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Why we love this deal

The more convenient something is, the more likely you are to use it. This especially applies to personal electronics. Take a laptop or tablet, for example. They’re both portable, but a tablet might be easier to carry around and travel with. However, a standalone tablet might not be the most efficient when it comes to work. But if you want to combine the two, getting a two-in-one tablet and laptop is a game changer.

The Relndoo 2-in-1 Tablet and Laptop is a versatile device that comes with accessories that make it even better. It’s on sale at Amazon for only $110 during its Labor Day sale, which is 42% off its regular price of $190. 

Relndoo 2-in-1 Tablet and Laptop, $110 (was $190) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

This two-in-one tablet is an affordable option for streaming, work, and everything in between. Running on the Android 16 operating system, you get the latest software, performance, and security, on top of an easy-to-use interface and setup that even shoppers who have never had a tablet before could manage. It comes with built-in Gemini AI access that turns the tablet into a smart assistant, helping you write up emails, summarize long documents and articles, and more. 

The performance-ready device is equipped with 26 gigabytes (GB) of RAM for lag-free multitasking, along with 256 GB of storage that’s expandable up to 2 terabytes (TB) with a microSD card. It offers a ton of storage space to save files, apps, and photos. The 10-inch screen is ideal for streaming videos, gaming, or even reading an e-book, with the ability to stream videos in HD and 4K. It also has dual cameras, with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, making it easy to take photos and video chat for work or to catch up with friends and family. 

Its accessories are what really set it apart, as it comes with a productivity bundle that makes it extra versatile. You can use it as a traditional tablet or upgrade it with a stylus. However, the wireless keyboard and wireless mouse it comes with can connect to it within seconds, turning the two-in-one tablet into a mini laptop. With the keyboard and mouse, you can type more effectively, making it useful not just for entertainment but also for work. 

Related: Walmart’s $40 portable CD player has a retro look with modern features

Details to know

Screen size: 10 inches.

RAM: 26 GB.

Storage: 256 GB, expandable up to 2 TB.

Includes: Keyboard, mouse, stylus, protective case, USB charger, and charging cable.

There’s a reason why more than 500 of these tablets have been purchased in just the last month. Shoppers praise its features, from its performance and quality to its versatility.

“I’m honestly impressed with what you get for the price. It comes as a full package — tablet, keyboard, case, mouse, and stylus — so it instantly feels like a small laptop replacement,” a reviewer said, adding that it “runs very smoothly” and the display is “bright and clear.” Another customer highlighted the “useful accessories” it comes with, saying, “The keyboard and mouse make it easy to use the tablet more like a small laptop when typing or working on documents.”

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Relndoo Android 15 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $80 at Amazon

Pynarel 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $90 (was $200) at Amazon

Yobanse 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $99 (was $110) at Amazon

On sale for only $110, the Relndoo 2-in-1 Tablet and Laptop is a steal, considering its versatility and the accessories bundle it comes with.

SpaceX gave its retail investors a painful and public lesson in how quickly momentum-fueled excitement can drain a brokerage account. 

The company priced its initial public offering at $135 on June 11, opened at $150 the next morning, and reached an intraday high of $176.52 later that session, CNBC reported.

Within seven weeks, shares had cratered to about $108, erasing 39% of the peak-day value and stranding first-day buyers deep underwater, CNN confirmed.

A buyer who entered at the $176.52 Day-1 high would need a 63% gain from the low near $108 just to break even.

By July 17, 2026, SpaceX shares had dropped below their $135 offering price, with the stock closing at $123.99 and roughly $1 trillion in market value erased from the company’s June 16 peak, Bloomberg reported.

Suze Orman, host of the “Women & Money” podcast, walked through those numbers on the Aug. 2, 2026, episode to make a pointed case.

Her conclusion had nothing to do with rockets, Elon Musk, or artificial intelligence spending. The entire lesson, she told her audience, centered on a single overlooked variable: the price you pay when you click buy.

How Suze Orman pinpointed the factor that sank SpaceX buyers

Orman’s argument is built on arithmetic, and the math she laid out on her podcast leaves little room for debate. A $10,000 investment at the $176.52 Day-1 peak shrank to roughly $6,100 within weeks, even though the underlying business never missed a beat. 

SpaceX reported Q2 revenue of $7.8 billion, beating analyst estimates of $6.93 billion by a wide margin, Yahoo Finance reported.

The rockets kept launching, Starlink kept adding millions of subscribers, and none of that prevented early buyers from losing nearly half their capital.

