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Why we love this deal

Everyone knows that although it’s the big apparel items, like a button down or pair of pants, that act as the building blocks to any good outfit, it’s the little additions you add on after, like a purse, hat, or necklace, that tie it all together. Jewelry and similar accessories add a little glitz and glam, and help satiate that feeling we all have that “something’s missing” when we’re getting dressed. It’s amazing how a thin stack of bracelets or a delicate pair of earrings can change an outfit so much, but there’s a reason that accessories feel just as important as the sweaters, shirts, shorts, and more that we fill our closets up with. And although many of these accessories can be expensive, there are always great deals at easy-to-access retailers that remind us that quality doesn’t always have to cost a fortune. 

Walmart is selling the Cate and Chloe Birthstone Earrings on sale for 50% off the original $40 retail price. You can save $20 and score a pair of your very own in the gem matching your birth month for just $20. 

Cate and Chloe Birthstone Earrings $20 (was $40) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

Immediately you’re probably thinking — well, how high quality can such an affordable pair of earrings be? It’s easy to think a low cost item lacks long-lasting value, but these earrings are made to withstand lots of wear over time. Made with 18k white gold plated-brass, these earrings have the luxurious look that silver or white gold jewelry typically has, with a strong, sturdy core thanks to the brass. Brass is super durable, resistant to rust and corrosion, and it’s strong so it won’t easily break or snap. The 18k white gold plating gives it lots of shine, while also making it tarnish-resistant so it won’t turn black, gray, green, or brown at the slightest sign of wear or water exposure. It also means you don’t have to worry about your ears turning green like they can occasionally if you’re dealing with cheap, poorly-made jewelry. Thanks to that 18K white gold plating, the earrings are also hypoallergenic. Additionally, since they’re lead and nickel-free, they are suitable for wear by folks with very sensitive skin.

The earrings themselves, which measure 5.8 millimeters long, 5.2 millimeters wide, and 5.2 millimeters high, have a white gold post and prong setting. The earrings are made with Swarovski crystal measuring 5 millimeters surrounded by a crown or six-prong setting. The Swarovski crystal comes in all 12 of the corresponding birthstones, so you can choose the one that fits your own birth month or corresponds to the birth month of the lucky recipient, and measures one carat.  

Related: Walmart’s bestselling 18-karat gold-plated earrings are 50% off

The earrings have a push back closure that keeps them nice and secure on the earlobe without being overly tight. They make a great gift because each pair is packaged in a special gift box upon purchase, so half the wrapping work is done when you receive them. 

Details to know

Material: Swarovski crystal and 18K white gold plating.

Birthstones: Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, pearl/alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire,  tourmaline/opal, topaz/citrine, and tanzanite/zircon/turqouise. 

Closure: Push back. 

Dimensions: The earrings measure 5.2 millimeters wide, 5.2 millimeters high, and 5.8 millimeters long. 

Shoppers are impressed with how gorgeous these earrings are, saying the “shine and sparkle of [the] gemstone has exceeded expectations.” They’re extremely comfortable and perfect for all day wear, and a lot of shoppers find them non-irritating on even the most sensitive skin. The backings provide a super secure fit that isn’t too tight or difficult to put on. The stone is the perfect size. “They look expensive,” one shopper said. 

Shop more deals 

Cate & Chloe 3-Pack White Gold Plated Tennis Bracelets, $80 (was $160) at Walmart

JeenMata 4-Prong Round Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Stud Earrings, $25 (was $39) at Walmart

The great thing about affordable jewelry like the Cate and Chloe Birthstone Earrings is that it means you don’t have to shrimp and save for months on end to afford something nice. For only $20, you can add these gorgeous earrings to your jewelry box without forking out a fortune.

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 deal

Summer is coming to an end, and we’re going to enjoy every second of it while we can. For many, that means lounging outside on a patio, deck, or balcony. Luckily, there are more than enough patio sets out there that are perfect for just that. But the most relaxing of all? A patio set with rocking chairs.

