The Street

Wall Street spent most of July bracing for a rough quarter for SLB N.V. (SLB), formerly known as Schlumberger Limited. Fighting in the Middle East had shut in wells, and oil prices were sliding amid U.S.-Iran peace talks. This caused six brokers to trim their price targets going into the report.Then the world’s largest oilfield services company reported, and its stock jumped about 11% on Friday, July 24.SLB’s earnings beat expectations, and that’s what moved the stock. The company posted adjusted earnings of 55 cents a share. That’s four cents ahead of the 51-cent consensus.But the line investors kept circling back to was something Chief Executive Olivier Le Peuch said on the call.SLB’s CEO says the market is starting to behave like an upcycleAccording to Investing.com, Le Peuch told analysts that “The market is starting to exhibit the characteristics of an upcycle.”That is a loaded phrase in oil services. An upcycle means customers are moving from cautious, short-term spending to committing capital for multi-year projects.The kind of projects that keep a company like SLB busy for years rather than quarters.Related: Drivers face an unpleasant surprise at the gas pumpLe Peuch backed the claim with a forecast that matters more than any single quarter. He said final investment decisions on long-cycle projects, the formal green light operators give before spending billions, are set to rise about 30% year over year in 2026.For SLB, more sanctioned projects mean more contracts for drilling, subsea equipment and production services down the line.

SLB says deepwater and exploration work is leading a new phase of upstream spending.AdrianHancu / Getty Images

Why energy security, not the oil price, is driving the shiftThe interesting part is what Le Peuch says is fueling the turn. It is not a spike in crude.He pointed to energy security. The regional conflict has pushed operators to spread their investment across more countries rather than concentrate it, Bloomberg reported.Le Peuch framed the same idea to Fortune, tying the pivot to a world that now prizes reliable supply over cheap globalized supply.That distinction is why SLB shares climbed even as oil softened. The company is telling investors its growth now rests on where the world wants its barrels produced, and that map is being redrawn in favor of deepwater, exploration and domestic capacity.How SLB delivered growth while the Middle East fellThe quarter showed the strategy working in real time.Total revenue reached $8.97 billion, up 3% from the prior quarter, according to SLB’s earnings release. Middle East revenue dropped 13% as conflict disrupted operations.Growth everywhere else more than covered the gap:Latin America rose 12%, led by offshore drilling and subsea work in Brazil, Guyana and MexicoEurope and Africa climbed 6% on stronger activity in Scandinavia and NigeriaNorth America gained 4%, helped by a rebound in U.S. shaleAsiagrew double digits across China, Indonesia and IndiaOne caution for readers reading the top line. That 5% year-over-year revenue gain leans heavily on the ChampionX business SLB bought in 2025. Strip out the acquisition and revenue actually fell 5% from a year earlier. The underlying business is turning, but it has not yet fully recovered.Data centers are becoming a real second engineThe fastest-growing corner of SLB has almost nothing to do with oil.Its Data Center Solutions unit, which builds modular infrastructure for AI facilities, grew 33% from the prior quarter. Revenue in the first half was up 63% from a year earlier.Le Peuch said the business should exceed a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate by the end of 2026 and top $2 billion as the company exits 2027.More Energy and Oil Coverage:Goldman Sachs doubles down on oil price forecast for 2026The oil spike everyone feared never showed upMorgan Stanley strongly resets GE Vernova stock targetSLB also confirmed it was selected as a delivery partner for a new 1-gigawatt Meta data center in Alberta, Canada.For investors, this is the part of the call that does not depend on drilling budgets or Middle East peace talks. It gives SLB a growth story tied to AI spending, a different and faster-moving market.What still has to happen before the upcycle pays offA CEO calling the bottom is not the same as a recovery arriving. Several things still need to fall into place.The Middle East has to stabilize. SLB said the timing of a full recovery there remains uncertain and depends on a durable resolution of the conflict.Those long-cycle projects have to convert to orders. A 30% rise in final investment decisions only helps SLB if the contracts follow.Oil has to hold up. Operators cut spending fast when crude falls, and SLB revenue moves with those budgets.SLB gave itself some near-term cover. It guided for third-quarter revenue to grow 3% to 4% sequentially and fourth-quarter revenue above $10 billion, Benzinga noted.However, that is assuming the Middle East keeps recovering.Where SLB stock stands for investors nowEven after Friday’s jump, SLB trades below where analysts think it belongs.The stock closed around $52 after the report. The average analyst price target sits at $61.82, with a consensus Buy rating across 18 analysts.The company is also returning cash while it waits for the cycle to turn.SLB generated $716 million in free cash flow during the quarter, repurchased $648 million in shares, and its board approved a quarterly dividend of 29.5 cents a share.The bottom line for readers is straightforward.SLB’s CEO is telling investors the industry is entering a multi-year expansion built on energy security and offshore drilling, with an AI data-center business layered on top.The quarter behind that message was still weaker than a year ago once you remove the acquisition, so the bull case rests on the forecast holding rather than on results already in the bank.For anyone watching the stock, the next two quarters of Middle East recovery and project orders will show whether Le Peuch called the turn early or called it wrong.Related: U.S. blocks Strait of Hormuz: Here’s what’s next for oil prices

