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NASA said Wednesday that it hopes to launch its delayed Artemis I moon mission in mid-November.
The agency is targeting the early hours of Nov. 14 for liftoff, with a launch window opening at 12:07 a.m. ET that day.
The uncrewed Artemis I mission would mark the debut of the SLS and Orion capsule, for what would be a more than monthlong journey around the moon.

NASA’s next-generation moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with its Orion crew capsule perched on top, as it stands on launch pad 39B in preparation for the unmanned Artemis 1 mission at Cape Canaveral, Florida, August 27, 2022.
Joe Skipper | Reuters

NASA said Wednesday that it is planning to launch its Artemis I moon mission in mid-November, after past launch attempts in recent months were postponed because of technical and weather difficulties.
Last month NASA rolled back the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which carries the Orion capsule for Artemis I, off the launchpad and into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for protection at Kennedy Space Center with Hurricane Ian bearing down on Florida. NASA first tried to launch Artemis I in August but has called off multiple attempts since then.

Confirming the agency leaders’ expectation that the next attempt to launch Artemis I would not be likely until at least November, NASA is now targeting the early hours of Nov. 14 for liftoff. The launch window opens at 12:07 a.m. ET that day.

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The uncrewed Artemis I mission would mark the debut of the SLS and Orion capsule, for what would be a more than monthlong journey around the moon. It kicks off NASA’s long-awaited return to the moon’s surface, the first mission in the Artemis lunar program. Tentatively, the plan is to land the agency’s astronauts on the moon by its third Artemis mission in 2025.
This first mission is five years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. More than $40 billion has already been spent on the Artemis program, much of that toward SLS and Orion’s development. The system comes with a per-launch price tag of $4.1 billion.
NASA used the time back in the VAB to inspect the rocket and capsule, saying Wednesday that inspections confirmed “minimal work is required to prepare” for the next launch attempt. The agency plans to roll the rocket back out to the Launch Complex 39B pad as soon as Nov. 4.

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PepsiCo reported third-quarter earnings and revenue Wednesday that beat analyst expectations.
Revenue for the quarter was up 9% as pricing helped offset volume declines in some units, including Frito-Lay North America.
The company hiked its forecast for the year on the performance.

PepsiCo hiked its forecast for the year Wednesday as higher prices helped lift the snack-and-beverage maker’s revenue for the third quarter.
Shares were up about 2% in pre-market trading.

For the quarter ended Sept. 3, PepsiCo said revenue rose 9% from a year ago to $21.97 billion, topping Wall Street expectations. The increase came despite volume declines in some of the company’s units, including its Frito-Lay North America division.
PespiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the summer helped drive impulse purchases, which have a higher price per liter.
“The consumer is still very healthy in terms of our particular category,” Laguarta said during the company’s earnings call Wednesday. “Our brands are being stretched to higher price points and the consumers are following us.”
Here’s how the owner of Mountain Dew, Gatorade and Lay’s performed compared to Wall Street estimates, according to Refinitiv:

Earnings per share: $1.97 adjusted vs. $1.84 expected.
Revenue: $21.97 billion vs. $20.84 billion expected.

For 2022, the company now expects organic revenue growth of 12%, up from 10%. It expects core constant currency earnings per share growth of 10%, up from 8%.

A woman grabs a bottle of Diet Pepsi in Atlanta, Georgia.
Chris Rank | Bloomberg | Getty Images

In its Frito-Lay North America division, the company said revenue rose 20% in the quarter despite a dip in volume. Quaker Food North America’s revenue also rose 15% despite a decline in volume. PepsiCo Beverages North America’s revenue increased 4% on slightly higher volume.
In its European unit, PepsiCo saw revenue increase 1% despite lower volumes. Africa, Middle East and South Asia saw a 4% increase in revenue on lower volume in foods and higher volume in drinks. Revenue for the unit encompassing Asia Pacific and China rose 3% on stronger volume in both food and drinks.
The company is also leaning into energy drinks, taking a $550 million stake in Celsius Holdings in August and launching Gatorade FastTwitch a month later. Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said the company is maintaining a portfolio of energy drink brands because the market is highly segmented.
For the period ended Sept. 3, PepsiCo’s net income was $2.7 billion, up from $2.22 billion a year ago. Total revenue rose to $21.97 billion, up from $20.19 billion a year ago.
PepsiCo has previously said it expected its costs to continue rising in the second half of this year. In response, the company has said it was accelerating its cost management initiatives, including using smaller sizes for its variety packs. In the third quarter, the company’s gross margins remained essentially unchanged compared to a year ago at 53%.
Coca-Cola is set to report earnings Oct. 25.

