In this articleWMTwatch nowWalmart's online marketplace has become a key part of its strategy to grow profit faster than sales and better compete against its longtime rival, Amazon.As the largest U.S. retailer with more than 4,600 locations nationwide, growing sales online is also critical for its future.But a CNBC investigation found Walmart's digital boom came as it made it easier for third-party sellers to join and sell on its marketplace, a strategy that has come with a cost.Some consumers have received ...

Apple CEO Tim Cook said price hikes on the newest iPhone models aren't tied to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans."There's no increase for tariffs in the prices to be totally clear," Cook told CNBC's Jim Cramer from Apple's Fifth Avenue store location in New York City, as the latest iPhone model launched in stores worldwide.It is one of the first instances in which Cook has decisively addressed tariffs in relation to iPhone prices.Earlier this month, Apple increased the price of its iPhone 17 Pr ...

One basis point is equal to 0.01%, and yields and prices move in opposite directions.The 10-year Treasury note yield gained more than 3.1 basis points to 4.135%, and earlier reached 4.145%, while the 2-year Treasury yield added 1 basis point to 3.578% after touching 3.59%. The intraday yield on both was the highest in two weeks, since Sept. 5.U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday as investors weighed the state of the U.S. economy and future monetary policy after the Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut interest r ...

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said Friday that he expects President Donald Trump's tariffs to expert minimum long-term pressure on inflation, leaving room for multiple interest rate reductions ahead.In a CNBC interview, the central banker detailed reasons why he would like the Fed to lower its benchmark borrowing level at each of the remaining two meetings this year in addition to the one the Federal Open Market Committee approved Wednesday. The three total cuts is one more than he had ...

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF signage on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, US, on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.Grayscale Investments has brought a new twist to crypto investing, rolling out the first multi-token exchange-traded product available in the U.S.The Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF begins trading Friday on NYSE under the ticker GDLC. The fund bundles together the five largest and most liquid digital assets — bitcoin, ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. These five tokens capture more than ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the increasing risk of counterfeit products in online marketplaces as consumers prioritize convenience and value over brand loyalty [3][4] - A CNBC investigation revealed that third-party sellers on Walmart's marketplace have been offering fake health and beauty products, prompting Walmart to tighten its vetting process [4][5] - E-commerce sales in the U.S. have reached record highs between 2020 and 2024, coinciding with a more than doubling of goods seized for intellectual property violations [5] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly turning to online marketplaces for purchases, raising concerns about inadvertently buying counterfeit products [3][4] - Experts advise consumers to be cautious and conduct thorough research on sellers to avoid fake products [6][10] Counterfeit Products in Marketplaces - Counterfeit goods have been a persistent issue in third-party marketplaces, and while platforms like Amazon and Walmart have implemented policies to combat this, eradicating counterfeits entirely remains challenging [8][9] - The Inform Consumers Act, effective in 2023, requires platforms to disclose seller information, enhancing transparency for consumers [11] Guidelines for Consumers - Consumers should research sellers, check business addresses, and look for discrepancies in product offerings to identify potential counterfeit risks [10][13][14] - Price discrepancies can be a significant indicator of counterfeit products; items sold at unusually low prices should raise red flags [17][18][19] - Packaging can also provide clues about product authenticity; consumers are encouraged to compare new packaging with previous purchases [20][21] Actions if a Fake Product is Purchased - If a counterfeit product is suspected, consumers should stop using it immediately, report it to the platform, and seek medical attention if necessary [22]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of counterfeit products on Walmart's online marketplace, highlighting the risks associated with third-party sellers and the company's efforts to balance growth with consumer safety [6][7][10]. Group 1: Walmart's Marketplace Growth - Walmart's U.S. digital business became profitable in spring 2024, driven by increased sales from third-party sellers [6]. - The number of sellers on Walmart's marketplace grew over 900% from 2019 to 2024, with U.S. revenue increasing by 45% and 37% in fiscal 2024 and 2025, respectively [10][28]. - Walmart's marketplace is projected to represent 10% of all domestic online sales by 2026, nearing $100 billion in annual revenue [10]. Group 2: Counterfeit Products and Risks - An investigation revealed that at least 43 vendors on Walmart's platform impersonated legitimate businesses, leading to the sale of counterfeit products [8][22]. - Counterfeit health and beauty products pose significant safety risks, as they may contain harmful ingredients [20]. - Walmart's lax vetting process for third-party sellers has been criticized, with former employees stating they were pressured to approve applications despite concerns [11][44]. Group 3: Consumer Trust and Brand Perception - Many consumers mistakenly believe they are purchasing directly from Walmart, leading to a false sense of security regarding product authenticity [17][18]. - Walmart's brand reputation as a trusted retailer complicates the perception of risk associated with third-party sellers [17][92]. - The company has faced backlash from customers who received counterfeit products, raising questions about its responsibility for third-party sales [5][21]. Group 4: Regulatory and Legal Landscape - The Inform Consumers Act, effective June 2023, requires online platforms to verify certain information about third-party sellers, but the extent of liability for platforms remains unclear [85]. - Legal experts suggest that the argument for holding platforms accountable for harmful products sold by third-party sellers is gaining traction [89][90]. - Walmart's approach to seller vetting may impact its liability in cases involving counterfeit products, as consumers may confuse third-party sellers with the Walmart brand [92][93].

