New York Post
Search documents
JetBlue to slash flights as soft travel demand threatens bottom line: report
New York Post· 2025-06-17 17:15
Core Insights - JetBlue Airways is implementing cost-cutting measures due to soft travel demand, making it unlikely to achieve a breakeven operating margin in 2025 [1][5] - The airline is focusing on profitable routes while winding down underperforming ones and reassessing its leadership team [1][7] - JetBlue shares have fallen 3% in afternoon trading and have lost over 42% this year [2] Financial Performance - The company had previously withdrawn its 2025 forecast, citing a weakening demand environment [7] - JetBlue plans to defer deliveries of 44 new jetliners, reducing planned capital expenditures by approximately $3 billion between 2025 and 2029 [7] - The airline is facing higher operating costs due to ongoing inspections of Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan engines, which have grounded several aircraft [3][6] Industry Context - U.S. airlines are under pressure from trade policies and tariffs, leading to economic uncertainty and reduced consumer spending on travel [4] - Major U.S. airlines are scaling back capacity ahead of the busy summer travel season to protect fares and adapt to weaker demand [4]
Kraft Heinz to remove synthetic dyes from US products amid ‘Make America Healthy Again' pressure
New York Post· 2025-06-17 15:35
Core Viewpoint - Kraft Heinz plans to eliminate synthetic dyes from its US products by 2027 and will not introduce new products containing these additives, responding to health concerns and regulatory pressures [1][10]. Company Actions - Approximately 10% of Kraft Heinz products, including brands like Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, MiO, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed, currently contain synthetic dyes [2]. - The company aims to either remove these dyes entirely or replace them with natural alternatives, as stated by Kraft Heinz's North America president, Pedro Navio [4][16]. - Kraft Heinz has previously removed artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from its Kraft Mac & Cheese in 2016 [5]. Regulatory Context - The FDA, influenced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" campaign, announced plans to phase out artificial dyes, including several specific colors [6][9]. - The FDA had previously banned the use of Red No. 3 dye in food and drugs due to cancer concerns in lab studies [7]. Industry Trends - Public sentiment is increasingly against synthetic dyes due to health risks, leading to protests against companies like WK Kellogg for their continued use of these additives [13]. - Other companies, including WK Kellogg, are also reformulating products to eliminate synthetic dyes, indicating a broader industry shift [14][15].
Boeing slightly trims projection for 20-year jet demand
New York Post· 2025-06-15 23:25
Group 1: Demand Forecast - Boeing expects global demand for air travel to increase by more than 40% by 2030, leading to a need for 43,600 new airliners through 2044, which is similar to last year's forecast of 43,975 new deliveries through 2043 [1][4] - Airbus has revised its 20-year demand forecast up by 2% to 43,420 jets, indicating resilience in the air transport industry despite current trade tensions [2] Group 2: Delivery Projections - Boeing's delivery projection includes approximately 33,300 single-aisle airliners, over 7,800 widebody jets, 955 factory-built freighters, and 1,545 regional jets, with single-aisle jets making up about 80% of current deliveries [3] - Boeing anticipates that 51% of demand for new aircraft over the next 20 years will stem from growth rather than replacing older airplanes, with China and South/Southeast Asia expected to account for half of this additional capacity [10] Group 3: Economic and Traffic Growth Adjustments - Boeing has reduced its 20-year forecast for passenger traffic growth from 4.7% to 4.2%, global economic growth from 2.6% to 2.3%, cargo traffic growth from 4.1% to 3.7%, and fleet growth from 3.2% to 3.1% [4] Group 4: Production Challenges - Airplane production is currently at half or less of pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a shortage of 1,500 to 2,000 airliners [6][12] - Both Boeing and Airbus are facing challenges in returning aircraft production to pre-pandemic levels, with Boeing dealing with production safety concerns that have led to a cap on 737 production [7] Group 5: Recent Incidents - Boeing has improved production quality recently, but the crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has put the company back in crisis mode, affecting leadership plans and operations [9]
23andMe's founder Anne Wojcicki wins bid for bankrupt DNA testing firm
New York Post· 2025-06-13 21:07
