Core Insights - Meta maintains an internal "do not rehire" list for former employees deemed ineligible for rehire, even if they have strong performance records and recommendations from hiring managers [1][6][12] - The company has laid off approximately 10,000 employees in 2022, including high performers who later sought to reapply [11] - Despite claims of fair application of rehire designations, multiple former employees report being flagged as ineligible without clear explanations [6][10][12] Group 1: Rehire Restrictions - A former Meta engineer, laid off in 2022, discovered they were on the "do not rehire" list after submitting nearly 20 applications, despite initial interest from hiring managers [1][5] - Internal documents suggest that managers face systemic obstacles when attempting to rehire certain individuals, indicating a lack of transparency in the process [7][6] - Employment experts note that while such lists are not illegal, they are uncommon, and even high-performing employees can be barred from rehire without clear reasons [6][8] Group 2: Company Response - Meta asserts that rehire eligibility is determined based on clear criteria at the time of departure, including policy violations and performance metrics [12][13] - The company emphasizes that checks and balances are in place to prevent any single manager from unilaterally marking a former employee as ineligible for rehire [12][13] - Meta denies allegations that former employees in good standing are barred from rehire due to internal lists or manager discretion [12]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's stock has experienced a significant decline, erasing $700 billion in gains since the US presidential election, with shares down over 28% in the last month and nearly 32% since the beginning of the year [1][8]. Company Performance - Following Donald Trump's election victory, Tesla initially thrived due to expectations of benefits from CEO Musk's ties to the president, but these hopes have diminished due to concerns over the company's core business of car sales [2][3]. - A January report indicated that Tesla's quarterly sales had fallen for the first time in a decade, and the company is losing market dominance in Europe and China [3][4]. - Bank of America analyst John Murphy downgraded Tesla's price target from $490 to $380, citing sluggish new car sales and uncertainty regarding the robotaxi initiative [7]. Market Environment - The speculative excitement that drove Tesla's stock to highs post-election has faded amid concerns about US trade policy and economic growth, with the S&P 500 down over 7% from its peak [6]. - Tesla's forward price-to-earnings ratio remains high at 88, compared to the S&P 500's multiple of 21, indicating that the shares are still considered expensive [9]. Potential Recovery Catalysts - Possible catalysts for a recovery include improving sales figures, updates on the robotaxi initiative, or a resurgence in investor appetite for riskier equities [8].

Core Viewpoint - The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed Alphabet to obtain communications regarding content moderation policies with the Biden administration, focusing on conservative topics and potential censorship [1][2][4]. Group 1: Subpoena Details - The subpoena specifically requests communications about content limits or bans related to President Trump, Elon Musk, COVID-19, and other conservative discussions [2]. - Chairman Jim Jordan has expressed concerns that Alphabet has not publicly disavowed the Biden administration's alleged attempts to censor speech [4][6]. Group 2: Context and Reactions - The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have criticized Big Tech for policies perceived to suppress conservative viewpoints online [3][6]. - Meta Platforms previously indicated that the Biden administration pressured them to censor content, leading to a reduction in content moderation practices [4].

Core Viewpoint - Walmart is urging Chinese suppliers to reduce prices by up to 20% due to concerns over President Trump's tariffs, but many suppliers are resisting these cuts, which could significantly impact their already thin profit margins [1][2][3][7]. Group 1: Price Negotiations - Walmart has requested price reductions from various Chinese suppliers, including those in kitchenware and clothing, amid fears that tariffs will increase costs [1]. - The requested price cuts have varied among suppliers, with few agreeing to reductions that would force them to absorb the tariff costs [2][3]. - Historically, Walmart has had strong bargaining power over its suppliers, but the current requests are seen as unusually high, leading to uncertainty among manufacturers about maintaining their partnership with Walmart [7][8]. Group 2: Impact of Tariffs - The imposition of tariffs by President Trump, including a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico and a 20% tariff on China, has prompted retailers to restructure their supply chains [4][6]. - Walmart's reliance on Chinese imports has decreased from 80% in 2018 to 60% in 2023, indicating a strategic shift to reduce dependence on China [9]. - In 2023, two-thirds of Walmart's total product spending was directed towards items made, grown, or assembled in the US, reflecting a broader trend among retailers to adapt to tariff pressures [9].

Shoppers are gearing up to slap Target with a 40-day boycott over its DEI policy reversal on Wednesday — even as black business owners have warned a boycott could hurt their own brands.It’s a triple whammy for the retailer as it emerges from a brutal year plagued by low spending and prepares for possible cost increases under President Trump’s tariffs.“We’re asking people to divest from Target because they have turned their back on our community,” Rev. Jamal Bryant, an Atlanta-area megachurch pastor who star ...

Alphabet’s Google met with President Donald Trump’s government last week and urged them to back away from a push to break up the search engine company, according to a person familiar with the matter.The Justice Department is currently pursuing two anti-monopoly cases against Google – one over search and another over advertising technology.“We routinely meet with regulators, including with the DOJ to discuss this case. As we’ve publicly said, we’re concerned the current proposals would harm the American econ ...

Core Viewpoint - Target's CEO Brian Cornell has indicated that consumers can expect higher prices for imported produce from Mexico due to new tariffs, which will impact the company's first-quarter profits as spending declines [1][2][4]. Price Impact - The company relies significantly on Mexican produce, especially during winter months, and anticipates price increases on items like avocados and strawberries as soon as this week due to a 25% tariff [3][4]. - Cornell noted that while the company will attempt to protect pricing, consumers will likely see price increases shortly [4]. Financial Performance - Target reported a 1.5% rise in comparable sales for the holiday quarter, exceeding analyst expectations of 1.3%, although earnings per share fell 19.3% to $2.41, still surpassing Wall Street's forecast of $2.27 [7]. - For the full year through January 2026, Target projects flat comparable sales, below analysts' average expectation of 1.86% growth [9]. Consumer Behavior and Market Trends - There has been a 6.1% drop in foot traffic at Target stores from late January to late February, which some analysts attribute to the company's recent decision to end its diversity and inclusion initiatives [15]. - The retailer has noted shifts in consumer behavior affecting financial results, with non-essential categories like home furnishings and electronics already experiencing weakened demand [6]. Economic Outlook - Cornell expressed that the year ahead would be challenging for the retailer due to rising duties and economic uncertainty, which have already begun to affect sales [2][13]. - The company's annual forecast does not fully account for the impact of tariffs, and there is ongoing monitoring of trends to remain cautious in expectations for the year [13].

Core Viewpoint - Lockheed Martin is set to introduce a new "affordable" cruise missile priced at approximately $150,000, with a range exceeding 500 miles, aimed at addressing U.S. defense needs against Chinese ambitions in the Pacific [1] Group 1: Product Overview - The Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) missile concept is designed to create a family of low-cost modular weapons utilizing existing components from Lockheed and its partners [2] - The CMMT missile aims to bridge the gap between lower-cost standoff glide weapons and more expensive cruise missiles, as stated by Scott Callaway, Director of Affordable Mass at Lockheed Martin [4] - The CMMT is characterized as a subsonic, low-cost, long-range cruise missile, with its turbine engines being less competitive compared to higher-end missiles like the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, which costs over $1.5 million [5] Group 2: Production and Variants - If the Pentagon opts to purchase the CMMT, Lockheed Martin could potentially produce 2,500 units annually once a production line is established [4] - The CMMT is designed to be modular, allowing for various mission-specific variants, including longer-range versions deployable from aircraft such as the C-17, fighters, and bombers, as well as a maritime strike variant [7] - The basic air vehicle of the CMMT is competitively priced at $150,000 per unit, according to Lockheed Martin [8]

Core Viewpoint - TSMC plans to announce a $100 billion investment in the U.S. to build additional chip factories, which is part of a broader strategy to enhance semiconductor production domestically [1][2]. Investment Plans - TSMC's new $100 billion investment is in addition to a previously announced increase of $25 billion, bringing the total planned U.S. investment to $65 billion, which includes the construction of a third factory in Arizona by 2030 [2]. - The company is expected to discuss its vision for innovation and growth in the semiconductor industry during the meeting with President Trump [3]. Government Support - The U.S. Commerce Department provided a $6.6 billion subsidy for TSMC's semiconductor production in Phoenix, finalized under the Biden administration [3][5]. - The CHIPS and Science Act, signed by Biden in 2022, allocated $52.7 billion in subsidies to boost domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on Asian imports [3][4]. Technological Advancements - TSMC is set to produce advanced 2-nanometer technology at its second Arizona factory, expected to begin production in 2028, and is already manufacturing four-nanometer chips for U.S. customers [7]. - The company has also received up to $5 billion in low-cost government loans as part of its investment strategy [7].

Chipotle’s top executive says the Tex-Mex fast food chain has no plans to pass on the costs of tariffs to its customers.Scott Boatwright, the company CEO, told NBC News over the weekend that Chipotle’s menu prices will remain as they are despite the fact that the cost of goods is expected to rise if and when President Donald Trump’s tariffs go into effect.“It is our intent as we sit here today to absorb those costs,” Boatwright told NBC News. 4 Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright pledged not to raise menu price ...