WeightWatchers declares bankruptcy as people embrace weight loss drugs
The 62-year-old weight loss program's parent company, WW International, announced Tuesday that it aims to eliminate $1.1 billion in debt as part of the Chapter 11 filing and to focus on expanding its fledgling telehealth business. Services to WeightWatchers customers will continue uninterrupted, the company said.
"Our existing debt has been a significant burden on the business for many years and has resulted in approximately $100 million of annual interest payments in each of the last two years," WeightWatchers CEO Tara Comonte said in a call on Tuesday to discuss the company's restructuring plans.
WeightWatchers said it expects to complete the reorganization in 40 days and emerge as a publicly traded company.
WeightWatchers has more than 3 million members worldwide. The company also offers prescription weight-loss medication through its "WeightWatchers Clinic" subscription program.
"Importantly, WeightWatchers remains fully operational with all of our offerings and services, including our workshops, our app and our telehealth business, continuing to operate with no interruption during this reorganization process and beyond," Comonte said in the call. "To repeat, there will be no impact to our members or the plans they rely on to support their weight management goals or to our teams."
WeightWatchers on Tuesday reported revenues of $186.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, down 9.7% compared to the period a year ago. The company had fiscal-year 2024 revenue of $785.9 million, less than half of its revenues in 2018.
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Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
1 in 3 Americans say their financial situation has deteriorated in the past year, new survey finds
A little more than halfway into 2025, Americans are facing new and complex financial challenges. While inflation has cooled from its peak, its effects are lingering, especially in light of higher tariffs, elevated interest rates, and a tight labor market. Credit card balances have once again reached a new record high, student loan delinquencies are climbing, and a significant number of Americans still lack emergency savings. So, is the average household getting ahead — or just getting by? A new Yahoo Finance/Marist Poll survey reveals a country divided on the state of personal finances. From savings satisfaction to credit score awareness, here's a closer look at how Americans are coping with inflation, debt, and everyday expenses — and how well they understand key indicators of how their personal finances are faring. This embedded content is not available in your region. 2025 My Money Survey: Key findings Nearly half (45%) of adults describe the cost of living in their area as not very affordable or not affordable at all. One in 3 Americans say their financial situation has deteriorated in the past year. Financial setbacks are most common among lower-income individuals and older generations. A little more than half of Americans express satisfaction with their savings, while close to one-third of Americans report being very dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied with their current level of savings. Nearly half (45%) of adults report their income just about matches their expenses, while about 3 in 10 say their monthly expenses exceed their monthly income. About 40% of Americans say they would cut spending when expenses exceed income, while 26% would dip into savings. Nearly half of Americans (44%) say their credit score has influenced a financial decision in the past year, while 55% say it has not. Most respondents (78%) say they know their credit scores, though 28% report they know a little to nothing at all about the implications their saving and spending habits have on their credit rating. Fifty-eight percent of Americans say they know their net worth, while 21% say they do not, and 21% are unsure. Generally, awareness increases with age and income. Full survey results We set out to learn more about how higher costs are impacting Americans and their personal finances. Here's what we found. Nearly half of Americans describe the cost of living in their area as unaffordable While a majority of Americans consider the cost of living in their area to be affordable, the survey found that a large number of Americans are struggling with the cost of living. And that may come as no surprise. Though inflation has come down from its peak in the summer of 2022, it's still elevated; the Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% over the prior year in June, up from 2.4% in May. Household energy, auto insurance, housing, and restaurant meals were among the expense categories that jumped the most in price. However, sentiment varied across generations and genders. For example, men were notably more positive: 60% described costs as affordable compared to 50% of women. Women were also more likely to say costs were unaffordable (50%) than men (40%). Additionally, younger Americans have a slightly more positive outlook about the cost of living in their areas; roughly 60% of millennials and Gen Z described costs as affordable or very affordable. Read more: This map compares the cost of living in every state Men are twice as likely as women to report their personal finances