A report indicates that 114 US companies plan to lay off employees in August 2025, amid a slowing job market and rising unemployment. The July jobs report showed only 73,000 job growth, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.2%. Major firms including Microsoft, Georgia-Pacific, Wells Fargo, CVS Health, Target, Nordstrom, Amazon Fresh, Walmart, and McDonald's are expected to cut hundreds of jobs across sectors such as tech, retail, healthcare, and logistics. Experts suggest that rising costs, global tariffs, and shifting business strategies are driving these layoffs, with some companies reducing staff to improve profitability. The number of companies filing for layoffs increased from 95 in July to 114 in August, according to WARNTracker.com data.

Smithfield Foods has raised its annual operating profit forecast to between $1.15 billion and $1.35 billion for 2025, reflecting a recovery in its hog business after a previous loss. The company reported a quarterly operating profit of $22 million in its hog division, up from a $2 million loss the previous year, due to reduced pig production, lower feed costs, and improved market conditions. Despite this, quarterly profits in its packaged meats and fresh pork divisions declined, with fresh pork profits dropping 39% to $35 million. The company resumed U.S. exports to China after tariff disruptions, with China's effective duty rate on U.S. pork falling from 172% to 57%. Smithfield, an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based WH Group, noted cautious consumer demand due to inflation and higher prices from trade policies under President Donald Trump. Tyson Foods also raised its annual revenue forecast amid similar trade challenges.

Justin Ransom, a former senior executive at Tyson Foods and previously at McDonald’s and OSI Group, has been appointed as the administrator of the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products. Ransom played a key role in launching Tyson’s 'climate-friendly' Brazen Beef brand, which was later pulled from shelves and criticized for making unsubstantiated climate claims. Critics argue that his appointment creates a conflict of interest, as he oversaw a product line that received federal approval for misleading environmental claims. Environmental groups, including the Environmental Working Group (EWG), have challenged Tyson’s climate assertions and are suing the company over false marketing. The appointment has sparked concerns about ethics and transparency, especially given the absence of strong conflict-of-interest regulations under the current administration. Ransom’s role includes reviewing food labels related to climate, health, and animal welfare, and he is now responsible for overseeing Tyson’s labeling and compliance with federal food safety standards.

Smithfield Foods has raised its annual operating profit forecast to between $1.15 billion and $1.35 billion for 2025, following a recovery in its hog business that turned a quarterly loss into a $22 million profit. The company resumed U.S. pork exports to China after tariff disruptions, with China's effective duty rate on U.S. pork dropping from 172% to 57%. Despite cautious consumer demand due to inflation, Smithfield reported year-on-year growth in sales and adjusted earnings for the three months to June 29. However, quarterly profits declined in its packaged meats and fresh pork divisions, with the fresh pork unit seeing a 39% drop in operating profits to $35 million. The company reduced hog production to 11.5 million pigs in 2025 from 14.6 million in 2024, citing lower feed costs and strategic shifts in supply. Smithfield, an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based WH Group, operates as a U.S.-based meatpacker and is navigating broader trade policy challenges under President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Smithfield Foods has raised its annual operating profit forecast to $1.15 billion to $1.35 billion for 2025, driven by a recovery in its hog business, which swung from a $2 million loss to a $22 million profit in the quarter. The company resumed exports to China after navigating tariff disruptions, with China's effective duty rate on U.S. pork dropping from 172% to 57%. Despite a 39% decline in fresh pork quarterly operating profits to $35 million, sales rose 5% to $2.1 billion. Smithfield reduced its hog production to 11.5 million pigs in 2025 from 14.6 million in 2024 and increased purchases from other producers. The company cited lower livestock feed costs and cautious consumer demand due to inflation and trade policies under President Donald Trump. Tyson Foods also raised its annual revenue forecast amid ongoing trade tensions. Smithfield is an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based WH Group.