Rocking chair patio sets are natural stress relievers, combining the beauty of the outdoors with a soothing, gentle movement. And they’re surprisingly affordable, too. The Vineego 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set is only $75 at Walmart. Not only is it a great deal, but it’s also a top pick among shoppers.

Vineego 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $75 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

This three-piece patio set comes with two rocking chairs and a side table. Its compact size is perfect for small apartment balconies, cozy patio spaces, or even creating a small seating area on a large deck. Each chair has a sturdy metal frame that’s rustproof and durable enough to withstand the outdoors and has a weight capacity of 350 pounds. The chairs also come with back and seat cushions that come in white. However, the cushions aren’t fully waterproof, so you might want to invest in waterproof covers or take them inside when you’re expecting rain.

Along with the rocking chairs, you get a small side table that you can nestle between the chairs. It has a tempered glass top that’s stylish and sturdy but still lightweight enough to move. It’s perfect for resting a morning coffee or mid-day snack as you’re rocking back and forth, soaking up the warm weather while you can.

The set is easy to set up as well. It includes an easy guide and a tool kit, so there’s no need to rummage through your garage or junk drawer to find the appropriate tools. According to shoppers, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, which is quick for a three-piece set.

Related: Amazon has a 3-piece bistro patio set with a coffee table for only $90

Details to know

Rocking chair dimensions: 28.5 inches long by 23 inches wide by 36 inches high.

Table dimensions: 17 inches long by 17 inches wide by 19 inches high.

Colors: White.

“This three-piece set is beautiful,” one shopper said, adding that it’s a great addition to their balcony. They shared that the cushions are “really soft and comfortable,” and it’s “extremely sturdy.” They said the rockers provide “maximum relaxation,” and it’s easy to set up. “I assembled it myself with tools included. It took me maybe 30 minutes,” they claimed, saying the instructions were very easy to follow. 

Shop more deals

Wwr 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Bistro Set, $80 (was $90) at Walmart

Lofka 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $68 (was $116) at Walmart

Walsunny 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $130 (was $180) at Walmart

If nothing sounds better than relaxing after a long day outdoors, the $75 Vineego 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set is the perfect addition to your outdoor space.

Michael Burry built his reputation on bets nobody else wanted to make. In August, he disclosed a short position in Oracle Corporation (ORCL) at $144.63, calling the trade “a bit like shooting fish in a barrel,” Benzinga reported.

A few weeks later, after Oracle posted one of its strongest quarters on record, analysts at Bank of America looked at the same numbers and reiterated their most bullish call yet.

That gap matters more than either side’s confidence. Oracle just proved its cloud business can grow faster than almost anyone on the Street expected.

It also spent more in three months than most companies do in a year, according to a Bank of America note shared with TheStreet, dated Sept. 11, 2026.

Related: Morgan Stanley revamps Oracle stock price target

Oracle’s growth engine outpaced even the bulls’ models

Oracle’s fiscal first-quarter revenue rose 29.6% from a year earlier, beating the Street’s 28.2% estimate, the BofA note said. Cloud infrastructure revenue, the business that rents out AI computing power, more than doubled, up 121% against a 115% consensus.

The beat came from capacity, not just demand. Oracle brought 850 megawatts of new data center power online during the quarter, nearly triple the prior quarter’s pace, according to Oracle’s earnings release.

Management also raised its full-year revenue outlook to more than $90 billion, with adjusted earnings guidance of $8.10 a share.

Shares fell anyway. Oracle closed at $150.28 on Friday, down from the $152.94 close that the Bank of America note used as its baseline the day before. That leaves the stock roughly 55% below the $331 intraday high it touched almost exactly a year earlier, though well above its 52-week low of $114.50 set in late July.

Bank of America’s $240 price target implies close to 60% upside from Friday’s close. That is a striking gap for a stock that has already fallen this much in 2026, and it boils the investment case down to one question: pay today’s discounted price for growth that has already outrun estimates, or wait for the spending to show up in free cash flow.

