BUSINESS

“Quad God” Ilia Malinin cruised to his third consecutive world figure skating title in Prague on Saturday, returning to the top of the podium after a heartbreaking eighth place at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

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 dealHaving a pop-up canopy is essential the moment winter ends. Whether you need it for days at the beach, picnics in the park, or even to shade you while gardening, a pop-up canopy is one of the most useful items you can buy for less than $100. At the moment, you can buy one for far less than that thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. If you buy yours soon, you can get it at a very big discount.The Newbulig Easy Up Canopy is on sale for only $70, which is 30% off the regular price of $100. That’s a great price for something that you’re sure to use on a regular basis. Newbulig Easy Up Canopy, $70 (was $100) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?This canopy is a winner because it’s well-made and easy-to-use. It doesn’t look too shabby either. Constructed from powder-coated stainless steel, the frame is lightweight and easy to transport. It’s also corrosion resistant and rustproof, making it a wonderful option for year-round use. The roof is made from heady-duty all-weather polyester. It’s waterproof and weather-resistant, which means you should be able to use it for years to come for every manner of event, large or small. When assembled, the canopy measures 9 feet 6 inches long by 9 feet 6 inches wide, by 9 feet 10 inches high.Adding to the convenience of the tent is the ease of assembly. All you need to do is place the canopy on top of the frame, pulling it apart as the canopy stretches. Once you extend all four legs and pop the center roof portion up, you’ll have it made in the shade. This is one of the easiest instant canopies to put up and take down. It can usually be put in place in five minutes or less, depending on how many people are involved. Each leg has stake holes for ensuring the canopy doesn’t fly away. It also comes with sandbags, making it even more stable in heavy winds.Also included with this tent is a handy storage bag. When the tent is not in use, the frame and canopy can fold down very small and be packed into the bag for easy storage and transport. While it might be improved by the addition of wheels, it’s a great way to keep it in the trunk of your car or elsewhere in case of an immediate need. It’s available in three colors, which include gray, white, and blue. Unfortunately it’s not available with side panels, though those can be easily purchased through Amazon as well.Related: Amazon is selling a $119 Craftsman weedwacker for $69Pros and ConsProsConstruction: The powder-coated stainless steel frame protects the tent from rust and corrosion.Wind protection: Stake holes and sandbags offer dual protection from high wind conditions.Easy-Up design: It takes five minutes or less for a single person to ready the canopy.Color options: Three colors are available, making it perfect, no matter your patio color scheme.ConsCarrying bag: The bag does not include wheels, which might make it easier to transport.Additional shade: Side panels are not available as an included option with this canopy.Amazon shoppers were very happy with the canopy. One called it “perfect,” adding, “This pop-up canopy is fantastic! The easy-up design makes setup quick and stress free, even with just one person…Great value and highly recommended.”Shop more deals HappyTrends 10-By-13-Foot Sunshade, $25 (was $30) at AmazonLove Story 8-By-10-Foot UV Sunshade, $23 at AmazonArtpuch 12-Foot Sunshade, $19 (was $25) at AmazonThe Newbulig Easy Up Canopy is a great way to always be prepared for a party, get together, or outdoor project. If you buy it during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, you’ll only pay $70. If that’s not a reason to buy right now, then nothing is.

