WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU If stocks at large start posting smaller gains, investors may to start looking elsewhere to make up for the kind of returns to which they've become accustomed. Key Takeaways What will it take to get the S&P 500 above 8000 next year? More than the two interest-rate cuts JP Morgan expects. The bank's analysts broadly expect the benchmark index to finish 2026 at 7500, implying a 10% rise from recent levels; in research published Thursday, the bank said it expects two quarter-percentage ...

Core Insights - Lululemon is in search of a new CEO following the announcement of Calvin McDonald's departure at the end of January, with investor Elliott Investment Management proposing Jane Nielsen as a candidate [1][4][7] Group 1: CEO Search and Candidate Proposal - Elliott Investment Management, which holds a stake of over $1 billion in Lululemon, has suggested Jane Nielsen, a former CFO at Ralph Lauren, as a potential CEO [2][3] - Nielsen's previous experience includes successful turnarounds at Ralph Lauren and Coach, and she is currently a board member at Mondelz International [4][7] - The market reacted positively to the news, with Lululemon shares rising more than 4%, although they remain down over 40% for the year [4] Group 2: Company Performance and Strategy - Lululemon has experienced a slowdown in U.S. sales as it expands its product offerings beyond its traditional yoga-focused items to include golf, tennis gear, and men's apparel [6] - The company aims to revitalize its American business by introducing new products in the spring and enhancing its design and production processes [6]

Key Takeaways Everybody seemed to want, and to want to sell, more protein this year. Now Chipotle is carrying the torch into 2026. Understanding Same-Store Sales: Key Metrics for Retail Success Companies Are 'Sprinkling Protein Everywhere.' Here's What Coke Is Doing "For years, guests have used Chipotle's customizable offerings to build high protein and fiber-filled meals on their own," said Chipotle President Chris Brandt in a statement. "This curated menu brings that fan behavior to the forefront." Chipot ...

Core Insights - Instacart is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for its use of AI-driven pricing tools that reportedly charge customers different prices for the same items [1][8] Pricing Practices - An investigation revealed that prices for approximately 75% of surveyed items on Instacart varied by up to 23% among users shopping simultaneously, potentially costing the average household an additional $1,200 annually [2][8] - Instacart claims that its pricing strategies are controlled by retail partners and that the company does not employ dynamic or surveillance pricing, but rather conducts randomized A/B testing [3][5] Regulatory Response - The FTC has expressed concern over the pricing practices reported in the media and has issued a civil investigative demand regarding Instacart's Eversight pricing tool, which is designed to help retailers test consumer reactions to different prices [4][5] Market Impact - Instacart's parent company, Maplebear (CART), has seen its shares decline by about 1% recently and has lost approximately 9% of its value since the beginning of the year [7]

Stock futures pointed higher ahead of delayed Consumer Price Index data Thursday, with the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average and benchmark S&P 500 aiming to end four-session losing streaks.  Futures associated with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow were up 0.8%, 0.5%, and 0.2%, respectively. Yesterday, they closed down a respective 1.8%, 1.2%, and 0.5%, as AI bubble concerns resumed. The belated inflation report at 8:30 a.m. ET is expected to show the Consumer Price Index rose 3.1% over the ...

Core Insights - Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) shares have experienced a significant decline, down nearly 70% this year, but saw a recovery of over 35% in morning trading following a merger announcement with TAE Technologies [1][2][4]. Company Overview - TMTG, the parent company of Truth Social, is part-owned by former President Donald Trump and has lost more than half its value this year, significantly dropping from early year highs [2][4][6]. - The company announced a $6 billion all-stock merger with TAE Technologies, a privately owned fusion power company, with shareholders of both companies expected to own about half of the combined entity upon closing [2][7]. Merger Details - The merger is expected to close in mid-2026, with plans to commence construction of the first utility-scale fusion power plant in the same year [5][7]. - The combined company aims to provide economic, abundant, and dependable electricity, which is positioned as crucial for maintaining America's global economic dominance and advancing in the A.I. sector [5][6]. Leadership Structure - Devin Nunes, CEO of TMTG, and Dr. Michl Binderbauer, CEO of TAE Technologies, will serve as co-CEOs of the merged company [5]. Market Performance - TMTG shares reached nearly $80 at their public debut in March 2024 but closed at $10.47 on the last trading day before the merger announcement [6].

