Third-quarter earnings are indicating a divided economy

A Taco Bell restaurant in El Cerrito, California, US, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images With more consumer companies preparing to report third-quarter earnings this week, Wall Street will be watching for signs of a bifurcated or “K-shaped” economy as consumers diverge in their spending behaviors. There have…

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Here’s which sectors are showing bifurcation

Coke beverages are displayed in a 7-eleven convenient store on July 17, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Amid recession fears, a government shutdown and tariff uncertainty, consumers are increasingly diverging in their spending. Wealthier Americans are engaging their purchasing power, while lower-income Americans are starting to pull back — commonly described…

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Jim Cramer says strong earnings from ‘actual businesses’ are driving the ‘real economy’

Despite all eyes on the Magnificent Seven, CNBC’s Jim Cramer said that strong earnings results from companies in the “real economy” were responsible for Tuesday’s rally. “We got some tremendous numbers from actual businesses,” Cramer said. “And I think we need to celebrate that so many companies not connected to the data center or artificial…

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Coca-Cola (KO) Q3 2025 earnings

Sina Schuldt | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Coca-Cola reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped expectations, but the beverage giant said that demand for its drinks is still soft. Here’s what the company reported compared with what Wall Street analysts surveyed by LSEG were expecting: Earnings per share: 82 cents adjusted vs. 78 cents…

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Elliott’s plan for PepsiCo includes investing in some of its iconic brands, shedding others

Company: PepsiCo Business: PepsiCo is one of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods companies, with a portfolio of some of the most iconic brands in food and beverage. Its brands include: Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker and SodaStream. Its segments include Frito-Lay North America (FLNA); Quaker Foods North America (QFNA); PepsiCo Beverages…

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Why companies retreat from consumer criticism

An exterior view of a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania on June 1, 2025. Paul Weaver | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images It’s been a busy week for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store‘s marketing team. The restaurant chain announced a rebrand and new logo last week, faced widespread criticism from…

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