Latest news with #MarthaStewart
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SPAC Comeback Draws Renewed Interest from Wall Street
They're SPAC! Just when the market seemed dead and buried, special purpose acquisition companies have risen from the grave. The re-emergence of the once, maybe still, controversial vehicles that let companies go public outside of traditional IPOs is underscored by strong hints this week that one of yesteryear's biggest Wall Street underwriters of the blank check firms is once again ready to make deals after bowing out of the space three years ago. READ ALSO: OpenAI Careens Toward Messy Divorce From Microsoft and Drones Steal the Paris Air Show To remember SPACs is to take a time machine back to their golden age of 2021, when the song of the summer didn't matter because you were at home in pajamas during pandemic lockdowns. That's when these blank-check companies, which list on public markets in order to later merge with a target company and take it public, were all the rage. There was a time when it felt like there were as many celebrity SPACs — Martha Stewart, Jay-Z and Shaquille O'Neal each got in on the craze — as there are celebrity tequila brands. Roughly 600 SPAC deals in 2021 raised a record $163 billion. But a year later, the market froze after interest rates were hiked and the S&P 500 turned in its worst year since the late-2000s financial crisis, falling 19% in 2022. The value of many companies that went public during the SPAC craze crashed, too. They were not helped by the Securities and Exchange Commission stepping in to protect investors. The regulator introduced rules in 2022, finalized two years later, that aligned SPAC disclosure and conflict of interest requirements more closely with the rigorous standards of traditional IPOs. But this year, finally, has marked a mini-comeback of sorts, thanks to maybe the biggest celebrity SPAC figure of all: That, of course, would be President Trump, whose Truth Social went public via SPAC merger in 2022. The expectation that Trump and Paul Atkins, his pick for SEC chair, would focus more on capital formation than clampdown has sparked a return to the vehicles: According to SPACInsider data, there have been 58 SPAC offerings so far this year, one more than the total in all of 2024. In fact, the most active bank on SPAC deals this year, Cantor Fitzgerald, has deep ties to the Trump administration: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is its former CEO and upon taking his job in Trump's Cabinet, he handed control to his sons Brandon and Kyle. However, the fuss has been enough to lure back Wall Street's former titan of the SPAC space: Bloomberg reported earlier this week that Goldman Sachs is prepared to start underwriting SPAC deals again after it largely withdrew from the space in 2022. The Fine Print: Performance among private companies that went public by merging with SPACs this year has not exactly been spectacular. According to data from ListingTrack on 20 such firms, the median return has been a decline of 74%. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. 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
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Martha Stewart sparks hot dog debate by defending condiment that others 'cannot abide'
A lifestyle and culinary icon recently took a firm position on the age-old debate of whether ketchup belongs on hot dogs or not. Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living, expressed her opinion in an Instagram reel on June 17. "I love hot dogs with the works," Stewart said in the video. She added, "It has to have bacon, mustard, ketchup, relish, sauerkraut." Her endorsement of ketchup on hot dogs polarized some of her fans — especially those in the Windy City. "I love Martha, but ketchup on a hot dog is f---ing diabolical," one user wrote. "As a Chicagoan, I cannot abide the ketchup on a hot dog," another chimed in. "That'll get you thrown right out of that town faster than disliking deep dish pizza." But others appreciated Stewart's vision and spoke out in favor of condiment-packed hot dogs. "Martha knows what she's talking about," a ketchup enthusiast wrote. "Me too, Martha," another said. Stewart took the pro-ketchup stance after sharing her Chicago-style hot dog recipe earlier in June, writing that "there's really only one steadfast rule – no ketchup." Her comment referred only to Chicago-style hot dogs, though. Still, some of her fans thought she was in their anti-ketchup camp. One admirer wrote, "Absolutely NO ketchup – love you, Martha!" Another chimed in, "Yes, queenie, no ketchup." One brave commenter came out in support of ketchup on hot dogs – and was promptly shut down. "Ketchup is a MUST," the ketchup fan wrote. "Not in Chitown," an Instagram user wrote. "Not in Chicago," another repeated. So why is ketchup considered such a controversial addition to hot dogs? Chris Christou, owner of Poochie's Hot Dogs in Chicago, told Fox News Digital his rationale behind skipping ketchup. Christou said the tomato-based condiment's flavor is too overpowering for a Chicago-style hot dog. "I always felt like