BUSINESS

The merged Paramount-Warner deal will double film production, cut spending by $6 billion, pay down tens of billions in debt, and get to investment-grade ratings in three years, David Ellison promised today. It’ll be quite the trick to pull off.

For many Gen X households, the moment arrives suddenly.One day, a parent is independent. The next day, a health scare, hospital visit, or unexpected diagnosis forces the family to confront a new reality: Someone must step in as the caregiver.In an interview, certified financial planner Sandy Adams says many families aren’t ready for that moment.For many Gen X households, caregiving is no longer a distant possibility. It is quickly becoming a reality, said Adams, a partner with the Center for Financial Planning.Below is a transcript of that interview with Adams, edited for clarity and brevity.When Gen X becomes the caregiverRobert Powell: Are you a Gen Xer? There may come a day when you become a caregiver. And long before that happens, you should put a plan in place, because no one wants to do this kind of planning in the middle of a crisis.Here to talk with us about that is Sandy Adams. She is a certified financial planner with the Center for Financial Planning. Sandy, welcome.Sandy Adams: Thank you for having me.Robert Powell: It’s a pleasure. And it will be a pleasure having you share your knowledge about this topic, with which you have personal experience.Sandy Adams: Yes, I absolutely do. I’ve been advising clients on this for almost two decades. But this past summer, I suddenly realized I was experiencing it myself. My parents’ health changed quickly, and I became the primary caregiver. My brother lives in another state and couldn’t take on the responsibility.So suddenly, I was the caregiver. That’s the reality for many Gen Xers. We are often in the middle between aging parents and, in many cases, children who may still be at home or recently launched. Sometimes there are even grandchildren involved.We’re the middle generation. Sometimes caregiving happens suddenly, and sometimes it evolves slowly as parents begin to need more support. I’ve advised clients on this for years, and now I’m living it myself.Why caregiving is different for Gen XRobert Powell: Gen Xers face some unique challenges. They’re the smallest generation, and they’re often at a particular stage in their careers and family life. Tell us more about that.Sandy Adams: Right. Because of where we are in life, we often have aging parents who need more help while we’re still raising children. Many of us are also in the peak of our careers.So we’re juggling a lot at once. It can be difficult to decide what and who should take priority.Another factor is that many Gen Xers were raised to be independent. That independence can make it difficult to ask for help when we need it. We often feel like we have to do everything ourselves.All those competing priorities make it even more important to pause and think about how to prepare ahead of time.