History shows large debut stocks punish early buyers repeatedly

SpaceX was not an anomaly, and decades of data suggest the stock may face additional pressure in the months ahead.

The 10 largest U.S. initial public offerings since 2006 tell a consistent story of early losses, dropping an average of 34% within their first year of trading, according to The Motley Fool‘s review of the largest offerings ever.

More SpaceX:

Morgan Stanley says SpaceX investors miss the bigger story

Peter Schiff says SpaceX is a warning for hyped stocks

SpaceX stock defies latest Wall Street forecasts

Jay Ritter, director of the IPO Initiative at the University of Florida and a leading authority on new listings, puts the average first-day gain at 19% since 1980.

SpaceX matched that historical pattern with eerie precision, closing at $161 on June 12, 2026, for a 19% first-day gain from the $135 offer, CNN reported.

The problem is that many retail investors paid well above $161 during the intraday spike, absorbing months of optimism in a single session.

History suggests major IPOs often deliver sharp first-year losses, warning investors that strong debuts can quickly turn into painful declines.Alistair Berg / Getty Images

SpaceX’s cash burn adds a layer of risk that buyers overlooked

Overpaying for a cash-generating company leaves room for the price to grow. SpaceX burned through $25 billion in negative free cash flow during the first half of 2026, according to data from The Motley Fool.

At that rate, the roughly $100 billion in cash on its balance sheet could be exhausted within two years, before factoring in rising capital expenditures.

Nicolas Owens, Equity analyst for Morningstar, wrote in a research note that SpaceX was overpriced and pegged the company’s fair value at $780 billion.

We think the company has been significantly overvalued and investors will have opportunities to buy the stock at more attractive levels after the IPO.

Keith Snyder, a Senior Equity Analyst at CFRA Research, assigned SpaceX a sell rating and a $115 price target on debut day, telling CNBC’s “Closing Bell” that reaching SpaceX’s valuation would require AI-segment growth that was “borderline comical.”

Orman’s two-earnings-cycle rule pays off when Treasuries yield 5.25%

Orman’s warning carries extra weight in the current rate environment, where safe alternatives offer income that was unavailable for most of the past decade.

The 30-year Treasury yield hovered near 5.25% as of early September 2026, according to Federal Reserve and Treasury Department data. The cost of sitting out a newly public stock for six months works out to roughly 2.6% in forgone yield.

Orman’s specific recommendation on the podcast is to wait at least two full earnings cycles before committing capital to any newly public company. 

Two quarters of reported results give investors a revenue trajectory, a management track record, and visibility into insider selling patterns.

SpaceX lockup expirations show how supply can flood a thin market

The staggered lockup schedule built into SpaceX’s offering became a headwind faster than most new shareholders expected, and is not yet finished.

On Aug. 6, 2026, roughly 911.5 million shares held by insiders became eligible for public trading under the staggered release schedule, CNN noted.

The total float is set to grow from 1.8 billion shares to 5.2 billion by early December 2026, as additional tranches unlock on a rolling basis, The Motley Fool noted.

With another 3.4 billion shares scheduled to hit the float by December 2026, the two-earnings-cycle wait Orman describes would also let the incoming supply work through the market before new capital gets committed.

What Orman’s SpaceX lesson means before the next blockbuster listing

Orman’s analysis is not a verdict on SpaceX as a long-term investment. The median 12-month price target among analysts stands at $217, implying meaningful upside from recent trading levels near $148, The Motley Fool noted.

For newly public stocks like SpaceX, the entry price has determined whether early buyers shared in the upside or spent years underwater, based on the historical pattern Orman highlighted. 

With 30-year Treasuries offering a guaranteed 5.25%, waiting two quarters carries a measurable opportunity cost and a much smaller one than SpaceX’s Day-1 buyers absorbed.

The same math will apply to the next blockbuster debut. What buyers pay on Day 1 is what determines the years that follow.

Related: SpaceX is now in your 401(k), and Musk is the risk

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

Phones, wallets, and keys are the typical necessities, but in this day and age, you have to add a pair of headphones to the list. Wireless earbuds, in particular, are super convenient and give you the opportunity to take calls and listen to an audiobook without having to deal with pesky wires.

The Leemc S12 Wireless Earbuds check off all the boxes in top-tier earbuds, and they’re on sale. Right now, you can get the noise-canceling earbuds for just $18, which is a steal.

