American multinational food and beverage giant with a global footprint and a string of major brand acquisitions
Several firms have announced expansion plans and new measures that will accelerate commercial robotaxi rollouts. Mobileye has announced a 2027 U.S. launch with an initial 100-vehicle fleet and a five-year target of 17,000; Wayve and Uber are preparing a supervised London service in the coming months; Tesla and Waymo are expanding U.S. coverage; and new indices show Chinese robotaxi players are scaling faster than many expected.
Yum Brands has agreed to sell Pizza Hut in two deals valuing the chain at $2.7 billion: LongRange Capital will buy Pizza Hut outside mainland China for about $1.5 billion, while Yum China will buy the mainland China business for about $1.2 billion. The transactions are expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
The new SNAP cost-sharing rules require states with high payment error rates to cover a portion of benefit costs starting in October 2027. Several states face bill totals in the billions, raising the possibility that some may withdraw from the program. The Trump-era changes aim to curb waste, while critics warn of deeper harm to vulnerable families.
Refunds from court-invalidated tariffs are flowing to businesses, offsetting inflation and costs. Firms plan to use the money to offset rising expenses, reinvest, or pay down debt. The timing and distribution of the refunds could influence how price pressures transmit through the economy.
AstraZeneca has announced that Wainua, its gene-silencer drug for transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy, did not meet its primary endpoint in a phase 3 trial. The news triggers a sharp stock drop and prompts investors to rethink the company’s long-term growth targets and the strength of its pipeline.
PepsiCo has reported a mixed second quarter, with North American volumes flat or down and international markets driving overall growth. Revenue rose 6.4% to $24.18 billion, but North American beverage volumes fell 4% and per-share earnings narrowly missed expectations. The company has signaled a slower but steady recovery in North America as inflation pressures persist.
Retailers face pressure as volume declines outpace inflation, prompting price cuts and promotions to spur unit growth. Bain data shows grocery units fell 1.8% year over year in June, while prices remain elevated. Major chains push value-focused strategies amid softer consumer demand.
The United States has set 10% to 12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 countries accounting for 99% of U.S. imports, arguing that they fail to enforce bans on goods made with forced labour. The tariffs take effect as prior global levies expire, with India and others qualifying for lower rates after tightening enforcement.
Northern Ireland is considering measures to curb obesity by restricting where unhealthy foods are placed in shops and online, mirroring policies in England and Wales. The Department of Health and the FSA have launched a consultation, arguing that price, placement and marketing influence purchases and contribute to obesity. Critics warn about effects on low-income families.
The FDA has moved to close the GRAS loophole by requiring safety data for new ingredients and creating a public inventory. A parallel step defines ultraprocessed foods to help future regulation. Officials say the measures increase transparency but are not expected to alter consumer diets immediately.