Core Insights - Anne Wojcicki is set to regain control of 23andMe after a $305 million bid from a nonprofit she controls, surpassing Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' previous offer of $256 million in a bankruptcy auction [1][2] - The deal is expected to close soon, pending a court hearing scheduled for June 17 [1] - 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March due to declining demand and a data breach in 2023 that compromised sensitive customer information [2][6] Company Developments - 23andMe's bankruptcy filing was a result of a significant decline in consumer demand for DNA testing services [2][6] - The company faced legal challenges, with New York and over two dozen other states suing to contest the sale of its customers' private information [3] - TTAM Research Institute, associated with Wojcicki, has committed to upholding 23andMe's existing privacy policies and complying with data protection laws [2] Competitive Landscape - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals initially offered $256 million for 23andMe, which was later outbid by Wojcicki's nonprofit [1][5] - Regeneron expressed willingness to make a new bid but requested a $10 million breakup fee if Wojcicki's bid is accepted [5]
Top JPMorgan rainmaker Matthew Demko jumps ship from Jamie Dimon-led bank
New York Post· 2025-06-13 17:40
Group 1 - Matthew Demko, a managing director at JPMorgan, has left the bank to join Ryan Specialty Group, an insurance broker and underwriter founded by billionaire Patrick G. Ryan [1][4] - Demko, 42, had been with JPMorgan since 2011, working in the leveraged finance unit that provides credit to non-investment grade companies [2][7] - He was promoted to managing director two years ago, becoming one of 37 bankers at JPMorgan to achieve this elite title after a five-month assessment process [4] Group 2 - Ryan Specialty Group was established in 2010 by Patrick Ryan, the former CEO and chairman of AON, and went public in July 2021 [4] - Patrick Ryan has a current net worth of nearly $12 billion, according to Bloomberg [4] - Demko's departure follows a warning from Jamie Dimon regarding potential economic turmoil, likening it to a "hurricane" due to various market factors [8]
Dow futures plummet 400 points, oil prices spike 7% after Israeli attack on Iran
New York Post· 2025-06-13 13:13
Market Reaction - Stock futures on Wall Street experienced significant declines, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 453 points (1.05%) to 42,863, S&P 500 dropping 57.50 points (0.95%) to 5,992, and Nasdaq futures declining 273.50 points (1.23%) to 21,885 [1][7] - Oil prices surged, with Brent crude increasing over 7% to $74.28 per barrel, driven by fears of supply disruptions due to escalating violence in the Middle East [3][14] Geopolitical Developments - Israeli airstrikes targeted senior military figures and nuclear facilities in Iran, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including military chief Mohammad Hossein Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami [3][4] - Iran retaliated by launching around 100 drones toward Israel, escalating tensions further [4] Investor Sentiment - Investors sought safety amid the turmoil, leading to a rise in US Treasury bonds, with the 10-year yield increasing to 4.369% [5] - The WSJ Dollar Index rose 0.53% to 95.15, indicating renewed demand for the US dollar, while the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) surged above 21, reflecting increased investor anxiety [6] Broader Market Impact - Gold prices reached a near two-month high, while auto stocks faced pressure following comments from former President Trump regarding potential import levies [8] - European and Asian stock markets also declined, contributing to a souring market mood [9] International Response - The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran's Isfahan nuclear site was unaffected by the strikes, with no increases in radiation levels detected at the Natanz site [9] - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint from both Iran and Israel, emphasizing the need to avoid further conflict in the region [12][13]
Top Goldman Sachs banker Todd Eagle quits real estate team
New York Post· 2025-06-12 20:53
Core Insights - Todd Eagle, a prominent real estate banker at Goldman Sachs, has left the firm to join Jefferies as the US head of real estate banking [1][2] - Eagle's departure marks a significant shift in the real estate banking landscape, as he has been a key figure at Goldman Sachs for over three decades [3][5] Company Transition - Eagle's name has been removed from Goldman Sachs' internal staff directory, indicating his official exit from the firm [1] - He will report to Michael Bluhm at Jefferies, who oversees global real estate, gaming, and lodging [2] Career Background - Todd Eagle has a long history with Goldman Sachs, having first joined as an analyst in 1990 and later becoming a managing director [3][5] - He has previously left Goldman twice, once for business school and again to focus on real estate investments, before returning to the firm [5] - Eagle has extensive experience advising on mergers, acquisitions, and financing opportunities in the real estate sector, particularly during his time in London [6]
