Core Viewpoint - SoftBank has posted its first annual profit in four years, with a net income of 1.15 trillion yen ($7.8 billion) for the year ended March, overcoming a previous loss of $1.5 billion, signaling a potential turnaround for the company as it invests heavily in AI [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - The fourth quarter saw a 124% year-on-year increase in quarterly profit, driven by a significant rise in Alibaba shares, which have increased over 55% this year, and profits from its telecom unit, including T-Mobile [2]. - The overall profit recovery provides relief for CEO Masayoshi Son, who has faced criticism for past losses, including a disastrous investment in WeWork and significant losses in the Vision Fund [3]. AI Investment Strategy - Masayoshi Son is heavily investing in AI, believing it will surpass human intelligence by 2035, and is making high-risk moves to achieve this vision [4]. - SoftBank has become a key backer of OpenAI, leading a $40 billion funding round and investing a total of $2.2 billion, viewing OpenAI as the closest partner to achieving artificial general intelligence [5]. - The company is also focusing on the necessary computing power for AI development, with Son serving as chairman of Stargate, a $500 billion infrastructure project in the US [6]. Broader AI Initiatives - In addition to OpenAI, SoftBank holds a majority stake in AI chip firm Arm and has established a new holding company, Robo HD, for its robotics investments [7]. - However, these investments come with risks, including legal challenges faced by OpenAI and uncertainties surrounding the Stargate project due to external factors like tariffs [8]. Market Concerns - There are concerns regarding the long-term demand for AI chips, as evidenced by Arm's decision not to provide full-year revenue guidance, leading to an 11% drop in its shares after earnings [9].

Core Viewpoint - Nissan is undergoing significant cost-cutting measures, including job cuts and production facility reductions, in response to financial struggles exacerbated by US tariffs [1][2][4]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Nissan reported a net loss of 671 billion Yen ($4.5 billion) for the 2024 financial year and will not provide an operating profit forecast for 2025 due to uncertainties surrounding US tariffs [2]. - The company estimates that tariffs on imported vehicles will cost it 450 billion Yen ($3 billion) this year without mitigation measures [4]. Group 2: Strategic Changes - Nissan plans to cut 20,000 jobs and reduce its production facilities from 17 to 10 by 2027, which includes 9,000 layoffs announced previously [1]. - The new CEO Ivan Espinosa aims for cost reductions of 250 billion Yen ($1.7 billion) as part of the turnaround plan [3]. Group 3: Market Impact and Response - The company is particularly vulnerable to Trump's 25% tariff on imported vehicles, as it exports several models to the US from Mexico and Japan [4]. - Nissan intends to boost US production capacity and prioritize retail sales of models assembled locally, while also shifting some models affected by tariffs to other markets [5].

Group 1: Trade War Context - Temu and Shein are currently navigating a 90-day reprieve in the trade war with China, with tariffs reduced to 30% from 145% as negotiations for a new trade deal begin [1] - High tariffs remain on small packages shipped directly from China, which are typically used by Temu and Shein [1] Group 2: Tariff Changes and Impacts - The de minimis exception allowing packages under $800 to ship without duty has been closed by Trump, with new tariffs as high as 120% or a flat fee of $100 per package, increasing to $200 in June [2] - Despite the 90-day deal, these tariffs remain in effect, impacting the shipping strategies of Temu and Shein [2] Group 3: Strategic Adjustments by Temu - Temu has implemented a workaround by building US warehouses, allowing for local shipping and avoiding extra import charges [3] - The company has adjusted its site to primarily display items that ship from US warehouses, aiming to recruit more US-based sellers [3] Group 4: Future Considerations - While the current strategy helps, Temu will eventually need to restock US warehouses, which will be subject to the higher tariffs [4] - Temu has options to focus on other markets or wait for a potential trade deal [4] Group 5: Current Situation for Sellers - The situation remains challenging for Temu and Shein due to high tariffs on direct shipments from China, but replenishing US warehouses with lower tariff charges provides some relief [5] - Sellers on Temu are experiencing positive sentiment, with one seller reporting mid-double-digit sales growth as American consumers stock up before potential price increases [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Amazon has re-established a partnership with FedEx for package deliveries, moving away from UPS due to cost advantages and capacity constraints [1][2][5]. Group 1: Partnership Details - Amazon signed a new deal with FedEx in late February to handle certain package deliveries, which is expected to provide "cost favorability" compared to UPS [1]. - The extent of the deal and specific packages to be handled by FedEx have not been disclosed [1]. - FedEx will serve as one of several third-party partners for Amazon, joining UPS and USPS to help balance delivery capacity [3]. Group 2: Historical Context - FedEx and Amazon previously severed ties in 2019 as they began to compete in logistics, with FedEx focusing on other e-commerce clients [4]. - At the time of the split, FedEx indicated that Amazon was a minor part of its network, and logistics consulting firm MWPVL estimates that FedEx currently handles no Amazon packages in the US [4]. Group 3: Industry Impact - The new FedEx deal comes after UPS announced it would reduce shipping volume for Amazon packages by over 50% by the end of 2026 due to profitability concerns [5]. - Amazon's in-house logistics service has surpassed both FedEx and UPS in shipping volume, with Amazon shipping 6.3 billion parcels in 2024, a 7.3% increase from the previous year [7]. Group 4: Future Plans - Amazon's Extra Large delivery network, which handles bulky items, plans to leverage FedEx for 100% of any capacity risks in the second half of the year, although this statement was deemed "premature" by Amazon's spokesperson [6].

