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☆ Buy stocks like Amazon, which are undervalued and underappreciated ahead of earnings, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Investors combing for value ahead of another big week of earnings should look no further, according to analysts. CNBC Pro looked through top Wall Street research to find stocks that are underappreciated as earnings season continues. Meanwhile chatter around the stock remains mostly balanced and positive, according to UBS. "We model an ~8% 5-yr. EPS CAGR and rate the stock buy as we believe this growth potential remains underappreciated," Serna said. ... We model an ~8% 5-yr. EPS CAGR and rate the stock buy as we believe this growth potential remains underappreciated."

Persons: Mauricio Serna, Lee, Wrangler, Serna, Jason Kupferberg, it's, Kupferberg, Matt Niknam, DigitalBridge, Niknam, Baird, Jassy, DBRG, Morgan Stanley Organizations: CNBC Pro, Kontoor Brands, International, Kontoor Brands UBS, UBS, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, TAM

☆ Analysts see hope in Intel's earnings but remain wary of structural issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"Good results," Citi analyst Christopher Danely said in a Friday note, "but structural issues remain." Citi reiterated a neutral rating and a $34 price target. Deutsche Bank, which described Intel's numbers as "more than marginal," maintained its Hold rating but increased its price target from $32 to $38, citing "abated" inventory challenges. Analysts increased Intel's price target from $30 to $35 and lauded the company's "better-than-expected results. He also said cloud companies were focusing more on securing graphics processors for AI instead of Intel's central processors.

Persons: Christopher Danely, Danely, Ross Seymore, Pat Gelsinger, Leswing, Michael Bloom Organizations: Intel, Wall Street, Citi, Nvidia, AMD, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Spotify, Meta & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Wednesday: Morgan Stanley reiterates Amazon as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on the e-commerce giant's earnings next week. Morgan Stanley downgrades RTX to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said in its downgrade of the stock that risk/reward seems "balanced" right now. Morgan Stanley upgrades WW International to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said shares of the company formerly known as Weight Watchers are underappreciated. Citi reiterates Meta as a top pick Citi said Meta is a top pick heading into earnings on Wednesday afternoon. Morgan Stanley reiterates General Motors as overweight Morgan Stanley said the stock's weak reaction to Tuesday's GM earnings report is a "headscratcher."

Persons: Morgan Stanley, it's bullish, it's, Raymond James downgrades, Raymond James, Morgan Stanley downgrades RTX, Needham, NFLX, Citi, Eli Lilly, Elliot, Burger, Disney, TD Cowen, bitcoin, GOOGL Organizations: Deutsche Bank, Spotify, Deutsche, Barclays, Apple, Target, Bank of America, NXP Semiconductors, International, Netflix, Citi, Goodyear Tire Deutsche, Elliot Management, Goodyear, Elliott Management, Operational, Restaurant Brands Citi, Microsoft, Hollywood, Meta, JPMorgan, United Airline, AFL, DAL, Motors, UAW Locations: 1Q23

☆ Goldman Sachs' investing playbook through year-end: 3 leaders share their advice, including how to cash in on a potential double-digit rally in stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This analogy was the segue into Goldman Sachs' 2023 mid-year investment outlook. "Do not change lanes unnecessarily," said Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani, head of the investment strategy group and chief investment officer of wealth management at the firm. Historically, when stocks draw down 20% or more, returns are favorable in the following 12 and 24 months, she added. "What is really fascinating when you've had this kind of narrow breadth, the market actually continues to rally," Mossavar-Rahmani said. On the one hand, private sector balance sheets remain healthy, prices in the global housing market remain stable due to an undersupply, and there has been a gradual recovery in the services sector.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Robert Tibshirani, Sharmin, Jan Hatzius, you've, Rahmani, Hatzius, it's, Julian Salisbury, Salisbury Organizations: Drivers Locations: China, Salisbury, Banks

The steady stream of Chinese shipments has served to plug supply gaps in Western markets and helped replenish depleted London Metal Exchange (LME) stocks. China's export impulse is keeping the local market tight, which appears to be attracting a lot of speculative attention to the Shanghai lead contract. The three top destinations over the first half of 2023 were Taiwan (17,500 metric tons), Vietnam (16,100 metric tons) and Bangladesh (10,300 metric tons). LME STOCKS REBUILDSome of China's outbound shipments have been trickling into the LME warehouse system. ShfFE lead price, MOI and stocksCHINA TIGHTNESSWhile LME stocks have been rising, ShFE inventory has been sliding.

