In a significant move, Kimberly-Clark is set to acquire Tylenol maker Kenvue in a $48.7 billion deal, creating a consumer goods powerhouse with a combined revenue of $32 billion. The agreement will see Kimberly-Clark shareholders owning approximately 54% of the combined entity, housing household brands like Listerine and Band-Aid alongside Huggies and Kleenex. This deal, one of the year’s largest, comes as Kenvue, a relatively young independent company spun off from Johnson & Johnson, has been under pressure from activist investors. The transaction, anticipated to close in the second half of next year pending shareholder approval, will result in cost savings and has led to shifts in both companies’ stock prices.
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In a shift from his previous position, President Trump announced plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, softening his stance on trade. Trump stated that a 100% tariff on Chinese goods was likely unworkable while blaming China for the trade talks’ standstill. He also threatened new export controls on critical software starting November 1, preceding the expiration of existing tariff increases. This action continues a pattern of fluctuating tariff deadlines since the beginning of his presidency.
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Markets just got blindsided — Trump drops 100% China tariffs, and traders are bracing for chaos.
Okay, so here’s the deal: the market just got hit with a curveball, and it seems like everyone is scrambling to figure out what it means. The news is that Trump has “dropped” 100% tariffs on China. The word “dropped” is key here because it can mean a couple of things, and right now, it’s causing a lot of confusion and speculation. Is he ending the tariffs, or are they being *introduced*? The ambiguity is definitely a source of anxiety.
The prevailing sentiment seems to be that traders are not exactly thrilled.… Continue reading
Trump announces 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico – well, here we go again. Seems like whenever the headlines get a little too focused on… let’s just say, other matters, a fresh round of tariff announcements magically appears. It’s almost like clockwork. And it’s a familiar pattern: big announcement, a lot of noise, and then… well, we’ll see what actually happens.
When Trump says he’s imposing these tariffs, it’s starting to feel less like genuine policy and more like a demand. A demand to be “bribed,” if you will. He wants to leverage the US market access. Think of it as a high-stakes negotiation where the opening bid is always, *always* a threat.… Continue reading
On Sunday, President Trump announced plans to send letters to US trade partners beginning Monday, outlining new tariff rates on goods sold to Americans, with some deals also in the works. Although the president was initially uncertain about the implementation date, the Commerce Secretary clarified that the new rates would take effect on August 1st. These tariffs, originally set in April and delayed until July 9th, now offer a further reprieve, while also creating uncertainty for importers. US officials are also preparing for major trade announcements in the coming days, and the possibility for deadlines being pushed back exists based on the nature of negotiations.
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Following a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Trump has delayed the implementation of 50% tariffs on EU goods from June 1st to July 9th. This postponement allows for further negotiations between the US and the 27-member EU bloc to reach a trade agreement. The delay comes after Trump previously threatened the tariffs, citing stalled talks and describing the EU as difficult. Von der Leyen requested the extension, expressing a commitment to serious negotiations aimed at avoiding a trade war.
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ProPublica’s investigation reveals that over a dozen Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, strategically divested themselves of substantial stock holdings shortly before President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs negatively impacted the market. These preemptive sales, totaling millions of dollars, occurred within days of the market downturn, with some officials repurchasing shares at reduced prices afterward. Examples include a State Department official’s $50,000 sale and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s sale of shares in nearly 36 companies. This pattern raises concerns about potential insider trading.
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On “Meet the Press,” Sen. Cory Booker defended calls for an investigation into whether President Trump engaged in insider trading related to his tariff reversal. Booker argued that Trump’s actions warrant congressional hearings due to the apparent conflict of interest and lack of transparency. While acknowledging a lack of concrete evidence of profit yet, Booker stressed the need for oversight given Trump’s unprecedented attacks on regulatory agencies. Democratic senators have already written to the SEC urging an investigation into potential market manipulation.
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President Trump’s boast of billionaire friends’ substantial stock market gains following a partial tariff pause has sparked outrage and calls for investigation. The president publicly highlighted the massive wealth increases of Charles Schwab and Roger Penske, prompting accusations of market manipulation and insider trading. Democratic lawmakers have requested an SEC investigation into potential violations occurring between a Treasury Secretary’s visit to Trump and the tariff announcement. Concerns center on whether Trump provided privileged information to associates, enabling them to profit from the resulting market surge.
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President Trump’s 90-day tariff pause triggered a record-breaking $304 billion surge in the wealth of the world’s top billionaires, with Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg among the biggest beneficiaries. This dramatic one-day gain followed a previous $208 billion drop in billionaire wealth after the tariffs were initially implemented, raising concerns about potential market manipulation. The pause, occurring before planned tax cuts favoring the wealthy, prompted criticism that the tariff policy disproportionately benefits billionaires at the expense of ordinary workers. This rapid wealth fluctuation underscores the significant impact of presidential policies on the global economy and the distribution of wealth.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood