Here is a rundown of Cheddar News' top trending market stories of the day. 

APPLE LABOR VIOLATIONS

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that various Apple policies violate labor laws designed to protect workers' right to collective action. The investigation began in 2021 after two former employees accused the company of maintaining work rules that banned discussing wages, hours or other terms of employment. The agency is also looking into statements from Apple executives that could have violated the National Labor Relations Act. 

PENDING HOME SALES RISE 

Pending home sales went up in December for the first time in six months, according to the National Association of Realtors. The measure jumped 2.5 percent from the month before, though the year-over-year measure is still down 33.8 percent. Some experts see the data as a turning point for the battered housing market. “This recent low point in home sales activity is likely over,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Mortgage rates are the dominant factor driving home sales, and recent declines in rates are clearly helping to stabilize the market.”

IMPOSSIBLE FOODS LAYOFFS

Impossible Foods is laying off 20 percent of its workforce or about 100 employees. This is the second round of cuts in less than six months. The company laid off 6 percent of its workers in October. In a controversial move, CEO Peter McGuinness quoted Martin Luther King Jr. in the initial layoff announcement. He has since apologized. The much-hyped maker of plant-based meat substitutes has struggled to maintain its ambitious growth plans in recent years. 

SHOWTIME JOINS PARAMOUNT+

Paramount Global said it is fully integrating its streaming service, Paramount+, with Showtime. The integration will rebrand the company's streaming offering as Paramount+ with Showtime. The latter channel, available for an extra fee in pay-TV bundles, will now feature Paramount+ original series and spinoffs of popular shows such as "Yellowstone" and "Criminal Minds."  

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Small grocers and convenience stores feel an impact as customers go without SNAP benefits
Some small grocery stores and neighborhood convenience stores are eager for the U.S. government shutdown to end and for their customers to start receiving federal food aid again. Late last month, the Trump administration froze funding for the SNAP benefits that about 42 million Americans use to buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 74% of the assistance was spent last year at superstores like Walmart and supermarkets like Kroger. Around 14% went to smaller stores that are more accessible to SNAP beneficiaries. A former director of the United Nations World Food Program says SNAP is not only a social safety net for families but a local economic engine that supports neighborhood businesses.
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