Leemc S12 Wireless Earbuds, $18 at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

Whether you’re listening to music on a run or catching up on a weekly Zoom meeting, these Bluetooth noise-canceling earbuds provide “excellent sound and total comfort.” With an over-the-ear design, they have a “secure” fit, along with three different-sized ear tips for maximum comfort. Plus, they’re resistant to sweat and rain, so you don’t have to worry about damaging them during an intense workout or inclement weather.

Related: Amazon is selling Nothing noise-canceling earbuds for $59, and they ‘stay in place comfortably for hours’

What shoppers should know

Color options: Carbon, Beige, Rose Gold, Green, and Pure White

Ear placement: In-ear.

Playtime: Up to 50 hours.

Are they noise-canceling earbuds?: Yes, they can reduce up to 80% of background noise.

And we can’t forget its convenient carrying case. Not only does it keep your earbuds safe and in one place, but it also has charging capabilities. Combined with the case, the earbuds have up to 50 hours of playtime, giving you ample time before your next recharge.

What shoppers are saying

“These are fantastic [running]/walking earbuds. I own JBL earbuds, and they often fall out of my ear while running, which is super annoying. These solve the issue for me. Super comfortable fit.”

“These headphones exceeded my expectations. The sound is crystal-clear. They’re very comfortable, even after hours of use…Without a doubt, a purchase that’s totally worth it.”

“Everything was great! The sound quality is clear, they stay in place during my workouts, and I love how compact the case is. The battery life is impressive, and the LED power display is super handy.”

The Leemc S12 Wireless Earbuds are just $18, but they may not be for long.

Shop more deals like this

Ltinist Wireless Earbuds, $25 (was $40) at Amazon

Beniduck Wireless Earbuds, $20 at Amazon

Aptkdoe Open Ear Earbuds, $21 (was $180) at Walmart

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

If there’s one luxury item you really can’t go wrong with, it’s a Citizen watch. The highly-respected Japanese watchmaker has been helping the world tell time for over a century, and they look to do so for the next century as well. If you’ve been hoping to find the perfect luxury watch that won’t cost a fortune, then today might be your lucky day. Amazon is currently selling a Citizen Eco-Drive watch for less than $200, and we think this deal looks like a million bucks.

The Citizen Dress Classic Eco-Drive Luxury Watch is available for $175. Amazon previously sold it for as much as $375, so you’re getting quite a deal. Because we’re not sure exactly why the price was reduced by so much, there’s really no telling how long it may last. 

Citizen Dress Classic Eco-Drive Luxury Watch, $175 at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

This is one of the best looking everyday watches we’ve seen in a while. Although it’s listed as a dress watch, it fits in almost anywhere. The almost pearlescent cream-colored dial is stunning, and highly legible. It has a textured sunburst design in the center, surrounded by a subtle concentric circle around the outside of the dial. That circle houses the silver-toned applied hour indices. At the 12 o’clock position is a day window and mirroring it at 6 o’clock is a nicely-finished date window. 

The bracelet and case are made of beautiful and robust 316L stainless steel. It’s rustproof and corrosion-resistant, making this a great option to have on your wrist for almost any occasion. The case has a diameter of 40 millimeters, falling into that goldilocks zone of just the right size for both formal and casual wear. The watch also has a moderate water resistance of 30 meters. That means you can feel confident washing dishes or strolling in light rain without fearing that you might damage it.

On the inside, the watch is a technological marvel. It keeps highly-accurate time, thanks to a Japanese solar-powered Eco-Drive movement. The movement uses small hidden solar panels embedded under the dial to collect energy from the sun. That energy is then dispersed throughout the day to the handset, to keep your watch ticking day and night. The quartz-regulated movement never requires a battery replacement for the life of the watch, and it even keeps more accurate time than most mechanical Swiss luxury watches.

Related: Amazon’s $350 luxury Citizen Eco-Drive watch is on sale for $263

Details to know

Case diameter: 40 millimeters.

Material: 316L stainless steel.

Water resistance: 30 meters.

Movement: Solar-powered Eco-Drive movement.

Amazon shoppers could not say enough positive things about this watch. One buyer called it a “quality watch,” before adding that it was “great value for the money. Classic, yet everyday appropriate. Keeps great time. Highly recommend.”

Shop more deals 

Citizen Promaster Sea Eco-Drive Dive Watch, $356 (was $495) at Amazon

Citizen Eco-Drive Sport Casual Watch, $296 (was $395) at Amazon

The Citizen Dress Classic Eco-Drive Luxury Watch could be your very first foray into the world of high-end timepieces. At just $175, it might be the perfect way to look the part, without parting with a lot of money as well.