Starbucks has found the perfect mix of digital and human ordering. You can use the company’s app to place your complicated order and know it will be made exactly the way you want. And people who don’t want to use the app can stand in line or go through the drive-through to order from an actual human.It’s a simple formula that makes technology an option, but doesn’t force it down people’s throats. McDonald’s has embraced technology, but at the expense of people. In many stores, it has replaced the human ordering option with kiosks. To make matters worse, those kiosks aren’t in any way intuitive, and they’re frustrating to use at best. It’s the opposite of customer service, and a visit to McDonald’s has become, at least for some customers, as frustrating as getting stuck in an artificial intelligence (AI) loop with your cable company. McDonald’s has made digital ordering its priorityWhile some McDonald’s still have manned cashiers, that’s no longer the common experience. Instead, you walk in and can either go to the register and hope someone shows up, order via the kiosk, or order through the app.As someone who only eats at McDonald’s when friends want to stop there, I’m not going to download the app. I have used it, and it’s an easier experience than the kiosk, but it’s not practical to keep apps on your phone you rarely use, as the memory situation on my phone would force me to re-download it on every visit.Having used the kiosk multiple times, I’d call the experience non-intuitive. I’m fairly tech-savvy and struggled to substitute the drink on a combo meal.In addition, on our last two visits, the payment system did not work. Instead, the app said to take the receipt and pay at the counter. That was a fail on multiple levels, since no receipt was printed and there was no person working at the counter.We eventually shouted down a person, paid, and then waited more than 20 minutes for our order.As we waited, we watched multiple people struggle with the kiosk, saw a few simply wait until a person came to the counter, and saw two give up and leave. The bathroom was locked, and when we finally got the code, it was not clean, there were no paper towels, and the hand dryer was broken.It was a customer service fail on so many levels, but it was made worse because this was clearly the process McDonald’s chose. Yes, some franchise operators pay for more front-facing help, but the kiosks were designed to reduce the need for front-counter staff, and they have done so in the most frustrating way possible.McDonald’s has lost its wayMcDonald’s was literally built around the idea of fast, friendly service. The chain arguably pioneered the modern fast-food experience, but has diminished its people-first approach for a digital one that does not match the needs of its customer base.That’s a material risk for the brand.More Restaurants:74-year-old fast food giant closes 207 U.S. restaurantsIconic burger chain closes 89-year-old restaurant for good86-year-old nationwide ice cream chain closes 46 stores”More than two-thirds of consumers say they have abandoned a digital task because the process was too annoying, according to a survey of 1,000 consumers by digital experience platform provider Liferay.Making it harder to order from a human has consequences.”Nearly 90% report reduced loyalty when human support is removed,” according to the 2026 CX Trends Report.

McDonald’s has made value its biggest priority. Shutterstock

McDonald’s has other prioritiesStarbucks CEO Brian Niccol has made customer service a renewed priority as part of his “Back to Starbucks” turnaround plan.”We have been enhancing the in-store experience with the return of the condiment bar, writing on cups, more ceramic mugs and a revised code of conduct,” he shared. Meanwhile, McDonald’s CEO Christopher Kempczinski laid out his priorities during the company’s first-quarter earnings call and never mentioned customer service or the in-store experience.”In a challenging environment, our system stayed focused on what we can control, delivering on the things that matter most to our customers, compelling value that brings customers in the door, breakthrough marketing that gives people a reason to choose McDonald’s and great-tasting menu innovation that keeps us relevant and gives customers more of what they want,” he shared during the chain’s first-quarter earnings call.He literally defined those as how the company defines success.”That’s what going three-for-three looks like at McDonald’s,” he added. Kempczinski made it clear that he sees value as the ultimate driver for experience, and while he did not say it, adding staff raises costs, which lowers the ability to offer more value.People want checkout and ordering options At Starbucks, which I visit multiple times a week, I order using the app, but enjoy having a human interaction in the store or drive-through. I’m greeted by Jordan, who’s often manning the microphone, have a short conversation, and feel good about my order.It’s the right mix for me, while other people prefer ordering digitally and picking up without any human interaction, and some want the full in-store, in-person ordering experience.Data from Canopy, a provider of remote monitoring and management (RMM) software for connected products, shows that consumers want more than just kiosks. Fast-Food Friction: The 2025 Restaurant Tech Report is based on a national survey of Americans who eat at quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and highlights how technology influences customers’ experiences and brand loyalty.Key findings include:Self-service kiosks often cause problems: 60% of customers reported using kiosks occasionally or often, and 80% say they’ve run into issues. The most aggravating problems include frozen screens, broken printers, and card readers that don’t work.Payments rarely work as expected: More than 75% reported having trouble paying across tap-to-pay, chip readers, and mobile wallets. Aris Gysel, a McDonald’s franchise owner, admitted to HiTec.org that restaurants have experienced learning curve issues.“The change in customer experience has been dramatic for our guests. It was also challenging for them to learn how to use new tools and understand the benefits of digitalization. Especially in the beginning, there was notable concern that we would replace our workers with machines. Quite a few guests refused to use our self-ordering kiosks,” they shared.McDonald’s has fallen into the seductive trap of using technology to lower costs. The way it has done that, however, has led to a terrible customer experience. It’s an attitude that comes with real risk.”Seventy-nine percent of respondents would switch to a competitor after a single negative customer experience,” according to The State of Customer Experience 2026 report, based on a survey of 5,000 consumers in the U.S. and created by Verint.That’s the risk McDonald’s faces. Yes, it offers value, but for me, that’s not enough, and the chain’s choices could lead to its customers opting to take their money elsewhere.Related: Costco rival lets drivers freeze the price of gas for 4 days

