Business News at a Glance

Trump Attacks Amazon, Saying It Does Not Pay Enough Taxes

President Donald Trump escalated his attack on Amazon on Thursday, saying in an early-morning Twitter post that the online retail behemoth does not pay enough taxes — and strongly suggesting that he may use the power of his office to rein in the nation’s largest e-commerce business. Trump accused Amazon of putting thousands of local retailers out of business and said the company was using the U.S. Postal Service as its “Delivery Boy.” The president has lashed out publicly against the giant company and its chief executive, Jeff Bezos, on Twitter more than a dozen times since 2015.

Troubled Tesla Is in Need of a Recharge

Just a year ago, Tesla looked like a rising force destined to revolutionize the auto industry. Not only has the Model 3’s introduction been mired in glitches and delays — “manufacturing hell,” as chief executive Elon Musk put it — but Tesla’s driverless efforts have been overshadowed, and the company has continued to lose money. This week, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the company’s credit rating, and some analysts are asking whether the company could run out of money by the end of the year. Tesla shares have lost almost a quarter of their value in less than three weeks.

Microsoft Reorganizes, and Closes Windows Era

The Windows era, long in eclipse, is officially history. Microsoft said this week that it was splitting up its Windows engineering team, is part of a reorganization intended to accelerate the company’s emphasis on newer, faster-growing businesses like cloud computing and data-fueled artificial intelligence. That shift, analysts noted, has been underway since Satya Nadella became chief executive in 2014. Terry Myerson, 45, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and devices group, will be departing. The Windows group will be smaller and its engineering efforts dispersed. Windows technology, analysts said, will increasingly be folded into Microsoft’s cloud software.

Brazilian Auction Signals Return to Offshore Drilling

Exxon Mobil and other oil companies opened their wallets at an offshore oil auction in Brazil on Thursday in a sign that the industry was stepping back into the deepwater drilling business. It was the third encouraging Brazilian offshore auction since September. BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Germany’s Wintershall were among the big winners at the auction. Chevron had kept a low profile in Brazil since an oil spill in 2011, but it successfully bid for four exploration units. Particularly aggressive was Exxon Mobil, which is eager to replace depleted reserves and increase production.

Fast-Fashion Retailers Develop Strategies to Intercept Offensive Items

Every once in a while, tucked into the stream of speedily made garments rushed into stores, designs with shockingly bad taste stand out. Brands, even as they offer mea culpas, rarely explain how such blunders come to pass. But problematic designs seem to repeatedly slip past layers of buyers, designers, stylists, marketers and managers. Retail experts blame a heated competitive environment, where companies are spread thin trying to cater to a global customer base. Earlier this year, H&M, a repeat offender, chose Annie Wu to lead a new four-person team focused on global diversity and inclusiveness.

Catching the Buyer’s Eye With High-Tech, Gaming-Inspired Marketing Pitches

Advances in microprocessor and electronic-sensor technology have helped turn today’s car into an immersive multimedia experience spread across high-definition screens. But car companies do not limit the technological flash to the inside of the car — high-tech, gaming-inspired marketing pitches are following right on its bumper. Automakers are offering augmented reality experiences, video displays that involve the viewer and lifelike virtual reality simulations to lure buyers. The most sophisticated executions are developed primarily for events like the New York International Auto Show.

Sponsors Flee Host at Fox After Student Is Mocked

Laura Ingraham, a Fox News host, apologized under pressure on Thursday for taunting a survivor of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, as at least four companies confirmed they would pull advertising from her show. The dispute began Wednesday when Ingraham shared an article about the student, David Hogg, 17, getting rejected from colleges and accused him of whining about it. As news of the boycotts began coming out, Ingraham apologized. “On reflection, in the spirit of Holy Week, I apologize for any upset or hurt my tweet caused him or any of the brave victims of Parkland,” she said.