Finance
Verizon Shares Take a Hit After Q1 Sales Warning
March 13, 2025
In an unexpected blend of tradition and modernity, the Vatican has introduced a blue-haired anime-style mascot named Luce to represent the Catholic Church. Created to connect with younger generations, Luce is described as being inspired by the world of pop culture, which resonates deeply with today’s youth. This move, which could be dubbed "pope culture," marks a significant shift in how the Vatican is embracing contemporary forms of media to spread its message. Whether it will truly catch on with younger audiences remains to be seen, but it certainly highlights an effort to stay relevant in a fast-evolving digital age.
Market Rebound and Economic Updates
In the world of finance, Friday saw a strong rebound in stock indexes, largely driven by a 6% surge in Amazon’s shares following a solid earnings report. Investors welcomed the news, pushing Amazon’s stock up to $216.54. Meanwhile, the U.S. job market showed some signs of cooling, with only 12,000 jobs added in October, the lowest increase since 2020. This slowdown can be attributed to ongoing hurricanes and strikes, which have disrupted labor markets across the country. Looking ahead, Boeing factory workers are preparing to vote again on whether to end their strike, with a decision expected soon.
On the macroeconomic front, anticipation is building for Thursday's Federal Reserve meeting, where a quarter-point rate cut is widely expected. This potential move comes as the central bank continues to adjust its policies in response to shifting economic conditions. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on how these developments shape the markets in the coming weeks.
As Election Day approaches, major digital advertisers are stepping up their efforts to control the flow of election-related content. Google has announced it will block all election ads on its platforms, including YouTube, once the polls close, a policy it first implemented in 2020. Meanwhile, Meta has been preventing new political ads from appearing on its platforms in the week leading up to the election. These measures aim to curb misinformation and prevent advertisers from prematurely declaring victory or questioning the results—something Meta specifically prohibits. Smaller platforms like X and Snap, which have leaned into political coverage, have yet to follow suit with blanket ad bans, while TikTok has banned political ads since 2019.
Ad Revenue Growth Despite Tightened Policies
Despite their efforts to regulate political content, these tech giants are still benefiting from the influx of election-related ad dollars. Google reported a 10% increase in Q3 ad sales, driven in part by election ad spending, particularly on YouTube. Meta also saw a 19% surge in its ad sales during the same period, although its executives notably refrained from discussing the impact of election-related ads during their earnings call. These numbers demonstrate the lucrative nature of political ads, even as platforms strive to navigate the fine line between ad revenue and their responsibility to limit misleading content.
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Meta's cautious approach to politics, particularly following the scrutiny it faced over past election misinformation, has been deliberate. The company has been criticized for its role in the spread of misleading ads during the 2016 and 2020 elections, especially when Russian operatives used Facebook to reach a wide audience. After facing intense congressional scrutiny, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has largely avoided commenting on political issues in recent years. Instead, the company has adjusted its algorithms to prioritize non-political content and further downgrades political content on platforms like Instagram and Threads. In contrast, while Google has faced its own challenges with YouTube content, it has been found to let fewer election misinformation ads slip through compared to its competitors.
The Role of Social Media in Politics and Revenue
As social platforms continue to influence political discourse, the spotlight is shining on how they shape public opinion through the content they amplify. While Meta may prefer to scale back its role in political advertising, it can't afford to ignore the substantial revenue it generates from this sector. The company is expected to rake in over $569 million in political ad spend this cycle—though this is just a small portion of its overall $40 billion quarterly revenue, it's a rapidly growing segment. As platforms balance their responsibility with the financial incentives of political ads, the landscape remains in flux.
Starbucks’ Recipe for Revival
Starbucks is brewing up a new strategy to revitalize its performance after reporting a third consecutive quarter of declining sales, with U.S. transactions falling 10%. Under new CEO Brian Niccol, the coffee giant plans to return to its community roots by bringing back the condiment bar, reviving handwritten names on cups, and serving drinks in ceramic mugs. Other changes include offering comfier chairs and eliminating the surcharge for alternative milk options. Plus, Starbucks plans to freeze menu prices for the remainder of its fiscal year. While these adjustments could spark some interest, it remains to be seen whether they’ll be enough to revive demand and brew up a recovery.
Hims & Hers and the Ozempic Shake-Up
Hims & Hers, the millennial-focused telehealth company, is set to report its latest earnings today, with its weight-loss drug business facing uncertain times. The rise in popularity of GLP-1 medications like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, which are prescribed for both diabetes management and weight loss, has caused shortages. Telehealth companies like Hims & Hers have capitalized on this demand by offering compounded alternatives at a fraction of the price, but the FDA’s recent statement that all doses of these drugs are now available has raised concerns. If the shortage is resolved, it could put an end to the market for these alternative medications, sending Hims & Hers’ stock tumbling after the news.
Airbnb’s Q3 Earnings: Renting “Beetlejuice” for Halloween
Airbnb is preparing to release its Q3 earnings on Thursday, but expectations are mixed. After a 15% drop in profit to $555 million last quarter, investors are cautious about the company's performance. While Airbnb reached a record 125 million bookings for its “Nights and Experiences” category in Q2, the company noted that people are now booking less in advance. After a boom in post-pandemic travel, fewer people are planning trips, especially with rising travel costs. In fact, a recent survey found that 42% of Americans planned to skip summer travel this year. Wall Street expects Airbnb to beat expectations, but with lower earnings than in previous quarters.
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