Tag Archives: restructuring

general

Tariff Relief In The Works To Cut Grocery Bills

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**Seeking Alpha News Quiz: Test Your Investing Knowledge**

Up for a challenge? Test your knowledge on the biggest events in the investing world over the past week with the latest Seeking Alpha News Quiz. See how you stack up against the competition!

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### Almost the Weekend! Here Is the Latest in Trending:

**Major Restructuring:**
Verizon (VZ) is set to undergo its largest round of layoffs next week. The company’s new CEO is aggressively cutting costs to reverse customer losses and improve performance.

**On the Hill:**
President Trump has proposed several changes to Obamacare. Separately, the newly signed federal funding package includes a ban on hemp THC products.

**Next Stop, Mars:**
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin (BORGN) successfully launched NASA’s landmark Mars mission using its New Glenn rocket, marking the first time the company recovered its booster for this mission.

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### Easing Prices with Tariff Relief

The Trump administration plans to remove tariffs on select goods from four Latin American countries—Ecuador, Argentina, Guatemala, and El Salvador—that are not produced in the U.S. This move aims to lower food prices and reduce grocery bills for American consumers.

**Details of the Agreement:**
The White House announced agreements with these nations to deepen bilateral trade and investment. The four countries committed to addressing various non-tariff barriers affecting U.S. goods and businesses. Notably:

– Argentina will open its market to live cattle from the U.S.
– Argentina will also allow U.S. poultry market access within a year.

According to a senior U.S. official, bananas, coffee, beef, cocoa, and certain textile products imported from these countries will be exempt from tariffs, while other imports will maintain existing rates: 15% for Ecuador and 10% for Argentina, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

The deals are expected to be signed within approximately two weeks, with the White House expecting retailers and wholesalers to pass on savings to consumers.

**Bigger Picture:**
Paul Donovan, UBS’ chief economist, commented, “Heightened political concerns about U.S. consumers’ inflation perceptions seem to be leading a drive to reduce the tariffs U.S. importers pay on food products.”

Inflation impacts are significant: between January and September, banana prices rose approximately 8%, coffee increased by 15%, and U.S. beef prices reached record highs due to droughts, high feed costs, smaller herds, and strong demand.

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### Seeking Alpha Analysis Highlights

– **5 Tech and Consumer Stocks at Risk of Steep Declines**
– **The Big Short’s Big Bet**
– **The Next AI Winner Isn’t Big Tech — It’s Energy**
– **Why Meta’s Post-Earnings Selloff Is an Early Gift (Rating Upgrade)**
– **BDC Battle: The 16% Yield Comeback, or 12% From The Rising Star**

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### What Else Is Happening?

– Comcast and Netflix (NFLX) prepare bids for Warner Bros. (WBD).
– Bitcoin (BTC-USD) drops below $100K amid intensifying market selloff.
– Fed’s Kashkari did not support the last rate cut and remains undecided on December’s move.
– October jobs report will exclude the unemployment rate, says Hassett.
– Ackman to host livestream on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac proposals.
– Robinhood (HOOD) and Gopuff partner for a new cash-delivery service.
– Anavex (AVXL) tumbles after Martin Shkreli announces it as his next short.
– Gilead (GILD) achieves late-stage trial success for a new one-pill HIV therapy.
– Tariffs, not the Grinch, may increase costs of Christmas trees.
– Yum! (YUM) puts Pizza Hut up for sale.

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### Today’s Markets

**In Asia:**
– Japan: -1.8%
– Hong Kong: -1.9%
– China: -1.0%
– India: +0.1%

**In Europe (at midday):**
– London: -1.9%
– Paris: -1.5%
– Frankfurt: -1.6%

**Futures at 7:00 AM:**
– Dow: -0.6%
– S&P 500: -0.8%
– Nasdaq: -1.2%

**Commodities and Yields:**
– Crude oil: +2% to $59.86
– Gold: -1% to $4,153.10
– Bitcoin: -6.6% to $96,123
– 10-year Treasury Yield: Unchanged at 4.13%

—

### On The Calendar

Stay tuned for upcoming economic reports and events that could impact the markets.

