USNN World News

Economy

Markets Rally After US, China Announce 90-day Tariff Reductions

by USNN World NewsMay 12, 2025May 12, 2025

Economy

Market Review: Stocks Retreat on Fed Caution and Trade Uncertainty

by USNN World NewsMay 10, 2025May 10, 2025

Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic plans to terminate 10,000 workers globally as part of a reform to resolve “structural issues,” the company said in a May 9 statement. The layoffs target 5,000 Japanese employees and 5,000 overseas workers at Panasonic’s consolidated companies. Job cuts are set to be implemented mainly in fiscal year 2026, “in accordance with the labor laws, rules, and regulations of each country and region.” “The company will thoroughly review operational efficiency at each Group company, mainly in sales and indirect departments, and reevaluate the number of organizations and personnel actually needed,” said the statement. Story continues below advertisement Panasonic will also terminate loss-making businesses that have “no prospect of improving profit.” “Through these measures, the company will optimize our personnel on a global scale,” it said. The layoffs are part of Panasonic’s broader management reform. The company is banking on these measures in fiscal 2026 to “resolve its various structural issues.” Related Stories Homes for Sale in Washington Surge 25 Percent Amid Federal Layoffs 5/8/2025 Homes for Sale in Washington Surge 25 Percent Amid Federal Layoffs Layoffs Drop, Jobless Claims Climb Ahead of April Jobs Report 5/1/2025 Layoffs Drop, Jobless Claims Climb Ahead of April Jobs Report The management reform seeks to improve profit by a minimum of 150 billion yen—roughly $1 billion—in fiscal year 2027 compared to fiscal 2025. For the current fiscal year 2026, Panasonic expects structural reforms to cost the company 130 billion yen, approximately $900 million. In an April 10 statement, Yuki Kusumi, the CEO of Panasonic Group, highlighted the need to change the organizational culture in the company. “There is a deep-rooted tendency toward following the established framework once a decision has been made. If we are going to improve the efficiency and quality of our work, then we must become an organization that is constantly changing, with each individual taking the initiative to make changes,” he said. “I believe we need to advance to the stage where change is considered a virtue. To achieve this, it is extremely important that we avoid being constrained by deeply ingrained behaviors.” The layoff announcement came on May 9 as Panasonic reported its consolidated financial results for fiscal year 2025, which ended on March 31. Story continues below advertisement Sales were at 8,458.2 billion yen, approximately $58 billion, down 0.5 percent from a year ago, which was partly due to the impact of deconsolidation in the company’s automotive segment, said the earnings report. Operating profit jumped 18 percent year-over-year, partly due to higher sales. According to Panasonic, the global economy experienced a gradual slowdown during the fiscal year ending March 31. For fiscal year 2026, net sales are expected to decrease, with operating profit also forecast to fall. Potential impacts of tariffs from the United States were not included in the forecast. “The company continues to monitor the tariff situation and aims to minimize the resulting impact by taking measures from both short-term and medium- to long-term perspectives,” Panasonic said. In January, Panasonic Well, a division of the company, announced a plan to create “the first comprehensive wellness ecosystem” for families. “Families are at their breaking point as chronic stress, disconnection, and fragmented wellness solutions are taking a toll, and the call for help is loud and clear,” the company said. Panasonic’s wellness solution is expected to aid families in dealing with wellness issues and “help modern families thrive.”

