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, 2025December 11, 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 Nod Spurs Dixon to Runaway Win in Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Primary

By John Haughey Tudor Dixon, a former steel sales manager and conservative commentator, parlayed a late-campaign endorsement from former President Donald Trump into a runaway ...

Lake Pulls Ahead of Robson in Heated Race for Republican Nomination for Arizona Governor

By Allan Stein Kari Lake pulled ahead of Karrin Taylor Robson in a heated five-way battle for the Republican nomination for governor of Arizona in the ...

‘America First’ Candidate Mark Finchem Wins Republican Nomination for Arizona Secretary of State

By Allan Stein Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem has won the Republican nomination for Arizona secretary of state in the Aug. 2 primary election. Finchem defeated ...

‘Resist, Wake Up, Stop Obeying’: Holocaust Survivor Draws Parallels in Current Society to Nazi Germany

By Matt McGregor Vera Sharav was only 3 years old when her world collapsed. She and her family were chased out of Romania and herded into ...

Senators Paul, Hassan to Lead First Ever Congressional Hearing on Gain-of-Function Research

By Cathy He Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Maggie Hassan (N.H.) are set to lead the first congressional hearing on gain-of-function research as part of his ongoing ...

Why Military Enlistments are Plummeting

By Oliver L. North & David Goetsch One of the reasons the U.S. has been the world’s superpower since World War II is the size, ...

The Power of the Trump Endorsement: Myth or Magic?

By Patricia Tolson News Analysis Several polling outlets are predicting that Republicans will take control of both the House and possibly the Senate in the 2022 primaries. While some individuals are attributing ...

Subpoenas Going to Return ‘Treasure Trove’ of Documents From Biden Administration: Louisiana AG

By Zachary Stieber and Jan Jekielek The subpoenas and discovery requests sent out as part of a lawsuit against the federal government are going to bring back reams ...

LA School District Faces Lawsuit After Son Bribed Into Getting COVID-19 Vaccination: Mother

By Linda Jiang LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest school district in the United States, is facing a lawsuit from ...

US Postal Service Makes Announcement on Mail-In Ballots Ahead of Midterm Elections

By Jack Phillips The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) confirmed it has created a division that will oversee mail-in ballots in future elections. Adrienne Marshall, executive director of the ...

House Incumbents Who Voted to Impeach Trump Face Tough Primary in Washington

By Frank Fang Two of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump last year are seeking to stay in Congress, when they ...

Sen. Johnson Expects ‘Deal’ to Conceal Indictment of Hunter Biden

By Jack Phillips Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said Sunday that he expects there to be an agreement to conceal an indictment of Hunter Biden. Johnson predicted in ...