Critics say Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh’s 1980s-era Soviet spy movie “Mayday” is entertaining, even though the subject matter was serious business back in the day.
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McDonald’s launches exclusive state-themed meal
McDonald’s menu experimentation has helped drive attention to its international restaurants for years.
The fast-food giant has launched many limited-time menu items and collaborations overseas, often leaving U.S. customers waiting for some of them to make their way stateside.
But lately, that has changed. McDonald’s has increasingly used limited-time offerings, partnerships, and other promotions to create buzz around its U.S. menu.
Now, it is taking that strategy a step further with an offering that won’t be available to every U.S. customer.
McDonald’s launches “Texas Meal”
McDonald’s (MCD) has launched a new limited-time adult Happy Meal, but customers outside one state won’t be able to order it.
The “Texas Meal” comes in a Texas-themed Happy Meal-like box and includes:
10-piece McNuggets (regular or spicy)
Medium fries
Medium beverage
One of seven regional collectible cups
The cups are designed by the Texas-based artist Avery Orendorf, with each one representing a different major Texas region or city, including Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin/Central Texas, West Texas, East Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley/South Texas.
The “Texas Meal” is available only at participating McDonald’s restaurants in Texas and will be offered while supplies last.
McDonald’s Spicy Chicken McNuggets return
While the “Texas Meal” is limited to Texas, McDonald’s is also introducing new menu offerings nationwide.
The chain has temporarily brought back its Spicy Chicken McNuggets and unveiled the new Mighty Hot Sauce at its U.S. restaurants.
The Spicy Chicken McNuggets are a variation of its classic Chicken McNuggets, featuring a spicy tempura coating made with a blend of aged cayenne and chili peppers, according to the company’s announcement.
The Mighty Hot Sauce combines crushed red pepper, spicy chilis, savory garlic, and a hint of sweetness.
The launch gives McDonald’s another way to build excitement around its chicken menu as the company continues to emphasize the category.
McDonald’s launches the limited-time “Texas Meal” exclusively in Texas.picture alliance / Getty Images
McDonald’s bets on menu innovation
McDonald’s has increasingly leaned on menu innovation and restaurant experiences as it works to boost customer engagement and improve performance in the U.S.
In March 2025, McDonald’s introduced its Restaurant Experience Team, bringing together operations, supply chain, franchising, development, restaurant design, delivery, and Speedee Labs. According to the company, the goal is to streamline innovation and improve execution across its markets.
McDonald’s also established three global Category Management teams focused on covering beef, chicken, beverages, and desserts, signaling a more specialized and data-driven approach to menu development.
Here’s some of my previous coverage of McDonald’s limited-time menu releases:
Fried Apple Pie: Brought back the original Fried Apple Pie after 34 years.
Caramel Apple Pie Coffee Lineup: Launched four Caramel Apple Pie flavored coffees.
Test chicken menu items: Tested 10 new sandwiches, multiple McCrispy Strips flavors and seasonings, wings, and a stand-alone dipping sauce.
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meal: Released a Happy Meal in partnership with Hello Kitty and Godzilla.
The latest launches also align with a broader company strategy centered on expanding its chicken business.
McDonald’s has increased its chicken offerings across its top 10 markets, with the category now roughly twice the size of its beef business globally. The company has also set a goal to grow chicken by at least 1% by the end of 2026 compared with 2023 levels.
During its first-quarter 2026 earnings call, executives said chicken had become a larger category than beef globally and is growing at about double the pace, helping McDonald’s gain market share.
“For us, it’s gonna continue to be a point of focus and a point of priority,” said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski during the earnings call. “When beef prices are as elevated as they are, chicken becomes a much more attractive value opportunity relative to beef.”
Kempczinski added that chicken continues to benefit from a stronger cost position and sustained consumer enthusiasm.
McDonald’s sees early signs of growth
McDonald’s latest earnings provide additional context for its focus on menu innovation, marketing, and collaborations in the U.S.
During its second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported:
Systemwide sales increased 5% year over year.
Global comparable sales were up 1.3%.
U.S. comparable sales rose 0.8%.
Comparable sales at international operated markets climbed 1.5%.
Comparable sales at international developmental licensed markets increased 1.9%.
McDonald’s said U.S. comparable sales were driven by positive check growth, including a favorable product mix, but were partially offset by declining comparable guest counts.
The results highlight the difference between McDonald’s U.S. business and some of its international markets.