ketchup, because of its sweetness, overpowered the rest of the condiments," the restaurateur said. "Especially the yellow mustard and dill pickle." But some devil's advocates continue to support the sweet-and-sour condiment. "Not only does it enhance the flavor, but adding ketchup offers some real health benefits." New Jersey-based dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade told Fox News Digital she encourages incorporating ketchup into more meals. "You need ketchup on your hot dog," she said, sharing her insights as "a registered dietitian and mom of three," she added. "Not only does it enhance the flavor, but adding ketchup offers some real health benefits." The dietitian said ketchup contains high amounts of lycopene, which has cancer-fighting properties. "[These] benefits [are] thanks to its high content of lycopene, which is more bioavailable in ketchup versus raw tomatoes due to the cooking process involved in making ketchup." Palinski-Wade added, "Studies link higher dietary intake of lycopene from tomatoes and ketchup with a reduced risk of stomach and prostate cancer, thanks to lycopene's antioxidant and anticancer properties." Fox News Digital reached out to Stewart for comment.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
27 Affordable Lowe's Products For Home Makeovers
An industrial chic wall-mounted shelving unit so you can give your coffee table book collection a proper home while also upping your interior design game. Promising review: "Love this shelf! Sturdy, looks nice. We put it in my son's room so he could have a place to put his model cars and Lego models!" —ErinPrice: $129.99 A wooden spindle-back accent bench that will do such a good job spicing up your breakfast nook, it'll make Martha Stewart wonder, "Where can I get that?" This bench works well in a mud room, too! Promising review: "Easy to put together, looks good. Priced right. Minor issue with screw hole misaligned, but easy to fix with a drill. Would recommend." —c4changePrice: $199.24 (available in two colors) A stylish writing desk so you can stop slouching over the coffee table while writing your morning emails. The light gray finish and natural wood legs will add a modern touch to your home while giving you a much-needed work surface and extra storage space. Clutter doesn't stand a chance! Promising review: "I absolutely adore this desk, it is everything I needed and more. I was in desperate need of a cute, simple, and spacious desk, so luckily I was able to find this product. It offers a cute yet simple style with some areas for storage, so that's a plus. It's also quite sturdy and can hold a great deal of weight on it so I'm also a fan of that. Overall, I'm in love with my new work station." —TrishPrice: $230 A string of outdoor bistro lights with cute globe bulbs to turn your backyard into an ambient wonderland just in time for barbecue and cookout season — *and* for less than $20! Promising review: "I like that they're not too bright. I bought one box of 25 lights. I think they're perfect for our patio. Just the ambiance of sitting outside and relaxing under them is nice." —Happy customerPrice: $19.98 A three-tiered console table that will look great in an entryway with a small lamp and a bowl to hold your keys, or in a dining room to store extra glassware and small dishes. Plus, it's so easy to blend with your other decor. Promising review: "Well worth the price, looks far more expensive. Assembled in about half an hour." —AlexPrice: $138.75+ (available in three colors) A set of marble peel-and-stick tiles that'll make guests think you forked over a ton of cash to have your kitchen totally redone. And yes, the tiles are made of real stone, with peel-off backing! Promising review: "First time installing my own tile. So pleased with the final product, it was important to me to have REAL marble tile, and the expense was worth it. My laundry room installation turned out better than expected! Highly recommend." —CocoCompanyPrice: $12.98 for a 10" tile (available in two colors) A rustic-industrial floating coat rack with shelves and hooks that basically make it a mini-mudroom. Think of how much tidier and well-styled your entryway will look when there aren't bags, jackets, and everything else you need to leave the house tossed everywhere. And you don't even have to buy a big, cumbersome hall tree! Promising reviews: "Easy to assemble and looks great in my little nook. I purchased this because of the shelves — grandkid pictures look great on it." —Thorpe"This product looks very sturdy and, in fact, is very sturdy. I have it placed in my bathroom, and my guests absolutely love this added feature to our bathroom. This shelf has added a little more comfort as opposed to adding a very big and bulky shelf in the back of our toilet. I give this a two thumbs up." —Cycling EdPrice: $59.98 (available in two colors) An indoor-outdoor area rug, so you can add a huge splash of color to your patio without a huge price tag. Promising review: "After I unwrapped my rug and spread it out on my patio, I was immediately impressed with the obvious quality and beautiful colors that made this rug stand out. When