Many Gen Xers feel unprepared to take on a caregiving role.Age Cymru

Reframing the caregiver roleRobert Powell: There’s a common phrase that when adult children start caring for their parents, they’re “parenting their parents.” But you have a different perspective on that.Sandy Adams: Yes, I think we need to rethink that idea. We often say the roles reverse and the parents become the children. But I don’t think that’s the right way to think about it.Our parents deserve respect. Instead of viewing it as parenting them, I think of it more as a partnership.In that partnership, we help them make decisions during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. We draw on everything we know about them from a lifetime together.Our role is to help guide them and support their decision-making, while allowing them to remain in control as much as possible.Five steps to take before a caregiving crisisRobert Powell: Let’s talk about the steps new caregivers should take before a crisis hits.Sandy Adams: The first step is to get ahead of things whenever possible. That means having conversations with your parents and family members before a crisis occurs.Ask your parents how they want things to look as they age. What kind of care would they want if health challenges arise? It’s much easier to have those conversations while everyone is healthy and able to participate.Those discussions should also involve siblings and other family members. Decide who will take on different responsibilities. Talking through those roles early can prevent confusion later.The second step is organizing important documents. Know where key documents are stored and make sure they’re completed and up to date.In my own situation, my parents had discussed these documents but had not signed them. When my father ended up in the hospital, the health care power of attorney had not yet been completed. That could have created a serious problem.Robert Powell: What documents should families focus on?Sandy Adams: There are several. A HIPAA authorization is important so caregivers can access medical information. A health care power of attorney is essential.Families should also review whether a will is in place and whether a trust might be appropriate. Beneficiary designations should be reviewed as well.Sometimes those documents were created decades earlier and never updated. It’s important to make sure everything reflects current wishes.Also worth readingRetirees may want to rebalance as markets broaden, volatility risesWhy “breaking even” on Social Security is the wrong goalThe $83,250 secret every solo entrepreneur needs to know for 2026Medicare mistakes seniors wish they’d known soonerElon Musk says stop retirement saving: Experts call it ‘nonsense’Social Security benefits could drop 7% in 2032Talking about finances and care preferencesRobert Powell: What comes next?Sandy Adams: Another key step is family communication about the financial plan. Families should discuss what resources are available and what types of care might be affordable in the future.A family meeting with financial professionals can be very helpful. That way everyone understands the plan and the financial realities involved.Families should also discuss care preferences. Some parents want family members to provide hands-on care. Others prefer professional caregivers for tasks such as bathing or personal care, while reserving family time for conversation and companionship.Those preferences matter, and they should be discussed in advance.Building a caregiving support teamRobert Powell: What about building a support system?Sandy Adams: That’s one of the most important steps. Gen X caregivers often have many competing demands. Trying to handle everything alone can be overwhelming.It’s important to build a support network. That might include legal professionals, financial professionals, and caregiving specialists.For example, a geriatric care manager can help coordinate medical care and interpret complex medical information. Unless you work in the medical field, navigating that system can be very challenging. Having a professional guide can take a significant burden off the caregiver.Navigating difficult family conversationsRobert Powell: These family conversations can be difficult to start. Parents may not want to talk about aging, and children may not know how to bring it up. Any advice?Sandy Adams: Financial advisers can often help initiate these discussions. As an adviser, I sometimes frame the conversation as a gift that parents can give their family.By sharing their wishes and making plans in advance, they help reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.It also allows them to remain in control of their future as much as possible.Understanding the medical side of caregivingRobert Powell: Another challenge is understanding a parent’s medical condition and diagnosis. How much should caregivers know?Sandy Adams: Caregivers often become advocates for their parents in the medical system. That means understanding diagnoses, treatment options, and medical terminology.Even with my background and a master’s degree in gerontology, I still encounter medical terms that are difficult to interpret.That’s why working with professionals such as a geriatric care manager can be so helpful. They can attend medical appointments, interpret records, and explain what everything means.Without that support, caregivers often turn to internet searches, which can create unnecessary fear and confusion.Caregiving is a learning processRobert Powell: Caregiving often feels like “just-in-time training.” One day you know nothing about it, and the next day you’re expected to know everything.Sandy Adams: That’s exactly right. Many caregivers feel like they’re failing because they’re learning as they go. But they shouldn’t feel that way.If you’re doing your best for someone you love, that’s what matters most.Caregiving sometimes requires you to step outside your comfort zone. There were times I spoke up on behalf of my father in ways I never imagined I would. But when someone you love needs help, you find the strength to do what’s necessary.Robert Powell: Sandy, thank you for sharing your knowledge and your personal experience with us.Sandy Adams: Thank you very much for having me.Related: A simpler way to pass on your home without probate

The Guam kingfisher was extinct in the wild. Through coordinated breeding, cultural consultation, and careful reintroduction scientists created a path toward restoration.

Messi had not been to the White House prior to Thursday, as he had to decline a Presidential Medal of Freedom presentation with former President Joe Biden last year over a scheduling conflict.

Former Green Bay Packers CEO and team president Bob Harlan died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 89.

