Companies on probably the most important Stock Exchange in the world, the S&P 500, report their results every quarter.   Those results are always quite interesting and while some may say financial news is boring, here is just an example of some of the things I learnt in one day reading those results recently. 

Oatly, who make oat-based milk, said that the economy is making it harder for them to switch consumers from regular milk to other options.  While they said demand is not as strong as it used to be, the growth still increased by 22%. 

Starbucks complained that having to pay its staff more was affecting its profits, although they were giving an increase to everybody who worked at a branch that did not have a Union, but in showing they obviously don’t like Unions, those that are working at branches with Unions will not get the same 3% increase! 

I also read that Uber has been able, with price increases for the rides, to obtain new drivers and food delivery couriers.  They say there are much less “surge” times now.  Amongst the features that Uber has introduced to encourage more drivers is that drivers can now see their earnings upfront and they can also choose from a list of potential trips – in the past they just had to take the next trip that is allocated to them.  

Meanwhile, Match Group said their revenue grew by 12%.  They blame the pandemic as well, but most of you will know them for their dating platform, Tinder.  The company said that there are less people willing to try online dating products, for the first time, now than there were before Covid and that is what is slowing down its growth.  The good thing of all of these companies is that their growth is actually increasing, but it is just not increasing as much as might have been expected, especially compared to inflation.  Airbnb said that the value of bookings made on its platform grew by more than 25%, but it still has not closed at an annual profit since it was founded in 2008.