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Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Estée Lauder Faces Tariff Costs, Profit Drop, But Projects Rebound In 2026
Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. (NYSE:EL) shares plummeted in the premarket session on Wednesday after the company reported fourth-quarter results. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of 9 cents, which is in line with the street view. Quarterly sales of $3.41 billion (down 12% year over year) outpaced the analyst consensus estimate of $3.397 care sales slumped 16% year over year, makeup fell 11%, fragrance grew 4%, and hair care decreased 15% on a reported basis in the quarter. In mainland China, the company gained prestige beauty share across all categories and channels in the fourth quarter, led by La Mer and TOM FORD, with full-year gains also driven by La Mer and Le Labo. In Japan, it captured share in every quarter of fiscal year 2025 and reinforced its #1 fragrance ranking in the fourth quarter through Le Labo, Jo Malone London, and KILIAN PARIS. In the U.S., share trends improved notably in the second half of fiscal year 2025, led by The Ordinary, Clinique, and Estée Lauder, though the fourth quarter saw a modest loss. Gross profit in the quarter under review fell 12% to $2.456 billion. Gross margin expanded to 72% from 71.8% in the year-ago period. Quarterly adjusted operating income slumped 61% year over year to $137 million. View more earnings on EL Estée Lauder said that this reflects the increase in consumer-facing investments, along with sales volume deleverage in fiscal 2025. The company exited the quarter with cash and equivalents worth $2.921 billion, lower than $3.395 billion in the year-ago period. The company announced a quarterly dividend of 35 cents per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable in cash on September 16. Outlook Based on current information and net of planned mitigation actions, Estée Laude expects tariff-related headwinds to impact fiscal 2026 profitability by approximately $100 million. 'Despite continued volatility in the external environment, we embarked on fiscal 2026 with signs of momentum and confidence in our outlook to deliver organic sales growth this year after three years of declines and to begin rebuilding operating profitability in pursuit of a solid double-digit adjusted operating margin over the next few years,' said CEO Stéphane de La Faverie. The company has provided its financial outlook for fiscal year 2026, projecting EPS to range between $1.90 and $2.10, well above the analyst consensus estimate of $1.48. The company expects sales to reach between $14.613 billion and $15.042 billion, surpassing the analyst forecast of $14.321 billion. In its fiscal 2026 guidance, Estée Lauder has reflected several key assumptions. The company anticipates global prestige beauty growth to fall between 2% and 3%. Additionally, Estée Lauder plans to implement stricter inventory controls and a substantial reduction in discounts to better align retail and net sales growth. In terms of regional performance, Estée Lauder is forecasting mid-single-digit growth in mainland China, signaling early signs of market stabilization. The company also expects a modest recovery in its global travel retail business, particularly in the first half of fiscal 2026, driven by improved shipment levels in Asia travel retail. However, the company cautions that volatility in this sector, including weak conversion rates, could temper overall performance. Excluding mainland China, Estée Lauder is projecting low-single-digit growth in most other markets, with year-over-year growth rates improving compared to fiscal 2025. For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company expects a low-single-digit decline to slightly positive growth, driven by strong results in global travel retail and solid performance in mainland China. These gains are expected to offset more moderate declines in other areas of the business. Price Action: EL shares are trading lower by 8.17% to $82.53 premarket at last check Wednesday. Read Next:Image via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? ESTEE LAUDER COS (EL): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Estée Lauder Faces Tariff Costs, Profit Drop, But Projects Rebound In 2026 originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hertz Car Sales Launches on Amazon Autos
Collaboration brings thousands of pre-owned Hertz vehicles to Amazon and gives its customers a faster, more convenient way to buy their new car online ESTERO, Fla., August 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hertz Car Sales has joined Amazon Autos allowing shoppers to browse, finance, and purchase from a selection of thousands of high-quality pre-owned vehicles. This strategic collaboration brings together Hertz Car Sales' trusted nationwide inventory with the convenience of Amazon's shopping and checkout experience. This marks a significant step in Hertz's broader transformation strategy, which includes forging innovative technology partnerships to provide a more seamless customer experience. "Our goal is to reimagine the car-buying experience and meet customers where they are – whether online or in person – with convenience, confidence and scale," said Jeff Adams, Executive Vice President of Hertz Car Sales. "Amazon Autos is the ideal partner to help us deliver on this as customers can shop our expansive inventory of high-quality