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Most Americans will never use Palantir’s Maven software, but they are paying more and more taxes for it.

William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma reiterated an Outperform rating on Palantir Technologies (PLTR) on the back of the company’s Maven Smart System, which he said looks to be approaching a $1 billion annual revenue run rate and could eventually secure formal program-of-record status in the U.S. defense establishment.

It’s an estimate that counts since Maven isn’t just another corporate chatbot. It’s an AI-enabled military intelligence and data system.

William Blair said Maven looks to be on target for a $1 billion annual revenue run rate, with use rising at the Pentagon.

Beyond that, the Pentagon is already heavily involved. The Army awarded Palantir a $795 million contract amendment in May 2025 for the Maven Smart System software licenses, with work through May 2029.

This increasingly ties Palantir’s extraordinary stock story to federal spending decisions.

Palantir’s government business is growing at extraordinary speed

Palantir’s latest earnings show why Wall Street is paying attention.

Second-quarter revenue climbed 93% to $1.935 billion. U.S. revenue increased 115% to $1.573 billion.

That split is very interesting.

U.S. government revenue surged 90% to $809 million, while U.S. commercial revenue breezed along at an even greater clip of 149% to $764 million.

Palantir also inked 220 contracts worth at least $1 billion in the quarter. Ninety-eight were valued at $5 million or more, and 73 were valued at $10 million or more. Total contract value was US$3.373 billion.

This is not a company growing because of one Pentagon contract. It is expanding extremely quickly across both defense and private-sector AI.

Palantir’s $1 billion defense opportunity may be bigger than it looks.Bloomberg / Getty Images

Maven turns the AI boom into a taxpayer story

The Main Street connection is different from Nvidia or Salesforce.

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Consumers don’t buy Maven subscriptions.

Governments do.

That implies taxpayers are effectively among Palantir’s biggest indirect consumers.

The Maven change doesn’t mean the $795 million is paid all at once. The Defense Department said work sites and financing will be chosen with each order; the contract runs until May 2029.

That’s an important distinction.

Spending on software by governments can create huge revenues in the long term but be less apparent to the public than fighter jets, aircraft carriers, or missiles.

But software is playing an ever larger role in the operation of those physical systems.

AI is able to help analysts in fusing intelligence feeds, seeing trends, prioritizing targets, and coordinating information inside military groups.

So the question for taxpayers is not just whether Palantir can grow.

That is, if the government is getting enough strategic value from the ever-rising amounts it is committing to AI software.

Palantir’s extraordinary quarter

Revenue: $1.935 billion

Revenue growth: 93%

U.S. revenue: $1.573 billion

U.S. government revenue: $809 million

U.S. government growth: 90%

U.S. commercial revenue: $764 million

U.S. commercial growth: 149%

Deals of $1 million or more: 220

Q2 operating income: $912 million

William Blair Maven estimate: approaching $1 billion annual run rate

Palantir’s profitability is becoming as striking as its growth

Revenue growth is just one part of the story.

Palantir had $912 million of GAAP operating income in Q2, or a 47% operating margin, and GAAP net income attributable to common shareholders was over $1.06 billion.

Management upped full-year sales expectations to around $8.15 billion to $8.158 billion, from an earlier forecast of approximately $7.65 billion.

That’s the number behind the bullish scenario.

Palantir is not a speculative startup that promises profits years down the road. It is growing fast and at the same time it is generating huge operational margins.

The thing is, investors know it.

Following its August earnings, PLTR rose nearly 30% and has soared as investors have considered Palantir one of the cleanest public-market AI winners.

That is the central tension.

A corporation can have a great business and still be a lousy stock if the valuation believes it will perform great forever.

Another concrete number for bulls to point to is the $1 billion estimate from William Blair’s Maven call, but that same figure raises another question for everyone else. At what level of government spending on AI will taxpayers start to feel the impact? The Pentagon is emerging as one of Palantir’s biggest growth engines.

This could be great news for PLTR shareholders. It also reminds ordinary Americans who are paying for those contracts that the AI boom is no longer just a Silicon Valley thing. More and more it’s appearing in the federal budget.

Related: Palantir CEO escalates Microsoft’s AI warning 

Social Security is a core part of retirement income planning for most retirees. It’s role as a safety net for surviving family members is often overlooked. Survivor’s benefits replace lost household income upon the death of a working family member, this can serve as essential financial protection for the surviving family members.

As of the end of 2025, some 5.8 million survivors or deceased workers were receiving survivors benefits. These beneficiaries include surviving spouses, children, eligible parents, and others.

Social Security for surviving spouses

Widows and widowers can collect full benefits at their full retirement age (FRA) which is age 67 for those born in 1960 or later. Reduced benefits can start as early as age 60 as long the couple had been married for at least nine months prior to the deceased souse’s death. Note claiming survivor’s benefits prior to the surviving spouse’s own FRA will permanently reduce their monthly survivor benefits payment.

