Hello, my most beloved subscribers!

It’s “poll Friday” here at Cheddquarters, which means we’ll run four polls down below, instead of the usual singular “poll of the day.” Check back Monday morning to find out how well your opinion jibes with that of your fellow Cheddheads, you total nonconformist.

We also have plenty of news you Need2Know here…

Today's news you Need2Know

• Higher prices are inevitable, says Walmart

• What’s next in the U.S.-China trade war?

• Max is now HBO Max, which it also used to be (yes, …

• You could have owned Pope Leo's childhood home, ex …

• Airbnb adds ‘lifestyle services’ to its offerings

Have a great weekend!

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

P.S. Did you know we offer paid subscriptions that mean you never have to see an ad in this newsletter?

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$WMT ( ▲ 1.96% )  $SPX ( ▲ 0.7% )  $UNH ( ▲ 6.4% )  $TSLA ( ▲ 2.09% )  $WBD ( ▲ 0.22% )  $NFLX ( ▲ 1.15% )  $AIRBNB ( 0.0% )  

Higher prices are inevitable, says Walmart

The nation’s largest retailer $WMT ( ▲ 1.96% ) has warned that price rises are “inevitable” amid the trade war. CFO John David Rainey said the company has “been able to manage inflationary costs pretty well,” but even the retail juggernaut can’t dodge tariffs forever. As Rainey pointed out during an earnings call, tariffs of up to 30% have already been slapped onto essential items, like fruits and everyday products, and sadly, you — dear consumer — are going to have to "pay more for certain items."

Walmart did try to soften the blow a bit, noting that even amid rising costs, customers are still willing to spend when they "feel good about their personal finances." And when is that, exactly? Let us know in today’s first poll of the day below!

What’s next in the U.S.-China trade war?

Chris Beecham from brokerage IG thinks a resolution to the ongoing trade conflict may be in sight.

The recent truce "might turn into something more permanent,” he said. “But at the moment, ‘truce’ is the word for it." This "truce" has led to a "huge rebound off the April lows," with the S&P 500 $SPX ( ▲ 0.7% ) moving back into positive territory for the year. Beecham attributes this rebound to "the hope, the fact that these two countries are talking will lead to a more sustainable deal."

He also highlights that the tone and presentation of the recent truce announcement have helped to reassure investors. The involvement of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the discussions "is taken as a sign that the adults are in charge and that the White House does want a deal with China," he said. Only then can we determine if "this bounce can be sustained over the longer term," Chris said. Which is what people said about Michael Jordan’s vertical jump when he started at college, I would imagine. And yet he showed them, didn’t he? #NotFinancialAdvice

Today on the ‘gram: Dance, robot, dance!

Post of the day: UnitedHealthScare?

Quote of the Day

Max is now HBO Max, which it also used to be (yes, it’s confusing)

In the history of bad decisions, Warner Bros. Discovery’s $WBD ( ▲ 0.22% ) rebranding of HBO Max to just “Max” deserves its own prestigious trophy. Yes, HBO — the network that gave us “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” “Game of Thrones,” and, of course, “John From Cincinnati” — thought it was a great idea to yeet¹ decades of brand capital for a name that sounds like it owes you money. Ted Sarandos of Netflix $NFLX ( ▲ 1.15% ) summed it up nicely, telling Variety: “It should be HBO.” Meanwhile, the brand’s social people have at least been retweeting (or should that be “re-Xing”?) amusing memes about all this nonsense. My favorite tweet xeet tweet on the subject says it was just down to one jerk, which sounds likely.

Should you check your 401(k) today?

👍️ 

Yep.

You could have owned Pope Leo's childhood home, except interest rates remain high

Forget granite countertops or a walk-in closet. These days, the hottest real estate feature is a divine childhood connection: Pope Leo XIV’s humble Chicago birth home is apparently experiencing what experts (i.e., me) are now calling a papal price bump.

Originally listed for a modest $199,000, this unassuming brick house in Dolton — just 30 minutes south of downtown Chicago, with a crime rate 26% higher than the national average — went straight to seller heaven after white smoke billowed from the Vatican and the world learned it was once home to the first American pope. Suddenly, offers flooded real estate broker Steve Budzik faster than parishioners flooded my church on Easter Sunday. “I’m doing great,” Budzik told reporters, clearly basking in his moment of celestial prestige. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the broker for the pope’s childhood home.”

The seller pulled the house off the market to investigate critical holy details like “what room he slept in” or whether the pope’s old floor plan should be…resurrected. Are the walls… wafer-thin? Is the water sanctified, or do you need a Brita? For context, this home was purchased for just $66,000 in 2024. Now, whispers abound of a price worthy of sainthood.

Celebrity connections alone can’t guarantee the value of a house. The Tudor-style house in Queens, where President Trump spent the first four years of his life, was purchased in 2014 by a cash buyer for $2.14 million. But it then fell into disrepair, and in March this year, was sold for just $835,000.

How much is the pope’s house worth, do you think? Tell us in the polls!

Airbnb adds ‘lifestyle services’ to its offerings

Airbnb $AIRBNB ( 0.0% ) is leveling up. After redefining how we think about travel accommodations, the company is now stepping into the world of spa treatments, personal trainers, and even salon services.

Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, confirmed that they’re pulling out all the stops to compete with hotels by introducing services straight out of luxury resorts. “The question we then asked was: What if you could Airbnb more than an Airbnb?” Chesky said, which almost made sense.

The firm first launched its experiences service in 2016, but it faced quality issues, so now, it’s vetting providers more rigorously, ensuring expertise and reliability. Expect new offerings like ramen-making in Tokyo, lucha libre training in Mexico City, and a backstage Notre-Dame tour in Paris led by one of its architects.

If you stay at my illegal airbnb in Manhattan I’d be happy to offer you a professional tour of the neighborhood for a mere $100,000,000. Cash or Venmo only, please.

Airbnb will also debut “Originals,” exclusive experiences like volleyball with Olympians (spoiler: you will lose) and sessions “hosted” by “celebs.”

With affordable pricing (starting around $65) and an updated app that unites homes, services, and itineraries, Chesky says, “Airbnb was destined to do more than just provide a place to stay.”

Polls of the Day

Be sure to check back on Monday for the results!

Poll Results: Put that coffee DOWN.

We asked: Do you support the 1,000 Starbucks workers on strike over the new dress code? You answered:

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Yes. They have my support. I'm glad they're showing the man who's boss. (321)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No. They're paid to make me a cup of coffee, not turn themselves into a cause célèbre. (414)

735 Votes via @beehiiv polls

Coming soon: The Business of Beauty

Airing on Thursday, May 22nd at 8pm ET wherever you watch Cheddar, dive into our new show, "The Business of Beauty" where one celebrity dentist reveals the secrets behind Kylie Jenner and J.Lo's dazzling smiles, showcasing his unique, custom-made veneers process. Then, witness the revolutionary tech behind painless tattoo removal, promising a chance to erase at least some of your regrets. Finally, explore one firm’s bold claims about unlocking the "Fountain of Youth" through supplements, backed by scientific research. Discover how these innovations are reshaping beauty standards and empowering personal transformation!

1  Look it up.