Meta Rises on Potential Metaverse Cuts, Five Below Gains, Kroger Drops

• Meta's (META) Mark Zuckerberg is expected to cut resources for building the metaverse, which he once framed as the future of the company. Executives are considering potential budget cuts as high as 30% for the metaverse group next year, which could include layoffs as early as January
• Five Below (FIVE) raised its profit outlook for the third time in its fiscal year, lifted by demand for budget-friendly trendy goods as US consumer sentiment wanes amid high prices and a weaker labor market. The Philadelphia-based company now sees comparable sales rising about 9.4% to 10.1% in the fiscal year, up from roughly 5% to 7% it saw previously. Adjusted earnings per share is forecast between $5.71 and $5.89, above its previous guidance of $4.76 and $5.16.
• Kroger (KR) lowered the top end of its full-year sales forecast, suggesting that competition is intensifying among food sellers for discerning consumers. The nation’s largest supermarket operator said it now comparable sales to grow between 2.8% to 3%, minus fuel, versus the previous guidance of a 2.7% to 3.4% increase. 

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