A surviving spouse claiming survivor’s benefits at age 60 will receive 71.5% of the deceased spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA). This increases incrementally with those claiming survivor’s benefits at age 67 receiving 100% of the deceased spouse’s PIA.

A widow or widower who is caring for a child under age 16 or who has a disability regardless of the child’s age may also qualify for survivor’s benefits. They will collect at 75% of the deceased spouse’s PIA.

A surviving spouse collecting survivor’s benefits in their 50s due to a disability can collect 71.5 of their late spouse’s benefit.

A key point here is that the Social Security Administration will review the surviving spouse’s own benefit (if they are eligible) versus the survivor’s benefit from the deceased spouse, the surviving spouse will receive the higher of the two benefits.

lucky-photographer/Getty Images

Social Security for surviving ex-spouses

A surviving divorced spouse can generally collect survivor’s benefits from a deceased ex-spouse as long as their marriage lasted for at least ten years and if they had not remarried prior to age 60. An ex-spouse collecting benefits has no impact on payments to the deceased person’s current spouse at the time of their death.

Social Security for children 17 and younger

Unmarried children may qualify for survivor’s benefits based on their deceased parent’s work record. Typically children who are age 17 or younger are eligible. Payments will typically continue until age 18 or 19 as long as the child is still a full-time high school student.

Disabled adult children can receive benefits into adulthood as long as their disability began prior to age 22.

There are special circumstances in which married children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren may also qualify for survivor’s benefits.

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Social Security for dependent parents

If you are at least age 62 and your child provided at least half of your financial support prior to their death, then you (and possibly your spouse) may qualify for survivor benefits. You will need to be able to verify the financial support received from your deceased adult child while they were still alive.

Other issues

In some cases your situation may make you ineligible for spousal survivor’s benefits. These might include:

You remarry prior to age 60.

You are disabled and you remarry prior to age 50.

The deceased spouse didn’t earn enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits.

There are several factors that could potentially reduce your spousal survivor’s benefits, including:

If you are enrolled in Medicare, premiums for some or all of your coverage might be deducted from your benefit payments.

Starting survivor’s benefits before your FRA could subject you to reduced benefits if your earnings from work or elsewhere are too high. This stops once you reach your FRA and any reduced benefits will be added into your future benefit payments.

Depending upon your earnings level, some of your survivor’s benefits could be subject to taxes as part of your overall taxable income.

Related: Spousal Social Security benefits an option for married couples, exes

Companies worried for years about whether an employee’s password had been stolen.

Now they have to worry about AI “workers,” too.

Okta (OKTA) reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $805 million, up 11%, while subscription revenue reached $793 million, up 12%. Remaining performance obligations increased 17% to nearly $4.86 billion.

The company boosted its yearly outlook as organizations increasingly face a category of identity that was virtually nonexistent in mainstream commercial IT only a few years ago: autonomous AI agents.

“Every agent needs a trusted identity and clear controls over what it can access and do,” CEO Todd McKinnon said.

For the average worker, the future isn’t science fiction. Allowing artificial intelligence to read emails, update customer records, query databases, and trigger corporate processes is becoming more common.

The more power these systems have, the more dangerous a compromised agent can become.

Okta helps govern rising number of digital workers

This issue was a problem businesses were tackling long before autonomous AI took off.

A CyberArk study found that 79% of firms anticipate machine identities growing in the coming year. Almost two-thirds expected growth of up to 50%, with another 16% expecting increases of between 50% and 150%.

AI agents only accelerate that tendency because each autonomous system may need its own authentication credentials, permissions, and audit trail.

If a corporation has an employee in accounting, that company may prohibit them from downloading a complete engineering database.

AI agents should be restricted in the same way.

Related: Cybersecurity stocks in spotlight as U.S. vulnerability takes center stage

Earlier this year, Okta released Okta for AI Agents, which is now generally available. The software is designed to find AI agents, enforce least-privilege access, and centrally manage what agents may do.

That creates an entirely new potential security category. Companies may no longer merely pay for Okta to help manage every human employee. They may eventually pay to govern armies of digital workers as well.

Okta for AI Agents offers security to govern autonomous agents’ activity.Bloomberg / Getty Images

AI agents turn convenience into risk

The promise of an agent is that users stop doing every step themselves.

An AI agent might read a client complaint, go into the CRM, issue a refund, change inventory, and send a reply. It’s super valuable if the agent is allowed to take each step.

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The same autonomy becomes harmful if the agent influences, compromises, or just makes a mistake.

Verizon’s 2026 breach research indicated that shadow AI usage had risen to 45%, increasing the risk of data loss. Software vulnerability exploitation was the cause of 31% of first access in breaches. AI automation was speeding up the attacks.

