This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: A federal judge Friday granted a motion filed by Starbucks shareholders in an ongoing case to reconsider ex-CFO Rachel Ruggeri as a defendant regarding certain claims — a little less than a month after the judge in a Nov. 19 ruling dismissed all claims against the finance chief, according to court documents filed with the U.S. District Court Western District o ...

BEIJING, Dec. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TH International Limited (NASDAQ: THCH), the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops in China (“Tims China” or the “Company”), today announced the launch of an innovative eco-friendly straw developed together with Tencent’s CarbonXmade program. The product made its debut at the 2025 Sustainable Social Value Innovation Summit (“S Summit”) in Beijing. Starting today, the new straws will be introduced in Tims stores across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. With ...

Core Viewpoint - TH International Limited, the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons in China, has launched an eco-friendly straw developed in collaboration with Tencent's CarbonXmade program, aiming to promote sustainability in consumer choices [1][2][10]. Product Launch and Features - The new straws will be introduced in Tims stores across major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, encouraging sustainable consumer behavior [2]. - The straws are produced using Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) technology, which converts industrial CO₂ emissions into biodegradable materials [4][6]. - Each 100 straws contains 3.185 grams of captured CO₂, showcasing an improved life-cycle performance [6]. Sustainability Initiatives - The launch event featured a "low-carbon fashion show" with designs made from the new straws, emphasizing creativity in sustainability [7][8]. - Tims China has previously initiated the "Bring Your Own Cup — Save RMB 8" program, furthering its commitment to sustainability [10]. - The company has opened a "Green Innovation Lab Store" in Shenzhen, focusing on coffee-ground recycling and circular design [11]. Global Responsibility - Tim Hortons promotes responsible sourcing through its "Coffee for Communities" program, which has supported over 18,000 farmers by 2023 [12].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of portfolio diversification and highlights five growth stocks that present significant short-term and long-term investment opportunities beyond artificial intelligence stocks [2]. Group 1: MercadoLibre - MercadoLibre operates an online marketplace across 18 Latin American countries, benefiting from the region's growing e-commerce adoption [3]. - The company reported a 49% year-over-year revenue increase (currency neutral) in Q3 2025, with gross merchandise volume (GMV) rising by 35% [4]. - MercadoLibre is expanding its fintech services, gaining new users rapidly and increasing its credit portfolio, indicating strong growth potential [4][5]. Group 2: Dutch Bros - Dutch Bros operates over 1,000 stores in the U.S. and plans to expand significantly, aiming for 7,000 stores in the future [9]. - The company achieved a 25% year-over-year sales increase in Q3 2025, with comparable sales up by 5.7% and earnings per share rising from $0.11 to $0.14 [9]. - Dutch Bros focuses on speed and friendly service, with a business model primarily consisting of drive-thru locations and mobile ordering [8]. Group 3: On Holding - On has established a premium athletic wear brand, particularly known for its Cloudtec footwear, and is experiencing robust growth despite a challenging market [12][13]. - The company reported a 35% year-over-year revenue increase (currency neutral) in Q3 2025, with a gross margin of 60.6% and a 290% increase in net income [13]. - On is expanding its brand presence through both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, indicating potential for significant investor gains [13]. Group 4: Nu Holdings - Nu is a digital bank based in Brazil, serving over 60% of the adult population and expanding into new regions like Mexico and Colombia [14][15]. - The company reported a 39% year-over-year increase in revenue and net income in Q3 2025, with average revenue per active user rising from $11 to $12 [15]. - Nu is pursuing long-term expansion plans, including applying for a bank charter in the U.S., which presents substantial growth opportunities [15]. Group 5: Amazon - Amazon is the largest e-commerce company in the U.S., with a significant market share of around 40%, and is continuously launching new services [17]. - The company’s Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the largest cloud computing provider globally, playing a crucial role in its growth, particularly in AI [18]. - Management sees explosive growth opportunities in AI, indicating that Amazon could be a major long-term winner in this space [18].

Core Insights - Target is experiencing declining sales, with same-store sales dropping for three consecutive quarters, attributed to its political stances and DEI policies [1][3] - The brand has lost its appeal, with customers feeling that it no longer offers the unique shopping experience it once did [3][4] Financial Performance - In Q3, Target reported net sales of $25.3 billion, a decrease of 1.5% year-over-year, driven by a 1.9% decline in merchandise sales, although non-merchandise sales increased by 17.7% [7] - The third-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.51, down from $1.85 the previous year, while adjusted EPS was $1.78 [7] - Comparable sales fell by 2.7%, with a 3.8% decline in comparable store sales, partially offset by a 2.4% increase in comparable digital sales [7] - Operating income for the third quarter was $0.9 billion, reflecting an 18.9% decrease compared to the previous year [7] Customer Experience and Strategy - Target has been focusing on curbside pickup in certain markets, indicating a shift towards enhancing customer convenience [5] - The company is compared to Starbucks, which successfully revitalized its brand by focusing on customer experience and operational improvements [5][6]

Despite rising costs and economic pressures, coffee remains an affordable luxury that many consumers refuse to give up. While coffee shops continue to benefit from this strong demand, the realities of running a business, such as high expenses, legal challenges, and market volatility, are unavoidable. Just as a Black-owned café chain was expanding, building a community, and supporting minority entrepreneurs, the costs of multiple controversial lawsuits and today's difficult business landscape caught up wit ...

