Coca-Cola has decided to discontinue the production of its latest flavor, Spiced, just six months after its launch, signaling a swift end to an initiative aimed at enticing a younger demographic. The company, in a recent statement, revealed its ongoing commitment to adapting to consumer preferences, with plans to retire Spiced in favor of an innovative flavor slated for 2025. This abrupt decision to phase out Spiced is unexpected, considering the beverage was initially positioned as a permanent addition to the Coca-Cola family.

US startup Proto is pioneering what it calls the "first holographic communications platform," bringing life-size, "3D" video projections to various sectors such as education, hospitality, and healthcare. The company's innovative device, a substantial box weighing over 400 pounds, creates the illusion of three-dimensionality through sophisticated visual techniques, effectively tricking the brain into perceiving a person within it.

Forecasting the economy in the age of social media, 24-hour news cycles, and a pandemic that shattered traditional metrics is a daunting task. Yet, as 2024 draws to a close, it's evident that the pessimists predicting a hard landing have been proven wrong. The US economy is defying expectations, showing resilience in employment and pricing.

The gold market has witnessed a remarkable rally in 2024, with the most actively traded gold futures contract reaching an all-time high of $2,687.30 earlier this week. This surge is particularly notable following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut US interest rates by a significant half-point in an attempt to preempt further labor market weakness. Gold, often seen as a safe-haven asset, has enjoyed an approximate 30% increase in value this year, outshining the S&P 500 index's 20% growth.

The US Justice Department has initiated legal action against Visa, alleging that the company has been operating an illegal monopoly in the debit card market for over a decade. The lawsuit claims that Visa has leveraged its market dominance to compel businesses to utilize its payment network at the expense of alternative providers and to hinder new market entrants.

Trump's Proposed Credit Card Interest Rate Cap: A Temporary Fix or a Double-Edged Sword?

Economic Anxiety Grips Americans as Job Market Cools

Kmart's Farewell: Long Island Store Marks the End of an Era for Retail Chain

The Boeing strike that commenced on Friday is more than a labor dispute; it's a manifestation of the deep-seated frustrations that have been brewing among the company's workforce. For several years, Boeing has been mired in financial losses, with its reputation tarnished by a series of tragic accidents and near-misses that have left it struggling to regain its footing in the aviation industry.

Amazon is following the lead of Aldi and Target by introducing a new range of affordable food products aimed at consumers looking to save money by opting for budget brands over name brands. The company is launching a "no-frills" private label brand named Amazon Saver, featuring a variety of household and pantry essentials such as cookies, crackers, and even perishable items like sliced turkey and ham, all priced at under $5. In the coming months, over a hundred more items are set to be added to the lineup. While Amazon already has several private label food brands like Amazon Fresh, 365, and Happy Belly, Saver stands out as the most cost-effective option, aligning with the company's goal to offer the best value across a spectrum of grocery products.

YouTube has recently expanded its advertising strategy with the introduction of "Pause ads," a new format that allows ads to be displayed on the screen even when a video is paused. This move by the Google-owned video platform has been met with mixed reactions from users, with some expressing frustration over the increased presence of ads, while others acknowledge the innovation in advertising tactics.

The ongoing labor strike at Boeing, initiated by 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists union, has now extended into its seventh day and has taken a significant financial toll on both the company and its employees. The Anderson Economic Group has estimated the cumulative losses to have reached $572 million, with Patrick Anderson, the group's founder and president, warning that the financial hemorrhaging will accelerate should the dispute remain unresolved, particularly as the second week of the strike commences.

Wall Street erupted in celebration on Thursday as the Federal Reserve delivered a surprising half-point interest rate cut, a move that sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring 522 points, or 1.3%, to a historic peak above the 42,000 mark for the first time. The S&P 500 index also hit unprecedented heights, increasing 1.7% and surpassing the 5,700 threshold. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was no slouch either, with a robust gain of 2.5%.

Facing increased competition and self-inflicted strategic errors, Nike is undergoing a significant transformation. The sportswear behemoth declared on Thursday that CEO John Donahoe will step down next month, making way for Elliott Hill, a seasoned former Nike leader, to take the helm. This announcement sparked a 9% surge in Nike's stock during after-hours trading on Thursday, a much-needed boost after a 24% decline this year.

Boeing Union Strike: The Bitter Battle Over Lost Pensions and the Unlikely Prospect of Their Return

The Mini Movement: Why Tiny Products Are Taking Over the Market

This week, mortgage rates have dipped to their lowest levels since February 2023, offering some relief to Americans dealing with a challenging housing market. According to Freddie Mac, a major mortgage financing company, the average rate for a standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.20% as of September 12, down from 6.35% the previous week and significantly lower than the peak of 7.79% in October 2023. The decline began last month following news suggesting lower future interest rates, particularly after a July jobs report that was less robust than anticipated.

A recent study from Aston University has indicated that Brexit is exerting a "profound and ongoing stifling effect" on the trade of goods between the UK and the EU, suggesting that the economic repercussions of the UK's departure from the largest trading bloc are significant and escalating. The research suggests that from 2021 to 2023, the UK's annual merchandise exports to the EU were reduced by 17% compared to what they would have been without Brexit. The report notes a general downturn in exports across most sectors post-2021, with 2023 experiencing a more significant decline than previous years, indicating a deepening structural issue rather than a transient one.

California Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags at Checkouts Under New Law Signed by Governor Newsom

The Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates by half a percentage point on Wednesday marks the first reduction since March 2020. While this initial move may not significantly alter your financial situation immediately, it's anticipated to be the precursor to a series of cuts that could unfold over the next couple of years. Here's a breakdown of how this rate adjustment could influence various aspects of your financial life, including credit card interest, auto loans, mortgages, high-yield savings accounts, CDs, and other financial products.