IBM says the average hack today costs more than $5 million globally, and some attacks on AI models are far more costly.

Those economics help explain the resonance of Okta’s pitch.

The company produced $234 million of operating cash flow and $227 million of free cash flow during the quarter, while current remaining performance commitments grew 14% to $2.585 billion.

Okta’s AI-security setup

Q2 revenue: $805 million

Subscription revenue: $793 million

Subscription backlog/RPO: About $4.86 billion

cRPO: $2.585 billion

Operating cash flow: $234 million

Free cash flow: $227 million

Full-year revenue outlook: Roughly $3.22 billion to $3.23 billion

Emerging growth category: AI-agent identity security

Why Okta’s new security problem reaches Main Street

Most individuals don’t know they are buying identity-security software.

They are always talking to it.

An identity-management system can house all of these: the login verification when an employee accesses payroll, the authentication request before customer data opens, and the security rule that bans anomalous access.

That unseen layer becomes even more critical with AI agents. Feed an AI assistant customer credit-card details or medical records, and it can cause serious problems through bad permissions.

For ordinary consumers, that means the security question shifts from “Who has access to my data?” to “What has access to my data?”

Wall Street saw the possibilities, pushing Okta shares substantially higher after the company’s performance and forecast topped expectations, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The issue is that AI-agent security is still in its infancy. Companies may take longer than providers anticipate to implement agents, or huge software platforms may package identity controls right into their offerings.

But for agents to become true digital employees, they need what every employee already has: an identity, a badge, and restrictions on which doors they can open.

Okta wants to sell all three.

Related: Here’s how the Okta data hack was much worse than the company originally said

More than a decade after exiting a market where it once operated 18 locations, Dunkin’ is looking to reopen a chapter that ended following a contentious franchise dispute.

The coffee and donut chain has been pursuing new growth opportunities as it expands its footprint in the U.S. and internationally, including recent moves into markets where it previously operated.

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the U.S., with more than 14,200 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. The chain became part of Inspire Brands in 2020, joining a portfolio that also includes Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John’s, and Sonic.

Dunkin’ returns to Puerto Rico after 12 years

Dunkin’ is coming back to Puerto Rico in 2027 through a new partnership with Fusion Restaurant Group, a Puerto Rico-based restaurant operator that will lead the brand’s expansion across the island. The first locations are expected to begin opening in 2027.

Under the exclusive development and operating agreement, Fusion Restaurant Group will oversee Dunkin’s growth across Puerto Rico and bring the chain’s coffee, iced beverages, donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and other menu offerings back to consumers on the island.

Inspire Brands President and Managing Director, International, Michael Haley, said Dunkin’s international strategy focuses on working with experienced operators who understand their local communities.

“Puerto Rico represents a compelling opportunity to expand Dunkin’s presence in a market where the brand already enjoys strong awareness and affinity,” Haley said in the company announcement.

“Reconnecting longtime fans with the brand while introducing a new generation of guests to what makes Dunkin’ special.”

Fusion Restaurant Group CEO Mario J. Gaztambide said the company expects the brand’s existing recognition among Puerto Rican consumers to help support its return.

Additional details about restaurant locations and future openings will be announced as expansion progresses.

Why Dunkin’ exited the Puerto Rico market

Dunkin’ previously operated in Puerto Rico from 2001 until 2014, when all 18 locations on the island were closed following the termination of its franchise agreement with Wometco Donas Inc.

Earlier in 2014, Dunkin’ filed a lawsuit against Wometco Donas Inc. and Wometco Donas Puerto Rico Inc., alleging breach of contract, trademark infringement, unfair competition, and trade dress infringement, as well as approximately $196,000 in unpaid royalties and renewal fees.

The case sought to prevent the continued operation of the 18 Dunkin’ franchises without the company’s permission.

Dunkin’ eventually obtained a judicial annulment of the contract, and the 18 locations ceased operations in October 2014, bringing its 13-year presence in Puerto Rico to a close.

The planned return gives Dunkin’ an opportunity to rebuild its presence in a market where it says the brand still has strong awareness and affinity.

Dunkin’ comes back to Puerto Rico after 12 years.NurPhoto / Getty Images

Dunkin’ expansion plans

Dunkin’ has been accelerating its expansion over the last few years, reaching its 10,000th U.S. location in October 2025.

“Today, we’re not just celebrating this opening – we’re recognizing the guests who energize us to power forward, and the team members and franchisees who make it happen,” Inspire Chief Brand Officer and Dunkin’ President Scott Murphy said in a company announcement at the time.

“As we look forward to the next 10,000 restaurants, the momentum behind this brand has never been stronger. It feels good to be Dunkin’.”

