Good Afternoon. As Wall Street steadies from tariff and election jitters, Main Street is proving that value still drives the economy. McDonald’s is cooking up a sales rebound, Target’s serving Thanksgiving on a budget, and the job market’s sending mixed signals as small businesses lose steam. Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini and Nintendo’s Switch 2 show that innovation doesn’t take holidays. Let’s get into it.

—Rosie, Wyatt, Evan & Conor

🔥 What’s Hot: 🔥

🥶 What’s Not: 🥶

1. Markets Rebound as Supreme Court Skepticism Eases Tariff Fears

The News: U.S. stocks rebounded Wednesday after Supreme Court justices appeared doubtful of the administration’s tariff arguments, calming investor concerns about escalating trade tensions. The Nasdaq rose over 1%, led by a rebound in AI stocks, while strong earnings from Amgen and Caterpillar lifted the Dow. Shares of trade-sensitive companies like General Motors, American Eagle, and Williams-Sonoma also gained.

Why It Matters: Markets have been on edge over potential new tariffs amid a fragile global trade backdrop. A skeptical Supreme Court stance suggests the administration could face limits on its authority, a relief for manufacturers and import-heavy retailers that have been caught in policy crossfire.

What to Watch: Traders are eyeing the Court’s eventual ruling for clues on how far Washington can go in using tariffs as an economic tool. Any sign of restraint could keep this rally alive at least until the next trade headline hits the tape.
Source: wsj.com

2. McDonald’s Value Meals Feed Sales Growth as Budget Diners Bite Back

The News: McDonald’s reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter sales, driven by the success of its relaunched Extra Value Meals program targeting price-conscious customers. Global comparable sales rose 3.6%, beating estimates for the second straight quarter. In the U.S., sales climbed 2.4%, also topping forecasts. CEO Chris Kempczinski said early results from the $5 McGriddles and $8 McNuggets deals show encouraging momentum among lower-income diners.

Why It Matters: The golden arches are proving that even in a slowing economy, affordability sells. As inflation-weary consumers trade down, McDonald’s is capturing wallet share from households feeling the pinch — a contrast to rivals like Chipotle struggling to keep budget-conscious customers coming through the door.

What to Watch: McDonald’s expects the value-driven rebound to build in the coming quarters as awareness spreads. But with the CEO warning that lower-income pressures could persist well into 2026, the question is whether cheap meals can keep margins from getting fried.
Source: morningstar.com

3. Target Serves Thanksgiving Dinner for Four, All for Under $20

The News: Target announced its lowest-priced Thanksgiving meal ever, offering a full holiday spread for four people for under $20 — less than $5 a person. The package includes staples like turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, corn, and bread, with Good & Gather turkeys priced at 79 cents per pound, matching last year’s rate despite a USDA forecast calling for turkey prices to jump 40%.

Why It Matters: Amid tight household budgets and lingering inflation fatigue, major grocers are competing for consumer loyalty with value-driven holiday offers. For Target, this move doubles as a strategic foot-traffic play, drawing customers in with a cheap Thanksgiving basket in hopes they’ll stay for Black Friday deals.

What to Watch: With Walmart and Aldi also rolling out budget feasts, the holiday season is shaping up as a retail price war and your belly may be the biggest winner.
Source: today.com

4. Private Payrolls Beat Expectations, But Small Businesses Still Struggle

The News: Private employers added 42,000 jobs in October, rebounding from a loss of 29,000 the month prior and nearly doubling expectations, according to ADP. The gains came entirely from large firms with 250+ employees, which added 76,000 positions, while small businesses shed 34,000. Growth was strongest in trade, transportation, and utilities, while manufacturing and information services continued to lose ground.

Why It Matters: The report provides a rare dose of optimism amid growing recession fears — especially with official Labor Department data halted by the ongoing government shutdown. Still, the uneven recovery underscores a persistent divide: big corporations are hiring again, but small businesses, the traditional engine of job creation, remain under pressure.

