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☆ Netflix stock soars as the dollar slides
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The suddenly weaker dollar could be giving it a boost. So anytime the dollar loses value, that boosts sales and earnings for a multinational company like Netflix once those international results are translated back into dollars. A strong dollar, on the other hand, is bad news. Netflix warned when it reported third quarter results in mid-October that the dollar’s appreciation in 2022 would hurt revenue and operating income. It will be interesting to hear what management says about the impact of the weaker dollar in its letter to shareholders and conference call with analysts.

☆ McDonald’s ex-CEO fine: not a nothing burger
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Jan 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - McDonald’s (MCD.N) ex-boss is in the frying pan. The $196 billion Big Mac purveyor sued and successfully clawed back Easterbrook’s bounty of over $100 million in compensation. The SEC’s order also dings McDonald’s for not better clarifying why he was dismissed without cause. The slap against McDonald’s suggests the company also was not being forthcoming. Still, Easterbrook’s $400,000 fine adds to his pain, and he is also barred from serving as a public officer or director for five years.

☆ U.S. SEC charges McDonald's ex-CEO for misrepresentations to investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Chris Prentice | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Steve Easterbrook, CEO of McDonald's Corp., attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 10, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidNEW YORK, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday charged former McDonald's Corp Chief Executive Stephen Easterbrook with making false and misleading statements to investors about the circumstances of his 2019 termination. The SEC hit Easterbrook with a five-year officer and director bar and a $400,000 civil penalty. McDonald's fired Easterbrook in November 2019 for exercising "poor judgment" by engaging in a relationship with a McDonald's employee, the SEC said. McDonald's said in a statement that the settlement reinforced the fact it held Easterbrook "accountable for his misconduct."

☆ SEC fines McDonald's ex-CEO Easterbrook $400,000 for allegedly misleading investors about his firing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Disgraced former McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook will pay $400,000 to settle charges that he allegedly misled investors about the circumstances of his 2019 firing following a relationship with an employee. McDonald’s later filed a lawsuit against Easterbrook that ended with the ex-CEO paying back his $105 million severance payment, but the SEC charged both the executive and the company for making such a deal in the first place. In addition to the $400,000 civil penalty, Easterbrook is also banned from serving as a director or officer at any company that reports to the SEC. In August 2020, McDonald’s filed a lawsuit claiming Easterbrook lied to the board about the extent of his relationships with employees. Steve Easterbrook, former CEO of McDonald's Corp. Brendan McDermid/ReutersMcDonald’s settled the lawsuit with Easterbrook in 2021, forcing him to repay his severance package of $105 million.

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls of the day: Apple, Amazon, Uber, Nike, Boeing, Netflix & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Baird names Boeing a top 2023 pick Baird named Boeing as a top idea this year and says it sees a recovery in aerospace. UBS names Target a top pick in 2023 UBS says it sees Target as a market share gainer in 2023. Wells Fargo initiates Snowflake as overweight Wells said in its initiation of the stock that it's built to "weather the storm." Piper Sandler names Amazon a top 2023 pick Piper Sandler says it sees share gains and easing comps for the e-commerce giant. " Bank of America names Domino's a top 2023 pick The firm says Domino's is well positioned in a declining macroeconomic environment.

☆ McDonald's to boost restaurant growth, streamline some programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Hilary Russ | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

McDonald's beat sales and profit estimates in its last quarterly earnings results in October, helped by higher menu prices and increased foot traffic from inflation-weary customers looking for value meals. Its global same-store sales increased 9.5% in the third quarter. read moreLike other fast-food chains, McDonald's has hiked menu prices to keep up with surging commodity and labor costs. McDonald's strong sales and profits also mean that it - like several other restaurant chains including Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.N) - can embark on big expansion plans. It now also plans to streamline technology - including its loyalty programs - and menu development in order to get new products into use globally more quickly.