used cars on the same trusted marketplace where millions shop every day." As Amazon Autos' first fleet dealer, Hertz Car Sales is expanding the available inventory on Amazon Autos to offer a wider selection of well-maintained vehicles from trusted brands like Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and more. Customers can now browse Hertz Car Sales listings on Amazon Autos, complete their purchase online, and pick up their vehicle at Hertz Car Sales locations. This will initially begin in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle, with plans to expand to Hertz Car Sales' 45 locations nationwide. "We're excited for Hertz Car Sales to join the hundreds of franchised dealers in our store, bringing thousands of additional vehicles for customers to choose from," said Fan Jin, Global Head of Amazon Autos. "This collaboration allows us to offer an expanded selection of well-maintained vehicles from more dealerships across the country, while maintaining the simplicity that customers expect from Amazon." Shop Online, Drive Away with Confidence Hertz, one of the world's leading rental car companies, is also one of the largest used car dealers, selling thousands of vehicles each year. Joining Amazon Autos aligns with Hertz's strategy to expand its digital retail presence and make its extensive inventory of well-maintained used vehicles more accessible to customers nationwide, both online and at Hertz Car Sales locations. Benefit of Purchasing a Vehicle from Hertz Car Sales on Amazon Autos? Thousands of quality pre-owned vehicles at competitive prices, often below Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value Hertz Certified vehicles undergo a rigorous 115-point inspection Vehicles are backed by a 12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance, and a 7-day/250-mile buy-back guarantee* Flexible financing options from top lenders Detailed vehicle history and condition reports Seamless online purchase experience with e-signature and pickup scheduling This collaboration builds on Amazon Autos' recent expansion into used vehicle sales, giving customers more flexibility and control over their car-buying journey. To browse Hertz's available inventory on Amazon Autos, customers can visit or search "Hertz vehicles" on Amazon Autos. Available vehicles within 75 miles of the customer will be shown. *Terms apply. Visit to learn more. About Hertz Car Sales Hertz Car Sales offers an extensive range of quality pre-owned cars, SUVs, and trucks at competitive prices. With 45 locations nationwide and a convenient online platform, Hertz Car Sales' commitment to quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction means no hidden fees, detailed vehicle histories and straightforward pricing. Vehicles undergo comprehensive inspections and maintenance, ensuring customers purchase reliable vehicles they can trust. Learn more at About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit and follow @AmazonNews. View source version on Contacts mediarelations@
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Accused shouted ‘trick or treat' before throwing petrol bomb in bar, court hears
A man facing attempted murder charges after an arson attack on a busy bar in Northern Ireland allegedly shouted 'trick or treat' before throwing a lit petrol bomb directly at two people inside, a court has heard. John Patrick Nixon, 38, appeared before a district judge in Newry, Co Down on Wednesday accused of two counts of attempted murder in relation to the incident in Armagh city on Monday evening. Nixon, who spoke briefly to confirm his name, date of birth and that he understood the charges, is also charged with several other offences alleged to have been committed on the same day, including criminal damage to property and a vehicle elsewhere in Armagh earlier that evening. No defence application for bail was made at the remand hearing in Newry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and Nixon, who is from Irish Street in Armagh, was remanded into custody to appear before a judge again next month. During the hearing, a detective constable told the court that the Toby Jug bar on Irish Street had a significant number of people inside, including children, when the attack unfolded shortly before 9pm. Customers were watching a football match on TV and traditional music was also being played when the incident occurred, the court heard. 'Police attended and spoke with victims and witnesses who stated that a male entered the pub, shouted 'trick or treat' and then threw a lit petrol bomb directly towards two people in the bar,' the officer said. Two men, one aged in his 30s and one in his 60s, were taken to hospital with burn injuries described in court as 'significant'. The detective constable told the court that CCTV from outside the bar showed a man taking something from a plastic bag, walking across the road, then lighting a rag protruding from a bottle. He said the CCTV showed a flash and orange flames and glow of fire coming through the doorway of the pub shortly after the man walked inside. 'The male suspect walks calmly out of the bar, walks across the street whilst removing an item from the waistband of his trousers,' he added. 