You built the company from scratch, survived the lean years, and finally reached the finish line that most entrepreneurs only dream about reaching. The offer is on the table, the lawyers are circling around the fine print, and the closing date for your biggest payday is locked.But Morgan Stanley’s wealth advisors say the biggest financial risk for business owners is not the sale itself or the negotiations beforehand. The firm argues that what you do with the windfall in the months after closing will define your financial trajectory for decades.Seven in 10 business owners depend on their sale proceeds to fund their post-exit lifestyle, the Exit Planning Institute found in a 2023 study. Yet the majority of sellers walk away from the closing table without a comprehensive plan for what comes next in their financial life.Roughly 76% of business owners who sold say they would have done things differently within just one year of completing their exit, exit planning research shows. Here is what Morgan Stanley says you need to have locked down before you sign over the business you worked so hard to build.Morgan Stanley’s five-part framework for life after a business saleMorgan Stanley’s wealth management division has identified five critical areas that every business seller must address in the months before and after closing. The framework covers:Investing the windfallSupporting your family financiallyPursuing philantrophyUpdating your estate planProtecting new wealth with proper insuranceMorgan Stanley outlines in its post-sale planning guide. Most owners treat the sale as the finish line, but it is really just the starting point for managing wealth you never had before. “It’s really overall, from start to finish, getting them through the most important transaction of their lives,” said Homer Smith, executive director of Integrated Private Wealth.Your finances will look dramatically different once you no longer draw a salary from a company you controlled for years or even decades. Planning for that shift before the ink dries on the purchase agreement separates a successful exit from one that leads to deep financial regret. Capital gains taxes could claim a far bigger slice than you expectThe federal government treats the profit from your business sale as a capital gain, and the resulting tax bill can be significant for sellers. Long-term capital gains rates for 2026 remain at 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your total taxable income and your filing status, the IRS confirmed in Revenue Procedure 2025-32.If you held your ownership stake for more than one year, you qualify for long-term treatment and the corresponding lower federal tax rates. Short-term gains on ownership stakes held for one year or less are taxed at ordinary income rates, which can reach 37%.The 3.8% business sale surtax that most sellers forget about entirelyHigh-income sellers also face an additional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax, layered on top of their standard capital gains rate, once income thresholds are exceeded. For a married couple filing jointly, the NIIT kicks in when modified adjusted gross income surpasses $250,000 for the tax year, the IRS has confirmed. Related: Democrats propose erasing income tax for half of U.S. workersThat pushes your effective federal rate on long-term gains to as high as 23.8% before you even factor in any state-level taxes on proceeds. If you live in a state with its own income tax on capital gains, your combined federal and state burden can reach well above 30%. Planning your sale’s timing around income thresholds and exploring installment sale structures can meaningfully reduce what you ultimately owe the government after closing.The $19,000 gift tax exclusion and what it means for your familyOnce you receive a windfall from a business sale, sharing some of that wealth directly with your children or other family members feels natural. Federal law allows you to make tax-free annual gifts of up to $19,000 per recipient in 2026 without filing a gift tax return, the IRS announced in its 2026 inflation adjustments.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 taxesIf you are married and elect to split gifts with your spouse, you can effectively give up to $38,000 per recipient without tax consequences. Any gift exceeding the annual exclusion amount reduces your lifetime gift and estate tax exemption, which is $15 million per individual for 2026 filers.When you’ll need to file IRS Form 709 for gift reportingAny gift exceeding the $19,000 annual exclusion triggers a requirement to file a federal gift tax return using IRS Form 709 for that year. You will not owe actual gift taxes unless your cumulative lifetime gifts have already exceeded the $15 million exemption amount, the IRS notes.The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, made the $15 million exemption permanent and indexed it to inflation. That law removed the previous uncertainty about whether the exemption would revert to roughly half its current level, giving business sellers more planning clarity.Philanthropic strategies that can lower your tax burden after a major saleA business sale creates a unique window to pursue charitable giving in a way that serves both your personal values and your tax situation. Morgan Stanley highlights donor-advised funds as one of the most tax-efficient charitable vehicles available to business owners who want to give strategically.How donor-advised funds and charitable remainder trusts work for sellersDonor Advised Funds allow you to donate appreciated stock, mutual funds, or other assets and claim a federal income tax deduction in the donation year. Those assets then grow tax-free inside the fund until you recommend a specific charity to receive a distribution at a later date, Morgan Stanley explains.Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts offer another approach by allowing you to place assets into an irrevocable trust that ultimately benefits a charity you care about. You or a designated beneficiary continues to receive distributions from the trust during your lifetime, while the charity receives the remaining assets upon trust termination.Both strategies can significantly reduce your taxable estate and provide ongoing income streams, making them especially valuable for sellers sitting on large gains. Consult a tax professional or estate planning attorney before committing to either structure to ensure the approach fully fits your specific financial profile.

Smart giving can turn large gains into lasting impact, offering tax savings, steady income, and meaningful charitable legacy planning.fizkes/Shutterstock

