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☆ Tuesday's analyst calls: Nvidia to get a boost from new chip, Ralph Lauren poised to jump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Tuesday's analyst calls focused on red-hot tech giant Nvidia, which is seen as benefitting from the release of its new Blackwell chip, the GB200. 7:02 a.m.: Deutsche Bank sees 33% upside for Live Nation on strong fundamentals Strong fundamentals could spell further upside for shares of Live Nation Entertainment , according to Deutsche Bank. Soff also applauded the company for expanding into new add-on services, including providing upselling opportunities and selling advertising on the Live Nation app. Although a potential regulatory investigation could curtail the stock, Soff doesn't believe that Live Nation stock will ultimately take much damage. 6:03 a.m.: Jefferies initiates Ralph Lauren at a buy, sees momentum with younger consumers Ralph Lauren is shaping up to be a quality growth stock, according to Jefferies.

Persons: Blackwell, Jefferies, Ralph Lauren, Benjamin Soff's, Soff, shouldn't, — Lisa Kailai Han, Airbnb, James Lee, Lee's, headwinds, Brent Thrill, Ashley Helgans, Ralph Lauren's, Helgans, Taylor Swift, Timothy Acuri, Acuri, Hopper, — Lisa Kailai Han — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: CNBC, Nvidia, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Nation, Live Nation Entertainment, Mizuho, Paris, tailwinds, Paris Olympics, Chegg, Blackwell, Microsoft, Oracle Locations: Europe

☆ Wendy’s will soon begin testing surge pricing
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The price of a Wendy’s Frosty could soon fluctuate throughout the day as the chain looks to introduce Uber-like surge pricing on its menu. The practice, known as “dynamic pricing,” will begin testing in 2025, Wendy’s recently revealed in an earnings call. Surge pricing is common with sports and concert tickets and for ride-hailing apps, with services like Ticketmaster and Uber using sophisticated dynamic pricing algorithms that change minute by minute, based on demand. However, there hasn’t been widespread adoption from restaurants because of the labor it takes employees to change menus. McDonald’s has also dabbled with dynamic pricing and new order-suggestion capabilities at some of its upgraded drive-thrus and on its app.

Persons: Wendy’s, Kirk Tanner, ” Tanner, Jonathan Maze, ”, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Ticketmaster, Uber, CNN Locations: New York, upselling

☆ Why Framing Art, Posters, and Photos Is so Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

AdvertisementTake a spin around the internet, and it's clear that I'm not the only one with some questions about framing. For preservation purposes, framers will suggest acid-free, lignin-free materials so the art won't get damaged, which adds to the cost. "Glass is incredibly expensive, and part of it is because it's made specifically for picture framing. The day after I spoke with a manager at a midsize framing shop in Brooklyn, I followed up to ask about general price ranges on moldings and mats. How much did the thing you want to frame cost?

Persons: I'd, I've, Big, Hope Dye, they've, Dye, Sven Olsen, Michaels, Kevin Ivester, it's, wouldn't, Ivester, what's, They're, they're, Olsen, Framebridge, that's, Julia Lovett, Lovett, Austin, you've, Julia Mack, Emily Stewart Organizations: Studios, Michaels, Business Locations: Chicago, Mexico, Austin, Brooklyn

☆ Meta's continued rally could hinge on the fortunes of upstart retailers Temu and Shein
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Temu is owned by PDD Holdings , a Chinese company that moved its principal office to Ireland last year. Meta is expected to report revenue growth of 22% for the quarter to $39.2 billion, according to analysts surveyed by LSEG, formerly Refinitiv. JMP analysts estimated that Temu and Shein spent roughly $600 million and $200 million, respectively, on Facebook and Instagram ads in the third quarter. In December, Temu sued Shein, alleging questionable business practices and a "mafia-style intimidation of suppliers," according to legal documents. Meta isn't the only U.S. internet company effected by the speedy growth from Temu and Shein.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Ma, Shu Zhang, Victor Lee, Lee, who's, Shein, Meta, Pavlo Gonchar, Temu, didn't, Susan Li, data.AI, It's, Chris Mack, Harding Loevner, they've, Mack, Shein confidentially, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Brian Wieser, Josh Silverman, Silverman Organizations: Alibaba, China Development Forum, Reuters, Facebook, Hasbro, Unified Commerce, Amazon, PDD Holdings, U.S, Mobile, Meta, LSEG, Getty, CNBC, Cyberspace Administration, China, Street Journal, Google Locations: Beijing, China, Ireland, Singapore, UKRAINE, U.S, United States, Wall, Asia, Pacific, Temu, Meta

As technology titans jockey to back hot new startups, they are extracting explicit or implicit promises of revenue in return. loadingMicrosoft’s injection of $10 billion into OpenAI in January helped kick off the craze. As part of their deal, the ChatGPT operator agreed to exclusively use its new investor’s cloud computing services. Much of the invested capital should be returned relatively quickly as AI firms buy back-end services. Nvidia (NVDA.O) has at least 80% and as much as 95% of the AI market, according to estimates by analysts.