Persons: It's, Emelia Sithole Organizations: London Metal Exchange, Shanghai Futures Exchange, China, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Europe, United States, Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kaohsiung, Singapore, Stolberg, MOI, CHINA, London

☆ I bought a laundromat and only spend 1 hour a week managing it. It's an easy, hands-off secondary income stream — here's how I got started.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Brandon Schlichter is a real estate investor who owns a laundromat in Chillicothe, Ohio. I got my real estate license in 2006 and have been a full-time real estate investor for 10 years. The laundromat is easier than other ventures, like restaurantsIn my opinion, the laundromat business is easier than other ventures because they're not heavily employee-centric. For those who want to start a laundromat business, I recommend paying close attention to the numbers — they're crucial. If you've successfully created a secondary or passive income stream and want to share your story, email Aria Yang at ayang@insider.com.

Persons: Brandon Schlichter, It's, they're, Taco Bell, you've, Aria Yang Organizations: Service, YouTube Locations: Chillicothe , Ohio, Wall, Silicon, Columbus

☆ Morgan Stanley sees profound shift in diabetes treatment boosting opportunity for weight-loss drugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Morgan Stanley analysts said they are seeing a profound shift in the way diabetes is being treated, with doctors intensifying the focus on weight management, which is accelerating the uptake of GLP-1 medications. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly has been approved to sell Mounjaro, or tirzepatide, as a Type 2 diabetes treatment. Both GLP-1 medications have attracted a lot of attention for their ability to lower blood sugar, curb food cravings and help patients with weight loss. Morgan Stanley said GLP-1 medicines now make up nearly 30% of all new diabetes prescriptions in the U.S. About 22% of all diabetes prescriptions are for this class of drug. The analysts now anticipate the market for GLP-1 medications will reach $77 billion in 2030, up from a prior forecast of $54 billion.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Lilly GLP, Eli Lilly, Lilly, GLP, Morgan, Wells, Mohit Bansal, Bansal, he's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Food and Drug Administration, U.S, GLP Locations: U.S, Wells Fargo

☆ Opinion: ‘Lazy-girl jobs’ make more sense on TikTok than in real life
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Opinion Jill Filipovic | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And the vast majority are not, in fact, shaping our lives and career goals around a TikTok trend. Some of us want to work to live, not live to work. Some of us are deeply ambitious at certain points in our lives, and then more focused on life outside of work at others. A lot of jobs aren’t particularly interesting, fun or meaningful. A lot of men do work jobs with fewer hours and less pay, or don’t work at all, but there’s no TikTok trend about it.

Persons: Jill Filipovic, ” Jill Filipovic, Jill Filipovic It’s, It’s, We’ve, Covid, don’t, ” Organizations: Twitter, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pew Research, Fortune, Facebook Locations: New York

In response to CNBC's request for comment, Worldcoin said:"The Worldcoin Foundation complies with all laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin is available, including the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") and the UK Data Protection Act. From its inception, Worldcoin was designed to protect individual privacy. The project has implemented privacy-centric design and has built a robust privacy program, conducting a rigorous Data Protection Impact Assessment and responding timely to individual requests to delete their personal data."