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New Zealand’s government says revenue from the levy would be “recycled back into [the] agriculture sector through new technology, research and incentive payments to farmers.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says plans are “an important step forward in New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions future.”
Agriculture plays a major role in New Zealand’s economy, including exports.

Cattle photographed in New Zealand. Agriculture plays a major role in New Zealand’s economy, especially when it comes to exports.
David Clapp | Stone | Getty Images

New Zealand plans to tax agricultural emissions — including those related to the burps, urine and dung from livestock like cows and sheep — in a move its government hopes will help the country meet climate change goals.
The aim is for the “agricultural emissions-pricing system” to come into force in 2025. A consultation looking at how levies are set, transition assistance and sequestration — which the document defines as “the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere” — was launched this week, and will run until Nov. 18.

The government said revenue from the levy would be “recycled back into [the] agriculture sector through new technology, research and incentive payments to farmers.”
The idea of introducing such a system by the middle of this decade was contained within an emissions reduction plan published in May 2022, as well as a recommendation published in June by the He Waka Eke Noa – Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership.

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In a statement Tuesday, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern backed the plans. “This is an important step forward in New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions future and delivers on our promise to price agriculture emissions from 2025,” she said.
“No other country in the world has yet developed a system for pricing and reducing agricultural emissions, so our farmers are set to benefit from being first movers,” Ardern went on to say.
Agriculture plays a major role in New Zealand’s economy, including exports, but it accounts for a considerable chunk of the country’s emissions.

In the consultation document, authorities said greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture — carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane — were responsible for more than half of New Zealand’s gross emissions.
According to the document, carbon dioxide stems from urea, while nitrous oxide comes from livestock dung and urine. Methane is emitted through belching and, to a lesser extent, gas.

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While the plans have the backing of figures such as Ardern, they have not been universally welcomed. On Tuesday, Federated Farmers of New Zealand reacted furiously to the government’s proposals, stating that they would “rip the guts out of small town New Zealand.”
Others reacting to the news included Andrew Morrison, the chairman of Beef+Lamb New Zealand, who focused on the issue of sequestration.
“We need to further analyse these changes carefully, but one area of immediate concern is the proposed changes to sequestration, which is of real importance to sheep and beef farmers,” he said.
“We know we have a role to play in addressing climate change and our farmers are among the first to feel the effects of it,” Morrison added.
“However, if farmers are to face a price for their agricultural emissions from 2025, it is vital they get proper recognition for the genuine sequestration happening on their farms.”
In an email to farmers, Morrison and Sam McIvor, the organization’s CEO, offered more insight into their views on the plans. “New Zealand is the first country in the world to look to put a price on agricultural emissions,” they said.
“While we recognise our role in reducing emissions, we are one of the most carbon efficient producers in the world and we will not accept a system that disproportionately puts our farmers and communities at risk,” they added. More

The loyalty programs can be linked starting on Wednesday.
Members of the two programs will be able to earn one mile for every $1 spent at participating Starbucks.
Delta already lets members earn miles with Lyft, Airbnb and Instacart.

A Starbucks store is seen inside the Tom Bradley terminal at LAX airport in Los Angeles, California.
Lucy Nicholson | Reuters

Delta Air Lines and Starbucks are linking their loyalty programs, marking the latest move by the companies to expand the appeal of their rewards programs and boost sales.
Starting Wednesday, members of Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program can earn one mile for each $1 spent at Starbucks after connecting the accounts. Those who link the two programs will also be able to earn double “stars” on Starbucks Rewards when they make purchases at participating Starbucks stores on days when they have a Delta flight.

Delta already lets its SkyMiles members earn miles with Airbnb, Lyft and Instacart, as well as through its co-branded cards with American Express as the airline and others have expanded the ways customers can accrue points beyond flying. Loyalty programs have become more important for airlines, particularly during the pandemic when travel slumped. Starbucks also has said that its loyalty program helps lift sales.
From Wednesday through the end of the year, members of SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards can earn 500 miles if they link their accounts. They earn another 150 stars once they make a qualifying purchase, such as food, beverages or other merchandise.
According to Starbucks’ website, with 150 stars, loyalty program members can get a coffee drink, such as a cappuccino.
The number of miles required for a free ticket varies based on demand and other factors. But this week, a roundtrip ticket departing New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 4 for Los Angeles and returning 10 days later was going for 30,500 SkyMiles on Delta’s website.
Customers can earn both SkyMiles and Starbucks stars with each purchase, a Starbucks spokeswoman said.

