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☆ Monday's analyst calls: Apple gets a big upgrade, headwinds seen for Lululemon and Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Monday's analyst calls included an upgrade to Apple and a move in the opposite direction for athleisure giant Lululemon and electric car marker Tesla. The firm downgraded Ulta stock to equal weight from overweight, and lowered its price target to $434 per share from $612. — Brian Evans 6:30 a.m. Evercore slashes Tesla price target Evercore ISI says its forecast for Tesla stock is due for an update as headwinds from the start of the year converge and pressure the electric vehicle company. Apple stock has pulled back 12.1% in 2024 but was up 1.7% in premarket trading Monday. Lululemon stock has slipped nearly 29% in 2024 and was off 1.9% premarket Monday.

Persons: Bernstein, Toni Sacconaghi, Barclays downgrades Ulta, Adrienne Yih, Yih, — Brian Evans, Chris McNally, McNally, Bernstein's Toni Sacconaghi, Sacconaghi, Barclays downgrades Lululemon, headwinds, LULU Organizations: CNBC, Apple, Tesla, Barclays, ISI Locations: China, Friday's, Mexico

☆ Match Group CEO says he has empathy for victims of romance scams but 'things happen in life'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Romance scams typically targeting baby boomers and older generations are becoming increasingly popular on dating apps and websites, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Just last year, the FBI's Internet Crime Report estimated that Americans lost more than $650 million to romance scams. Bernard Kim, CEO of Match Group, spoke with CBS News on the growing threat of online romance scams carried out by people overseas. Match Group — which owns Match.com and Tinder — is the largest online dating company in the United States. Match Group did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Bernard Kim, Kim, Grady Judd, Judd Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, Business, FTC, Match, CBS News, CBS, Match Group Locations: United States, Polk County, Florida

☆ Elon Musk wins official praise for Tesla during surprise visit to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Autopilot is available in China, but not the full FSD feature, which needs to comply with the country’s data security rules. “The economies of China and the United States are deeply integrated,” he said, according to an official readout of the meeting with the Tesla CEO. “Tesla is willing to further deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results,” Musk told Li. Musk first met Li in 2018, when Tesla signed a deal with the Shanghai government to open a plant there. Since then, Musk has met with Li publicly at least five times, according to state media reports and government statements.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Elon Musk, Premier Li Qiang, Tesla, Musk, ”, Dan Ives, that’s, Ives, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Li, China’s BYD, “, ” Musk, Tesla’s, Ren Hongbin, Li Qiang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Premier, China Association of Auto Manufacturers, Baidu, Bloomberg, CNN, Beijing Auto, EV, Wedbush Securities, China Council, Promotion of International Trade Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Weibo

☆ Elon Musk will face intense competition if he tries to bring Tesla's full self-driving technology to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk has moved closer to getting full self-driving technology approved in China, reports suggest. One local EV boss welcomed the move, saying regulators should "let a hundred flowers bloom." Tesla has moved closer to securing approval to operate its full self-driving technology in China, according to multiple reports, after CEO Elon Musk made a surprise visit to the country over the weekend. Getting FSD approved for China would be a massive win for Musk, who has bet Tesla's future on self-driving cars and robotaxis. AdvertisementMany of Tesla's local rivals are rolling out their own versions of Tesla's Autopilot, which is available in China, and full self-driving technology as competition rages in the country's EV market.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, —, Elon, Musk, XPeng's, William Li, Xiaopeng, EVs, Warren Organizations: EV, Service, Huawei, Xiaomi, Weibo, Bloomberg Locations: China, Guangzhou

☆ Bill Gates Is Still Pulling Strings at Microsoft, Overseeing AI Ideas
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Ashley Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

In fact, Business Insider has learned, Gates has been quietly orchestrating much of Microsoft's AI revolution from behind the scenes. The company, Nadella promised, would "continue to benefit from Bill's ongoing technical passion and advice to drive our products and services forward." According to two executives, Gates' memo treated as gospel, sparking Microsoft's push to take the lead in the AI arms race. Now, it seemed, OpenAI might offer Microsoft a way to help forge the AI future that Gates had long envisioned. According to two executives, Gates' words were treated as gospel, helping spark Microsoft's push to take the lead in the AI arms race.