Your estate plan probably needs a complete overhaul once the deal closesSelling your business may dramatically change the size and composition of your estate, which means documents drafted before the sale are likely already outdated. Morgan Stanley recommends creating or updating several foundational estate planning documents once your financial picture shifts from business ownership to holding significant liquid wealth.Key estate documents every business seller should review immediatelyYour updated estate plan should include a durable financial power of attorney that authorizes a trusted person to manage your finances in an emergency. You also need a current last will and testament that names a reliable executor and accurately reflects your beneficiary designations based on your new financial reality.The federal estate tax rate remains at 40% for assets exceeding the $15 million per-person exemption in the 2026 tax year, estate planning attorneys have confirmed. If your total estate now exceeds that threshold after receiving business sale proceeds, you should seek professional guidance immediately to minimize your potential tax exposure.State estate taxes create an additional layer of complexity for sellersMany states impose their own estate or inheritance taxes with exemption levels far below the $15 million federal threshold that currently shields most estates, elder law experts have emphasized. Depending on where you live, a business sale could push your estate into state-level taxation territory, even if your assets stay below the federal limit. Reviewing both your federal and state exposure with a qualified estate attorney is essential before you finalize any post-sale wealth distribution strategy for your family.Concentration risk can quietly erode the value of your business sale proceedsIf your sale includes an earnout, performance-based payments, or retained equity in the acquiring company, you may still carry significant exposure to one investment. Holding a large position in any single stock or company after selling creates concentration risk that can undermine the diversification benefits your windfall should provide.Morgan Stanley recommends several strategies, including diversification, strategic selling of concentrated positions, gifting shares to family members, or using an equity exchange fund structure, the firm notes. Each of these approaches carries different tax implications, so working with a financial advisor to model the specific tradeoffs is critical before you take any action.Insurance gaps that most business sellers overlook right after closing the dealWhen you buy a new home, a vacation property, a boat, or other major assets with your sale proceeds, your existing insurance probably falls short. Morgan Stanley advises sellers to reassess their personal liability insurance and property and casualty coverage to reflect changed financial circumstances immediately after the transaction closes.An umbrella insurance policy is worth considering if you do not already have one in place to protect against lawsuits or claims exceeding standard limits. The cost of umbrella coverage remains modest relative to the protection it provides for someone whose net worth has increased substantially after completing a significant business sale.The emotional toll of selling that nobody in your deal team warns you aboutFinancial planning is only half the equation when you exit a business you spent years or even decades building from the ground up yourself. The emotional toll of losing your daily identity, your professional routine, and your business community catches many former owners completely off guard after selling.More than half of all small-business owners in the United States are now over the age of 55, with one in four already past 65, according to McKinsey research published in 2025. Related: A $50 insurance policy could cover your next medical emergencyOver the next decade, roughly six million small businesses will need to change hands or shut down entirely as aging owners approach retirement.Planning your post-sale life with the same intentionality you brought to building your company separates fulfilled former owners from those who spiral into aimlessness after exiting. Consider mapping out your next chapter well before the deal closes so you have purpose and structure waiting for you on the other side.Key takeaways for business owners preparing to sellLong-term capital gains rates remain at 0%, 15%, or 20% in 2026, but the 3.8% NIIT surtax can push effective federal rates much higher for sellers.You can gift up to $19,000 per recipient annually in 2026 without triggering a gift tax return filing requirement, or $38,000 if you are married.The lifetime estate and gift tax exemption stands at $15 million per person in 2026, made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act legislation.Donor Advised Funds and Charitable Remainder Trusts offer tax-efficient ways to pursue your philanthropic goals while reducing your overall taxable estate after a business sale.Retained equity or earnout payments create concentration risk that can quietly undermine your diversification, so review your full exposure with a financial advisor immediately.Update your estate plan, insurance coverage, and beneficiary designations before or immediately after closing the transaction to protect your family and your new wealth.State estate taxes may apply at exemption levels far below the $15 million federal threshold, so check your state’s specific rules with an estate attorney.Related: Morgan Stanley has a stark message for investors in Apple stocks

Crypto’s latest bear cycle is a mere blip when compared with the existential threat AI now poses to traditional software services, says Ravi Tanuku, CEO of KRAKacquisition Corp.

