# Corporate America is sending increasingly mixed signals about the health of the US consumer economy.

*business · news · 2026-05-08 · Firstpost*

## Key points

- Kraft Heinz is cutting prices, adding smaller packages, and boosting promotions to retain cost-sensitive shoppers.
- Whirlpool suspended its dividend and cut earnings outlook, citing 'recession-level' demand declines and surging fuel costs.
- Lufthansa expects €1.7 billion in extra jet fuel costs from Iran-related disruption, prompting 20,000 summer flight cuts.
- McDonald’s increased value offerings and $3-or-less menu items to offset falling consumer sentiment and fuel inflation.
- Uber and Disney report robust consumer demand, indicating some sectors are largely unaffected by recent energy shocks.

**Companies:** McDonald’s, Walt Disney, Uber, Kraft Heinz, Whirlpool, Lufthansa
**Countries:** United States, Iran, Germany

[Read the full story on Firstpost](https://www.firstpost.com/business/corporate-america-post-iran-war-spending-fatigue-consumer-inflation-fuel-prices-14008831.html)

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