Meta Platforms’ refusal to endorse the European Union’s voluntary Code of Practice for general‑purpose artificial intelligence marks the latest flashpoint in a growing clash between Big Tech and regulators. While the move signals Meta’s determination to shield its AI research and deployment from what it calls “legal overreach,” it also exposes the company to heightened…
American Express delivered a stronger‑than‑expected second quarter by leveraging its affluent customer base and diversified revenue streams, enabling the company to report adjusted earnings of $4.08 per share versus the $3.89 Wall Street had forecast. Revenue climbed 9% year‑over‑year to $17.9 billion, propelled by robust transaction volumes, rising net interest income and premium card fees. In…
Champagne houses across northeastern France are bracing for significant disruption as prospective 30% U.S. tariffs on European goods threaten to siphon off demand in America, the sector’s single largest export destination. With roughly 60 million bottles shipped annually to the United States—accounting for 10% of global volume and 15% of export value—the imposition of heavy duties…
PepsiCo surprised investors by forecasting a smaller-than-expected decline in full‑year profit, buoyed by a potent mix of product innovation, a rebound in energy‑drink sales, strong performances from better‑for‑you soda lines, and an easing U.S. dollar. Management’s move to diversify its beverage portfolio, sharpen pricing discipline and capture cost savings across its global supply chain has…
Europe’s real estate sector is mired in challenges that have thwarted the hoped‑for rebound following the pandemic downturn. From skyrocketing borrowing costs to a wave of maturing loans and a profound change in occupier behaviour, property owners and investors are confronting a harsh new reality. Sales volumes remain near decade lows, distressed assets are mounting,…
Several of America’s largest financial institutions are quietly advancing plans to issue their own dollar‑pegged stablecoins, signaling a strategic shift toward digital assets that could reshape how payments and settlements occur across the banking sector. Bank of America, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase have all confirmed exploratory work on stablecoins—cryptocurrencies whose value remains anchored…
Tether’s headline‑grabbing purchase of a majority stake in Adecoagro, a leading South American agricultural firm, marks a significant pivot for the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. The \$600 million deal to acquire 70 percent of Adecoagro’s shares was driven by more than just a desire to diversify Tether’s balance sheet; it reflects a strategic push to weave its…
Bank of America delivered a stronger‑than‑expected second‑quarter performance, posting profit of $7.1 billion—equivalent to 89 cents per share—well ahead of analysts’ 86‑cent consensus. The results reflect a potent combination of booming trading revenues, fueled by market turbulence, and record net interest income (NII) driven by loan growth and interest‑rate repricing. While its investment banking arm lagged peers,…
Diageo’s abrupt announcement this week that Chief Executive Debra Crew will step down immediately has underscored the intensity of the spirits giant’s turnaround drive, with investors and analysts questioning whether the leadership shake‑up is a deliberate strategy to accelerate cost cuts, asset disposals and renewed growth initiatives. Crew, who took the helm in June 2023,…
Citigroup reported a net income of \$4.0 billion for the quarter ended June 30, or \$1.96 per share, comfortably surpassing Wall Street estimates of \$1.60 per share. The 25 percent year‑over‑year rise in profits reflected a blend of robust trading revenues, expanding net interest income, and stringent cost controls. As the bank weathers volatile markets and intensifying competition,…
business-gurus.com 