Group 1 - The European Commission is preparing to charge Google for breaching EU antitrust rules related to Big Tech, following proposed changes to its search results that did not satisfy regulators or competitors [1] - The investigation has been ongoing since March of the previous year, focusing on potential violations of the Digital Markets Act [3] - One specific probe examines whether Google prioritizes its own vertical search engines, such as Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels, over competing services [2] Group 2 - Another investigation is looking into restrictions that may prevent app developers from informing users about offers outside the Google App Store without charge [3]

Donald Trump appears to have secured David Solomon’s job for the foreseeable future.The Goldman Sachs CEO has had, let’s say, a rocky relationship with the rank-and-file inside the big investment bank, and just a few months ago, looked to be on thin ice.MDs and senior executives thought he was dictatorial and could be a jerk at a company where CEOs normally stroked the egos of top brass. Junior bankers believed his back-to-work edicts and perk-containment strategies wreaked of insensitivity, and leaks were ...

Core Viewpoint - Target is facing a securities fraud lawsuit from the State of Florida for allegedly concealing risks associated with its diversity and social initiatives, which resulted in significant customer backlash and a substantial decline in market value [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is the first shareholder action led by a US state regarding Target's alleged mismanagement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) matters [2]. - Florida accuses Target of misleading investors and its core customer base by making false statements in financial reports about its DEI and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives [3]. - The lawsuit claims that CEO Brian Cornell downplayed the impact of customer boycotts following a controversial Pride Month campaign in May 2023, which contributed to a decline in Target's share price [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Following the backlash from the Pride Month campaign, Target removed some LGBTQ-themed merchandise, leading to a decline in share price, which has fallen over 50% from its peak in November 2021 [6]. - On November 20, 2024, Target experienced a 22% drop in share price, resulting in a loss of approximately $15.7 billion in market value after disappointing profit and holiday sales forecasts [7]. - Target announced plans to end its DEI initiatives in 2024, joining other major retailers like Walmart and Amazon in scaling back such programs [7]. Group 3: Context and Reactions - Florida's attorney general criticized corporations that promote what he termed "radical leftist ideology," arguing that such actions jeopardize the financial security of public sector employees [4]. - The lawsuit is part of a broader trend, with similar class actions proposed in early 2023, indicating growing scrutiny over corporate social responsibility initiatives [7].

Walmart on Thursday forecast sales and profit for the fiscal year ending January 2026 below Wall Street estimates, suggesting the world’s largest retailer expects inflation-weary consumers to pull back after several quarters of solid growth.Walmart shares, which had risen about 72% in 2024 and hit a record high of $105 last week, were down 6%. Shares of rival retailer Target were down 1.6%, with Amazon 0.9% lower.The company forecast adjusted earnings per share for the fiscal year ending January 2026 in the ...

Group 1 - Chipotle Mexican Grill is planning to hire 20,000 additional workers in preparation for its busiest time of year, referred to as "burrito season" [1][5] - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including a virtual team member named Ava Cado, to enhance its hiring process [2][3] - Ava Cado has nearly doubled the applicant flow and reduced the average time for applicants to start their roles from eight days to four days after application submission [2][3] Group 2 - The AI technology used by Chipotle is a result of a partnership with Paradox, initiated in the fall of the previous year, which has improved administrative efficiency for restaurant managers [4] - As of the end of 2024, Chipotle employed over 130,500 individuals, with approximately 126,200 working in restaurants and nearly 1,600 in support and leadership roles [4] - The company aims to expand its presence to 7,000 North American restaurants, currently operating more than 3,700 locations across seven countries [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Apple is launching a new lower-priced iPhone model to counter competition from Chinese rivals, specifically introducing an updated version of the iPhone SE, which is expected to be priced above the current model at $429 [1][2]. Product Features - The new iPhone SE will feature a redesign, including the removal of the physical button at the bottom of the screen and a reduced bezel size, aligning it with newer iPhone models [2]. - Analysts anticipate that the new model will be larger than the original iPhone SE [3]. - The updated iPhone SE is expected to include Face ID technology, which was not available in the first version [4]. - The new model is likely to adopt a USB-C charging port instead of the older Lightning plug [5]. Market Context - Apple has previously ceased selling the iPhone SE in certain international markets due to non-compliance with EU regulations regarding the Lightning port [7]. - The company recently forecasted higher sales than Wall Street expectations, attributing this to the rollout of new artificial intelligence features, which are expected to help earnings recover from a decline [8][9]. - The forecast comes in light of a slump in iPhone sales and revenue from China during the holiday quarter, primarily due to competition from companies like Huawei [9].

It seems Coca-Cola has grown sick of stomaching Poppi and Olipop’s success with “gut-healthy” sodas – so the legacy brand is launching its own prebiotic drinks.Coca-Cola’s Simply prebiotic sodas will be sold in five fruity flavors: Strawberry, Pineapple Mango, Fruit Punch, Lime and Citrus Punch. The prebiotic drinks — pitched as beneficial to digestive health — will be available later this month at retailers in select regions and via Amazon Fresh. 3 Coca-Cola’s Simply prebiotic sodas will be sold in five ...

Core Insights - Nike is launching a new women's activewear brand called NikeSKIMS in partnership with Kim Kardashian's Skims, aiming to enhance its portfolio and compete with emerging brands [1][3] - The initiative is part of CEO Elliott Hill's strategy to revive sales, which have been lagging behind competitors like Hoka and New Balance [1] - The new brand will include training apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, with the first collection set to launch in spring 2024 [3][5] Market Positioning - Women accounted for approximately 40% of Nike's customer base in 2023, highlighting the importance of targeting this demographic [2] - Nike's recent Super Bowl ad, featuring prominent female athletes, underscores its commitment to appealing to women [2] Brand Expansion - The NikeSKIMS brand is expected to launch globally in 2026, with plans to expand into more retail locations and the wholesale segment [4] - NikeSKIMS will be positioned alongside other brands under Nike, such as Converse, Jordan, ACG, and Nike SB [5] Financial Impact - Following the announcement of the new brand, Nike's shares increased by over 3% [5]

Group 1 - Billionaire investor Bill Ackman increased his stake in Nike by 15% during the fourth quarter, owning 18.8 million shares [1][4] - Ackman cut his investment in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 14%, reducing his holdings to 24.7 million shares, a company he has invested in since 2016 [1][3] - The firm also reduced its stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings by 26%, bringing its total to 5.4 million shares [3] Group 2 - Pershing Square Capital Management has been gradually decreasing its investment in Chipotle, which has been one of its significant winners in recent years, with previous holdings of 28.8 million shares as of June 30 [3][6] - Ackman has shifted to a quieter investment style in recent years, although his investment choices continue to attract attention [2]

Core Viewpoint - Walmart is facing significant customer dissatisfaction due to alleged staffing shortages, leading to long checkout lines and the closure of traditional checkout lanes [1][7]. Group 1: Customer Complaints - Customers have expressed frustration on social media about long wait times at self-checkout areas, with some reporting waits of over 10 minutes [2][4]. - Shoppers have criticized Walmart for closing down checkout lanes and limiting the number of open registers, which exacerbates the wait times [5][8]. - Many customers have noted that despite the presence of employees, they appear to be unengaged and not assisting in reducing the long lines [9][10]. Group 2: Company Response - A Walmart spokesperson stated that decisions regarding self-checkout and staffed registers are made at the manager's discretion, influenced by customer feedback and local business needs [3].