American Express has long benefited from a focus on wealthier customers who appreciate the credit card company's travel and dining perks.That has helped insulate the company from concerns over a spending slowdown. In the second quarter, total spending on Amex cards jumped 7%, matching the first quarter and higher than the 6% increase a year ago.But travel spending in the quarter was weaker than transactions for goods and services, and that's specifically because airline spending has stalled out, coming in f ...

Core Viewpoint - Macy's has reduced its annual profit forecast due to the impact of tariffs and a slowdown in consumer spending, indicating a cautious outlook for the retail sector [1][3][4] Financial Performance - The company now expects adjusted earnings per share of $1.60 to $2 for 2025, down from a previous forecast of $2.05 to $2.25, with 15 to 40 cents of the drop attributed to tariffs [1][3] - Macy's reaffirmed its annual sales forecast of $21 billion to $21.4 billion, a decline from last year's $22.29 billion [4] - For the three months ended May 3, adjusted earnings per share were reported at 16 cents, beating projections of 14 cents, while revenue was $4.6 billion, above expectations of $4.5 billion [4] Market Challenges - The company faces challenges from a slowdown in consumer spending and increased competition in promotions and discounts across the retail industry [3][8] - Comparable sales at Macy's locations fell 0.8% compared to the same period last year, while same-store sales at Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury increased by 3.8% and 1.5%, respectively [7][9] Strategic Initiatives - Macy's is undergoing a three-year turnaround plan, which includes closing 150 locations by early 2027 and enhancing its Bluemercury and Bloomingdale's businesses [5][6] - The company has invested in staffing, improved displays, and a new merchandise mix at 125 locations, which is about one-third of the stores it plans to keep open [6][11] Stock Performance - Macy's shares have decreased by approximately 27% so far this year [10][13]

Group 1: Acquisition Details - Dick's Sporting Goods has agreed to acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 billion, offering $24 per share, which represents an 86% premium to Foot Locker's last closing price [1][3] - This acquisition is Dick's largest deal in the sporting goods industry and aims to enhance its presence in malls and expand into international markets for the first time [3][6] - The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025 and will be financed through a combination of cash-on-hand and new debt [9] Group 2: Market Context - Several US retailers have issued pessimistic forecasts due to the impact of tariffs, leading to reduced consumer spending on various goods [4] - Foot Locker has been losing market share to competitors like Nike and Under Armour, which have expanded their direct-to-consumer business, alongside a decline in customer visits to indoor malls [5][8] - Foot Locker operates 2,400 retail stores across 20 countries, with worldwide sales of $8 billion last year [5]

In this articleSTZKDPKOMiami, Hialeah Gardens, Florida, Walmart Supercenter, checkout line cashier, customers paying. Jeff Greenberg | Universal Images Group | Getty ImagesHispanic consumers are cutting back their grocery spending on everything from beer to cooking spray, executives said during recent earnings calls.Coca-Cola, Constellation Brands and Colgate-Palmolive are among the companies that have reported a slowdown in North American sales from Hispanic shoppers.A fifth of the U.S. population identifi ...

The market is rife with fear about tariffs and their potential impact on the broader economy. This caused many stocks to sell off. Now, though, I think it's time to take action on a few companies that are best in class and have great long-term outlooks.Meta Platforms (META 0.96%) and The Trade Desk (TTD 0.55%) are the two that top this list. These two are at the top of the pile in advertising, but advertising usually doesn't fare well during economic downturns. So, if you've got $2,000 sitting around, why a ...