Oracle’s stock fell despite record cloud growth after Bank of America reiterated a $240 price target implying nearly 60% upside from Friday’s close.Bloomberg / Getty Images

Oracle is spending cash faster than it’s collecting it

The same report that praised Oracle’s growth flagged what it costs. Capital expenditures hit $28.5 billion for the quarter, well above the Street’s $19.8 billion estimate, and gross margin slipped to 61% from 68.7% a year earlier as infrastructure spending diluted software’s higher margins.

Oracle is not just spending its own cash. As of its most recent quarterly filing, the company disclosed $261 billion in additional data center lease commitments not yet on its balance sheet, obligations that typically run 15 to 19 years, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

That load already cost Oracle its credit standing. S&P Global Ratings cut the company to BBB-, one notch above junk, in July, citing the widening gap between spending and cash coming in.

Oracle’s backlog kept growing anyway. Remaining performance obligations reached $664 billion, up $26 billion from the prior quarter, with more than $30 billion of new AI bookings added in the period, the BofA note said.

More Bank of America:

BofA stays bullish on a cloud titan that is down 25%

BofA flips on Everpure after months on the sidelines

BofA gives SpaceX investors wireless reality check 

Bulls and skeptics are reading the same numbers differently

That split is not new. Days before the print, Wall Street’s equity and credit desks were already telling opposite stories about Oracle, with stockholders buying dips while bond investors priced in more risk.

Burry’s bet extends that argument: Oracle is depreciating expensive chips too slowly and understating the real cost of its buildout.

One recent move added to the confusion rather than settling it. Larry Ellison canceled a plan to sell up to $7.5 billion of his Oracle shares on Sept. 12, a day after the plan became public, according to Bloomberg. Oracle said no shares were sold and that Ellison has no other plans to sell.

Wedbush raised its Oracle price target to $275 in May, among the highest on the Street at the time.

Morgan Stanley kept its rating at equal-weight after Thursday’s print, citing unresolved questions on margin and capex timing.

The real test is whether backlog can outrun the bill

Oracle is not alone in this trade. Nebius Group N.V. (NBIS) and other AI infrastructure companies face the same math: revenue must grow fast enough to justify capacity built years ahead of guaranteed demand.

The question is not whether Oracle’s backlog is real. Bank of America and most of Wall Street agree that it is.

The question is whether Oracle can turn that backlog into cash before credit markets, a wobbling customer, or its own capex bill force the issue first.

Oracle’s next earnings report lands Dec. 14. That is when investors will find out whether second-quarter cloud growth holds near management’s 68% guidance, or slips toward the more cautious 63% the Street has modeled.

Related: BofA stays bullish on a cloud titan that is down 25%

To get the trillion dollars Tesla shareholders approved as part of his most recent pay package, Elon Musk must deliver on a bunch of benchmarks for the company.

One of those benchmarks is delivering 1 million Optimus humanoid robots by 2035, and Musk is willing to spend to get there.

At the start of the year, Tesla revealed that it was raising its capital expenditure guidance for the year to $25 billion, with a significant portion of that going toward converting some of the company’s carmaking capacity into robot production.

Musk has been extremely optimistic about Optimus, calling it perhaps “the most important product” in Tesla’s history, according to Futubull, but his plan hinges on the assumption that there is a mass market for a $30,000 humanoid appliance.

Musk may end up proven right in the long run, but there will be plenty of competition, not just from other humanoid robot manufacturers, but also from manufacturers who have a different take on robotic household help.

Japanese startup building homes with robotic arms

Once they are perfected, humanoid robots are expected to be able to mow your grass, wash your dishes, clean your home and do any number of other household tasks.

But Tokyo-based startup MW has a different take on robotic help in the future. Instead of a human-shaped stand-in, what if your home had a robotic helper already built in?

MW was one of the companies that helped pioneer bipedal robots decades ago, but now it is focused on embedding robotics into buildings. With robotic arms folded into ceilings and walls, MW is betting their vision of a robotic future will be more popular than what Musk and dozens of other humanoid companies across the world are building.