Persons: Worldcoin Organizations: General Data Protection, Protection

☆ Global shares slip, dollar soars vs yen on BoJ policy expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Herbert Lash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 19, 2023. The yen weakened 1.19% to 141.77 per dollar, while the dollar index , a measure of the greenback against major trading currencies, rose 0.31%. "None of them are happening with massive severity, but the longer we go on with higher rates, more and more that's going to come through," he said. BOJ policymakers prefer to scrutinize more data to ensure wages and inflation keep rising before changing yield control policy, five sources familiar with the matter said. "Markets were building up expectations which now look unlikely to play out," said Guillaume Paillat, a multi-asset manager at Aviva Investors.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, BoJ, Dow, Garrett Melson, Mullarkey, Patrick Spencer, Guillaume Paillat, Brent, Herbert Lash, Naomi Rovnick, Stella Qiu, Conor Humphries, David Holmes, Marguerita Choy, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Fed, ECB, Reuters, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Nasdaq, Investment, Microsoft Corp, Apple Inc, SLC Management, Baird, Microsoft, Apple, NYSE, Aviva Investors, Treasury, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Boston, London, MSCI's U.S, Europe, China, Sydney

Gold prices slipped as the dollar rebounded to its highest level in more than a week as investors prepare for next week's big central bank policy meetings, including the BoJ, the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. The yen weakened 1.13% to 141.68 per dollar, while the dollar index , a measure of the greenback against major trading currencies, rose 0.36%. BoJ policymakers prefer to scrutinize more data to ensure wages and inflation keep rising before changing yield control policy, five sources familiar with the matter said. The report added there was no consensus within the central bank and the decision could still be a close call. As Japanese inflation has stayed above the BoJ's target, traders have bet on the central bank ditching its yield curve control program, a move likely to cause the yen to strengthen.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, BoJ, Garrett Melson, Patrick Spencer, Spencer, you've, Guillaume Paillat, Brent, Herbert Lash, Naomi Rovnick, Stella Qiu, Conor Humphries, David Holmes, Marguerita Choy Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Fed, ECB, Reuters, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Investment, Nasdaq, Baird, Microsoft Corp, Apple Inc, NYSE, Aviva Investors, Treasury, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Boston, Europe, China, London

☆ A superfan descends on Auckland, alongside Americans from coast to coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New Zealand is now the 19th country Philadelphia resident, geologist and Women’s World Cup superfan Malone has visited for a soccer game. Tara Subramaniam/CNNMalone says she loves attending women’s soccer tournaments because it isn’t seen as “weird” for her to go. She also attended the 2018 men’s World Cup in Russia and the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. Her love of the “beautiful game” started with the 1998 men’s World Cup, which she recalls watching with her family as a kid. From left: Livia, Randy, Laurenne and Lisette Moreland are back at a World Cup for the first time since 2016.

Persons: Jessica Malone, superfan Malone, It’s, Malone, “ I’ve, she’s, ”, ” Jessica Malone, Tara Subramaniam, CNN Malone, “ It’s, “, ” Malone, Zinedine Zidane, I’ve, ‘, Moreland, Laurenne Moreland, Livia, Randy, Laurenne, Lisette Moreland, Adam, CNN he’s, Cate, Stephanie, ” Stephanie, Elanor Espey Organizations: New Zealand CNN, National Women’s, Philadelphia, ”, CNN, “, USA, FIFA, US, Thailand Locations: Auckland, New Zealand, American, Australia, Russia, France, Vietnam, Eden, Bethesda , Maryland, Canada, Austin , Texas, Reims, New, Sacramento, Paris

☆ Leaked messages show Amazon will force a 'voluntary resignation' on employees failing to relocate near their team 'hubs'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Amazon is asking employees to relocate to the "hub" office of their individual teams. Amazon employees who refuse to relocate near the "hub" office of their teams will either have to find a new job internally or leave the company through a "voluntary resignation." Under the initial return-to-office policy, Amazon employees could go into any office at least three times a week, regardless of where the majority of their team was. Some employees told Insider that made office work pointless because many still had to use video calls to connect with their teammates. Still, the change only adds to the frustration Amazon employees face.

Persons: Slack, Andy Jassy, Brad Glasser, there's, we've, Glasser, Amazon, it's, Amazon's, Beth Galetti, doesn't, Eugene Kim Organizations: Amazon, Employees, Amazon's Locations: Seattle , New York, Houston, Austin

☆ Inspired by Ukraine war, Taiwan launches drone blitz to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Reuters Graphic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +16 min

These drones range from jet-powered, long range surveillance aircraft to small quadcopters deployed by ground troops. Taiwan should accelerate mass production of a range of military drones to boost self-reliance in the struggle with Beijing, it concluded. U.S. drones range in size from two-kilogram, hand-launched drones to 14,500-kilogram long range surveillance drones. Unlike Taiwan, China began mass-producing unmanned aircraft long before the Ukraine conflict. Hundreds of technology experts, including specialists in AI, were recruited to the military, according to UCSD analyst Cheung.

