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 ...

Core Points - Kroger's CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned following an investigation into his personal conduct that was inconsistent with the company's ethics policy [1][2] - The adverse conduct was not related to Kroger's financials and did not involve any company associates [2] - Ronald "Ron" Sargent, Kroger's lead director, has taken over as interim chairman and CEO while a search committee looks for a permanent replacement [3][8] - Kroger's shares fell by 1% on the morning following the announcement of McMullen's resignation [3] - The resignation comes shortly after the Federal Trade Commission blocked Kroger's $25 billion merger with Albertsons on antitrust grounds [3][4] - Albertsons has filed a lawsuit against Kroger, claiming it failed to make "best efforts" to secure regulatory approval for the merger [7] - McMullen had been with Kroger for over 45 years, serving as CEO for more than a decade [7][8] - Kroger is expected to report its fourth quarter and annual 2024 earnings soon, with projections indicating full-year sales without fuel at the high end of expectations and adjusted earnings per share exceeding predictions [8]

Skype will ring for the last time on May 5 as owner Microsoft retires the two-decade-old internet calling service that redefined how people connect across borders.Shutting down Skype will help Microsoft focus on its homegrown Teams service by simplifying its communication offerings, the software giant said on Friday.Founded in 2003, Skype’s audio and video calls quickly disrupted the landline industry in the early 2000s and made the company a household name boasting hundreds of millions of users at its peak ...

Core Points - Meta has terminated "roughly 20" employees for leaking confidential information, with the possibility of more firings in the future [1][2][6] - The company has faced internal dissent following the cancellation of DEI initiatives and fact-checking efforts, which some critics believe were aimed at aligning with political interests [3][7] - Zuckerberg expressed frustration over leaks during internal meetings, indicating that such incidents undermine morale and productivity [4][5] Employee Management - The recent firings follow a previous layoff of approximately 4,000 employees classified as "low performers," representing about 5% of Meta's workforce [6] - The company is expected to hire new employees to replace those who were terminated for leaking information [6] Company Culture and Security - Meta has reiterated its policy against leaking internal information, emphasizing the negative impact of such actions on team morale and operational efficiency [5] - The chief technology officer mentioned that the company is making progress in identifying and addressing leaks [5]

Core Viewpoint - Nvidia's stock experienced a decline due to uncertainties surrounding potential tariffs and export controls from the Trump administration, despite reporting better-than-expected quarterly profits [1][2]. Financial Performance - Nvidia reported a revenue increase of 78% to $39.33 billion, surpassing expectations, although there was a slight decrease in margins as production of new Blackwell AI chips ramped up [3]. - The company projected sales of $43 billion for the current quarter, which was higher than consensus estimates but still perceived as "slightly underwhelming" by some analysts [4]. Market Sentiment - Wall Street is anxious about macroeconomic factors, particularly as President Trump increases pressure on China, which has contributed to Nvidia's stock volatility [2][5]. - Nvidia shares fell alongside the Nasdaq Composite Index, which was down about 1% in early trading [5]. Demand and Future Outlook - Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang highlighted strong demand for the new Blackwell chips, predicting significant growth in AI development [3][7]. - Analyst Dan Ives expressed confidence in Nvidia's position, suggesting that the "AI revolution thesis" remains robust despite market uncertainties, and projected that Nvidia could reach a $4 trillion market cap this year [6]. Regulatory Environment - The potential for new tariffs, including a proposed 10% tariff on China and a possible 25% or higher tariff on computer chips, adds to the uncertainty surrounding Nvidia's operations [4][5]. - Top officials in the Trump administration have indicated a desire to tighten export controls on Nvidia's chips, which are crucial for AI advancements in China [10][11].