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☆ Philips Suspends U.S. Sales of Breathing Machines After Recall
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Christina Jewett | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Philips Respironics announced on Monday that it would halt sales of all of its breathing machines in the United States after reaching a settlement with the Food and Drug Administration over continuing problems with the devices. Millions of the company’s ventilators and CPAP machines, used to ease breathing at night, were recalled after reports that they blew bits of foam and potentially toxic gases into consumers’ airways. Under the settlement, Philips said it would have to meet a list of standards in a “multiyear” plan before it could resume business in the United States. The company initially began the recall of millions of devices in June 2021 and paused sales of new sleep therapy machines to the United States, according to Steve Klink, a spokesman for Philips. cited the potential for serious injury or permanent impairment from the potentially cancer-causing chemicals emitted from the devices.

Persons: Philips Respironics, Philips, Steve Klink Organizations: Food and Drug Administration, Philips Locations: United States

[1/6] People load up their newly purchased items from Best Buy on Black Friday in Wheaton-Glenmont, Maryland, U.S., November 24, 2023. A record 130.7 million people are expected to shop in stores and online in the U.S. on Black Friday this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates. But at 6 a.m. on Friday at a Walmart in New Milford, Connecticut, the parking lot was only half full. "It's a lot quieter this year, a lot quieter," said shopper Theresa Forsberg, who visits the same five stores with her family at dawn every Black Friday. And the rise of online shopping has reduced the importance of Black Friday as a single-day event.

Persons: Leah Millis, Cowen, David Klink, Theresa Forsberg, Michael Brown, Kearney, Jeff Gennette, Jimmy Lee, there's, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Carlos Araejo, Ruiz, It’s, ”, Paul Aheren, Puma, Siddharth Cavale, Helen Reid, Arriana McLymore, Katherine Masters, Andrew Hay, Bianca Flowers, Danielle Broadway, James Davey, Deborah Sophia, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Shoppers, Huntington Private Bank, Walmart, Target, National Retail Federation, Garden, Insider Intelligence, Macy's, Adobe Analytics, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, Adobe, Nordstrom, “, Saks, Puma, Israel Football Association, IFA, Thomson Locations: Wheaton, Glenmont , Maryland, U.S, RALEIGH, N.C, New Milford , Connecticut, Paramus , New Jersey, Indianapolis, Israel, Palestine, United States, Dallas, Raleigh, Crabtree, Boston

Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years. But at 6 a.m. on Friday at a Walmart in New Milford, Connecticut, the parking lot was only half full. "It's a lot quieter this year, a lot quieter," said shopper Theresa Forsberg, who visits the same five stores with her family at dawn every Black Friday. The rise of online shopping has reduced the importance of Black Friday as a single-day event.

Persons: Cowen, David Klink, ”, Barbara Kahn, Theresa Forsberg, Michael Brown, Kearney, Jimmy Lee, Leah Millis, there's, Jeff Gennette, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Carlos Araejo, Ruiz, It’s, Paul Aheren, Puma, Siddharth Cavale, Helen Reid, Arriana McLymore, Katherine Masters, Andrew Hay, Bianca Flowers, Danielle Broadway, James Davey, Deborah Sophia, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry, Leslie Adler Organizations: Shoppers, Huntington Private Bank, Walmart, Target, Ross Stores, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, “, National Retail Federation, Garden, Insider Intelligence, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, REUTERS, Nordstrom, Saks, Protesters, Puma, Israel Football Association, Thomson Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, U.S, New Milford , Connecticut, Paramus , New Jersey, Wheaton, Glenmont , Maryland, Indianapolis, Israel, Palestine, United States, Dallas, Raleigh, Crabtree, Boston

Walmart's logo is seen outside one of the stores ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. November 27, 2019. The merchandise mix Walmart (WMT.N) will carry rests not purely on retail executives' judgment but rather on software it developed around 2019. Its machine-learning algorithm relies on weather patterns and each store's past sales data to predict inventory needs of its more than 4,700 U.S. locations, a Walmart tech executive told Reuters. Walmart executives say it is aided by its large tech team in India, spanning three cities and employing 11,500. Software directs Walmart workers to use the quickest route while assembling online orders for pickup and delivery, Vasudev said.

