Stewart’s Shops, a northeastern chain of ice cream shops found at gas stations, offers a unique benefits package allowing employees to own a third of the company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This program has resulted in more than 175 employees becoming millionaires, as they receive dividends based on the company's success, which are entirely funded by the company. Stewart’s system, resembling a form of socialism, enables employees, referred to as "Partners," to have a vested interest in the company's success, leading to substantial financial gains and long-term stability for both the employees and the company.

When U.S. stock markets reopen after Memorial Day, they will implement a significant change: reducing the settlement period for securities transactions from two days (T+2) to one day (T+1). This transition, effective May 28, 2024, aims to reduce counterparty risk and increase automation in post-trade processes but will require updates to systems and processes and may introduce new risks. Major financial institutions and stock exchanges are preparing for this change, with concerns about potential foreign exchange (FX) risks for international investors due to the compressed timeframe and time zone differences.

WaFd, Inc. has authorized a new share repurchase program to buy back an additional 10 million shares, increasing the total buyback authorization to 11.8 million shares as of March 31, 2024. The company also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 26 cents per share, with a current dividend yield of 3.62%, outperforming the industry's average. Additionally, WaFd's acquisition of Luther Burbank Corporation is expected to be 8% accretive to its earnings in fiscal 2025, and the company maintains a strong balance sheet with $5.3 billion in total borrowings and $1.51 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

Despite being one of the most marketable athletes in the world, Caitlin Clark will earn a modest $76,535 in her first year with the WNBA's Indiana Fever, which is standard for top rookies but starkly contrasts with the multimillion-dollar contracts of NBA counterparts. The WNBA players receive only about 10% of "basketball related income" compared to the NBA's 50%, leading many to play overseas to supplement their earnings. Although Clark’s high profile is drawing attention to these disparities, her substantial endorsement deals, including a potential $28 million contract with Nike, ensure a lucrative financial future.

Stablecoin issuer Circle is moving its legal base from Ireland to the United States, as confirmed by recent filings with the High Court of the Republic of Ireland. This move may be linked to Circle’s potential initial public offering (IPO) plans, despite the U.S.'s higher tax rates compared to Ireland. Circle, which confidentially filed for an IPO in January, issues the USDC stablecoin and counts major financial firms like Fidelity and BlackRock among its investors.