Tag

Slider

Browsing

As Starbucks aims to bring back customers and assuage investors with its turnaround strategy, it is also winning over its store managers with promises to add more seating inside cafes and promote internally.

Since CEO Brian Niccol’s first week at the company, he’s been pledging to bring the company “back to Starbucks” to lift sluggish sales. That goal was in full view at the company’s Leadership Experience, a three-day event in Las Vegas for more than 14,000 store leaders this week.

Starbucks unveiled a new coffee called the 1971 Roast, a callback to the year that its first location opened at Pike Place in Seattle. The finalists at Starbucks’ first-ever Global Barista Championships referred to “back to Starbucks” as they prepared drinks for judges. Even the Wi-Fi password was “backtostarbucks!”

To investors, Niccol has already presented a multi-part strategy that involves retooling the company’s marketing strategy, improving staffing in cafes, fixing the chain’s mobile app issues and making its locations cozier. The company also laid off roughly 1,100 corporate workers earlier this year, saying it aimed to operate more efficiently and reduce redundancies.

Starbucks shares have climbed nearly 20% since April and are trading just shy of where they were after a nearly 25% spike the day Niccol was announced as CEO.

While Starbucks has taken major steps to win back customers and Wall Street, it’s also trying to regain faith among its employees. Staffers have had concerns about hours and workloads for years, sparking a broad union push across the U.S.

To excite the chain’s store managers, Starbucks executives’ pitch this week focused on giving them more control. Before launching new drinks, like a protein-packed cold foam, the company is first testing them in five stores to gain feedback from baristas.

When the chain increases its staffing this summer, managers will have more input on how many baristas they need. And next year, most North American stores will add an assistant manager to their rosters.

“You are the leaders of Starbucks. Your focus on the customer is critical. Your leadership is critical. And as you return to your coffeehouses, please remember: coffee, community, opportunity, all the good that follows,” Niccol said on Tuesday.

Niccol’s “back to Starbucks” strategy centers on the idea that the company’s culture has faltered. Its Leadership Experience, typically held every couple of years, was the first since 2019 — three CEOs ago.

“We are a business of connection and humanity,” Niccol said on Tuesday afternoon, addressing a crowd of more than 14,000 managers. “Great people make great things happen.”

As more customers order their lattes via the company’s app, its cafes have lost their identity as a “third place” for people to hang out and sip their drinks.

To return to Starbucks’ prior culture, the company is unwinding previous decisions — like removing seats from its cafes. In recent years, the chain has removed 30,000 seats from its locations. Those renovations have irritated both customers and employees; the manager of Niccol’s local Starbucks in Newport Beach, California, even asked him to remove her store from its renovation list because she wanted to keep the seating, according to Niccol.

“We’re going to put those seats back in,” Niccol said, bringing a big wave of applause from the audience.

He earned more applause from the audience when discussing the chain’s plans to promote internally as it eventually adds 10,000 more locations in the U.S.

Although historically roughly 60% of Starbucks store managers have been internal promotions, the company wants to raise that to 90% for its retail leadership roles. Thousands of new cafes means 1,000 more district managers, 100 regional directors and 14 regional vice presidents for the company — and more upward career mobility for its store leaders.

Staffing more broadly has been a concern for Starbucks and its employees, fueling a wave of union elections across hundreds its stores. Past management teams have cut down on the labor allotted to stores, helping profit margins at the cost of burning out baristas and slowing service.

Under Niccol, Starbucks is changing the trend. The company is accelerating plans to roll out its new Green Apron labor model by the end of the summer, because tests have shown that it improves service times and boosts traffic. As part of the model, managers will have more input on how much labor their store needs.

And Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly received a standing ovation from the crowd for her announcement that most North American locations will receive a full-time, dedicated assistant store manager next year.

“For much of the time, your store is operating without you there, and you share that even when you’re not in the store, you’re not able to fully disconnect, and it can feel like the weight of everything is on your shoulders. … It affects everything, the partner experience, the customer experience, the performance of your store,” Kelly said, addressing the store managers in the audience.

Underscoring the challenges Niccol faces in recapturing the company’s brand, the two speakers who scored the most applause from store managers are no longer actively involved in the company.