Key Takeaways Why Your Child's Paycheck Opens the Door to a Surprisingly Powerful Holiday Gift A child's first paychecks can feel small, but they unlock one of the most valuable financial opportunities your kid may ever get. Once a teen has earned income from a part-time or summer job, they're eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA—and this can create a unique tax advantage most adults can't match. Why? Because Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars. For adults, that means choosing to "pay tax ...

Core Insights - Buying a new vehicle may become more affordable by late 2026 due to expected easing of price increases, lower borrowing costs, and new tax benefits [1][5][7] Vehicle Pricing Trends - Car prices surged approximately 9% during the pandemic, with the average new vehicle costing about $49,800 in November, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year [2][4] - Price inflation for 2026 model-year vehicles has been above historical standards, with these vehicles making up about 60% of the current new-vehicle supply [6] Consumer Sentiment and Market Dynamics - Despite improvements in affordability since 2023, consumer sentiment remains negative regarding the timing of vehicle purchases [3][6] - Households are projected to buy 2% to 3% fewer cars in 2026 compared to 2025 [2] Financial Implications - The new tax benefit may provide typical consumers with about $50 more per month, particularly benefiting those with annual incomes up to $100,000 [5][7] - The average monthly payment for a new vehicle currently accounts for 12.8% of median income, which may decrease to 12.3% by late 2026 [6] Market Segmentation - New tax breaks are expected to support sales among middle-income households, while low-income households will likely remain unable to afford new vehicles [7][8]

Core Insights - Ray Dalio and his wife Barbara are donating $250 to Trump Accounts for select children in Connecticut, aiming to educate them about finance and capitalism [1][7] - The Trump Accounts initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage philanthropy and build generational wealth for children [4] Summary by Sections Trump Accounts Overview - Trump Accounts are investment accounts for children under 18, set to be available starting July 5, 2026, established by the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act [3] - The federal government will provide a $1,000 initial deposit for children born between 2025 and 2028, with parents needing to check a box on tax form 4547 to claim it [3] Financial Contributions - Certain children in Connecticut will receive a $250 deposit in their Trump Account, in addition to the $1,000 contribution for eligible newborns [2] - The $250 benefit is targeted at children living in ZIP codes with a median income below $150,000, with approximately 87% of Connecticut's ZIP codes meeting this criterion [2] Philanthropic Initiatives - The donation from Dalio is part of the "50 State Challenge," which invites philanthropists nationwide to contribute to Trump Accounts [4] - Michael Dell has also announced a similar donation of $250 to select children under 10 who do not qualify for the federal $1,000 benefit [5] Account Features - Trump Accounts allow contributions from parents, employers, nonprofits, and government entities, with funds invested in U.S. stock mutual funds or ETFs [6] - The accounts have an annual contribution limit of $5,000, indexed to inflation, and funds are inaccessible until the child turns 18, at which point the account converts to an IRA [6]

Core Insights - Fed officials are divided on whether to lower interest rates to boost the job market or maintain higher rates to combat inflation, with a recent rise in the unemployment rate adding to the debate [1][2][5] Group 1: Economic Indicators - The unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to a four-year high in November, complicating the Fed's decision-making process [2][4] - Fed Governor Christopher Waller indicated that the labor market is in danger, suggesting that the economy is creating approximately 60,000 fewer jobs each month than reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics [6] Group 2: Policy Perspectives - Some Fed officials advocate for lowering interest rates to stimulate job growth, while others, like Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, prioritize controlling inflation, which has exceeded the Fed's 2% target since 2021 [7][8] - The recent government shutdown has delayed key economic reports, making it difficult for the Fed to formulate a clear interest rate strategy [5][8]