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 dealYour comforter might be the thing that keeps you feeling nice, cozy, and warm all night long, but your sheets also have an important job. Not only do they provide additional warmth and comfort, but they keep your bedding cleaner by providing a barrier between you and your mattress pad, catching oils, sweat, and moisture and keeping them from ruining the rest of your bedding over time. Multi-piece sets like the Serene Sleep Sheet Set can be costly, especially when they have a high thread count or are made of luxurious fibers, but thankfully, you can reap the benefits of a quality set without spending hundreds thanks to Macy’s latest sale. The department store is selling the four-piece Serene Sleep Sheet Set for 74% off as a Last Act final sale — meaning once you make the purchase, there are no returns allowed. The super-soft sheets originally cost $160, but this final sale means you can save $119 and get the 1,000-thread-count set for only $41. Serene Sleep Sheet Set, $41 (was $160) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

Shop at Macy’sWhy do shoppers love it?Thread count is important when it comes to sheets, but what does it actually mean? Thread count refers to the total number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into one square inch of fabric. The higher the number, the tighter and denser the weave. Although a higher number doesn’t necessarily guarantee softer or higher quality sheets, it can be important when choosing the right ones for you. For something like this set, where you have a 1,000 thread count, you will have a heavier and denser sheet, which can feel softer and more luxurious but actually be a downside if you run hot when you sleep. This set is made with a Sateen weave, which gives the fabric a luminous sheen with a silky-smooth texture. The higher thread count can trap body heat and is less breathable, which is great for staying warm but less than ideal if you’re a sweaty sleeper. This set is made from a polyester and cotton blend, which means it’s smooth but heavy, tough against daily wear and tear, and resists wrinkles quite well.Related: Target has a waffle-textured 3-piece bedding set for $70, and it’s perfect for all seasonsAvailable in full, queen, and king bed sizes, each sheet set comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. The fitted sheet has an 18-inch deep pocket with elastic all the way around to make it easier to make the bed. It comes in two colors, Lilac and Blue, and can be washed in the washing machine. Details to knowMaterial: Polyester and cotton blend. Includes: The set includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. Colors: Two.Sizes: Full, queen, and king.  Care: Machine wash.Shoppers think the sheets are incredibly well made. They are very durable, with no shrinkage at all even after multiple washes, and they have a super soft feel. “Very smooth feeling with an elegant look,” one shopper said. “All I needed to have a good night’s sleep,” another shopper wrote. Shop more deals Charter Club 550-Thread-Count Printed Sheet Set, $48 (was $160) at Macy’sMacy’s Dobby Stripe 200-Thread-Count Sheet Set, $39 (was $130) at Macy’sAQ Textiles Bergen House 1000-Thread-Count Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set, $102 (was $340) at Macy’sYou don’t have to fork out a fortune to enjoy some of the finer things in life, and a great pair of sheets like the Serene Sleep Sheet Set can have you feeling like a million bucks after a night of amazing sleep. For just $41, you better believe it’ll be hard only buying one set. 

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Staying connected through technology is no longer just a luxury. It has become a necessity. We all enjoy listening to music, watching movies and TV, and connecting via social media. However, portable tech is no longer just about your favorite pastimes. It’s now linked to just about everything we do, from how we shop to our most important business meetings. If you don’t have a single device, like a smartwatch, that you can take everywhere you go and stay connected to the world around you, then you’re behind the rest of the planet. Of all the grab-and-go gadgets you could shop for, a good smartwatch is probably the most efficient and helpful overall.That said, while a standard smartwatch has most of the bells and whistles the chronically online would want, there are also a few special features that you’ll have to search for if you desire them. One of those special add-ons that most people aren’t aware of is a set of built-in earbuds. While lots of smartwatches include things like scratch-resistant glass or built-in LED flashlights, earbuds are much rarer. However, if this sounds like an interesting special feature that you’d like with your smartwatch, then you should keep reading. We found one that we think you’ll love, and we’d love to sound off on it.What is a smartwatch?Before digging too deeply into this specific model, it’s important we clarify what exactly constitutes a modern smartwatch. There are a few standard features that most people would consider inherent to every smartwatch, and if your watch doesn’t include these, it probably doesn’t fit the definition. The first of these is Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi connectivity. The most basic definable characteristic of a smartwatch is that it needs to either be connected directly to the internet, or to another device (like a smartphone) that has its own internet connection. If your watch isn’t connected to the information superhighway, then it’s not a smartwatch.Secondly, smartwatches should be able to access applications and information on your other devices. This means that you should be able to sync your calendar, music, and other apps between your smartphone or tablet and your smartwatch. That’s because one of the functions of any smartwatch is to optimize your other tech and make it more accessible. This also allows you to stay on task and on schedule throughout the day without having to constantly pull out your larger devices.Finally, a smartwatch should allow you to communicate with those around you easily. Every true smartwatch is able to make and receive phone calls as well as text messages, so long as it’s connected to your phone or tablet. What’s more, many smartwatches even have their own connection separate from any other line. That means you can make and receive calls and texts even when your watch isn’t connected to anything else. These watches require you to pay for a separate line, but it’s well worth the cost for many. Uyrgt Smartwatch with Built-In Earbuds

Courtesy of Amazon

Check price at AmazonThe Uyrgt Smartwatch with Built-In Earbuds is a special watch. Not only does it have all the functionality you would expect from a high-end smartwatch, but it has a special feature that you won’t find on many other watches of any sort at this price point. On the side of the case are two wireless earbuds that can be removed and placed in your ears. Not only does this allow you to listen to music, podcasts, or YouTube videos, but the earbuds are ideal for making and receiving hands-free phone calls. There’s really nothing this smartwatch can’t do, which makes it the perfect buy for techies who want to expand their smartwatch collection without breaking the bank.More Smartwatches with earbudsIf the above option isn’t right for you, then Amazon has plenty of other smartwatches with earbuds that you can choose from. The retailer has built its reputation on offering variety to consumers, and this product category is no different. Whether you want a military-style tactical smartwatch or a more fitness-focused model, the following are sure to please you, and they all have built-in wireless earbuds to boot!Uyrgt Tactical Smartwatch with Built-In Earbuds

Courtesy of Amazon

Check price at AmazonUyrgt Round Smartwatch with Built-In Earbuds

Courtesy of Amazon

Check price at AmazonAtevix Smartwatch with Built-In Earbuds

Courtesy of Amazon

Check price at AmazonEffeokki Zinc Alloy Bezel Smartwatch with Earbuds

Courtesy of Amazon

Check price at AmazonTheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use. Read more about our Editorial Standards and How We Choose Our Shopping Deals.