“While our playbook is working around the world, we see an opportunity to raise the bar in the U.S. and accelerate performance in our largest market,” said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski in the company’s earnings release.
During the company’s latest earnings call, Kempczinski also emphasized the importance of marketing and creating cultural moments that drive consumer engagement and restaurant traffic.
That makes exclusive collaborations one part of McDonald’s broader U.S. strategy. The company is using limited availability and new menu concepts to give customers another reason to pay attention to the chain.
For McDonald’s, the challenge will be turning that attention into sustained restaurant traffic in a U.S. market where guest counts remain under pressure.
Related: McDonald’s discontinues fan favorite after 13 years
The New U.S.-Canada Tariffs Follow Your Factory, Not Your Flag
New U.S.-Canada tariffs hit some brands hard and skip most. The difference isn’t your company’s flag, it’s where your goods are made and which border they cross.
30-year-old furniture brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The furniture sector still faces financial distress, business closings, and bankruptcies despite a year of recovery in 2025.
After a two-year decline in sales, the furniture industry recovered in 2025 as combined sales of the Top 100 furniture retailers increased by 0.9% to $51.2 billion compared to the previous year, according to Furniture Today.
Positive sales numbers have not been enough to stop furniture companies from filing for bankruptcy protection, though, including mattress and furniture retail chain Ortho Mattress, which filed for bankruptcy on June 1; Humble, Texas-based SuperNova Furniture, which filed for Chapter 11 protection to reorganize its business on April 15, and No Bull Mattress & More chain owner Mattress Warehouse of Charlotte Inc., which filed bankruptcy on Aug. 24.
Southern Motion filed for bankruptcy protection, seeking to renegotiate its facilities’ lease rate.Jeff Greenberg / Getty Images
Southern Motion files Chapter 11
And now, 30-year-old furniture company Southern Motion filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, facing significant financial and operational headwinds that included weaker consumer demand, increased manufacturing costs, and a burdensome, above-market master lease, according to court documents.
The Pontotoc, Miss.-based manufacturer of recliner furniture filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi on Aug. 31, listing $50 million to $100 million in assets and debts.
Southern Motion blamed a slow retail furniture market tied to weak housing demand for a slowdown in customer traffic, according to a declaration filed by the company’s Chief Restructuring Officer David Baker of Aurora Management Partners Inc.
The debtor also cited increased manufacturing costs related to tariffs and costs of fuel and container rates resulting from geopolitical events, such as the war with Iran, the declaration said.
Above-market lease burden
The furniture manufacturer was burdened with an above-market master lease for more manufacturing facilities than it needed for its operations and seeks to reduce or eliminate lease obligations it can no longer afford.
The debtor, which employs 645 full-time workers, currently operates four manufacturing facilities in Pontotoc, Miss., one in Ecru, Miss., and one in Baldwyn, Miss. The company did not indicate whether any jobs will be affected by the Chapter 11 filing.
Landlord seeks eviction
Southern Motion’s landlord filed two eviction proceedings against the manufacturer seeking to evict the company from facilities in Lee and Pontotoc counties, which were approved by court orders on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, respectively, and set to take effect the day the debtor filed for bankruptcy.
All litigation against the debtor is subject to an automatic stay while the bankruptcy case proceeds.
Southern Motion‘s largest unsecured creditors include Kuka Trade Co. Ltd., owed over $4.6 million; Remacro Technology, owed over $875,000; Superb Creation Ltd., owed over $281,000; Landstar Ligon Inc., owed over $235,000; and FXI Inc., owed over $223,000.
Southern Motion was founded in 1996 by Guy Lipscomb and Larry Todd and became the first and only major furniture manufacturer to introduce broad customization options across its product lines, the declaration said.
Man Wah buys Southern Motion
Hong Kong-based furniture manufacturer Man Wah Holdings Ltd. acquired Southern Motion’s parent company Gainline Recline Intermediate Corp. in December 2025 and paid off Southern Motion’s secured debt obligations owed to JPMorgan Chase & Co.
The company did not have any secured debt obligations as of the petition date. The company’s largest unsecured debt is owed to its landlord under the master lease.
Southern Motion is seeking court approval of up to $6 million in debtor-in-possession financing from Porter Capital Corporation under a factoring arrangement secured by unencumbered assets of the debtor. The debtor expects to use no more than $5 million in the first 30 days of the bankruptcy case, according to a post-petition financing motion.
