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Received yesterday β€” 26 April 2025

Why you need an adults-only vacation

26 April 2025 at 10:46
Windstar icelandic cruise ship

Windstar Cruises

Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Oscar-nominated actor Demi Moore eats a meat-free diet, but there's one guilty pleasure she can't live without.


On the agenda:

But first: Leave the kids at home.


If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here.


This week's dispatch

cruise deck

Brusinski/ Getty Images

Grown-up getaway

There's nothing like a family vacation, but every once in a while, you really do need adults-only fun. Think about it: You can properly relax with no unexpected (well, maybe) interruptions as you unplug.

Lucky for us, there are plenty of options to enjoy kid-free fun β€” from cruises to hotels.

Adults-only resorts cater to grown-ups, whether you're looking for a tranquil afternoon at the spa, adventure on nearby hiking trails, or delight in fine dining.

Brittany Chang, BI's senior visual features reporter, took readers inside Hyatt Vivid's first-ever adults-only all-inclusive resort in CancΓΊn, Mexico, and it's a perfect paradise for travelers looking for something more casual. It doesn't mean there aren't plenty of activities to do.

"Guests can sign up for mezcal tastings or booze it up at the property's six watering holes, including a swim-up bar in the rooftop pool," she writes, adding that guests can also "sweat it out in an underwater cycling class, or take a 10-minute bus to Ennea Beach Club."

There are also adults-only cruises that still offer the space to act like a kid. BI's travel reporter Joey Hadden went on one with Virgin Voyages and was surprised to find not only a tattoo parlor on board, but also an actual playground.

"The cruise ship playground was surrounded by fun activities, like a human-size chess set, a boxing ring, and a net suspended above an ocean view," Hadden writes. "If there had been children around, I wouldn't have felt comfortable taking up space on this playground. Surrounded by only adults, however, I felt free to enjoy these activities."

Convinced yet? Great! Call the sitter.


POV: protein overload

man guzzling protein shake

Getty Images; Rebecca Zisser/BI

Protein-maxxing is the latest obsession in health, fitness, and longevity. Still, there is such a thing as too much protein.

Our bodies can't store it past a certain point, and the excess sometimes crowds out other necessary nutrients. Doctors and dietitians told BI what happens when you overdo it.

They also shared how to consume the right amount.


The human cost of "K-face"

Woman looking in the mirror.

Gracia Lam for BI

Korean plastic surgery, like K-pop and K-beauty, is riding the wave of global South Korean cultural influence. International tourists go to South Korea for procedures at low prices (by US standards, at least) to achieve "K-face."

The quest for K-face is not a grassroots movement, however. It's a carefully executed investment strategy by the Korean government worth more than a billion dollars.

And it profits off endless insecurities.


Working women with great taste

Photo collage of a vintage image of a woman with loafers and a sweater

Gucci; Frankies Bikinis; CSA-Images/Getty, Tyler Le/BI

BI asked successful women across industries about the clothes they wear to achieve a chic, professional look.

Their answers ranged from sustainably-sourced favorites to trusted Jenni Kayne sweaters and timeless Gucci loafers. Many said it's not the clothes that matter, but the feeling they give the wearer.

Confidence is key.

Also read:


No ordinary short-term rental

The villa at sunset.
The villa at sunset.

Kasianda

Justin and Annabelle Parfitt wanted to offer guests luxury stays at their two-villa Bali compound, and they spent $1.7 million to do so.

The five- and seven-bedroom villas boast separate pools, fine dining fare, and butlers, but the best part is the complimentary party-planning services. The Parfitts work with guests and planners to throw extravagant shindigs, especially big birthdays.

See inside the party villas.


What we're watching this weekend

You for What to Watch.

Clifton Prescod/Netflix; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

  • "You": Netflix's psychological thriller series, starring Penn Badgley, ends with its fifth and final season.
  • "Andor": Diego Luna reprises his role as the titular rebel soldier in season two of the "Star Wars" spin-off series.
  • "Babygirl": Nicole Kidman plays a powerful CEO who has an affair with her much younger intern in Halina Reijn's 2024 erotic thriller, now streaming on Max.