Persons: Tsai Ing, ”, Tsai “, Max Lo, “, Hawk Yang, Yang, Tsai, Joe Biden, ’, Lo, Tai Ming Cheung, ” Cheung, Nancy Pelosi, ” Tsai, Chang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Cheung, ” Elsa Kania Organizations: Reuters, People’s Liberation Army, Thunder Tiger Group, “, Communist Party, Taiwan, Taiwan Affairs Office, U.S . Department of Defense, White, Pentagon ., Teal, University of California, PLA, U.S . House, Airborne, Washington -, Strategic & International Studies ., Royal United Services Institute, 20th Party Congress, UCSD, Center, New, New American Security, China's Ministry of Defense, Pentagon Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Taipei, Taiwan, China, Asia, United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, America, Republic of China, “ China, Kinmen, Beijing, Washington, Pentagon . U.S, U.S, University of California San Diego, Chiayi, Strategic & International Studies . Ukraine, London, Chang Kong, Today, New American

KARACHI, Pakistan, July 20 (Reuters) - Fuel pump operators across Pakistan are to hold a nationwide strike on July 22 in a bid to secure larger margins amid an inflation crisis, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association said on Thursday. "We will shut down all petrol pumps across Pakistan on July 22, 6 p.m.," said the association, which says it has more than 10,000 members. In a statement it said interest rates and inflation have hit operators' businesses and called for the dealership margin to be increased. "Around 8,000-9,000 (operators) ... represented by us, will be shut on July 22," Abdul Sami Khan, chairman of the association, told Reuters. Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Abdul Sami Khan, Ariba Shahid, Conor Humphries Organizations: Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KARACHI, Pakistan, Karachi

☆ 3 travel agents for the world's wealthiest people share exactly where the 1% are traveling this summer, from Botswana to the Côte d'Azur
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Mark Ellwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Summer travel can be done on a budget, but for the world's wealthiest people, no expense is spared. Top travel agents shared the hottest spots they're seeing this year, from Paros to the Côte d'Azur. Instead, look to the elite group of agents who help wrangle those jaunts and cater to the wealthiest, most demanding vacationers. Courtesy of John CliffordJohn Clifford in San Diego runs International Travel Management and has expertise with LGBTQ+ travel. Insider asked these travel professionals to share the secrets of where and how the richest 1% are vacationing in summer 2023.

Persons: they've, Jules Maury, Jules Maury Jules Maury, Scott Dunn, John Clifford, John Clifford John Clifford, Edward Granville ., Edward Granville Edward Granville, Granville, Maury, I've, Clifford, he's, Côte, they're, We've, Rod, it's, Paros, It's, Cosme, Parilio, Avant, she's, she'd, Milos Organizations: Côte, Service, San Diego, Travel Management, d'Azur, Porto Heli, Italy, Avant Mar, HBO, Domenico Palace Locations: Paros, Wall, Silicon, San, Red Savannah, London, COVID, Europe, Cannes, France, Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Botswana's Okavango Delta, Kenya, Porto, Greece, Italy, Spain, Athens, Amalfi Coast, Rome, Sicily, Domenico

JOHANNESBURG, July 20 (Reuters) - A BRICS currency will not be on the agenda of the bloc's summit in South Africa next month, but Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will continue to switch away from the U.S. dollar, South Africa's senior BRICS diplomat said on Thursday. "There's never been talk of a BRICS currency, it's not on the agenda," Anil Sooklal, South Africa's Ambassador at Large: Asia and BRICS, told a media briefing. "What we have said and we continue to deepen is trading in local currencies and settlement in local currencies." This has pushed countries to find alternatives to the dollar, especially among non-U.S. allies. "BRICS started a process that has been expedited as a result of the conflict, as a result of unilateral sanctions," Sooklal said.