Core Viewpoint - Google has agreed to pay $1.375 billion to settle lawsuits in Texas regarding violations of data privacy and security laws, amidst ongoing legal challenges including antitrust issues [1][2]. Group 1: Settlement Details - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the settlement amount, which is significantly higher than similar claims from other states [2]. - The lawsuits accused Google of unlawfully tracking and collecting users' private data, including geolocation and biometric data [2]. - The settlement does not imply any admission of fault by Google [2]. Group 2: Legal Context - The settlement is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges faced by Google's parent company, Alphabet, including a recent antitrust ruling that found Google to have a monopoly in the search engine market [3][4]. - In a related case, a federal judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly on advertising technology, which the company plans to appeal [6]. Group 3: Market Impact - Following a testimony regarding a decline in search volume on Apple's Safari browser, Alphabet's stock dropped over 8% [5]. - Despite these challenges, Google claims to be enhancing its search features, with overall search queries reportedly growing [5].

Tesla told Austin workers on its Model Y and Cybertruck lines to stay home for the week of Memorial Day, three workers told Business Insider. The break is unusually long, the workers said. Production lines were up and running during the same period last year, they said.The electric-car maker notified employees earlier this week. Workers, who are paid hourly, were told they could either take paid time off or come in for cleaning and training, but would not be working on the production line. The workers s ...

Group 1 - Panasonic plans to cut 10,000 jobs, representing about 4% of its workforce of nearly 230,000, with 5,000 roles in Japan and 5,000 overseas [1][2] - The company aims to enhance operational efficiency by reviewing sales and indirect departments, and optimizing personnel globally [2] - The job cuts are expected to incur costs of nearly $900 million and will be implemented within the current financial year ending in March 2026 [2] Group 2 - Panasonic shares increased by 2% in Tokyo following the announcement [3] - The company is looking to reduce its dependence on China for electric vehicle batteries, with plans to minimize Chinese supply in the future [3] - In 2022, Panasonic adopted a four-day workweek in Japan to improve employee well-being and reduce overwork-related health issues [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - Costco's internal investigation policies are criticized for being overly broad and potentially infringing on employee rights, particularly regarding confidentiality agreements that employees must sign when raising complaints [1][7]. Group 1: Case Background - The case involves Jessica Georg, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against a co-worker in 2022 using Costco's "Open Door" policy [2]. - Georg was required to sign a confidentiality agreement that prohibited her from discussing the matter with coworkers, which raised concerns about the implications for employee rights [3][6]. Group 2: Legal Arguments - Costco's lawyer argued that confidentiality rules are designed to protect the integrity of investigations and encourage candid employee statements, especially in the retail industry [4]. - The lawyer emphasized that the rules are not meant to deter discussions about wages, working conditions, or union formation [5]. Group 3: NLRB Findings - The NLRB found that the individual Georg complained about had multiple prior complaints against him, and Georg expressed concerns that sharing information could jeopardize her job [6]. - NLRB attorneys suggested that a more tailored confidentiality agreement could protect sensitive information while ensuring workers' rights against harassment [7]. Group 4: Judge's Decision - Judge Gollin proposed that Costco post a notice in the warehouse where the violation occurred, as the NLRB did not conclusively prove that similar confidentiality forms were used across all US locations [8]. - The case will proceed to the NLRB's board, with exceptions to the decision due by June 2 [8].

Apple senior vice president of services Eddy Cue set alarm bells ringing on Wednesday after dropping a bombshell at Google's antitrust trial: Google searches through Safari dropped in April for the first time ever. While his comments triggered a frenzied sell-off in Google stock, it might not be the only reason the company's watchers should be concerned about Google's ability to keep full control over the search market.A little-noticed number in Google's latest financial disclosure may be the realest sign ...

Is Google screwed? That's the $2 trillion question the tech world is trying to understand, following yesterday's blockbuster news: A top Apple executive said search queries on Google's Safari browser were declining because people were using AI engines like ChatGPT instead.Investors immediately acted as if Google's astonishing run at the top of the tech heap was over, and slashed the company's stock by more than 8%. But a day later, Google's stock is climbing back up a bit, and there's a healthy debate a ...