Economic Indicators - Higher-income shoppers are seeking deals, while younger consumers are tightening their spending according to recent earnings reports from consumer companies [2] - New foreclosure starts in October increased by 20% year-over-year, indicating potential weaknesses in the housing market [4] Retail Sector Insights - Notable exceptions in the retail sector include Coach and Swiss shoemaker On, which experienced growth across all consumer segments, but overall consumer pullback may lead to a challenging holiday retail period [3] Labor Market Developments - Boeing defense workers approved a new contract, concluding a strike that lasted over three months, which delayed production of F-15 fighter jets. The new agreement includes increased bonuses and a 24% wage increase over five years [5][6] IRS Guidelines - The IRS has increased the employee deferral limit for 401(k) plans by $1,000 to $24,500 for 2026, and raised the caps for individual retirement accounts and Roth IRAs by $500 to $7,500 [8][9] Market Perspectives - At CNBC's Delivering Alpha conference, J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management's CEO emphasized viewing AI as an opportunity, while Coatue Management's founder expressed a pessimistic view on the IPO market, describing it as "completely broken" [11]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets faced a significant downturn on November 13, 2025, marking one of the worst trading days since April, driven by concerns over high valuations of AI-related stocks and skepticism regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts [1][10] - Major indexes closed sharply lower, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping 2.3%, the S&P 500 falling 1.7%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average shedding approximately 797 points, or 1.7% [2][10] Sector Performance - The negative sentiment was largely due to a rotation out of high-flying technology and AI stocks, as investors questioned the sustainability of their rapid gains, leading to a shift towards more defensive market areas [3] - Treasury yields increased, adding pressure to stock valuations, particularly for growth-oriented companies [3] Company-Specific News - Nvidia (NVDA) was a major drag on the market, with shares falling between 3.6% and 4.2%, as investor scrutiny over its valuation increased [5] - Tesla (TSLA) shares declined nearly 7% due to a steep year-over-year sales decline in China, highlighting competition and demand challenges [5] - The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) saw its shares tumble between 7.8% and 8.9% after missing quarterly sales forecasts, despite exceeding profit expectations [5] - Alphabet (GOOGL) experienced a notable drop of 2.3% amid the broader tech sell-off [5] - Cisco Systems (CSCO) rose 4.5% after boosting its full-year profit and revenue forecasts, driven by strong demand for networking equipment [5] - Sealed Air (SEE) shares soared between 16% and 19.6% following reports of a potential take-private deal [5] - Verizon Communications (VZ) shares rose 0.7% on plans to cut approximately 15,000 jobs for cost optimization [5] - Other AI-related stocks faced declines, including Super Micro Computer (SMCI) down 7.4%, Palantir Technologies (PLTR) down between 6.5% and 6.7%, and Broadcom (AVGO) down between 4.3% and 5.65% [5] - Companies in the cryptocurrency space also saw declines, with Robinhood Markets (HOOD) dropping nearly 9%, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) losing 7.8%, and Coinbase Global (COIN) sinking 6.9% [5] Economic Data and Federal Reserve Outlook - The market is awaiting crucial economic data, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and employment reports for October, which are expected to be delayed due to the recent end of the federal government shutdown [4][6] - The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates remains a dominant theme, with skepticism about another rate cut in December, as the probability of a 25-basis-point cut decreased from 70% to approximately 53% [7] Upcoming Events - Nvidia's upcoming earnings report is highly anticipated, as it could serve as a significant test for the prevailing optimism surrounding AI technology [8]

Visitors to dozens of Starbucks stores across more than 40 cities may be greeted with picket lines today as Starbucks baristas go on strike. ...

Economic Sentiment and Job Market Concerns - Voter frustration over affordability has influenced Democratic wins in recent state and local elections, with growing unease about the job market among Americans [1] - A Harris Poll indicates that 55% of employed Americans are concerned about job loss, coinciding with significant layoff announcements from major companies like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks [2] - The cost of living is a major concern, with 62% of respondents in a recent poll reporting increases in everyday item prices, and nearly half finding these increases difficult to manage [3] Political Responses and Strategies - The Trump administration is attempting to project a positive economic outlook while deflecting blame, similar to strategies used by the Biden administration, but risks losing control of Congress if economic conditions do not improve [4] - Economic advisor Tobin Marcus notes that the Trump administration's economic program does not directly address voters' primary concerns, particularly regarding affordability [6] - Plans are being considered for President Trump to increase domestic travel and speeches focused on cost of living issues, as he has done less compared to previous presidents [7] Economic Indicators and Consumer Sentiment - Consumer sentiment has declined, with a University of Michigan survey indicating it is near record lows, and a Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey showing rising expectations of higher joblessness [11] - Job growth has significantly slowed, with payroll gains dropping from an average of 168,000 per month last year to just 27,000 from May to August [9] - Economic pressures from Trump's tariff policies have contributed to uncertainty among businesses, affecting hiring incentives [9] Future Economic Outlook - The administration is optimistic about future economic improvements, citing potential job gains from investments in artificial intelligence and manufacturing [12] - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claims that the return of manufacturing jobs is just beginning, with hiring plans from companies like Boeing [12] - Trump has proposed unconventional ideas, such as $2,000 "dividend" payments to Americans funded by tariff revenue, in response to economic challenges [13]