Core Viewpoint - Ray Dalio emphasizes that gold and non-fiat currencies are becoming stronger stores of value due to the devaluation risks faced by major currencies amid increasing global debt pressures [1][2]. Economic Concerns - The excessive spending and spiraling debt of the U.S. government are deemed "unsustainable," leading to a potential fiscal crisis that threatens the monetary order [2][3]. - Dalio highlights that the U.S. debt has reached a critical point, with a need for the government to sell an additional $12 trillion in debt to cover a $2 trillion deficit, $1 trillion in interest payments, and $9 trillion in maturing borrowings [5][6]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to diversify their portfolios, allocating around 10% to gold as a hedge against currency devaluation [3]. - The supply-demand imbalance in the market is exacerbated by the government's inability to balance its debt levels, despite proposals to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP [6]. Currency Dynamics - The U.S. dollar has depreciated over 10% against other major currencies this year, yet these currencies have also weakened relative to gold, which is now the second-largest reserve currency globally [4]. - While the U.S. dollar will maintain its role as a medium of exchange, the increasing prominence of the Chinese currency in global trade may diminish the dollar's influence [7].

Core Insights - The launch of the iPhone 17 series has generated significant consumer interest, particularly in China, where customers waited for hours to purchase the new models [2][6] - Apple faces increasing competition in the Chinese smartphone market, holding only 10% market share, trailing behind local brands like Huawei and Xiaomi [5] - Initial preorder data indicates strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, surpassing last year's iPhone 16 series in the first minute of sales on JD.com [6][9] Market Performance - The iPhone 17 Pro Max and other models have been well-received, with customers expressing excitement over new features such as improved heat dissipation and larger internal storage [3][4] - In Singapore, the redesigned iPhone 17 series also attracted long lines, with customers citing fresh designs and improved battery life as key selling points [7][8] - The base model of the iPhone 17 has exceeded expectations, maintaining its launch price while offering upgrades in memory storage [10] Competitive Landscape - Apple has lost market share in China to competitors, but there is potential for recovery as many consumers are expected to purchase their first iPhone this year due to new features [4][5] - Analysts suggest that a successful iPhone 17 launch could help restore investor confidence amid concerns regarding Apple's artificial intelligence initiatives [11][12] - The company is under pressure to deliver on its AI promises, which have been delayed, but the current product launches may provide a buffer during this period [12]

Core Viewpoint - Asian central banks may have more flexibility to ease monetary policy following the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut, as the region faces trade challenges and currency pressures [2][3]. Group 1: Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark overnight lending rate to 4%-4.25% and indicated that two more cuts are likely this year, framing the decision as a "risk management cut" [2]. - The Fed's actions may narrow the yield gap between U.S. and Asian bonds, potentially alleviating currency concerns and allowing Asian economies to lower rates [3]. Group 2: Asian Central Banks' Responses - Some Asian central banks, such as the Bank of Korea and the Reserve Bank of Australia, have already cut rates in anticipation of the Fed's moves, with the Bank of Korea reaching an almost three-year low [4]. - Export-dependent economies like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore showed better-than-expected growth in Q2, with some central banks likely to continue rate cuts in Q4 [5]. Group 3: Economic Conditions and Inflation - Concerns about rapid currency depreciation have been overstated, allowing Asian central banks to ease further in response to growth concerns [6]. - India, despite strong domestic growth, is likely to prioritize domestic demand and may continue policy easing due to external pressures and rising inflation [7][8].