have improved over the past year Many Americans are not just feeling the pinch of higher costs — these costs have dampened their outlook on their personal finances. One in 3 Americans say their financial situation has deteriorated in the past year. Older generations (39% of Gen X, 35% of baby boomers and members of the silent/greatest generation) are more likely to report that their family finances have worsened over the past year than members of Gen Z (29%) and millennials (29%). There's also a clear income gap: 47% of households earning under $50,000 report worsening finances compared with 27% of higher earners. Meanwhile, men (36%) are twice as likely as women (18%) to report that their finances have gotten better. Read more: Are men or women better at saving money? Here's what the data says. Close to a third of Americans are dissatisfied with their current level of savings Earlier this year, our 2025 State of Savings report found that about 35% of Americans were very or completely dissatisfied with the amount of money they had saved over the past year. More than halfway into 2025, not much has changed, and only about 1 in 10 Americans feel completely secure with their financial cushion. Our survey found that older respondents are less satisfied with their savings. Members of Gen Z (12%) and millennials (16%) are more likely than members of Gen X (8%) and baby boomers/silent/greatest generations (6%) to say they are completely satisfied with their savings. Lower-income earners (30%) were also more likely to express complete dissatisfaction with their level of savings, compared with just 9% of higher earners. Finally, men (31%) are more likely than women (19%) to be either completely or very satisfied with the amount of money they currently have saved. Gen Z is struggling the most with their budgets Median weekly earnings among the nation's full-time wage and salary workers are up 4.6% over the previous year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, many Americans are scraping by, earning just enough to cover their expenses. Which of the following best describes your current monthly personal finance situation? Your income consistently exceeds your expenses: 27% Your income about matches your expenses: 45% Your expenses consistently exceed your income: 29% Nearly one-third of respondents say their expenses exceed their income each month, while 27% report their income consistently exceeds their expenses. Despite being more likely than younger generations to report dissatisfaction with their current savings levels, baby boomers and members of the silent/greatest generation (31%) are more likely to report monthly budget surpluses than members of Gen X (26%), millennials (25%), and Gen Z (23%). Additionally, 42% of adults earning under $50,000 say their expenses exceed their income — nearly double that of those earning more than $50,000 (22%) who say the same. Read more: Your complete guide to budgeting for 2025 Most Americans would cut spending to make ends meet When faced with a cash flow shortfall, there are several options for covering monthly expenses, from dipping into savings to borrowing money. However, according to survey results, many respondents would choose to cut their spending. If you were to have a month when your expenses exceeded your income, what is the main way you would address that? Use a credit card: 23% Borrow money: 10% Cut your spending: 41% Dip into your savings: 26% Notably, lower-income households are more likely to cut spending when expenses get too high. Households with incomes under $50,000 (46%) say they would cut spending when expenses exceed income, while 39% of those making over $50,000 say the same. Read more: How the 'No Buy 2025' trend could help you get your budget on track this year Most Americans know their credit scores Knowing your credit score is key to maintaining your financial health and reaching your goals. Fortunately, most survey respondents reported that they are aware of their current scores. Do you know your credit score? Yes: 78% No: 13% Unsure: 9% Read more: How to check your credit score for free Not everyone understands how certain financial habits impact their credit scores While a majority of survey respondents said that they know their credit scores, there seems to be a knowledge gap when it comes to understanding the impact that saving and spending habits can have on credit health. How much do you feel you know about how spending and saving decisions can affect your credit score? A great deal: 31% A good amount: 41% A little: 22% Nothing at all: 6% The survey found that men (75%) are more likely than women (69%) to say they know a great deal or good amount about how spending and saving decisions impact their credit scores. Additionally, 78% of households with incomes of $50,000 or more express greater awareness of how financial decisions affect their credit scores compared with 60% of households earning under $50,000. Read more: How are credit scores calculated? More than 4 in 10 Americans say their credit score has influenced a financial decision in the past year Credit scores play a crucial role in your ability to borrow money and qualify for the best terms and interest rates. Plus, your credit can impact other areas of your life, including the ability to rent an apartment, open utility accounts, and even get