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Business news written here, in plain English, for people who run something. Every story is ours.
Tuesday, October 20
Albertsons seeks over $8 billion in damages from Kroger over collapsed merger
Albertsons is demanding over $8 billion from Kroger after their mega-merger collapsed in court. Albertsons claims Kroger sabotaged the deal with a weak store sale plan. Kroger denies the claims and blames government regulators who blocked the combination.
Salesforce buys Braze for $5.66 billion, sending BRZE shares up 51%
Salesforce agreed to buy Braze for $5.66 billion in cash. Braze Class A shareholders will receive $47.50 per share. Braze helps businesses send personalized messages across mobile apps and text. The deal is expected to close in fiscal 2028.
Apple reveals why HomeView was delayed for years until November 13, 2026
Apple delayed HomeView for years because the new Siri AI was not ready. Kaiann Drance, Apple's VP of product marketing for home, said privacy features needed Siri. Lilian Rincon, Apple's VP of product marketing for AI, said natural speech is finally ready.
Starbucks ruled out buying Chipotle, dropping Chipotle shares to $30.16
Starbucks is not buying Chipotle Mexican Grill. A Starbucks spokesperson told CNBC on Monday. Chipotle shares fell $1.43 to $30.16. Starbucks shares rose $1.53 to $92.28. The rumor started after a Financial Times report last week.
Amazon cuts the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to $953, saving you $347
Amazon just slashed the price of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The phone drops to $953 for the Sky Blue version. That is a 27 percent savings off the usual $1,300 price tag. You can also trade in an old device for up to $600 in credit.
UPS Happy Returns comes to TikTok Shop for box-free returns
UPS Happy Returns is now inside TikTok Shop. Shoppers drop items at 10,000 nationwide locations without boxes or labels. Sellers doing over 10,000 returns a year can now use the setup. This helps cut high processing costs on apparel and footwear returns.
Comcast ordered to pay $213 million in eight-Year patent suit
Comcast must pay $213 million in a long patent fight. Wherever TV, a television technology company, sued them back in 2018. A federal jury in Tampa, Florida, reached the verdict this week. The dispute centers on interactive program guide technology.
National 30-year Mortgage rates hold steady at 7.46 percent according to Bankrate
National 30-year Mortgage rates hold steady at 7.46 percent. Bankrate, the financial services company, reported the flat numbers on Monday. Shorter 15-year fixed loans sit at an average of 6.82 percent.
New Amex offer gives up to 15 percent back at Kroger
Check your American Express accounts for a new targeted savings deal. You can Get 10 or 15 percent back on up to 100 dollars spent. The offer works at Kroger and its affiliate grocery stores. Buy groceries or in-store gift cards to easily max out the savings.
Trader Joe's is opening over 30 new grocery stores across the US
Trader Joe's, the popular grocery chain, is expanding with over 30 new stores. New Jersey shoppers will See locations open in West Orange and Jersey City. The company currently operates over 600 storefronts nationwide. Most announced locations typically open within three to six months.
NJEDA invests $16.5M to support 8 innovative NJ startups
New Jersey just put $16.5 million behind eight growing companies. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority backed businesses in health and tech. This fund brings venture capital straight into local early-stage firms. It aims to build high-quality jobs across the state.
Joe Amato says AI drives 30 to 40 percent of the market
Direct winners from artificial intelligence now make up 30 to 40 percent of the entire stock market. That is the warning from Joe Amato, the president and chief investment officer at investment firm Neuberger.
Using the original Pixel Fold in 2026 shows Google's early vision
Google launched the original Pixel Fold three years ago. It featured a wide screen design that was ahead of its time. Today, newer devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 prove that wider screens work well. Google abandoned the shape because Android apps were not ready then.
UK watchdog says Apple still makes it too hard for Apple Pay rivals
British regulators claim Apple blocks payment app rivals. The tech giant makes chip access too difficult. High fees and strict rules stop new competitors. Regulators opened a public consultation to force changes. UK shoppers may soon get more wallet choices.
Samsung could release six different foldable phones next year including Galaxy Z Slide
Samsung plans six new foldable phones for next year. The lineup includes a mysterious new Galaxy Z Slide model. The devices will feature battery and weight improvements. Pricing and exact release dates remain unconfirmed.