MW Living Homes feature two robotic arms with claw-like hands that can fold laundry, carry groceries and make your bed for you while you get on with your life.

In the commercial the company dropped on Youtube this week, the homeowner returns home, takes off his shoes, and a robotic arm puts them away for him. Robotic arms set the table for his dinner party while he plates the food. When the party is over, the homeowner is in the bath while the arms clear the table. When he goes to sleep, the arms clean the bathroom.

The commercial doesn’t show where the arms emanate from, but the idea is that they are in multiple parts of the house, hidden in the walls and ceilings.

MW robots move on tracks and are stowed away in ceilings and walls. Bloomberg / Getty Images

MW Living Homes are coming soon

MW is looking to sell its first robot-equipped home in Tokyo by 2028, according to a report by the Japan Times. By 2035, CEO Shuzo Narita believes the company will be selling 10,000 a year, the equivalent of 5% of new homes being built in Japan now.

According to the Japan Times, semi-humanoid bots make more sense in compact Japanese homes than fully humanoid robots.

But safety was also a consideration in moving away from bipedal bots. MW’s robots need to move along tracks, making them easier to contain and control should they malfunction.

Related: Tesla’s Optimus robot plan hits major snag

MW (pronounced “Mu”) raised about $20 million in a seed round earlier this year and is planning to raise more than three times that amount in a Series A round in the next two years to cover the cost of artificial intelligence and hardware upgrades.

Earlier this year, MW sold a three-story house in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward and has built four other properties now selling in the Yokohama and Fukuoka neighborhoods. Their selling price is expected to range between $1.3 million and more than $2.5 million.

The majority of MW’s revenue currently comes from real estate, and the homes it is building now can be retrofitted with the robotic hardware.

Once those homes are retrofitted with the robotics, MW is expected to charge a service fee of about $65 per month.

MW was inspired by “Iron Man”

MW says the idea for the startup was inspired by the home of Tony Stark, also known as Marvel’s “Iron Man.”

Stark’s mansion features an artificial intelligence program named J.A.R.V.I.S. that Tony can communicate with. The program can also interact with the physical world through a network of mobile robotic arms situated throughout his laboratory.

Narita told the Japan Times that the company aspires to create something akin to J.A.R.V.I.S., describing his company as a “physical AI startup.”

Related: Trump FCC gives Tesla a leg up in critical technology race

As American workers saving and investing for retirement are confronted with options about the best financial tools to use, bestselling author Dave Ramsey has a warning about 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

“Since you fund a 401(k) with pretax dollars, you won’t pay taxes now — but you will pay taxes on that money in retirement,” Ramsey wrote. “This could lead to a pretty hefty tax bill depending on what tax bracket you’re in when you retire.”

Ramsey also cautions people about limits on saving for retirement with Roth IRAs.

“You can only invest up to $7,500 in a Roth IRA in 2026 (or $8,600 if you’re age 50 or older),” he wrote. “When you compare that with the 401(k) contribution limit ($24,500 for 2026), you might be thinking, ‘That’s it?’ Yep.”

“That’s why 401(k)s and Roth IRAs work better together.”

IRS explains Roth IRA rules

Before going over Ramsey’s comments about how to work with 401(k)s and Roth IRAs simultaneously, let’s take a look at what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has to say about Roth IRA rules.

A Roth IRA is subject to the standard rules and regulations of a traditional IRA, with a few exceptions.

“You cannot deduct contributions to a Roth IRA,” wrote the IRS. “If you satisfy the requirements, qualified distributions are tax-free.”

“You can make contributions to your Roth IRA after you reach age 70 ½, ” the IRS continued.

“You can leave amounts in your Roth IRA as long as you live. The account or annuity must be designated as a Roth IRA when it is set up. The same combined contribution limit applies to all of your Roth and traditional IRAs.”

Now, let’s get back to Ramsey’s recommendation on using both Roth IRAs and 401(k)s.

Dave Ramsey emphasizes importance of both 401(K)s, IRAs

Ramsey recommends that workers saving for retirement should consider using both 401(k)s and Roth IRAs.

