The Trillion-Dollar Shockwave Changing Global Healthcare

Every so often, a company breaks through the limits of its own sector and rewrites what success looks like.

This is one of those rare moments, driven by products that have reshaped global health trends. 

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Pharma

A High Voltage $3 Billion AI Deal That Rewires Merck’s Research Engine

Merck (NYSE: MRK) just signed a $3 billion AI partnership built to supercharge its neurology pipeline. The deal taps into a platform trained on millions of patient records and biobank samples, giving Merck a head start on uncovering targets for Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases.

Drug Hunting With Turbo Mode On

Neurology is one of the toughest arenas in medicine, and Merck wants data-driven discovery to shift the odds. Large patient datasets help the company recognize patterns and lock onto new targets far earlier in the research cycle.

The partnership builds on a string of recent neuroscience and oncology deals that have begun to refill the pipeline. Your view of Merck changes when you see how aggressively it leans into external innovation.

A Research Engine Built for 2030 and Beyond

AI-driven discovery is becoming the new arms race in pharma, and Merck is refusing to get left behind. Faster insights mean stronger candidates and better resilience against generic threats in mature franchises.

Industry consolidation keeps pushing the pressure higher, and Merck wants a foundation strong enough for an AI-first world. This shift pulls you into the center of how Merck now thinks about drug discovery, turning target hunting and portfolio building into a much faster, tighter system.

MRK currently trades at $97 and pays a dividend of $3.24 per share, a yield of 3.34%.

Retail

A Coast to Coast Barista Revolt Brews Up at the Worst Time

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is rolling into its peak season with a nationwide strike that is now escalating as it stretches across 95 stores in 65 cities. About 2,000 baristas have joined the walkouts, creating the largest coordinated labor push the company has seen since 2021.

Dozens of stores have faced temporary closures as the movement expands, and you can feel the tension rising as holiday foot traffic hits its yearly high.

Strikes Rising, Sales Still Surging

Even with the disruption, early numbers show seasonal launches pulling in big crowds. Major promo days still drive strong turnout and record sales, keeping momentum alive in a business that has been fighting to recover U.S. performance.

That resilience matters more than ever as Starbucks tries to prove it can grow again. Your sense of the brand shifts when customers show up in force despite the noise.

A Labor Wave Colliding With a Makeover

Starbucks is busy overhauling service speed, digital tools, and store efficiency at the same time its union push reaches 550 organized shops. The company must protect customer experience while navigating an expanding labor market that refuses to cool down.

Starbucks stepped into its biggest quarter and found a labor storm waiting at the door.

SBUX currently trades at $84 and pays a dividend of $2.48 per share, a yield of 2.94%.

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Consumer

A Bold Beverage Shift That Shows PepsiCo Isn’t Sitting Still

PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is rolling out two new sodas as it deepens its presence in the booming functional drinks space. The move comes right after the company snapped up Poppi, a prebiotic upstart that signaled where consumer taste is drifting.

Traditional colas now sit beside drinks aimed at gut health, lighter sugar loads, and ingredients younger shoppers actually want. You can see the shift every time a new launch lands in a category once ruled by niche brands.

The Cola Wars Just Got Weirder

This push is more than adding a few flavors. PepsiCo wants long-term relevance in a world where wellness drinks are growing fast and classic soda demand is flat.

Functional beverages give the company a way to lock in new consumers who shop by benefit, not nostalgia. Your expectations around the soda aisle might get flipped when you notice how fast these new categories expand.

A Portfolio Built for the Next Decade

PepsiCo is using its global reach to jump on new demand cycles before rivals settle in. A stronger lineup of wellness-focused drinks keeps the brand steady while old-school colas risk feeling outdated.

These new launches show you a company that is shifting from a classic soda maker to one that can shape whatever the next wave of drinks looks like.

PEP currently trades at $147 and pays a dividend of $5.69 per share, a yield of 3.85%.

BCML has increased its dividend to 30 cents, up 20.00%. Its new yield is 4.32%.

NGVC has boosted its dividend to 15 cents, a rise of 25%. Its new yield is 1.99%. 

STEL has lifted its dividend to 15 cents, an increase of 7.1%. Its new yield is 1.99%.

PATK has increased its dividend to 47 cents, up 17.50%. Its new yield is 1.89%.

NTES has cut its dividend to 57 cents, a 15.56% drop. Its new yield is 1.7%. 

SS&C has cut its dividend to 27 cents, a 75% decline. Its new yield is 1.3%.

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Everything Else

• Yann LeCun, the 'AI Godfather,' will step down from his role as Meta’s chief AI scientist after 12 years to launch his own business.

• Walmart is fighting back against marketplace fraud with plans to acquire R&A Data, a company that screens for counterfeiting and compliance issues. 

• Jeep has launched its fourth new vehicle in as many months as it looks to reclaim a slice of the US market. The latest product is the Jeep Recon, an electric SUV inspired by the classic Jeep Wrangler.

• TJX says its holiday shopping season is off to a strong start, thanks to ‘outstanding’ product availability. The CEO, Ernie Herrman, said he was excited about the deals the discount retailer has on offer.