This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. By the numbers: Q4 and full-year 2025 Q4 net sales: $2.1B Up 0.4% year over year 2025 net sales: $8.6B Down 2.2% year over year Q4 net income: $71M Compared with $138M in Q4 2024 2025 net income: $444M Compared with $658M in 2024 Overview: Sales during the fourth quarter of 2025 were essentially flat year over year, said executives on Tuesday’s earnings call. It ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the journey of a former tech engineer, ADE, who was laid off after 25 years in the industry, reflecting on the challenges and changes in the tech job market, and offering guidance for young professionals entering the field [1][18]. Group 1: Career Journey and Challenges - ADE, a seasoned engineer with a prestigious background, faced his first layoff after voluntarily placing himself on the list to save younger colleagues [3][18]. - He recalls his early career struggles, including a lack of foundational skills and the steep learning curve he faced when starting in a tech role [6][8]. - The 2008 financial crisis was a pivotal moment for ADE, leading him to understand the importance of financial prudence and the concept of "exchanging life for money" [12][11]. Group 2: Work-Life Balance and Industry Realities - Despite a lucrative career with six-figure salaries and stock options, ADE experienced significant work-life imbalance, often sacrificing family time for work commitments [15][13]. - The high-pressure environment of the tech industry, coupled with rapid technological advancements, made it increasingly difficult for ADE to keep pace as he aged [15][19]. - The loss of a colleague due to work-related stress highlighted the harsh realities of the industry, prompting ADE to reassess the value of his time and contributions [16][17]. Group 3: Guidance for Young Professionals - ADE emphasizes the importance of passion in choosing a career path, advising against entering the tech field solely for financial reasons [21]. - Building a personal brand and gaining practical experience through internships and projects is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market [22][23]. - Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as young professionals may need to explore adjacent roles or freelance opportunities to gain entry into the tech industry [25][26].

9 January 2026 | 5:41PM HKT Equity Research Zhejiang China Commodities City Group (600415.SS, NC): APAC Consumer & Leisure Corp Day — new initiatives unlocking ample growth Bottom line: We hosted Zhejiang China Commodities City Group (600415.SS, Not Covered) for a virtual meeting at our APAC Consumer & Leisure Corp Day on Jan 9, 2026. Key takeaways include: 1) Yiwu's export momentum remains strong with export value +25% yoy in 11M25, and mgmt's tone was optimistic towards export growth into the next few yea ...

Amazon Pitches AI Tools as Co-Workers While Axing Jobs https://t.co/9Wul6sFejK ...

Product Innovation - Coinbase introduces "Payments MCP," enabling AI tools to manage fiat on-ramps and stablecoin transfers via text commands [1]

Industry Trend - AI tools are facilitating the spread of medical scams online [1] Online Security - Medical scams are being disseminated through online platforms [1]

Core Insights - The resurgence of utility apps is driven by their stable demand and clear value proposition, despite the rise of new applications like live streaming and AI [1][2] - Utility apps are not a declining category but are experiencing a structural growth opportunity, with significant consumer spending in various niches [3][4] Market Dynamics - Monthly consumer spending on remote control apps has surpassed $10 million, driven by the rapid adoption of smart TVs and WiFi-enabled devices [2] - Photo cleaning tools have consistently ranked high on the iOS tools bestseller list, with the app "Cleanup" generating monthly revenues of $8 million [3][4] - The monthly consumer spending in the recognition tools category has reached $27 million, indicating a robust market for specialized utility apps [3] Business Strategies - Developers are increasingly adopting a "multi-product, multi-package" strategy to ensure sustainable revenue growth, moving beyond reliance on a few standout products [4][5] - The success of a product matrix depends on the breadth of categories covered, the number of apps in operation, and the profitability of individual apps [5] Emerging Trends - The utility app market is entering a transitional phase, with traditional tools still showing stable monetization potential while new AI-driven applications are emerging [7][9] - AI tools like "Cal AI" are gaining traction, leveraging social media for distribution and achieving monthly revenues of $300,000 [8][9] Investment Opportunities - The entry barriers for AI tools are relatively low, allowing small teams to develop products that meet clear consumer needs, which can lead to significant market opportunities [9][10] - Platforms like TikTok are becoming essential for marketing and user acquisition, with developers encouraged to utilize automated tools for efficient ad spending [11][12]

AI Tools Landscape - The presentation discusses the rapid growth of AI tools, estimating over 35,000 currently exist and are rapidly increasing [4][9] - It highlights that tools like Chat GPT, Google Gemini, and others represent only a small fraction of the total AI landscape [4] Survival Guide to AI Wonderland (1-2-3 Formula) - The core message is a "survival guide" to navigate the AI landscape, using a 1-2-3 formula [4] - One key takeaway is that AI will not replace individuals, but individuals using AI will [6] - Two methods to stay updated with AI news involve exploring AI directories and curating AI-related news on social media [7][8][10] - Three essential skills for using AI tools effectively are validating AI responses, crafting effective prompts, and selecting the appropriate AI tool for the task [5][12][14][16] Essential AI Skills - Validation and verification of AI-generated content are crucial due to the potential for errors and inaccuracies [12][13] - Prompt engineering, or crafting detailed and specific prompts, significantly impacts the quality of AI output [14][15] - Choosing the right AI tool is essential, as different tools have varying capabilities and strengths [16][17][18]

Healthcare Industry - AI Impact - AI tools may degrade doctors' skills [1]

AI Impact on Healthcare - AI tools may degrade doctors' skills [1] Source - Article discusses the potential negative impact of AI on doctors' skills [1]