Business and Finance News - 2.26.25

Author

Skool Projekt Staff
February 26, 2025

 

Here’s a quick rundown of today’s stories:

(Insights in our Top Stories) 

 

  • Apple’s DEI Vote: Apple shareholders prepare to vote on the future of the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, amid increasing opposition and political scrutiny.

  • Krispy Kreme’s Struggles: Krispy Kreme’s stock drops over 18% after reporting weaker-than-expected results, citing a cybersecurity breach and the sale of its Insomnia Cookies stake as major setbacks.

  • Microsoft’s Veeam Investment: Microsoft strengthens its cybersecurity and AI capabilities with an undisclosed investment in Veeam Software, enhancing data protection and recovery solutions.

  • Venmo’s Ambitious Growth: PayPal aims to transform Venmo into a leading platform for digital transactions, projecting its revenue will surpass $2 billion by 2027.

 

A message from Skool Workshop

 

Want to create content that resonates, builds lasting relationships, and keeps your brand top of mind? Partner with Skool Workshop to craft high-impact newsletter strategies that amplify your brand, engage your audience, and drive sustainable success.

 

 

TOP STORIES

 

Key Insight → Apple is facing mounting criticism over its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as investors prepare to vote on their future, highlighting a key internal policy under public and political scrutiny. Critics argue that DEI initiatives may expose the company to financial, reputational, and legal risks, while Apple maintains these efforts are vital for fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace. The outcome could set a precedent for other major firms, influencing how DEI policies are balanced with shareholder interests across the market.

 

Key Insight → Krispy Kreme’s stock dropped over 18% after reporting weaker-than-expected revenue and earnings, citing a cybersecurity breach and the sale of part of its Insomnia Cookies stake as key setbacks. Despite 18 consecutive quarters of organic sales growth, the company’s 2025 outlook fell short of analyst expectations. This signals broader challenges for consumer-focused brands, highlighting vulnerabilities in digital security, shifting business models, and the pressure to sustain growth in a competitive market.

 

Key Insight → Microsoft's investment in Veeam Software strengthens its position in AI-driven cloud and data security solutions, signaling a growing focus on protecting enterprises from cyber threats. By integrating AI into Veeam’s backup and recovery products, Microsoft aims to enhance data resilience against ransomware and other cyber risks. This move reflects a broader industry trend where major tech firms are prioritizing AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to meet rising enterprise demands for data protection and recovery.

 

Key Insight → PayPal is aggressively expanding Venmo beyond peer-to-peer payments, aiming to make it the primary platform for digital transactions by increasing merchant adoption and in-store purchases. With competition from Cash App, Zelle, and Apple Pay, PayPal is betting on Venmo’s revenue potential, projecting over $2 billion by 2027. This strategy reflects a broader fintech push to integrate payment apps more deeply into daily commerce, driving higher engagement and transaction volume for sustained profitability.

 

 

THE MARKETS

Here’s how the major indexes did yesterday:

Here’s how The Magnificent Seven did yesterday:

Here’s how Bitcoin and Ethereum did yesterday:

Disclaimer: This content is not intended as financial guidance. The purpose of this newsletter is purely educational, and it should not be interpreted as an encouragement to engage in buying, selling, or making any financial decisions regarding assets. Exercise caution and conduct your own research before making any investment choices. 

 

Partner Disclosure: When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support the content we create and keeps it free for our readers. Occasionally, we collaborate with brands, companies, and organizations that share our values. These partnerships allow us to continue delivering high-quality content. While we may receive compensation from these collaborations, our opinions, reviews, and recommendations are always our own, and we only partner with brands we believe bring real value to you.