Persons: Kamil Krzaczynski, D.A, Davidson, Michael Baker, Doug McMillon, Thomas Hayes, Hari Vasudev, Vasudev, David Klink, Huntington, Nandan Mandayam, Siddharth Cavale, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Walmart, Reuters, Target, Shoppers, Amazon, New, Great, U.S, Walmart's India, Software, Workers, Hunting Private Bank, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, United States, Bentonville , Arkansas, New York, India, Bengaluru, Target's, Walmart's

☆ Philips settles one category of U.S. claims over respirator recall
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Koninklijke Philips NV FollowAMSTERDAM, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Philips (PHG.AS) said on Thursday it has reached a settlement to resolve one category of legal claims against it following a major recall of the Dutch medical equipment maker's sleep apnea and respiratory devices. The company had taken a 575 million euro ($615.48 million) provision in the first quarter of 2023 against estimated costs for economic loss claims. The company still faces other legal actions over the recall, including personal injury claims, as well as an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. However, the lawyers said in a joint statement they would continue to pursue personal injury and other claims against the company. "We are confident in these claims and we look forward to holding Philips accountable for the physical harm they caused patients," they said.

Persons: Philips, Steve Klink, Toby Sterling, Tassilo Hummel, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Susan Fenton, David Evans Organizations: Koninklijke Philips NV, Philips, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S . Food, Drugs Administration, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM

[1/2] People shop for clothes at Target retail chain in Westbury, New York, U.S., May 20, 2021. Walmart (WMT.N) and Target (TGT.N), the two biggest retailers in the United States, have set a cautious tone for the rest of the year. David Klink, senior equity analyst at Huntington Private Bank, said he saw "encouraging" signs in Amazon's results. Walmart, which reports on Aug. 17, had a better-than-expected first quarter and forecast sales to be up about 3.5% for the year. "I think that value-based retailers like Walmart and Target" will hold up better than others, he said.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, David Klink, Neil Saunders, Joseph Feldman, Siddharth Cavale, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Walmart, Target, Foods, Huntington Private Bank, Amazon, Apple, Maersk, WPP, Telsey, Thomson Locations: Westbury , New York, U.S, United States, Seattle, New York, Bengaluru

☆ China's sagging economy looms over quarterly results around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Noel Randewich | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

July 20 (Reuters) - China's frail growth could weigh on companies with exposure to the world's second-largest economy, including Apple (AAPL.O), big chipmakers and luxury retailers as they report quarterly results in the next few weeks. China accounted for 36% of NXP's revenue last year and half of Texas Instruments' revenue. Analysts estimate NXP reporting a 3.2% drop in quarterly revenue, with Texas Instruments' revenue tumbling 16%, which would be its steepest drop since 2009, according to Refinitiv. The specialty glass maker blamed "anticipated recession-level demand" for weak results in its previous quarterly report last April. Coffee maker Starbucks (SBUX.O) in May reported quarterly results that beat estimates, powered by recovering demand in China.

Persons: Ross Mayfield, Baird, Cartier, Richemont, Bernstein, Tesla, Jonathan Golub, hobble, David Klink, Noel Randewich, Chavi Mehta, Caroline Valetkovitch, Mimosa Spencer, David Gaffen, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Apple, U.S, Shanghai, ABB, HK, NXP Semiconductors, Texas, Texas Instruments, . Credit Suisse Chief, Equity, Corning Inc, Samsung Electronics, Huntington Private Bank, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Swiss, Asia, ., China . U.S, Washington, Beijing, Oakland , California, Bangalore, New York, Paris

NEW YORK, July 14 (Reuters) - Amazon shoppers snagged deals on food delivery, travel and healthcare during a two-day Prime Event that ended on Wednesday, highlighting the potential for growth in services at an e-retailing giant long focused on goods. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the shift to include services. Amazon offered a 28% discount for a one-year subscription to its One Medical service for U.S. Prime members who signed up before the Prime Day event ended. Experimenting with more Prime Day deals on services and discounted memberships could bolster Amazon's advertising services, Lipsman said. Investors expect ad revenue to reach $11.2 billion in the third quarter, which will include Prime Day data, according to Refinitiv data.

Persons: David Klink, we’re, Klink, Amazon's Grubhub, Grubhub, Andrew Lipsman, Lipsman, Arriana McLymore, Howard Goller Organizations: YORK, Adobe Analytics, Huntington National Bank, Walmart, Paramount, Priceline, Booking Holdings, Priceline's Hotel Express, Amazon, Intelligence, Merchants, Thomson

☆ Mass layoffs are creating a new generation of founders building climate, health, and fintech startups
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tech layoffs are fuelling an influx of new founder talent. Delivery Hero scaled down its ghost kitchen project and, despite being offered another role internally, Pankow exited in December 2022. As the cofounder of cybersecurity startup Simplyblock, he is part of a new wave of founders born of tech layoffs. In 2022, programme applications from founders working at tech companies that have made layoffs increased by 111% to 1,273. "As the world's strongest talent, capital and political will gravitates towards this issue, we are seeing founders building technology designed to leave a real impact," Klink added.