Related: Bankrupt casino owner closes two locations, lays off 238 workers
What Bond ETF Investors’ Shifting Tactics Tell Us About the Fed’s Plan for Inflation
August ETF Flows HighlightsUS exchange-traded fund inflows surpassed $179.4 billion in August.Technology ETFs had their second month of outflows in the past year, losing over $2 billion in August after attracting over $67 billion during the prior four months.IShares bond ETF flows were telling, with short- and long-duration Treasury ETFs growing larger as their intermediate-term peers bled money.Emerging-market ETFs were propped up by strong performance from South Korean and Taiwanese stocks.SPDR Gold Shares’ GLD August inflow marked its highest single month of net flow, beating prior major inflow months in February 2009 and April 2020 for the top spot.Bitcoin ETFs are back on the upswing after a short hiatus.Invesco is on the cusp of $1 trillion in ETF assets under management.Global stocks and US bonds came back strong in August after a lackluster performance in July. The exhibit below shows returns for a sample of ETFs that serve as proxies for major asset classes. A blended global portfolio gained 1.8% last month.Stock Market SummaryAfter a strong start to the year, US small-cap stocks had their second consecutive month in the red as US large- and mid-cap stocks rose higher. IShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF IJR ended the month down 64 basis points, lagging the iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF ITOT by 3.3 percentage points.US large-cap outperformance was driven by some of the largest tech stocks in the US market. Nvidia NVDA and Microsoft MSFT both posted returns above 9% in August. Other leading contributors to iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF’s great month include Micron MU and Palantir PLTR, returning 16.5% and 51.5%, respectively.International stock ETFs showed the benefit of global diversification. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF VT, which encompasses over 10,000 stocks across the entire world, beat the iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF by 37 basis points in August. Additionally, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF IEMG returned 5.3%, driven by strong stock performance in Taiwan and South Korea. It beat all but one of the analyst-rated ETFs included in the table above.Momentum continued to struggle in August compared with the other factor ETFs. IShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF MTUM lagged each of its factor-focused peers, with its widest performance gap of over 5 percentage points forming relative to iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF VLUE. However, much of the ETF’s success was driven by a 20% allocation to Micron, which performed well above the average value stock. Bond Market SummaryUS bond ETF flows were telling in August. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh delivered his first Jackson Hole Economic Symposium at the end of the month, in which he stressed that a 2% inflation rate is the Fed’s firm target. While he didn’t reveal his plan for the rest of the year, bond investors began to show what they believe is to come through their ETF preferences.IShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF TLT brought in $5.3 billion in August, reversing direction into positive net flow territory for 2026. During the first half of the year, the ETF bled almost $6 billion. Positive flows for long-duration bond ETFs show a group of investors betting on a rate cut before the end of the year. Because of their longer duration, the bonds within these ETFs are highly sensitive to interest rate movements and would appreciate when a rate cut occurs. On the other hand, if the Fed hikes rates, long-duration bond ETFs would be on the losing side of their duration bet.Ultrashort bond ETFs continued their broader trend for the year, bringing in $12.2 billion in August. Regardless of what decision the Fed makes in the coming months, ultrashort bond ETFs like iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF SGOV shouldn’t have much of any price movement. The ETF brought in over $6 billion alone in August and $37.1 billion since the beginning of the year.With investors showing favor to both long- and short-duration bond ETFs in August, intermediate-term focused bond ETFs have begun to lose assets. IShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF IEF lost $5.3 billion in August as its siblings grew larger. Uncertainty surrounding the Fed’s action puts intermediate-term bonds in a relatively unpredictable place as the velocity of action could drive prices more than the decision to hike or cut rates.Technology Confidence Falters Technology ETFs had their second month of outflows in the past year, losing $2 billion in August after attracting over $67 billion during the four months prior. This is the technology category’s largest outflow since January 2023. Outflows were led by iShares Semiconductor ETF SOXX and VanEck Semiconductor ETF SMH, losing $3.7 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. Both ETFs performed well in August, but investors were spooked following large drawdowns in July. Both ETFs have yet to return near their June all-time highs.Gold and Bitcoin on the RiseSPDR Gold Shares GLD carried the commodities-focused Morningstar Category to the fifth-highest inflows ranking in August. The ETF has been bleeding assets since