Persons: Bill Gates, Satya Nadella, Gates, Siri, They're, Clippy, Copilot, That's, Sam Altman, — Gates, Satya, Nadella, Steve Ballmer, Peter Thiel bashed, Bill, Melinda, Jeffrey Epstein, Nadella's, Rather, OpenAI, Kevin Scott, Scott, Altman, you'll, OpenAI's, Bing —, Bing, Steve, Sam, Kayla Wood, Frank Shaw, Shaw, —, Charles Lamanna, Jaime Teevan, Jeff Teper, Charlie Bell —, He's, Forbes, Mustafa Suleyman, DeepMind, Bill G, Suleyman, aren't, hadn't, there's, Ashley Stewart Organizations: Microsoft, Agents, Business, Google, Wired, Street Journal, Rover, Steve Jobs, OpenAI, Amazon Web Services Locations: Tay, Gates, Clippy, Washington, Redmond , Washington, Seattle

☆ Why economists who originally expected multiple deep rate cuts in 2024 now say a hike is possible
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

From deeps rate cuts to a potential rate hike in 2024, one firm has changed its forecast in a big way. Macquarie said the resilient economy means potential interest rate cuts won't happen until 2025. Assuming the central bank moves the federal funds rate down by 25 basis point increments, that would equate to nine interest rate cuts just this year. AdvertisementThat lack of economic weakness has led to a stark shift in interest rate forecasts, with even the Federal Reserve suggesting that its initial projections of three interest rate cuts this year could dwindle to one rate cut or even none. That could be a double whammy for a stock market that had been largely fixated on interest rate cuts this year.

Persons: Macquarie, —, David Doyle, Neil Shankar, Jerome Powell Organizations: Service, Macquarie, Federal Reserve, Fed, UBS

☆ Thailand's central bank will act independently and not cave to 'political' pressure, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Political pressure won't force the hand of Thailand's central bank in making its interest rate decisions independently, the country's central bank chief told CNBC on Monday. "The proof is in the pudding," Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia." Despite the "clamoring" for rate cuts, the BOT didn't act on it "if we weren't operating independently," he added. The BOT kept the key interest rate steady at 2.50% in its latest policy meeting in April. But the central bank has been facing intense pressure from the government to lower rates, including from the country's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Reuters reported.

Persons: Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, CNBC's, Srettha Thavisin Organizations: CNBC, Bank of Thailand, country's, Reuters

☆ Amazon says more packages are arriving in a day or less after hefty investment in speedy fulfillment
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Products are seen at an Amazon fulfillment center where they are being sorted and shipped out as same-day orders during Cyber Monday at the Same-Day Delivery Facility Fulfillment Center in Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 27, 2023. The company has said it wants to make same- and next-day delivery the standard, and it plans to double the number of same-day delivery facilities in the U.S. within the next few years. Amazon has already stood up more than 55 same-day delivery sites in the U.S., primarily clustered around major metro areas. Same-day sites also condense the fulfillment process, typically spread across multiple Amazon facilities under one roof. Amazon has bolstered investment in fast shipping as traditional retail rivals Walmart and Target have stepped up their delivery game.

Persons: Andy Jassy Organizations: U.S, Amazon, Amazon's, RBC Capital, Walmart, Target Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S

☆ Apple's iPad caught in EU's crosshairs as it clamps down on 'gatekeepers'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The European Commission said users are "locked in" to iPadOS and it's hard for them to switch. It comes as a part of a broader crackdown on "gatekeepers" and a market investigation into Apple. The DMA was designed to ensure fairness and healthy competition in the digital landscape and hold Big Tech "gatekeepers" accountable. In September, the EU Commission designated Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft gatekeepers. The EU said Monday that its iPadOS investigation found it has "features of a gatekeeper."