hired for certain jobs. So, it's no wonder that credit scores are considered a key indicator of overall financial health. Has your credit score played a role in a personal financial decision you've made in the past year? Yes: 44% No: 55% Forty-four percent of Americans say their credit score has influenced a financial decision in the past year, while 55% say it has not. Millennials (57%), Gen Z (50%), and Gen X (48%) are more likely than baby boomers/silent/greatest generations (30%) to have had their credit score factor into a financial decision in the last 12 months. Read more: What is a good credit score? Lower-income households are more likely to see negative outcomes from their credit scores The good news: 42% of Americans report that their credit score has mostly helped them achieve their financial goals over the past year. To the best of your knowledge, how has your credit score affected your ability to achieve your financial goals in the past year? Has it: Mostly helped: 42% Mostly hurt: 19% Neither helped nor hurt: 38% However, 38% say it has neither helped nor hurt, and 19% report their score has mostly hurt their ability to achieve their financial goals. Notably, adults with a household income of less than $50,000 (30%) are more than twice as likely as those earning more than $50,000 (14%) to say their credit score has mostly hurt their ability to achieve their financial goals. Read more: 10 tips to improve your credit score in 2025 Awareness about net worth typically increases with age Your net worth is the difference between what you own (assets) and what you owe (liabilities). Like credit scores, net worth is another important indicator of overall financial health. And generally, you should aim to increase your net worth over time. Thinking about your finances overall, do you know your net worth, that is, your total assets minus your total liabilities? Yes: 58% No: 21% Unsure: 21% When asked about their net worth, more than 4 in 10 Americans report a lack of knowledge or uncertainty. Across generations, net worth knowledge trends upward with age. Forty-eight percent of Gen Z, 57% of millennials, 56% of Gen X, and 66% of baby boomers/silent/greatest generations report knowing their net worth. Further, 68% of men say they know their net worth compared to 48% of women. There is also an income-based knowledge gap: 68% of those earning $50,000 or more are confident they know their net worth compared with only 39% of households earning less than $50,000 annually. Read more: 6 ways to increase your net worth Up Next Up Next How to improve your financial standing Americans today face unique challenges when it comes to budgeting, saving, and wealth building. While there will always be economic forces largely out of your control, financial literacy also plays a crucial role in overall financial health — and that's something you absolutely have power over, regardless of age, gender, or income. Having the right insight into your finances can give you the knowledge and confidence to make smarter decisions with your money and reach your goals. My Money from Yahoo Finance is a free personal finance tool that provides a single, clear snapshot of your entire financial life, from your credit score to your net worth and monthly cash flow, all in one convenient place. So, if you want an easy way to check your credit score, see where you're spending the most money, and track your net worth over time, create an account with My Money for personal insights and guidance. Methodology This survey of 2,575 adults was conducted June 13 through June 17, 2025, by the Marist Poll sponsored in partnership with Yahoo Finance. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: by text or online. Results for all adults (n=2,575) are statistically significant within ±2.1 percentage points.
CNN
28 minutes ago
- CNN
Testing finds caffeinated coffee is clean of contaminants. Well, almost
That cup of joe that jolts you awake in the morning is pretty safe when it comes to contaminants and toxins, a new investigation has found. Well … almost. 'While some contaminants were present, most were found at minimal levels and well below the European Union's safety limits per 6-ounce serving. This means coffee is generally safe,' said Molly Hamilton, executive director of the nonprofit Clean Label Project, which conducted the investigation into caffeinated coffees. That's great news because coffee has a stellar résumé: Studies have found drinking about 3 cups of black coffee a day provides health benefits, such as reducing risk for such issues as heart disease, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, prostate cancer, stroke, dementia and more. But here's the grind — the testing found traces of a worrisome herbicide called glyphosate and one of its byproducts. Glyphosate is a popular herbicide that has been linked to hormone disruptions and neurotoxic effects, including the development of autism and other developmental disorders in children. The first MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission report, released in May, raised concerns about the impact of glyphosate and other pesticides on children's health. The US Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory bodies, however, say numerous studies and risk assessments have shown no adverse effects of glyphosate at levels found in the food supply. In addition to glyphosate, testing found some coffees also contained small amounts of phthalates, a plasticizer found in consumer products such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume and children's toys. Phthalates have been linked with reproductive problems, such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males. Studies have also linked phthalates to asthma, childhood obesity and cancer. Testing found the highest levels of phthalates in coffee sold in cans, followed by pods and finally bags. The reason for that isn't yet clear, 'so our next study is going to be analyzing the packaging assembly line to discover why there is a change in contaminants,' Hamilton said. 