Former chairwoman Mellody Hobson scored standing ovations during both her entry and exit onto the arena’s stage. Hobson, wiping tears from her eyes, thanked the Starbucks employees whom she said always made her feel welcome in their stores.

She stepped down from her position earlier this year, ending a roughly two-decade tenure that culminated with her becoming the first African American woman to become the independent chair of a Fortune 500 company. Hobson also serves as co-CEO of Ariel Investments.

Hobson ceded her position as chair of the board to Niccol when he joined the company in September. Niccol credited her with poaching him from Chipotle as Starbucks sought to find a leader who could turn around its flailing business.

“A quick conversation [with Hobson] turned into something really special for me,” Niccol said.

And Hobson’s longtime friend Howard Schultz also earned standing ovations from store managers.

Schultz, the three-time CEO who grew Starbucks from a small chain into a coffee powerhouse, made a surprise appearance at the Leadership Experience on Wednesday morning. It marked the first time that he’s appeared with Niccol publicly since the board tossed out his handpicked successor, Laxman Narasimhan, and selected the then-Chipotle CEO to take the reins.

Starbucks has long been plagued by questions about its succession, given Schultz’s former willingness to return to the helm of the company. But since Niccol’s appointment, industry analysts have thought that he might finally be the CEO who manages to escape Schultz’s lingering influence over the coffee giant.

The ghost of Schultz lingered earlier in the event. Niccol shared a story about being inspired hearing Schultz speak at Yum Brands, Niccol’s then-employer, back in 2008. The 71-year-old chairman emeritus also appeared in video form on Tuesday afternoon to thank Hobson for her service to the company.

During his conversation with Niccol on Wednesday, Schultz co-signed his plan to get “back to Starbucks,” saying that he did a cartwheel in his living room the first time that he heard about it.

He also asked managers to bring that energy back to their own Starbucks locations.

“Be true to the coffee, be true to your partners,” Schultz told the audience. “And I know we’re going to come out of here … like a tidal wave and surprise and delight the world and prove all those cynics wrong again, just as we did in 1987.”

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

President Donald Trump continues to enjoy income streams from scores of luxury properties and business ventures, many of which are worth tens of millions of dollars, according to a financial disclosure form filed late Friday.

Released by the Office of Government Ethics, Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure spans 234 pages in all, including 145 pages of stock and bond investments. It is dated Friday with Trump’s signature.

One of the largest sources of income is the $57,355,532 he received from his ownership stake in World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency platform launched last year. The form shows that World Liberty’s sales of digital tokens have been highly lucrative for Trump and his family. Trump’s three sons, Donald Jr., Eric and Barron, are listed on the company’s website as co-founders of the firm.

Separately, Trump’s meme coin, known on crypto markets simply as $TRUMP, was not released until January and is therefore not subject to the disclosure requirements for this form, which covered calendar year 2024.

It was a lucrative year for Trump when it came to royalty payments for the various goods that are sold featuring his name and likeness.

Among the royalty payments:

The filing also includes a listing of liabilities, including at least $15,000 on an American Express credit card and payments due to E. Jean Carroll, the woman who successfully sued Trump over sexual abuse and defamation, though he is still seeking to appeal the decision.

The rest of the document includes dozens of pages of lengthy footnotes about his various assets.

The form was filed to comply with federal requirements for executive branch office holders. By comparison, the form former President Joe Biden filed in 2024 was 11 pages and consisted largely of conventional sources of income like bank and retirement accounts, while Kamala Harris’ was 15 pages.

Many of Trump’s key assets are held in a revocable trust overseen by Donald Trump Jr., his eldest son. They include more than 100,000 shares of Trump Media and Technology Group, the social media company that went public in 2024. Trump is the largest shareholder, and his nearly 53% is worth billions of dollars. Those holdings were still disclosed in the form.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder and former CEO of 23andMe, has regained control over the embattled genetic testing company after her new nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, outbid Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the company announced Friday.

TTAM will acquire substantially all of 23andMe’s assets for $305 million, including its Personal Genome Service and Research Services business lines as well as telehealth subsidiary Lemonaid Health. It’s a big win for Wojcicki, who stepped down from her role as CEO when 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March.

