Tesla dealership in China. (Long Wei/Getty Images)

Tesla stock drops as the company offers nothing new or cool to distract investors

No robotaxi news is bad news for Tesla.

7/23/24 4:21PM

Last quarter, Elon Musk was able to make investors look away from Tesla’s poor earnings and news that it was no longer making its long-awaited $25,000 mass-market car, by telling investors it was going to make a somewhat cheaper car. The new vehicle would combine some of the Model 2’s tech with its existing lineup. Musk also showed off a new future revenue source for the company, the Robotaxi.

Voila, investors were happy and the stock jumped.

This time, investors were hoping for news on the robotaxi, which was supposed to be unveiled August 8 but which Musk has since delayed.

While today’s earnings release said the company was still on track to start production of the more affordable models in the first half of 2025, it didn’t give a date for the robotaxis:

“Though timing of robotaxi deployment depends on technological advancement and regulatory approval, we are working vigorously on this opportunity given the outsized potential value.” Not exactly clear!

Later, on the earnings call, Musk confirmed the robotaxi unveiling date would now be held on October 10 (10/10).

The stock was down over 4% after hours, despite beating revenue expectations, as investors focused on less bright news, like an EPS miss, profit falling 45%, a 7% decline in automotive sales, and the numerous EV headwinds contributing to Tesla’s shrinking market share.

Skydance Officially Closes Deal To Merge With Paramount

Paramount Skydance says its DTC streaming biz will be profitable this year

The studio reported its third-quarter earnings on Monday, the first since the Skydance takeover.

Max Knoblauch5h

“Grand Theft Auto” has been a gold mine — this latest delay had better be worth it for investors and gamers

Rockstar’s latest blockbuster now won’t arrive until late 2026, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Hyunsoo Rim12h

Nia Warfield11/7/25

Starbucks issues apology after viral “Bearista” cup meltdown

Holiday cheer turned into chaos this week for Starbucks after the coffee giant’s new “Bearista” holiday cup sent fans into a frenzy.

Dropped alongside its 2025 holiday menu, the $30 beanie-wearing glass bear tumbler sparked long lines, sellouts, and even in-store scuffles before Starbucks stepped in with an apology.

“The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations,” the company said in a statement to People. “Despite shipping more Bearista cups to our coffeehouses than almost any other item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast.”

Within hours of launch, frustrated fans flooded Starbucks’ social media pages and even store hotlines. Some customers waited in line before dawn and others said their stores received only a handful of cups. In one Houston location, the craze even turned physical, with police reportedly called to break up a brawl. Meanwhile, the cup is already reselling on sites like eBay, with listings topping $600.

“We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused,” Starbucks said. While in-store customers may be upset, investors seem happy about the viral hit, as the stock has risen over 3% on Friday.

If you’re still hoping for a Bearista at market price, that may not be on order: the chain didn’t disclose how many cups were made or whether a restock is planned.

Hyunsoo Rim11/7/25

Target tells workers to smile, wave, and greet shoppers if they come within 10 feet of them

Target just rolled out a new rule for store employees: “smile, make eye contact, and greet or wave” when a shopper comes within 10 feet — and if they get closer, within four feet, “ask whether they need help or how their day is going,” according to a new Bloomberg report.

Dubbed the “10-4 program” internally, the rule mirrors rival Walmart’s own 10-foot policy, formalizing behavior Target had previously only encouraged.

Target Mandates Worker Smiles, Friendliness to Boost Sales

Hyunsoo Rim

LIMITED LIFE COMPANY

11/7/25

Half of new US companies disappear within 5 years — and only 1 in 3 makes it to year 10

Survival depends on more than luck, from where it starts, to what it does, to when it’s born.