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

Whether completing online assignments for school, sending work emails, or streaming Netflix in your downtime, a tablet is a reliable choice for numerous activities, especially if it’s equipped with a time-saving Bluetooth keyboard. The addition of this wireless accessory transforms a basic tablet into a budget-friendly laptop that’s ultra-portable and lightweight. You don’t even need to break the bank to invest in this top-notch tech, because Walmart’s limited-time sale on the Aeezo 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet brings the total cost to under $100. 

This bestselling Android 14 tablet is on sale for $75 at Walmart, and comes in your choice of black or white. The tablet, which offers “great performance and value,” according to one buyer, comes upgraded with a Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse, stylus pen, and protective case. This bestselling tablet and accessory bundle is a steal at its unbeatable price of just $75 right now. 

Aeezo 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $75 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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Why do shoppers love it?

Outfitted with everything you need for everyday computing tasks, this two-in-one laptop and tablet is user-friendly and reliable. It runs on the Android 14 operating system and has an octa-core processor for a fast and secure performance. The Google Play Store comes preinstalled on the device, so you can quickly download your favorite apps, like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp. There’s plenty of space to add these go-to apps, as well as for your favorite movies and e-books, as the tablet comes with 20 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 64 GB of ROM, which is expandable up to 1 terabyte (TB).

Related: Amazon is selling a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet for $71 that’s AI-enabled and offers theft protection

Designed for on-the-go functionality, the tablet has a 5000-milliampere-hour battery that offers up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge. If you’re stuck at the airport or working at the coffee shop, this means you won’t need to stay near an outlet to stay powered up. Since the tablet comes with a spacious 10.1-inch high-definition touchscreen display, the viewing experience has stunning visuals that are easier on the eyes compared to a small smartphone screen. Additionally, the device has a 5-megapixel front camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera, so you can take photos and answer video calls.

Pros and cons of the Aeezo 2-in-1 laptop and tablet

Pros:

It’s a two-in-one device. Instead of buying a tablet and a laptop separately, you can switch between both with the Bluetooth accessory bundle.

It’s an excellent value. It’s uncommon to find a tablet without any accessories for under $80, let alone one that is decked out this much.

The keyboard adds efficiency.  One shopper raved, “It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and the keyboard makes typing much faster.”

Cons:

It’s meant for basic tasks. If you need an electronic for advanced gaming or processing large data files, you’ll want something else.

It’s a smaller tablet. When it comes to tablet screens, this one is in the smaller range.

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Fitifun 10-Inch Android 14 Tablet, $57 (was $100) at Walmart

Putecch 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $97 at Walmart

Fitifun 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $82 (was $140) at Walmart

The Aeezo 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet is a stellar bargain for just $75 at Walmart, especially since it’s loaded with handy accessories, like the wireless keyboard and mouse. Before the deal sells out, be sure to add this convenient device to your cart. 

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

Fall is the perfect time for your favorite pair of jeans and a cozy sweater. Closet staples like these help you build a capsule wardrobe that saves space and money while still offering a variety of comfortable outfits for everyday wear. When I look for closet staples, I look for high-quality and low prices, which oftentimes can be difficult to find. Thanks to Levi’s, I’ve been able to find some durable, comfortable, and long-lasting pants at up to 60% off. 

Levi’s Women’s Straight Leg Jeans are on sale at Amazon for as low as $41, saving shoppers up to 60% depending on color and size. These cotton-blend jeans offer enough stretch to be comfortable while staying durable wash after wash. These straight-leg jeans are reminiscent of the increasingly popular ’80s fashion trends that have been rolling back around.

Levi’s Women’s Straight-Leg Jeans, From $41(was $95) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

Levi’s has been in the jeans game since 1873, and with over a century and a half of experience, knows how to make some solid jeans. My Levi’s have lasted years, offering comfortable fits that feel tailored to my body while still staying relatively lower priced. These jeans are no exception — made of cotton and elastane, they offer stretch that’s comfortable for everyday wear while still keeping the shape and look of 100% cotton jeans. Just in time for fall, they pair perfectly with cozy flannels and puffer jackets, while still looking sleek and stylish when paired with your favorite tank when spring rolls around. Dress them up or down for any occasion, matching them with boots, flip-flops, and any of your other favorite accessories. 