☆ Wall Street analyst calls on Thursday including Tesla & Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Barclays names Starbucks a top 2023 pick Barclays said the coffee giant is a "best-in-class" stock for 2023. UBS names Chipotle a top 2023 pick UBS said the Mexican chain restaurant is defensive in a "tough macro." Bank of America downgrades PNC to underperform from neutral Bank of America said shares of PNC are trading at a premium. Bank of America downgrades Ally Financial to underperform from buy Bank of America said Ally is most exposed to auto loans. Bank of America reiterates Amazon as buy Bank of America said Amazon layoffs are "not a positive signal, but good for sentiment."

☆ Starbucks will go grande on workforce-lite future
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Amanda Gomez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, Jan 4 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Starbucks (SBUX.O) will have a workforce that will grow increasingly restless in 2023. Starbucks’ employees started organizing in 2021 in Buffalo, New York, and by late 2022, workers at more than 250 stores, or 2% of U.S. locations, had voted to join a union. At the same time, Starbucks is moving quickly to automate, which will continue into 2023 under incoming CEO Laxman Narasimhan. Even some Starbucks unions might not survive as the company closes stores and drags out negotiations. The coffee company may be getting the heat, but it will only motivate it to go grande on an employee-light future.

☆ Here are Tuesday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Apple, Wynn, Amazon, Wendy's, Delta & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

We are lowering our relative ratings on ALLY, COF and MTB from Overweight to Equal Weight and ZION from Equal Weight to Underweight." Wells Fargo upgrades Wynn to overweight from equal weight Wells said in its upgrade of the casino company that it sees a significant reopening opportunity for the stock. " Wells Fargo initiates Mondelez as overweight Wells said the food products company has "superior" fundamentals. Wells Fargo downgrades Molson Coors to equal weight from overweight Wells said in its downgrade of the stock that it sees downside to estimates. Baird names Wells Fargo a top 2023 pick Baird said it likes the risk/reward for the banking giant in 2023.

☆ The year of the restaurant robot: Why chains are investing in automation and what it means for workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

This year brought a flurry of automation announcements in the restaurant industry as operators scrambled to find solutions to a shrinking workforce and climbing wages. Three-quarters of restaurant operators are facing staffing shortages that keep them from operating at full capacity, according to the National Restaurant Association. Many restaurant operators hiked wages to attract workers, but that pressured profits at a time when food costs were also climbing. "Automation is one word, and a lot of people go right to robotics and a robot flipping burgers or making fries. The labor questionAutomation often faces pushback from workers and labor advocates, who see it as a way for employers to eliminate jobs.

☆ From the McRib to the Choco Taco, here are 6 foods we lost in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Chili’s Original Chicken TendersChili's replaced its Original Chicken Crispers with something crispier, as pictured here. Honest TeaRIP Honest Tea. Weeks after Coke’s announcement, the founders of Honest Tea launched another bottled iced tea drink called Eat the Change. Wendy’s Vanilla FrostyWendy's vanilla Frosty will come back eventually. Let’s be clear: the Vanilla Frosty isn’t gone for good.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, McDonald's, Alphabet, Amazon, Tesla, Meta & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Here are Wednesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Citi reiterates Apple as buy Citi said it sees several reasons that Apple stock is likely trade higher. Jefferies names McDonald's a top 2023 pick Jefferies said the fast food giant is a top defensive idea for 2023. Jefferies downgrades Starbucks to hold from buy Jefferies said it sees a more "balanced" risk/reward outlook for the stock. Evercore ISI reiterates Alphabet as outperform Evercore lowered its estimates on the stock but said it's still "highly attractive" for long-term investors. UBS reiterates Nike as buy UBS said Nike's earnings growth potential is "underestimated" after the company's earnings report on Tuesday.

The deal McDonald's struck with former licensee Alexander Govor included a set of requirements the new brand, Vkusno & tochka, must stick to, including restrictions on branding, colour scheme and product usage. New owner Alexander Govor said this week he and the management team regularly talk over video link to the former parent company. "We are not talking about how they somehow participate in our business, this is already done," Vkusno & tochka, which translates to "Tasty & that's it," CEO Oleg Paroev told Reuters. In a statement to Reuters, McDonald's said it fully exited the Russian market earlier this year. Russian authorities in June said McDonald's has an option to buy back its Russia restaurants within 15 years.