'As a number of children and an adult came running out of the bar, he brandishes this item, which appears to be a large knife.' District judge Eamonn King was told that Nixon was arrested later that evening at an address on Chapel Lane in Armagh. The court heard that a petrol bomb and a plastic bag containing a knife were located at the same property. The detective constable said officers had also obtained CCTV footage from a local filling station at around 7.50pm that evening that allegedly shows the accused filling up a plastic bottle with £2.03p worth of petrol. As well as two counts of attempted murder, Nixon is also charged with arson with intent to endanger life; possession of a knife in a public place; and three counts of criminal damage. The criminal damage charges relate to incidents on the Keady Road in Armagh in the early evening of Monday. At around 5.30pm, police received a report that a brick had been thrown through the window of a home on the road and the window of a car had been smashed at the same property. A short time later, another 999 call was made reporting that a brick had been thrown through the kitchen window of another property nearby. CCTV from the area showed a bald man wearing dark clothing walking up the drive of one of the properties at the time. The detective constable told the court that a local resident had identified the male in the CCTV as Nixon. The officer said detectives had established that the description of the male who had caused the damage to the windows matched that of the male who had thrown the petrol bomb. The court was also told that Nixon made no reply to questions asked by detectives while in police custody. He will appear before Armagh Magistrates' Court on September 2 via video-link.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Permanent Tax Extensions Passed in 2017 Could Shape Your 2026 Tax Planning
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced sweeping changes to the U.S. tax code, many of which were set to expire after 2025. However, the new law has made several of those key provisions permanent. That means taxpayers can plan for the long term with more confidence. Read Next: Explore More: From income tax brackets to deductions and credits, here's how some of these changes could shape your 2026 tax planning and beyond. What's Been Made Permanent Several major provisions from the TCJA have been made permanent or extended under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), creating new opportunities for long-term tax planning that will take effect starting in 2025. Here are some key extensions: Income tax brackets: The TCJA's lower rates are now permanent, ranging from 10% to 37%. Standard deduction: It was raised to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for joint filers. Adjusted gross income (AGI) limits for charitable giving: Taxpayers can continue to deduct cash donations up to 60% of their adjusted gross income. Estate and gift tax exemption: It was increased to $15 million in 2026, exempting most estates from federal tax. Child tax credit: Made permanent the increased amount and income requirements from the TCJA. These updates provide greater certainty for taxpayers and a stronger incentive to plan ahead. Check Out: Plan Around Tax Brackets Beginning in the 2025 tax year, the income tax brackets established under the TCJA are now permanent. The seven brackets are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. For taxpayers, this provides more predictability. Stable marginal rates make it easier to plan moves, such as doing Roth conversions, capital gains harvesting and managing self-employment income. It also opens the door to multiyear tax strategies that carry through 2026 and beyond. Leverage the Standard Deduction The OBBB also preserves the higher standard deduction established by the TCJA and increases it slightly, raising it to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for joint filers starting in 2025. These amounts will also be adjusted for inflation in future years. With this higher standard deduction now permanent, most taxpayers won't need to itemize. However, that doesn't mean recordkeeping isn't important. Tracking charitable contributions and other deductible expenses in 2025 may help taxpayers maximize their benefits in 2026, particularly with provisions that allow certain deductions even when claiming the standard deduction. Claim the Child Tax Credit The TCJA expanded the Child Tax Credit, increasing it from $1,000 to $2,000 per qualifying child and raising the income thresholds for eligibility. These changes, made permanent under the new law, allow more families to qualify for the credit. This credit directly reduces taxes owed, making it one of the most valuable planning tools for households with children. Keeping income below the phaseout threshold can help families claim the full credit each year. Maximize Charitable Giving The new law makes permanent the ability to deduct cash contributions to qualified charities up to 60% of AGI. This provides taxpayers with more flexibility to make larger gifts in a single year without exceeding the deduction limits. 'Take advantage of charitable giving,' said Nadia Rodriguez, a TurboTax spokesperson. 'Beginning in 2026, charitable donations will be deductible even if you take the standard deduction, up to $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly.' And you'll want to plan ahead. 'It will be helpful to save those receipts and keep detailed records of any charitable contributions made,' she said. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates New Law Could Make Electricity Bills Skyrocket in These 4 States I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: 6 Ways I Use ChatGPT To Make a Lot of Money 5 Strategies High-Net-Worth Families Use To Build Generational Wealth 7 Ways To Tell If You're Rich or Middle Class -- It's More Than Your Paycheck This article originally appeared on How Permanent Tax Extensions Passed in 2017 Could Shape Your 2026 Tax Planning Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EliseAI Secures $250M Series E to Automate Healthcare and Housing, Hiring Hundreds to Fuel Expansion