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The Puerto Rico expansion comes as Dunkin’ continues to pursue international growth. In May 2026, the company announced its return to Canada through a master franchising agreement with Canadian restaurant operator Foodtastic. The first locations are expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027.

The company is also facing a change in another international market. In April 2026, the India-based food service company Jubilant FoodWorks announced that it would not renew its Dunkin’ franchise agreement when it expires on December 31, 2026.

Jubilant FoodWorks currently operates Dunkin’ locations in India, and the companies are expected to determine the next steps for those restaurants as the franchise agreement approaches expiration.

Taken together, Dunkin’s moves in Puerto Rico, Canada, and India highlight an international strategy focused not only on entering new markets but also on reshaping its franchise relationships to pursue additional growth opportunities.

Related: Dunkin’ could exit an entire market in 2026 after 14 years

Cathie Wood is known to double down on volatile technology stocks when others start backing away. 

This week, she’s loading up on Cerebras Systems (CBRS), the newest publicly traded AI chip company that’s looking to challenge Nvidia (NVDA). Ark Invest scooped up 93,290 Cerebras shares through its ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF on August 25, a position worth $17.2 million, as per Ark’s daily fund disclosures.

That said, that isn’t her first recent purchase. 

Ark scooped up another 35,000 shares on August 18, the same day Cerebras tanked 12.7% during its closely watched Supernova product event, according to Yahoo Finance data.

The timing is interesting, with Cerebras surging 15.1% a day earlier before reversing course, and by August 26, the stock had dropped for six consecutive sessions.

At the same time, Wood’s flagship ARK Innovation ETF surged 10.16% for the year through August 26, while the S&P 500 gained 12.1%, according to Yahoo Finance.

For perspective, the fund grabbed investor attention during the pandemic after it surged 152.8% in 2020, blowing past the S&P 500’s 16.3% gain, according to Yahoo Finance data. That outperformance helped turn Wood into one of the market’s most prominent tech investors, although ARKK later tanked sharply as interest rates rose. 

That sluggishness beckons the question of whether her latest Cerebras bet is a timely buy on an AI rebound or another risky move into a volatile stock. 

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest bought $17.2 million of Cerebras shares during weakness CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Cathie Wood remains bullish on AI stocks

Wood’s Cerebras buy fits into her broader bet on AI, which she believes could reshape productivity, corporate spending, and economic expansion.

In a March interview with Bloomberg, Wood pointed to a 2.8% year-over-year bump in U.S. nonfarm productivity, arguing that the broader use of AI tools could push annual productivity growth as high as 6%.

Ark’s forecasts are perhaps even more ambitious.

In her 2026 outlook, Wood said productivity growth could potentially surge 4% to 6% during the next few years with AI converging with robotics, energy storage, blockchain, and biotechnology, according to Ark Invest.

Also Read: Cathie Wood sells $4 million of surging AI stock

Moreover, the deflationary aspect to AI sits at the heart of her thesis. CoinDesk reports Ark estimating that AI training costs are dropping nearly 75% annually, while the cost of running AI models is dropping by as high as 99% a year on some benchmarks. Wood believes those drops could encourage a lot more businesses to use more computing power.

That’s exactly where Cerebras enters the conversation.

Ark’s Big Ideas 2026 report estimates that annual investment in data-center systems might climb from nearly $500 billion in 2025 to about $1.4 trillion by 2030. More spending is directed toward accelerated servers and specialized processors custom-made for AI workloads.

Moreover, Wood isn’t relying on one winner. 

According to recent disclosures, Ark has been adding Nvidia (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO), Cerebras, CoreWeave (CRWV), and Cloudflare (NET) to build the fund’s exposure across cloud computing, AI chips, and network-related infrastructure. 

She recently said, “I think we’re still early in seeing how far that can go,” adding that businesses using AI effectively will “separate themselves from the ones that don’t.” 

At the same time, she’s been buying heavily into SpaceX (SPCX), purchasing as much as $28.1 million on August 21. CEO Elon Musk believes the company’s surprisingly large AI business could eventually surpass its launch and other space-focused businesses. 

It’s important to note, though, that this strategy entails a ton of risk with AI companies spending heavily, valuations remaining elevated, and the eventual winners are far from settled.

Why Cathie Wood is betting on Cerebras

Wood’s Cerebras bet is simple in that Nvidia can continue to stay dominant in its ways, while Cerebras wins out on a slice of the AI chip market.

Put simply, Cerebras develops enormous processors using almost the entire silicon wafer. Traditional AI systems connect several smaller GPUs, creating data-traffic bottlenecks. Cerebras layers computing power, memory, and bandwidth on one giant chip, which enables AI models to produce answers a lot quicker.

Its newest CS-4 system is drawing a ton of attention. 

