painting a picture of resilient performance amid a challenging market for consumer staples.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

FTC Warns: Winter Storms Bring a Surge in Utility Imposter Scams

As freezing temperatures grip the nation, federal regulators and consumer advocates are sounding the alarm on a predictable wave of scams. Fraudsters are exploiting the weather, posing as utility companies to pressure victims into immediate payments.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

PepsiCo's Snack Business Under Scrutiny as Cramer Flags GLP-1 Drug Impact

CNBC's Jim Cramer has placed PepsiCo on his radar, expressing specific concerns that the consumer giant's Frito-Lay snack division faces headwinds from the rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, even as the stock shows recent strength.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Amazon's Delivery Speed Surge Tightens Grip on Retail, Pressuring Walmart's Counterplay

Amazon has shattered its own delivery speed records, completing over 13 billion same- or next-day deliveries globally in 2025, intensifying the logistics arms race with Walmart and reshaping consumer expectations for instant fulfillment.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

PayPal Shares Tumble on Subdued 2026 Outlook, Taps HP Veteran Lores as New CEO

PayPal Holdings Inc. delivered a disappointing fourth-quarter earnings report and a profit forecast for 2026 that fell short of analyst expectations, sending its shares tumbling. The payments giant cited a pullback in U.S. consumer spending and a slowdown in its core branded checkout business. In a major leadership shift, the company announced HP Inc.'s Enrique Lores will take over as President and CEO effective March 1.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Winter's Chill Brings a Surge in Utility Imposter Scams, FTC Warns

As freezing temperatures grip much of the nation, federal regulators and consumer advocates are sounding the alarm on a predictable spike in sophisticated scams targeting utility customers. Experts urge vigilance and verification before any payment.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

The Upsell Tightrope: How Brands Risk Customer Trust in Pursuit of Bigger Baskets

While upselling and cross-selling are proven sales boosters, experts warn that clumsy execution is eroding consumer trust and fueling regret. The key to success lies in aligning offers with customer intent, not just revenue targets.

Feb 3, 2026