DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Ron DeSantis is facing another ethics complaint — this time accusing him of accepting a $235,000, 3-day retreat to the Four Seasons Palm Beach
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Democrat Nikki Fried filed an ethics complaint on DeSantis accusing him of "accepting prohibited gifts." The complaint accused DeSantis of going on a $235,000 donor-funded retreat at the Four Seasons Palm Beach. On March 14, Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., filed a similar ethics complaint against DeSantis. Ron DeSantis has been hit with another ethics complaint — this time, from Nikki Fried, the Democratic Party chair in Florida. In her tweet, she accused DeSantis of improperly using funds from donors and "accepting prohibited gifts" from the DeSantis-linked political action committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

☆ Some US volunteers in Ukraine have become embroiled in infighting that has undermined the war effort, with one individual having lied about being a Marine: NYT
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The squabbles have not only threatened the war effort, but have exposed deeply consequential lies. Some volunteers have left the war effort in Ukraine after questions arose about their backgrounds. Foreign Legion volunteers in Ukraine. And while Ukrainian officials estimated that there were possibly 20,000 Legion volunteers, that number was officially much smaller. Lackey told Legion members that he was a Marine and said that he had been an assistant manager at LongHorn Steakhouse.

☆ Olive Garden parent raises revenue outlook as same-store sales jump
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Darden CEO Rick Cardenas credited the quarter's strong sales growth to its strategy of pricing below inflation. Net sales rose 13.8% to $2.79 billion, fueled by same-store sales growth of 11.7% across all of its brands, which include chains like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille. Wall Street was expecting same-store sales to increase just 9.1%, according to StreetAccount estimates. Olive Garden, which accounted for nearly half of Darden's quarterly revenue, reported same-store sales growth of 12.3%. And its fine-dining business, which includes The Capital Grille, reported same-store sales growth of 11.7%.

☆ Tiger Woods's NDA battle with Erica Herman is dragging his obsession with privacy into the spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Jack Newsham | Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Tiger Woods's ex-girlfriend Erica Herman claims he evicted and abused her, but she has an NDA. Davis wasn't the first person asked to keep Tiger Woods's name out of his mouth, and according to a $30 million lawsuit filed earlier this month by Woods's ex-girlfriend Erica Herman, he wasn't the last. The battle over Herman's NDA is a window into Woods's longtime obsession with privacy. In October 2021, exhibits and transcripts were sealed in an unsuccessful case brought by the family of an employee at Tiger Woods's restaurant who died in a drunk driving incident. When Woods's image imploded in 2009, he used nondisclosure agreements to stanch the gush of details about his personal life into the media.

☆ I just traveled to Argentina — and doubled my money with a 'black market' exchange rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

A legal exchange rate influenced by the black marketA worker lays out 500 Argentine peso note sheets on Aug. 14, 2020 in Buenos Aires. Greg IacurciPut another way: Your money goes almost twice as far with the "blue dollar" exchange rate. The exchange rate for the transaction was 366 Argentine pesos per U.S. dollar, almost double the official exchange rate (190 pesos per dollar) at the time. Anyone who wants to save more cash in U.S. dollars must turn to the black market, which sets the "blue dollar" exchange rate. The exchange rate offered by Western Union has been similar to that of the "blue dollar" rate on the black market.

☆ The Bomber Jacket Is Now Sleek, Sophisticated and…Almost Formal?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Todd Plummer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

SUEDE AND SWEATS Former soccer star David Beckham’s handsome jacket elevates a sporty look in October. FOR A RECENT dressy work dinner with his company’s leadership team in Wayne, N.J., Cameron Birch took a style detour. Instead of defaulting to a tie and sport coat like his colleagues, the medical-device strategist, 34, reached for his emerald-green Club Monaco bomber jacket. This bomber aligns with his post-lockdown mood: These days he hankers for clothes that are “simple, clean, versatile and as comfortable as athleisure—but more dressed up.”A dressy bomber? Though this style of aviator jacket has typically skewed casual and utilitarian, it has lately been reborn as a sophisticate.

☆ The Bomber Jacket Is Now Sleek, Sophisticated and… Almost Formal?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Todd Plummer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

☆ The founder of the best-selling Black-owned spirit brand shares why she prefers to work with individual investors over VC firms and how they helped her reach $100 million in sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Fawn Weaver's Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the best-selling Black-owned spirit brand in the US. She chose to take funding from individual investors, not from VC or private-equity firms. "You also are gaining a sales force if your investors are excited about your brand," she said. "They have been a huge sales force for us." "One of our first really big accounts nationwide was to have Uncle Nearest cocktails on the menu."