'The Clean Label Project plays an important role in post-market testing for contaminants in everyday consumer products, including this recent report on coffee,' said David Andrews, acting chief science officer for the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group that maintains a database on personal care products that contain toxins. 'The higher phthalate levels found in coffee pods and canned coffee suggest that packaging could be a meaningful source of exposure to these chemicals of concern,' Andrews said. The National Coffee Association, which represents the US coffee industry told CNN that it was 'highly irresponsible to mislead Americans about the safety of their favorite beverage.' 'Decades of independent scientific evidence show that coffee drinkers live longer, healthier lives,' NCA President and CEO William 'Bill' Murray said in an email. The Clean Label Project measures levels of heavy metals, pesticides and plasticizers in food and consumer products. The organization also checks to see whether the tested products' labels list those contaminants. To do the testing, Clean Label obtained samples of coffee from 45 popular brands — which they did not name. Coffee beans were grown in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Peru and Hawaii. A certified lab conducted over 7,000 tests looking for pesticides, including glyphosate; heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium; mycotoxins, which are toxic chemical compounds produced by some molds that grow on crops; and phthalates, a plasticizer found in consumer products such as food wrapping, food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume and children's toys. The tests found scant glyphosate, but 'significant' amounts of aminomethylphosphonic acid, or AMPA, a byproduct of glyphosate as it breaks down in the environment, according to the report. The half-life of AMPA is longer than that of glyphosate, which means it can persist in the environment and is easily absorbed by plants from soil and water. In addition, AMPA has been shown to damage cellular DNA in prostate cells and cause an increased risk of liver inflammation and metabolic disorders in young adults. Testing found organic coffees bested conventional coffees in total amounts of contaminants, but there was one oddity — there were levels of AMPA in all of the 12 organic coffees tested. Of the 45 samples of conventionally grown coffees, only 29 tested positive for aminomethylphosphonic acid, according to the report. While certified organic coffee growers cannot use pesticides like glyphosate, it's possible for organic fields to be contaminated by runoff from neighboring conventional farms, Hamilton said. 'Still, the detection of AMPA in 100% of organic samples we tested is definitely a wake-up call,' she said. 'We definitely need stronger safeguards and greater transparency in our food system.' Levels of heavy metals depended on where the coffee was grown. Africa has some of the lowest levels of heavy metals, while the highest were found in Hawaiian coffee. Hawaii, however, is a volcanic island and therefore expected to have more significant levels of heavy metals in the soil. An analysis also found 100% of the tested coffee samples contained small amounts of acrylamide, a colorless, odorless chemical formed when certain foods are cooked at high temperatures, such as when frying, baking and roasting. Acrylamide has been linked to cancer in animals when they are exposed to extremely high doses. However, the chemical is not thought to be toxic to humans at small levels of consumption. Despite that, the US Food and Drug Administration has advised manufacturers to attempt to lower levels in the food supply. Clean Label's testing found levels of acrylamide varied with the degree of roasting of coffee beans. The highest levels of acrylamide were found in medium roasts, followed by light roasts and dark roasts. 'The dark coffees are the best choice because they are roasted at lower temperatures for a longer period of time so acrylamide levels don't rise,' Hamilton explained. 'The light coffees are roasted minimally, so here too, acrylamide levels don't build up. 'However, medium roasts have the higher levels of acrylamide because they are roasted at higher temperatures long enough to darken the beans,' she said. What could a coffee lover take away from the testing? 'When you decide which coffee to buy, choose darker or the lightest roasts in bags or pods and consider where coffee is grown, which can impact the levels of heavy metals,' Hamilton said. 'But I want to stress that it's important to put these findings into context,' she added. 'Caffeinated coffee is still one of the cleanest product categories we've ever tested. 'Our report isn't meant to raise alarm or keep consumers from drinking coffee, but rather to empower people on how to choose the cleanest, safest cup of coffee.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