its peak in January after gold’s price hit an all-time high of $5,560 per ounce and subsequently collapsed below $4,000 per ounce in July. However, the price of gold has since rebounded along with the ETF’s flows.The ETF collected $5.8 billion of inflows in August, the highest single monthly inflow in its history. February 2009 and April 2020 were the only months in its history when inflows came close to this level. Despite this, the ETF’s flows were still in negative net flow territory, down $2.3 billion year to date.IShares Bitcoin Trust ETF IBIT followed a similar pattern. Year-to-date performance has been disappointing, but the second half of August reignited some hope for cryptocurrency investors. The ETF rose 25.5% in August and brought in $2.8 billion in net flows. The strong month brought the ETF’s net flow for the year back into positive territory, collecting $1.3 billion from the beginning of 2026.Invesco On the Cusp of $1 TrillionVanguard and iShares have clear dominance in the realm of ETFs. Their combined market share covers 57% of all ETF assets, with State Street accounting for the next largest slice at 13%. But Invesco is on the cusp of becoming the fourth asset manager to surpass $1 trillion in assets under management in ETFs. The vast majority of its assets come from its Invesco QQQ Trust QQQ, which ended August at $489 billion in total net assets and has continued to produce strong flows and performance year after year.Just as Invesco is nearing this milestone, iShares and State Street have brought their own Nasdaq 100 ETFs to market. IShares Nasdaq 100 ETF IQQ and State Street SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETF QNDX launched in July 2026, and each costs just 0.10%, or 0.08% less than QQQ. For now, Invesco’s ETF remains the dominant Nasdaq 100 ETF. Time will tell if it will be able to protect its flagship, as two of the largest ETF providers now offer a near-identical investment at a lower cost.
147-year-old oil giant just made high-stakes bet in Venezuela
Chevron just made a major move in a country it has called home for more than a century.
The energy giant confirmed new agreements with Venezuela on Sept. 2 that open the door to billions in fresh investment and a sharp jump in oil output.
The deal comes as Chevron (CVX) shareholders are already digesting a strong second-quarter earnings report. Production hit records across multiple U.S. assets, and the company reduced debt by more than $8 billion.
Now, the 147-year-old energy behemoth is adding a new growth lever thousands of miles from the Permian Basin.
Here’s what investors need to know about Chevron’s expanded footprint in Venezuela, and why it matters for CVX stock going forward.
Chevron eyes new growth lever in Venezuela
Chevron said its joint ventures in Venezuela will invest more than $7 billion over the next five years under the updated agreements.
The goal is to more than double production to about 600,000 barrels a day compared to 2026 levels.
Part of that growth comes from new acreage.
Chevron was assigned rights to develop the Carabobo 1 and Carabobo 2 South A areas in the Orinoco Belt, a region widely regarded as home to the largest proven crude oil reserves on the planet.
The company said total production costs there run below $20 a barrel, a figure that makes the region attractive even in a lower-price environment.
The new acreage builds on an April agreement in which Chevron raised its stake in the Petroindependencia joint venture to 49% and picked up rights to the Ayacucho 8 area.
Combined, Chevron’s three Venezuelan joint ventures have grown production 15% so far this year.
“Chevron’s history in Venezuela spans more than a century, and our expanded position reflects our confidence in the country’s deep resource potential and its ability to compete for investment within our portfolio for decades,” said CEO Mike Wirth.
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth eyes expansion in Venezuela.Bloomberg / Getty Images
Venezuela fits Chevron’s playbook
Chevron executives spent much of their second-quarter earnings call in July laying out how the company thinks about growth.
Rather than chasing an uptick in production, management said every option competes for capital based on returns and cost.
CFO Eimear Bonner addressed Venezuela directly on that call, noting the company had already grown output from its three joint ventures from 40,000 to 250,000 barrels a day in recent years. She said that momentum has continued.
Related: Chevron CEO evaluates new pipeline route around Strait of Hormuz
“With the existing model that we have in place, we have grown the production from those 3 JVs 15% over the last 6 months to 280,000 barrels of oil per day, and we’re anticipating that we will be able to grow up to 50% between now and the end of 2028,” Bonner told analysts on the call.
Management has repeatedly said it will stay disciplined on capital rather than grow at any cost, a lesson the industry learned the hard way during the shale boom, when heavy spending failed to generate free cash flow.
Venezuela, with its low production costs and now improved fiscal terms, appears to clear that bar.
What’s next for Chevron stock price
The recently confirmed Venezuela agreements add another data point for anyone modeling Chevron’s future cash flow.
The company is also recovering debt Venezuela owes it, which it expects to be fully repaid by early 2027, based on comments Bonner made on the earnings call.
