This week in business: Netflix shakes up Wall Street, Amazon trims down, and shoppers gear up

If you blinked this week, you might’ve missed a few major moves.

Netflix decided it’s time for a stock split, Amazon trimmed thousands of jobs, and Walmart is already dropping “Black Friday” prices before the Halloween candy wrappers are even off. Meanwhile, housing trends, climate shocks, and AI budgets kept reshaping the conversation about what’s next for growth.

Here’s a look at what mattered most this week, and why these stories could shape the months ahead.

Mortgage-free America hits a new high

A record 40.3% of owner-occupied homes are owned free and clear, up from 39.8% last year. Aging baby boomers and longer lifespans concentrate equity among older owners, and 64% of homeowners 65 and up have no mortgage. Lower-priced markets and older populations skew higher on mortgage-free rates, while places like Washington, D.C., and parts of the Mountain West skew lower. Expect more equity-tapping products to grow as retirees look for cash flow without selling.

Palantir stock split chatter grows, but no commitment yet

Investor chatter was growing this week that Palantir Technologies could potentially announce its first-ever stock split ahead of next week’s earnings report. Analysts say investors are eager for a cheaper entry point after the stock’s 150% surge this year. Despite the speculation, the Denver-based software firm hasn’t indicated any plans to split its shares. With Palantir trading at a lofty price-to-earnings ratio of about 630, some analysts warn its valuation may already be stretched.

Amazon trims 14,000 corporate roles to move faster with AI

Amazon announced plans this week to cut around 14,000 corporate positions within the company, focusing on shifting resources to bigger bets, including AI. The brand’s fulfillment staff remains intact ahead of peak season, which underscores an operating reset rather than a logistics pullback. Management suggested more hiring in specific areas in 2026, even as other layers come out. Investors want to see operating leverage and customer impact show up in results.

Black Friday is arriving early, thanks to Walmart and Best Buy

Both retailers unveiled staggered Black Friday and Cyber Monday calendars, with early “DoorBOOsters” and member-first windows. Pulling demand into late October and mid-November helps manage inventory and protect share in a slower-holiday-growth year. Expect heavy under-20-dollar deals and up-to-60%-off headlines to nudge cautious shoppers. Competitors now have to match earlier drops, tighter member perks, and quick delivery.

Netflix is doing a 10-for-1 stock split

Netflix will split shares by a ratio of 10-for-1 in mid-November, which lowers the share price per unit without changing market capitalization. The move improves access for employees through stock programs and can pull in more retail participation. Splits can also make options trading more granular for investors. Keep an eye on whether a broader holder base supports momentum or adds volatility.

Chipotle’s stock slump flags a demand soft spot

Chipotle met expectations, then cut its full-year outlook for the third straight time, which sparked a sharp stock sell-off this week. Fewer visits from households under $100,000 in income and from younger diners are pressuring comparable-store sales. Management still plans hundreds of new openings, including select international markets.

Exact change, please, as pennies slow to circulate

Kroger checkout signs asking for exact change reignited penny shortage questions this week. Minting has paused, and a lot of pennies are sitting in jars and drawers, which slows circulation. Retailers and banks may round cash transactions to the nearest five cents for a bit, while digital payments are unaffected. Retiring the penny would require Congress, so policy debate will continue.

Starbucks confirms 520 U.S. closures in Q4

Starbucks reported 627 closures globally in the quarter, including 520 in the United States, which tops many outside estimates. The moves support a “Back to Starbucks” turnaround that focuses on service, simpler routines, and warmer in-store experiences. Management points to stabilizing comps as proof that the reset is working. Investors are weighing near-term disruption against cleaner long-term growth.

Hurricane Melissa turns climate risk into a balance sheet story

Super-warm waters helped Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensify into one of the strongest Caribbean landfalls on record. Early analyses tie higher odds and added severity to climate change, with monetary damages modeled in the tens of billions. That hits insurers, tourism, supply chains, and public infrastructure, which feeds back into local GDP. Expect more pressure on resilience spending and location strategy in 2026 plans.

Meta posts record revenue, then raises the AI bill

Meta delivered record revenue this week but took a large non-cash tax charge that hit net income and EPS optics. Management lifted expense and CapEx guidance, and signaled even higher spend in 2026 to meet AI compute needs. The bet is that better recommendations and ad performance will eventually outrun rising costs. The open question is timing, and how quickly monetization converts into durable margin.

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