The 'Stealth Tax' Eroding Your Wallet
Produced [by our journalists] with financial support from an organization or individual that did not approve or review the work. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Americans are seeing their prices rise at the checkout this year—a form of "stealth tax" that is eroding their wallets and reshaping how they shop. According to a recent survey by e-commerce marketing platform Omnisend, Americans are now spending $12.2 billion more per month since the introduction of President Donald Trump's tariffs this year, averaging $47 more per person. Notably, 14.7 percent of respondents reported that their monthly expenses had risen by $100 or more. Why It Matters Economists have forecast that the higher import taxes arising from Trump's attempt to rebalance global trade will increase costs for U.S. businesses reliant on foreign goods or components, and that these costs will eventually be passed along to the American consumer. These effects have yet to significantly influence consumer spending or inflation data, a fact the administration has cited in defending the measures along with the billions of dollars of revenue the tariffs have accrued. But with Trump's recent reintroduction of reciprocal tariffs and even more sectoral duties in the works, consumers could soon start feeling these when paying for goods. A worn one-dollar banknote lies on a wooden table. A worn one-dollar banknote lies on a wooden table. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What To Know Omnisend conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,200 American adults to understand how tariffs had affected their budgets and shopping behaviors. In addition to the reported price increases, 66 percent of respondents said they had noticed price hikes since the imposition of tariffs this year. Thirty-four percent said they had observed these on Amazon, while 30 percent and 27 percent reported them on Temu and at Walmart, respectively. Marty Bauer, an e-commerce expert at Omnisend, acknowledged that surveys do not "capture every dollar of tariff impact" as these rely on respondents' perceptions and memories of price increases. However, he said these still serve as a measure of price impacts, one which precedes official data and government-conducted measurements, and that responses regarding behavioral shifts give a valuable glimpse into how households are adapting. About 68 percent of respondents said they had begun shifting away from Chinese platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress. As well as the higher rates on Chinese imports—currently capped at 30 percent thanks to the temporary tariff truce between Washington and Beijing—these platforms are also set to struggle from Trump ending the "de minimis" tariff exemption on goods valued under $800. People shop at a grocery store in Brooklyn, New York, on May 13. People shop at a grocery store in Brooklyn, New York, on May 13."These tariffs are functioning like a stealth tax, reallocating billions in spending and reshaping consumer behavior in real time," Omnisend wrote in its analysis. However, it added that the increase to monthly spending could derive from "budget-driven necessity" but also serve as a "patriotic flex" given that some Americans appear willing to pay more for products carrying the "made in America" label. According to the survey, 43 percent were willing to pay more for domestically sourced goods, up from 40 percent in the first quarter of the year. Meanwhile, an unchanged 32 percent were not willing to do so, while 24 percent were undecided, down from 27 percent. The price impacts appear to be weighing on the overall popularity of the trade policies. Between the first and third quarters of 2025, the share of those supporting tariffs fell to 28 percent from 34 percent, while the number in opposition rose to 49 percent from 42 percent. What People Are Saying Marty Bauer, Omnisend's e-commerce expert, told Newsweek: "The pressure from tariffs builds in layers. First it shows up in the fastest moving goods, things like small online orders, household basics—then it spreads to bigger purchases as new shipments arrive. That's why the changes will be gradual, not a single spike. Over the next few months, especially from back-to-school through early holiday shopping, we'll likely see more creative ways for retailers to manage sticker shock by bundling items, adjusting sizes, or tightening return policies to offset higher import and freight costs without constantly changing the shelf price." What Happens Next Trump has reinstated the "reciprocal tariffs" announced in early April after two successive pauses. These adjusted duties came into effect on August 7. Certain other tariffs, including an additional 25 percent duty on Indian exports, are set to take effect in the coming weeks. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Fox Business on Thursday that the 90-day tariff truce between China and the U.S. was likely to be extended beyond the August 12 deadline.