Persons: —, Apple's iPadOS, Margrethe Vestager, Apple didn't Organizations: EU, Digital, European Commission, Apple, Service, European, Big Tech, Business, EU Commission, Meta, Microsoft

☆ Rich Young Men Want This Famous $7,000 Herman Miller Eames Chair
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"The Eames chair is basically meme status," said Joel Vanderveen, a 35-year-old from Minnesota who created a subreddit about a decade ago dedicated to all things Eames. "Until the last 10 years, when people would say to me they had an Eames chair, I never knew which one they meant," Kirkham said. The Eames chair is one of those rare luxury goods that checks all those boxes for novices and experts alike, in his view. Not everyone with the Eames chair has a new one, an expensive one, or even a real one. The Eames chair seems eco-friendly, too — they're not going to be tossing it out in two years.

Persons: he'd, that's, Herman Miller Eames, I'd, I'm, Eames, Herman Miller, Amy Auscherman, Herman Miller's, Joel Vanderveen, Charles, Ray Eames, Pat Kirkham, Kirkham, wasn't, it's, It's, Auscherman, Julia Mack, Jennifer Jones, Kyle, He's, Zak Cole, who'd, Shawn Pasternak, they're, Derek Guy, HENRY, Guy, Loren Kreiss, they've, Emily Stewart Organizations: MoMA, Kingston University, Playboy, Porsche, Ikea, Democrat, Business Locations: New York City's Queens, Minnesota, ottoman, London, Brooklyn , New York, San Francisco, Brooklyn, Nashville, Los Angeles, Michigan, Washington, It's, I'm

☆ Billionaire investor David Einhorn shares an overlooked theory for why gold prices have spiked so much
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The recent gold rally is counterintuitive, as high interest rates typically make bullion less attractive. But billionaire investor David Einhorn has a theory that he shared in his latest investor letter. Einhorn suggests that gold's rally is potentially due to countries in the East buying gold from Western nations. To explain the strong run for gold, billionaire investor David Einhorn offered a potential theory in his latest letter to investors published this week. Others, like billionaire investor Ray Dalio, say gold can hedge risks stemming from high government debt levels.

Persons: David Einhorn, Einhorn, —, there's, David Rosenberg, Ed Yardeni, Ray Dalio Organizations: Service, Federal, Greenlight, World Gold, People's Bank of Locations: China, People's Bank of China, India, Singapore

☆ Williams-Sonoma to pay $3.1 million after FTC sued it, saying it falsely labeled products as 'Made in USA'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Williams-Sonoma must pay $3.1 million after the FTC sued it over a violation. AdvertisementWilliams-Sonoma will pay $3.1 million after settling with the US government over accusations of falsely labeling products manufactured in foreign countries as "Made in USA." A July 2021 FTC press release notes that the order was implemented to discourage fraud. AdvertisementCourt documents attached to the press release showed that Williams-Sonoma admitted the allegations brought forward in the complaint were true. AdvertisementWilliams-Sonoma has also agreed to stop using "deceptive claims and follow Made in USA requirements," the press release said.

Persons: Williams, Lina M, Khan, —, Sean Zanni, Scott Olson Organizations: FTC, Service, Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Justice, DOJ, Williams, Sonoma, Business Locations: Sonoma, United States, USA, Williams, America, China

☆ Say goodbye to Ruby Tuesday and Chili’s. These are the hot new restaurants at the mall
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As anchor department stores left malls, so did some name-brand chains like Ruby Tuesday, Chili’s, Applebee’s and others. What’s taking their place illustrates a large shift in US tastes: There’s a boom in smaller and regional restaurant chains with a local following. At the same time, many national chains are prioritizing drive-thru locations over their sit-down restaurants in malls. Chick-fil-A restaurants were only located in mall food courts for the company’s first 20 years. “Traditional mall restaurants were casual dining chains like Chili’s, TGI Fridays, and quick-service restaurants in food courts.