☆ Big city restaurants and bars are missing office workers' spending on Mondays and Fridays
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Commuters arrive into the Oculus station and mall in Manhattan on November 17, 2022 in New York City. According to data collected from June to November, the per-person reduction in spending in New York City was $4,661, followed by $4,200 in Los Angeles and $4,051 in Washington, D.C. In-person work days declined the most, 37%, in Washington, compared with pre-pandemic levels, followed by Atlanta at 34.9% and Phoenix at 34.1%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found in a study that increased remote work results in a reduction in foot traffic for urban centers. There was a reduction in remote work in January to about 27% from 29%, though he predicts remote work levels will not drop below 25% in the near future.

☆ UBS says these stocks posted high-quality earnings this season
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Now that Wall Street is about to close the books on yet another earnings season, it's time to see which names posted higher-quality earnings than others, according to UBS. In the S & P 500, about 86% of companies reported quarterly earnings thus far, according to FactSet data. However, UBS' strategist Keith Parker worries that earnings quality is an "overhang," saying the divide between earnings and operating cash flow for companies points to roughly 15% earnings-per-share downside for at-risk stocks. These stocks are in the S & P 1500, have a market cap greater than $3 billion, excluding stocks in financial, real estate and utilities. Meanwhile, Humana demonstrated strong earnings quality because of its leading position in the Medicare Advantage market, according to UBS analyst Kevin Caliendo.

☆ We're having loyal Costco shoppers share their grocery lists with us. Here are their favorite things to buy there.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Business Insider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +36 min

Read Abigail Abesamis Demarest's full Costco shopping list: I've shopped at Costco for over 10 years. AdvertisementRead Lisa Tanner's full Costco shopping list: I'm a mom of 10 who's shopped at Costco for almost 20 years. Read Tara Zeller's full Costco shopping list: I drive 4 hours and spend $500 for every Costco trip. AdvertisementRead Majed Kassis' full Costco shopping list: I run a Costco fan account with over 390,000 followers. Read Rachel MacPherson's full Costco shopping list: I'm a personal trainer who shops for a family of 6 at Costco.

Persons: —, Abigail Abesamis Demarest, Demarest, chia, Read Abigail Abesamis Demarest's, I've, Alicia Diaz, Diaz, Kirkland, Alicia Diaz's, Lisa Tanner, Orville, Tanner, Rice, Lisa Tanner Tanner, Read Lisa Tanner's, who's, Tara Zeller, Zeller, Tara Zeller Zeller, Tara Zeller Costco, Read Tara Zeller's, Kassis, fryer, Majed, Candace Nelson, Candace Nelson Nelson, Nelson, Read Candace Nelson's, Salma Hamze, Salma Hamze Hamze, Read Salma Hamze's, Dana Engelbert, Dana Engelbert Engelbert, Engelbert, Read Dana Engelbert's, Gemma Acheampong's, Gemma Acheampong, Acheampong, Gemma Acheampong Costco, Read Gemma Acheampong's, Lizzy Briskin, Lizzy, Briskin Chock, Briskin, Lizzy Briskin's, Jordan Kuntz, Ina Garten, Change's microwavable, Read Jordan, Olivia Yi, Pesto, Olivia Yi Yi, Genovese, Olivia Yi Kirkland, Yi, Read Olivia Yi's, Rachel MacPherson, Rachel MacPherson Costco, MacPherson, Read Rachel MacPherson's, Chelsea Schnyer's, Chelsea Schnyer Schnyer, Chelsea Schnyer, margarita, Schnyer, Lou's, Read, Savannah, Frierson Frierson, Fry, Gabriella Sorrento, Gabriella Sorrento Sorrento, Read Gabriella Sorrento's, Elizabeth Blasi, Blasi, Read Elizabeth Blasi's, Alana Al, Hatlani, Benedict, Meredith Ochs, Meredith Ochs Ochs, Ochs, Meredith Ochs Kirkland, They're, Read Meredith Ochs, Veronica Thatcher, Read Veronica Thatcher's, Molly Allen, Allen, Read Molly Allen's, Janice Costa, Janice Costa Costa, She's, Costa, Read Janice Costa's, Karlin, Karlin Krishnaswami Krishnaswami, she's, Karlin Krishnaswami, they're, Read Karlin, Lindy Vogel, Vogel, Lindy Vogel's, Dominic Bucca, Dominic Bucca Bucca, Bucca, Read Dominic Bucca's Organizations: Costco, Service, Abigail Abesamis Demarest Costco, Starbucks, Kirkland, Kuntz, Chelsea, Read, Costa, Alaska Omega Locations: New York, Thai, They're, veggies, Ghanaian, mayo, Chelsea, Savannah, Alaska, Maldon