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Test your investing knowledge and stay informed with Seeking Alpha!
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4843752-tariff-relief-in-the-works-to-cut-grocery-bills?source=feed_all_articles

general

Here’s a list of popular coffee shops that have filed for bankruptcy amid rising prices

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Coffee is a growing American pastime. According to the National Coffee Association, a trade group, two-thirds of American adults—66%—drink coffee daily. That’s up 7% from 2020. As coffee consumption rises, coffee shops across the country are experiencing increased pressure due to rising costs and heightened competition.

Even Starbucks, the nation’s largest coffee chain, has felt the strain. In September, the Seattle-based coffee giant announced plans to lay off about 900 non-retail workers and close about 1% of its North American stores amid declining same-store sales.

Last week, a Florida coffee chain known for its unusual flavors and Instagram-ready “coffee flights” filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. The Blend Coffee and Cocktails, which operates eight locations in Florida, is seeking to continue operating while restructuring its debts under court supervision. The Blend’s bankruptcy lawyer didn’t return requests for comment, but court documents show a wide range of creditors, including landlords, vendors, and tax collectors.

Business bankruptcies have been rising in the US since 2021, driven by stricter lending conditions and higher costs. Data from Epiq AACER revealed a 7% increase in business bankruptcies last month compared to the previous year, including a 35% jump in small business bankruptcies.

Coffee shops are under additional pressure from the rising cost of coffee beans. The average price of ground coffee doubled in September, reaching over $9 a pound—up from 2020 levels, according to data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve. This increase is being driven by global supply constraints, including droughts in Brazil, which produces about 40% of the world’s coffee. US tariffs introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration have also restricted coffee supplies. Labor costs are increasing as well, according to the National Restaurant Association.

### Coffee Shops and Small Chains That Have Filed for Bankruptcy Protection Since 2024

Despite financial challenges, all the following coffee shops and chains remain in business after filing for bankruptcy protection:

**The Blend Coffee and Cocktails**
The Blend Coffee and Cocktails operates eight locations in Florida. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024.

**Cuppa Austin Coffee Shop**
Cuppa Austin Coffee Shop is a single-location café based in Austin, Texas. Its parent company filed for Chapter 11 protection in October 2024.

**Red Bay Coffee**
Red Bay Coffee runs seven locations in the Bay Area. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2024.

**Switchback Coffee Roasters**
With two locations in Colorado, Switchback Coffee Roasters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2024.

**Ink! Coffee**
Ink! Coffee operates four locations in Colorado and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2024.

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As coffee prices and operational costs continue to rise, more coffee shops may find themselves facing difficult decisions. For now, these iconic local chains remain open as they work toward restructuring and recovery.
https://www.businessinsider.com/coffee-shops-filed-for-bankruptcy-amid-rising-prices-2025-11

automotive, business, energy, environment, technology

Nissan Bets on All-New Leaf to Drive Its Corporate Revival

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“The new Leaf has evolved in every aspect—performance, comfort, and efficiency,” said Nissan Japan Marketing Chief Zen Sugimoto.

The most notable feature is its extended driving range: over 700 kilometers on a single charge, roughly 40% longer than the previous model. Charging time has also been significantly reduced, allowing the car to travel up to 250 kilometers after just 15 minutes of charging. With government subsidies applied, the price will be around 3.5 million yen.

For Nissan, the Leaf is a symbolic vehicle. As the world’s first mass-produced electric car, it once shocked the global automotive industry. Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi commented at the time, “I’m confident it will spread as we move toward a society free from oil dependence.” Former CEO Carlos Ghosn also declared, “As a zero-emission leader, Nissan Leaf marks the first step toward a new era.”

However, the early bet on EVs faced challenges—charging infrastructure lagged behind, and the driving range fell short of consumer expectations. During that time, Tesla rapidly expanded with innovative production methods and cutting-edge technology, rising to dominance in the EV market.

Now that electric vehicles are gradually becoming mainstream in Japan, competition has intensified. Honda recently introduced a mini EV, Suzuki plans to enter the market with a compact EV, and China’s BYD is set to launch its own mini electric model in Japan next year.

Meanwhile, Nissan has been struggling financially, reporting massive net losses, closing seven factories, and cutting 20,000 jobs as part of restructuring measures. The Leaf now represents the company’s hope for revival.

“We take pride in leading Nissan’s brand through electric vehicles,” Sugimoto said. “With this Leaf, we aim to create a world that embodies Re: Nissan.”

Whether the new Leaf can become the symbol of Nissan’s resurgence remains to be seen.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147200.php