☆ Russia’s McDonald’s successor replacing Big Mac with ‘Big Hit’
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Starved of Big Macs since McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) closed its Russian restaurants in March, Russians will from next year be treated to an alternative from the burger chain’s successor - the "Big Hit". Vkusno & tochka, or "Tasty & that's it", on Monday said the Big Hit would be available from February and a similar product to the McDonald’s Happy Meal would be making a comeback as "Kids' Combo". McDonald's closed its Russian restaurants soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February, eventually selling to a local licensee, Alexander Govor, who unveiled the new brand in June. Since acquiring Russia's McDonald's restaurants, Govor has snapped up Finnish packaging company Huhtamaki's (HUH1V.HE) Russian business and a logistics firm, set to be renamed "Logistics & that's it". Some Vkusno & tochka restaurants had to take fries off the menu earlier this year when faced with a potato shortage.

☆ Chinese consumers wary of splurging after Beijing relaxes COVID strictures
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Casey Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"On the other hand, we don't know who is safe, we don't know who has the coronavirus. "Moving from isolation facility quarantine to home quarantine will not increase retail sales significantly," said Iris Pang, chief economist for greater China at ING. A spa at a mall in downtown Beijing that resumed business on Friday said most staff had returned but customers were far fewer. Luca Solca, a luxury analyst with Bernstein, said the end of the curbs was good news for the luxury industry, heavily dependent on Chinese spending. "My base-case scenario is that the softening should prompt Chinese consumers to go back to enjoying life and spending money – benefiting, among others, top luxury brands," he said.

☆ What’s gone wrong at Beyond Meat
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And fierce competition is squeezing sales, including in frozen, plant-based chicken, a category that is growing while refrigerated plant-based meat sales falter. “We believe that healthy competition within plant-based meat is a good thing as it brings investment in marketing to the category,” said Brown during the November analyst call. It’s true that the plant-based meat pie is smaller these days. Ground plant-based meat fell about 19%, and patties were down 30% in that period. It launched a retooled version, Beyond Chicken Tenders, in stores in 2021, and has built its plant-based chicken portfolio since then.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Chipotle, Capital One, United & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Morgan Stanley downgrades Capital One and Ally Financial to underweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its downgrade of Capital One and Ally Financial that it sees "significant risk" for both stocks. Morgan Stanley reiterates Tesla as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by it's overweight rating on Tesla but is concerned 2023 could be a disappointing year in general for electric vehicles. Morgan Stanley initiates Vizio as equal weight Morgan Stanley said it's concerned the television tech company lacks scale to keep up with bigger competitors. Morgan Stanley reiterates Salesforce as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by shares of Salesforce after the company's disappointing earnings report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reiterates Snowflake as overweight Morgan Stanley said investors should stick with shares of Snowflake for the long-term after its earnings report on Wednesday.

☆ Exclusive: Kazakh McDonald's shut outlets temporarily after halting supplies from Russia - sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Mariya Gordeyeva | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In a statement, the U.S.-based company said that its "licensee in Kazakhstan has temporarily closed all of its restaurants due to local supply issues. Food Solutions, the Kazakh licensee company, announced the closure on Nov. 17 and cited "local supply issues." After Russia invaded Ukraine in what Moscow calls a "special military operation", McDonald's exited Russia, selling all the restaurants it owned to a local licensee in May. It was unclear where the decision to ditch Russian suppliers originated. Marr Russia, one of the Kazakh company's Russian suppliers, said it never worked directly with McDonald's, dealing with its Kazakh logistics partner HAVI instead.