Persons: Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, OpenAI, Optimists, cynics, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Microsoft, Financial Times, Apple, Nasdaq, Big Tech, OpenAI, Wall Street, Google, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Cisco Systems, Lucent Technologies, Nortel Technologies, Company, Global, Telecom, Nortel, Network, Nvidia, Thomson Locations: OpenAI, Silicon Valley

☆ I doubled my revenue as a freelancer to more than $200,000 in one year. These 3 strategies helped me scale up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Hannah Logsdon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Upselling at the end of a project and targeting niche industries helped her hit $200,000 in 2022. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In my first full calendar year, I earned $100,000 in revenue, and in my second year, I more than doubled that number. When advertising these skills on freelance marketplaces, I positioned myself as an expert in sales optimization, client acquisition, and virtual assistance. Using these strategies, my business revenue for my second full year surpassed $200,000.

Persons: Hannah Logsdon, — Organizations: Service

☆ [WATCH NOW] How to drive growth with seamless omnichannel payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Paypal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

At the recent event, "How Enterprise Merchants Can Leverage Seamless Omnichannel Payments to Drive Growth," experts shared insights on how to maximize customer conversions. Watch now and find out how to embed a seamless omnichannel experience into your customer engagement strategy. Omnichannel payments are vital to merchant growthOmnichannel can only deliver a seamless customer experience with a strong payment infrastructure behind it. Today's customers want a seamless omnichannel experience, and if your business can't offer that, they'll find one that can. Watch the video below to learn how adopting omnichannel payments can help your business drive greater growth.

Persons: Julie Fergerson, Fergerson, they're, Cindy Turner, Adam Kronengold, Vince Camuto, Eddie Bauer, Kronengold, Turner Organizations: Merchant Risk Council, PayPal, National Retail, Retail, Authentic Brands, Insider Studios Locations: National Retail Federation's, PayPal Braintree, Braintree

☆ How marketers are using AI to make the customer-service experience faster, more targeted, and more reliable
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Helaine Krysik | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Marketers say conversational AI is taking some of the pressure off of live customer service. This story is part of "Revolutionizing Customer Experience With AI," a series exploring the game-changing technologies driving customer interactions. Brands are discovering that using AI costs less, gets more done in less time, and provides a more customized, reliable shopping experience. Wingstop is experimenting with an AI pilot on phone orders in select restaurants. When customers call a pilot location, they are greeted by an AI phone voice taking them through the ordering process.

Persons: —, Herb, Katie Bevier, Bevier, Maddie Lupori, Lupori, We've Organizations: Service, Brands, Kroger, eventual Locations: Wingstop

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, GM, Amazon, Zoom, Arm, Rivian, Ford, Deere & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

HSBC initiates Zoom as buy HSBC said Zoom is the leader in video conferencing. HSBC initiates Deere as buy HSBC said in its initiation of Deere that it sees "upside in the cycle." HSBC initiates Salesforce as buy HSBC said in its initiation of the stock that it's a "margin expansion story." HSBC initiates Snowflake as buy HSBC said Snowflake is well positioned for AI. HSBC initiates Oracle a buy HSBC said in its initiation of Oracle it likes the company's cloud platform.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Rivian, it's, TD Cowen, Needham, Piper Sandler, Piper, KEY's, Lauder, Redburn, Wolfe, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Casella, Zoom, Snowflake, Northcoast, Apple, Salesforce, Ford Organizations: Bank of America, underperform Bank of America, HSBC, Anheuser, Busch InBev, UBS, WWE, UFC, Systems, Moffett, Deere, Oracle, of America, Amazon, Apple, Lenovo, Adobe, General Motors, Ford, GM, UAW Locations: Americas, 2H23, North America, U.S, China

☆ Exclusive: AppHub, a Shopify app acquirer, raises $95 million to build and buy apps as the developer ecosystem matures
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AppHub builds and acquires apps that are geared towards e-commerce merchants. AppHub, an e-commerce enablement platform launched in 2021, has raised $95 million from growth-equity firm PSG to continue building up its portfolio of apps as changes come to Shopify's app ecosystem. More than 150,000 merchants are now using AppHub apps, CEO and cofounder Kris Eng told Insider. Deciding whether to build or acquireAppHub decides whether to acquire an app or build a solution of its own on a case-by-case basis. The new funding from PSG will allow AppHub to continue to invest in its existing portfolio and look for other apps to acquire.