See the full list


A red shopping bag surrounded by $100 bills.

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

What to shop

  • Weekend luggage: Not every trip requires a full set of suitcases. For your next long weekend, quick visit, or overnight stay, these are the best weekender bags we've tested.
  • A city-dweller essential: Our team's newest NYC transplant put the viral Hulken rolling tote to the test, and she can't believe anyone lives here without it. Make city-schlepping easier with her favorite find.
  • Make ice cream at home: The Ninja Creami has blown up on TikTok as an easy way to make ice cream with any kind of milk or dairy alternative. We tested it, and while it's useful for those with dietary restrictions, it has drawbacks.

More of this week's top reads:


The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City (on paternity leave). Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Received before yesterday

New real-estate rules mean searching for homes could be changed forever

13 April 2025 at 10:44
The front of a three-story house.

Modern Media LLC

Welcome back to our Sunday edition, where we round up some of our top stories and take you inside our newsroom. Aspiring entrepreneurs, take note: A new AI startup founded by Yale students aims to compete with LinkedIn β€” and we got a hold of the pitch deck it used to raise $3 million.


On the agenda today:

But first: House hunting is about to change.


If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here.


This week's dispatch

A magnify glass with the Zillow logo on it smashed up surrounding a house

Tyler Le/BI

The Great Zillow Zap

Many of us lurk on real estate portals like Zillow and Redfin, even if just for fun. Now, users are coming across properties on these sites that appear to be "off-market" but are actually for sale … if you know where to look.

Our housing reporter extraordinaire James Rodriguez published a must-read story this week about how new rules for real estate agents are pushing listings away from catch-all platforms toward exclusive brokerage sites. I sat down with James to learn more β€” and to get his prediction for what's next in the housing market.

James, this week you wrote about changes that mean fewer home listings are making it onto sites like Zillow, or are taking longer to land there. That's no fun for lurkers! But overall, does this shift benefit buyers, sellers, both or neither?

Buyers are, for sure, the big losers: They just want to see all the homes available for sale, and it's getting tougher to do that. For sellers, they might benefit from a private test run within a brokerage before their property hits very public Zillow. But Zillow says it will penalize sellers who try to do this, and there is certainly a benefit to reaching the widest possible range of buyers. The true winners will be the big brokers and agents who end up controlling access to listings and boosting their bottom lines.

In the last year or so, the rules around brokerage commissions and listings have changed β€” are home buyers and sellers truly better off? Or not so much?

The short answer is not really. The status quo is hard to overcome: Agent commissions are roughly the same, and consumers are confused about all the new rules (or don't even know about them). That said, as the news continues to spread, there will be more opportunities for savvy buyers and sellers to negotiate better outcomes. That's why I've spent a lot of time breaking down these changes and what they mean for the average person.

You wrote in October that it looked like the housing market would de-freeze by spring. How is that prediction working out?

There are definitely some bright spots. Buyers have a lot more options this spring: I wrote that inventory would be the big figure to watch, and the number of homes for sale in March was up almost 30% from a year ago. But both sides are, understandably, cautious right now: The typical mortgage rate jumped this week to around 7%, and there's a lot of economic uncertainty, to put it mildly. Stay tuned!


Growing up Marvel

Stan Lee and J.C. Lee
Stan Lee and his daughter, JC Lee.

Courtesy of J.C. Lee

JC Lee has been widely portrayed as the villain of the Stan Lee story: the spoiled, impossible child who exploited her father, then failed to protect him in his final years.

People close to JC and her father tell a different story. "The main thing JC inherited from her father is she has a real knack for surrounding herself with con men," one of Stan's closest confidants said. Now, JC is ready to tell her side of the story.

The tumultuous life of Stan Lee's only child.