Last month, Regeneron announced it would purchase most of 23andMe’s assets for $256 million after it came out on top during a bankruptcy auction. But Wojcicki submitted a separate $305 million bid through TTAM and pushed to reopen the auction. TTAM is an acronym for the first letters of 23andMe, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“I am thrilled that TTAM Research Institute will be able to continue the mission of 23andMe to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome,” Wojcicki said in a statement.

23andMe gained popularity because of its at-home DNA testing kits that gave customers insight into their family histories and genetic profiles. The five-time CNBC Disruptor 50 company went public in 2021 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. At its peak, 23andMe was valued at around $6 billion.

The company struggled to generate recurring revenue and stand up viable research and therapeutics businesses after going public, and it has been plagued by privacy concerns since hackers accessed the information of nearly seven million customers in 2023.

TTAM’s acquisition is still subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that concerns over national security risks posed by Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel can be resolved if the companies fulfill certain conditions that his administration has laid out, paving the way for the deal’s approval.

Shares of U.S. Steel rose 3.5% on the news in after-the-bell trading as investors bet the deal was close to done. Trump, in an executive order, said conditions for resolving the national security concerns would be laid out in an agreement, without providing details. “I additionally find that the threatened impairment to the national security of the United States arising as a result of the Proposed Transaction can be adequately mitigated if the conditions set forth in section 3 of this order are met,” Trump said in the order, which was released by the White House.

The companies thanked Trump in a news release, saying the agreement includes $11 billion in new investments to be made by 2028 and governance commitments including a golden share to be issued to the U.S. government. They did not detail how much control the golden share would give the U.S. Shares of U.S. Steel had dipped earlier on Friday after a Nippon Steel executive told the Japanese Nikkei newspaper that its planned takeover of U.S. Steel required “a degree of management freedom” to go ahead after Trump earlier had said the U.S. would be in control with a golden share.

The bid, first announced by Nippon Steel in December 2023, has faced opposition from the start. Both Democratic former President Joe Biden and Trump, a Republican, asserted last year that U.S. Steel should remain U.S.-owned, as they sought to woo voters ahead of the presidential election in Pennsylvania, where the company is headquartered.

Biden in January, shortly before leaving office, blocked the deal on national security grounds, prompting lawsuits by the companies, which argued the national security review they received was biased. The Biden White House disputed the charge.

The steel companies saw a new opportunity in the Trump administration, which began on January 20 and opened a fresh 45-day national security review into the proposed merger in April.

But Trump’s public comments, ranging from welcoming a simple “investment” in U.S. Steel by the Japanese firm to floating a minority stake for Nippon Steel, spurred confusion.

At a rally in Pennsylvania on May 30, Trump lauded an agreement between the companies and said Nippon Steel would make a “great partner” for U.S. Steel. But he later told reporters the deal still lacked his final approval, leaving unresolved whether he would allow Nippon Steel to take ownership.

Nippon Steel and the Trump administration asked a U.S. appeals court on June 5 for an eight-day extension of a pause in litigation to give them more time to reach a deal for the Japanese firm. The pause expires Friday, but could be extended.

June 18 is the expiration date of the current acquisition contract between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel, but the firms could agree to postpone that date

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Buy Bitcoin Under $100K Before The Next Bull Run

The opportunity to buy Bitcoin under $100K may not last much longer. On April 21, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) traded just below the $100,000 mark, a price level many analysts believe could be the last stop before a massive new rally begins. With institutional adoption rising and macroeconomic pressures easing, the case for long-term BTC growth is strengthening.

Why Now Might Be the Time to Buy Bitcoin Under $100K

Market experts point to several factors fueling the bullish sentiment. Firstly, Bitcoin’s halving event earlier this year significantly reduced block rewards, cutting daily supply by half. Historically, halving events have preceded major bull runs. Secondly, growing interest from ETFs and institutional players is creating steady buying pressure. Lastly, declining inflation and improved global liquidity conditions are encouraging investment in risk assets like Bitcoin.

According to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, “It’s not too late to buy Bitcoin under $100K. This could be one of the last best opportunities before we see a surge well beyond six figures.”

Long-Term Outlook for BTC Investors

Looking ahead, many analysts predict that Bitcoin could exceed $150,000 by the end of the year. While this isn’t guaranteed, trends in institutional adoption, limited supply, and rising use cases for Bitcoin suggest that prices may continue climbing.

