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Starbucks has spent decades owning the morning. Now it wants the afternoon, too.The company launched its new Energy Refreshers in U.S. coffeehouses on April 7, a boosted version of its existing Refreshers line that adds extra caffeine from natural sources and B vitamins. The launch is part of a deliberate push by Starbucks to capture what it sees as an underdeveloped opportunity: the afternoon daypart.”This week’s launch of the new Energy Refreshers expands our refreshment offerings with a customizable energy option crafted in a way only Starbucks can deliver,” said Erin Silvoy, senior vice president of global marketing and channel development. “The new Energy Refreshers provide a boost of caffeine that meets evolving customer needs,” she added, according to the press release.What the new Starbucks energy drinks actually containThe Energy Refreshers are not an entirely new product. They are Starbucks’ existing Refreshers, reformulated with added caffeine and B vitamins. The key difference is the caffeine content. Standard Refreshers contain 25 to 100 milligrams, depending on size. The Energy versions contain 100 to 175 milligrams, an extra 75 milligrams per size.More Restaurants McDonald’s latest menu missteps could have a major domino effect76-year-old comfort food chain closes most of its restaurantsFast food giant is coming for Starbucks with fan-approved launchThe drinks use caffeine derived from natural sources rather than synthetic additives, which Starbucks is leaning into to differentiate itself from conventional energy-drink brands. The company is “proud to use natural ingredients” and wants to “make sure we can give customers choices they feel good about,” Dana Pellicano, senior vice president of global product experience, said in the press release.Caffeine-free versions of all Refreshers are now also available for the first time.New Starbucks Energy Refresher flavors available starting April 7:Mango Strawberry Energy RefresherMango Strawberry Lemonade Energy RefresherMango Dream Energy RefresherStrawberry Açaí Energy RefresherMango Dragonfruit Energy RefresherPink Energy Drink and Dragon Energy DrinkAll are available in any Starbucks Refresher base, including water, lemonade, or coconutmilk, and can be ordered in the Starbucks app. The full lineup is available year-round.

The new Starbucks Refreshers use caffeine derived from natural sources.Berthelot/Getty Images

What’s behind Starbucks’ afternoon strategyThe Energy Refreshers are the centerpiece of a broader Starbucks effort to build what the company calls a “second peak” later in the day. Midday and afternoon dayparts already generate $11 billion in sales after 11 a.m. The company believes there is room to grow sales significantly by positioning itself as the destination for afternoon energy, alongside its established morning role.As part of that effort, Starbucks said digital menu boards in its coffeehouses will shift in the afternoon to spotlight Energy Refreshers, iced teas, and grab-and-go snacks. The atmosphere is set to change, with afternoon playlists replacing the morning soundtrack. Tea is a key part of the plan as well. Tea sales at Starbucks have climbed more than 70% since 2021, and the company is expanding that menu with new flavors including Iced Mango Cream Chai and Iced Mango Cream Matcha.How Starbucks (SBUX) stock reactedStarbucks shares rose 3.44% on April 6, the day the Energy Refreshers announcement landed, closing at $93.62, according to TradingKey. The move came on a day with multiple positive catalysts for the stock, including the finalized Boyu Capital China joint venture. Still, analysts and investors pointed to the Energy Refreshers as a meaningful contributor to the positive sentiment, with the natural caffeine positioning and afternoon strategy framing seen as a credible signal that Starbucks has a concrete plan for rebuilding traffic.Why the timing makes senseStarbucks is entering a segment that is already growing. Restaurant analysts had predicted continued expansion of the cold, caffeinated non-coffee category in 2026, driven by consumer demand for sweeter and more visually appealing drinks. Last year, brewed coffee order incidence fell across restaurants, while espresso drinks and energy drinks both saw demand rise, according to Toast data cited by Restaurant Dive.The Energy Refreshers sit squarely in that trend. At 100 to 175 milligrams of caffeine, they bridge the gap between Starbucks’ lighter standard Refreshers and the higher-strength options from dedicated energy drink brands. The natural caffeine sourcing and B vitamin addition give Starbucks a way to compete on wellness positioning rather than just caffeine volume.For a company working to turn around same-store sales and rebuild customer traffic under CEO Brian Niccol’s Back to Starbucks initiative, a product that creates a new afternoon reason to visit is more than a menu update. It is an attempt to structurally shift how often customers show up, not just what they order when they do.Related: Starbucks testing big change to speed up morning routines

Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical giant, secured an important victory in the intensifying war against diabetes and obesity.Earlier this month, the drugmaker confirmed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily oral GLP-1pill for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and overweight conditions.The approval, which came ahead of the anticipated April 10 Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date, has sent ripples across investors, as it puts Lilly on par with Novo Nordisk, which launched Wegovy, a weight-management injection, earlier this year. The favorable decision has given the pharmaceutical giant a new tool in the booming market for GLP-1 treatments, currently a very lucrative category in the drugmaking industry.And they are already available for prescription, for now only through LillyDirect.Wall Street sees a major growth driverWall Street analysts said the approval largely came as anticipated, even if ahead of schedule.In a note shared with TheStreet, Bank of America said the approval strengthens Lilly’s position, noting that the regulatory decision arrived slightly ahead of their expectations, and that the drug’s label appeared in line with investor expectations.The firm reiterated its buy rating on Eli Lilly and slightly increased its price target to $1,294 from $1,293. More Health Care:If your Medicare plan was canceled, do this nowHealth care costs are the wild card in year-end tax planning22 million Americans hit by ACA health insurance cliff after vote failsThe firm also said the drug could become the “preferred oral GLP-1 offering on ease-of-use,” considering that there are no food effects or dosage restrictions. Analysts at Morgan Stanley echoed this, saying that the no-food-or-water restriction could make the pill easier for patients to take than injectable GLP-1 therapies.“With Foundayo, we now have an oral option that delivered an average of 12.4% weight loss at the highest dose in clinical trials — addressing both the clinical realities of obesity and the practical challenges patients face every day,” said Dr. Deborah Horn, director of the Center for Obesity Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.With this new win in Lilly’s pocket, analysts see the near-term investor focus on Foundayo’s script trajectory, along with any discernible impacts on the drugmaker’s other weight management drug, Zepbound.

Eli Lilly’s stock is up 31% year over year.TheStreet/Eli Lilly & Company

Foundayo pricing strategy targets broader accessLilly knows that greater access and effective pricing could play an important role in how quickly Foundayo gains traction among patients, considering that Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy is already a steady competitor in the weight-loss market.With this in mind, Lilly is trying to make the pill accessible and affordable. People with insurance can pay $25 per month to access the pill, while those opting for self-pay will pay $149 per month for the lowest dose. Prices can rise up to $349 per month for higher doses, and those enrolled in Lilly’s Journey Program will pay $299 per month at the highest doses. Eligible Medicare Part D individuals can also get Foundayo for $50 per month as early as July 1, 2026.Morgan Stanley estimates the drug could generate roughly $1.2 billion in U.S. sales in 2026 and reach as much as $29 billion by 2035, depending on how quickly prescriptions ramp up after launch.Bank of America, on the other hand, estimates that Foundayo will generate $2 billion in revenue in 2026 as the launch progresses.And Lilly is not behind. It stated its plan to begin shipping Foundayo shortly after the regulatory decisions are made. Initial shipments began on April 6, with prescriptions accepted immediately through LillyDirect and available shortly thereafter through retail pharmacies and telehealth providers.For BofA, Foundayo will be a preferred product, and the slightly better pricing will offset the benefit Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy gained from being the earlier entrant in the weight-loss market.GLP-1s reshaping obesity marketGLP-1s are a class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. While the drugs lower blood-sugar levels, they also suppress appetite, reducing calorie intake. They have become a more popular option to treat obesity and manage weight gain.This approval comes at a timely moment, as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to grow rapidly. The market is also continuously expanding, with the latest entry being Novo Nordisk’s generic version of weight-loss drugs entering the Indian market.“Fewer than 1 in 10 people who could benefit from a GLP-1 are taking one, held back by access, stigma, perceived complexity, or the belief that their condition isn’t serious enough for treatment,” Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks said. He added that Foundayo can level the playing field for those dealing with “obesity or who are overweight and living with weight-related complications.”The medication also gives patients more choices, leveling the playing field in terms of price competition.Research from JPMorgan revealed that global demand for GLP-1s is expected to grow significantly, driven by lower prices, seniors gaining access to obesity drugs, and the approval of oral GLP-1s. “GLP-1s are expected to open a new frontier for potential users, including those hesitant to use injectable options,” it said.While currently only 7% of diabetes patients and 2% of those with obesity use these medications, two major factors could increase supply and may increase demand.The introduction of oral pills will increase convenience.Patents for GLP-1s are set to expire in densely populated countries, including China, India, Brazil, Canada, and Turkey.The research estimates that more than 30 million Americans could be on GLP-1 treatment in 2030, a 10 million increase from 2026. With these data and a new FDA approval in hand, Eli Lilly is advancing its portfolio and taking the lead in the weight-loss industry.It has already become the first health care company to reach a $1 trillion market cap, and with lower drug prices and new options, investors are looking forward to its growth trajectory.The company stock was up over 2% on Wednesday, April 8, but remains down 11% year to date.Related: Fidelity flags the Roth IRA loophole high earners need