Persons: Ruby, What’s, Paul Hennessy, ”, Chris Simms, Simms, Gabby Jones, Mark Hunter, CBRE, RJ Hottovy, ” Hottovy, David Kim, ” Kim, It’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anadolu Agency, Getty, “, Food, JCPenney, Nordstrom, Green, Westfield Garden, Bloomberg, Deloitte, NV Locations: New York, Applebee’s, Orlando , Florida, Paramus , New Jersey, United States, Greenbriar, Atlanta, Korean, Henderson

☆ At least 123 Chinese automakers are facing off against Tesla for EV dominance
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

About 123 car companies sold electric vehicles, an auto consultant told WSJ. AdvertisementCompetition in the electric vehicle sector is only getting stiffer for Tesla in China, but what does that space exactly look like? AdvertisementAs Business Insider's Linette Lopez noted in February, automakers received a huge lift from Beijing as it doled out government subsidies to any car company that would contribute to the country's pivot to electric vehicles. AdvertisementStill, Tesla remains one of the country's top EV sellers, and only a few brands compete with the US-based automaker. The competition, however, comes amid a slowdown in EV sales that's being felt in the US and China.

Persons: —, Stephen Dyer, Insider's Linette Lopez, Lopez, Tesla, Dyer, BI's George Glover, BYD Organizations: EV, Service, Tesla, Wall Street, Kiel Institute, The Locations: China, Beijing, Germany, —

☆ The US economy may end up caught in a dreaded period of stagflation. 2 experts outline the scenario, and how to keep your money safe
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This would force interest rates to stay higher for longer, putting pressure on US businesses and consumers. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA pair of economic reports has brought back a word no central banker ever wants to hear: stagflation. The difficult scenario occurs when inflation rises and growth stalls, a dangerous combination just experienced by the US economy.

Persons: stagflation, —, Thursday's, LPL, Jeffrey Roach, Mike Reynolds, Reynolds, Jamie Dimon, Roach, shouldn't Organizations: Service, Federal, yesterday's, Fed, Wall Street, Bank of America

☆ 2 experts outline a looming scenario where the US economy ends up caught in a dreaded period of stagflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

☆ Walgreens has a cult ‘peelable’ candy, courtesy of a Tik Tok craze
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For the beleaguered drugstore chain, the odd “Gummy Mango” candy is a much-needed win. Walgreens said it didn’t work with any paid influencer to hype up its mango gummies but that it took off organically. Walgreens is quickly following up on the success of its mango gummy with a new peelable banana gummy candy. As Esarte and his team rushed to restock the mango gummies last last year, a bigger challenge emerged. After weeks of scrambling and rushing, Walgreens is better prepared to make a bigger splash with the mango gummies.

Persons: It’s, Keonhee Kim, TikToker @Trinhdoesthings, ”, Marty Esarte, Esarte, we’ve, ” Esarte, Anthony Behar, Gen Z, China grinds, “ We’ve, Kim, Tim Wentworth, Tim, ” Kim Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, CNN, National Confectioners Association, Food Institute, Millennial, Morningstar Locations: New York, Asia, China

☆ A flurry of new rules from the Biden administration attempt to ban noncompetes, boost overtime pay, and increase refunds for delayed flights
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Biden administration this week pushed out a slate of rules it says are meant to boost competitiveness and put more money into workers' pockets. There are already challenges to at least one of the rules — but together they could land overtime pay for millions more workers, ban noncompetes that prevent workers from moving into jobs in similar industries, and help people get automatic refunds for delayed or canceled flights. More workers eligible for overtime payUnder the Department of Labor's new rule, many workers who make under $43,888 will be eligible for overtime pay effective July 1. A ban on noncompetes that keep workers from taking new jobsPerhaps the most sweeping action for workers came from the Federal Trade Commission, which finalized a rule to ban noncompetes in most cases. Will a ban on noncompetes, new overtime thresholds, or airline refunds affect your life?