☆ Exclusive: The FBI's McGonigal labyrinth
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +28 min

She never saw McGonigal pay. "The notion that Mr. Deripaska is some proxy for the Russian state is a blatant lie," Ruben Bunyatyan, a spokesperson for Deripaska, told Insider by email. McGonigal was not charged with espionage, and although there is currently no evidence that McGonigal committed espionage, an FBI source told Insider that the investigation is ongoing. At the FBI, McGonigal racked up a string of big cases and promotions. "He said he needed to make more money," Guerriero told Insider.

☆ Panera Among Restaurant Companies Looking to Test IPO Demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Corrie Driebusch | Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

More restaurant companies are aiming to test investors’ demand for new listings after the sector weathered the Covid-19 pandemic and as dining sales have largely held up so far this year. Fogo Hospitality Inc., the parent company of a Brazilian-style steakhouse chain, is aiming for an initial public offering as early as spring, according to people familiar with the matter. Other restaurant companies including Panera Brands Inc. and Cava Group Inc., the parent company of a Mediterranean chain, are aiming for an offering in the first half of the year as long as markets keep improving, according to people briefed on the plans.

☆ The art of the buffet: Cruise chef of two decades explains how ships feed thousands of passengers at sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Marco Goetz has worked on some of the world's largest cruise ships as an executive chef. "On land, your daily routines are more organized — you know what is coming," Goetz told Insider. The art of the buffetGuests are served food in the Marketplace buffet onboard the cruise ship MSC Virtuosa. Throughout the cruise, buffet options are adjusted in accordance with guests' nationalities, Goetz told Insider. But, cruise ship workers receive living quarters (most chefs have their own cabin) and meals for free.

☆ The new Select World Elite Mastercard is making its debut — and it gives you big discounts at fancy restaurants, hotels, and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Credit Cards Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

You can get exclusive discounts at restaurants at several cities in the US with the Select World Elite Mastercard. The Select™ World Elite Mastercard® will confer membership to the Select community (among other benefits). Coming soon: Select World Elite MastercardThe Select World Elite Mastercard (currently taking waitlist applicants here) has opened its waitlist as of February 2, 2023. Credit card perksThe Select World Elite Mastercard comes with standard World Elite Mastercard benefits, including access to the World Elite Concierge, Mastercard Luxury Hotels and Resorts, and discounts with Lyft, DoorDash, and Fandango. What to know about the Select World Elite MastercardThe Select™ World Elite Mastercard® offers a benefit that you won't find on any other card — membership to the Select community, giving you exclusive access to various events, discounts on travel, and more.

☆ McDonald’s finds inflationary happy place
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Jan 31 (Reuters Breakingviews) - McDonald’s (MCD.N) is having a good time at the bottom of the price food chain. The Chicago-based burger purveyor on Tuesday said that same-store sales rose 12% year-over-year in the last three months of 2022. That has helped restaurants grow, but McDonald’s is particularly benefitting. That’s despite McDonald’s touting the benefit of “strategic menu price increases” this quarter; the company previously said its U.S. prices should be up over 10% for the full year. How long this can continue probably depends on other options staying pricier – but for now, the nugget-maker has found its happy place.

☆ I'm a general manager on a $450 million cruise ship. I'm on duty 24 hours a day, but it's worth it to travel the world in a floating 5-star hotel.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He is now the general manager for the $450 million Regent Seven Seas Explorer. Now I'm the general manager on the $450 million Regent Seven Seas Explorer. The Regent Seven Seas Explorer is called "the world's most luxurious" by the cruise line. I worked on MSC Cruises for four years until I became the food-and-beverage director for Regent Seven Seas in 2014. In December 2021, I was promoted to general manager for Regent Seven Seas Explorer.

☆ I'm a general manager on a $450-million cruise ship. I'm on duty 24 hours but it's worth it to travel the world in a floating 5-star hotel.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He is now the general manager for the $450-million Regent Seven Seas Explorer. Now I'm the general manager on the $450-million Regent Seven Seas Explorer. Courtesy of Six Star CruisesThe first time I joined a cruise ship crew was in Los Angeles in May 1997. I worked on MSC Cruises for four years until I became food and beverage director for Regent Seven Seas in 2014. In December 2021, I was promoted to general manager for Regent Seven Seas Explorer.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Amazon, Robinhood, Microsoft, Sunrun, Block & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Wednesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: BMO downgrades Microsoft to market perform from outperform BMO downgraded the stock after Microsoft's earnings report, noting it has concerns about Azure growth. Bank of America initiates Papa John's as buy Bank of America said the pizza chain stock is attractive and that it sees a return to growth. " Bank of America downgrades Booking Holdings to neutral from buy Bank of America said it sees "less valuation upside" for the online travel booking company. Bank of America downgrades Union Pacific to neutral from buy Bank of America it's concerned about "service and cost pressures" for Union Pacific. Bank of America reiterates Amazon as buy Bank of America said it's standing by its buy rating heading into Amazon earnings, but it's concerned about Amazon Web Services following Microsoft's disappointing quarterly results.

