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By MICHELLE CHAPMAN, AP Business Writer

UPS is looking to slash about 20,000 jobs and close more than 70 facilities as it drastically reduces the amount of Amazon shipments it handles.

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The package delivery company said Tuesday that it anticipates making the job cuts this year. It anticipates closing 73 leased and owned buildings by the end of June. UPS said that it is still reviewing its network and may identify more buildings to be shuttered.

“The actions we are taking to reconfigure our network and reduce cost across our business could not be timelier,” CEO Carol Tomé said in a statement on Tuesday. “The macro environment may be uncertain, but with our actions, we will emerge as an even stronger, more nimble UPS.” read more

By DAMIAN J. TROISE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Executives at some of the world’s biggest companies are faced with the tricky task of explaining how President Donald Trump’s tariffs are impacting their business as they discuss the latest financial results. Some are making their best estimate based on what they know at the moment; others are pulling their outlooks altogether.

The only certainty is that they’ll use a variation of the phrase “uncertain times” at least once as they speak with analysts.

Trump has imposed tariffs against key U.S. trading partners, while also postponing other tariffs to give companies a chance to negotiate. The process has left business and consumers uncertain amid a constantly shifting landscape. Over the last few months, tariffs have been announced and in some cases withdrawn within days.

Here’s what some of those companies are saying:

Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz is cutting its earnings forecast for the year, citing a volatile environment.

The maker of food staples, including its namesake ketchup and boxed macaroni & cheese, is under pressure along with other food companies as inflation continues squeezing consumers. Tariffs could force companies to raise prices on consumer staples and food products, further fueling inflation. read more

In a surprise move, Jack in the Box announced this week it would be closing as many as 200 of its restaurant locations, in addition to possibly unloading Del Taco, a chain it purchased only three years ago.

The latest initiative by the San Diego-based fast-food chain will allow it to focus more exclusively on the Jack in the Box brand, while shuttering underperforming restaurants and raising cash to eventually pay down $300 million in debt, the company’s new CEO, Lance Tucker, said.

The closing of dozens of locations, none of which have been announced yet, will be done in phases with the first 80 to 120 to be shuttered by the end of this year. The company is calling its new strategy, “JACK on Track.”

“We expect closing these restaurants will strengthen the overall long-term economics of our franchisees, free up dollars for reinvestment, and allow the system to focus on maximizing performance of our stronger restaurants,” Tucker said during a Wednesday conference call with analysts and investors. “In short, we anticipate this program will better position Jack in the Box for more reliable, consistent, positive unit growth in the future.” read more

Walt Disney World has revealed the opening date and some menu items for GEO-82, the adults-only lounge that will operate from inside Epcot’s Spaceship Earth.  The space will debut for the public on June 4, the company announced Monday.

Aside from the food and beverage, a talking point of GEO-82 will be view of the theme park’s World Celebration Gardens and potential landing spot for Luminous: The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular. The resort is offering an add-on “fireworks experience” as part of the Enchanting Extras Collection, which also launches June 4.  Reservations are required for GEO-82, and they will start being accepted May 6.

Among the food items on the menu will be cannellini hummus, funghi flatbread, jumbo lump crab gateau, truffled ahi tuna and a chef’s selection of cheeses and meats.

Featured cocktails on the menu include brown butter old fashioned, caramelized leek martini, high brow batanga, strawberry-black pepper sour, banana brulee highball, a select bourbon flight exclusive to Disney and more.  There will also be beer, wine and zero-proof cocktails available. read more

Hyunmin Kim, Margaret Giles of Morningstar

A 529 college savings plan can be a powerful tool when saving for future education expenses because investments in the plan can increase tax-free, but many savers don’t take full advantage of all the benefits that 529 plans have to offer.

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One common deterrent to investing through a 529 plan is the concern that assets in a 529 account will reduce financial aid eligibility. While it’s true that 529 assets have an impact on financial aid, the effect is likely smaller than you think.

Do 529 plans affect financial aid?

The short answer is yes. An increase in the means to fund higher education naturally means the beneficiary is eligible for less need-based aid. read more