Persons: AppHub, Kris Eng, Eng, Tobi Lütke, Harley Finkelstein, AppHub Shopify, they've, Matt Tennenhouse, Tennenhouse, we'll, Matt Stone Organizations: PSG, Capital Partners

Wendy's will pilot its new AI drive-thru tech this month at some locations in the Columbus, Ohio, area. The hesitancy to discuss any generative AI implementation is understandable. That said, we think that generative AI opportunities at Starbucks are still worth considering. This is where we think there's a clear opportunity for margin improvement as generative AI adoption goes mainstream. There are going to be a lot of opportunities to invest in to play the adoption of generative AI outside of tech.

Persons: hasn't, WEN, Jack, JACK, we've, Todd Penegor, Jim Cramer, Wendy's, Darin Harris, Jim, Harris, It's, —, China's, Jim Cramer's, Scott Mlyn Organizations: Microsoft, Nvidia, Club, Del, Starbucks, AIs, chatbots, Global, Companies, CNBC Locations: Columbus , Ohio, U.S, QSRs, Wendy's, Glassdoor, Dana Point , California

☆ Less Haggling, More Upselling: How EVs Will Change How You Buy a Car
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Stephen Wilmot | Jinjoo Lee | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/less-haggling-more-upselling-how-evs-will-change-how-you-buy-a-car-5018a245

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ How much an OnlyFans creator with 34,000 subscribers earns per month and how she uses safe-for-work content to grow her income and audience
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Nhari Djan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

OnlyFans creators often make non-adult content to promote on mainstream social-media platforms. She shares how much she earns on OnlyFans and her top tips for making safe-for-work content. Adult-content creators who were working before the rise of OnlyFans will tell you promoting safe-for-work content on social media has long been key to building a following. Adult and mainstream content trends mirror each otherLike ASMR, many trends that impact mainstream creators also affect those who create adult content. Michaels is seeing a resurgence of livestreaming among adult creators, now, as platforms like TikTok and YouTube test live shopping with more mainstream creators.

☆ How much an OnlyFans creator with an audience of 34,000 earns per month and how she uses safe-for-work content to grow her income and reach
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Nhari Djan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

OnlyFans creators often make non-adult content to promote on mainstream social-media platforms. Her OnlyFans audience is around 34,000 fans and followers across pages, including one free and one VIP. Michaels shared her top advice with Insider on how OnlyFans creators can use safe-for-work content to expand their reach without overextending themselves:1. Adult and mainstream content trends mirror each otherLike ASMR, many trends that impact mainstream creators also affect those who create adult content. Michaels is seeing a resurgence of livestreaming among adult creators, now, as platforms like TikTok and YouTube test live shopping with more mainstream creators.

☆ Carl's Jr. and Hardee's to roll out Presto's A.I. drive-thru ordering nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's locations will roll out automated drive-thru ordering nationwide using Presto's artificial intelligence software. Together, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's have about 2,800 restaurants across 44 U.S. states. Hardee's locations are mostly in the Midwest and South, while Carl's Jr. restaurants are found in the West. CKE tested the software last year at a handful of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's locations. CKE operates about 250 of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, while franchisees run the rest.

☆ Secondhand resale is getting cutthroat as platforms like Depop and Poshmark boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Demand for secondhand resale has been booming since the early days of the pandemic, generating a culture shift within the indie marketplaces where it all began. Users on platforms like Depop and Poshmark set up online shops to list vintage, secondhand or unique items for sale and generate notable followings of loyal shoppers. Robertson is now 17 and says the growth of resale has allowed him to turn his Depop shop, which now has over 19,000 followers, into a part-time gig. Blake Robertson, 17, poses with his closet, some of which is up for resale on his Depop shop. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Beaux Abington, 49, models some of her own Depop items.

☆ Why connectedness is the future of great customer experiences
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Adobe With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

For generations before digital, customer interactions were highly personal: Merchants talked directly with each person and learned pretty quickly why they were or were not completing transactions and deepening relationships. Connected customer experiencesEvery business wants to grow. But in order to connect a customer's experiences, brands first must connect with them, and do so with their privacy and preferences in mind. The same platform that enables connected customer experiences should be able to connect with and facilitate all of these business needs, leveraging properly gathered and governed customer data. Find out how Adobe can help you form a connected customer experience.

☆ I've worked on Wall Street for more than 15 years. Here are 5 ways middle managers go wrong.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Jenna Gyimesi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Matthew C. Meade has worked on Wall Street for firms including JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America. He's seen middle managers struggle when they neglect to get feedback from the people they manage. Mid-level managers must delegate while upselling their team's work to senior management, he writes. As a mid-level manager, your job is to delegate to your team while also upselling your team's work to senior management. Here are five ways I've seen middle managers go wrong.

