18 hours ago
Florida voters on Tuesday approved a major overhaul of the state's property tax system. But the droves of billionaires and other ultrawealthy people who recently moved there are unlikely to notice much of a difference from its headline tax break.
Amendment 3—which raises the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028—passed with 62% of the vote, according to the ***** ociated Press. Supporters pitched Amendment 3 as relief for everyday homeowners, and for many, it is. But because the exemption is a flat dollar amount, it does far less for the billionaires who turned South Florida into one of the country's wealthiest enclaves.
Take Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, who moved his firm from Chicago to Miami, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also moved to Miami in 2023 and has since bought a $237 million compound on Indian Creek, the island nicknamed "Billionaire Bunker." Bezos is also reportedly buying a $69.5 million oceanfront estate in nearby Golden Beach.
Experts told Fortune, though, the bigger factor of Amendment 3 for people like Griffin and Bezos is a less-noticed part: a tighter limit on how fast taxes can rise on second homes, rentals, and other properties that aren't a primary residence. Florida caps how much those properties' taxable values can increase each year, and Amendment 3 cuts that cap from 10% to 5%. In a hot market like South Florida's, that slows tax growth on homes whose values are climbing quickly, and many wealthy buyers own more than one.
But for a billionaire who claims a Florida homestead, the savings from Amendment 3 aren't that noticeable. Raul Gastesi, a real estate attorney and cofounder of Miami law firm Gastesi Lopez Mestre & Cobiella, calculated that at the statewide average non-school tax rate, the expanded exemption will save a homestead owner about $2,085 a year once fully in place. A home ***** sed at $350,000 would see its local services property tax bill fall from about $3,135 to about $1,050. A $50 million homestead would go from about $524,000 to about $522,000.
#Florida #moved
Amendment 3—which raises the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028—passed with 62% of the vote, according to the ***** ociated Press. Supporters pitched Amendment 3 as relief for everyday homeowners, and for many, it is. But because the exemption is a flat dollar amount, it does far less for the billionaires who turned South Florida into one of the country's wealthiest enclaves.
Take Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, who moved his firm from Chicago to Miami, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also moved to Miami in 2023 and has since bought a $237 million compound on Indian Creek, the island nicknamed "Billionaire Bunker." Bezos is also reportedly buying a $69.5 million oceanfront estate in nearby Golden Beach.
Experts told Fortune, though, the bigger factor of Amendment 3 for people like Griffin and Bezos is a less-noticed part: a tighter limit on how fast taxes can rise on second homes, rentals, and other properties that aren't a primary residence. Florida caps how much those properties' taxable values can increase each year, and Amendment 3 cuts that cap from 10% to 5%. In a hot market like South Florida's, that slows tax growth on homes whose values are climbing quickly, and many wealthy buyers own more than one.
But for a billionaire who claims a Florida homestead, the savings from Amendment 3 aren't that noticeable. Raul Gastesi, a real estate attorney and cofounder of Miami law firm Gastesi Lopez Mestre & Cobiella, calculated that at the statewide average non-school tax rate, the expanded exemption will save a homestead owner about $2,085 a year once fully in place. A home ***** sed at $350,000 would see its local services property tax bill fall from about $3,135 to about $1,050. A $50 million homestead would go from about $524,000 to about $522,000.
#Florida #moved
2 months ago
On September 17, Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) announced a partnership with the technology company Rakuten Group, Inc., effective January 1, 2027. The announcement gives no scope and no price tag, so it works better as a signal than as a number. The real substance sits in the results Ferrari posted on July 30, when it raised its 2026 guidance because buyers are ordering more personalization than the company expected.
In the second quarter, revenue rose 8%, but operating profit rose 10%, which means each euro of sales is leaving more behind. Ferrari credits a richer mix of cars, with the F80 helping, along with more buyers paying up for personalization. Strip out currency swings, and the gap widens, with revenue up 11% and operating profit up 16%. Deliveries of the Purosangue and the 296 Speciale family grew even in the middle of a planned model changeover.
Cash and demand back that up. Industrial free cash flow jumped 39% to €276 million, and Ferrari also returned more than €800 million to shareholders through a dividend and buybacks. Racing helped too, as higher sponsorships and engine rentals to other Formula 1 teams lifted revenue. Meanwhile, the order book covers 2027 in full, and the new 12Cilindri Manuale is already fully allocated, which is about as strong a demand signal as a carmaker can send. Those trends are why revenue guidance moved up to about €7.60 billion from about €7.50 billion.
Part of the strength is timing. Operating profit got a boost from temporarily lower depreciation and amortization while Ferrari swaps out models, and the company says those charges will climb once the new cars enter production. Net profit also leaned on a 23.0% tax rate, which reflects an estimated benefit from the new Patent Box. Neither says much about how profitable the cars themselves are.
Costs are climbing too. Higher industrial and marketing expenses weighed on operating profit, EBITDA margin slipped to 39.0% from 39.7% a year earlier, and management expects heavier brand, racing and digital spending for the year. Currency is a drag as well, mostly from the dollar and the yen, which is why 11% growth at constant currency shrank to 8% as reported. Deliveries totaled 3,366 cars while the 296 GTS, Roma Spider and SF90 XX family wound down, and sponsorship, commercial and brand revenue grew just 2%. And the whole outlook leans on current visibility into the Middle East crisis, which Ferrari cannot control.
#Ferrari
In the second quarter, revenue rose 8%, but operating profit rose 10%, which means each euro of sales is leaving more behind. Ferrari credits a richer mix of cars, with the F80 helping, along with more buyers paying up for personalization. Strip out currency swings, and the gap widens, with revenue up 11% and operating profit up 16%. Deliveries of the Purosangue and the 296 Speciale family grew even in the middle of a planned model changeover.
Cash and demand back that up. Industrial free cash flow jumped 39% to €276 million, and Ferrari also returned more than €800 million to shareholders through a dividend and buybacks. Racing helped too, as higher sponsorships and engine rentals to other Formula 1 teams lifted revenue. Meanwhile, the order book covers 2027 in full, and the new 12Cilindri Manuale is already fully allocated, which is about as strong a demand signal as a carmaker can send. Those trends are why revenue guidance moved up to about €7.60 billion from about €7.50 billion.
Part of the strength is timing. Operating profit got a boost from temporarily lower depreciation and amortization while Ferrari swaps out models, and the company says those charges will climb once the new cars enter production. Net profit also leaned on a 23.0% tax rate, which reflects an estimated benefit from the new Patent Box. Neither says much about how profitable the cars themselves are.
Costs are climbing too. Higher industrial and marketing expenses weighed on operating profit, EBITDA margin slipped to 39.0% from 39.7% a year earlier, and management expects heavier brand, racing and digital spending for the year. Currency is a drag as well, mostly from the dollar and the yen, which is why 11% growth at constant currency shrank to 8% as reported. Deliveries totaled 3,366 cars while the 296 GTS, Roma Spider and SF90 XX family wound down, and sponsorship, commercial and brand revenue grew just 2%. And the whole outlook leans on current visibility into the Middle East crisis, which Ferrari cannot control.
#Ferrari
2 months ago
Owning a $400,000 Villages home costs owners roughly 4.5% annually in forgone investment income alone, before taxes, insurance, or CDD bond payments.
Annual rentals run between $2,200 and $3,000 a month, but renting beats owning only for stays under eight years once all costs are counted.
A 75-year-old facing a forced sale in a narrow buyer pool at 3.98 million existing home sales risks losing the flexibility a lease ending provides.
Two retirees, same $1 million, same 4% rule, buy one finished with $1.4 million, the other hit $0 in 12 years. Our free reader guide explains the flaw that separated them, and the income-first method built to avoid it.
