Consumer Spending

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates 'Most Challenging' Petrochemical Downturn, Leans on Cost Cuts and Cash Discipline

Facing what its CEO calls one of the industry's toughest cycles, LyondellBasell reported weathering 2025 through aggressive cost control and working capital management. The chemical giant outlined a path to generate an additional $1.3 billion in cash by end-2026, even as it prepares to divest European assets and scales back circular economy spending.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Venezuela's Oil Ambitions Face Reality Check as Exxon, Chevron Hold Back New Investment

Despite political pressure and vast reserves, U.S. oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron are taking a cautious stance on new spending in Venezuela, demanding legal stability and fiscal reforms before committing fresh capital, even as they signal long-term interest.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Kimberly-Clark's Strategic Pivot Faces Investor Scrutiny as BofA Trims Price Target

Bank of America has revised its price target for consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark downward, citing sector-wide valuation pressures, even as the company reports resilient earnings and advances its transformation into a broader health and wellness player.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Panera, Krispy Kreme Face Legal Fallout Amid Surging Wave of Data Breaches

Panera Bread confirms a second major data security incident in two years, while Krispy Kreme agrees to a $1.6 million settlement over a 2024 breach, as the foodservice industry grapples with escalating cyber threats and consumer lawsuits.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Earnings Season Showdown: How Tech Giants Are Funding the AI Arms Race

This week's Big Tech earnings revealed a stark divide: companies using existing cash cows to fund AI ambitions versus those betting the farm on a future payoff. The market's patience for visionary spending is wearing thin, demanding concrete timelines and a path to profit.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Leadership Reshuffle: Sustainability and Branding Experts Take Key Roles Across Apparel Sector

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol strengthens its executive team with two co-directors, while Arc'teryx creates a chief brand officer role, highlighting a strategic focus on traceability and consumer experience in a competitive market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Kraft Heinz Splits Sauces from Grocery as Berkshire Trims Stake, Redefining Future

Kraft Heinz announces a major corporate split, separating its global sauces division from its North American grocery business, while Berkshire Hathaway begins selling down its significant stake. The moves signal a strategic pivot for the iconic food giant, raising questions about valuation, dividends, and long-term direction in a shifting consumer landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tilray Brands Bets Big on Beverages as Stock Languishes: A Valuation Deep Dive

Amidst a major brand refresh for Terrapin Beer and the announcement of SweetWater Brewing's 2026 festival lineup, Tilray Brands is aggressively pushing its beverage division into the mainstream. However, this consumer-facing drive contrasts sharply with a prolonged stock slump, raising critical questions about the company's true market value and future trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Nvidia's AI Dominance: A Five-Year Outlook on Stock Performance and Market Trajectory

Fueled by explosive growth in AI infrastructure spending, Nvidia's commanding market position sets the stage for significant potential gains. Analysts project a revenue path that could see its stock reach new heights by the end of the decade.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Great Streamflation Squeeze: How 2025's Price Hikes Are Reshaping Home Entertainment

A wave of subscription increases from Netflix, Disney, Apple, and others is forcing consumers to rethink their streaming budgets, with ad-supported tiers and strategic bundling emerging as key cost-saving strategies.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Impossible Foods CEO Peter McGuinness Steps Down After Pivotal Rebranding Push

Peter McGuinness, the CEO who sought to reposition plant-based meat for mainstream consumers by moving beyond climate messaging, is departing Impossible Foods. His exit comes as the broader alternative protein sector faces significant sales declines and strategic recalibration.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

First Citizens Beats Estimates But Market Sours: Five Key Questions from the Q4 Call

First Citizens BancShares delivered Q4 revenue and adjusted EPS above analyst forecasts, yet its stock fell. While management pointed to strong fundamentals, analysts probed pressures on margins, tech spending, and integration challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Wall Street's Outcasts: Two Oversold Stocks With Hidden Potential, and One Facing Real Challenges

In a market often swayed by hype, starkly bearish analyst targets are a rare signal. We examine three such cases: two consumer giants where the pessimism may be overdone, and one high-flyer where the concerns might be justified.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deckers Outpaces Forecasts as HOKA and UGG Power Strong Q4 Finish

Footwear giant Deckers Brands posted quarterly revenue and profit that handily beat Wall Street estimates, driven by surging global demand for its HOKA and UGG labels. The company raised its full-year outlook, citing robust direct-to-consumer growth and international momentum.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cramer's Critique: Has Meta Strayed From Its Path Amid AI Ambitions?

CNBC's Jim Cramer questions Meta's direction, citing investor skepticism over its AI strategy and spending. Yet strong Q4 earnings reveal a more complex financial picture, sparking debate on Wall Street.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Hidden Tax of Sales Tech: Why Feature Adoption Isn't ROI

A new report reveals a staggering 67% of purchased sales software features go unused, spotlighting a critical disconnect between tech spending and revenue impact. As IT budgets swell, C-suite leaders are urged to shift from measuring adoption to calculating true dollar-for-dollar returns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Kimberly-Clark Boosts Dividend Amid Earnings Pressure, Payout Ratio Raises Questions

The consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark announced a dividend increase to $1.28 per share, lifting its yield above 5%. However, the move comes against a backdrop of declining earnings, casting doubt on the long-term sustainability of its shareholder returns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Golden Dome Funding Clears Congress, But Pentagon's $23B Missile Defense Plan Remains a Mystery

Congress has approved $23 billion in initial funding for the ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative, yet the absence of a detailed spending blueprint from the Pentagon is stalling progress and clouding investment prospects for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Morgan Stanley Doubles Down on Nvidia: $250 Target Signals 30% Upside Amid AI Arms Race

Morgan Stanley reaffirms its Overweight rating on Nvidia with a $250 price target, citing the company's systemic advantage through its Vera Rubin platform and robust hyperscaler spending, despite acknowledging competitive and demand risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CarMax Shares Tumble: Is the Used-Car Giant Now a Bargain?

CarMax's stock has faced significant pressure, down nearly 50% over the past year. As investors grapple with shifting consumer sentiment and a challenging retail environment, new analysis suggests the market may be undervaluing the company's long-term cash flow potential.

Jan 30, 2026