With a market cap of $375 billion, Chevron Corporation (CVX) is one of the largest energy companies in the world. The company produces, transports, and refines crude oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company also offers a consistent dividend of around 4%, and it has raised its per-share dividend payment many times over the years, making it a “dividend aristocrat.”You’d think that since Chevron is an American corporation that’s deeply rooted in the American economy, the majority of its owners would be American. But that’s not entirely the case.Here’s everything you need to know about Chevron’s ownership, including institutional firms, retail investors, and company insiders. @chevron Big energy from our Big Foot platform.📍This platform in the Gulf of America can produce up to 75,000 barrels of oil per day, enough to fuel a round trip from Earth to the Sun, every 6 days. ♬ original sound – Chevron Who owns Chevron?As a mega-cap, publicly traded energy company, Chevron is not owned by an individual or a family; instead, its shares are held by millions of shareholders, ranging from large institutions to everyday investors like you and me.Although Chevron is an American company, its ownership is global, as its shares are traded on public stock exchanges and can be purchased from anywhere in the world. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), for instance, has a 1% stake in the company, valued at $2.7 billion as of August 2025.Related: Dow Jones’ revolving door: What happens to a stock after it’s dropped from the DJIA?However, the majority of Chevron’s owners are American institutional and individual investors. Here’s a breakdown of its biggest ownership groups:Chevron’s biggest institutional shareholders The largest group of Chevron’s shareholders is institutional investors. These are financial companies that manage massive investment portfolios on behalf of their clients, including retirement funds, index funds, and mutual funds.Institutional investors own approximately 67% of outstanding shares, according to data from Yahoo! Finance. Here’s a look at CVX’s top 5 institutional shareholders as of early 2026:The Vanguard Group: 9.1% State Street Advisors: 7.6% BlackRock, Inc.: 6.9%.Berkshire Hathaway: 6%Geode Capital Management: 2%Because they collectively hold a significant percentage of Chevron’s outstanding shares, institutional investors wield considerable voting power at the company’s shareholder meetings.Related: History of Microsoft: Company timeline & factsHow much of Chevron do retail Investors own? In addition to individual investors, the general public (aka individual investors) accounts for a meaningful portion of Chevron’s ownership, at around 32%. These investors buy and sell CVX shares through brokerage accounts at firms like Robinhood, Schwab, and Fidelity.More on wealth:The Dow’s best dividend stocks: A shortlist for income investorsMaria Bartiromo’s 5 best financial insightsWarren Buffett’s net worth: A look at his fortune in retirementHow much of Chevron do company executives own? Company executives, or “insiders,” also own a slice — actually a sliver — of CVX. According to Business Quant, insider ownership totaled 2.5 million shares, or less than 0.1% of outstanding shares, as of February 2026.Related: How to read like Warren Buffett (plus 4 books to start with)

Apple (AAPL) stock has gained about 11% in the past year, at the time of writing, Thursday morning, March 5, according to Yahoo Finance. Meanwhile, the SPDR S&P 500 index (SPY) is up almost 19% in the same period.Lagging behind the S&P 500 isn’t exactly a good result for the company. However, it isn’t a measure of the company’s value, but of sentiment. The artificial boom has heavily inflated the price tags of some AI-heavy stocks, while Apple has been seen as an AI laggard.Despite this, the stock gained more over the past year than some big tech companies that are spending ridiculous sums on AI.Companies making major AI investments:Microsoft (MSFT) is up a little more than 4% in the same period.Amazon (AMZN) is up about 6.4%.Meta (META) is up slightly above 4%.Read the article “Apple stock price swing with $143B record” by TheStreet’s Aparajita Chatterjee for a recap of Apple’s Q1 report.Apple doesn’t need AI to disrupt the market, and the company’s competitors know this. The launch of its latest laptop line will prove it.

