đ Inflation inches up
Good morning, Quartz readers!
HEREâS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Inflation accelerated a little bit in November. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% year-over-year after rising 2.6% in October.
Apple (AAPL) users can now access ChatGPT through Siri. The iPhone maker said the ability is among its latest Apple Intelligence features.
Investors should diversify their stock holdings beyond the âMagnificent Seven.â One strategist says top-heavy market growth will soon begin to broaden.
JetBlue (JBLU) will try classing things up after a Spirit Airlines merger collapsed. The carrier is investing in premium experiences to better compete with larger competitors.
Eli Lilly (LLY) is going to test Zepbound as a treatment for addiction. CEO David Ricks said the company will start large studies âin alcohol abuse and nicotine use, even in drug abuse.â
Trump isnât changing his mind on trade
Donald Trump is not backing down from his threat to raise the cost of imports. He remains firm in insisting that goods from China, Canada, and Mexico carry higher tariffs.
Many businesses thought that Trump would moderate his stance as time passed after his election, but thatâs not happening. Now theyâre worried that their costs will rise and their margins will get squeezed.
What are the assumed impacts of Trumpâs expected trade policy? Quartzâs William Gavin explains what economic observers think will happen.
Albertsons is mad at Kroger
The Albertsons (ACI) and Kroger (KR) grocery store chains were supposed to merge, but that effort was blocked by a federal judge. Now Albertsons is suing Kroger for not trying hard enough to help the deal succeed.
According to the lawsuit, Kroger should have done more to convince the Federal Trade Commission that a merger with Albertsons was a good idea. Kroger doesnât see it that way and thinks the whole thing is sour grapes.
Why is Albertsons blaming Kroger for the failure of their merger. Quartzâs Francisco Velasquez explains what the two companies are saying about each other.
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SURPRISING DISCOVERIES
Merriam-Websterâs word of the year might be divisive. The dictionary gave the highlight to âpolarization.â
Vans (VFC) hopes that it can be cool again. The brand hasnât had positive annual revenue growth for 11 quarters in a row. (paywall)
Sometimes people can only communicate in an emergency using WhatsApp (META). UNRWA almost exclusively uses the app to stay in touch with its staff in Gaza.
The worldâs best Spanish Scrabble player doesnât speak Spanish. Nigel Richards won the Spanish World Scrabble Championships despite not knowing the language.
Dessert lovers really like Talenti (UL) gelato. Unilever says sales of the fancy frozen treat are double their size a decade ago.
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Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news or comments to [email protected]. Todayâs Daily Brief was brought to you by Melvin Backman and Audrey McNamara.