Persons: Rob Pankow, Pankow, Christoph Klink, Klink, Ling Walker, Patreon, Tasmin Lockwood Organizations: Meta, WIRED, Ventures Locations: Berlin, Patreon

The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) rose 0.78% after closing at a two-month low in the previous session. The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury notes dropped to 3.605%, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was down at 3.8348%. The dollar index fell 0.47%, with the euro up 0.51% at $1.0743. Spot gold added 1.0% at $1,982.03 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures gained 0.85% at $1,980.50 an ounce. Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York Editing by Nick Zieminski and Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Klink, Christine Lagarde, Chibuike Oguh, Nick Zieminski, Richard Chang Organizations: YORK, U.S . House, U.S, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Republicans, Senate, Huntington Private Bank, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Labor Department, European Central Bank, Brent, West Texas, Thomson Locations: New York

☆ Walmart investors eye margins amid grocery focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Siddharth Cavale | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Home improvement chain Home Depot (HD.N) cut its annual forecast on Tuesday, indicating weakness for retailers who sell discretionary merchandise. Yet many shoppers have turned to Walmart for its low-priced basics such as toilet paper, milk, green beans and eggs. Investors such as Charles Sizemore, chief investment officer of Sizemore Capital Management, are looking for any specific hit to Walmart's so called gross profit margin. David Klink, senior equity analyst at Huntington Private Bank, which holds $77 million in Walmart shares, said that if Walmart can re-affirm its margin targets, "that would be very well appreciated by investors." Analysts on average are expecting the retailer to post first quarter margins of 3.7%, according to UBS.

That meant revenue growth rates were about 5 percentage points lower in April than in the first quarter, he said, referring to a period that saw a sequential drop. Its economy-wary customers aside, Amazon aimed to project confidence for its cloud longer-term. Jassy said the growing adoption of generative AI, which can create text, imagery and other content from past data, represented a huge opportunity for Amazon's cloud. Likewise, Olsavsky told reporters, Amazon had seen no shift in the competitive balance among cloud providers. AWS sales growth slowed to 15.8% in the first quarter.

"Because the consumer is now under more pressure, and Walmart is under pressure, that sets up a dynamic where there's probably not a lot of pricing going forward." The clout Walmart holds over suppliers also means that Walmart would likely get the lowest percentage of any price hikes manufacturers implement, according to investors who track the company. In 2018, Walmart pulled Campbell Soup Co's (CPB.N) products during the key winter season over a dispute over prices and shelf space promotion. At the time, Tesco labeled Heinz's price hikes as "unjustifiable." After raising prices four times in 2022, he said, Clorox doesn't "have any additional plans" to hike prices this year.

☆ Robert Clary, ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ star who survived the Holocaust, dead at 96
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters —Paris-born actor and singer Robert Clary, who survived 31 months in Nazi concentration camps but later co-starred in “Hogan’s Heroes,” the US sitcom set in a German World War II prisoner of war (POW) camp, has died at the age of 96. “Hogan’s Heroes” starred Bob Crane as American Colonel Robert Hogan, with Richard Dawson, Larry Hovis and Ivan Dixon playing other POWs. “Hogan’s Heroes” was popular with TV viewers during its run on the CBS network and for decades afterward in syndication even though some critics considered it in bad taste. In 1980, alarm over people trying to deny the Holocaust prompted Clary to end his self-imposed silence about his experiences. He also wrote an autobiography, “From the Holocaust to Hogan’s Heroes.”“We must learn from history,” Clary told the Reno Gazette-Journal in 2002, “which we don’t.”

☆ Walmart doubles down on Africa despite a decade of frustration
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Nqobile Dludla | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

A shopper pushes a trolley as she leaves a Builders Warehouse store owned by Walmart-led Massmart Holdings in South Africa, at Gleneagles, in the south of Johannesburg, South Africa, October 20, 2022. Instead, Massmart's units outside South Africa struggled with foreign exchange risk, tricky regulatory environments and macroeconomic volatility. Earlier this year, an internal Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) memo detailing its expansion plans, including a maiden foray onto the continent via South Africa, leaked to media. The pending battle with its global rival looms over Walmart's e-commerce strategy for Massmart, several shareholders told Reuters. While Walmart can now firmly set the direction at its South African unit, its track record outside the United States is spotty.

☆ Philips expects profit to drop with $1.3 bln hit to sleep business
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Dutch health technology company Philips (PHG.AS) said on Wednesday its third-quarter core profit would drop around 60%, and it flagged a charge of 1.3 billion euros ($1.26 billion) on the value of its plagued sleep and respiratory care business. In a trade update, Philips said its comparable sales fell around 5% in the third quarter, as supply chain problems remained bigger than the company had anticipated. This was expected to have pushed adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) down to 210 million euros, or around 5% of sales, Philips said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAdjusted EBITA was 512 million euros in the third quarter of 2021. Philips will publish its full third-quarter results on Oct. 24.

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