Persons: —, Biden, Lael Brainard, That's, it's, Judy Conti, Pete Buttigieg, Brainard, Aaron, Ryan, John Smith, Suzanne Clark, Jeremy Merkelson, Davis Wright Tremaine, Merkelson, Elizabeth Wilkins, Wilkins Organizations: Service, Business, National Economic Council, Department of, National Employment Law, of Transportation, Federal Trade Commission, . Upjohn Institute, Employment Research, of Commerce, Texas Association of Business, Federal Trade, Chamber of Commerce, FTC

☆ Mercedes-Benz says U.S. DOJ ended investigation into diesel emissions scandal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The steering wheel in a moving Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic, when using the Drive Pilot, a technology of Mercedes Benz AG for autonomous driving. The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its probe into the Mercedes-Benz diesel emissions scandal and the car manufacturer is no longer facing charges, the company said on Saturday. Mercedes-Benz cooperated fully with the DOJ, Renata Jungo Bruengger, board member for integrity, governance and sustainability at Mercedes, said in an emailed statement. In 2016, the U.S. DOJ called on Mercedes-Benz to conduct an internal investigation into possible manipulated emissions, opens new tab values in diesel vehicles. The car maker was accused of deceiving consumers by marketing its BlueTEC vehicles as "the world's cleanest and most advanced diesel."

Persons: Renata Jungo Bruengger Organizations: Mercedes, Mercedes Benz AG, U.S . Department of Justice, Benz, U.S, DOJ

☆ Kraft Heinz's CEO has a clean-eating lifestyle at odds with all that processed food — but he insists it shares his health mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kraft Heinz CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera's healthy lifestyle seems at odds with his company's processed products. Food giant Kraft Heinz is aiming to offer customers healthier products and improve the nutritional value of some of its staple items, such as ketchup, he said. Research has linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to increased risk of health issues, the BMJ medical journal has said. AdvertisementAbrams Rivera told The Journal that the processing of many of Kraft Heinz's products was necessary to supply a growing population, however. Nevertheless, the CEO said he remained committed to cutting sodium and sugar from Kraft Heinz's products, per The Journal.

Persons: Kraft Heinz, Carlos Abrams, Abrams, Rivera, —, Rachel Rothman, Abrams Rivera Organizations: Research, Service, Kraft, Wall Street, Centers for Disease Control Locations: San Diego

☆ 12 portfolio companies report earnings in the week ahead. What we want to hear from each
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

The action quickly and sharply reversed back to the upside Friday after blowout earnings reports from Alphabet and Microsoft . In the week ahead, earnings are likely to drive the action again, though we'll get a few important macroeconomic reports. Earnings: We've got the biggest week of the earnings season ahead of us, with 12 Club holdings set to report. Eli Lilly 's report Tuesday morning continues to be all about sales of type-2 diabetes treatment Mounjaro and weight-loss drug Zepbound. In DuPont 's report Wednesday morning, we're looking for a continued rebound in its semiconductor business following a sequential increase last quarter.

Persons: Ford, we'll, Dow Jones, We've, Buckle, Eaton, Eli Lilly, Lilly, We're, Estee Lauder, Fabrizio Freda, we've, Linde, Bausch, Royal Philips, Woodward, SIRI, Archer, Johnson, Stanley Black, Decker, BAX, Cardinal Health, Parker, Belden, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Nasdaq, Microsoft, Meta, Google Search, Big Tech, Nvidia, Broadcom, Ford Motor, Honeywell, Danaher, Labor Department, Labor, PMI, Services PMI, GE Healthcare, Amazon Web Services, Starbucks, Deutsche Bank, DuPont, Bausch Health, U.S ., Appeals, Apple, iPhones, Vision, ON Semiconductor, Resource Partners, Franklin Resources, Paramount, Transocean Ltd, Semiconductors, Arch Capital, Logitech International, Lattice Semiconductor, F5 Networks, Sanmina Corporation, GE HealthCare, PayPal, 3M Company, McDonalds, Enterprise Products Partners, Cola Company, Melco Resorts, Entertainment, SiriusXM Holdings, Oatly, American Electric Power Company, Leidos Holdings, Marathon Petroleum, Daniels, Midland Co, Equitrans Midstream Corporation, HSBC Holdings, HSBC, Devices, Caesars Entertainment, Lumen Technologies, Mondelez, Pfizer, CVS Health, Barrick, Mastercard Inc, Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Kraft Heinz Company, Marriott International, Ares, Generac Holdings, Johnson Controls, Cenovus Energy Inc, Qualcomm, Devon Energy, Paycom, Axcelis Technologies, Coeur D'Alene Mines, Sunnova Energy International, MGM Resorts International, MGM, Solar Inc, Oil, Allstate, Co, Tenable Holdings, Enovix Corporation, Gladstone Capital, Avis Budget Group, eBay, EBAY, LIN, Novo Nordisk, Natural Resources, PENN Entertainment, Apache, ConocoPhillips, InMode Ltd, Baxter International, Cardinal, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Apollo Global Management, LLC, Cinemark Inc, Dominion Energy, Coterra Energy, Coinbase, Bill.com Holdings, Booking Holdings, United States Steel, AXT Inc, Materials, Energy, Hershey Company, XPO Logistics, Cboe, American Pipeline, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Brookfield Business Partners, Brookfield Renewable Corporation, Magna International, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: U.S, megaprojects, China, Eaton, Corning, Coeur D'Alene, Albemarle, ALB, Novo, New York

