Amazon can be sued over suicides linked to sodium nitrite, Washington Supreme Court rules | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]Amazon logo is seen in this illustration created on February 11, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]- Companies- Summary- Amazon disputes ruling, emphasizes customer safety commitment"- Lower court ruling reversed- Families say Amazon sold ' ...

Core Insights - Walmart's earnings report indicates strong momentum, with a solid holiday quarter and positive outlook for 2026 [2][3] - Amazon has surpassed Walmart in annual revenue for the first time, marking a significant shift in the retail landscape [22][24] - The consumer market is bifurcated, with higher-income households benefiting from wealth effects while lower to middle-income households are more price-sensitive [5][9] Walmart Performance - All three business segments of Walmart—Walmart US, Walmart International, and Sam's Club—are performing well [3] - Walmart typically provides conservative guidance at the beginning of the year, but historically raises its outlook as the year progresses [3][4] - The company is attracting both higher-income and lower-income consumers, indicating broad appeal across demographics [6][10] Consumer Behavior - The consumer landscape shows a divide, with higher-income households spending more while lower-income households are more cautious [5][9] - Walmart is successfully catering to both demographics, enhancing its market position [6][10] AI Integration - Walmart is leveraging AI for both customer-facing and backend operations, which could enhance product discoverability and improve supply chain efficiency [11][12] - The integration of AI is expected to benefit Walmart's top line and margins, positioning it favorably in the retail sector [11][13] Competitive Landscape - Amazon's growth, particularly in its cloud business, presents a different competitive dynamic compared to Walmart [22][24] - Specialty retailers and smaller retailers are at greater risk due to cost pressures and competition from larger retailers like Walmart and Amazon [17][19] Tariff and Inflation Outlook - Tariff pressures are expected to lessen in 2026 compared to 2025, which could positively impact discretionary retailers [20][21] - Inflation remains a concern for retail margins, with a preference for consumer discretionary over staples in the current market [31] Stock Recommendations - Top retail stock picks for 2026 include Amazon, Costco, and Walmart, with a strong buy rating on Amazon [28] - Target is seen as a higher-risk play but still offers value relative to peers [34]

Market Overview - The stock markets have not shown significant movement in 2026, with the S&P 500 remaining flat year-to-date [1] - Technology stocks have experienced even worse performance compared to the broader market [1] Analyst Profile - Manika is a macroeconomist with over 20 years of experience in investment management, stock broking, and investment banking [1] - She operates the profile Long Term Tips (LTT), focusing on generational opportunities in the green economy [1] - Her investing group, Green Growth Giants, delves deeper into opportunities within the green economy segment [1]

If you have $2,000 available for investing that isn't needed for an emergency fund or to pay off monthly bills, there are several attractive stocks out there to take a closer look at. If you are looking at the consumer sector, these three stocks, in particular, are worth considering right now. Image source: Getty Images Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia ...