☆ A 'January Effect' rally is happening in small cap stocks. Jefferies has some names to keep playing it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Small-cap stocks have surged in the first few weeks of January, confirming an outperformance that's often seen early on in a new year. So far this year, the Russell 2000 Index – which tracks small-cap stocks — is up 7.4% through Monday's close, outperforming its large-cap counterpart, the Russell 1000, which is up 5% in the same period. Even within small-cap names, the smallest companies by market share have performed the best, according to a Jan. 24 note from Jefferies. "With the calendar turning to the new year, we have seen a nice relief rally in the smallest of the small caps with names below $500M [in market capitalization] up 11.3%," wrote Jefferies small-cap strategist Steven DeSanctis. Restaurants Bloomin' Brands —which owns chains such as Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill — and Dave & Buster's top the Jefferies list of small-cap names with higher-quality themes.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Goldman, Pfizer, Cheesecake Factory, Alibaba and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday:Goldman Sachs — The bank slid more than 2% after reporting earnings-per-share and revenue that missed Wall Street estimates Tuesday. Morgan Stanley — Morgan Stanley's earnings topped Wall Street expectations Tuesday, thanks, in part to record wealth management revenue. Global Payments — Morgan Stanley upgraded Global Payments to overweight from equal weight on Tuesday, citing a more favorable competitive backdrop and attractive valuation, among other things. Church & Dwight — Morgan Stanley upgraded the consumer goods maker to overweight from equal weight and boosted its price target to $91 from $82. Alibaba — Activist investor Ryan Cohen built a stake in the Chinese e-commerce giant, according to the Wall Street Journal.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Roblox, Alibaba and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Goldman Sachs — Shares of the Wall Street investment bank shed more than 7% after it reported its worst earnings miss in a decade. Morgan Stanley — The bank stock jumped 6% after the firm reported fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations. CEO James Gorman said he's more confident on the markets than the rest of Wall Street, seeing a return of deal-making as soon as the Federal Reserve stops hiking interest rates. Global Payments – Shares rose 3.2% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the company to buy, saying that the upcoming environment will favor incumbents and help shares gain. Citizens Financial Group — The bank stock slipped 2.3% despite posting solid quarterly that met Wall Street's expectations.

☆ Meet the 43-year-old 'Vibe Manager' of New York City's Hard Rock Hotel in charge of throwing rooftop parties and curating playlists
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

43-year-old Michael Tello is a "Vibe Manager" at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. The "rockstar suite" at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. Courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel New YorkBut being able to provide those special touches is also one of the most rewarding parts of the job, he said. Ciara and Didi Richards dance onstage during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2022 Issue launch party at Hard Rock Hotel New York on May 19, 2022. The vibe manager works a Tuesday through Saturday schedule.

☆ Bob Pisani: What UBS' Art Cashin taught me about the art of storytelling
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

But for 60 years, Art Cashin has been one of the most influential men on Wall Street. Cashin is that rare exception: a man who knows what he was talking about, and sounds like he knows. Tiffany, Cashin said, knew that Morgan loved diamond stickpins, which he used to put in his tie. How do you tell a story about the stock market? Let's get back to the story about J.P. Morgan, Tiffany, and price discovery.

☆ The surprise lettuce crisis cost Olive Garden's owner as much as $5 million in 3 months
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Olive Garden has lost nearly $5 million in the space of three months, its parent firm's chief financial officer said. At its quarterly analyst call for its fiscal Q2 2023, Darden Restaurants chief financial officer Raj Vennam estimated that issues with lettuce production cost between $4 million to $5 million. Darden has faced mounting costs this year, with Vennam saying costs are up 20% for chicken and dairy year on year. The hit from rising prices for lettuce — a bedrock of Olive Garden's never-ending salad — was a shock. It was, call it, $4 million to $5 million impact in the quarter, that's meaningful," Vennam said.

Search resuls for: "steakhouse"

25 mentions found