Although short-term volatility persists, long-term investors remain focused on fundamentals. If history repeats itself, buying Bitcoin at sub-$100K levels may prove to be a decision rewarded in the coming cycle.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been on the sidelines, now could be your moment to enter the market. The chance to buy Bitcoin under $100K might not last much longer. As always, do your research and consider your financial goals before investing.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Related: Bitcoin News | Crypto Analysis

The post Buy Bitcoin Under $100K Before The Next Bull Run appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Oil Prices Rebound After Trump’s Criticism of Fed Chair Powell

On April 22, 2025, oil prices rebound experienced a modest rebound following a significant drop the previous day. The initial decline was triggered by President Donald Trump’s renewed criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which unsettled financial markets and raised concerns about the central bank’s independence.

Market Reaction to Political Commentary

President Trump’s comments on Monday intensified investor fears regarding the Federal Reserve’s autonomy in setting monetary policy. The criticism led to a broad sell-off in equities and commodities, with oil prices bearing the brunt of the market’s anxiety.

Short-Covering Leads to Price Recovery

Despite the initial plunge, oil prices rebound edged higher on Tuesday as investors engaged in short-covering. Brent crude futures rose 0.5% to $66.62 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for May delivery increased by 1% to $63.73 per barrel. The more actively traded WTI June contract also gained 0.7% to $62.84 per barrel.

Ongoing Economic Concerns

Market participants remain cautious amid ongoing fears of a potential recession linked to U.S. tariff policies and concerns over Federal Reserve independence. These factors have increased worries about the U.S. economy and crude demand. Additionally, progress in U.S.-Iran nuclear deal talks has eased supply concerns, potentially impacting oil prices further.

As the situation evolves, investors will closely monitor geopolitical developments and central bank communications to assess the potential long-term impacts on the energy markets.

Source: BloomBurg

The post Oil Prices Rebound After Trump’s Criticism of Powell appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Trump’s Fed Criticism Sparks Investor Concerns

The recent spotlight on Trump’s Fed Criticism has sparked unease among investors and financial analysts alike. President Donald Trump’s repeated public attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have amplified concerns over the central bank’s independence. As a result, markets have reacted with volatility, and investor sentiment has taken a noticeable hit.

Market Reactions to Political Pressure

Wall Street’s response to Trump’s Fed Criticism was swift. Major stock indices, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, posted losses amid uncertainty over future monetary policy decisions. Investors fear that political attempts to sway the Federal Reserve’s agenda may undermine its objectivity. If monetary policy is dictated by short-term political goals rather than long-term economic data, the implications could be severe for inflation, interest rates, and overall economic health.

Why Federal Reserve Independence Matters

One of the cornerstones of a stable economy is a politically neutral central bank. Trump’s Fed Criticism has called that neutrality into question. The Federal Reserve must be able to act without external pressure to maintain credibility in the eyes of global markets. Political interference could compromise its ability to control inflation or manage unemployment rates effectively.

Investor Sentiment and Future Outlook

Investor confidence remains fragile. Many market participants have shifted assets into safer investments such as gold and U.S. treasuries, seeking shelter from potential turmoil. Economic advisors stress the importance of maintaining clear, data-driven policy guidance, especially as the U.S. navigates ongoing trade issues and inflation concerns.

In the coming weeks, the Federal Reserve’s actions will be closely watched. Should Trump’s Fed Criticism intensify, it could further erode market stability and investor trust in U.S. monetary policy.

Source: Yahoo Finance

 

The post Trump’s Fed Criticism Sparks Investor Concerns appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

BNB Price Surge Leads Crypto Gains as Bitcoin Climbs

The BNB price surge on April 21, 2025, stole the spotlight as Binance Coin jumped over 3.2% to cross the $600 mark. This move came as Bitcoin soared past $87,000, reigniting investor interest in altcoins. The bullish wave didn’t stop with BNB—SOL and XRP also made strong moves, reflecting a positive trend across the cryptocurrency market.

BNB Price Surge Driven by Token Burn and Momentum

Fueling the BNB price surge was Binance’s recent $1 billion token burn, which reduced the circulating supply. Additionally, increased trading volumes and renewed faith in Binance’s ecosystem helped BNB regain upward momentum. Investors are optimistic that Binance’s expansion and focus on compliance could drive long-term growth.

SOL Rally and XRP Breakout Add to Market Optimism

Solana (SOL) saw a 10.2% rally, breaking above the $135 resistance level with strong volume and technical confirmation. XRP, on the other hand, climbed past $2.10, setting the stage for a potential breakout above $2.15. These moves indicate bullish setups that are gaining attention from both traders and long-term holders.

Bitcoin Reinforces Its Role as Digital Gold

Bitcoin’s rise above $87,000 reflects renewed demand for a digital safe-haven. With increasing global economic uncertainty and inflation concerns, many investors view Bitcoin as “digital gold.” This sentiment is spilling over into altcoins, triggering the current crypto rally.

Conclusion and Market Outlook

The BNB price surge highlights growing investor confidence in altcoins. Alongside Bitcoin’s strength, tokens like SOL and XRP are enjoying increased attention. If this trend continues, more gains could be ahead for altcoin markets. Investors should monitor resistance levels and trading volumes closely for signs of sustained momentum.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Related: Crypto Updates | Market Trends

The post BNB Price Surge Leads Crypto Gains as Bitcoin Climbs appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Gold Price Surge Hits $3,385 Amid Trade Tensions

The gold price surge continued on April 21, 2025, as gold hit a record high of $3,385 per ounce. This milestone came amid a weakening U.S. dollar and renewed global trade tensions. Investors are increasingly turning to gold as a safe-haven asset, signaling market uncertainty and shifting investment strategies.

Gold Price Increase Driven by Dollar Weakness

The U.S. dollar index fell sharply, hitting its lowest level since January 2024. A weaker dollar typically boosts gold prices, as it makes the metal more attractive to international buyers. This contributed significantly to the ongoing gold price surge seen in recent weeks.

In addition, economic data indicating slower growth in key global markets has prompted investors to reduce their exposure to riskier assets. Gold’s long-standing reputation as a hedge against economic uncertainty has once again proven true.

Trade Tensions Fuel Demand for Safe-Haven Assets

Ongoing trade friction between major economies—particularly the U.S. and China—has triggered market anxiety. Announcements related to new tariffs and supply chain risks are further motivating the shift from equities to gold. This environment is ideal for a gold price surge to gain momentum.

Analysts Predict Continued Gold Price Growth

Market analysts suggest that the upward trend is far from over. If inflation persists and interest rates remain steady or fall, the gold price could climb even higher. Some predict that the next psychological barrier of $3,500 per ounce may soon be tested.

As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, gold is expected to remain a central pillar in investor portfolios. Whether as a hedge against inflation or a response to geopolitical unrest, the gold price surge is being closely monitored by financial experts.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Related: Market Insights | Commodity News

The post Gold Price Surge Hits $3,385 Amid Trade Tensions appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Bitcoin Rebounds to $83,404 on April 11, 2025 Amid Renewed Investor Confidence

On April 11, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC-USD) demonstrated a significant rebound, opening at $79,625.05, reaching a high of $84,247.48, dipping to a low of $78,936.32, and closing at $83,404.84. This performance indicates a resurgence in investor confidence following recent market fluctuations.

Market Dynamics Influencing Bitcoin’s Surge

Several factors contributed to Bitcoin’s upward trajectory:

Tariff Easing: The temporary halt in trade war escalations has shifted investor sentiment toward optimism. Fewer economic shocks mean more confidence in higher-risk investments.
Technical Indicators: Bullish patterns and reduced volatility in traditional markets have contributed to positive sentiment in the crypto space.
Derivatives Data: An increase in open interest for select tokens indicates a shift from bearish to bullish positioning among traders.

Implications for Investors

The rebound suggests a potential shift in market sentiment, encouraging investors to re-evaluate their portfolios. However, it’s essential to remain cautious, as the crypto market is known for its volatility. Diversification and staying informed about global economic developments remain crucial strategies.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s performance on April 11, 2025, underscores its resilience and the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market. As external economic pressures ease, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are poised to capture increased attention from both retail and institutional investors.

Key takeaway: The market’s risk appetite is returning, and Bitcoin may lead the next significant crypto wave.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Related: Crypto News | Market Insights

The post Bitcoin Rebounds to $83,404 Amid Renewed Investor Confidence appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.