At the end of the day, renting versus buying in The Villages comes down to one thing: math. More owners are running the numbers and finding that renting wins on the spreadsheet, so here is what the comparison actually looks like when every line is filled in.
#income
Annual rentals run between $2,200 and $3,000 a month, but renting beats owning only for stays under eight years once all costs are counted.
A 75-year-old facing a forced sale in a narrow buyer pool at 3.98 million existing home sales risks losing the flexibility a lease ending provides.
Two retirees, same $1 million, same 4% rule, buy one finished with $1.4 million, the other hit $0 in 12 years. Our free reader guide explains the flaw that separated them, and the income-first method built to avoid it.
At the end of the day, renting versus buying in The Villages comes down to one thing: math. More owners are running the numbers and finding that renting wins on the spreadsheet, so here is what the comparison actually looks like when every line is filled in.
#income
2 months ago
Travel credit cards offer points and miles rewards on your spending, which you can use toward travel-related redemptions, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You'll often earn the highest rewards rate on travel purchases with a travel credit card. However, many also offer boosted rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and more.
When you're comparing travel credit cards, it's useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards.
With a general travel credit card, you'll have a number of flexible redemption options when you're ready to redeem your points and miles.
Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Travel, where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. These programs also have a number of travel transfer partners to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1:1.
The flexibility of general travel cards means you can use your rewards to travel with different airlines or hotel brands. Each time you're ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans.
#rewards #points #you 're
When you're comparing travel credit cards, it's useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards.
With a general travel credit card, you'll have a number of flexible redemption options when you're ready to redeem your points and miles.
Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Travel, where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. These programs also have a number of travel transfer partners to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1:1.
The flexibility of general travel cards means you can use your rewards to travel with different airlines or hotel brands. Each time you're ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans.
#rewards #points #you 're
2 months ago
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SUNB) reported on September 9 that fiscal first-quarter revenue increased 11.2% to $3.115 billion, including $2.927 billion of rental revenue, up 12.5%. The quarter ended July 31, 2026.
Management raised fiscal 2027 rental-revenue growth guidance to 7% through 10%, while increasing planned net rental-equipment capital expenditures to $2.4 billion through $2.8 billion. Demand supports expansion, but investors need to ****** s how much cash remains after funding the fleet.
North America Specialty rental revenue grew 25.3%, giving Sunbelt Rentals Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SUNB) a strong source of growth beyond general equipment rentals. Specialized services can deepen customer relationships and create opportunities to supply several needs on the same project.
The company estimated that the FIFA World Cup contributed 2.5 percentage points to quarterly rental-revenue growth. Serving complex events demonstrates the commercial value of a broad equipment network. The investment opportunity is to turn that capability into recurring work across industrial, energy and construction customers.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.7% to $1.315 billion. This company-defined non-GAAP measure adds taxes, net interest, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and specified restructuring costs to net income. Its margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
#rentals
Management raised fiscal 2027 rental-revenue growth guidance to 7% through 10%, while increasing planned net rental-equipment capital expenditures to $2.4 billion through $2.8 billion. Demand supports expansion, but investors need to ****** s how much cash remains after funding the fleet.
North America Specialty rental revenue grew 25.3%, giving Sunbelt Rentals Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SUNB) a strong source of growth beyond general equipment rentals. Specialized services can deepen customer relationships and create opportunities to supply several needs on the same project.
The company estimated that the FIFA World Cup contributed 2.5 percentage points to quarterly rental-revenue growth. Serving complex events demonstrates the commercial value of a broad equipment network. The investment opportunity is to turn that capability into recurring work across industrial, energy and construction customers.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.7% to $1.315 billion. This company-defined non-GAAP measure adds taxes, net interest, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and specified restructuring costs to net income. Its margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
#rentals
2 months ago
Travel credit cards offer points and miles rewards on your spending, which you can use toward travel-related redemptions, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You'll often earn the highest rewards rate on travel purchases with a travel credit card. However, many also offer boosted rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and more.
When you're comparing travel credit cards, it's useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards.
With a general travel credit card, you'll have a number of flexible redemption options when you're ready to redeem your points and miles.
Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Travel, where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. These programs also have a number of travel transfer partners to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1:1.
The flexibility of general travel cards means you can use your rewards to travel with different airlines or hotel brands. Each time you're ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans.
#credit #hotel #general
When you're comparing travel credit cards, it's useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards.
With a general travel credit card, you'll have a number of flexible redemption options when you're ready to redeem your points and miles.
Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Travel, where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. These programs also have a number of travel transfer partners to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1:1.
The flexibility of general travel cards means you can use your rewards to travel with different airlines or hotel brands. Each time you're ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans.
#credit #hotel #general
2 months ago
United Rentals Inc.'s (NYSE:URI) AI-enabled Equipment Agent facilitates customers within the equipment rental industry in comparing and selecting equipment and machinery in line with their project requirements. As per United Rentals' management, it has led to a 70% enhancement in users' ability to find equipment that fits their specific needs. The company decided to capitalize on that momentum by expanding its availability to ChatGPT, which made it the first equipment rental application available on ChatGPT store.
Copyright: Kurhan / 123RF Stock Photo
There are several strategic benefits of such innovation for United Rentals. The Equipment Agent solidifies the company's digital ecosystem by integrating its expertise and large equipment rental fleet with accessible, user-friendly and intelligent tools built according to customer needs. It enables customers to work with an engaging conversation-based system, instead of depending on conventional filter-based search methodologies. Moreover, the system is designed to make suggestions similar to the ones shared by equipment experts.
The tool supports efficient rental decision-making by streamlining the overall equipment discovery process for customers, and helping them move from planning to execution. Such capabilities come from decades of jobsite experience and fleet know-how, based on real customer questions. The tool has been tested extensively by the company's sales and equipment specialists. User experience from research to reservation is highly seamless as they are directed to detailed product pages on the company website, once a recommendation is generated.
Integration into ChatGPT further extends the tool's visibility beyond United Rentals' existing digital channels, which enables the company to serve customers across its various existing platforms. Such expansion will also offer usage data and related insights around customer behavior.
#customer #agent
Copyright: Kurhan / 123RF Stock Photo
There are several strategic benefits of such innovation for United Rentals. The Equipment Agent solidifies the company's digital ecosystem by integrating its expertise and large equipment rental fleet with accessible, user-friendly and intelligent tools built according to customer needs. It enables customers to work with an engaging conversation-based system, instead of depending on conventional filter-based search methodologies. Moreover, the system is designed to make suggestions similar to the ones shared by equipment experts.
The tool supports efficient rental decision-making by streamlining the overall equipment discovery process for customers, and helping them move from planning to execution. Such capabilities come from decades of jobsite experience and fleet know-how, based on real customer questions. The tool has been tested extensively by the company's sales and equipment specialists. User experience from research to reservation is highly seamless as they are directed to detailed product pages on the company website, once a recommendation is generated.
Integration into ChatGPT further extends the tool's visibility beyond United Rentals' existing digital channels, which enables the company to serve customers across its various existing platforms. Such expansion will also offer usage data and related insights around customer behavior.
#customer #agent
2 months ago
Valued at $83.1 billion by market cap, Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB) is a global online travel marketplace that connects travelers with hosts offering accommodations, including homes, apartments, villas, and boutique hotels. The San Francisco, California-based platform has expanded beyond stays to include Airbnb Experiences and Services, and offerings such as car rentals, airport pickups, and grocery delivery to create a broader end-to-end travel platform.
Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and ABNB perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this mark, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the travel services industry. Airbnb stands out through its **** et-light business model, globally recognized brand, and expansive network of unique accommodations. Unlike traditional hotel chains, Airbnb offers travelers access to homes, apartments, villas, and other distinctive properties, giving it a broader and more personalized selection. Its large two-sided network of hosts and guests creates strong network effects, while its growing Experiences and Services offerings provide additional ways to engage customers and diversify beyond lodging.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says His $3.5 Billion MediaTek Deal Is 'Not Circular' Because 'They Do Their Own Business'
Strategy's Strategy Appears to Have Failed, and the Outlook of MSTR Stock Is Unfavorable
A Potential **** eX Deal Could Meaningfully Accelerate Growth for Technip Stock
#Services
Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and ABNB perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this mark, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the travel services industry. Airbnb stands out through its **** et-light business model, globally recognized brand, and expansive network of unique accommodations. Unlike traditional hotel chains, Airbnb offers travelers access to homes, apartments, villas, and other distinctive properties, giving it a broader and more personalized selection. Its large two-sided network of hosts and guests creates strong network effects, while its growing Experiences and Services offerings provide additional ways to engage customers and diversify beyond lodging.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says His $3.5 Billion MediaTek Deal Is 'Not Circular' Because 'They Do Their Own Business'
Strategy's Strategy Appears to Have Failed, and the Outlook of MSTR Stock Is Unfavorable
A Potential **** eX Deal Could Meaningfully Accelerate Growth for Technip Stock
#Services
2 months ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Why we like it: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a valuable cash-back rewards combo for taking on costly wedding expenses. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus, there's an introductory 0% APR you can use to finance your wedding purchases and pay them off over time.
The rewards you earn with this card are even more lucrative if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While you'll earn rewards as cash back, you can also redeem them toward travel purchases through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Sapphire cards, combine your rewards under that card account and get up to a 1.75x (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or up to 2x (for Chase Sapphire Reserve) boosted Chase Travel redemption rate — a great way to maximize your Chase rewards toward your honeymoon or another upcoming trip.
Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card
Why we like it: If you want to use your wedding expenses to help fund the honeymoon you'll take afterward, the Capital One Venture is a great option. You'll earn a flat 2x miles on every dollar you spend, so you don't need to worry about the specific categories your wedding spending may fall into. If you have wedding-related travel expenses to book, you can get up to 5x miles on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
#sapphire #card #purchases
Why we like it: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a valuable cash-back rewards combo for taking on costly wedding expenses. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus, there's an introductory 0% APR you can use to finance your wedding purchases and pay them off over time.
The rewards you earn with this card are even more lucrative if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While you'll earn rewards as cash back, you can also redeem them toward travel purchases through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Sapphire cards, combine your rewards under that card account and get up to a 1.75x (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or up to 2x (for Chase Sapphire Reserve) boosted Chase Travel redemption rate — a great way to maximize your Chase rewards toward your honeymoon or another upcoming trip.
Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card
Why we like it: If you want to use your wedding expenses to help fund the honeymoon you'll take afterward, the Capital One Venture is a great option. You'll earn a flat 2x miles on every dollar you spend, so you don't need to worry about the specific categories your wedding spending may fall into. If you have wedding-related travel expenses to book, you can get up to 5x miles on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
#sapphire #card #purchases
2 months ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Why we like it: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a valuable cash-back rewards combo for taking on costly wedding expenses. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus, there's an introductory 0% APR you can use to finance your wedding purchases and pay them off over time.
The rewards you earn with this card are even more lucrative if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While you'll earn rewards as cash back, you can also redeem them toward travel purchases through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Sapphire cards, combine your rewards under that card account and get up to a 1.75x (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or up to 2x (for Chase Sapphire Reserve) boosted Chase Travel redemption rate — a great way to maximize your Chase rewards toward your honeymoon or another upcoming trip.
Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card
Why we like it: If you want to use your wedding expenses to help fund the honeymoon you'll take afterward, the Capital One Venture is a great option. You'll earn a flat 2x miles on every dollar you spend, so you don't need to worry about the specific categories your wedding spending may fall into. If you have wedding-related travel expenses to book, you can get up to 5x miles on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
#chase #travel
Why we like it: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a valuable cash-back rewards combo for taking on costly wedding expenses. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus, there's an introductory 0% APR you can use to finance your wedding purchases and pay them off over time.
The rewards you earn with this card are even more lucrative if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While you'll earn rewards as cash back, you can also redeem them toward travel purchases through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Sapphire cards, combine your rewards under that card account and get up to a 1.75x (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or up to 2x (for Chase Sapphire Reserve) boosted Chase Travel redemption rate — a great way to maximize your Chase rewards toward your honeymoon or another upcoming trip.
Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card
Why we like it: If you want to use your wedding expenses to help fund the honeymoon you'll take afterward, the Capital One Venture is a great option. You'll earn a flat 2x miles on every dollar you spend, so you don't need to worry about the specific categories your wedding spending may fall into. If you have wedding-related travel expenses to book, you can get up to 5x miles on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
#chase #travel
2 months ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Why we like it: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a valuable cash-back rewards combo for taking on costly wedding expenses. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus, there's an introductory 0% APR you can use to finance your wedding purchases and pay them off over time.
The rewards you earn with this card are even more lucrative if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While you'll earn rewards as cash back, you can also redeem them toward travel purchases through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Sapphire cards, combine your rewards under that card account and get up to a 1.75x (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or up to 2x (for Chase Sapphire Reserve) boosted Chase Travel redemption rate — a great way to maximize your Chase rewards toward your honeymoon or another upcoming trip.
Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card
Why we like it: If you want to use your wedding expenses to help fund the honeymoon you'll take afterward, the Capital One Venture is a great option. You'll earn a flat 2x miles on every dollar you spend, so you don't need to worry about the specific categories your wedding spending may fall into. If you have wedding-related travel expenses to book, you can get up to 5x miles on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
#sapphire
Why we like it: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a valuable cash-back rewards combo for taking on costly wedding expenses. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service), and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus, there's an introductory 0% APR you can use to finance your wedding purchases and pay them off over time.
The rewards you earn with this card are even more lucrative if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While you'll earn rewards as cash back, you can also redeem them toward travel purchases through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Sapphire cards, combine your rewards under that card account and get up to a 1.75x (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or up to 2x (for Chase Sapphire Reserve) boosted Chase Travel redemption rate — a great way to maximize your Chase rewards toward your honeymoon or another upcoming trip.
Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card
Why we like it: If you want to use your wedding expenses to help fund the honeymoon you'll take afterward, the Capital One Venture is a great option. You'll earn a flat 2x miles on every dollar you spend, so you don't need to worry about the specific categories your wedding spending may fall into. If you have wedding-related travel expenses to book, you can get up to 5x miles on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
#sapphire
2 months ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card charges a higher annual fee than other mid-tier airline cards, but the perks alone can make it worth your while. If you fly with Delta at least once or twice a year, this card should be on your radar.
Here are some of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card's more notable features:
Annual Delta flight credit: For each calendar year in which you spend $10,000, you'll receive a $200 Delta flight credit good for future travel. The credit is good for one year from the date you receive it.
Delta Stays credit: Each year, you'll get up to $100 in statement credits when you use your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.
#credit #annual
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card charges a higher annual fee than other mid-tier airline cards, but the perks alone can make it worth your while. If you fly with Delta at least once or twice a year, this card should be on your radar.
Here are some of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card's more notable features:
Annual Delta flight credit: For each calendar year in which you spend $10,000, you'll receive a $200 Delta flight credit good for future travel. The credit is good for one year from the date you receive it.
Delta Stays credit: Each year, you'll get up to $100 in statement credits when you use your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.
#credit #annual
2 months ago
Zillow Group (NASDAQ: ZG) resolved its antitrust lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission and five state attorneys general on Monday, heading off a federal trial scheduled to begin this week. The settlement removes an unpredictable legal overhang while leaving Zillow's rentals strategy fully intact.