Related: REI’s quarter-zip pullover is only $41 during its Labor Day sale

These jeans offer a high-waisted straight-leg fit that hits at full-length. The classic look features two front pockets and a zip and button closure, while the back of the jeans has a V-cut seam below the belt loops, providing slightly slanted pockets that look better when worn. These jeans are available in sizes 24 through 32 and offer black, blue, and white colors, including Project Parallel, Get Organized, Ringing Bells, and other colors.

Details to know

Sizes: These jeans are available in sizes 24 through 32.

Color: Choose from All Alone, Naturally Good, Ringing Bells, Get Organized, and more colors across the blue, black, and white spectrum.

Material: These jeans provide a slight stretch while still remaining 85% cotton.

One reviewer wrote, “I love these! I’m absolutely obsessed with the classy, slimming look these jeans provide.”Another shopper wrote, “These jeans fit so well. The fabric is soft and not see-through. The length is perfect even after washing them. “

Shop more deals

Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans, $42 (was $85) at Amazon

Levi’s 726 High Rise Flare Jeans, $42 (was $75) at Amazon

Levi’s Baggy Jeans, $50 (was $85) at Amazon

The Levi’s Women’s Straight Leg Jeans are a classic homage to the original jeans from the ’80s and ’90s, offering a high-waisted, slimming fit that accentuates your curves and stays comfy throughout the day. Shoppers can pay as little as $41 for these jeans. 

Americans’ retirement accounts just reached a record high. The timing matters because a few months ago, they were heading in the opposite direction.

Average 401(k) balances hit $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, an all-time high and the largest quarterly jump since the fourth quarter of 2020, according to Fidelity’s Q2 report. That is a 13.1% increase from a year earlier. Fidelity’s average IRA balance also reached a record, rising 10% year over year to $144,523.

What drove 401(k) and IRA balances to record highs in Q2

The turnaround from Q1 was sharp. Balances fell 4% in the first quarter as markets dropped following the Iran conflict. Then equities recovered. Through early September, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up approximately 10% since January. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were each up about 12%.

Markets were not the only factor. Workers kept saving. Combined employer and employee 401(k) contributions averaged 14.4% of pay in Q2. Fidelity recommends 15%. Workers were close. The employee portion hit a record 9.6%. More than eight in 10 participants, 81.2%, saved enough to capture their employer’s full matching contribution.

More Retirement:ore

Choosing an annuity for retirement rests on hidden features, risks

One index exposes your bigest retirement fears

Suze Orman’s retirement investing warning quietly returns

IRA contributions were up 36% from the same quarter a year ago. Among women specifically, those who stuck with a 401(k) for at least five years in a row had an average balance of $273,400. That is not a median figure. It is the average for women who stayed consistent. Female IRA investors as a group averaged $130,231, which was 12% higher than twelve months earlier.

“The combination of record account balances, strong savings behaviors and effective plan design tell an encouraging story about how Americans are approaching retirement,” Sharon Brovelli, president of Workplace Investing at Fidelity Investments, said in a statement, according to CNBC.

What record 401(k) balances mean for retirees and all Americans

The $155,800 average is a number worth sitting with. A decade ago, the same figure was about $89,000. Fidelity says balances are up 75% over the past 10 years and 20% from just five years ago.

Social Security was never designed to fully replace a working income. For the average earner, it covers about 40% of what they made before retiring. Most financial planners put the real target at 70% to 90%.

That is a big gap. 401(k)s and IRAs are how most Americans fill it. Bigger account balances mean more people have a real shot at doing that.

Higher balances mean more workers approaching retirement with a larger cushion. That reduces dependence on government programs, gives retirees more spending flexibility, and gives households more ability to absorb unexpected costs, including healthcare, home repairs, and long-term care.

The data from Fidelity also suggest more Americans are saving systematically rather than sporadically. An 81.2% match-capture rate means roughly four out of five workers are not leaving free money on the table. That is a meaningful shift from earlier in the decade.

For younger workers, the compounding effect of today’s contributions is what matters most. Someone who starts contributing in their 20s and maintains a steady rate for 40 years will benefit far more from compounding than someone who starts in their 40s trying to catch up.

The record savings rates suggest that more Americans understand that.

Higher balances mean more workers approaching retirement with a larger cushion.Nick David / Getty Images

Why savings behavior matters as much as the market

It is tempting to read the record balances purely as a market story. The Iran conflict rattled markets in Q1, equities recovered in Q2, and balances followed. That is the headline version.

But the savings data tell a different story running underneath. The 14.4% combined contribution rate has held at or near record levels for two consecutive quarters, as TheStreet reported following the Q1 data.

Workers kept contributing, even when their balances were falling. That discipline is exactly what retirement planning requires.

Markets will move up and down. What determines long-term outcomes is whether contributions continue regardless. The Q2 data suggests most 401(k) participants did exactly that.

What the rise in loans and hardship withdrawals means for you

The record balances come with a warning. Nearly one in five workers, 19.5%, had an outstanding 401(k) loan in 2026, up from a year earlier. About 2.8% of workers took out a new loan in the second quarter specifically. The share taking a hardship withdrawal climbed to 3% from 2.6% 12 months before.

Under IRS rules, a hardship withdrawal avoids the early-withdrawal penalty only when the account holder faces an immediate and heavy financial need: preventing foreclosure, covering unforeseen medical bills, and similar situations.

But the money does not come back. It permanently reduces the balance and eliminates all the future compounding that money would have generated.

Cathy Curtis, a certified financial planner and founder of Curtis Financial Planning, cautioned against leaning on retirement accounts for near-term needs. “The biggest downside is that borrowing or withdrawing from a 401(k) disrupts long-term retirement savings,” she told CNBC.

Before going to your 401(k), look at everything else. An emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses is the right first line of defense. Build that separately from your retirement account.

When a real emergency hits, you pull from that instead of your 401(k). Your retirement balance stays intact. The compounding continues uninterrupted.

If you do not have that cushion yet, the simplest approach is to direct a portion of your 401(k) contribution increase toward a separate savings account until the emergency fund is built.

You lose a little compounding in the short run, but you avoid a much larger loss if you ever need to make an early withdrawal.

Related: Suze Orman names a major money waste for many Americans

The firearms industry, including rifle, handgun, and ammunition manufacturers and retailers, have faced financial distress in 2026 that has led to bankruptcy filings.

Filings come as the industry has experienced declining sales over the last two years which have been major problem for companies trying to stay afloat.

Key firearms bullet manufacturer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Shutterstock

Mead Industries files for bankruptcy

39-year-old ammunition manufacturer Mead Industries Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking to reorganize its business, as it faces disputed lawsuit and contract claims.

The Wood River, Neb.-based bullets manufacturer filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska on Sept. 2, listing over $7.1 million in assets and over $6.4 million in debts.

The debtor’s largest creditors include Kentucky’s Best Hemp Inc., owed over $1.85 million in a disputed lawsuit claim; Hiawatha National Bank, owed over $1.3 million; FNBO, owed over $544,000; Gunwerks LLC, owed $346,000 in a contract dispute; company owner Gregory A. Mead, owed over $521,000 of a promissory note; and AMDG Enterprises, owed over $304,000.

Mead Industries founder Greg Mead, an avid hunter, established the company in 1977 to manufacture high-quality precision hunting bullets, as well as machinery, equipment, and components for many of the world’s leading ammunition manufacturers, according to the company’s website.

Helps produce 50 million bullets a month

The company occupies a 15,000 square-foot facility in Wood River with an on-site ballistics lab, welding shop, and full machine shop and is responsible for supplying the machinery and equipment that produces over 50 million bullets per month to the shooting industry.

Mead Industries has faced a steady decrease in gross revenue over the last three years, declining from over $2.4 million in 2024 to over $1.3 million in 2025. The debtor had generated over $1.1 million by its Sept. 2, 2026, filing date, according to the petition.

Declining revenue trend

The debtor’s decreased revenue follows a national trend of declining revenue in the firearms industry.

Firearms sales declined 4.1% to about 14.6 million in 2025, compared to over 15.2 million in 2024, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Rifle Association’s American Rifleman reported.

New firearm unit sales declined by 7.6% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, and revenue declined by 2.6%, while average selling price increased by 5.4%, according to Tactical Wire.

Total firearms unit sales declined by 3.8% year over year in the second quarter of 2026 and dealers also cut inventory by 9.2%, with rifles down 12.3%, shotguns declining 9.4%, and handguns falling 7.7%, according to Gearfire’s RetailBI Q2 2026 Shooting Sports report on sales and inventory.

New rifle sales grew by 8.1%, while new handgun sales declined 5.6% and shotgun sales plummeted 17%.

Firearms sold for higher prices

While overall sales declined, revenue increased by 4.5% as the average firearm sold for 8.7% more than in the previous year. The report noted that consumers were focused on buying high-end rifles and handguns instead of entry-level models.

Several firearms retailers have filed for bankruptcy this year, including firearms and ammunition retailer White Oak Armory LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 24 to reorganize its business, owing a disputed tax debt to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Hutco Corporation, the owner of the Delta Hawk Sportsman Gun & Pawn chain of stores, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 10 to reorganize its businesses, facing multiple civil claims.