Microsoft mulls more job cuts

Satya Nadella speaking

REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Another round of Microsoft cuts could come as soon as May, focusing on middle managers, non-coders, and more low performers, according to people familiar with the matter.

It's unclear how many roles will be slashed. However, some Microsoft organizations want to increase their "span of control" and decrease the ratio of product managers or program managers to engineers, sources told BI.

Inside layoff discussions.


Make America Hated Again

Tourist luggage.

Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

As spring and summer vacations roll in, some American tourists are finding an unseasonally icy welcome abroad. Treated with awkwardness, pity, or straight-up hostility, they're starting to rethink their travel plans.

For American expats, their home country becoming the global frenemy means some conversations about President Trump are unavoidable. Even when Americans leave the US, its politics follow them.

Warning: traveling while American.


What happened to Hooters?

Alex Bitter selfie outside hooters

Alex Bitter/BI

Hooters of America filed for bankruptcy in March. BI's Alex Bitter went to one location to find out why. He said the signature tank tops hadn't gone anywhere, and the fries were underwhelming.

Hooters is known for its scantily clad waitresses, but the CEO of the chain's founding group wants to make the restaurants more family-friendly.

So long, "Bikini Nights."


This week's quote:

"I've been concerned about Elon Musk back since he was at PayPal, and then with the purchase and dismantling of Twitter."

β€” Actor Alex Winter, who helped kick-start the global Tesla Takedown movement.


More of this week's top reads:

Read the original article on Business Insider

When you can expect price hikes — and how severe they may be

9 April 2025 at 11:29
Customers in an Apple store.

CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Good morning. If you should ever meet Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, never compare him to Elon Musk. Huang's biographer learned this the hard way.

In today's big story, US President Donald Trump's tariffs have gone into effect β€” we're looking at when you can expect prices to rise, and how severe they may be.

What's on deck

Markets: Why "The Big Short" investor Steve Eisman thinks the US would prevail in a global trade war.

Tech: How grassroots rage at Elon Musk snowballed into global protests.

Business: Zillow might not be the place to look for your dream home anymore, thanks to new rules.

But first, time for an upgrade?


If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.


The big story

The cost of tariffs

Cropped shot of young woman carrying a shopping basket, standing along the product aisle, grocery shopping for daily necessities in supermarket
The author (not pictured) started using coupons in 2020 to save money for her family.

d3sign/Getty Images

$1,549 for an iPhone.

After Trump's latest round of tariffs β€” which went into effect today β€” UBS's chief investment officer said the Mainland China-assembled iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256 GB would likely see a price hike of $350.

The White House's total tariff rate for China now stands at 104%. BI spoke to seven analysts about rising consumer prices and found they expect costs to go up roughly 30% to 50%.

It's not just Apple, either. A slew of companies have talked about raising prices due to Trump's tariffs, including Walmart and Target β€” BI has a running list of them here.

Prices on everything from pantry staples like coffee and sugar to larger purchases like cars and appliances are expected to rise. A Yale economist estimated that the cost to the average household could be about $3,800 this year.

"Shark Tank" investor Mark Cuban has suggested Americans begin stockpiling goods before prices go up:

"From toothpaste to soap, anything you can find storage space for, buy before they have to replenish inventory," Cuban wrote.

So, should you take Cuban's advice and stockpile essentials?

Some Americans are. BI spoke with people who say they're buying makeup, skincare goods, pet food, spices, meat … the list goes on.

Prices might not rise immediately. Companies may think twice before passing on the cost to consumers. Take Apple: Increasing prices could give competitors like Samsung β€” who are less affected by tariffs β€” a competitive edge, analyst Thomas Monteiro said.

That said, if you know you'll need a new iPhone soon, it's not a bad idea to act now, BI's Ana Altchek writes.


3 things in markets

Steve Eisman
Steve Eisman.

Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

1. "The Big Short" investor is bullish on Trump and the trade war. Steve Eisman thinks the US would win if tariff escalation develops into a full-on trade war. He's also confident President Trump could get everything he wants from negotiations "if reasonable heads prevail."

2. To buy β€” or not buy β€” the dip. There might be a glimmer of hope for the investors suffering through the brutal market sell-off. History suggests stocks could very well shake off these losses, and Truist's chief market strategist agrees: "This is not the time to be selling into panic."

3. History lessons about a looming bear market. The S&P 500 briefly entered bear market territory on Monday amid a three-day skid triggered by Trump's tariffs. Goldman Sachs strategists argue the market is now flirting with an event-driven bear market. Here's what to expect if the stock market decisively enters one.


3 things in tech

Protesters rally against Tesla CEO Elon Musk outside a Tesla store in San Francisco.
Protesters rally against Tesla CEO Elon Musk outside a Tesla store in San Francisco.

Noah Berger/ AP Photo

1. Rage against the (Elon Musk) machine. Tesla Takedown protests began sprouting up in February and by the end of March, they had reached more than 250 cities and 13 countries. Here's how anti-Tesla momentum evolved.

2. The angel investors shaking up Silicon Valley. There's a strong correlation between the rising number of women in angel investor markets and more female entrepreneurs receiving angel investing capital. It might be the best way for them to take on tech's billionaire boys club.

3. Microsoft middle managers, beware. The tech giant is considering another round of job cuts that could come as soon as May, BI exclusively reports. This time, it's not just shedding low performers. Leaders on some teams are discussing ousting middle managers, people familiar with the matter told BI.


3 things in business

A magnify glass with the Zillow logo on it smashed up surrounding a house

Tyler Le/BI

1. The golden age of Zillow is coming to an end. Thanks to new rules for real estate agents, sites like Zillow and Redfin are about to lose a lot of listings. Your dream home could be for sale β€” but you may never see it.

2. Top Trump donors are seeing their stock prices plunge. Billionaire CEOs of tech and finance companies shelled out donations to President Trump. Now they're watching their companies' stocks plunge after his tariff announcement. Here's how much they've lost in share value.

3. Trump threatened TSMC with a "big tax." The president said on Tuesday he'd slap Taiwan's chipmaker with a tax of up to 100% if it didn't build its plants in America. TSMC had already announced in March it will invest $100 billion to build five new chip factories in the US.


In other news


What's happening today

  • Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes published.
  • Delta Airlines reports Q1 earnings.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivers keynote speech at ABA summit in Washington, DC.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York (on parental leave). Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Nathan Rennolds, editor, in London. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The IPO slump is bad news for everyone

7 April 2025 at 12:54
A man on the phone walks near a puddle outside the New York Stock Exchange.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Good morning. JPMorgan Chase released CEO Jamie Dimon's much-anticipated annual letter to shareholders.

In the 58-page letter, Dimon said he sees stagflation dangers slowing the economy β€” and suggested that stock market pain may not be over. Dimon, a longtime meeting-hater, also offered tips on holding better ones. Read BI's takeaways here.

In today's big story, public offerings were about to take off. Instead, they've hit the massive Trump Slump β€” and there's no end in sight.

What's on deck

Markets: Finance influencers share their advice amid Trump's tariffs.

Tech: NYC's tech scene loves this cold-plunge and sauna studio.

Business: Hollywood was hoping for a comeback in 2025. Now, those dreams are fading.

But first, RIP to the IPO comeback.


If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.


The big story

The Great IPO Depression

The letter "O" from "IPO" falling off a cliff

Andrea Ucini for BI

It's bad news for everyone.

Just a few months ago, tech IPOs seemed primed for a comeback.

"All signs were pointing to 2025 as the year when we would finally get some IPOs," said Matt Kennedy, a senior strategist at Renaissance Capital.

But a historic stock market sell-off, precipitated by Donald Trump's tariffs, has thrown cold water on those hopes.