The agreement keeps Zillow's multifamily distribution partnership with Redfin in place through at least 2030. Listings will continue to syndicate across a combined network that includes Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, Rent.com, ApartmentGuide, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
The network gives property managers a direct alternative to CoStar Group's Apartments.com, which has long commanded the lion's share of institutional multifamily ad dollars. By pooling distribution across Zillow, Redfin, and partner sites, landlords get multi-portal reach through a single contract, while renters see a broader pool of listings on whichever app they open.
Related: Anonymous coder hides Bitcoin puzzle in Satoshi's genesis block
Since syndication launched, multifamily listings on Redfin have nearly quadrupled, while Zillow's own multifamily inventory rose roughly 40%. In the second quarter of 2026, Zillow hit a record 79,000 multifamily properties and averaged 2.8 million monthly active rental listings, pushing quarterly rental revenue up 31% year over year to $209 million, led by a 42% surge in multifamily ad sales, putting pressure on Apartments.com's value proposition and pricing structure.
#federal
The agreement keeps Zillow's multifamily distribution partnership with Redfin in place through at least 2030. Listings will continue to syndicate across a combined network that includes Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, Rent.com, ApartmentGuide, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
The network gives property managers a direct alternative to CoStar Group's Apartments.com, which has long commanded the lion's share of institutional multifamily ad dollars. By pooling distribution across Zillow, Redfin, and partner sites, landlords get multi-portal reach through a single contract, while renters see a broader pool of listings on whichever app they open.
Related: Anonymous coder hides Bitcoin puzzle in Satoshi's genesis block
Since syndication launched, multifamily listings on Redfin have nearly quadrupled, while Zillow's own multifamily inventory rose roughly 40%. In the second quarter of 2026, Zillow hit a record 79,000 multifamily properties and averaged 2.8 million monthly active rental listings, pushing quarterly rental revenue up 31% year over year to $209 million, led by a 42% surge in multifamily ad sales, putting pressure on Apartments.com's value proposition and pricing structure.
#federal
2 months ago
This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter.
The Federal Trade Commission announced Monday that it settled anti-trust litigation against Zillow and Redfin alleging that the companies colluded to limit competition in internet listing services for apartment rentals.
An FTC order requires Zillow and Redfin to reverse a 2025 agreement under which Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to close its ILS service, repost apartment listings only provided by Zillow, shift its customers to Zillow and stay out of the ILS market for up to nine years, the commission said.
"This settlement delivers better, quicker, more certain results for both renters and property management companies than we would have been able to achieve after prevailing at trial, including firm and enforceable commitments by Redfin to relaunch its rentals advertising business," Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said in a statement.
Under the FTC order, which will be active for 10 years, Zillow and Redfin agreed to remove restrictions on Redfin's ability to sell advertising services and display its own customers' listings, the commission said. Redfin will also be freed from any requirement to provide Zillow with nonpublic or competitively advantageous business information.
#zillow #commission
The Federal Trade Commission announced Monday that it settled anti-trust litigation against Zillow and Redfin alleging that the companies colluded to limit competition in internet listing services for apartment rentals.
An FTC order requires Zillow and Redfin to reverse a 2025 agreement under which Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to close its ILS service, repost apartment listings only provided by Zillow, shift its customers to Zillow and stay out of the ILS market for up to nine years, the commission said.
"This settlement delivers better, quicker, more certain results for both renters and property management companies than we would have been able to achieve after prevailing at trial, including firm and enforceable commitments by Redfin to relaunch its rentals advertising business," Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said in a statement.
Under the FTC order, which will be active for 10 years, Zillow and Redfin agreed to remove restrictions on Redfin's ability to sell advertising services and display its own customers' listings, the commission said. Redfin will also be freed from any requirement to provide Zillow with nonpublic or competitively advantageous business information.
#zillow #commission
3 months ago
Zillow Group (NASDAQ:Z) delivered a second quarter that beat its own outlook on nearly every line, then turned around and eliminated jobs and reshuffled its leadership team. On the call held August 5, CEO Jeremy Wacksman and newly expanded COO and CFO Jeremy Hofmann laid out a business growing far faster than the housing market around it, alongside a restructuring meant to fund that growth. The two stories sitting side by side are worth pulling apart.
Q2 revenue rose 18% year-over-year to $772 million, ahead of the high end of guidance, while EBITDA hit $176 million for a 23% margin. For Sale revenue climbed 14% to $549 million even though the purchase mortgage market was flat, and mortgages revenue jumped 75% to $84 million as purchase loan origination volume nearly doubled. Rentals revenue grew 31% to $209 million, powered by 42% growth in multifamily and a record 79,000 multifamily properties on the platform, up 23% from a year earlier.
Management is also leaning into AI Mode, now live for about 20% of signed-in users, where engaged consumers spend more than three times as long on the site and contact an agent at nearly three times the rate of everyone else. Zillow Home Loans has become a top-25 purchase lender nationally, and the shift toward its "preferred" agent model generated 23% more revenue per connection in 2025, with management targeting 35% by the end of 2026. The company backed that confidence with $200 million in buybacks during the quarter and $826 million year-to-date.
The other side of the ledger is messier. A day before the call, Zillow eliminated roughly 7% of its workforce, booking $36 million in restructuring costs in the quarter with another $23 million to $28 million expected in the third quarter. Chief Operating Officer Jun Choo is stepping down to focus on his health, replaced in an expanded role by Hofmann. Despite the adjusted net income of $118 million, Zillow posted a GAAP net loss of $4 million.
Management also revised its view of the purchase mortgage market lower, now expecting originations down low to mid single digits rather than flat, citing rates that have risen since their lows earlier in the year. The accounting mechanics of the preferred transition are adding real drag too: residential revenue is expected to be flat in the third quarter and only in line with a shrinking mortgage industry in the fourth, as 600 to 800 basis points of revenue shifts from residential into mortgages and seasonality adds another 200 to 300 basis points of headwind in Q4.
#market
Q2 revenue rose 18% year-over-year to $772 million, ahead of the high end of guidance, while EBITDA hit $176 million for a 23% margin. For Sale revenue climbed 14% to $549 million even though the purchase mortgage market was flat, and mortgages revenue jumped 75% to $84 million as purchase loan origination volume nearly doubled. Rentals revenue grew 31% to $209 million, powered by 42% growth in multifamily and a record 79,000 multifamily properties on the platform, up 23% from a year earlier.
Management is also leaning into AI Mode, now live for about 20% of signed-in users, where engaged consumers spend more than three times as long on the site and contact an agent at nearly three times the rate of everyone else. Zillow Home Loans has become a top-25 purchase lender nationally, and the shift toward its "preferred" agent model generated 23% more revenue per connection in 2025, with management targeting 35% by the end of 2026. The company backed that confidence with $200 million in buybacks during the quarter and $826 million year-to-date.
The other side of the ledger is messier. A day before the call, Zillow eliminated roughly 7% of its workforce, booking $36 million in restructuring costs in the quarter with another $23 million to $28 million expected in the third quarter. Chief Operating Officer Jun Choo is stepping down to focus on his health, replaced in an expanded role by Hofmann. Despite the adjusted net income of $118 million, Zillow posted a GAAP net loss of $4 million.
Management also revised its view of the purchase mortgage market lower, now expecting originations down low to mid single digits rather than flat, citing rates that have risen since their lows earlier in the year. The accounting mechanics of the preferred transition are adding real drag too: residential revenue is expected to be flat in the third quarter and only in line with a shrinking mortgage industry in the fourth, as 600 to 800 basis points of revenue shifts from residential into mortgages and seasonality adds another 200 to 300 basis points of headwind in Q4.