This quarter made one thing clear.Adobe’s (ADBE) AI story now has real revenue behind it.For months, investors debated whether generative AI would expand the business or simply add costs with minimal returns.That debate is starting to shift with the company’s first report of AI-first ARR.Adobe is down roughly 37% this year, which is a sharp pullback for the company that has long been one of software’s most consistent winners.Now, investors are asking whether this is the start of a second-growth leg or just early traction that isn’t big enough to matter yet.Valuation snapshotMarket Cap: $97.4 billionEnterprise Value: $97.1 billionShare Price: ~$320Analysts’ Avg Target Price: $328.19 (~3% implied upside)2-Year Annual Expected EPS Growth: 12.2%Forward P/E Ratio: 10.0xStats from TIKR.com.AI revenue is starting to show upAI is now generating real revenue with the announcement of $125 million in ARR for the first quarter across Creative Cloud, Express, and adjacent workflows.But in the context of the business, it’s still small.Adobe’s Digital Media segment generates more than $17 billion in ARR, which means AI is contributing less than 1% of the total today.Even if first-quarter results were annualized, AI would still be contributing less than 5% of ARR. AI can become a big opportunity for the company, but the impact is still early.More AI Beneficiaries:Morgan Stanley sets jaw-dropping Micron price target after eventBank of America updates Palantir stock forecast after private meetingMorgan Stanley drops eye-popping Broadcom price targetSo far, the core business is still holding up, with Digital Media seeing segment revenue growth of 12% and net new ARR of $432 million. That helps ease concerns that AI competitors are already pressuring retention or seat growth.Management pointed to solid retention, upsell, and paid conversion trends across Creative Cloud and Document Cloud, suggesting the installed base remains resilient even as competition builds.CEO departure adds new uncertaintyLeadership uncertainty is also entering the story.Adobe said longtime CEO Shantanu Narayen will step down once a successor is named, a move that comes as the company navigates AI disruption.In his message to employees, Shantanu Narayen framed the decision as a natural handoff after nearly two decades leading the company, saying he plans to “transition from my role as CEO of Adobe after over 18 years in the job.”The timing looks strategic as Adobe is entering a new phase shaped by AI, new workflows, and changing competition.Narayen emphasized that “the next era of creativity is being written right now,” suggesting the company wants new leadership in place to guide that next chapter.“Investors will likely focus on whether incoming leadership maintains a balance between disciplined execution and aggressive AI investment,” Emarketer analyst Grace Harmon said.That adds another layer to the debate, as investors now have to weigh not just AI monetization, but whether new leadership can execute on it.Guidance raise meets growing skepticismAdobe increased its full-year outlook, now expecting FY2026 revenue of $26.1 billion to $25.9 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $23.30 to $23.50.The raise suggests that, at least so far, the company is managing to drive growth while maintaining margin discipline.But the reaction from analysts shows the debate is far from settled.

One way Adobe will increase revenue is to convert more free users into paying subscribers. ullstein bild via Getty Images

Barclays recently downgraded the stock to Equal Weight and cut its price target to $275, pointing to weaker-than-expected net new ARR and pressure on pricing as freemium AI tools like Firefly and Express expand usage but weigh on average revenue per user.Oppenheimer, while maintaining a more neutral stance, said the business remains stable but flagged concerns around pricing power, competitive pressure, and uncertainty tied to the upcoming CEO transition.Several firms, including Citi, Jefferies, and UBS, have lowered price targets in recent months as software multiples compress and expectations around AI are reset. Goldman Sachs initiated coverage with a Sell rating, citing pressure on high-end users and limited exposure to lower-priced tiers, where demand is growing faster.Other analysts have flagged slowing Digital Media growth and tougher competition in creative tools, suggesting near-term catalysts may remain limited.What could drive Adobe higherAI-first products scale beyond the $125M ARR base into a meaningful revenue layerFirefly and premium AI features support pricing power in Creative CloudExpress and AI tools convert more free users into paid subscribersDigital Media net new ARR holds steady, easing slowdown concernsFY2026 guidance proves Adobe can invest in AI while maintaining marginsWhat could go wrong for AdobeAI revenue remains too small to offset competition from Canva and AI-native toolsProduct and infrastructure costs weigh on marginsSmall business demand weakens, slowing seat growthAI features cannibalize higher-value subscriptions instead of lifting ARPUInvestor patience fades if AI monetization ramps too slowlyKey takeaway for investorsAdobe is starting to show that AI can contribute to growth, but the market is still debating whether that contribution will be large enough to sustain margins and reaccelerate the business.What matters now:How fast AI ARR grows (proves monetization is real)Whether Express converts free users into paying customers (key to scaling AI revenue)Whether Creative Cloud and Document Cloud stay resilient (protects the core business)Related: Longtime oil analyst sends dire oil price message

Will there be a Something Very Bad is Going to Happen season 2? We have a new update on that front from its creator.