Andreessen Horowitz leads round with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Sapphire Ventures, and Navitas Capital as EliseAI scales real-world enterprise AI NEW YORK, August 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EliseAI, the AI company automating complex healthcare and housing systems, today announced its Series E raise of $250 million. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), with participation from new investor Bessemer Venture Partners and existing investors Sapphire Ventures and Navitas Capital. With this new funding, EliseAI will rapidly expand its team to accelerate product innovation and impact, improving patient experiences, streamlining operations, and advancing AI-driven solutions for customers. The company is actively hiring across all departments including engineering, customer experience, sales and marketing, and strategy and operations, growing its office hubs in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago. "EliseAI is built on the belief that AI can dramatically improve how critical industries operate," said Minna Song, Co-Founder and CEO of EliseAI. "For an average American, healthcare and housing represent approximately 40% of household spending. These two systems are notoriously complex, outdated, and painful to navigate. And we're here to fix it with agentic AI. We're excited to partner with both new and returning investors to supercharge our growth and accelerate solutions that reduce costs and increase efficiency in the industries that matter most." Since raising its $75 million Series D in August 2024, EliseAI has grown from 150 to over 300 full-time employees and introduced new AI-powered products across both verticals. The company surpassed $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) earlier this year. Doubling down on healthcare, EliseAI is tackling one of the system's most expensive pain points: front-desk and call center operations. Healthcare administrative costs total in excess of $600 billion annually in the U.S. due to excessive manual tasks and limited investment in technology. EliseAI's automation platform handles complex healthcare workflows, from navigating multi-step scheduling and prior authorizations to capturing nuanced patient concerns – accurately, compliantly, and empathetically. By cutting overhead by up to 25%, slashing wait times, and reducing abandoned calls, EliseAI helps practices keep both staff and patients satisfied. "EliseAI has transformed our OB GYN call center operations by streamlining complex workflows, reducing patient wait times, improving operational efficiency, and elevating the customer experience," said Dr. Pierre Hage of Women's Health CT – Obstetrics & Gynecology. "With EliseAI, we're on the path to achieving 24/7/365 comprehensive practice management for our patients and staff." In the housing sector, EliseAI helps operators tackle rising costs, labor shortages, and high workforce turnover, which can exceed 40% annually. Its platform includes new products such as AI-Guided Tours, Lease Audits, the Fee Transparency Suite, and the Maintenance App, enabling property managers to streamline operations and improve resident experiences. The company supports over 600 owners and operators, including 75% of NMHC's Top 50 Operators. "Customers consistently describe EliseAI as the most exciting software solution in the industry. The company already powers 10% of the U.S. apartment market today, with a massive opportunity still ahead of them domestically and abroad as they begin to enter international markets," said Alex Immerman, partner, a16z Growth. "We're thrilled to be leading Elise's latest financing as they raise the standard for how people experience two of life's most essential services: housing and healthcare." About EliseAI EliseAI transforms complex healthcare and housing systems. By deeply integrating into workflows and automating operations, it makes them efficient and cuts costs for all. Its platform supports medical practices with patient scheduling, intake and front-desk operations and helps property managers handle leasing, maintenance and resident engagement. EliseAI replaces fragmented tools with one integrated system that reduces manual work and improves accessibility and experience for residents and patients alike. The company is based in New York with teams in San Francisco, Boston and Chicago. To learn more, visit About Andreessen Horowitz Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is a venture capital firm that backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology. Founded in 2009, the firm manages multiple funds across stages, sectors, and geographies with over $46 billion in committed capital across funds. a16z invests in seed to growth-stage companies across AI, bio + healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, infrastructure, and companies building toward American dynamism. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Arianna ParanzinoEliseAIpress@ (408) 892-9207 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