#market
3 months ago
Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) shares surged 17.4% on August 7, closing at their highest price in more than four years. The move followed second-quarter 2026 results, published on August 6, that cleared expectations on nearly every line. Revenue climbed 17% year over year to $3.6 billion, gross booking value rose 16% to $27.2 billion, and adjusted EBITDA jumped 21% to $1.3 billion. It was the kind of quarter that finally shifted the narrative around a stock that had spent years going nowhere.
Nights and seats booked rose 10% to 148.3 million, an acceleration from the first quarter, while GAAP EPS jumped from $1.03 to $1.37, well past the $1.22 **** ysts expected. Management didn't just clear the bar; it raised it for the rest of the year, guiding to at least mid-teens full-year revenue growth and an adjusted EBITDA margin of at least 35.5%, with third quarter revenue seen between $4.69 billion and $4.77 billion. The growth also broadened out. Net origin nights booked accelerated not only in newer expansion markets but in long-established ones too, including the US, France, the UK, and Australia, a sign the improvement is coming from product work rather than a one-time boost.
That product work shows up everywhere. Airbnb has rebuilt itself as what it calls an AI native company, cutting the time from concept to shipped feature by as much as 60% and shipping nearly 80% more features than a year earlier. Its AI **** istant, now live in more than 50 languages, resolves roughly 45% of support issues without a human agent, up from the first quarter, and has helped push customer support cost per booking down about 16% year-over-year. The company is also stretching past home rentals, adding boutique and independent hotels across more than 20 destinations along with grocery delivery, car rentals, airport pickups, and resort passes. Hotel nights booked grew roughly three times as fast as the core home business, and about 35% of first-time hotel guests come back to book a home, suggesting the expansion feeds the core rather than competing with it. With more than 9 million active listings across 220 countries and roughly 2 billion guest arrivals since 2008, Airbnb also sits on a depth of host history that AI rivals have little of their own to draw from.
None of this comes cheap. Airbnb has long carried a valuation premium tied to growth expectations, and a stock that just hit a four-year high raises the bar for what needs to keep going right. Reported free cash flow also leans on a non-cash boost, since stock-based compensation made up roughly 34% of operating cash flow in fiscal 2025, meaning some of that cash generation isn't as clean as the headline number suggests. Regulation is a live risk too. New European Union rules taking effect in May 2026 require more transparency and data sharing from short-term rental platforms, adding compliance costs on top of restrictions cities like New York have already imposed.
#year #revenue #nights
Nights and seats booked rose 10% to 148.3 million, an acceleration from the first quarter, while GAAP EPS jumped from $1.03 to $1.37, well past the $1.22 **** ysts expected. Management didn't just clear the bar; it raised it for the rest of the year, guiding to at least mid-teens full-year revenue growth and an adjusted EBITDA margin of at least 35.5%, with third quarter revenue seen between $4.69 billion and $4.77 billion. The growth also broadened out. Net origin nights booked accelerated not only in newer expansion markets but in long-established ones too, including the US, France, the UK, and Australia, a sign the improvement is coming from product work rather than a one-time boost.
That product work shows up everywhere. Airbnb has rebuilt itself as what it calls an AI native company, cutting the time from concept to shipped feature by as much as 60% and shipping nearly 80% more features than a year earlier. Its AI **** istant, now live in more than 50 languages, resolves roughly 45% of support issues without a human agent, up from the first quarter, and has helped push customer support cost per booking down about 16% year-over-year. The company is also stretching past home rentals, adding boutique and independent hotels across more than 20 destinations along with grocery delivery, car rentals, airport pickups, and resort passes. Hotel nights booked grew roughly three times as fast as the core home business, and about 35% of first-time hotel guests come back to book a home, suggesting the expansion feeds the core rather than competing with it. With more than 9 million active listings across 220 countries and roughly 2 billion guest arrivals since 2008, Airbnb also sits on a depth of host history that AI rivals have little of their own to draw from.
None of this comes cheap. Airbnb has long carried a valuation premium tied to growth expectations, and a stock that just hit a four-year high raises the bar for what needs to keep going right. Reported free cash flow also leans on a non-cash boost, since stock-based compensation made up roughly 34% of operating cash flow in fiscal 2025, meaning some of that cash generation isn't as clean as the headline number suggests. Regulation is a live risk too. New European Union rules taking effect in May 2026 require more transparency and data sharing from short-term rental platforms, adding compliance costs on top of restrictions cities like New York have already imposed.
#year #revenue #nights
3 months ago
Buster Posey reveals why Giants didn't trade Logan Webb despite heated interest originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Francisco Giants were trade deadline sellers this season, parting with rentals in Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray, as well as controllable players in Heliot Ramos and Erik Miller.
As they sold off a lot of talent, the Giants were also fielding offers on All-Star starting pitcher Logan Webb. Plenty of teams reportedly had a heated interest in him, including the Atlanta Braves, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
But the Giants didn't trade him, and Nightengale shared the reason Buster Posey had for his decision to keep Webb, and Giants fans should like to hear this answer.
"He's a guy that I think we all see as somebody that can mentor the next wave of pitchers that come through San Francisco," Posey said. "And yes, I do think there's still a chance, as bad as this year has been, that we can be a team that's in contention."
#posey #logan #francisco #nightengale
The San Francisco Giants were trade deadline sellers this season, parting with rentals in Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray, as well as controllable players in Heliot Ramos and Erik Miller.
As they sold off a lot of talent, the Giants were also fielding offers on All-Star starting pitcher Logan Webb. Plenty of teams reportedly had a heated interest in him, including the Atlanta Braves, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
But the Giants didn't trade him, and Nightengale shared the reason Buster Posey had for his decision to keep Webb, and Giants fans should like to hear this answer.
"He's a guy that I think we all see as somebody that can mentor the next wave of pitchers that come through San Francisco," Posey said. "And yes, I do think there's still a chance, as bad as this year has been, that we can be a team that's in contention."
#posey #logan #francisco #nightengale
3 months ago
Airbnb (ABNB) stock charged higher on Aug. 7, printing a new four-year high after the short-term rentals company posted a blowout Q2 release and raised its guidance for the full year.
ABNB recorded $3.61 billion in revenue, up 16.5% on a year-over-year basis, and $1.37 in earnings per share (EPS), handily beating the ******* yst forecast of $1.26 per share.
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The Curious Case of Oracle Stock: The Better the Business Gets, the More Investors Worry
#year #heart #gets #Stock
ABNB recorded $3.61 billion in revenue, up 16.5% on a year-over-year basis, and $1.37 in earnings per share (EPS), handily beating the ******* yst forecast of $1.26 per share.
Mark Cuban Says on a $25,000 Heart Transplant, Doctor Gets $2,200 for 'Literally Taking a Heart Out' — Pay $10K So They're Not Thinking About Next 'Boo-Boo'
Tim Cook Says There's 'No Better Person' to Take Over at Apple – Here's What AAPL Investors Need to Know About the CEO Transition
The Curious Case of Oracle Stock: The Better the Business Gets, the More Investors Worry
#year #heart #gets #Stock
3 months ago
Zillow Group (Z) is a leading real estate technology company reimagining how people buy, sell, rent, and finance homes across the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Zillow operates the most visited real estate app and website in the country, connecting hundreds of millions of consumers with trusted local agents, loan officers, and innovative digital tools.
The company has built a diversified real estate marketplace spanning residential listings, rentals, mortgages, and agent software solutions like Zillow Showcase and Zillow Pro. Its portfolio also includes legacy brands such as Trulia, StreetEasy, and HotPads, reinforcing its dominant position in online real estate.
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Nasdaq Futures Climb as Tech Rally Continues on Palantir Boost, U.S. JOLTS Report and ******* eX Earnings on Tap
#united
The company has built a diversified real estate marketplace spanning residential listings, rentals, mortgages, and agent software solutions like Zillow Showcase and Zillow Pro. Its portfolio also includes legacy brands such as Trulia, StreetEasy, and HotPads, reinforcing its dominant position in online real estate.