☆ I make 6 figures as an 'undercover guest' who helps resorts with bad reviews improve their game. Here's what I look for and how I stay incognito.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Annie Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

I check in as a guest to enjoy the property, work incognito to evaluate the service, and create a customized training program for improvement. Courtesy of Stephanie LegerI charge a flat fee per service or day depending on the client's needs. Courtesy of Stephanie LegerLeger changing wigs in the bathroom to stay undercover. Courtesy of Stephanie LegerI stay in a secret persona throughout my visit and remember my story, which changes each time. When I got to my room at one hotel, another guest was in itOnce, I checked in to a hotel and the room was occupied.

☆ Movie theaters get creative with food and drink as they struggle to fill seats
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

At many movie theaters, popcorn and soda appear alongside flatbreads, lobster grilled cheese and elaborate cocktails. "It is things like concessions and how that fits into a broader movie theater experience that really are things that movie theaters need to focus on and hammer in," Gallinari said. AMC Entertainment , the world's largest movie theater chain, exited its third quarter with more than $5.3 billion in debt. According to data from research firm EntTelligence, the average medium popcorn at domestic movie theaters is $8.14, while a medium drink runs for $6.20. "With movie theaters and concessions already having a reputation for being overpriced, being subject to the wills of the market in that way can really work against the movie theater's favor," Gallinari said.

(Some partners also offer free state filing.) This is an opportunity many people overlook: About 70% of Americans qualified for IRS Free File in 2022, according to the Taxpayer Advocate,, but only 2% actually used it. Even if you meet the income requirements, Free File might not have the forms you need. If you don't meet the income requirement for Free File, you can still use the site's fillable forms. Bottom lineThere are lots of ways to file your taxes for free, whether that's with the IRS or a commercial tax software company.

Persons: TurboTax, Read, There's, isn't Organizations: CNBC Select's, Read CNBC, IRS, Social Security, Child Tax, Elderly, AARP, Department of Defense, CNBC, Facebook, Twitter Locations: Mobile, Arizona , California, Florida , Massachusetts, Nevada , New Hampshire , New York, South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas, Washington and Wyoming

If you only need to file a simple tax return or meet certain income requirements, you can file your taxes for free, using programs sponsored by the IRS or online tax software. Use IRS Free FileIRS Free File is a free online service for filing taxes designed by the IRS. Roughly 70% of Americans were eligible to use IRS Free File last year, but only 2% actually used it. It also won't work for you if you have business or self-employment income, income from rental property or stock sales, or unemployment income. Or, if you prefer a free tax software with no paid upgrades at all, consider Cash App Taxes (formerly known as Credit Karma Tax).

☆ Where to Get Your Taxes Done for Free
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

Some don’t offer free filing if you have to record retirement income or self-employment income, for example, and other specific deductions and credits are sometimes excluded from free tax filing. What’s included:Wage and salary incomeLimited interest and dividend incomeEITCChild creditStudent loan interest deductionState returnFree File through the IRSIf you are a middle-income earner, even if you have relatively complicated taxes, you should qualify to file your taxes for free through the IRS’s Free File program. Eligibility for free state tax filing through Free File depends on your state and the Free File provider you choose. However, Free File is a separate program and distinct from these company’s free online offerings, such as the ones detailed above. You have to access Free File through the IRS.gov Free File portal and create an account through the program.

☆ BTS fandom tech firm Weverse reaches beyond K-Pop
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We are a fandom business," Weverse President Joon Choi told Reuters. The app also currently has more than 80 teams of artists represented including BTS, and about 8-9 million monthly active users. However, Weverse users' 'superfan' qualities make engagement in those services turbo-charged, Choi said. Users are based in more than 200 countries and only about 10% of the app users speak Korean, Choi said. Top 5 countries Weverse users are from include Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, the United States and South Korea.

☆ Driving a reimagined customer experience with an AI-powered virtual assistant
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Ibm With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Camping World, the number one retailer of recreational vehicles (RVs) globally, understands that providing exceptional customer service is vital to remaining ahead of its competition. There's the retail side, financial services like insurance or goods, and the dealership side," said Saurabh Shah, chief digital officer and chief information officer at Camping World. It connects Camping World customers with a virtual agent, enabling live agents to take over more complex conversations. The two teams went one step further and integrated additional enhancements in the back end that expanded the capabilities of virtual agents handling customer scenarios, improving live agent efficiency and customer satisfaction. As of March 2022, customer engagement increased by 40% and Camping World saw wait times drop down to 33 seconds.

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