AXIOS (Courtenay Brown) - Accidental stimulus: the economy's tariff refund cushion
Data: U.S. Treasury Monthly Treasury Statement (net customs duties) ; Chart: Courtenay Brown/Axios Corporate America is getting an accidental stimulus. Billions of dollars collected through court-invalidated tariffs are flowing back to businesses confronting stubborn cost pressures. Why it matters: The refunds amount to a reversal of the tariff shock that squeezed profits and raised prices in the first place. - Companies that have discussed their plans say they generally expect to use the money to offset inflation rather than generate much new economic activity. Many will absorb higher costs tied to the Iran war and future tariffs — and, in some cases, cut consumer prices. What they're saying: PepsiCo chief financial officer Steve…