Jeff Bezos Says He's Selling $1 Billion In Amazon Stock Every Year to Fund Blue Origin — 'It's The Most Important Work I'm Doing'
Apple's New CEO Is Bringing a Familiar Face Back From Retirement. The Shift Is Happening.
Nasdaq Futures Climb as Tech Rally Continues on Palantir Boost, U.S. JOLTS Report and ******* eX Earnings on Tap
#united
3 months ago
If Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer had one goal ahead of this year's trade deadline, it was to add the type of starting pitcher that a team in win-now mode needs and deserves. And on the eve of the trade deadline, we can now say that he has done just that. The Chicago Cubs landed one of the best rentals on the market Sunday, acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays for prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene.
Gausman, 35, checks a lot of boxes for the Cubs, who have also acquired pitchers David Peterson and Aaron Civale in recent weeks. Not only is Gausman the type of frontline starting pitcher that Chicago's rotation has been missing, but what's more, for a team looking to go deep into October, he has the postseason pedigree that is sought after by every contender.
Chicago's newly acquired right-hander is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts this season, but his 3.51 FIP would suggest that he has been a bit unlucky thus far in 2026. In his postseason career, Gausman has a 3.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 56 ⅓ innings.
There might not be a team in baseball that has been hit as hard by injury as the Chicago Cubs this year. And most of that has come in their starting rotation. After right-hander Cade Horton was lost to season-ending elbow surgery, left-hander Justin Steele hit a setback in his rehab and has yet to pitch this season. Right-handers Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera are also currently on the 15-day IL.
Nonetheless, the Cubs have shown they aren't messing around in their quest to make noise the rest of this season as they try to get back to the playoffs. They designated right-hander Jameson Taillon for ****** ignment on Monday after his struggles continued. He has since been traded to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later or cash.
#Cubs
Gausman, 35, checks a lot of boxes for the Cubs, who have also acquired pitchers David Peterson and Aaron Civale in recent weeks. Not only is Gausman the type of frontline starting pitcher that Chicago's rotation has been missing, but what's more, for a team looking to go deep into October, he has the postseason pedigree that is sought after by every contender.
Chicago's newly acquired right-hander is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts this season, but his 3.51 FIP would suggest that he has been a bit unlucky thus far in 2026. In his postseason career, Gausman has a 3.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 56 ⅓ innings.
There might not be a team in baseball that has been hit as hard by injury as the Chicago Cubs this year. And most of that has come in their starting rotation. After right-hander Cade Horton was lost to season-ending elbow surgery, left-hander Justin Steele hit a setback in his rehab and has yet to pitch this season. Right-handers Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera are also currently on the 15-day IL.
Nonetheless, the Cubs have shown they aren't messing around in their quest to make noise the rest of this season as they try to get back to the playoffs. They designated right-hander Jameson Taillon for ****** ignment on Monday after his struggles continued. He has since been traded to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later or cash.
#Cubs
3 months ago
Orioles 22-year-old former first overall pick given 40% chance of being traded originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Orioles are sitting on the outside looking in for the AL Wild Card this season, though they're only 1.5 games back of a spot. But that position in the postseason hunt has resulted in a bit of an odd situation.
The 54-56 Orioles, entering Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, might end up selling at the trade deadline. Taylor Ward and other rentals make sense, but Adley Rutschman might be on the move, too.
However, the more surprising player who, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, has a 40% chance of being traded this summer is 22-year-old infielder and former No. 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday.
"19. Jackson Holliday, 2B, Baltimore Orioles. Chance of being traded: 40%," Passan and McDaniel project. "... Since the All-Star break, he is hitting over .400, and though the slug hasn't arrived, Holliday is still just 22 and would likely be flipped for pitching."
#sporting
The Baltimore Orioles are sitting on the outside looking in for the AL Wild Card this season, though they're only 1.5 games back of a spot. But that position in the postseason hunt has resulted in a bit of an odd situation.
The 54-56 Orioles, entering Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, might end up selling at the trade deadline. Taylor Ward and other rentals make sense, but Adley Rutschman might be on the move, too.
However, the more surprising player who, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, has a 40% chance of being traded this summer is 22-year-old infielder and former No. 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday.
"19. Jackson Holliday, 2B, Baltimore Orioles. Chance of being traded: 40%," Passan and McDaniel project. "... Since the All-Star break, he is hitting over .400, and though the slug hasn't arrived, Holliday is still just 22 and would likely be flipped for pitching."
#sporting
3 months ago
When Kat Friday, a revenue operations employee at financial technology firm Marqeta, first came across Pickle on TikTok in February 2025, she didn't think opening a storefront on the app would ever amount to much.
"I am not into fashion one bit. I wear all black everywhere," Friday tells Fortune. She initially opened the app to scan for a few outfits for an upcoming vacation. But as she scrolled through Pickle's more than 500,000 listings, Friday realized she also could use the platform to rent out an expensive camera sitting on a shelf collecting dust in her apartment.
In November 2025, she listed a Canon G7 X camera, which normally retails for around $1,000, for $150 a week, and waited for a response. The rentals came almost immediately.
"I never use this thing and people are dying for them," Friday says. "I immediately got a bunch of rentals for it, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm gonna list some other stuff.'"
The listing's success inspired Friday to add more items to her Pickle offerings, and she started uploading some shirts and dresses she barely wore. As her storefront grew, Friday even started purchasing "trendy" items in a variety of sizes, what she referred to as "investment pieces" to rent out on Pickle.
#items
"I am not into fashion one bit. I wear all black everywhere," Friday tells Fortune. She initially opened the app to scan for a few outfits for an upcoming vacation. But as she scrolled through Pickle's more than 500,000 listings, Friday realized she also could use the platform to rent out an expensive camera sitting on a shelf collecting dust in her apartment.
In November 2025, she listed a Canon G7 X camera, which normally retails for around $1,000, for $150 a week, and waited for a response. The rentals came almost immediately.
"I never use this thing and people are dying for them," Friday says. "I immediately got a bunch of rentals for it, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm gonna list some other stuff.'"
The listing's success inspired Friday to add more items to her Pickle offerings, and she started uploading some shirts and dresses she barely wore. As her storefront grew, Friday even started purchasing "trendy" items in a variety of sizes, what she referred to as "investment pieces" to rent out on Pickle.
#items
3 months ago
S&P 500 member United Rentals (URI) soared on stronger-than-forecast Q2 results after Wednesday's close as Google (GOOGL) got a late-day haircut. The divergent reactions to earnings weren't entirely unrelated.
AI data center construction has helped supercharge earnings for URI, which provides a one-stop shop for large construction projects. Google's plan to keep boosting capital spending suggests the demand environment for heavy machinery will keep shining, even as it may slow the pay-off for AI hyperscalers.
URI stock looks set to clear an early entry buy point at Thursday's open. Google raised its capex outlook for the full year to a range of $195 billion to $205 billion, up $15 billion at both ends. The company confirmed that it still expects CapEx to "increase significantly" in 2027.
Futures Fall As Google, Tesla Skid On Earnings
Results: URI posted second-quarter earnings of $12.76 per share, crushing the FactSet consensus forecast by $1.22 a share. Earnings growth accelerated to 21.9% from 9.6% in Q1 and negative growth throughout 2025. Revenue growth accelerated to 11.8% from 7.2%, as sales of $4.41 billion exceeded $4.21 billion estimates.
#capex #forecast #Share
AI data center construction has helped supercharge earnings for URI, which provides a one-stop shop for large construction projects. Google's plan to keep boosting capital spending suggests the demand environment for heavy machinery will keep shining, even as it may slow the pay-off for AI hyperscalers.
