Consumer Packaged Goods

Business

Annuity 'Churning' Under Fire: How Insurance Sales Tactics Are Costing Retirees Guaranteed Income

A decade after a wave of complex annuity sales, retirees are discovering a harsh reality: the guaranteed income portion of their contracts often far outweighs the investment value. Now, a new generation of agents is pushing costly 'flips' that can permanently slash lifetime payouts, sparking calls for greater transparency and consumer caution.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut to Shutter 250 U.S. Locations as Parent Company Yum! Brands Reviews Future of Struggling Chain

Yum! Brands announces the closure of roughly 3% of Pizza Hut's U.S. restaurants in H1 2026 amid a strategic review that could lead to a sale, as the iconic chain grapples with shifting consumer habits and domestic sales decline.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

From Dollar Menus to Double Digits: How Fast Food Lost Its Value Proposition

Once a haven for budget-conscious diners, major fast-food chains have seen prices surge by nearly 40% since 2020, transforming casual meals into occasional luxuries and leaving consumers nostalgic for the era of 99-cent staples.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Extreme Weather Brings Surge in Utility Imposter Scams: Experts Urge Vigilance

As severe weather events become more frequent, scammers are aggressively impersonating utility companies and contractors. Authorities and financial experts outline critical steps consumers can take to protect their finances and personal information.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

The High Cost of Flexibility: 'Rent Now, Pay Later' Services Under Scrutiny

As housing costs soar, services that split rent into installments are gaining traction. But consumer advocates warn that the associated fees can translate into exorbitant effective interest rates, potentially deepening financial strain for vulnerable renters.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Robin Hood-Style Activists Strike Montreal Health Food Store in Protest Against Soaring Grocery Prices

A group of activists dressed as Robin Hood raided a Montreal grocery store, redistributing stolen goods to community fridges in a dramatic protest against food inflation, marking their second such cost-of-living demonstration in recent months.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

PepsiCo Cuts Prices on Popular Snack Brands, Offering Relief to Shoppers

PepsiCo announces a significant price reduction on its portfolio of popular snack chips, including Cheetos, Doritos, and Lay's, aiming to ease consumer budgets amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

Feb 4, 2026

Americans Set to Spend Record $29.1 Billion on Valentine's Day, with Candy Leading the Way

A new survey forecasts historic Valentine's Day spending in 2026, driven by broader gifting circles and resilient consumer sentiment, with candy remaining the most popular present.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

The College Degree Divide: New Data Reveals Education's Critical Role in Widening U.S. Spending Gap

A New York Fed analysis of consumer spending from 2023-2025 shows a stark and growing divide between college graduates and non-graduates, providing fresh evidence of a 'K-shaped' economic recovery where the educated continue to outpace others.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Jefferies Downgrades Kenvue to Hold, Citing Merger Valuation and Legal Overhang

Analysts at Jefferies have downgraded consumer health giant Kenvue to Hold, slashing their price target to $18. The move follows overwhelming shareholder approval for its acquisition by Kimberly-Clark and reflects concerns over limited upside and ongoing litigation risks.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

PepsiCo Slashes Prices on Game Day Staples Ahead of Super Bowl

In a move timed for the big game, PepsiCo is rolling back prices by up to 15% on its popular snack portfolio, including Lay's and Doritos, citing consumer pressure and a commitment to affordability.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Trust Stamp Seeks "WOW" Trademark for Biometric 'Wallet of Wallets' Platform, Aiming to Simplify Digital Asset Access

Digital identity firm Trust Stamp has filed to trademark "WOW" for its consumer biometric wallet platform, a non-custodial system designed to consolidate multiple digital wallets under one secure, password-free access point using tokenized facial recognition.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Cocoa Market Slumps as Supply Glut Meets Weak Chocolate Demand

Cocoa futures tumbled this week, with prices hitting multi-year lows, as forecasts of robust global supplies collide with persistent consumer resistance to high chocolate prices. Analysts point to a significant market surplus ahead.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Yum! Brands Tops Q4 Estimates on Strong Taco Bell, KFC Performance; Digital Sales Near 60% Mix

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) edged past Wall Street forecasts for its fourth quarter, fueled by robust same-store sales at Taco Bell and record KFC expansion. While revenue climbed 6% to $2.51 billion, the market reaction was muted as investors weigh the fast-food giant's growth trajectory against a challenging consumer environment.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Instacart Parent Maplebear Inc. (CART) Posts Strong Q3, Fueling Bullish Outlook on Profitability and Enterprise Growth

Maplebear Inc., operating as Instacart, reported robust third-quarter results for 2025, showcasing resilient demand and improved margins. A recent bullish analysis highlights the company's strategic shift towards enterprise technology and disciplined financial management as key drivers for future growth, despite near-term headwinds in advertising.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Avery Dennison Navigates Trade Headwinds, Eyes High-Value Growth Amid Margin Resilience

Despite facing persistent trade policy uncertainty and softer consumer demand, Avery Dennison reported solid full-year 2025 results, leveraging productivity measures to protect profitability. The company's strategic pivot towards high-value categories like intelligent labels is central to its plan for returning to stronger organic growth in 2026.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Analysts Recalibrate AutoZone Outlook: Price Target Adjustments Signal Shifting Sentiment

As AutoZone's fair value estimate adjusts to around $4,210, a nuanced tug-of-war emerges on Wall Street. Analysts are fine-tuning models, balancing long-term operational confidence against near-term consumer spending concerns, reshaping the investment narrative for the auto parts retailer.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Trader Joe's Claims Top Spot in National Grocery Rankings, Dethroning Publix in Customer Satisfaction

The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report for 2026 crowns Trader Joe's as the nation's highest-rated grocer, ending a tie with Publix. The win highlights shifting consumer preferences and regional divides in the competitive supermarket landscape.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

ATI Stock Soars 101% in a Year: Is the Aerospace Supplier Still a Buy?

ATI's shares have more than doubled over the past 12 months, fueled by its strategic position in capital goods and aerospace. As the stock trades near $128, analysts are divided on whether the current valuation still offers room for growth or signals a pause.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

PepsiCo Slashes Wholesale Prices on Popular Snacks Ahead of Big Game, But Will Shoppers See the Difference?

PepsiCo has announced significant wholesale price cuts of up to 15% on its flagship snack brands like Doritos and Cheetos. While the move is framed as a response to consumer pressure, the final savings for shoppers hinge on individual retailers' pricing decisions.

Feb 4, 2026