Here are the five best-reviewed shows you should watch this week, most new, a few older. You can’t go wrong with any.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) had a big day Friday, and the easy explanation was oil. Crude prices pushed higher again as supply fears stayed in focus, putting the major energy names back on traders’ screens.Exxon came into this rally with stronger company-specific momentum than many of its peers. The stock already had support from record production, a large shareholder-return program, and a fresh set of growth headlines tied to Guyana and Venezuela.The company’s latest earnings report laid the groundwork. In late January, Exxon posted fourth-quarter 2025 earnings of $6.5 billion and adjusted earnings of $7.3 billion. Cash flow from operations came in at $12.7 billion, while full-year earnings reached $28.8 billion.More ExxonGoldman Sachs resets price target on energy giant156-year-old energy giant to pay $17 billion in dividends as oil spikes to $110The world’s biggest gas field matters just as much as oil right nowExxon also gave investors what they usually want from the name. Management raised the quarterly dividend to $1.03 per share and extended its planned $20 billion annual buyback pace through 2026.Production is a big part of why the stock still has room to attract buyers in a stronger oil tape. Exxon said full-year 2025 output reached 4.7 million oil-equivalent barrels per day, the highest level in more than 40 years.Exxon’s recent catalyst stack is giving investors more to watchIn March, Exxon said it was accelerating work in Guyana as higher oil prices improved project economics there. That keeps one of the company’s most important long-term growth assets right at the center of the investment case.The company also sent a team to Venezuela to evaluate oil and gas opportunities there. That does not create an immediate earnings catalyst, but it does reopen another large international angle tied to Exxon’s portfolio.Those two developments add depth to the rally. This is not just a stock moving higher because crude is squeezing shorts. Exxon still has real long-cycle growth options, and the market is paying attention to them again.Exxon still has room to play offenseOne reason Exxon keeps getting the benefit of the doubt is that it still has the balance-sheet flexibility to keep spending and returning cash at the same time. The company ended 2025 with $10.7 billion in cash, a debt-to-capital ratio of 14%, and a net-debt-to-capital ratio of 11%. Management also kept its 2026 cash capital spending outlook at $27 billion to $29 billion. That matters because Exxon is still funding Guyana growth, evaluating opportunities like Venezuela, and maintaining a large buyback program without looking financially stretched.Related: Exxon CEO’s stark message unfolds as US officials land in CaracasExxon by the numbersFourth-quarter 2025 earnings: $6.5 billionFourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings: $7.3 billionFourth-quarter 2025 cash flow from operations: $12.7 billionFull-year 2025 earnings: $28.8 billionFull-year 2025 production: 4.7 million oil-equivalent barrels per dayQuarterly dividend: $1.03 per share2025 shareholder distributions: $37.2 billion, including $20 billion of buybacksFor investors who want the full financial picture, Exxon’s latest annual report on Form 10-K and the January earnings release are the key places to start.What the Exxon chart says nowXOM opened at $165.58, traded as high as $171.20, fell as low as $164.80, and closed at $170.99. After-hours trading showed shares at $170.86.The stock is still trading well above both key trend markers. The 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) (light blue) sits at $158.18, while the 200-day EMA (dark blue) sits at $128.41. That keeps both the short-term and longer-term trends pointed in the same direction.

Exxon stock’s daily chart with key levels and EMAsTrading View

There’s a strong level underneath the stock. A former resistance zone between roughly $120 and $127 now looks like a possible support band if oil starts to cool off.That area matters because Exxon spent months fighting through it. Once the stock cleared that range, the rally accelerated.The setup now is fairly clean. The stock is strong, but it is also extended enough that some digestion would not be surprising. If buyers step back in on any pullback and defend that old resistance zone, the larger breakout structure stays intact.Related: Surging Chevron stock has more going for it than just higher oil prices

Gas prices in 2026 have climbed to near-record levels, driven largely by geopolitical instability in the Middle East, a critical region to global oil production and transportation. War with Iran and tension in the region have disrupted key maritime routes that carry a significant portion of the world’s oil supply.These disruptions have pushed oil prices higher, increasing fuel costs worldwide and putting pressure on transportation-dependent industries.Major logistics providers, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), and DHL, are now facing higher operating costs across their air and ground delivery networks. Fuel is one of the largest variable expenses for carriers, typically accounting for up to 40% of total operating expenses, according to Motive. This means that even small increases in oil prices can significantly impact overall transportation costs.In response, private carriers have introduced or expanded fuel surcharges, passing a portion of the burden onto consumers. Shipping prices have consequently risen across the industry in recent months.USPS, one of the most affordable delivery options, is now seeking to raise prices as well, or it may run out of money and cease service.USPS requests price increasesOn March 25, USPS filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), seeking an 8% temporary price increase. The agency says the adjustment is necessary to better align pricing with rising transportation and fuel costs. “This temporary price adjustment will provide needed flexibility for the Postal Service by helping to ensure that the actual costs of doing business are covered, as required by Congress,” said USPS in its filing.If approved, the price increase would take effect on April 26, 2026, and remain in place through January 17, 2027. Shipping services affected include:Priority Mail ExpressPriority MailUSPS Ground AdvantageParcel SelectUSPS noted that, even with the proposed 8% increase, its rates would remain much lower than those of many competitors, as the adjustments represent less than one-third of what some carriers charge in fuel surcharges alone.