Cerebras says it could generate over 4,400 tokens per second per user and deliver inference speeds up to 30 times faster than GPU-based systems, according to company benchmarks.

A major validation comes from OpenAI.

The ChatGPT maker agreed to add 750 megawatts of Cerebras computing capacity through 2028. Cerebras valued that tremendous multiyear agreement at over $20 billion, while OpenAI says the technology will help models respond much faster. 

Growth is arriving quickly as well

Q2 sales jumped 74% to $180.1 million, while Cerebras’ preferred core sales measure more than doubled to $209.9 million, according to Reuters. Moreover, cloud revenue skyrocketed 281% to $126 million, according to the company.

However, the financial picture also explains the stock’s recent doldrums.

According to Investing, shares plummeted 16% after the report as core gross margin dropped to 40.6% from 46.5%, and the company posted a $450.5 million net loss. Also, renting computing capacity to satisfy demand also pressured margins.

Cerebras bumped its 2026 core revenue forecast to between $880 million and $890 million, but investors are still looking for evidence that it can scale profitably.

Scaling profitably is exactly what Nvidia has done with its AI chip business, which is why Jim Cramer remains skeptical that competitors can do the same so quickly, as I recently covered.

Cathie Wood’s biggest AI stock bets

Tesla (TSLA): 9.52%

Tempus AI (TEM): 5.16%

Palantir Technologies (PLTR): 3.60%

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): 3.60%

CoreWeave: 3.37%

Amazon (AMZN): 2.71%

Cerebras: 2.58%

Nvidia: 2.31%

Alphabet (GOOG and GOOGL): 2.25% combined

Meta Platforms (META): 1.43%

Broadcom: 1.31%

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM): 1.08%

Cloudflare: 0.98%Source: Cathie’s Ark. ARKK portfolio weights were accessed on Aug. 27, 2026.

Nevertheless, Wood’s wager is that Cerebras doesn’t need to dethrone Nvidia. It needs to turn its speed advantage into durable, long-term customers without letting manufacturing costs, heavy infrastructure spending, or Nvidia’s massive software ecosystem overwhelm its staggering opportunity.

Beyond Cerebras, Ark’s August 25 trades leaned mostly toward selling.

Wood shed 7,600 AMD shares worth about $3.5 million and 57,819 Tempus AI shares worth roughly $3.8 million, while also trimming Roblox (RBLX) and Twist Bioscience (TWST).

Related: Morgan Stanley sees big change coming for Alphabet stock

It’s kinda chic to be roaming around Jackson Hole, Wyoming right now — especially if you’re a Fed watcher.

And while Kevin Warsh makes his debut speech Aug. 28 as Fed Chairman at the annual economic summit sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the anticipation appears to be more on what he won’t say and less on what he will say.

“Warsh does not control fiscal policy. But markets need to understand what he thinks his responsibility is when fiscal policy starts moving the price of money,’’ Bill Birmingham, Managing Director at REX Financial, told TheStreet in an email.

Markets are expecting a Fed rate hike by December and are somewhat content with Warsh’s ditching of forward guidance since taking over the chair role in May.

But recently long-term Treasury yields have surged, naturally tightening financial conditions without explicit Fed action.

However, internal Fed debate persists and recent Treasury bond buybacks intended for liquidity management have counteractively lowered yields.

Plus, fiscal deficits projected to hit $1.9 trillion this year heighten the risk of fiscal dominance while monetary policy is increasingly constrained by the $40 trillion government debt and its financing needs.

“This may be the most interesting issue at Jackson Hole because it sits at the intersection of monetary policy, fiscal policy and market credibility,’’ Birmingham said. “That means mortgage rates, corporate borrowing rates and financing costs for AI infrastructure can tighten without Warsh moving the overnight rate at all.”

How Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech could impact bond market

The Fed’s dual mandate from Congress requires maximum employment and stable prices.

Lower interest rates support hiring but can fuel inflation. This risks fueling further inflation, potentially leading to an inflationary spiral.

Higher rates cool prices but can weaken the job market. This increases the cost of borrowing and further stifles economic activity.

The rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously last month to hold its benchmark Federal Funds Rate target in a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. 

Policymakers had cut rates by 25 basis points at its last three meetings of 2025 to shore up the softening labor market. 

These “insurance” cuts stopped after the majority of policymakers decided the risk from higher prices was outweighing signs that the jobs market was stabilizing.

The funds rate is the interest rate at which banks lend balances at the Federal Reserve to other banks overnight. 

A change in the funds rate triggers moves in short-term borrowing costs ranging from credit cards to student loans and home equity loans.

Warsh’s speech could put bond market ‘at risk’

Melissa Brown, Global Head of Investment Decision Research at SimCorp, told TheStreet in an email that investors are clearly betting that the Fed will hike rates by year-end, with a small likelihood the increase would be as high as 75 basis points. 