IPO analysts at Renaissance now estimate that as few as 150 deals could be made this year, making 2025 the fourth straight down year for IPOs.

Another possible factor: Dreams of an IPO comeback may have been unrealistic from the start.

Recent boom times led to the belief that public markets could ask for the moon β€” and get it, BI's Dakin Campbell writes.

However, as outlooks have softened, investors still expect high returns from IPOs, resulting in many companies struggling to generate the enthusiasm needed for a successful public offering.

As long as IPOs remain stagnant, average Americans have few ways to share in Silicon Valley's wealth.

A slowdown in the IPO market limits the opportunities for mom-and-pop investors to directly take stakes in high-growth companies. That means there's less chance for them to strike it big with the next Facebook or Airbnb.

The knock-on effect? Further deepening the divide between the stock market haves and have-nots.

"Yet again, we are sequestering the majority of the upside of our prosperity to the private markets that consist mostly of 0.1 percenters and institutional investors," Scott Galloway, an entrepreneur and marketing professor at New York University, observed.

So, what could spur a more robust market for IPOs? Analysts have some ideas, though it will likely involve companies lowering their valuations.


3 things in markets

Mark Cuban in an armchair speaking into a microphone.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for WIRED

1. Mark Cuban says the US could be on track for a "worse situation" than 2008. In a series of Bluesky posts, Cuban suggested the extensive tariffs, combined with cuts to the federal workforce, could result in a worse financial crisis than the Great Recession.

2. Finance influencers on navigating tariffs uncertainty. BI asked nine finance influencers their top piece of advice amid tariff-related market instability. They shared budgeting, investing, and travel tips, but the No. 1 rule was "don't panic."

3. The trade war's silver lining. The 30-year mortgage rate dropped to its lowest point since October during the trade war chaos of last week. That's a bright spot for homebuyers β€” but it may not last long.


3 things in tech

a woman pushing a hand truck in a warehouse
The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009, although many states have raised their own pay.

Luis Alvarez/Getty Images

1. Tariffs chaos hits Amazon's atmosphere. President Trump's whiplash tariffs announcement is throwing the retail giant into uncertain territory. Amazon's stock was among the hardest hit on Thursday, and some employees, sellers, and vendors say the company has given them little guidance so far.

2. Building AI is about to get even more expensive. Most semiconductors are tariff-exempt, but what if the chips are inside other products? It may be time to rethink supply chains.

3. NYC techies <3 sweating and networking. The cold-plunge and sauna studio Othership is the hottest new spot for New York's tech scene, mixing wellness with socializing. It's open to more than just tech workers, though it was designed with them in mind. BI went inside.


3 things in business

TikTok logo and the Chinese flag.

TikTok; Getty Images; BI

1. TikTok's US teams are getting Chinese leaders, staffers say. A string of US executive exits left a management vacuum at TikTok, which employees say ByteDance's Chinese leaders are filling. However, this could change again if ByteDance sells TikTok to a new owner.

2. Hollywood's dashed dreams. Three months into 2025, Hollywood's hopes for a comeback are fading fast. Trump's tariffs, declining production, and more are casting a shadow on the industry's growth prospects.

3. The Chinese food "tsunami." A slew of authentic Chinese restaurant brands are coming to the US, but geopolitical tensions and anti-Asian sentiment persist. Could the cuisine bridge divides between the two countries, or is it set up to fail?


In other news


What's happening today

  • BlackRock CEO Larry Fink speaks at the Economic Club of New York.
  • March Madness national championship.
  • It's National Beer Day. Crack open a cold one.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York (on parental leave). Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Nathan Rennolds, editor, in London. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Startups Weekly: Stay tuned for the Rippling espionage movie

4 April 2025 at 17:05
Welcome to Startups Weekly β€” your weekly recap of everything you can’t miss from the world of startups. Want it in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. This week reminded us that different startups share a different approach to news: Some choose to remain quiet for a very long time, even about their acquisition […]
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