The U.S. version of Starbucks Rewards had 27.4 million active members as of July 3. Those members account for more than half of the company’s orders, the coffee chain said last month. At its recent investor day, Starbucks said it planned to link its rewards program to other loyalty programs.
Alcohol, taxes and tips are excluded from earning miles.
— CNBC’s Amelia Lucas contributed to this report.
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated how many points are needed to redeem a Starbucks coffee drink.

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The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($647,200 or less) increased to 6.81% from 6.75%
Mortgage applications to purchase a home fell 2% for the week and were 39% lower than a year ago.

Mortgage demand dropped again last week as rates climbed higher, but one type of loan is attracting borrowers. Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, which offer lower rates, are seeing renewed demand after getting very little interest over the last decade.
Total mortgage application volume dropped 2% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index, a consequence of surging rates.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($647,200 or less) increased to 6.81% from 6.75%, with points increasing to 0.97 from 0.95 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. That is the highest rate since 2006.
“The news that job growth and wage growth continued in September is positive for the housing market, as higher incomes support housing demand. However, it also pushed off the possibility of any near-term pivot from the Federal Reserve on its plans for additional rate hikes,” wrote Michael Fratantoni, MBA’s chief economist in a release.
The average rate for 5/1 ARMs, which has a fixed rate for the first five years, increased slightly, but was still lower, at 5.56%. The ARM share of applications was just under 12%. When rates were lower at the start of this year, that share was barely 3%, where it had been for several years.
ARMs can be fixed for up to 10 years, but they are considered riskier loans because the rate eventually adjusts to the market rate. Rates have been so low for so long that before rates started to rise borrowers didn’t need to take on that additional risk.
Higher overall rates crushed refinance demand even further, with applications off 2% for the week and 86% from the year-earlier week. At this rate level, there are barely 150,000 borrowers who can benefit from a refinance, because so many people already have loans at far lower rates, according to Black Knight, a mortgage technology and analytics firm.

Mortgage applications to purchase a home, which fell 2% for the week, were 39% lower than a year ago. Buyers have stepped way back this fall, as higher rates have made affordability even worse. Home prices are starting to ease, but potential buyers also are concerned that if they buy now, their new home may drop in value in the coming year. Concerns over a recession also have buyers wary of making such a big investment.
Mortgage rates moved even higher to start this week; another survey from Mortgage News Daily has the 30-year fixed now well over 7%. All eyes are now on the latest inflation report set to be released on Thursday. It could move rates decidedly in either direction.

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United said Europe travel this summer was up 20% from 2019 levels.
United plans additional routes like San Francisco to Rome and Newark to Dubai.
Aircraft delays and staffing shortages have hampered airlines’ schedules this year.

Boeing 777ER United Airlines. Aircraft to Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
Massimo Insabato | Mondadori Portfolio | Getty Images

United Airlines is planning another big schedule increase for trans-Atlantic travel, in a bet that consumers will continue to shell out for international trips, some of which they had put off for years.
Next summer, United says it will fly to 37 cities in Europe, Africa, India and the Middle East, a total it said is more than other U.S. airlines combined. It will also bring back destinations including a nonstop flight from its Newark Liberty International Airport hub in New Jersey and Stockholm on a Boeing 757 on May 27. It last served that city in 2019.

Airline executives have recently reported a strong summer for European travel in particular. United said demand was up 20% from 2019 during the summer peak. Ticket sales have been robust into the fall, prompting some carriers to maintain more off-peak flights to chase that revenue.
Despite strong demand and revenue from high fares, airlines were hamstrung by a series of challenges this summer such as aircraft delivery delays and shortages, and chaos from staffing shortages at major European hubs like those in London and Amsterdam, which prompted airlines to curb capacity.
“This is a schedule we believe we can operate,” Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, told reporters. He said the carrier is working closely with airports and other industry members to ensure it isn’t overshooting.
Inflation, a slower rebound in business travel and other issues still loom over demand for 2023. London’s Heathrow Airport warned Tuesday that travel demand is “uncertain.”
When demand was weaker in the pandemic, United experimented with its route map, offering destinations such as Palma de Mallorca in Spain and Ponta Delgada in Portugal’s Azores. Those flights are returning though service to Bergen, Norway didn’t make the cut for 2023.