“Okay, so here’s the moment of truth,” Ramsey wrote. “Should you put your money in a 401(k) or a Roth IRA? As long as you’re debt-free (everything except the mortgage) with a fully funded emergency fund in place, the answer is . . . yes!”

“If you’re eligible for a 401(k) and a Roth IRA, the best-case scenario is to invest in both (and if you can max them both out — go for it),” he added. “That way, you’re taking advantage of your employer match and getting the tax benefits of a Roth IRA.”

More on personal finance:

Charles Schwab, Fidelity alert workers to forced 401(k) rule

Dave Ramsey warns Americans on 401(k)s, IRAs (he’s not wrong)

Congress research arm warns Americans on 401(k), IRA penalty

After capturing the full 401(k) match, an individual should direct further retirement funds into a Roth IRA rather than a traditional IRA to leverage its tax-free growth.

“You won’t have to pay taxes when you withdraw money from a Roth IRA, and that can pay off big-time in the long run,” Ramsey clarified.

Bestselling personal finance author Dave Ramsey shares a warning about tax implications of retirement savings accounts such as Roth IRAs and 401(k) plans.Shutterstock

Vanguard explains Roth IRAs vs. traditional IRAs

Major investment company Vanguard urges people to make the most of their savings by understanding differences between Roth IRAs and tradional IRAs.

“Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, while traditional IRAs provide tax-deferred growth and potential up-front tax deductions,” Vanguard wrote. “Eligibility to contribute to Roth IRAs is based on income, while anyone with earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA.”

“Contribution limits apply to both types of IRAs, but Roth IRA limits may be reduced or eliminated at higher incomes,” Vanguard continued. “Withdrawal rules and required minimum distributions (RMDs) differ between Roth and traditional IRAs, affecting your retirement strategy.”

“Choosing between a Roth or traditional IRA depends on your current income, expected future tax bracket, and retirement goals.”

Related: Dave Ramsey has blunt warning on Social Security, 401(k)s

Uber shareholders watched about 4% of their position vanish on September 8 over the debut of a competitor’s product that most of them will never ride in. The selloff had nothing to do with Uber’s performance.

Five weeks earlier, Uber posted second-quarter revenue of $14.19 billion, net income of $2.39 billion, and free cash flow of $2.79 billion.

Tesla’s Cybercab, a two-seat robotaxi, began carrying paying passengers in a geofenced section of Austin.

Tesla stock climbed roughly 4% to close at $368.16 in the same September 8 session, while the Invesco QQQ Trust finished flat, confirming the decline was stock-specific, 24/7 Wall St. reported.

The Cybercab behind the selloff drew a federal safety audit and analyst complaints about routing failures on its September 3 launch day, five days before the Uber selloff.

Uber’s $58 billion quarter got overshadowed by a fleet that fits in a parking lot

Uber’s Q2 gross bookings grew 24% year over year to $58 billion, powered by 3.9 billion trips across 208 million monthly active consumers. Non-GAAP operating income jumped 40% to $2.1 billion, Uber disclosed in its earnings release.

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow crossed $10 billion for the first time in the company’s history. Uber’s core mobility service accounted for $7.36 billion of second-quarter sales, while delivery revenue reached $5.25 billion, CNBC reported.

More on Uber:

Bank of America resets Uber stock price after earnings

Uber just hit an impressive 50M milestone

Waymo and Uber make critical robotaxi move in major U.S. market

“We’ve added more first-time users over the past twelve months than in any period over the past five years,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in the earnings release.

Uber trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 16, with a market capitalization near $145.8 billion. Jim Cramer pointed to that multiple as a buying opportunity, calling Uber ‘one great long-term stock‘ during the August 17 Lightning Round, CNBC reported.

Tesla’s Cybercab drew a federal audit and Wall Street criticism on launch day

Hours after the Cybercab began charging fares in Austin on September 3, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened Audit Query AQ26002, covering about 1,000 vehicles.

