Axios

Behold the "coastal tax": Goods and services tend to be more expensive in U.S. cities along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as compared to inland areas, per a new analysis.

The big picture: There are some exceptions, however — mostly in the mid- and south Atlantic.

It's been a rough year for dating apps.

Why it matters: The stock prices of the big public dating app companies have plunged this year, as online dating lost its luster with Generation Z.

For SoftBank, the collapse of WeWork has delivered what the company's own leaders acknowledge is a costly lesson, Nathan writes.

• The Japanese investment firm today said it stomached a loss of ¥234.4 billion (about $1.4 billion) on the investment in the past quarter.
• The co-working space company filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday — a stunning fall from grace for a company once valued at $47 billion.

Checking your brackets isn't just for hoops fans in March.

• The IRS today released its own annual bracket, the annual inflation adjustments for the 2024 tax year.

Why it matters: The tweaks will boost paychecks and lower income tax for many Americans, Axios' Kelly Tyko writes.

• Cost of living adjustments like those on taxes and Social Security payments are seen as crucial, especially as consumers deal with lingering inflation.

Things aren't looking so marvelous for the MCU, Nathan writes.

What's happening: "The Marvels," part of Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe, is opening this weekend — and the box office outlook is bleak.

• "There's a strong chance it could have one of the lowest opening weekends in the history" of the MCU, CNBC reports.

By the numbers: Analysts are currently expecting a domestic opening weekend of $60 million to $65 million.

• The budget was more than $270 million, according to Forbes.

💭 Nathan's thought bubble: Not unlike how the era of the Western eventually came to an end, I wonder if the era of the superhero movie is following a similar path.

"If NASA had the rules of the Senate, the rocket ship would never reach the launch pad."

The Internal Revenue Service released its annual inflation adjustments Thursday for the 2024 tax year that will boost paychecks and lower income tax for many Americans.

Why it matters: Cost of living adjustments like those on taxes and Social Security payments are seen as crucial, especially as consumers deal with inflation, even if lower than the super-high rates seen in 2022.

The 2023 economy has proved more resilient than most expected at the start of this year, but huge questions loom.

Why it matters: Major central banks' interest rate-hiking campaigns appear at or near their end, but previous moves are still rippling through the global economy.

New on streaming this weekend: the adventures of five 19th-century American girls who move to London, David Fincher's newest revenge thriller, and a new competition series with challenges straight out of the James Bond movies.

Automatic service charges are widely unpopular among Americans, new Pew Research Center data reveals.

• 72% say they oppose businesses adding additional fees, including tips, on bills, regardless of group size, including 50% who strongly oppose.

G/O Media said Thursday that it's suspending its female-focused brand Jezebel and laying off 23 editorial staffers as part of a broader restructuring.

Why it matters: The cuts are the latest in a string of changes G/O Media has made to its portfolio in recent years amid volatility in the digital media industry.

As chief communications officer at Colgate-Palmolive, Paula Davis is responsible for managing the reputation of its 30-plus brands, which are found in more homes than any other brand in the world.

Corporate spinoffs can present the ultimate communications challenge.

Why it matters: Failing to clearly state why a business will be better off as a separate entity from its parent company risks losing support from employees, customers, investors and the media — and could threaten the performance of the new spinoff.

Despite a strong labor market in 2022, the poverty rate for families headed by single mothers soared, according to a new analysis provided first to Axios.

Why it matters: That's due to the expiration of key pandemic-era benefits, including the child tax credit.

Media giant Warner Bros. Discovery posted another loss, despite the success of "Barbie," the top-grossing movie of the year.

Why it matters: Warner Bros. Discovery is the poster child for the challenges faced by traditional media companies amid the rapid transition to streaming.

The U.S. is pumping oil at a record rate, helping send crude oil prices lower.

Driving the news: U.S crude oil prices fell to their lowest level in more than three months on Wednesday (though they ticked higher Thursday morning).