United said Wednesday it will start flights on May 25 between San Francisco and Rome on a 777-200ER, part of the carrier’s big investment in service to Italy. On the same day, it will start seasonal service to Shannon, Ireland from Chicago O’Hare International Airport on a Boeing 757 and daily flights to Barcelona from Chicago on a 787 Dreamliner.
It will also offer flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Berlin on a Boeing 767, starting May 25. The carrier plans to fly 23 daily flights to London Heathrow next summer.
On March 25, United will start service between Newark and Dubai on a Boeing 777-200ER, flights it announced last month under a new partnership with Emirates.
Delta Air Lines is also ramping up service to Europe for next spring and summer, growing its trans-Atlantic capacity by 8% from 2022.
Its additions include a nonstop from to Geneva, more London service and a resumption of daily Berlin flights, all from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

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Major League Baseball is partnering with Charlotte’s Web, making it the first of the four major U.S. sports leagues to reach such a deal with a CBD company.
CBD, a cannabis compound, is touted for benefits such as relieving pain and stress. Its popularity has grown exponentially in the U.S.
Charlotte’s Web will feature the MLB logo on products that have received a special certification for use by athletes.

A MLB logo is seen before a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 22, 2022 in Anaheim, California.
Ronald Martinez | Getty Images

Major League Baseball is getting into the CBD game. 
The league is teaming up with Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc., a maker of CBD products, in an exclusive multi-year partnership. The deal marks the first time one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues has formed a sponsorship agreement with a CBD company. 

Charlotte’s Web makes CBD products like gummies and topical sprays. CBD is short for cannabidiol, a compound found in the cannabis plant, and has been touted as a natural remedy for reducing inflammation and stress. The compound has been added to a variety of products. 
Charlotte’s Web will become the “Official CBD of Major League Baseball.”
MLB paved the way for the agreement in June, when it officially allowed clubs to score sponsorships with CBD companies that are certified for sport by NSF, an organization that establishes standards for products used by athletes. 
The agreement between MLB and Charlotte’s Web came after a “rigorous approval process,” the league said in a release.  
Celebrities and athletes have also endorsed CBD products. Hall of Fame NFL running back Terrell Davis partnered with investors in 2018 to create a CBD-infused sports drink.

The MLB partnership also comes as Charlotte’s Web is set to release Daily Edge, a tincture and the first CBD product to be certified for sport by NSF. The product, set to be released Wednesday, will feature MLB’s logo on its bottle. 
Although the Food and Drug Administration has not certified CBD products, their popularity has grown exponentially. In 2021 the U.S. CBD market topped $4.7 billion in total sales, according to the release. 

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Tom Brady and Kim Clijsters are part of Major League Pickleball’s newest ownership group.
They join high-profile owners like LeBron James and Drew Brees.
Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport with more than 4.8 million players in 2021.

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chris Graythen | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and International Tennis Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters are the latest high-profile athletes to join the pickleball craze.
Major League Pickleball announced on Wednesday that Brady and Clijsters are headlining their newest ownership group to buy an expansion team, which will begin playing in 2023.

Pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, has attracted other high-profile owners, including NBA champions LeBron James, Draymond Green and Kevin Love and Super Bowl champ Drew Brees, as well as billionaire investor and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry and former tennis star James Blake.
The Brady and Clijsters group is led by Knighthead Capital. It also includes RBC bond saleswoman Callie Simpkins and JPMorgan financial advisor Kaitlyn Kerr, who will serve as its general manager. The expansion team is set to be 50% female-owned.
The new ownership group will be part of Major League Pickleball’s latest growth plan, which includes expanding to 16 teams from 12, and doubling the number of events to six. Prize money and payouts are also expected to grow and surpass $2 million.
“What really shines through in working with these amazing individuals is their passion for the sport,” the league’s founder, Steve Kuhn, said about the new group.
Financial terms of were not disclosed. In September, Anne Worcester, Major League Pickleball’s strategic advisor, told CNBC that demand for teams has grown exponentially and that prices are in the seven-figure range.

Pickleball — which is played with paddles — counted more than more than 4.8 million players in the United States last year, according to the 2022 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Single Sport Report on Pickleball. Kuhn said the league’s goal is to reach 40 million pickleball players by 2030.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium in action against Caroline Wozniacki (not seen) of Denmark during Expo 2020 Dubai Tennis Week at the Expo Sports Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on February 19, 2022.
Waleed Zain | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Brady started playing the sport four years ago with Knighthead Capital owner Tom Wagner, people familiar with the matter said. He often plays with his children and has explored building a pickleball court at his residence. Brady believes it’s a good investment as he looks at the next stage of his career as an entrepreneur.
Clijsters told CNBC she picked up pickleball after retiring from tennis and plays regularly with her business partners. She has yet to play with Brady.
“We know that he loves to play pickleball and is very competitive,” she told CNBC. “We can’t wait to get a game in and see where everybody’s levels at.”
The Belgian tennis star says she believes pickleball is a good investment because of its accessibility, and she loves the fact that men and women can play together.
“For me, playing tennis with my husband and my kids is not that easy, right? But when I play pickleball we can all have a fun game,” she said.

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