NHTSA wants to know how Tesla self-certified a vehicle built without a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors under federal crash standards designed for conventional cars.

Tesla has not filed for a Part 555 exemption, the alternative federal pathway Amazon’s Zoox pursued after a similar review that lasted four years.

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said the agency backs autonomous development but needs to verify that Tesla followed the certification process.

NHTSA fully supports the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles. But as the federal regulator, we need to ensure that all of our laws are followed

According to CNBC, Wells Fargo analysts, in a research note titled “TSLA Cybercab Launch Event Underwhelms,” flagged that Tesla’s Austin robotaxi service is “facing early execution issues.” Riders separately posted videos and complaints about the issues, CNBC reported.

As of launch, only 45 Cybercabs were registered for commercial use in Texas, all within a limited area of Austin, state records showed.

Tesla’s Cybercab launch faced federal scrutiny, limited Austin registrations, and Wall Street criticism as questions mounted over certification and early service issues.picture alliance / Getty Images

Uber’s autonomous vehicle strategy runs wider than one competitor’s pilot

Khosrowshahi said during the second-quarter earnings call that Uber has committed more than $10 billion over multiple years to bring autonomous vehicles to market at scale, the earnings release showed.

The company plans to deploy autonomous vehicles in 15 cities by the end of 2026, drawing on more than a dozen AV partnerships including Waymo, Baidu (Apollo Go in Dubai and Abu Dhabi), and Rivian (San Francisco and Miami launches slated for 2028).

Khosrowshahi has consistently framed autonomous vehicles as a “net positive” for Uber’s platform, describing the approach as investing “from a position of strength” in the earnings release.

Autonomous trips currently make up less than 0.5% of Uber’s roughly 300 million weekly rides, Khosrowshahi said on the Q2 earnings call, according to CNBC. Tesla’s Austin fleet would need to grow by orders of magnitude before displacing any of that volume.

Uber’s position is built on being the platform autonomous vehicles operate through. That structure turns each new robotaxi entrant into a potential distribution partner.

Goldman Sachs frames the test Uber investors should watch

Goldman Sachs maintained a Neutral rating on Tesla with a $360 twelve-month price target following the Cybercab launch, below the stock’s $376.37 closing price on September 3.

The firm identified autonomous execution as the variable that determines whether Tesla earns its valuation premium, the research note indicated.

The competitive threat Uber investors priced in on September 8 remains unproven, Goldman’s analysis suggests. Tesla’s Cybercab has not yet cleared the regulatory, operational, or geographic tests that separate a pilot from a competitive platform.

The metrics that will separate Cybercab hype from competitive reality

Uber’s third-quarter earnings, expected in November, will be the first report covering the period after the Cybercab’s Austin launch.

Any measurable loss of ride volume or booking share to Tesla’s fleet would appear in those numbers first, Uber’s investor disclosures indicate.

On the Tesla side, Goldman Sachs’ research identified three execution milestones: resolution of NHTSA’s open Cybercab audit, expansion of autonomous operations beyond a single city, and fleet scaling that proves the vehicle can serve paying riders reliably across multiple markets.

Related: Uber makes an unexpected call on robotaxis

An AI assistant that orders your groceries and renews subscriptions on its own might hit the market soon.

Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) want to make sure that payment still runs through their networks when that happens.

This week, the two card giants said they are working with global fintech Ant International to build a shared way to identify and trust AI shopping agents.

For anyone holding the two stocks or considering them, this plan gives a hint on how both companies could grow in the future.

It also raises a fair question. If software does your spending, who makes sure it spends wisely?

What Visa and Mastercard actually agreed to build with Ant

On September 10, Visa, Mastercard, and Ant International said they would develop a shared Know Your Agent (KYA) framework, according to a joint press release.

A KYA framework is a system that checks whether an AI agent is trusted and authorized before it checks out.

Each firm already has its own version. 

Visa runs Trusted Agent Protocol, Mastercard uses Verifiable Intent, and Ant built Agentic Mobile Protocol. 