Apple launches MacBook Neo with a starting price of $599.Shutterstock

Apple launches MacBook Neo with a starting price of $599Apple unveiled MacBook Neo on March 4, with a starting price of $599.Some people will think, “They announced a new laptop, what’s the big deal? How is this a game-changer?” To understand why this is a pivotal moment, we need to examine the market segment this laptop targets and how the release timing gives Apple an incredible advantage.This is the first time Apple is offering a laptop in this “cheap laptop” price bracket. According to IMARC Group’s research, laptops priced between $500 and $1,000 dominate the market. Apple is only now entering this segment, and it is bound to cause disruption.Related: Top analyst revamps Apple stock price targetIt is easy to see that many people who like Apple as a brand but couldn’t afford its laptops might buy one solely for the branding.When we look at the specification, we discover that Apple has carefully chosen the hardware to avoid cannibalizing MacBook Air sales while delivering the Apple experience at the lowest price yet. The most important differentiation factor is that Neo is limited to just 8GB of soldered (non-replaceable, non-upgradeable) unified system memory. It is strange to see a new laptop line launching in 2026 with just 8GB of RAM.Many people will be turned off by that number, and I totally get that. I am writing this on a ThinkPad with 32GB of RAM. However, do most potential buyers need more than 8GB of RAM?I think 8GB should be enough for most people; this is not a gaming machine or a video editing workstation. The primary use cases are web browsing, writing, and light photo editing. An exception might be if you have a habit of keeping several dozen tabs open in your browser.That being said, there are many reasons this laptop is far superior to what competitors offer.Microsoft and PC laptop makers have created a perfect opportunity for AppleMicrosoft ended its support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. By making Windows 11 require a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, Microsoft has ensured that hundreds of millions of PCs aren’t compatible with it.More Tech Stocks:Morgan Stanley sets jaw-dropping Micron price target after eventNvidia’s China chip problem isn’t what most investors thinkQuantum Computing makes $110 million move nobody saw comingMany people who run Windows 10 on machines that are able to be upgraded to Windows 11 do not want to upgrade. Microsoft has been receiving backlash for its AI-heavy focus for quite some time, and I covered one of these instances of user outrage in my article “Windows president told ‘Stop this nonsense. No one wants this’.”But you don’t have to believe me, or users raging on X.Here is what Jeffrey Clarke, Vice Chairman and COO of Dell, had to say about this during the Q3 earnings call in November 2025: “We have not completed the Windows 11 transition. In fact, if you were to look at it relative to the previous OS end-of-service, we are 10, 12 points behind at that point with Windows 11 than we were the previous generation.”“If memory serves me right, the installed base is roughly $1.5 billion – 1.5 billion units,” he continued. “We have about 500 million of them capable of running Windows 11 that haven’t been upgraded. And we have another 500 million that are four years old that can’t run Windows 11.” I covered Dell’s struggles to successfully market its laptops as AI-ready in my article “Bank of America resets Dell stock forecast after private meeting.” This is why Apple’s timing is almost perfect, as there are still hundreds of millions of devices that haven’t been migrated or replaced, and many people are now ready to give macOS a chance after seeing where Windows is headed.The Apple advantageI bet some readers are asking themselves, “Is the writer a crazy Apple fan, hyping this device?” Not at all. I would not buy an Apple device; remember, I am writing this on a Lenovo machine.I am a big believer in the right to repair and the right of ownership. For me, an SSD drive being soldered to the motherboard is enough of a reason not to buy the device. The RAM not being upgradable makes it even worse.Most people are not bothered by those facts. When I am recommending someone what laptop to buy, I explain what I consider the problems, but I also try to put myself in the place of the person buying and what is really important to them.What people get with this laptop is a beautiful aluminum chassis that simply feels better than any cheap, plastic laptop in the same price bracket. The device also sports a much better screen than the competition, with a resolution of 2408 by 1506 pixels and a brightness of 500 nits. PC laptops that go for $600 typically have screens with a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels and 300 nits of brightness.Related: Apple closes all stores in fast-growing marketThe Magic Keyboard is there, albeit without a backlight, and Touch ID is only available on the more expensive version with the 512GB SSD. Nonetheless, the keyboard will offer a better experience than any PC in that category, because if you want a good keyboard on a PC, you have to buy a more expensive business machine, not a consumer device.What you don’t get, and shouldn’t want to get, is noise. The laptop is powered by an iPhone chip. It doesn’t have fans, and Apple says the battery lasts up to 16 hours. The chip is powerful enough for most tasks you’d do on a machine with just 8GB of RAM, and according to Apple, it is more powerful in single-threaded tasks than M1.M1 blew the competition away when it launched in 2020, and it is still plenty strong today. The laptop has a weak port selection, but people who have more than one monitor probably aren’t after this machine anyway.A laptop that can be put in a bag safelyIn case you didn’t already know, you can’t just close your PC laptop without shutting it down and then put it in a carrying bag. You risk destroying your device, and you can thank Microsoft for it.According to Dell, Microsoft introduced “modern standby” in 2012.Modern standby replaced S3 deep sleep. In fact, many modern CPUs no longer support S3 deep sleep.The problem is that this means laptops on modern standby often aren’t really in sleep mode, and the fan needs to keep working. By putting the laptop in the bag, you risk choking the fan and overheating the device, potentially damaging it.For a deeper dive into the problem, I recommend watching Linus Tech Tips’ video titled “Microsoft is Forcing me to Buy MacBooks – Windows Modern Standby.”Obviously, MacBook Neo doesn’t have such a problem. Microsoft and PC CPU/Laptop manufacturers have turned a perfectly normal thing, like putting a laptop in a carrying bag, into something to worry about.I was rooting for this laptop to launch since the rumors about it started, since I see it as a very necessary punch in the face (and potentially a knockout) for Microsoft, Lenovo, Dell, HP, AMD, Intel, Qualcomm, and others. They now have to go back to the drawing board.Related: History of Apple: Company timeline and facts