Most executives routinely say things that are defensible or forgettable. Every once in a while, however, someone says something that requires an immediate response.So while rare, some interviews produce a moment where the journalist stops mid-conversation and challenges what the person just said. Elon Musk sat down with Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, at his Texas Gigafactory in late July 2026. The Economist interview was part of the magazine’s Insider series. One prediction from that conversation has been circulating ever since, because what Musk said about the future of money is either the most important economic forecast of the year or one of the most unusual things a major CEO has said in a long time.What Musk told The Economist about money, AI, and 2036″Money won’t matter in 2036,” Musk told Beddoes during the interview. He said robots and AI will produce more goods and services than any person could consume. At that point, in his view, currency stops being useful.”You want money for food, housing, transport, entertainment,” he said. “If that is so abundant, what do you need money for in that case?”More Elon Musk:Elon Musk’s startling claim to SpaceX investorsElon Musk says he was wrong about AnthropicElon Musk pulls no punches with AI rivals as Grok 4.5 debutsHe also said he expects deflation, not inflation. If machines keep increasing output while the money supply stays relatively steady, prices will fall, and a dollar will buy more over time. He sees that process going far enough to make the dollar itself matter less.Musk also raised the idea of governments issuing checks to citizens once goods are cheap enough. He previously described this as “universal high income” in conversations with entrepreneur Peter Diamandis. He said the transition would be “bumpy” and flagged income transfers as the next major policy fight, Bitcoin.com reported. Musk did not specify who would fund those transfers or how governments currently running deficits would manage that while also absorbing the job losses that arrive first.Where economists say Musk gets it wrong on scarcity and moneySeveral economists have pushed back on the core of Musk’s argument. Their point is that cheap manufactured goods don’t eliminate scarcity. Scarcity moves to different things, Forbes reported.A house with a view of the ocean, a slot at a top university, the time of someone in high demand: none of those get cheaper when robots build cars faster. People still need something to allocate access to them. Economists Tyler Cowen and Noah Smith have both made this point. The American Institute for Economic Research has, too. Their argument is that Musk’s post-scarcity vision only applies to manufactured physical goods. Status goods, desirable locations, and the attention of people everyone wants to know stay scarce. Money is still what rations access to all of them.Critics have also raised the question of who owns the robots. A small number of companies control the machines and the energy systems powering them. Even if those machines generate enormous output, the distribution of that output is a political decision, not an automatic one. Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta are spending hundreds of billions of dollars building the infrastructure Musk is describing. None of them plans to give the output away.

Musk raised the idea of governments issuing checks to citizens once goods are cheap enough.Josh/Getty Images

How The Economist’s editor pushed back on the predictionBeddoes challenged Musk on the political path between now and 2036. She pointed out that job losses from AI tend to arrive before any abundance does. Workers who lose their jobs to machines don’t sit around waiting for prices to fall. They put pressure on governments. And governments respond, typically by protecting the displaced rather than accelerating the disruption.She said the political backlash could include demands for nationalization of AI companies, higher taxes on tech profits, and regulatory interventions that slow the buildout Musk is describing, Storyboard18 reported. Musk acknowledged the transition would be bumpy. He said income transfers were likely the next big political battle. Then he moved on.What Musk’s prediction means for Tesla and SpaceX investorsTesla’s current stock price rests heavily on expectations for Optimus, the company’s humanoid robot. Investors expect to collect returns on that bet. Those returns would be paid in dollars. Musk said dollars won’t matter much in 2036.SpaceX went public at a $1.77 trillion valuation, also priced in dollars. The investors who bought shares at that price are betting on a company whose founder just predicted the currency of their payout will lose relevance right around when they’d expect to get paid.Musk also said during the interview that China has a strong chance of leading AI once it expands its computing capacity. He sees the geopolitical competition as unresolved, even as he treats the economic destination as settled. Certain outcome, uncertain winner: that is a specific kind of bet, and it has Musk’s own companies right at the center of it.Related: Mark Zuckerberg backs Elon Musk Silicon Valley decision