Tens of millions of American workers have no employer-sponsored retirement plan. President Donald Trump wants the federal government to fill that gap, and he is dangling a $1,000 annual match to make it happen.The president unveiled the proposal during his February State of the Union Address, calling for new federal retirement accounts for workers who lack access to a 401(k) plan. Participants could receive up to $1,000 in matching contributions each year. For seniors who are still working and behind on savings, the match is intended to accelerate what they have managed to put away.How President Trump’s retirement match plan would workPresident Trump has said the new account would resemble the Thrift Savings Plan, the defined contribution plan available to federal employees. Like a 401(k), the TSP allows participants to make contributions through automated payroll deductions and invest across a range of options.If the president’s plan follows the same rules as the TSP, participants could contribute pre-tax dollars for an upfront tax break, or make Roth contributions with after-tax money and withdraw funds tax-free in retirement. More Personal Finance:Retirees following 4% rule are leaving thousands on the tableFidelity says a $500 policy could protect your entire net worthFidelity’s 4 Roth strategies could save your family a fortune in taxesFederal workers can contribute up to $24,500 to their TSPs in 2026. Workers ages 50 and up can make additional catch-up contributions of $8,000 to $11,250, depending on their age.The administration has not yet spelled out how the match would work in practice. One possibility is a dollar-for-dollar match on the first $1,000 saved. Another is a 50% match, which would require a worker to contribute $2,000 to receive the full $1,000, similar to how the existing saver’s tax credit functions.Who would the Trump retirement account actually help?Federal Reserve data show that 70% of American adults between ages 55 and 64 already have some form of tax-preferred retirement savings account. For that group, Trump’s plan would provide an additional savings vehicle and a federal contribution to help build balances faster.The remaining 30% of that age group, those with no retirement savings at all, is a different story. Getting someone with no savings habit and potentially tight cash flow to contribute $1,000 upfront is a real hurdle, regardless of what the government offers to match.Nicholas St. George, a certified financial planner and chartered retirement planning counselor at St. George Wealth Management in Denver, North Carolina, acknowledged the problem the plan is trying to solve. “He’s going after an issue that is a big problem,” St. George said. “Social Security alone isn’t enough to retire on.”But he was candid about the limits. For people who already struggle to save, a $1,000 match is a “drop in the bucket,” he said.

President Trump has said his proposed new retirement account would resemble the Thrift Savings Plan.Momo/Getty Images

What seniors should do nowFinancial advisors are cautioning seniors not to wait for the plan to take shape before taking action on retirement savings. The proposal is still just that, a proposal, and the mechanics of the match have not been finalized.St. George’s advice is practical. Rather than trying to find $1,000 or $2,000 in one shot, he recommends breaking it down. “Set smaller weekly savings goals,” he said. Even with a 50% match, “$40 per week is much more manageable.”Key things still unknown about President Trump’s retirement plan:Whether the match will be 100% of the first $1,000 or a smaller percentage requiring a larger contributionWhich workers will qualify and how eligibility will be determinedWhether the account will carry income limits similar to existing IRA contribution rulesWhen the plan would take effect and how the IRS would administer the matching processThe broader retirement gap it is trying to addressThe proposal comes against a backdrop of widespread retirement insecurity. Social Security was never designed to be a complete retirement income source, yet for many Americans it effectively functions as one. Expanding access to tax-advantaged savings with a government match is one way to nudge more workers into the habit of saving, even if the amounts involved are modest relative to what a comfortable retirement actually requires.Whether the plan clears Congress in its current form, gets scaled back, or stalls entirely remains to be seen. But the underlying problem it aims to address, millions of Americans reaching retirement age with little to nothing saved, is not going away, regardless of what Washington decides to do about it.Related: Robinhood and BNY make a bold bet on Trump Accounts