☆ Chick-fil-A is selling merchandise for the first time ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —If your holiday wish list includes a Chick-fil-A sauce-themed blanket or a chicken nugget pillow, look no further. The chicken chain has launched its first-ever online store, and it’s filled with quirky merchandise that pays homage to cult-favorite items. Chick-fil-A said it expects the products, which range from $15 to $75, to “sell out quickly” — and the chain is already planning for more merchandise next year. Chick-fil-A is selling merchandise for the first-time ever. “Our studies show that one-third of consumers in the 18-44 age range are likely to buy products from collaborations,” Jensen told CNN Business earlier this year.

☆ Exclusive: Kazakh McDonald's shut outlets temporarily after halting supplies from Russia-sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Mariya Gordeyeva | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Joe LaPaille, a spokesperson for McDonald's Corporation based in the United States, said in an email: "Our McDonald's licensee in Kazakhstan has temporarily closed all of its restaurants due to local supply issues. Food Solutions, the Kazakh licensee company, announced the closure on Nov. 17 and cited "local supply issues." It was unclear where the decision to ditch Russian suppliers originated. Marr Russia, one of the Kazakh company's Russian suppliers, said it never worked directly with McDonald's, dealing with its Kazakh logistics partner HAVI instead. Miratorg said it was a supplier for Vkusno & Tochka, the Russian successor to McDonald's, and did not directly address the question of Kazakh sales.

☆ McDonald’s is giving people the chance to win free food for life
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —For the holidays, McDonald’s is giving away free meals for life. Beginning December 5, every order completed in the McDonald’s app for at least $1 will enter customers into a contest to win a McGold Card. Three winners will get a special card that earns them free McDonald’s for life. The McGold Card has been around for years, with some heavy hitters reportedly holding them, including Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and actor Rob Lowe. “Our fans have been fascinated by the lore of the McGold Card and if it really exists.

☆ Russian McDonald's successor solves franchise problem as more outlets join
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Vkusno & tochka ("Tasty and that's it") restaurants started opening in June. "As of Dec. 1, Razvitie Rost enterprises will continue their work in Russia under the Vkusno & tochka brand," Rosinter said in a statement. Rosinter's restaurants, at train stations and airports in Moscow and St Petersburg, continued operating without McDonald's signs, which were covered up. Reuters found some McDonald's packaging still in use after the closure. Reporting by Olga Popova, Caleb Davis and Alexander Marrow; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Inflation forces mom and pop restaurants and chains like McDonald's to lean on their strengths
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In response to that drop-off, both chains and independents are working to address the cost factor without alienating diners. Aaron Allen, founder and CEO of restaurant consultancy Aaron Allen & Associates, compared restaurant chains to oil tankers and independents to speedboats. Kate Bruce, owner of The Buttery Bar in Brooklyn, said she's been facing higher costs for everything from labor to cooking oil to energy. Portillo's restaurant chain CEO Michael Osanloo said independents do have greater flexibility when it comes to changing prices. Consumers care more about prices when they're visiting a chain restaurant, according to findings from a survey of roughly 2,400 U.S. consumers conducted by PYMNTS.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Robinhood, Netflix, Target, TJX, McDonald's & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Credit Suisse reiterates Apple as outperform Credit Suisse said its survey checks show iPhone Pro and Pro Max delivery delays. Deutsche Bank downgrades Target to hold from buy Deutsche downgraded Target after its earnings report on Wednesday and said it has "lower confidence." Piper Sandler upgrades Target to overweight from neutral Piper said Target is still "compelling" despite its latest quarterly report. " Bank of America reiterates Nvidia as buy Bank of America called Nvidia's third-quarter earnings results on Wednesday an "inflection" quarter. Bank of America reiterates Cisco as buy Bank of America said it's standing by Cisco after its earnings report on Wednesday.

☆ Restaurant sales are going up. But dining out is on the decline
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Restaurant traffic is dipping as consumers make food at home. In that month, traffic at fast food restaurants fell 1.2%, dipped 1.7% for fast casual and dropped 4.7% in full service eateries. Fast food traffic bounced back slightly in September and October, but fast casual and full service traffic remained negative. Restaurant prices increased by 8.6%. But groceries are generally cheaper than restaurant meals.

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