Rewind six years back to 2020, and Crumbl was riding a seemingly invincible viral wave. Thanks to TikTok users posting weekly reviews of the cookies and the eccentric story of founders Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley, who had no prior experience in either running a business or baking, all the ingredients were in place for a runaway success.By 2024, Crumbl was bringing in a billion dollars a year, and stores were opening by the hundreds. But by the end of 2025, unit volumes at Crumbl had declined 16%, according to Restaurant Business Online. Maybe most telling was the tone of online discourse about the brand, which shifted from starry-eyed devotion to people calling it “the diabetes empire.” Rumors swirled about a potential shutdown in late 2025, which Hemsley addressed in a TikTok, saying they were untrue and that Crumbl was moving to a new office to update its test kitchen. “We’re excited for what’s ahead, and we’re honestly just getting started,” he said.While Crumbl may have big plans, one thing is loud and clear: Public opinion of the brand has shifted. Criticism swirled around its dirty soda rollout in June, specifically targeting one drink called Crazy Cousins, which contains 186 grams of sugar — close to half a pound. “It should be against the law,” people said in the comments of a viral TikTok about the drink. “Crumbl is nasty,” another comment said. “1000 calories a cookie. Half raw most of the time.”Not to be deterred, Crumbl continues to plow forward with new releases, and now a new one is drawing criticism.Crumbl introduces another controversial itemIn a July 27 post on X (the former Twitter), food influencer Snackolator wrote about one of Crumbl’s newest cookies of the week, topped with frosting, Hot Cheetos, and a slice of lime.”Crumbl has a FLAMIN’ HOT CHEETOS cookie this week, and I just want to know who asked for this?!” he wrote. “It’s not horribly disgusting, but it’s really weird with the lime cookie and frosting matched with the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos flavors… I don’t even know what to make of it, but this is definitely meant to be fun and gimmicky rather than great.”In his Instagram post about the cookie, commenters did not react positively to Crumbl’s latest move. “Half of these look like an April Fool’s joke,” one wrote, while another said, “I expect they wanted to do something edgy for attention, but that is simply disgusting.”Along with the Flamin’ Lime Crunch, Crumbl introduced several other cookies for the week — a Berry Limeaid cookie topped with Nerds, and flavors including Wild Cherry Blue Razz Slushy, Snickers Peanut Butter, Honey Bun, White Drop featuring Hershey’s, and S’mores Thins.The everyday consumer is not the only voice that’s turned on Crumbl. Actress Zoe Deschanel posted a review on her TikTok in March 2026, calling them “a lot” and “too big.” After tasting them, Deschanel said, “I hate these cookies,” saying some tasted overbaked, and others tasted underbaked. The post attracted more than 10,000 comments, the vast majority in agreement with Deschanel.

Public opinion of the Crumbl brand has shifted.Bloomberg / Getty Images

Crumbl has lost the public’s favorThe change of consumer tone from the chain’s viral days is showing in its performance, too. Crumbl had 1,101 open stores at the end of 2025, but average unit volume dropped from $1.35 million in 2024 to $1.14 million in 2025. There’s also the May announcement that McGowan and Hemsley, along with Chief Technology Officer Bryce Redd, planned to step down from their day-to-day operating roles.”This is not a goodbye to Crumbl,” the statement said. “We will all remain closely involved as members of the Board of Directors and founders. I will continue as Chairman of the Board. We are still deeply invested in this company, in our franchise partners, and in where Crumbl goes from here.”On July 9, Crumbl announced it had promoted former vice president of engineering Jacob Moncur to Chief Technology Officer. Moncur has been with the company since 2018.While Crumbl continues to bang the drum about expansion, it’s facing a reckoning that must be addressed. While some fans of the brand still flock to the Reddit sub to talk about cookies they like (often classic flavors), the majority of the feedback is negative. Crumbl seems to be aiming for products that are so wild they get people talking, but that doesn’t always translate into a product people want to eat.The state of the economy also isn’t helping Crumbl’s case. In the last five years, popular restaurant chains have increased prices by as much as 42%, pricing out some consumers who can no longer afford it, a FinanceBuzz study revealed. With a cookie 4-pack priced at $16.49, Crumbl has gone from being a fun, viral “must-try” item to what some view as an overpriced indulgence. Add in that it’s getting bad buzz all over social media, and Crumbl is facing major challenges if it wants to continue growing its brand.Related: McDonald’s makes menu change to fix its breakfast problem

Just weeks ago, American Airlines was on track for one of its best years in a decade. Now, a sudden spike in jet fuel prices has wiped out much of that progress, and the airline’s top executive is being direct about what that means for the rest of 2026.During the company’s second-quarter earnings call on July 23, Isom and his leadership team laid out how fast the fuel picture has changed and why it’s forcing tough decisions on flights, spending, and growth plans.Fuel costs surge faster than expectedAmerican’s (AAL) fuel bill jumped by more than $2.2 billion in the second quarter, an 83% increase from a year earlier. Chief Financial Officer Devon May explained that the situation is still getting worse. Since the start of July, the airline’s fuel forecast has climbed even higher.”Since the beginning of July, expected third quarter fuel expense has increased by more than $700 million for the quarter and nearly $1.6 billion for the remainder of the year,” May stated.Based on current market pricing, American expects to pay about $3.75 per gallon for jet fuel in the third quarter. That would add another $1.7 billion in fuel costs compared to last year, just for that quarter.More Airlines:Airline shuts down, all flights grounded after accidentAnother global airline cuts US flights due to low demandAnother low-cost airline files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyTo put the full picture in perspective, Isom said the airline now expects almost $6 billion in extra fuel costs for all of 2026 compared to last year. That’s a staggering number, and it’s why American’s profit outlook has changed so dramatically in such a short time.”Even against an expected nearly $6 billion year-over-year fuel headwind, we anticipate full year adjusted earnings to be break-even at the midpoint of our guidance range,” Isom said.Just three weeks before the call, the company had been expecting to post nearly $1.5 billion in profit for the year. Now it’s guiding toward break-even results instead.American Airlines cuts flights to manage the damageAmid rising fuel costs, airlines can either raise ticket prices or fly fewer planes to limit losses. American Airlines is eyeing both options and expects flight cuts to be the bigger near-term lever. The airline already trimmed its third-quarter growth plans. Instead of flying more seats, American now expects capacity to grow only 3% to 5% compared to last year, about two points lower than originally planned.Isom didn’t shy away from explaining why the company is adjusting so quickly, and pointed to how unpredictable fuel prices have become.Related: United Airlines cuts 10 routes, offers refunds”There’s been a tremendous amount of volatility in the fuel curve,” Isom said. “Just three weeks ago, we would have been projecting a forecast that [was] considerably different.”He added that the airline is already reviewing plans for the fourth quarter and will keep adjusting flight schedules as needed. American has a long history of reacting quickly to fuel swings, and Isom made it clear that pattern isn’t changing now.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the company could reduce flights to combat fuel price hikes.Bloomberg/Getty Images