I looked closer, I could see that there was thoughtful detail put into each pattern on the rug. The flowers on the rug are woven higher than the rug and seem to pop out as an extension of the pattern. I have received many compliments on the beauty of my new rug. I use the lowest setting on my cordless vacuum to clean it and remove outdoor debris." —amlambPrice: $28.99+ (available in nine sizes, five shapes, and a variety of colors and patterns) A simple white six-shelf bookcase for faking built-ins. Place a few of these side by side to build a home library in a single afternoon. And for bonus design points, arrange all your books in rainbow order. Nobody will know you didn't pay a gazillion dollars for a custom job. Promising review: "Love this unit! Its dimensions are spot on, perfect for my sewing room. I bought three!" —Sharron"Great product, I liked the first one so well that I bought a second one." —TgfalslevPrice: $188.91 A set of cute metal box planters to put on your patio or balcony railing and make it feel like you're in France every time you step outside. It comes with a rail kit, a coco liner, chains, and a hook for review: "Elegant looking and long-lasting window box for plants. Has a European look. Lots of compliments from passing neighbors." —HomeGadgetPrice: $17.98 A chic mid-century TV stand to replace your old one (you know, the one you inherited from your older sibling when you moved into your first apartment). Since your TV tends to be a major focal point in your living room, making the space below it look as polished as possible can totally change up the vibe of your space. Promising review: "It is really hard to find this length TV stand for this good of price. Looks a lot more than it is priced at. The only complaint would be that the directions are not very explanatory. Overall, worth it and a really beautiful piece of furniture!" —Ian MPrice: $194.99+ (available in three colors) An antique-inspired area rug because it'll make your living room look intentionally styled. Just unroll it and instantly cultivate a warm and cozy vibe. Promising review: "Just love this rug! It's colors are so bright and beautiful and blend so well. Goes perfectly in my family room." —LBeyerlePrice: $49.98+ (available in eight sizes and two colors) A Roman shade to dress up your windows if they're looking a little bare, or if those Venetian blinds that came with your place just aren't doing it for you. You'll be shocked at the impact that just a window treatment can have on a space! Plus, they're cordless, so you don't have to worry about kids or fur-babies becoming tangled. Promising review: "Excellent quality and looks classy. A+++ on the room darkening! Highly recommend and worth the money." —SnartkyPrice: $32+ (available in seven widths) Or a more traditional set of faux wood blinds because they'll block out any unwanted light and modernize your windows, even if they're ancient, giving them a little more pizzazz than flimsier blinds. Plus, they come in more than 100 sizes, so you can find the right fit. Promising review: "We have used these on several windows. Three different sizes. All fit perfectly. Easy to install. They have held up nicely after a year of rising and falling each day. If you are looking for a good, inexpensive option, I definitely recommend these." —EricPrice: $27.98+ (available in 23 widths and four lengths) A privacy screen so you can relax outdoors in your oasis without worrying about the neighbors spying on you. Plus, these can be linked with additional sets to section off your yard as needed. Each screen is 72 x 73.5 review: "I put up the fence for privacy, it was really easy to put up and looks great and modern. We will see if it holds up after the winter here in Chicago." —Cynthia $130.98 A roll of abstract patterned peel-and-stick wallpaper so you can achieve a high-end wallpapered look without spending all your coins or time installing it. Promising review: "This paper works wonderfully. It went on super easily, easy to line up the second sheet. A quick way to change a look and very easy. Very cost-effective. Make sure you get the scraper and knife." —CasSamPrice: $47.48 for a 31.2-sq. ft. roll A pair of classic ginger jar lamps with cotton drum shades, because they'll look like family heirlooms from a particularly decor-savvy great aunt. Each pair comes with two lamp bases and two review: "These lamps are what I was looking for. They look lovely on my cherry nightstands. They are not flimsy or cheap-looking. Just the right touch for our large bedroom. They are a WOW." —SandyPrice: $164.80 for two A 100% cotton, boho Jungalow quilt set for anybody who wants to ditch their old, once-white, now-gray duvet. This quilt set is perfect for adding some patterned punch to your bedroom design scheme, without overpowering your existing decor. Each set comes with a quilt and two review: "I like the boldness, the simplicity, the design, and the perfect weight of this quilt. I bought a king for my queen-size bed, and it falls to about 3 inches above the floor. With the bold throw pillows I found to go with it, it's the perfect look for my bedroom." —GangaPrice: $60.44+ (available in sizes full/queen-king) A splay-legged MCM nightstand that'll hold all your bedtime essentials and look great, too. With two drawers to hold all your lotions and potions, an open shelf for your TBR book pile, and enough surface space for a lamp and a glass of water, any designer would be proud of you for adding this to your bedroom. Promising review: "This product looks high-end. It has a nice mid-century modern look." —KmacPrice: $136.47 (originally $159; available in three colors) A quaint over-the-toilet storage cabinet so your Costco-sized toilet paper bounty won't have to be on full display. Plus, it's got an open shelf where you can put cute decor or essentials. Price: $119.78 An outdoor dining table with an umbrella hole to put on your patio and transform it into the hottest new restaurant in town. Just think of all the al fresco meals you can enjoy here. The table doesn't come with an umbrella, but you can find one here!Price: $178 And a set of stackable chairs that have a rust-resistant frame and can be easily cleaned with dish soap if they get yucky from the elements or, more likely, you dropping ketchup and mustard on them. Promising review: "I got these chairs for my porch. They are solid and sturdy. They will be sitting on the porch year-round, as I have that ability where I live. The chairs do not hold onto water after a rain and dry quickly. The chair is sturdy and is able to support large individuals." —DAWVPrice: $29.98 A decorative throw pillow to replace the one you spilled red wine on. Mix it in with some more throw pillows to create your own custom pillowscape. Promising review: "Love it, great size, color, pattern and price!!" —Pat AllenPrice: $24.98 A can of Sherwin-Williams paint and primer because it's one of the cheapest ways to make a room feel totally new. This paint can be tinted to nearly any color under the sun, plus you won't have to prime your walls before painting them your favorite color. My suggestion: Bombay pink. Don't forget to pick up a paint applicator kit, while you're at review: "I want to preface this by saying I grew up in the long-standing family painting business, so I know more than the average Joe about slapping paint. With that, I will say that this is some good stuff. It has just enough base to justify a second coat, but not enough to try to lure you into one-coat coverage. Anybody looking for one coat coverage has never been a professional painter. Two coats is the sweet spot, not just for proper color, but to smooth out the brush and roller marks." —JeffPrice: $39.98 for a gallon (also available in sample, quart, and five-gallon sizes, five finishes, and hundreds of colors) A pack of daylight light bulbs, because the right lighting can make any room look dreamy. I just swapped out harsh lightbulbs in my bathroom for daylight bulbs, and it made a world of difference. Buh-bye, harsh lighting making everything look dreary. Promising review: "I recently switched to the GE Refresh LED Daylight bulbs for my living room, kitchen, and dining room, and the upgrade was instantly noticeable. These bulbs give off a crisp, clean daylight tone that makes every space feel brighter and more energized." —Jake PPrice: $22.98 for eight (also available in packs of four and two finishes) A pair of wicker planters for your indoor blooms. These are lined and perfect for plopping your fiddle-leaf fig into. Though nobody would judge you for storing your kids' toys, blankets, and more in these beauts. Promising review: "I love the natural look! The selling points for me were the plastic lining, the strength and durability of the construction, and that they were large enough for the bigger, heavier plants. Highly recommend!" —SamBam"I love the size of the baskets. They are perfect for storing my son's toys in the living room. I thought they were going to be small when I first got them, but they are perfect." —Mom1Price: $45.98 Finally, a keypad door lock so you never get locked out of your dream home. Ran out the door and forgot your keys again? Psh, whatevzzz. Promising review: "This product was very easy to install, and the information that only a screwdriver would be needed was absolutely correct. The pictures, especially the enlarged cutout views, really helped with the installation, and so long as you followed the pictures in order, there was no problem with the installation or the operation. It is a beautiful lock, and was very easy to program with my own four-digit code." —RosiePrice: $159 Your vibe after doing a lil' refresh: The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
The Age
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Meghan Markle flattered by claims she's the next Martha Stewart
Lifestyle Meghan Markle says she's flattered by claims she's shaping up to be the next Martha Stewart during an interview on the Aspire by Emma Grede podcast.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Meghan Markle flattered by claims she's the next Martha Stewart
Lifestyle Meghan Markle says she's flattered by claims she's shaping up to be the next Martha Stewart during an interview on the Aspire by Emma Grede podcast.