What to Watch: With the Fed’s next rate move hinging on labor trends, policymakers will be parsing every private data point they can get. Until Washington reopens, private payroll providers may be the closest thing the market has to a pulse check on jobs, even if it’s a faint one.
Source: cnbc.com

5. Google Maps Integrates Gemini AI for Smarter, Hands-Free Navigation

The News: Google is embedding its Gemini AI assistant directly into Google Maps, allowing users to ask conversational questions while driving, get context-aware directions, and even perform tasks like adding calendar events or reporting traffic incidents. The update also introduces landmark-based navigation, where Gemini references nearby businesses or buildings instead of distances, and a Lens-powered “What’s this place?” mode that answers questions about real-world surroundings in real time.

Why It Matters: The integration marks a leap toward contextual, conversational driving experiences, making navigation more intuitive and less screen-dependent. By combining Gemini with Street View and Lens, Google is effectively turning Maps into an AI co-pilot — a move that could redefine how people search and navigate on the go while strengthening Gemini’s presence across Google’s ecosystem.

What to Watch: The rollout hits U.S. users first, with Android Auto integration next. If Gemini nails real-time accuracy and avoids distraction pitfalls, your next road trip might feel less like driving with GPS and more like driving with a guide.
Source: techcrunch.com

1. China’s $468 Billion Oil Push Redraws Global Energy Map

The News: China is investing $468 billion to boost domestic oil and gas output — its biggest energy expansion in decades — as it seeks to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. State giants PetroChina, Sinopec, and Cnooc have ramped up drilling by 25% since 2019, with offshore production in the Bohai Sea now leading national output. The campaign is part of Beijing’s long-term strategy for energy self-reliance, as geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions reshape global supply chains.

Why It Matters: Once the world’s top driver of oil demand, China is now transforming into a major producer — a shift that could disrupt global energy forecasts and LNG markets. By expanding production while demand growth slows, China is insulating itself from price shocks and weakening the leverage of foreign energy exporters, from the Middle East to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

What to Watch: With carbon capture projects underway and output rising, China’s next move could redefine energy geopolitics. If production keeps climbing, Beijing may soon export not just goods but energy security itself.
Source: slgaurdian.org

2. Portugal’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.8%, Lowest in Three Years

The News: Portugal’s jobless rate fell to 5.8% in Q3 2025, its lowest level since mid-2022, according to the country’s National Statistics Institute. The decline reflects steady job creation and economic resilience, as the workforce expanded 1.5% to 5.66 million people. The drop comes alongside GDP growth of 0.8% quarter-on-quarter — the strongest among eurozone nations — and 2.4% annual growth, powered by domestic consumption.

Why It Matters: Portugal continues to outperform much of Europe in both economic and employment growth, a remarkable feat amid global uncertainty and sluggish expansion elsewhere in the eurozone. The country’s tight labor market is helping sustain consumer confidence, even as youth unemployment (18.8%) remains a stubborn weak spot.

What to Watch: With inflation pressures easing across Europe, Portugal’s momentum could give it an outsized voice in upcoming EU fiscal talks. Keep an eye on whether Lisbon can translate near-record employment into longer-term wage growth or whether the boom risks cooling as the broader eurozone slows.
Source: portugalpulse.com

3. Nintendo Eyes Studio Acquisitions to Power Switch 2 Expansion

The News: Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa announced plans to acquire game development studios and expand R&D infrastructure to strengthen internal production for the Switch 2, the company’s next-generation console. The move — revealed during Nintendo’s latest financial presentation — marks a strategic shift toward vertical integration, as the company prioritizes in-house content creation and cross-media ventures. The Switch 2 has already sold over 10 million units since its June launch, becoming Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever.

Why It Matters: Historically conservative in M&A, Nintendo’s decision signals a new era of ambition and control over its creative ecosystem. By investing in proprietary development capacity and entertainment spinoffs — from films to digital experiences — Nintendo aims to future-proof its brand and deepen engagement with its 300 million–plus Nintendo Account users.

What to Watch: Look for acquisitions among trusted partners like Grezzo, Good Feel, or ILCA and the impact of Nintendo’s new 12-story R&D hub slated for 2027. If Switch 2’s momentum continues, Mario’s next adventure might be taking all this money to the bank.
Source: mynintendonews.com

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