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Adidas turns to Yeezy after dropping rapper Ye

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Adidas announced its plan to release a second batch of exclusive Yeezy sneakers following its separation from rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

The German sportswear brand aims to address the issue of unsold shoes while simultaneously supporting organizations fighting antisemitism.

The online sale is scheduled to begin on Wednesday through Adidas’ smartphone apps and official website, building on the success of the initial sales in May. The models available in this release include the sought-after Yeezy Boost 350 V2, 500, and 700, as well as the Yeezy Slide and Foam RNR.

The decision to cut ties with Ye came after he made offensive remarks, including antisemitic comments, both online and during interviews. This left Adidas with a substantial inventory of unsold Yeezys amounting to 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), prompting them to seek a responsible solution for handling the surplus stock.

Dropping Ye

Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden emphasized in May that selling the popular sneakers and donating a portion of the profits was the most suitable approach to tackle the unsold inventory while making a positive impact.

The company consulted with non-governmental organizations and groups affected by Ye’s controversial comments and actions.

A part of the profits generated from the Yeezy sales will be contributed to the Anti-Defamation League and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change, an organization run by social justice advocate Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother.

To demonstrate solidarity in rejecting antisemitism, Adidas will include blue square pins from Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism with shoes sold directly in North America.

While Adidas did not provide specific details on the number of shoes to be released or the exact amount to be donated, they assured that they would honor contractual obligations regarding Ye’s royalties.

The first sale of Yeezy shoes had a positive impact on Adidas’ preliminary second-quarter financial results, leading the company to improve its outlook for the year. Instead of a high single-digit decline in revenue, they now anticipate a mid-single digit decline, resulting in an operating loss of 450 million euros (approximately $494 million) rather than 700 million euros.

Adidas looks forward to its upcoming earnings report for the first half of the year and is optimistic that future Yeezy sales will further contribute to boosting their results.

 

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Big Tech pushes AI investments

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Tech giants like Microsoft and Meta are accelerating AI data center spending, with massive capital pouring into these projects.

Microsoft and Meta reported on Wednesday that AI investments are spiking their expenses, while Alphabet announced similar trends.

Amazon, due to report earnings shortly, is expected to mirror these projections, foreseeing further pressure on profit margins.

Wall Street is getting wary of the financial strain, as each company’s stock took a hit this week despite strong quarterly numbers.

Shares of Meta fell over 3%, and Microsoft saw a 6% drop, underscoring Wall Street’s jitters.

“It’s expensive to keep up with AI technology demands,” says GlobalData’s Beatriz Valle, emphasising a competitive race in AI capacity.

The high-stakes investments are starting to test investor patience in Big Tech’s ambitious AI journey.

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Meta expects strong holiday ad revenue boost

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Meta’s holiday-quarter forecast beats expectations as AI tools drive growth

Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook, has forecast holiday-quarter revenue that surpasses market expectations, anticipating a surge in ad spending as the year ends.

The projection comes as Meta’s AI-driven advertising tools and short-form video feature Reels have spurred revenue growth this year.

Meta’s shares dipped 2.5% in after-hours trading, despite a third-quarter profit of $6.03 per share—well above analysts’ forecast of $5.25.

Analysts expect digital ads to have a “blockbuster” year in 2024, helped by improved economic forecasts and steady consumer spending.

Meta, heavily reliant on advertising revenue, stands to benefit from increased holiday marketing as it eyes revenues of $45 to $48 billion this quarter.

The company’s third-quarter revenue reached $40.59 billion, narrowly topping analysts’ estimates.

With interest rates easing, analysts suggest Meta’s ad revenue could continue to thrive into the new year.

As holiday spending ramps up, Meta’s AI investments are paying off.

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella receives $30 million pay raise

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Despite layoffs, Nadella’s pay jumps 63% amid company growth

Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, saw a significant 63% pay raise this year, with his total compensation rising to $71 million, up from $48.5 million in 2023. This comes even as Microsoft laid off 2,500 employees, including job cuts in its gaming division, following its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

While concerns were raised in Congress over cybersecurity breaches, Microsoft’s stock still rose by over 16% this year, benefiting investors, although it lags behind the broader S&P 500. Investors are now eagerly awaiting the company’s earnings report next week.

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