Other firearms companies filing for bankruptcy in 2026 include firearms maker and dealer Custombilt Firearms Manufacturing LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 8, 2026, after battling the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives over its license in 2023 and 2024.

Related: 36-year-old casual dining chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Banks are getting faster at making decisions. The question is who, or what, is actually making them.

Financial institutions are already using AI and machine learning across lending, fraud detection and customer service. J.P. Morgan recently highlighted how machine learning is expanding in credit analysis. The bank was also specific: human expertise remains necessary to interpret model outputs, challenge errors and maintain trust.

So the central question for banks is not just whether AI can handle a job that used to belong to a person. It is whether a bank should let a machine make a decision that could significantly affect someone’s life without somebody at the bank who can understand it, challenge it or own the outcome.

How Americans actually feel about AI making financial decisions

New research from Tunnl measured where Americans actually stand on this. The firm surveyed 3,066 U.S. adults. 63% said they would not accept a faster loan or claims decision made entirely by AI if there was no way to appeal the decision to a human.

That 63% splits into two groups. 39% do not want AI involved in the decision at all. 25% are fine with an AI-made decision as long as they can appeal to a person afterward.

A separate finding in the same research showed that automated and AI-driven decisions tied for the top area where Americans want more oversight, at 52%. That put it alongside how customer data is used or sold.

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This is not a rejection of AI. Consumers are already using it. PwC’s 2026 Consumer Lending Radar found that nearly a third of borrowers now use AI tools to research loans. 67% expect AI to inform their next borrowing decision. At the same time, three out of four consumers still want a human involved in loan approvals and closings.

Consumers will trade some human interaction for speed. What they will not trade is recourse. When a loan gets denied or a claim gets rejected, they want to know someone is available if the system got it wrong.

How banks should decide which decisions AI can own

Automated systems have existed in finance for a long time. AI expands what those systems can handle. That is not the problem. The problem is figuring out when a faster, more complex AI decision crosses into territory where its consequences require a human to be in the loop.

“The dividing line shouldn’t simply be whether AI can make the decision. It should be the consequence of getting that decision wrong,” Sara Fagen, co-founder and CEO of Tunnl, told TheStreet in an interview.

A loan denial is not the same kind of error as a misrouted support ticket. One can affect someone’s financial stability for months or years. The other gets fixed in minutes. That is the distinction she is pointing to.

Automation works better when inputs are predictable and outputs are clear: validating a document, routing a standard application, flagging a duplicate. These are reasonable candidates for automation. As the judgment required increases, so does the need for a person to be making the final call rather than simply approving a machine’s recommendation after the fact.

Research into AI and financial services has increasingly focused on calibrated trust.AndreyPopov / Getty Images

What happens when AI makes the call and gets it wrong

The Government Accountability Office has looked at AI in financial services. Benefits are real: efficiency, lower costs, faster processing. So are the risks: potential lending bias, data-quality problems, privacy concerns and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The GAO also found something important. Most financial regulators it spoke with said AI outputs inform staff decisions. They are not the sole basis for action.

The institution owns the outcome, either way. A good algorithm call benefits the bank. A bad one? The bank still has to answer for it. And bad decisions can scale fast. An algorithm that makes a harmful call once can make the same call thousands of times before anyone catches it.

“The line gets crossed when they start outsourcing understanding, judgment, or accountability to it,” Nate Herk, founder and CEO of AI Automation Society, told TheStreet.

Banks face pressure from both sides here. Too little automation, and competitors pull ahead on speed and cost. Too much automation, and errors compound faster than any review process can respond. Getting the balance wrong in either direction creates real exposure.

Fagen added: “The most important part of that finding isn’t that consumers are rejecting AI. They’re rejecting a system in which AI has the final word. That’s a meaningful distinction.”

Where human judgment still creates competitive advantage

Every decision does not need a human. But the decisions most likely to seriously damage a consumer’s financial situation are the ones where human judgment matters most.

Herk added: “The fact that something can technically be automated does not mean it should be.”

He points to an example from his own business. A community manager role could be automated. He chose not to automate it. Members are not just there to get questions answered. They want to know a real person cares about what happens to them. Automating that role would look like efficiency from the inside and feel like abandonment from the outside.

Financial institutions face that same dynamic at their most consequential moments. When a customer gets denied, confused or faces a decision with real financial stakes, what the institution does next can determine whether that customer stays. Those moments may be exactly the ones that feel most automatable but are the most important to get right.