Strong ticket sales soften the blowAmerican’s revenue is growing at a healthy pace, and that’s helping offset a good chunk of the fuel damage.Total revenue rose 16.3% in the second quarter compared to a year ago. That’s a strong number for any airline, and it came from higher demand across every region American flies to, along with more customers paying for premium seats.Premium ticket sales, which include business class and extra legroom seating, grew 19% during the quarter. Corporate travel spending also jumped 26% from last year, marking five straight quarters of double-digit growth in that category.Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper said this demand is showing no signs of slowing down heading into the busy summer travel season.Because of that revenue strength, American was able to cover nearly half of its higher fuel costs in the second quarter. Without that ticket sales boost, the company’s financial picture would look considerably worse.What’s next for AAL stockAmerican still expects to generate positive cash flow this year, allowing it to lower balance sheet debt. The company also ended the quarter with $11.3 billion in available cash, giving it some cushion to manage further fuel swings.Isom remains confident that once fuel prices settle down, American’s cost management and strong ticket sales will translate into real profit growth. But for now, the message from leadership is clear. Fuel prices are the biggest obstacle standing between American and a much stronger year, and the airline is making real-time adjustments to deal with it.Related: Alaska Airlines exits one entire international market

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 dealAssembling a new piece of furniture, fixing a wobbling kitchen cabinet, or hanging up photos around the home can be done quickly and efficiently when you have proper tools for the job. Homeowners and renters alike can benefit from a tool kit to complete various tasks around the home, but a tool set isn’t just limited to your list of DIY projects — it’s also great for emergencies. When something goes wrong, like a pipe in the bathroom starts leaking, you don’t have to drop everything to run to the hardware store, because you’ll already have what you need.Investing in a tool kit sounds like an expensive undertaking, but Amazon’s no. 1 bestselling tool set is now on sale for under $50, making it more affordable to snag one for yourself. The Dekopro 126-Piece Drill and Tool Set, which normally retails for $60, is 21% off for a limited time, bringing the total cost down to just $47. This discount covers all seven color options, so you can get tools in your favorite hue, whether that’s blue, yellow, green, turquoise, purple, red, or pink.Dekopro 126-Piece Drill and Tool Set, $47 (was $60) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?With over 6,700 perfect ratings, this massive tool set is highly rated among shoppers. The well-rounded 126-piece tool set includes an 8-volt cordless power drill, multiple screwdrivers, a tape measure, claw hammer, adjustable wrench, and numerous sockets and bits. All the sockets, bits, and screwheads are made with high-quality steel and have a high-polish chrome finish, so they have superior durability and are protected against corrosion.”This kit truly has everything you need for everyday home projects,” raved one shopper. Best of all, each piece clicks securely into the practical carrying case, so it’s a breeze to keep the items organized. The same reviewer praised the design, writing, “Everything has its own designated spot in the case, so nothing shifts around or gets messy when you open it.”Related: Amazon’s $120 heavy-duty tool kit includes 157 pieces and a power drillWe especially appreciate this tool set as it comes with a power drill, which isn’t a standard tool in every kit. The cordless drill even has upgraded features, like a lightweight design and a built-in LED light to better see what you’re drilling. One shopper, who appreciated that “this little kit can do it all,” reported that, “The cordless gun stays charged for a long time and performs better than I expected.” It comes with a rechargeable battery, so once the power drains, you can get back to work after a quick charge.Details to know Pieces in tool set: 126 pieces, including a cordless driver, measuring tape, long-nose pliers, claw hammer, and more. Color options: The tool set comes in seven colors, all of which are on sale for $47.Average shopper rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars.Another standout feature of this particular tool set is that it comes with a one-year warranty, so you can feel extra-confident about the quality of your purchase.Shop more dealsProstormer 259-Piece Tool Kit, $68 (was $100) at AmazonKingTool 276-Piece Tool Set Kit, $95 (was $126) at AmazonDekopro Tool Kit Box Drill Set, $80 (was $90) at AmazonDon’t miss your chance to score the Dekopro 126-Piece Drill and Tool Set for just $47 at Amazon. Over 5,000 of the pink set have sold in the past month alone, so don’t wait to secure one for yourself.

Investors were counting on the summer rally to carry into August, buoyed by resilient earnings, cooling inflation, and hope of a turnaround in tech stocks.Bank of America is warning that the calendar might be turning against them.The bank’s latest seasonality analysis, shared with me, points to a historically difficult stretch for stocks, which runs counter to the market’s notion that robust earnings results could keep risk appetite intact.The prospect pushes investors, who might need to effectively rotate toward defensive assets just as optimism remains elevated.The stock market has held up seemingly well, but history suggests the next three months could potentially test how durable that confidence is.

