Can ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ outrun the video game curse at the box office?
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the speediest characters in pop culture. The iconic Sega video game character can outrun pretty much anything. But can a film about the blue, spiky hair, sneaker wearing hedgehog avoid the video game curse at the box office? Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” opens this weekend. The live action/animated film,…… MORE
American consumers stay strong in the face of coronavirus and election uncertainties
America’s consumers haven’t felt this good about the economy in nearly two years despite nascent worries about the global coronavirus outbreak and this year’s presidential election. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index rose to 100.9 points in February, its highest level since March 2018. The index is a survey-based gauge of how consumers assess…… MORE
Europe’s stagnant economy is vulnerable to a shock from China
Recession fears are stalking Europe again after Germany’s economy flatlined at the end of 2019. The coronavirus now threatens to slam exports to China. The German economy did not grow in the final three months of last year, setting up the country for a difficult 2020 just when it was meant to begin experiencing a…… MORE
Germany’s economy has flatlined. The coronavirus could push it into recession
A version of this story first appeared in CNN Business’ Before the Bell newsletter. Not a subscriber? You can sign up right here. Right before the deadly coronavirus outbreak set in, Germany’s economy ground to a halt — setting up the country for a tough 2020 just when it was meant to be kicking into…… MORE
Small businesses drive China’s economy. The coronavirus outbreak could be fatal for many
The small companies that drive China’s economy are worried about how much damage the novel coronavirus outbreak will cause. Without help or a reprieve from the disease, many may have only weeks to survive. While some larger companies are reopening their doors after weeks of lockdowns designed to contain the epidemic, small businesses often can’t…… MORE
Wawa goes after the dinner crowd with burgers and chicken sandwiches
Convenience stores are usually a pit stop for a bag of chips or a soda. Now, they’re offering dinner. Wawa, the popular Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain known for its hoagies, said this week that it is introducing hamburgers, breaded chicken sandwiches and waffle fries at a half-dozen stores in the evenings as “part of a…… MORE
Renault’s profit plunged 99% last year. Nissan was only partly to blame
Renault turned in its worst financial performance in a decade in 2019 as plunging margins in its core business and a dramatic slump in contributions from alliance partner Nissan wiped out its earnings. The French carmaker said Friday that net profit dropped 99% last year to just €19 million ($21 million) from €3.5 billion ($3.8…… MORE
Tale of two economies: 14% can’t pay medical bills, 401(k)s hit record highs
Call it a tale of two economies. Two new studies paint a contradictory picture of Americans’ personal finances. One found that tens of millions of Americans can’t afford their medical bills, just as news dropped that 401(k), IRA and 403 (b) balances reached a record high last year. The stock market is undeniably on fire.…… MORE
Stocks are near record highs, but people are still not investing
The US stock market is at near record levels. So why are some investors still sitting on the sidelines? The S&P 500 — the broadest measure of America’s stock market — closed at another all-time high on Wednesday. The index has climbed more than 4.5% this year. The Dow is a whisker away from 30,000…… MORE
Wayfair is cutting 550 jobs
Shares of Wayfair fell 10% Thursday after the online retailer announced it will shed 550 jobs, which is 3% of its workforce. The company, based in Boston, said the move will help it lower costs. “We continually evaluate the needs of the business and work to increase efficiencies,” a spokesperson said. “We are continuing to…… MORE