URI stock looks set to clear an early entry buy point at Thursday's open. Google raised its capex outlook for the full year to a range of $195 billion to $205 billion, up $15 billion at both ends. The company confirmed that it still expects CapEx to "increase significantly" in 2027.
Futures Fall As Google, Tesla Skid On Earnings
Results: URI posted second-quarter earnings of $12.76 per share, crushing the FactSet consensus forecast by $1.22 a share. Earnings growth accelerated to 21.9% from 9.6% in Q1 and negative growth throughout 2025. Revenue growth accelerated to 11.8% from 7.2%, as sales of $4.41 billion exceeded $4.21 billion estimates.
#capex #forecast #Share
4 months ago
Together, Expedia (EXPE) and Booking.com (BKNG) account for roughly half of the online travel agency market. While Booking's market capitalization of $139 billion dwarfs the roughly $32 billion market cap of its rival, Expedia stock has a spot on the Investor's Business Daily Breakout Stocks Index while Booking.com does not.
While both stocks recently reset their base counts, Expedia stands poised for a breakout, which would mark a record high. Meanwhile, Booking.com remains mired below its 200-day line.
Expedia's portfolio of brands includes Expedia for full-service booking, Hotels.com, specializing in hotels, and Vrbo to handle vacation rentals. Booking's portfolio includes Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, OpenTable, and Rentalcars.com.
While Hilton Worldwide (HLT) coined the term "Whycation," Expedia and Booking.com have both tapped into the trend of purpose-driven, goal-oriented getaways.
As part of its Unpack'26 report, Expedia also outlined its Set-Jetting Forecast, focusing on travel spots inspired by movies and TV shows. According to Expedia, 81% of Gen Z and millennial travelers now plan getaways based on TV shows and movies. Expedia also showcases Fan Voyage for sports travel and Farm Charm through its Vrbo business. Through Hotels.com, it also spotlights Salvaged Stays with retreats converted from architectural relics.
#travel #market #breakout
While both stocks recently reset their base counts, Expedia stands poised for a breakout, which would mark a record high. Meanwhile, Booking.com remains mired below its 200-day line.
Expedia's portfolio of brands includes Expedia for full-service booking, Hotels.com, specializing in hotels, and Vrbo to handle vacation rentals. Booking's portfolio includes Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, OpenTable, and Rentalcars.com.
While Hilton Worldwide (HLT) coined the term "Whycation," Expedia and Booking.com have both tapped into the trend of purpose-driven, goal-oriented getaways.
As part of its Unpack'26 report, Expedia also outlined its Set-Jetting Forecast, focusing on travel spots inspired by movies and TV shows. According to Expedia, 81% of Gen Z and millennial travelers now plan getaways based on TV shows and movies. Expedia also showcases Fan Voyage for sports travel and Farm Charm through its Vrbo business. Through Hotels.com, it also spotlights Salvaged Stays with retreats converted from architectural relics.
#travel #market #breakout
4 months ago
Wedgewood Partners, an investment management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Wedgewood Composite delivered a net return of 9.4% in the second quarter compared to 15.2% for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, 16.7% for the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. The firm is optimistic about the long-term growth of hyperscalers and has increased its investments in this sector, citing their significant earnings potential and crucial role in AI adoption. Capital has also been redirected towards technology hardware stocks, especially semiconductors, which now make up a larger share of the S&P 500 Index. Semiconductor stocks have benefited from hyperscalers' spending, but the firm expresses caution about cyclical risk and volatility. However, the momentum-driven market negatively affected the Wedgewood fund's high-quality stocks, leading to a 25% return over the past 15 months, significantly underperforming the 90% gain of the S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO). In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Wedgewood Partners highlighted Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is a leading multinational technology company that manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories. On July 16, 2026, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) closed at $333.26 per share. One-month return of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was 11.83%, and its shares gained 57.81% over the past 52 weeks. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has a market capitalization of $4.89 trillion.
Wedgewood Partners stated the following regarding Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Top performance contributors for the second quarter include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Alphabet, United Rentals, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Visa.
Apple was also a top contributor to performance during the quarter. Revenues grew 17%, driven by 22% growth in iPhone and 16% growth in services. The iPhone 17 family has catalyzed a solid upgrade cycle ahead of what we expect to be another strong launch later this year, featuring a new foldable form factor. Because input prices for DRAM have risen at a parabolic rate, the Company recently raised prices on some of its devices to pass these costs through. As one of the largest single purchasers of DRAM, the Company has strong negotiating leverage, but it can also implement hardware and software innovations to reduce its dependence on memory."
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Wedgewood Partners highlighted Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is a leading multinational technology company that manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories. On July 16, 2026, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) closed at $333.26 per share. One-month return of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was 11.83%, and its shares gained 57.81% over the past 52 weeks. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has a market capitalization of $4.89 trillion.
Wedgewood Partners stated the following regarding Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Top performance contributors for the second quarter include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Alphabet, United Rentals, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Visa.
Apple was also a top contributor to performance during the quarter. Revenues grew 17%, driven by 22% growth in iPhone and 16% growth in services. The iPhone 17 family has catalyzed a solid upgrade cycle ahead of what we expect to be another strong launch later this year, featuring a new foldable form factor. Because input prices for DRAM have risen at a parabolic rate, the Company recently raised prices on some of its devices to pass these costs through. As one of the largest single purchasers of DRAM, the Company has strong negotiating leverage, but it can also implement hardware and software innovations to reduce its dependence on memory."
4 months ago
Wedgewood Partners, an investment management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Wedgewood Composite delivered a net return of 9.4% in the second quarter compared to 15.2% for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, 16.7% for the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. The firm is optimistic about the long-term growth of hyperscalers and has increased its investments in this sector, citing their significant earnings potential and crucial role in AI adoption. Capital has also been redirected towards technology hardware stocks, especially semiconductors, which now make up a larger share of the S&P 500 Index. Semiconductor stocks have benefited from hyperscalers' spending, but the firm expresses caution about cyclical risk and volatility. However, the momentum-driven market negatively affected the Wedgewood fund's high-quality stocks, leading to a 25% return over the past 15 months, significantly underperforming the 90% gain of the S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO). In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Wedgewood Partners highlighted United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI). United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) is a leading equipment rental company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. On July 16, 2026, United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) stock closed at $1,071.82 per share. One-month return of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) was -0.46%, and its shares gained 32.64% over the past 52 weeks. United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) has a market capitalization of $67.15 billion.
Wedgewood Partners stated the following regarding United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Top performance contributors for the second quarter include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Alphabet, United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI), Apple, and Visa.
United Rentals was a top performer across portfolios. Equipment rental sales growth accelerated to 9%, while adjusted margins stabilized, driving 10% growth in earnings per share. This acceleration was driven by strong nonresidential construction end markets, particularly data centers and power projects, and by continued growth in megaprojects."
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Wedgewood Partners highlighted United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI). United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) is a leading equipment rental company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. On July 16, 2026, United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) stock closed at $1,071.82 per share. One-month return of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) was -0.46%, and its shares gained 32.64% over the past 52 weeks. United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) has a market capitalization of $67.15 billion.
Wedgewood Partners stated the following regarding United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Top performance contributors for the second quarter include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Alphabet, United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI), Apple, and Visa.
United Rentals was a top performer across portfolios. Equipment rental sales growth accelerated to 9%, while adjusted margins stabilized, driving 10% growth in earnings per share. This acceleration was driven by strong nonresidential construction end markets, particularly data centers and power projects, and by continued growth in megaprojects."