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealElevating your space isn’t about spending the most on the items you buy. You can purchase the most expensive home essentials, only to be left with a mix of pieces that don’t blend. To get that luxury look (or affordable luxury, if you will), it’s crucial to be intentional about the feel of the pieces you bring into your space. Dressing up your bedroom with the right bedding is a great example, and our latest Amazon find will add a touch of sophistication to your home for under $50.The Muxhomo 7-Piece Comforter Set has a stunning shabby chic design that feels relaxed yet elegant. Right now, the full-size set is on sale for just $38, which is 24% off its regular price of $50.Muxhomo 7-Piece Comforter Set, $38 (was $50) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Why do shoppers love it?If you’re looking for a luxurious design at a budget-friendly price, you’re going to love this Amazon comforter set. It has a beautiful seersucker texture with delicate pleating that makes it equally as comforting as it is sophisticated. It has just the right amount of ruffle without being too over-the-top. Along with its soft beige colorway, it has the perfect look for a charming shabby chic vibe.The full-size set comes with seven pieces, including a comforter, two pillowcases, two pillow shams, one fitted sheet, and one flat sheet. Each piece is made of soft microfiber fabric that’s smooth and dreamy. The comforter has down alternative filling, which gives it a light and fluffy feel that’s ideal for year-round use. The set is available in 18 colorways that can match almost any color scheme. To lean more into the shabby chic aesthetic, we recommend soft pastel colors. The beige, ivory, and rose gold hues are excellent choices, but you can’t go wrong with any option.Related: Amazon is selling a chic $70 boho comforter set for just $47 that’s perfect for springDetails to knowSizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king.Fitted sheet: Can fit mattresses up to 14 inches deep.Colors: 18.Multiple shoppers mentioned how light and fluffy the comforter set is without being too heavy or bulky. The seersucker fabric is a favorite among reviewers, with one shopper saying they like the look and feel of the texture and another saying it makes the set look fancy. Others say it makes their bed look cozy and pretty, and it’s “the softest comforter set.”Shop more deals Quietsea 7-Piece Comforter Set, $32 (was $34) at AmazonFuanna 7-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $43) at AmazonWongs Bedding 3-Piece Comforter Set, $43 (was $55) at AmazonYou don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a new bed set to get the beloved shabby chic look. The Muxhomo 7-Piece Comforter Set offers elegance and a cozy feel, and it’s on sale for only $38. Add it to your cart now, and redo your bedroom at an affordable price.

The smallest of Gap’s brands continues to be a flash point for investors.