USPS proposes an 8% temporary price increase for 2026.Shutterstock

Competitors have already raised pricesUSPS emphasized that its competitors have already taken action to offset rising fuel costs.Recent surcharges from competitorsFedEx: Introduced a per-pound demand surcharge on shipments between the U.S. and the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa in March 2026, with fuel surcharges updated weekly, according to the FedEx website.UPS: Implemented a per-pound surge fee for shipments between the U.S. and the Middle East in March 2026, with fuel surcharges updated weekly according to the UPS website.DHL: Enacted a 5.9% general average price increase for U.S. Express shipments beginning January 1, 2026, with fuel surcharges updated monthly, according to the DHL website.These pricing strategies are consistent with broader industry practices, in which carriers regularly adjust surcharges in response to fluctuations in fuel costs.USPS warns of financial riskThe pricing request follows a warning from Postmaster General David Steiner, who told Congress in a written statement on March 17 that USPS will run out of cash within 12 months unless lawmakers lift a decades-old cap and allow the agency to borrow more money.”I am not sure that the American public is aware that the Postal Service is at a critical juncture,” said Steiner. “At our current run rate and if we continue to pay our required obligations in the same manner as we have done in recent years, then we will be out of cash in less than 12 months.”He pointed to long-term declines in mail volume as a driver of revenue loss, claiming that a comparable drop would be unsustainable for private carriers.USPS financial results highlight ongoing challenges USPS’ latest earnings report underscores these concerns. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026: Revenue: Declined 1.2% year over yearControllable income: Fell by $618 million to $350 millionNet loss: Increased by nearly $1.4 billionThe agency cited declining volumes across its First-Class Mail, Shipping and Packages, and Marketing Mail as primary contributors, partially offset by prior price increases.Meanwhile, total operating expenses rose 4.6%, compared to the same period last year.”We continue to face difficult systemic financial and business model headwinds,” said Steiner in an earnings statement. “We are convinced that these efforts, if combined with needed regulatory, administrative, and legislative changes, can meet the needs of the American public and return the Postal Service to long-term financial stability and strength.”USPS’ previous price adjustmentsThis is not the first time USPS has requested price raises in recent years.During the 2025 holiday season, the agency implemented temporary increases ranging from $0.30 to $16, which remained in place from October 5, 2025, through January 18, 2026.Although USPS initially said it would delay further hikes until mid-2026, it introduced another round of price adjustments in January 2026 as part of its broader 10-year transformation plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability.Why it mattersUSPS delivers mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses nationwide, six to seven days per week, yet it receives no taxpayer funding for its operations. Instead, it relies entirely on customer revenue, leaving pricing as one of the few tools to manage rising costs.However, Industry analysts warn that frequent or large rate hikes could further reduce mail volume, potentially worsening the agency’s financial position.”If rate increases proceed at the current frequency and magnitude without critical review, they risk plummeting volume further and exacerbating USPS’ financial challenges,” said NDP Analytics in its 2024 Critique of USPS Elasticities report.More retail business coverage:48-year-old nostalgic mall retailer will close 25 stores in 2026Shein invests $42 million as Amazon’s growth raises the stakesAmazon CEO warns shoppers of major changes aheadMailers Hub Managing Director Leo Raymond expressed similar concerns, citing the cumulative impact of repeated price increases over recent years.”Rising postal rates have had an impact on volume for sure. It’s not just last year’s postage increases, but a compounding factor of twice-a-year increases over a three-year period,” said Raymond to Printing Impressions. “The Postmaster General denies it — he says it’s just a general decline — but even if that is true, it is being worsened by significant increases that have been imposed on mail.”Related: Apple closes all stores in fast-growing market

Here’s how silence and softened policies can create legal blind spots for businesses, and how business owners can reduce liability and make their companies better, safer places to work.