Research into AI and financial services has increasingly focused on calibrated trust. A recent study in Financial Innovation argues that financial institutions need consumers to rely on AI when it is likely to improve a decision, while withholding reliance when it is not. Financial errors can be costly and hard to reverse.

Machines can absorb the analytical workload. They cannot absorb the accountability. Banks that keep that distinction clear may find it is not just a compliance posture. It may be a competitive one.

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Lululemon is having a rough year, and it just got worse.

Shares of the athletic apparel maker dropped sharply after the company posted weak second-quarter results and lowered its outlook for the rest of 2026. 

But buried inside the numbers is a smaller story that says a lot about where Lululemon (LULU) thinks its business is heading.

The company is walking away from dozens of one particular type of store.

Lululemon stock drops after weak quarter

Lululemon’s fiscal second quarter (ended in July) revenue fell 4%, and comparable sales dropped 9%. 

Interim Co CEO and CFO Meghan Frank told analysts on the earnings call that negative online commentary hurt store traffic, and that a slowdown in core categories such as leggings was worse than expected.

The company also cut its full-year guidance.

It now expects revenue between $10.35 billion and $10.5 billion for 2026, down from a prior forecast of $11 billion to $11.15 billion, according to CNBC.

Full-year earnings guidance was lowered, too, to a range of $9.48 to $9.73 per share.

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North America revenue fell 8% in the quarter. China Mainland grew just 4% on a reported basis, well below what Lululemon expected, partly because of negative social media chatter and a weaker showing during a major Chinese shopping event.

Lululemon stock slid more than 17% on Sept. 4, 2026, following its disappointing Q2 numbers.

Valued at a market cap of $14.25 billion, LULU stock is now down 80% from all-time highs. 

Lululemon cuts pop-up stores nearly in half

Here is the detail that stands out. 

Lululemon plans to shrink its fleet of pop-up stores from 65 at the end of 2025 to roughly 40 by the end of 2026. 

Pop-up stores are temporary, short-term locations that brands use to test new markets, boost visibility around a launch, or reach shoppers in areas without a permanent store. 

For Lululemon, they have also served as a testing ground. If a pop-up performs well, the company can convert it into a full-time location later.

Frank said on the call that about half of Lululemon’s planned new stores in North America are pop-up conversions, meaning locations that already proved themselves and are being upgraded to permanent status.

So the cut to pop-ups is about becoming more selective. Lululemon is running fewer temporary experiments while doubling down on the ones that already worked.

Lululemon pulls back on its pop-up store strategy.jetcityimage / Getty Images

What Lululemon’s store plans look like this year

Lululemon shared several updates on its 2026 store footprint. Here is the breakdown, based on the company’s earnings call:

Approximately 35 net new company-operated stores are planned for the year, down from about 40 guided last quarter.

Roughly 35 “optimizations” expected for the year, the company’s term for relocating, downsizing, or otherwise adjusting existing stores.

About 10 of the new stores will be in North America, and seven of those are in Mexico.

About 25 new stores are planned for international markets.

Pop-up stores will drop to about 40 by year-end, down from 65.

The company ended the second quarter with 825 stores worldwide. Square footage was up 11% from a year earlier, largely because of 41 net new stores added since last year’s second quarter.

Outside North America, the story is more about growth. 

Lululemon reopened its first-ever South Korea store in August with a new design, celebrating a decade in that market. 

It also opened its largest store in the Asia Pacific region in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. In Europe, the company is expanding through franchise stores in Athens and Bucharest.

What the pop-up cuts signal for Lululemon

Meghan Frank, Lululemon’s Interim Co CEO and CFO, said the company is being deliberate about where it puts new stores.

“We will continue to take that posture as we move throughout 2027 as well, really scrutinizing every deal,” Frank explained, referring to the company’s approach to new locations.

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With sales sliding in its two biggest markets, North America and China, the company is not in a position to spend freely on experimental store formats. 

Cutting pop-ups while still opening a small number of new permanent stores suggests Lululemon wants proof a location will work before committing long-term.

For shoppers, fewer pop-ups could mean fewer surprise, limited-time locations showing up in cities where Lululemon does not already have a permanent presence. 

For investors, it is one more sign that the company is tightening spending across the board while it waits for incoming CEO Heidi O’Neill, who joined the company this week, to help chart a new path forward.

Lululemon has not said whether it plans to bring pop-up numbers back up once sales stabilize.

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