The aim of the collaboration is to let an agent cleared on one network get recognized across the others.

More AI Stocks:

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Mizuho resets Intel stock price target

Goldman Sachs lifts Dell stock price target

The companies cited McKinsey research that AI agents could handle $3 trillion to $5 trillion of global consumer commerce by 2030, CNBC reported.

Ant’s chief innovation officer, Jiang-Ming Yang, said interoperable trust between card and wallet networks is “critical” for agentic commerce.

Each network keeps its own approval process, and the companies set no timeline and named no merchant pilots.

Visa and Mastercard are building shared rules so AI agents can check out on a shopper’s behalf.jbk_photography / Getty Images

How Visa and Mastercard make money from your spending

Visa and Mastercard run the networks that connect your bank, merchant, and payment. They earn a small fee on the volume that flows through each transaction.

It’s a model that scales with spending.

Right now, your available time limits how much you spend. You can only browse and compare items during your free time each day.

Agents remove that limit. 

When software tracks your needs and buys within the rules you set, the number of transactions could increase.

Why the deal fits Visa and Mastercard’s security push

Both networks have spent years building fraud protection and identity verification tools. 

For Visa, that segment now drives much of its growth. 

This new collaboration between the companies fits into that direction.

Visa agreed in August to buy fraud-detection firm BioCatch for $2.4 billion, which was a move CNBC tied to a rise in AI-powered scams.

Related: Anthropic-powered AI model sends shocking message to employee

Mastercard’s value-added services revenue grew 20% year over year in the second quarter, or 18% on a currency-neutral basis, according to its SEC filing.  

Visa’s services have also grown fast, and agent verification could add to both.

What Ant adds outside the West

Across much of Asia, digital wallets are more popular, and Ant’s Alipay+ network links dozens of them.

A shared KYA framework with Ant gives Visa and Mastercard access to markets where physical cards are less popular. 

Where Visa and Mastercard stock stand, and what to watch

The news has not lifted the shares. 

Visa traded near $367 on September 10, down about 3.3% over five days, while Mastercard sat near $566, down about 4.3%.

Agents could bypass cards with stablecoins, which is an area Visa and Mastercard also pursue.

What Visa and Mastercard investors should watch

Adoption: updates on Mastercard’s Agent Pay and Visa’s Intelligent Commerce pilot programs.

Earnings: agent-linked volume in upcoming quarterly reports.

Rules: whether the KYA framework stays open or favors the companies already running the biggest payment networks.

Both companies remain highly profitable networks with wide reach. 

For now, the framework sets a direction, and the product still has to be built. 

However, the news gives investors an early read on whether Visa and Mastercard can turn AI spending into their next phase of growth.

Related: Apple’s $54 billion iPhone machine may be about to break its biggest ritual

When we moved to our former house in the Tradition neighborhood of Port St. Lucie, Fla., we had two Starbucks, two Dunkin’s, and two local coffeehouses within a few miles of our house. A few years later, when we moved away, we still had two Starbucks, but the local, independent chains had both closed.

In their place, we added 7 Brew, Cali Coffee, Carmela (a regional chain), Vicky Bakery (a popular Cuban cafe chain), another Dunkin’, and a new independent coffee place.

It’s a staggering amount of competition in a fast-growing section of the city that’s only a few square miles. All of those added competitors come at a time when the overall market has been growing, but seems to have hit a wall.

“The Coffee and Snack Shops industry has experienced a wave of growth, emerging as a standout performer in the food service sector. It boasts an annualized growth rate of 2.5%, shooting revenues up to $75.5 billion over the five years to 2026,” according to IBISWorld’s Coffee & Snack Shops in the US Industry Data and Analysis.

Nationally, Americans also have more places to get their daily cup.

“The number of chain coffee stores in the U.S. jumped 19% to more than 34,500 over the last six years, according to Technomic, a consulting firm that researches the foodservice industry,” the Associated Press reported.

Current market conditions, however, seem to have worsened as American consumers have tightened their spending.