Persons: There's, it's, Anil Sooklal, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Sergei Lavrov, BRICS, Sooklal, Rachel Savage, Carien du Plessis, Tim Cocks, Angus MacSwan Organizations: U.S ., South, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South, Asia, Russian, Ukraine, U.S

☆ Barbie, Nike Air, Cheetos, Mario: Why Movies Are All About Brands Now
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jared Holst | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But the release of half a dozen movies about brands — Barbie, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Tetris, Nike Air, BlackBerry, and Beanie Babies — in six months isn't just the result of Hollywood groupthink and coincidence. But just as these brand-centric movies ring hollow, so does the gig economy they're catering to. While the plot isn't about the making of Barbie, Barbie and Ken do step outside Barbie Land to peek behind the curtains of their creation.) As more companies look to gig workers to replace full-time jobs, more workers take up gig work. As the economy continues to emphasize the importance of self-branding through gig work, brand movies will continue to resonate.

Persons: Ryan, — Barbie, Flamin, isn't, Barbie, doggedly, Zach Galifianakis, Ty Warner, Ken, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Ben Affleck, —, it's, hadn't, they'd, it'd, Jared Holst, Jared Organizations: Nike Air, BlackBerry, Hollywood, Hulu, Mattel, Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, Economic, Institute, Brands Locations: American, New York, Brooklyn

☆ Asia’s best bars for 2023 announced
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Asia comprises about 30% of the world’s land mass. In addition to ranking the top 50, the 50 Best organization – which also rates restaurants and, soon, hotels – acknowledged “best in destination” prizes for bars that were the highest rated from their country, city or region. It was his first-ever visit to Hong Kong. 50 Best/William ReedAsia’s 50 Best Bars 20231. COA (Hong Kong)2.

Persons: Jay Khan, Ernest Hemingway, Beckaly Franks, Hong Kong's, William Reed, Hong Konger, ”, Franks, “, Rohan Matmary, Trigona’s, Matmary, Singapore’s, Khan, Ajit Gurung, “ We’re, William Reed Asia’s, Aubrey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Pontiac, Native American, CNN Travel, Bars Academy, BKK Social, Tropic, Sago, Cham, SG, Analogue Initiative, Chamber, Employees, Southside, Hope, Sesame, House Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Asia, Asia, Hong, American, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Tropic City, Taipei, Vesper, Republic, Delhi, Jakarta, Manhattan, Pantja, Manila, Mumbai, Copitas, Bengaluru, Guangzhou, Vender, Taichung, Kyoto

"The luxury industry seems to be outperforming the consumer market as a whole in China, but you know, really, almost everyone you speak to, there's a level of uncertainty," said Agility's managing director Amrita Banta. "There's a level of not feeling entirely comfortable with their future economic position that is really affecting almost everybody in China." Those factors disproportionately affect "aspirational" luxury customers who can easily live without another Gucci bag or $900 pair of sneakers. In China, luxury consumers are younger than in the rest of the world with an average age of 28, according to BCG - something companies had seen as positive for future growth. "In the trends that I'm seeing in the U.S. and also in China, more aspirational younger consumers are feeling more of a pain," Morningstar senior equity analyst Jelena Sokolova said.

Persons: Richemont, splurge, Morgan Stanley, Hermes, Chanel, Amrita Banta, Dior, Balenciaga, Gucci, Jelena Sokolova, HSBC's Erwan, Rambourg, Casey Hall, Mimosa Spencer, Catherine Evans Organizations: Cartier, Citigroup, Richemont, Citi, LVMH, Bain, Morningstar, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, PARIS, China, North America, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Charlotte, Nashville, Swiss, Americas, Asia, United States, luxury's, U.S, Japan

☆ 'Barbie' review: Margot Robbie stars in Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —“Barbie” comes roaring out of the gate with an inventiveness and energy the movie perhaps inevitably can’t sustain. Still, the closest kin would probably be “The Lego Movie,” which similarly took a familiar toy and built a kind of existential crisis around it. Simu Liu, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in "Barbie." Courtesy Warner Bros. PicturesThe juxtaposition of those more thoughtful elements with the sheer giddiness elsewhere – alternating between the serious and the silly, between art and commerce – doesn’t always quite mesh or feel as fresh as it might. (The film is being released by Warner Bros., like CNN, a unit of Warner Bros.

