Bloomberg Wendy’s Co became the latest restaurant chain to show signs of strain thanks to rising inflation, as second-quarter sales and restaurant margin fell short of Wall Street projections. Evidence of the inflation pressure on Wendy’s was twofold. First, it showed up in US same-store sales, which rose just 2.3% in the quarter ended July 3, the company said …

  Bloomberg US consumer sentiment rises in early August to a three-month high on firmer expectations about economy and personal finances. Inflation expectations were mixed, with consumers boosting their longer-term views for prices slightly, while reducing their year-ahead outlook for costs. The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index rose to 55.1 from 51.5 in July, data showed. Consumers expect prices …

  Bloomberg Mastercard Inc is facing pushback from retailers over a new product that allows customers to pay off their purchases in installments. The payments giant has begun telling merchants and their banks that it will charge retailers 3% of a purchase price each time a consumer opts to use the new program, according to people familiar with the matter. …