“Not long ago, higher long-term rates seemed to be solely tied to higher inflation expectations, but more recently concerns about servicing the level of U.S. debt have joined inflation concerns. In addition, while equity investors seem to like when oil prices drop, volatility in that commodity can’t be helping the uncertainty around inflation,’’ Brown said. 

Related: Bessent’s $40 trillion debt answer puts Fed rate hike in focus

Oil volatility may also hurt economic growth, as companies have a harder time planning, investors pull back on other purchases so there is not necessarily an obvious choice between unemployment and inflation, she said.

“I would look to see if Warsh will use this as an opportunity to provide a little more guidance. He has implied in the past that inflation is the more potent current threat, and with rates rising, it seems hard to imagine he would ignore or gloss over the topic. He does so at the risk of injecting even more volatility into financial markets,’’ Brown said.

One Fed official wants immediate action on inflation

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack told CNBC Aug. 27 that the central bank needs to act now to bring down inflation. Even with recent data indicating a slowing pace of price increases, Hammack, one of three dissenters at the July Fed meeting who favored a rate hike, said she worries about affordability and the impact inflation is having on household budgets.

Inflation has not hit the Fed’s own 2% target in over five years.

“The longer inflation stays above our objective, the harder it will be for us to bring it back down, and the more pain that individuals and businesses are going to be experiencing,” she said. “To me, the real problem with us missing on our inflation objective for so long is the risk that an inflationary mindset starts to set in with the public.” 

According to the CME Group FedWatch Tool, financial markets are currently pricing in the following probabilities regarding a 25-basis-point hike across the remaining 2026 FOMC meetings: 

September: Roughly 30%-35%. 

October: ~50%. 

December: Roughly 70%-75%. 

Related: Stock market hits records as Fed removes key safety net

Target has given investors a reason to feel better about its turnaround.

The retailer’s most recent earnings beat expectations, with net sales reaching $26.5 billion, a 5.3% increase from the prior year. Comparable sales rose 3.8%, while digital comparable sales increased 8.7%.

The numbers are encouraging for a company that’s spent the past several quarters working to regain its footing with consumers.

Target CEO Michael Fiddelke has outlined a broad turnaround plan focused on improving the company’s merchandise, customer experience, technology, and workforce.

“We’re delivering an incredible amount of trend-right newness while also providing outstanding value across the entire portfolio,” Fiddelke said during the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call.

That strategy involves more than simply cutting prices or adding products, though.

Target is trying to make its growing portfolio of private-label brands a bigger part of the reason shoppers choose the retailer. That’s where one of Target’s latest initiatives becomes particularly interesting.

Target wants Good & Gather to become a household name

Target has launched its first-ever cookbook centered around Good & Gather, its flagship owned food and beverage brand.

The cookbook features 100 recipes developed by Target’s test kitchen, with every ingredient available at the chain.

On the surface, a cookbook might not seem like a major retail strategy. But for Target, it represents something bigger: an attempt to turn Good & Gather from a collection of store-brand products into a recognizable consumer brand.

Related: Costco makes key move to expand membership base

Good & Gather launched in 2019 and has grown into a massive product line spanning fresh food, pantry staples, snacks, and beverages.

Target says the brand is on track to become a $4 billion owned brand.

The cookbook gives Target another way to put that merchandise directly in front of consumers. Instead of simply asking shoppers to consider Good & Gather when they’re standing in the grocery aisle, Target is showing them how to use the products in their everyday lives.

That’s particularly important as Target tries to strengthen its food business.

If Target can make Good & Gather products part of a family’s regular meal routine, it has a better chance of turning occasional Target trips into more frequent ones. And one of its rivals has already demonstrated how powerful the strategy of building up a store brand can be.

Target will offer a cookbook based on its Good & Gather brand.Kenishirotie/Shutterstock.com

Costco has already proven the private-label playbook works

Target and Costco have different business models but have long been competitors. 

Costco has turned Kirkland Signature into one of the most successful private-label brands in retail. And now, it looks as if Target wants to follow Costco’s lead.

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Kirkland isn’t simply Costco’s cheaper alternative to national brands. It’s become a sought-out brand in its own right, with shoppers actively choosing Kirkland products across categories ranging from food and beverages to clothing and household goods.

That creates an enormous advantage for Costco.

Customers aren’t just visiting Costco because they need paper towels or a large package of cereal. They’re also coming because they trust Kirkland and expect the brand to deliver a combination of quality and value.

“Above all else, Kirkland Signature is trusted. This means that consumers have come to rely on the quality, consistency, and value provided by this brand,” retail expert Dave Wendland told Retail Wire.

Target now has an opportunity to make Good & Gather, along with its other owned brands, more recognizable and more desirable to shoppers.