Persons: CNN — “ Barbie ”, Greta Gerwig’s, Noah Baumbach, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, “ Barbie ”, Ferrell’s, Helen Mirren, Barbie, Ken, Gosling’s Ken, Ariana Greenblatt, Simu Liu, Bird, Gosling, “ Justice League ”, “ Oppenheimer, “, overdoing, ” Organizations: CNN, Mattel, America, Warner Bros, “ Justice League, Warner Bros .

☆ United adds Tokyo, Manila and Taipei flights to cater to international travel boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

United Airlines on Tuesday mapped out another expansion of Asia flights in the coming months, part of its push to capitalize on a boom in long-haul international travel that has helped drive airlines back to profitability after the Covid-19 pandemic. International travel bookings surged this year, airline executives have said, as travelers seek long-distance trips they put off during the pandemic amid a web of travel restrictions and concerns about the virus. United announced new flights to New Zealand and Australia in April. Starting Oct. 29, United will fly daily nonstop flights between San Francisco and Manila, becoming the only U.S. airline to offer nonstop service to the Philippine capital from the continental U.S. Quayle said Tokyo flights have been in high demand since Japan lifted travel restrictions earlier this year.

Persons: Patrick Quayle, United's, Quayle Organizations: Airlines, United, Boeing Locations: Asia, New Zealand, Australia, United, San Francisco, Manila, Philippine, Taipei, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Japan

☆ In-N-Out bans mask wearing for employees in some states
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Beginning August 14, employees that want to wear masks amid Covid-19 must have a “valid medical note exempting him or her from this requirement,” an email to workers said. A policy for its California and Oregon restaurants, where it can’t ban employees from wearing masks, said that they have to wear a company-provided N95 mask. Employees that have to wear masks, like in the “patty room” or lab technicians,” are exempted. However, the memo said that its new policies are in “compliance with evolving health guidelines.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends employees wear masks, however. Although statewide mask mandates have disappeared, health experts recommend that vulnerable individuals might still want to wear masks in crowded indoor spaces, such as restaurants.

Persons: ”, ’, Joe Biden Organizations: New, New York CNN, Employees, Safety, Health Administration, Contra Costa county Locations: New York, Arizona , Colorado , Nevada , Texas, Utah, California, Oregon, Contra Costa, San Francisco

July 18 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. Data on Monday showed that the world's second largest economy grew at a frail pace in the second quarter while China's Evergrande Group (3333.HK), the world's most indebted property developer, said it lost an eye-watering $81 billion over 2021 and 2022. The shadow over local markets cast by China's second quarter GDP data on Monday is unlikely to lift completely by Tuesday, and the pressure on policymakers in Beijing to deliver more stimulus to shore up activity will surely increase. Chinese GDP grew 0.8% in April-June from the previous quarter, beating the consensus forecast of 0.5%. JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup trimmed China's growth forecast for 2023 to as low as 5%, with Morgan Stanley also trimming its 2024 GDP forecast by 40 basis point to 4.5%.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, China's, Morgan Stanley, Janet Yellen, Josie Kao Organizations: HK, Nasdaq, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Treasury, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson, Reuters Locations: China, Asia, Japan, U.S, Beijing, Real, India

☆ 'Pointless' meetings aren't the productivity drain bosses seem to think
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Sirena Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Shopify is going to extreme lengths to stop its workers from attending pointless meetings. This push to keep workers out of meetings is to free up time so they can, according to the company's COO, "get shit done." But here's the thing about meetings, even "pointless" ones, and especially for a company with a lot of remote workers like Shopify: they give us an opportunity to chat. Watercoolers are hard to recreate in virtual form, but if they're going to be anywhere, it's in scheduled videocalls — in other words, meetings. Better mental health has been closely linked to productivity, so perhaps addressing loneliness would be a better use of a company's resources than discouraging meetings.

Persons: Shopify, they've, it's, impenetrably, I've Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Independent Locations: America, Wall, Silicon

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