Best Buy launches new online gaming hub ahead of major game releases
Best Buy, the electronics retailer chain, is launching a new online beta hub called Best Buy Gamers. Patrick McGinnis, the chief revenue officer at Best Buy, told CNBC about the rollout. The platform arrives ahead of the Nov. 5 Zelda remake and the Nov. 19 Grand Theft Auto VI launch.
General Motors beats Q3 earnings expectations and launches $20 billion stock buyback
General Motors just beat third-quarter earnings expectations. The Detroit automaker launched a new $20 billion stock buyback. Net income reached $3.3 billion for the quarter. Vehicle pricing remains relatively flat for now. Strong corporate earnings often support retirement accounts and index funds.
IMF Director Krishna Srinivasan Says China Must Fix Housing Market
Krishna Srinivasan, a director at the International Monetary Fund, an organization that helps global economies, says fixing the housing market is the main key to getting people to spend again. He notes that there has been a massive drop in the value of people's assets like homes.
Walmart launches new $120 joint annual membership with Sam's Club
Walmart just launched a $120 joint annual membership with Sam's Club. The new deal combines Walmart+ and Sam's Club Plus for everyday shoppers. The price saves nearly $100 compared to buying separate plans. Customers get free delivery, gas discounts, and streaming perks.
OpenAI seeks $30 billion at a $1.4 trillion valuation
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company, wants to gather $30 billion in its new effort to raise money from investors. "OpenAI is in talks with investors to raise a new funding round."
IRS grants Florida storm victims tax relief, extends deadlines to Feb. 8, 2027
Floridians affected by Hurricane Isaias get extra time to file taxes. The Internal Revenue Service, the federal tax agency, extended tax deadlines to Feb. 8, 2027. Taxpayers in dozens of Panhandle and North Florida counties qualify automatically.
NJEDA opens $25 million Take Charge program for commercial fleet EV chargers
New Jersey launches a $25 million grant program on Monday. The NJEDA covers up to 50 percent of commercial fleet charging costs. Grants range from $100,000 to $5 million for eligible businesses. You must operate at least two commercial vehicles and add solar or storage.
Xiaomi 18 Ultra cancellation rumors point to $1,500 price tag in China
Xiaomi planned a $1,500 starting price. That is a 43 percent price jump. Storage also dropped to 256 gigabytes. Xiaomi has issued no official comment. The cancellation remains unconfirmed.
Mattel names Peter Griffith as its second CFO in under 18 months
Toy maker Mattel just named Peter Griffith as chief financial officer. He replaces Paul Ruh, who held the job since May 2025. Griffith gets a 1.3 million dollar base salary plus a 1.4 million dollar signing bonus. The company also faces outside pressure from investors to consider a sale.
Monday, October 19
American Express Business Platinum cardholders get $500 in new ZO credits
American Express, the credit card company, added new perks for Business Platinum users. Cardholders get free access to ZO Clubhouse lounges and coworking studios. You also receive $500 in yearly statement credits for event spaces or dining memberships. This benefit begins October 22, 2026.
Andrew Chanin sees space economy topping $1 trillion by 2030
The business of rockets and satellites reached $686 billion in 2025. Andrew Chanin, the founder and chief executive of investment firm Procure Asset Management, says space tech is blowing past every schedule.
WhatsApp tests a new in-app browser setting to open any link
WhatsApp is testing a new in-app browser setting. You will be able to open any link inside chats. A new toggle lets you switch back to your default browser anytime. WhatsApp says it cannot see the links you share or open.
Apple App Store chief Carson Oliver reveals new strategy for iPhone gaming
Apple promoted Carson Oliver to run the App Store. He says more big PC and console games are coming to iPhone. Younger players now use phones instead of traditional gaming consoles. Developers can sell games directly or through the Apple Arcade subscription.
Rakuten offering up to $100 or 10K Bilt points for three Chase cards
Rakuten is offering up to $100 cash back or 10,000 Bilt points. The deal covers the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Ink Business Unlimited, and Ink Business Cash cards. You must apply through Rakuten to get the bonus. Your Bilt points rate depends on whether you hold Bilt elite status.
JPMorgan projects a 7% annual return for stock and bond mixes
JPMorgan, the big investment bank, expects a classic portfolio mix to deliver a solid 7% return every single year. David Kelly, the chief global strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management, reviewed the findings with Stephen Parker, the co-head of global investment strategy at JP Morgan Private Bank.