4 months ago
Wedgewood Partners, an investment management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Wedgewood Composite delivered a net return of 9.4% in the second quarter compared to 15.2% for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, 16.7% for the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. The firm is optimistic about the long-term growth of hyperscalers and has increased its investments in this sector, citing their significant earnings potential and crucial role in AI adoption. Capital has also been redirected towards technology hardware stocks, especially semiconductors, which now make up a larger share of the S&P 500 Index. Semiconductor stocks have benefited from hyperscalers' spending, but the firm expresses caution about cyclical risk and volatility. However, the momentum-driven market negatively affected the Wedgewood fund's high-quality stocks, leading to a 25% return over the past 15 months, significantly underperforming the 90% gain of the S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO). In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Wedgewood Partners highlighted Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) as a top contributor to performance. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is the world's leading contract chip manufacturer, producing advanced semiconductors for major global technology companies. On July 16, 2026, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) closed at $409.74 per share. One-month return of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) was -13.23%, and its shares gained 66.80% over the past 52 weeks. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) has a market capitalization of $1.98 trillion.
Wedgewood Partners stated the following regarding Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Top performance contributors for the second quarter include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM), Alphabet, United Rentals, Apple, and Visa.
Another beneficiary of the AI spending boom has been Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Revenues grew by more than 40% (in USD), on top of 40% growth last year. Its leading-edge fabs and packaging capacity are fully booked, driving margins to all-time highs. Much of this capacity was put in place a few years ago, before generative AI was a household and business-wide term. More recent demand signals from customers - including Nvidia, Broadcom, and even Micron - indicate AI-related growth of over 50% per annum through 2029. Whereas the Company used to have demand visibility only a few quarters out, it now has visibility a few years out. As with long-held portfolio risk mitigation, we limit all positions to 10% weightings. We believe it is prudent to maintain this risk-management limit on the stock, especially
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Wedgewood Partners highlighted Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) as a top contributor to performance. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is the world's leading contract chip manufacturer, producing advanced semiconductors for major global technology companies. On July 16, 2026, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) closed at $409.74 per share. One-month return of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) was -13.23%, and its shares gained 66.80% over the past 52 weeks. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) has a market capitalization of $1.98 trillion.
Wedgewood Partners stated the following regarding Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Top performance contributors for the second quarter include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM), Alphabet, United Rentals, Apple, and Visa.
Another beneficiary of the AI spending boom has been Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Revenues grew by more than 40% (in USD), on top of 40% growth last year. Its leading-edge fabs and packaging capacity are fully booked, driving margins to all-time highs. Much of this capacity was put in place a few years ago, before generative AI was a household and business-wide term. More recent demand signals from customers - including Nvidia, Broadcom, and even Micron - indicate AI-related growth of over 50% per annum through 2029. Whereas the Company used to have demand visibility only a few quarters out, it now has visibility a few years out. As with long-held portfolio risk mitigation, we limit all positions to 10% weightings. We believe it is prudent to maintain this risk-management limit on the stock, especially
4 months ago
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed criticism over housing affordability as rents in Manhattan and Brooklyn hit record highs, with conservative commentators arguing that immigration-driven demand is adding pressure to an already tight rental market that the mayor campaigned to ease.
Manhattan's and Brooklyn's median rents reached $5,295 and $4,350, respectively, in June, according to an ***** ysis conducted by the Corcoran Group, a real estate firm. The most recent available data shows roughly 38% of New Yorker residents were born outside the United States, and about 40% of rentals in the city are occupied by foreign-born individuals, though the data does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigration status.
"You declared yourself a sanctuary city. You 'welcomed' hundreds of thousands of illegals. Then you had to find places to put them," conservative radio host Andrew Wilkow wrote on X, reacting to news of increased rents. "That put pressure on housing supply. Shortages create price increases. It's pretty simple."
Biden's Illegal Immigration Surge Caused Higher Rent And Home Prices, Fed Study Finds
A 2003 paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found that immigration "pushes up rents and housing values in destination cities," with an immigration inflow equal to 1% of a city's population ***** ociated with about a 1% increase in average rents and housing values. More recently, a paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in March found that a 1% increase in illegal immigrants working in a given area corresponded to a 1.4% increase in rental prices because localities did not build enough new housing to match population growth.
Manhattan's and Brooklyn's median rents reached $5,295 and $4,350, respectively, in June, according to an ***** ysis conducted by the Corcoran Group, a real estate firm. The most recent available data shows roughly 38% of New Yorker residents were born outside the United States, and about 40% of rentals in the city are occupied by foreign-born individuals, though the data does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigration status.
"You declared yourself a sanctuary city. You 'welcomed' hundreds of thousands of illegals. Then you had to find places to put them," conservative radio host Andrew Wilkow wrote on X, reacting to news of increased rents. "That put pressure on housing supply. Shortages create price increases. It's pretty simple."
Biden's Illegal Immigration Surge Caused Higher Rent And Home Prices, Fed Study Finds
A 2003 paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found that immigration "pushes up rents and housing values in destination cities," with an immigration inflow equal to 1% of a city's population ***** ociated with about a 1% increase in average rents and housing values. More recently, a paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in March found that a 1% increase in illegal immigrants working in a given area corresponded to a 1.4% increase in rental prices because localities did not build enough new housing to match population growth.
4 months ago
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SUNB) is one of the best up and coming stocks to invest in right now. On June 6, Sunbelt Rentals announced its intention to launch a private offering of two series of benchmark-sized senior notes. This offering is subject to market and other prevailing conditions and is directed toward eligible purchasers.
The company plans to utilize the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes. These include funding capital expenditures, working capital, and the potential repayment, refinancing, or redemption of existing indebtedness, such as amounts under current credit facilities.
Pixabay/Public Domain
These notes are being offered exclusively to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and to non-US persons under Regulation S. As they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, they cannot be offered or sold in the US without registration or an applicable exemption.
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SUNB) is a rental & leasing services company that offers construction, industrial, and general equipment rental businesses for customers in various sectors.
The company plans to utilize the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes. These include funding capital expenditures, working capital, and the potential repayment, refinancing, or redemption of existing indebtedness, such as amounts under current credit facilities.
Pixabay/Public Domain
These notes are being offered exclusively to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and to non-US persons under Regulation S. As they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, they cannot be offered or sold in the US without registration or an applicable exemption.
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SUNB) is a rental & leasing services company that offers construction, industrial, and general equipment rental businesses for customers in various sectors.
4 months ago
LOS ANGELES — Having moved on from Pavin Smith, whom the Diamondbacks officially designated for ***** ignment on Friday afternoon, July 10, general manager Mike Hazen said he is on the lookout for help at first base, though he did not sound as if he expected anything to come together in the immediate future.
"I'm at the mercy of the market in some of those cases," Hazen said. "I can't really tell. At this point, given the amount of teams in the playoff races on both sides, I can't see the trade market heating up before the end of the month."
Hazen said he is looking into any type of potential fit — rentals, multiyear big leaguers, even younger players.
"We're exploring all those things," he said. "We are having all those conversations. But I have no idea where anything can land."
How their pursuit of a first baseman is impacted by their overall direction at the deadline remains to be seen. At 46-47 entering their July 10 game here against the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks were 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. They were tied with the San Diego Padres and would need to clear four other teams to be in playoff position.
"I'm at the mercy of the market in some of those cases," Hazen said. "I can't really tell. At this point, given the amount of teams in the playoff races on both sides, I can't see the trade market heating up before the end of the month."
Hazen said he is looking into any type of potential fit — rentals, multiyear big leaguers, even younger players.
"We're exploring all those things," he said. "We are having all those conversations. But I have no idea where anything can land."
How their pursuit of a first baseman is impacted by their overall direction at the deadline remains to be seen. At 46-47 entering their July 10 game here against the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks were 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. They were tied with the San Diego Padres and would need to clear four other teams to be in playoff position.