Economy

Panasonic Announces 10,000 Layoffs Worldwide

by USNN World NewsMay 9, 2025May 9, 2025

Economy

Cox Automotive Says Tariffs Impacted Wholesale Used Car Prices in April

by USNN World NewsMay 8, 2025May 12, 2025

Economy

How Major US Stock Indexes Fared May 7

by USNN World NewsMay 7, 2025May 7, 2025

Economy

How Major US Stock Indexes Fared May 6

by USNN World NewsMay 6, 2025May 6, 2025

Economy

Oil Prices Sink After OPEC+ Agrees to Boost Production in June

by USNN World NewsMay 5, 2025May 5, 2025

Economy

Market Review: S&P 500 and Dow Achieve Nine-Day Rally

by USNN World NewsMay 3, 2025May 3, 2025

Economy

Trump Says Americans Should Be Patient After US Economy Contracts

by USNN World NewsApril 30, 2025June 5, 2025

Economy

US Job Openings Slide to 6-Month Low, Layoffs Fall

by USNN World NewsApril 29, 2025April 29, 2025

Economy

US Homeownership Rate Falls to Lowest Level in 5 Years

by USNN World NewsApril 29, 2025April 29, 2025

U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed, quiet finish Monday ahead of a week with several potential flashpoints that could bring more sharp swings for financial markets. Later this week will come earnings reports from some of Wall Street’s most influential companies, including Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms and Microsoft. Reports will also show how the U.S. economy performed during the first three months of the year and how many workers employers hired during April. On Monday: The S&P 500 rose 3.54 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,528.75. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114.09 points, or 0.3 percent, to 40,227.59. The Nasdaq composite fell 16.81 points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,366.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 7.93 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,965.55. For the year: The S&P 500 is down 352.88 points, or 6 percent. The Dow is down 2,316.63 points, or 5.4 percent. The Nasdaq is down 1,944.66, or 10 percent. The Russell 2000 is down 264.61 points, or 11.9 percent. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.

Economy

How Major US Stock Indexes Fared April 28

by USNN World NewsApril 28, 2025April 28, 2025

NATIONAL NEWS

Trump campaign takes tight control of convention delegate process in bid to avoid 2016-style drama

By Paul Steinhauser | Fox News President Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee are tightening their grasp on the delegate selection process for next year’s GOP convention in a ...

Trey Gowdy to join Trump’s legal team on impeachment inquiry: report

By Brie Stimson | Fox News Former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., is joining President Trump’s legal team as outside counsel for the House’s expanding impeachment inquiry, according to ...

Jason Chaffetz: Durham’s expanded probe is ‘bad news’ for Obama-era intel officials

By Julia Musto | Fox News U.S. Attorney John Durham’s decision to expand the scope and timeline of his investigation into the origin of the Russia probe is “bad news” for Obama-era ...

Trump wants whistleblower ‘exposed and questioned’ after reports of ties to 2020 Dem

By Adam Shaw | Fox News President Trump pressed Wednesday for the Ukraine call whistleblower to be “exposed and questioned” after new reports surfaced suggesting the whistleblower has ties to a 2020 ...

John Kerry’s comments on foreign leaders during 2004 election season resurface amid Trump-Ukraine controversy

By Liam Quinn | Fox News After former President Bill Clinton’s request for help from a foreign official resurfaced Monday, now it’s John Kerry’s turn in the spotlight. On Tuesday’s ...

White House announces it will not comply with ‘illegitimate and unconstitutional’ impeachment inquiry

By Gregg Re, John Roberts | Fox News The White House outlined in a defiant eight-page letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top Democrats on Tuesday why it will not participate in their ...

Democrats trying to ‘overturn the will of the American people,’ Pence chief of staff says

By Charles Creitz | Fox News Democrats’ impeachment inquiry is part of an attempt to undermine the will of the voters, according to a top aide to Vice President Mike ...

Jim Jordan blasts ‘unfair’ House impeachment process, defends EU envoy’s no-show

By Charles Creitz | Fox News Jim Jordan defended U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland’s failure to appear before House lawmakers amid their Trump impeachment inquiry. Rep. Jordan, R-Ohio, ...

McConnell ad telegraphs plan to protect Trump against Pelosi in impeachment fight

By Ronn Blitzer | Fox News While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has pledged to take up the impeachment fight in the Senate should the House move against President Trump, a new campaign ad from ...

Trump on Troop Withdrawal From Syria: ‘Time to Get out of These Ridiculous Endless Wars’

BY ZACHARY STIEBER President Donald Trump explained the rationale behind his decision to pull all U.S. troops from Syria, saying he wants the United States to ...

GOP Rep. Chris Stewart dismisses second whistleblower: ‘Why should I care?’

By Ronn Blitzer | Fox News Members of the House Intelligence Committee from both parties reacted to the news that there is a second whistleblower with knowledge ...

Intelligence Community Watchdog Interviews Second Whistleblower

BY IVAN PENTCHOUKOV Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson interviewed a second whistleblower with alleged knowledge about the call between President Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine. Democrats have led an ...