The cookbook is a relatively small initiative compared with Target’s broader turnaround. But it demonstrates the direction the retailer is heading in.

If shoppers start to trust Target more, there’s a greater likelihood of repeat business. 

That’s the Costco lesson. And if Target can replicate even part of Kirkland’s success, its private-label strategy could become an important piece of its comeback.

Maurie Backman owns shares of Target and Costco.

Related: Discontinued Costco member favorite returns to shelves

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Built-in cabinets in the home are a blessing. The more you have, the more you use. That’s because, as part of a shopping culture, most of us tend to have more things to store than we have actual storage space. There are ways to deal with this conundrum, like making use of outdoor storage sheds or mini dressers, but those aren’t your only possible solutions. There’s a storage option available that offers both practical and aesthetic benefits, and you can find them at reasonable prices as well. Farmhouse storage cabinets are incredibly popular right now, and with good reason.

With continued increases in housing costs, square footage is at a premium. Home prices are increasing while home sizes are decreasing. That’s why making the very most of any space you have is of the utmost importance. The right farmhouse storage cabinet can help you do that, and do it in style. There’s one cabinet in particular that caught our eye. It’s available at Amazon, and we think it may be your best bet for adding storage space to your home while also adding a touch of visual interest.

Cofar Tall Farmhouse Storage Cabinet

Courtesy of Amazon

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The Cofar Tall Farmhouse Storage Cabinet is a wonderful example of what you can get at Amazon to keep your items safe and sound. Measuring 5 feet tall, the pantry can hold more than you might expect. Its narrow footprint won’t take up much space on the floor, and three of the four shelves are adjustable and fully removable. The metal construction is lightweight and durable while also being fully waterproof and rust resistant. Each door has a lovely farmhouse-style cross hatch design that gives the piece dimension and an interesting touch. This may be the best farmhouse storage cabinet example we’ve found, and it’s only $108 at the moment.

Benefits of farmhouse storage cabinets

There are lots of advantages to buying a farmhouse storage cabinet. Aside from the most obvious plus, which is additional storage space, they also save space because they’re typically a vertical design; they fit aesthetically and practically in almost any room, and the farmhouse look conceals what is ostensibly a utilitarian piece of furniture. The vertical design of most farmhouse cabinets is an intentional choice by the manufacturer to keep the footprint at a minimum. Much of a home’s empty wall space is a wasted opportunity, so these pantries make the most of that space.

Because of their versatile look, these cabinets are well suited for use in a kitchen, living room, bathroom, or bedroom. Some might even want to use one in the garage. In addition to the stylistic benefits of the cabinets, they’re most often made from metal or engineered wood. That makes them highly water resistant and durable. The peace of mind you get from having furniture that can be in damp environments like kitchens and bathrooms is priceless. It allows you the freedom to move the piece between rooms as your needs change as well.

Finally, the beautiful ornamentation on these cabinets allows them to hide in plain sight. Guests need not know that what looks like a decorative armoire is concealing overflow linens, messy craft supplies, or a stockpile of worthless Beanie Babies. The farmhouse aesthetic is the perfect cover for a piece of furniture with a primary function of storing items that have nowhere else to go.

More farmhouse storage cabinets

If the Cofar Tall Farmhouse Storage Cabinet isn’t exactly what you need, then fear not. Amazon is one of the best sellers of storage cabinets of every type. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite farmhouse options currently available from the retail giant. Browse the selections, and you’re likely to find one (or more) to suit your exact needs. 

Teenfon Tall Entryway Farmhouse Storage Cabinet

Courtesy of Amazon

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Kepptory Kitchen Farmhouse Storage Cabinet

Courtesy of Amazon

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Cofar White Farmhouse Storage Cabinet

Courtesy of Amazon

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Dwvo Farmhouse Storage Cabinet with Drawer

Courtesy of Amazon

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TheStreet 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.

While Canadian travel to the U.S. has been at continued lows since the start of the current administration’s White House term in 2025, an escalating trade war and Trump’s continued antagonism of the northern neighbor brings the diplomatic relationship between the two countries to a new low.

On Aug. 21, trade negotiations between the two countries fell apart at the last minute with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney saying the U.S. side “asked too much and offered too little” while instructing his officials to return to Ottawa without a deal.

In response, the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods to take effect by January 2027 while the Canadian side responded with retaliatory tariffs that will begin immediately on September 8. On Aug. 27, Trump issued an official order to change the name of Lake Ontario between the two countries “Lake America” while calling Canadian officials “nasty people.”

“If you have a choice, please don’t travel to the United States”: Canadian Premier

Amid such an atmosphere, the head of government for one Canadian province has put out a statement telling Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the U.S. for the time being.

