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."

"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."

"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."

Mortgage-free homeownership rose to a record 40.3%, concentrated among older owners and higher in lower-priced, older-population markets, driving demand for equity-tapping products. Palantir faces investor chatter about a potential first-ever stock split after a 150% surge, though no commitment exists and its price-to-earnings ratio near 630 raises valuation concerns. Amazon announced cuts of roughly 14,000 corporate roles to shift resources toward AI while keeping fulfillment staff intact and signaling selective 2026 hiring. Retailers like Walmart began reducing Black Friday prices early, and climate shocks and AI budgets continued to reshape growth expectations.

Read at Fast Company