☆ Facebook cofounder accuses Tesla of being the next 'Enron'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewA Facebook cofounder's attacks against Tesla continues, and it comes with one of his boldest allegations against the company to date: Tesla is the next Enron. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2024Moskovitz had not yet addressed Musk's posts on Friday. On Wednesday, the Facebook cofounder acknowledged the gravity of his comments in his social media post. Moskovitz also has long been skeptical of Elon Musk and his ventures. "I call on Elon Musk to resign," Moskovitz said on Threads last year, adding that he should resign "(from everything)."

Persons: —, Tesla, Dustin Moskovitz, Asana, Elon Musk, Musk, Dustin Moskowitz, — Elon, Moskovitz Organizations: Service, Business, Tesla, Enron, Traffic Safety Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bloomberg, Justice Department, SpaceX, Elon

☆ IRS free tax filing pilot processed more than 140,000 returns, saved consumers $5.6 million in prep fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel testifies during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on the fiscal 2024 IRS budget and the IRS' 2023 filing season, in the Dirksen Building in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2023. This season, more than 140,000 taxpayers successfully filed returns using IRS Direct File, a free tax filing pilot from the IRS, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS. The program fully opened for certain taxpayers in 12 states in early March and saved filers an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees for federal returns, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters on a press call. Direct File surveyed more than 15,000 users and some 90% rated their experience as "excellent," the agencies reported. The IRS plans to release a more detailed report about the Direct File pilot "in the coming days," he added.

Persons: Danny Werfel, Werfel Organizations: Senate, IRS, Washington , D.C, U.S . Department of, Treasury, Finance Locations: Washington ,

☆ Warren Buffett's real-estate firm will spend $250M to get out of legal hot water
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A real-estate brokerage owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit over its commission fees, according to plaintiffs in the case. AdvertisementHome sellers had sued HomeServices of America, alleging it conspired to force sellers to pay inflated agent commissions. Related stories"As we move beyond this settlement, our focus remains steadfast on ethical operations, industry integrity, and delivering value," Kelly said. AdvertisementThe group of home sellers, in this case, had also sued other brokerages and have scored millions in settlements already. Among the payouts is a whopping $418 million from the National Association of Realtors that has shaken up the real-estate industry.

Persons: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices, Benjamin D, Brown, Cohen Milstein Sellers, Chris Kelly, Kelly Organizations: Warren, Business, National Association of Realtors Locations: America

☆ A top exec at PR giant Edelman lays out its plan to invest in generative AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

To do so, Edelman recently promoted Brian Buchwald to global chair of product and AI to oversee the firm's AI investments. Buchwald joined Edelman in 2023 and was previously the global head of product, trust data, and technology at the firm. Previously, this tool used small language models and now uses generative AI and large language models, Buchwald said. Using generative AI has increased the tool's ability to predict future trustworthiness with 97% accuracy, he said. More broadly, holding companies have made significant investments into generative AI for content creation that compete with Edelman.

Persons: Edelman, Taco Bell, Brian Buchwald, Buchwald, Weber, Interpublic Group's Weber, Jay Pattisall, Forrester Organizations: eBay, Business, New York Times, Google, Adobe, Edelman, WPP Locations: Talkwaker

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