The Federal Reserve initiated another rate cut on Wednesday, dropping its benchmark rate to a range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent. This is the third time this year that it has tried to reduce the cost of borrowing.
The decision did not come easily. Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmidt and Chicago Fed President Austin Goolsby both disagreed, saying the central bank should pause rather than cut again. But Chairman Jerome Powell pushed ahead with a quarter-point cut.
The jury is still out on what the Fed will do next year. Want some more cuts. Some want nothing. The only clear conclusion is that the fight inside the Fed is intensifying.
SpaceX set to launch largest-ever IPO in 2026
buckle up. SpaceX is reportedly preparing to go public in mid-to-late 2026 and aims to raise $30 billion at a valuation of about $1.5 trillion. Bloomberg NewsIf successful, it would be the largest IPO in history, surpassing Saudi Aramco’s $29 billion listing in 2019,
The move is a new strategy for SpaceX, which previously floated the idea of taking its Starlink division public while keeping the main company private.
During this time, wall street journal Recently news has come that the company is finalizing another employee share sale valuing SpaceX at more than $800 billion. Employees will reportedly be allowed to sell up to $2 billion of shares at $420 each.
Instacart’s AI pricing experiment could be costing you more
Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Instacart shoppers may be paying more for the exact same groceries, and most may not even know it’s happening. A new investigation by Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative Powered by Instacart’s AI-enabled pricing tests, price fluctuations of up to 23% on identical items were found.
Instacart is using AI-powered pricing software that experiments with different price points at chains like Target, Safeway, Costco and Kroger, with some items showing up to five different price tags during the study.
Critics say the practice seems manipulative, especially when customers are not told they are part of a live pricing experiment. Instacart argues that tests help retailers learn what shoppers value.
What’s driving DonutNV’s explosive growth? Not just donuts.
Photo by Natalie Kolb/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
The world of mobile franchises is moving fast, and DonutNV is riding shotgun. The mini donut and lemonade brand has grown to more than 140 franchised units in 25 states, part of a noticeable shift toward food concepts that don’t require expensive storefronts and can go wherever the crowds go.
Founded by Amanda and Alex Gingold in 2014 as a single mall kiosk, the company has gained momentum by making mini-donuts and squeezing fresh lemonade right in front of customers.
By building its own trailers, controlling logistics and supplying products directly to franchisees, DonutNV has turned mobility into a business model that scales.
McDonald’s yanks ‘creepy’ AI Christmas ad after online backlash
McDonald’s learned the hard way that AI can’t fake holiday cheer. Fast-food giant pulled 45 seconds AI-generated Christmas ad Audiences in the Netherlands criticized it online, mocking its glassy-eyed characters and stitched-together scenes. One critic branded it “The scariest ad I’ve seen this year,” While others simply called it “creepy.”
The ad, titled “It’s the Most Terrible Time of the Year”, was supposed to show people the troubles of the holidays before driving them to a McDonald’s meal. Instead, the robotic scenes raised fears that AI is already replacing camera crews, actors, and editors.
McDonald’s acknowledged that the failure was “an important learning” as it experiments with generative AI. Other brands like Coca-Cola and Google have also used AI for holiday campaigns. But the Dutch McDonald’s ad was too much
Target is capitalizing on the popularity of GLP-1 drugs
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The rise of weight-loss GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovi, Zepbound and Monjaro are reshaping the way Americans eat and shop. Millions of users report less hunger, and companies are racing to meet their changing needs.
Target says there is demand for high-protein and high-fiber foods is growing rapidly as consumers try to fill nutritional deficiencies. The supplements are selling fast, and the retailer plans to expand shelf space next year. Target is also seeing growth in athletic wear and home fitness equipment as shoppers pursue more active lifestyles.
Other brands are jumping into it. Nestlé Health Sciences is creating products for GLP-1 users, and Conagra is labeling items that fit into their diets.
The Federal Reserve initiated another rate cut on Wednesday, dropping its benchmark rate to a range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent. This is the third time this year that it has tried to reduce the cost of borrowing.
The decision did not come easily. Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmidt and Chicago Fed President Austin Goolsby both disagreed, saying the central bank should pause rather than cut again. But Chairman Jerome Powell pushed ahead with a quarter-point cut.
The jury is still out on what the Fed will do next year. Want some more cuts. Some want nothing. The only clear conclusion is that the fight inside the Fed is intensifying.
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