More Oil & Gas:
Goldman Sachs doubles down on oil price forecast for 2026
Drivers lose control over gas price squeeze
A big shift in the U.S. energy market is about to happen
Once that debt is cleared, the joint ventures shift toward the country’s new fiscal framework, potentially changing the economics further.
Chevron also credited U.S. government involvement in making the expansion possible.
“We appreciate the leadership of the Administration, particularly the U.S. Department of Energy, and Secretary Wright’s partnership in helping facilitate the conditions for further investment and growth,” Wirth said in the statement.
Venezuela is just one piece of a broader growth story Chevron laid out on its earnings call.
Wirth described a deep list of opportunities, from Guyana to the Eastern Mediterranean to West Africa, alongside newer bets such as the Kilby power project supplying Microsoft’s data centers in West Texas.
Venezuela stands out because of its resource depth and low costs, but Chevron has stressed it will only pursue growth that competes for capital against the rest of its global portfolio.
For now, the update gives investors a clearer picture of one of Chevron’s oldest and potentially most resource-rich assets, and a reason to watch how quickly the new investment translates into barrels and, eventually, cash flow.
Related: Chevron stock turns heads as company strikes fresh oil
Amazon has suede clogs with ‘great arch support’ for up to 53% off
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Why we love this deal
When it comes to fall wardrobe staples, there are a few things you want to have. For clothing, a lightweight pullover and a comfortable hoodie are great layers to get you through the transitional weather. For footwear, clogs are a fall classic that are comfortable, convenient, and go with practically any casual outfit.
The Odoly Genuine Suede Clogs at Amazon are an affordable option. They’re currently on sale for as low as $22, with prices ranging depending on size and color. With a limited-time deal, you can save up to 53% off their regular price of $47. With more than 2,800 five-star ratings, these customer-favorite shoes are perfect for fall.
Odoly Genuine Suede Clogs, From $22 (was $47) at Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon
Shop at Amazon
Why do shoppers love them?
Once crisp fall weather starts to roll around, it’s time to break out the clogs. If you don’t have a pair yet, consider these affordable options from Amazon. They’re made of genuine suede that’s soft, comfortable, and on-trend for fall. The cork footbed has a soft heel cup that cushions the foot nicely, and it provides arch support to relieve pressure. The buckle design is an extra detail that not only looks stylish but also can be adjusted for a better fit if needed.
With an easy slip-on design, these clogs have a classic look that’s also convenient to wear. You can take them on and off with ease, whether you wear them out to run errands or around your home as more supportive house shoes. They’re also versatile enough to style with casual outfits, from jeans and a sweater to sweatpants and a hoodie. They’re available in up to 10 colors, with varying size availability and sale prices ranging from 15% off to 53% off.
Related: Walmart is selling $85 18-karat white gold earrings for 47% off
Details to know
Sizes: Unisex sizing, from women’s 5-5.5 and men’s 3-3/5 to women’s 15.5-16 and men’s 13.5-14.
Colors: 10, with availability and pricing dependent on size.
Features: Arch support, adjustable buckle, and slip resistant.
“Cute and super comfortable, affordable clogs. You can’t beat these for the price,” a shopper said. They said they have a “durable sole, nice suede leather outside, and even a cushion in the arch.” They added that they feel soft and bend well when walking, sharing that they’re “not too stiff and don’t have to ‘break in,’ like their expensive counterpart.”
“They fit true to size, feel very comfortable, and provide great arch support for all-day wear. The suede material looks nice and feels high quality, and the adjustable strap helps get the perfect fit,” another customer said. They added that they’re “comfortable everyday shoes” that are “easy to wear with almost anything.”
Shop more deals
Kidmi Vegan Suede Clogs, $25 (was $40) at Amazon
Project Cloud Genuine Leather Slip-on Clogs, $40 (was $45) at Amazon
Brelzo Calvior Suede Clogs, $22 (was $27) at Amazon
The Odoly Genuine Suede Clogs are on sale for as low as $22. With suede clogs being a cool-weather essential, it’s an affordable way to get ready for fall.
An old stock-market adage applies this month — how you should play it in 2026
How to profit from the adage “sell Rosh Hashanah, buy Yom Kippur.”
America’s Top & Best-In-State Residential Architects 2026: Methodology
An overview of the methodology used by Forbes editors to produce the 2026 Top Residential Architects and Best-In-State Architects lists.
Why I’ve Never Been More Optimistic About American Manufacturing
American manufacturing is undergoing a significant transformation, and while the workforce gap is real, transforming the outdated assumptions about manufacturing can help.