Core Insights - Walmart's fourth-quarter earnings were positively impacted by digital advertising and its third-party marketplace, highlighting its focus on higher-margin businesses beyond traditional retail [1] - Walmart's market value recently surpassed $1 trillion, a significant milestone achieved through a 21% increase over the past year, positioning itself similarly to tech companies like Amazon [2] - Walmart's revenue for the most recent fiscal year was reported at $713.2 billion, just shy of Amazon's $716.9 billion, marking a shift in the competitive landscape as Amazon overtook Walmart in annual revenue for the first time [6] Digital Strategy and AI Integration - Walmart's digital business grew by 27% in the U.S. during the fiscal fourth quarter, benefiting from its extensive store network of over 4,600 Walmart stores and approximately 600 Sam's Club locations [3] - The retailer is actively expanding its third-party marketplace in response to Amazon's dominance, while also exploring new frontiers in AI to enhance efficiency and customer appeal [7] - Walmart has partnered with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini to improve product discoverability, and has introduced its own AI shopping assistant, Sparky, which has led to a 35% increase in average order value for users [8][9] Competitive Landscape - The rivalry between Walmart and Amazon is intensifying as both companies adapt to changing consumer preferences and the rise of AI in retail [5] - Amazon's diverse revenue streams, including cloud computing and advertising, have contributed to its growth, with third-party seller services accounting for 24% of its total sales in 2025 [4] - Amazon has invested heavily in AI infrastructure, planning to spend up to $200 billion this year on AI initiatives, while also developing its own shopping assistant, Rufus, which has generated nearly $12 billion in incremental annualized sales [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - Leading fund managers, including Bill Ackman, Seth Klarman, and Stanley Druckenmiller, have increased their stakes in Amazon (AMZN) during Q4 2025, despite the stock's recent underperformance [1][2] Group 1: Fund Manager Activity - Bill Ackman, known for his iconic $27 million bet on credit default swaps that turned into $2.6 billion, is among the investors adding Amazon shares [1] - Seth Klarman, recognized for his value investing approach, and Stanley Druckenmiller, who has achieved over 30% average annual returns for three decades, are also investing in Amazon [2] Group 2: Amazon's Stock Performance - Amazon was the worst-performing stock among the "Magnificent 7" in the previous year, starting 2026 strong but subsequently declining over 11% [4] - The stock's performance issues are compounded by a significant post-earnings slump, making it the second-worst performer after Microsoft [4] Group 3: Market Concerns - Amazon is losing market share in the cloud sector to competitors like Alphabet and Microsoft, which has raised investor concerns despite Amazon's absolute dollar growth [5] - The company's digital advertising business faces long-term challenges, particularly with the rise of AI agents, prompting Amazon to issue a cease and desist letter to a competitor [6] - Amazon's projected capital expenditures for 2026 are set at $200 billion, significantly higher than last year's $131 billion and over $50 billion above market expectations, raising investor apprehension [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that Amazon must face lawsuits from families whose relatives committed suicide after consuming sodium nitrite purchased on its platform, overturning a lower court's decision that dismissed negligence claims [1]. Group 1: Legal Developments - The court's unanimous decision allows families to pursue negligence claims against Amazon under Washington state product liability law [1]. - The ruling indicates that the court does not consider suicide to be a superseding cause that absolves Amazon of responsibility for the sale of sodium nitrite [1]. Group 2: Allegations Against Amazon - Four families have accused Amazon of promoting sodium nitrite alongside other products that could facilitate suicides [1]. - The families claim that Amazon has been aware of the connection between sodium nitrite and suicide for years but continued to sell the product without restrictions [1].

Amazon's market cap surpassed that of Walmart's a long time ago, but only now um have Amazon's sales overall surpassed that of Walmart. Julie, and this is what's been so interesting is really over the past few years, we've moved away from comparing Walmart to Target and we've moved toward comparing Walmart to Amazon. And this is just another example.So many on both Main Street and Wall Street discussing this crossover this morning with Amazon surpassing $717 billion in sales in 2025, whereas Walmart posted ...

Amazon has surpassed Walmart as the world’s largest company, measured by sales, breaking Walmart’s 13-year streak at the top of the list. https://t.co/lUk4uIhCWl https://t.co/whlG5K71ds ...

Core Insights - Licensing Expo 2026 is set to be a significant event in the global licensing industry, taking place from May 19-21, 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, featuring major brands and industry leaders [1][2] Industry Overview - The event will gather influential brands such as Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, LEGO, and The Coca-Cola Company, showcasing the latest trends and innovations in licensing [2][3] - Licensing Expo serves as a critical platform for brands across various sectors, including entertainment, sports, fashion, and gaming, making it essential for professionals in retail, branding, and consumer products [2][11] New Participants and Trends - New entrants like PepsiCo and Sony Pictures Television are expected to bring fresh opportunities for collaboration in licensing, particularly in food and beverages [3] - The rise of sports licensing is highlighted, with brands like Real Madrid FC and NASCAR participating, reflecting the growing importance of sports as a branding strategy [4] Fashion and Youth Engagement - The expo will feature brands that resonate with Gen Z, which constitutes 25% of the global population, showcasing merchandise from artists like Adele and Olivia Rodrigo [6] - Companies like Ceremony of Roses and tokidoki will present products that align with Gen Z's values of creativity and self-expression [6] Digital Innovation and Gaming - The gaming industry is a focal point, with companies like Riot Games and The Pokémon Company demonstrating how digital content is transforming consumer engagement [9] - Licensing Expo will highlight the intersection of gaming and merchandise, showcasing how brands create immersive experiences [9] Creativity and Cultural Impact - The event will celebrate creativity, featuring art and design innovators that redefine consumer experiences, emphasizing the role of creativity in licensing [10] - Major entertainment brands will showcase their cultural impact, reinforcing the connection between play and consumer engagement [8] Market Growth and Future Outlook - The global licensing market is projected to be worth $369.9 billion in 2025, indicating robust growth and opportunities for participants at Licensing Expo [13][17] - Licensing Expo is positioned as a platform for shaping the future of consumer products, connecting brands with emerging trends and consumer interests [13]