“This includes an expected 0.2% decline in 2026 alone as the Middle East conflicts have driven up crude oil prices, deterring customers from frequenting coffee and snack shops. As a result, profit is expected to fall as soaring operational costs eat up profitability,” IBISWorld showed.

It’s a situation that has led to Starbucks and Peet’s both closing underperforming locations, while a number of smaller chains and independent operators have shrunk or even closed down. Now, one high-end player in the space, Chenin LLC, which operates a Washington-area L’Experience Paris cafe, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Chenin LLC files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Chenin LLC, the parent company of Bellevue bakery L’Experience Paris, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Aug. 31 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington.

The cafe/restaurant remains open, and its owners plan to use the filing to reorganize the company’s finances while remaining open.

L’Experience Paris uses a cafe/restaurant model that’s different from a traditional coffeehouse.

More Bankruptcy:

Outdoors retailer closing 91 stores in Chapter 11 bankruptcy

97-year-old aerospace manufacturer files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

60-year-old dining chain franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

“An experience, not merely a meal. In Paris, one does not queue for breakfast — one sits, and the café comes to you. Since 2018, we have kept that ritual on the Eastside: flour milled in France, butter churned in Normandy, and a table that is yours for as long as you care to linger. And when the day won’t wait, our counter sends you off with a baguette or box of pastries — Paris, à emporter,” the company explained on its website.

Although the overall company operates four locations in Washington state, the Chapter 11 filing only covers one Bellevue location.

Owner Julien Hervet told Puget Sound Business Journal that “Chenin was historically kept separate from the corporate structure governing the company’s other locations and that the bankruptcy filing is intended to bring the Bellevue entity in line with the broader organization.”

Cafes are fighting the fact that people can make coffee at home for less money.Shutterstock

Coffee shops are feeling the pinch

While the number of coffeehouses has grown nationwide, consumers have been pulling back on discretionary spending, and the price of coffee beans has gone up.

“The arabica coffee contract run by ICE Futures U.S., which acts as a global benchmark for pricing coffee, hit a six-month high in July above $3.5 per lb. It has stayed close to that level despite market expectations of a substantial ​surplus in the 2026/27 season,” Reuters reported.

Other costs are rising as well, Black Rock Coffee noted in its annual report, and these can’t always be passed on to customers.

“We may not choose to increase prices in order to pass future increased labor or commodity costs on to guests, in which case our margins would be negatively affected. If we do not increase prices to cover increased labor or commodity costs, or if such increase is delayed, the higher prices could result in lower sales, which may also reduce margins,” the company shared.

Coffeehouses have also seen changes in customer behavior.

“Consumers visited burger and coffee chains less often and purchased fewer items per visit. Yet, spending per unit increased year over year, as restaurants have continued to increase prices in part to offset rising costs from commodity pressures and tariffs,” according to McKinsey’s What US Consumers Want from Restaurants in 2026.

RTM Nexis CEO Dominick Miserandino thinks the coffeehouse space has become so crowded that some players will inevitably fail.

“Coffee has become one of the most competitive parts of foodservice because the same customer may buy it five days a week, and every operator wants a piece of that habit. The problem is that good locations are expensive, labor is expensive and consumers usually have several alternatives within a few blocks,” he told TheStreet.

The major challenge facing coffeehouse chains isn’t getting customers to try a new brand.

“A new brand can draw a crowd when it opens. The real test is whether customers walk past three other coffee shops to come back,” he added.

Chenin LLC, L’Experience Paris Chapter 11 bankruptcty facts

Debtor: Chenin LLC

Case No.: 2:26-bk-12825-CMA

Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington

Judge: Christopher M. Alston

Filing Date: Aug. 31, 2026

Industry: Restaurants and Other Eating Places

Estimated Assets: $100,001 to $1 million

Estimated Liabilities: $100,001 to $1 million

Creditors: 1–49

Counsel: Andrew R. Escobar, Seyfarth Shaw LLPSources: PacerMonitor, BKAlerts, BankruptcyObserver

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