Walmart raises profit expectations as more Americans hunt deals in sluggish economy

Walmart has raised its full-year earnings and sales outlook as shoppers continue to flock to the retailer, particularly in anticipation of the holiday shopping season. The boost is attributed to increased e-commerce activity and a rise in higher-income shoppers.

Nvidia reported strong third-quarter earnings, surpassing Wall Street expectations with $57 billion in revenue, a 62% increase from the previous year. Analysts had anticipated revenue of $54.92 billion. The company's performance is attributed to its leading role in the AI sector.

Amtrak has reported a significant increase in ridership this holiday season as more Americans choose train travel. This surge follows federally mandated flight reductions that caused numerous delays and cancellations at major airports across the country. NBC News' Emilie Ikeda highlights this trend, which caps off a record year for both ridership and revenue for Amtrak.

The article discusses the recent firings of 600 Americans in a crackdown associated with pro-Trump sentiments, led by Charlie Kirk. Supporters of these actions argue that freedom of speech does not exempt individuals from facing consequences for their statements. This situation has raised concerns about the implications of political rhetoric and its impact on public discourse.

The U.S. stock market is climbing on Wednesday, for now at least, ahead of a couple huge tests for Wall Street.

Senate Republicans are divided over President Trump’s proposal to distribute $2,000 tariff dividend checks to most Americans, amid concerns about the increasing national debt. While many GOP lawmakers support returning funds to taxpayers, there is significant apprehension regarding the potential financial implications of such rebates.

A recent Pew Research Center poll indicates that a significant majority of Americans express strong confidence in the effectiveness of childhood vaccines in preventing serious illnesses. Specifically, 63 percent of respondents reported being extremely or very confident about vaccines, while 21 percent indicated they were somewhat confident. However, the poll also reveals a decline in support for childhood vaccines among Republican voters, highlighting a potential shift in attitudes within this demographic.

According to the Department of Labor, more than 1.9 million Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits in mid-October, marking the highest level since early August. For the week ending October 18, 1.957 million individuals filed for unemployment insurance, with 232,000 of those being new claims. This data, compiled by the Employment and Training Administration, highlights a concerning trend in the labor market as more individuals seek financial assistance due to job loss.