 Bank of America says seasonal weakness could pressure U.S. stocks throughout AugustSpencer Platt/Getty Images

Why Bank of America is worried about August for stock market investorsBank of America technical analyst Paul Ciana just made a huge call on the stock market, based on seasonality, and the historical pattern is unusually weak.More Wall Street:Wall Street sends strong 4-word verdict on the stock marketWall Street’s $200 billion IPO wave threatens sell-offWall Street flees software plays for triple-digit chipmaker boomSince 1928, August through October has been the S&P 500’s worst rolling three-month period. The index has risen only 55% of the time, generating an average return of negative 0.02%, suffering an average maximum drawdown of 7.35%.Looking at those numbers, a nearly flat average might sound harmless, but the drawdown data suggests investors often endured meaningful volatility before recovering. For a market that’s carrying elevated tech valuations and a heavy concentration of a handful of mega-cap stocks, a 7% pullback might prove a lot more disruptive than the average return.Ciana’s analysis backs up Bank of America’s defensive view on the stock market, which it has held since late May.He isn’t saying stocks should fall simply because August is approaching. Instead, the seasonal pattern suggests the market might be more vulnerable than usual.Stocks are still trading at lofty valuations, and many investors are crowded into the same tech and AI names. In that sort of market, weak earnings, geopolitical tensions, or a more aggressive Fed could trigger a sharper pullback.Here’s a quick list of AI stocks trading at incredibly steep valuations:Tesla (TSLA): 174.1x forward P/E vs. 15.9x five-year average, 994% premium.Arm Holdings (ARM): 124.4x vs. 24.2x, 415% premium.Palantir (PLTR): 83.3x vs. 23.6x, 253% premium.Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): 70.1x vs. 23.6x, 197% premium.Meta Platforms (META): 18.8x vs. 12.6x, 49% premium.
Source: Seeking Alpha valuation data, including non-GAAP forward P/E and five-year averages.
Ciana also feels that the late-summer weakness often creates better opportunities later in the year. Historically, the S&P 500 gained an average of 3.54% from November through January.Where does BofA see the best protection?Ciana’s preferred seasonal trades underscore a classic defensive mix, which includes the U.S. Dollar, gold, and government bonds.The Dollar has historically performed well in August, particularly against sterling, the Australian dollar, and the South African rand. Since 2000, the dollar has jumped against the British pound 65% of the time and against the Australian dollar 69% of the time. Against the rand, it has appreciated in 73% of August periods, with an average gain of 2.2%.Those moves will likely become more likely if investors reduce risk. A stronger dollar reflects demand for liquidity and safety, but it can also pressure U.S. multinationals by reducing the value of overseas sales.Ciana also points to dropping long-term bond yields. The 30-year Treasury yield dropped in roughly three-quarters of August observations during the second year of the presidential cycle, dropping by an average of 18 basis points. That means investors have historically moved into longer-duration government debt as stock volatility jumped.Moreover, Gold offers another hedge. Since 1992, it has gained during the August-to-October period 61% of the time, returning an average of 2.52%. Gold could potentially benefit from lower yields, geopolitical risk, or concerns over policy credibility, although a sharply stronger dollar could limit some of that upside.On top of that, energy is the notable exception to the defensive pattern. The Bloomberg Energy Index averaged a 2.42% August gain, while crude prices have typically strengthened late in the month.Big Tech earnings could reset the marketWe’re moving into a big week for Big Tech, with around one-third of index companies due to report, including Microsoft and Meta on Wednesday, followed by Amazon and Apple on Thursday.Those reports will test earnings momentum and the economics of the AI buildout. It’s important to note that investors are becoming a lot less willing to automatically reward AI spending. Related: Morgan Stanley resets Microsoft stock forecast ahead of earningsWe saw that with Alphabet and Tesla, as they were heavily punished after their results.According to Reuters, Tesla lost more than 14% of its value and Alphabet nearly 7% by Thursday’s close, with investors firmly in ‘show-me’ mode amid rising AI CapEx and uncertainty about its ability to convert into meaningful returns.Nevertheless, the backdrop is strong. FactSet entered the season expecting Q2 S&P 500 earnings to rise 23.3% year over year, up from 18.8% at the end of March. At the same time, 57% of companies issuing guidance gave positive outlooks. Nonetheless, the challenge for Big Tech could be a lot more than simply beating on top-and-bottom-line estimates. Investors are looking for a lot more evidence that cloud growth, advertising gains, and AI products are converting infrastructure spending into robust free cash flow.For some color, according to a Reuters analysis of LSEG consensus estimates, combined 2026 capex forecasts for Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle jumped from nearly $485 billion in January to $730 billion in July.By 2027, their capex is forecasted to rise $534 billion from 2025 levels, compared with a $340 billion increase in operating cash flow.That is essentially $1.57 of additional investment for every $1 of incremental cash generation. What does the Fed meeting mean for stocks?The Federal Reserve’s July 28–29 meeting could be huge for the stock market.For perspective, according to CNBC, markets are pricing a 38% chance of a 25-basis-point hike, up from 12.8% a week earlier, as the 10-year Treasury yield touched 4.7%. That shift has effectively tightened financial conditions before the Fed makes a move.The valuation issue is acute for the tech side. For perspective, at the S&P 500’s 20.1-times forward earnings multiple, the index offers an implied earnings yield of roughly 5%. That yields a gap of just 0.3 percentage points relative to Treasuries, lowering the compensation investors receive for owning stocks. Expensive AI stocks are remarkably sensitive because more of their valuation depends on profits expected years ahead.That said, a hold might not be automatically bullish. Hawkish language, oil-driven inflation, or resistance to future cuts could keep yields elevated. At the same time, Thursday’s GDP and PCE releases will test whether the Fed faces strong growth, sticky inflation, or both.Related: Morgan Stanley says SpaceX investors miss the bigger story

Carmakers sell you a badge. What they actually manage is a spreadsheet.The vehicle sitting in your driveway got there through a long chain of decisions about where steel is cheap, where skilled labor is available, and where a border tax will not quietly swallow the entire margin.For three decades that math pointed south. Automakers built small, low-margin cars in Mexico because a compact sedan does not generate enough profit to survive American labor costs, and free trade agreements meant nobody paid a penalty for taking the shortcut.That arrangement held for years, right up until Washington started charging admission.A 25% duty on a Mexico-built vehicle sounds like an abstraction until you apply it to a car with a sticker price near $25,000 and a profit margin measured in the low hundreds of dollars.At that point the cheap plant is no longer cheap, and management is left with three unpleasant choices. Raise the window sticker, absorb the hit and watch operating income evaporate, or physically move the assembly line.Mazda (MZDAY) went with option three, and the rethink did not stop at a single factory.

