For: April 30, 2025
>>Ahead Of The Bell
(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed on a higher note yesterday. Amazon shares rebounded after the company rejected a plan to list tariff surcharges on its site for discount store Amazon Haul. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 300 points to 40-527. The S&P 500 added 32 points to 55-60. The Nasdaq rose 95 points to 17-461.
>>GDP, Meta Earnings On The Calendar
(Undated) -- Investors today will have a lot to keep an eye out for. GDP data, personal income and spending, pending home sales and the ADP employment report are all on tap. In addition, Facebook parent company Meta is set to report its first quarter earnings after the closing bell.
>>President Trump To Meet With Top Executives
(Washington, DC) -- President Trump will meet with executives of major companies at the White House today, promoting their investment in the United States. The list includes Nvidia, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, GE Aerospace and SoftBank, companies that have pledged to spend money in U.S.-based expansions and projects. The Trump administration wants to use the "Invest in America" event to tout Trumps achievements and push back on fear, uncertainty and doubt that some investors have over his global tariff policies.
>>Trump Admin Walks Back Tariffs On Some Automakers
(Washington, DC) -- President Trump was in Michigan Tuesday, speaking in the heartland of the Big 3 U.S. automakers as he marked his first 100 days in office. His remarks came after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik announced a deal to ease some auto tariffs. Supporting the deal, Trump signed an executive order that allows vehicles that go through final assembly in the U.S. to qualify for partial reimbursements on parts-related levies for two years.
>>Retail Price Hikes
(Undated) -- Budget retailers Temu and Shein are increasing their prices in response to new tariffs. Both companies are known for selling inexpensive goods sourced from China, but now price changes are set to take effect. Temu and Shein informed customers of the upcoming price hikes last week, which comes due to an executive order signed by President Trump that put an end to exemptions allowing duty-free imports of goods valued under 800 dollars. Starting May 2nd businesses will face either a 120-percent tariff or a flat 100 dollar fee per postal item, with the fee rising to 200 dollars on June 1st. Both companies have released statements explaining the tariffs have increased their operating expenses, necessitating price adjustments to maintain product quality.
>>UPS To Cut 20k Jobs
(Atlanta, GA) -- UPS will be laying off 20-thousand workers over the remainder of 2025. This follows 12-thousand job cuts in 2024. UPS operates in more than 200 countries. The cuts are reportedly linked to a drastic drops in Amazon deliveries, which is their largest customer. As part of an operational consolidation plan, UPS will also be closing 73 of it's distribution locations.
>>Job Openings Fall To 6-Month Low In March
(Washington, DC) -- The number of job openings fell to a six-month low in March. The Labor Department says seven-point-two million jobs were available last month which is down by 901-thousand for the year. Federal government saw the largest drop in job openings. Total separations increased in state and local government excluding education. According to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, the number and rate of hires held steady in all industries in March.
>>Big Lots Stores Reopening
(Westerville, OH) -- Big Lots stores are reopening in several states this week. More than 130 stores are expected to return, with the first set of stores reopening their doors on Thursday. Earlier this month, nine Big Lots stores reopened as part of a deal the retailer previously reached with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. The deal stipulated that Variety Wholesalers would acquire hundreds of Big Lots stores, while allowing the company to retain original branding. The reopening stores are primarily in the southern and eastern portions of the U.S., and a second wave of stores are expected to open on May 15th. Several former Big Lots storefronts have been taken over by other retailers, including Ocean State Job Lot and Ollie's Bargain Market, though it's unclear when those new stores may open.
>>Meta Creating Standalone AI Assistant
(Undated) -- Meta is launching a standalone artificial intelligence assistant app. Their application uses its Llama-Four coding model to collect information across its platforms including Facebook and Instagram. The AI app will merge with the Meta View companion app for Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The company says the feature serves as a place to "share and explore" the way others use AI. The app will also include a discover feed.