“Obviously, we’ve seen another attack from the United States and again, I’m asking British Columbians, if you have a choice, please don’t travel to the United States,” Premier David Eby said at an Aug. 26 press conference out of a local liquor store that stopped selling American products. “Choose another place to do your tourism. If you can choose a Canadian product instead of an American one, please choose it.”

Related: Canada is warning Native Americans about traveling to the US

The move, Eby told the residents of his province, is meant to both protest Trump’s treatment of Canada and support local businesses that will be hit by the tariffs.

“The best thing that we can do to respond to these tariffs is to build up our workers, build up our trade infrastructure, and be less dependent on the United States,” Eby saidfurther.

Canadian travel to the U.S. picked up slightly in June before dropping again amid Trump’s escalation of the trade war.Shutterstock

What is Canada’s official guidance for U.S. travel right now

On the federal level, the official Canadian travel guidance keeps the U.S. at the “exercise normal precautions” level but since March 2025 has featured a new section stressing that “U.S. authorities strictly enforce entry requirements” so travelers should “expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices.”

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Since the start of Trump’s second term in the White House and choice to constantly provoke the northern neighbor, the rapid decline in Canadian travel has affected many businesses in border states such as Washington, California and Vermont as well as cities like Las Vegas, which rely heavily on traveler numbers from Canada and Mexico.

“I’m telling everybody in Canada, please come,” Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley said at a September 2025 press conference in which she cited numbers showing that her city saw 400 million fewer monthly visitors that year. “We love you, we need you, and we miss you.”

Related: As Americans flock to Canada, a major travel trend is fully reversed

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Why we love this deal

“Cozy” is always our vibes when it comes to clothes, but come fall, we take it to a whole other level. Gone are the tank tops, bathing suits, and cut off shorts that have been routinely circulated through for the last few months. Now, it’s all about fuzzy sweatshirts, thick, plush sweatpants, knit sweaters, and so many other soft, fluffy pieces of apparel. Our clothes from last year are certainly going to be fall staples, but with the start of a new season, you always have to add a few new pieces to the mix, and the Champion Joggers on sale at Amazon right now are giving us our first taste of a new wardrobe addition. 

The knit lounge pants designed for men but wearable by anyone typically retail for $35, but thanks to a sale and a special coupon you can get a pair of your own for just $17. With chilly temperatures just around the corner (we hope) there’s no better time to add a few pairs of these popular pants with over 21,000 five-star ratings than right now when they are available for less than $20 and 51% off. 

Champion Joggers, $17 (was $35) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

In a world where so many pieces of apparel are made with synthetic fabrics, these sweatpants are 100% cotton. There’s nothing wrong with synthetics — they offer great water-resistance, durability, and are very affordable for the average shopper — but natural fibers offer superior breathability, are more skin-friendly and comfortable, and have complete biodegradability making them the eco-friendly choice. 

Made from super soft 6.1-ounces of cotton jersey fabric, these joggers are lightweight but super warm. Available in sizes small through XX-Large, the pants standard-fit with a 31-inch inseam, but the internal drawcord around the waist can be loosened or cinched to provide a more comfortable, customized fit. Both the waist and the legs cuffs at the bottom of the sweatpants are cinched, providing a more form-fitting feel. There are two pockets for holding your keys, phone, and other personal items as well as the iconic Champion “C” logo featured just below the hip on one of the pant legs. 

Related: Amazon’s $4 fleece-lined hoodie is a closet staple for fall

Designed as casual wear, the nice thing about these pants is that they can certainly be dressed up a bit with some sneakers and a zip-up or crewneck to look presentable if you’re running out for a quick errand. It is important to note that not all color options are made with the same percentage of cotton. The black and navy are 100% whereas the light grey and dark grey are made with cotton and polyester so keep that in mind when shopping.

Details to know

Material: Cotton.

Sizes: Small through XX-Large.

Colors: Five.

Care: Machine wash. 

With over 30,000 ratings, these sweatpants are certainly a popular purchase, and shoppers have a lot of great things to stay. They appreciate the stylish but comfortable design of the pants, and love the 100% cotton fabric that feels soft and gentle on the skin. Although a bit on the thinner side, they still provide adequate warmth when it gets chilly. “The fit is just right — neither too tight nor too loose,” one shopper said. “The elastic waistband with the drawstring allows for a customized fit, ensuring comfort throughout the day.” Others rave about how well the color and quality of the pants holds up after multiple wears and washes. 

Shop more deals 

Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake II Rain Jacket, $42 (was $70) at Amazon

Hanes Men’s Zip-Up Hoodie, $11 (was $28) at Amazon

G Gradual Men’s Sweatpants, $28 (was $30) at Amazon

Soon the fall season will be in full swing, and you’ll be so happy you grabbed a pair of Champion Joggers to stay cozy in as the weather cools down.