A 25% Mexico duty and new emissions rules reshapes Mazda’s production and powertrain plans.sinology / Getty Images

Why tariffs hit Mazda harder than bigger automakersMazda is the smallest of Japan’s major vehicle exporters, and its American footprint reflects that. The company runs one US assembly plant, a joint venture with Toyota (TM) near Huntsville, Ala., that builds the CX-50 and its hybrid version.Almost everything else arrives by ship. Mazda brought 235,738 vehicles into the country from Japan in 2024, roughly 55% of its US sales, as TheStreet has reported.More Automotives:GM displays Q2 growth in key areas Tesla would be jealous ofDown 99%, popular EV stock is ripe bankruptcy candidateElon Musk just got a new rival on three frontsThat import dependence turned into a direct earnings problem. Tariffs subtracted 154.9 billion yen, about $981 million, from results in the fiscal year that ended March 31, according to Fuels and Lubes Asia.Operating income fell 72.3% to 51.6 billion yen over the same stretch, and net income dropped 69.2%.The company saw it coming. Mazda assumed a 15% rate on Japanese exports and 25% on Mexican ones, and Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Guyton said the impact remained “quite significant,” according to Reuters.Without offsetting moves, Guyton added, the yearly damage would have run to 233.5 billion yen.Scale matters here. A company selling roughly 1.3 million vehicles worldwide cannot spread a duty across the volume the way Toyota or Honda can, so every point of tariff lands closer to the bottom line.Related: Spain just opened a door America slammed shutWhat Mazda changed in its US production planThe automaker has already shifted sedan production back to Japan and is reworking both its lineup and its manufacturing footprint in response to the 25% duty on Mexico-built vehicles and changing US emissions rules, according to Automotive News.Moving a line across the Pacific is not a cost-saving move on its own. Japanese-built cars still face a tariff, just a lower one, and Mazda’s Hofu and Hiroshima plants carry higher labor costs than Salamanca.The calculation only works because the gap between 15% and 25% is wide enough to cover the difference on a car that thin.Four numbers frame how much the ground has shifted underneath the company.Mazda’s Salamanca plant in Mexico built 24,497 Mazda3 units during 2025, according to Mexico Business News.The automaker modeled a blend of 27.5% and 15% duties on exports from Japan and 25% on exports from Mexico, according to WardsAuto.The Environmental Protection Agency rescinded the 2009 endangerment finding in February, stripping out the federal greenhouse gas standards that had pushed automakers toward electric vehicles, according to Roll Call.The first Mazda built on a dedicated electric platform slipped to 2029 at the earliest, a second delay in roughly four months, according to Fuels and Lubes Asia.That last item is the one most buyers will actually notice.Salamanca is not closing. The plant employs more than 5,200 workers and still builds the CX-30, the CX-3 and both Mazda2 body styles, according to Mexico Business News.What changed is which products the site is trusted with when a duty sits on every unit crossing the border.How the hybrid pivot changes your next car paymentMazda cut planned electrification spending through 2030 to 1.2 trillion yen from a projected 2 trillion, a reduction of about 40%, and redirected the money toward gasoline-electric hybrids.When I ran those figures against the tariff hit, the logic held up better than the press coverage suggested. The company is not abandoning electrification so much as buying time with a cheaper technology while duties eat the budget that would have funded the expensive one.For you, that means the Mazda showroom of 2028 looks a lot like the one you walked into last year, with hybrid badges where EV badges were supposed to go.I have watched automakers make this trade before, and it usually ends with the customer paying for the hedge.It also means the sticker shock is not finished. Car buyers have already started absorbing tariff costs that manufacturers spent most of last year swallowing.Hybrids typically carry a premium over the gasoline version of the same model, often in the low thousands. Layer that on top of an import duty and a compact crossover that listed near $30,000 two years ago starts looking like a $34,000 purchase.Federal help is thin. The consumer EV tax credit is gone, which removes the one lever that used to offset an electric vehicle’s higher upfront cost, though some domestically assembled models still qualify for auto loan interest relief.What to watch before Mazda’s next earnings reportThe open question is whether moving sedan output to Japan actually protects margin or simply relocates the problem.Mazda forecasts net sales of 5.5 trillion yen and operating income of 150 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2027, according to Fuels and Lubes Asia. Hitting that requires the tariff environment to stay roughly where it is.My analysis says the more fragile assumption is the hybrid timeline, not the tariff rate. A redesigned CX-5 with a hybrid powertrain is meant to carry volume growth, and Mazda has now missed its own electrification dates twice.Watch three things over the next two quarters. Whether Alabama output keeps climbing, whether Salamanca finds replacement volume for the sedans it lost, and whether the hybrid CX-5 arrives on schedule.If all three break the right way, Mazda ends up looking early rather than late. If the hybrid slips the way the EV did, the company will have spent two years relocating factories to protect a lineup it cannot deliver on time.Either way, the car you buy in 2028 was decided by a tariff schedule written in Washington, not by a designer in Hiroshima.Related: Top Toyota exec urges Japan’s automakers to unite