Elon Musk's Tesla sues former Optimus robot engineer for allegedly stealing trade secrets
New York Post· 2025-06-12 15:28
Core Viewpoint - Tesla is suing former engineer Zhongjie "Jay" Li for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to its Optimus humanoid robot, which Li used to co-found a competing startup, Proception Inc. [1][3] Group 1: Allegations and Legal Actions - The lawsuit claims that Li downloaded sensitive Optimus files onto two smartphones while working on advanced robotic hand sensors at Tesla [2] - Tesla is seeking unspecified compensatory and exemplary damages against Li and an order to prevent him and his associates from using the company's trade secrets [3] - The company has requested a jury trial in the case [3] Group 2: Proception Inc. and Its Development - Proception, founded by Li shortly after leaving Tesla, claims to have developed humanoid robot hands resembling Optimus within five months [3] - Tesla's lawsuit accuses Proception of taking shortcuts through theft rather than legitimate innovation [3] Group 3: Importance of Optimus Project - The lawsuit highlights that Tesla's research and development costs for the Optimus project are in the billions of dollars, indicating the project's complexity and resource demands [6] - Elon Musk has emphasized the significance of the Optimus robot for Tesla's long-term growth and health, predicting it will be overwhelmingly valuable to the company [10]
Boeing stock plummets after Air India crash, dealing major setback as new leadership tries to rebuild trust
New York Post· 2025-06-12 15:20
Core Points - Boeing's shares fell 5% following a fatal crash of an Air India 787-8 Dreamliner, marking a significant setback for the company as it seeks to rebuild trust after previous safety and production issues [1][3][9] - The crash resulted in the death of all 242 individuals on board, making it the worst aviation disaster in a decade [1][5] - The incident negatively impacts the safety record of the Dreamliner, complicating CEO Kelly Orthberg's efforts to increase production amidst a backdrop of new orders and production targets achieved in May [3][7] Company Impact - Boeing is currently facing scrutiny over its aircraft safety, particularly with the Dreamliner, which had not experienced a fatal crash prior to this incident [3][4] - The company has a history of challenges with its 737 MAX jets, which were grounded for years due to two fatal crashes, and recent quality control concerns have resurfaced following a mid-flight incident with a 737 MAX 9 [4][10] - Shares of key suppliers, including Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aerospace, also experienced a decline of approximately 3% following the crash [7][8] Industry Context - The crash raises renewed fears regarding Boeing's aircraft safety, reflecting ongoing concerns that have plagued the company in recent years [9] - The incident may affect the broader aviation industry, particularly as it comes ahead of significant events like the Paris airshow, where Boeing had been looking to showcase its recovery and new orders [3]
GM doubles down on American manufacturing with $4B investment
New York Post· 2025-06-11 21:45
Investment Overview - General Motors is investing $4 billion in U.S. plants over the next two years to enhance the manufacturing of gas and electric vehicles [1] - This investment will enable the company to assemble more than 2 million vehicles annually in the U.S., an increase from the previous production of approximately 1.7 million vehicles [2][4] Strategic Initiatives - The investment follows a recent allocation of $888 million for the Tonawanda Propulsion plant to support the production of the next-generation V-8 engine [1] - GM plans to expand production at various plants, including the Orion Assembly plant for gas-powered SUVs and light-duty trucks starting in early 2027 [7] - The Fairfax Assembly plant will begin producing the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox in mid-2027, with significant demand noted as sales rose over 30% year over year in Q1 2025 [8] Market Context - The investments align with broader industry commitments to bolster U.S. manufacturing and support American jobs amid tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imported vehicles and auto parts [3][6] - GM's CEO, Mary Barra, emphasized the belief that the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise [2] Future Projections - GM's annual capital spending is projected to be between $10 billion and $12 billion through 2027, reflecting increased investment in the U.S. and prioritization of key programs [9]