Blog
Weekly Review, February 26 2024
Nvidia’s AI chip business continues it’s strong performance. The Trader Joe’s Springfield mixup. Reddit it has officially filed for IPO. Vice reports making “fundamental changes to it’s strategic visions” as it lays off hundreds of employees and stops publishing website content. US Federal Trade Commision and eight states sue supermarket chain Kroger’s for their $24.6B deal to buy Albertsons.
Weekly Review, February 19 2024
Millenial and Gen Z wealth is still $94 trillion behind Boomers. Fees and underperformance of active funds have led to passive funds overtaking investing in terms of AUM. Drone footage of a small, possibly newborn great white shark could be marked as the “holy grail of shark science”. Air Canada must honor an AI created refund policy. Walmart is in talks with Vizio to purchase the company.
Weekly Review, February 12 2024
ESPN, Fox, and Warner are looking to rebundle TV channels for one-stop sports hub. OpenAI’s Sam Altman is looking to transform global semiconductor manufacturing. META to crackdown on political content suggestions. The average cost of auto insurance has risen by 26% over the past year. Shipping an order of less than $800 from Shein allows US consumers to bypass import tariffs.
Weekly Review, February 05 2024
Passive funds overtake actively managed funds in total assets for the first time in 48 years. Harbor Human Capital ETF has seen positive performance by focusing on strong corporate cultures. FCC to criminalize unsolicited robo calls using AI-generated voices. 15-fold increase in searches filtering out the Boeing 737 Max flights. WA state is considering a legislative proposal to ease strict zoning laws.
Weekly Review, January 29 2024
John Deere announces partnership with SpaceX to help farmers facing rural connectivity challenges. Lithium miners are reducing production and expansion plans. Technology and social media are widening the gap of political and ideological beliefs globally in young adults. Weight-loss medications are leading to muscle loss. Venezuelan refugees are settling in Miami and Orlando, Florida.
Weekly Review, January 22 2024
As AI and climate changes grow, CEOs fear their companies may not survive the next decade. Former head of block trading at Morgan Stanley, enters plea of not guilty to securities fraud. LA judge orders Beverly Hills home renovations to a hault. Warnings of “Generational Shift” in real estate with up to $1 trillion in loan defaults predicted. Overall advisor headcount grows only 0.3%.
Weekly Review, January 15 2024
ETFs in 2023 showed success and failures with more than 500 new launches and 250 closures as a result of the new competition. AI helped identify a potential replacement for the lithium battery. America saw a 1.9% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. IRS collected over $520M from millionaires. Duolingo cuts 10% of their contractors in favor of AI.
Weekly Review, January 8 2024
A significant decrease of 10% was seen in the global food prices last year. NFL coaches and executives see officiating as a broken process. The Unusual Whales Congress Trading Report for 2023 is released. OpenAI plans to launch their “GPT” store next week. Report shows that financial stress increases after a policy rate hike if inflation is supply-driven but not significantly if it is demand-driven.
Weekly Review, January 2 2024
Mickey Mouse original version is entering the public domain. 500+ drugs are likely to see price increases. Google makes plans to develop “Pixie” - a new AI assistant for pixel phones. The Apple watch import ban has been put on pause. Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, explains how the generative AI craze pushed the company to mix it up.
Weekly Review, December 26 2023
Sweden’s fight with Tesla escalates. Bird has filed for bankruptcy. Large AI models are now creating AI baby models without human assistance. Computers instead of politicians? One city is finding success in this transition. FTC accuses Rite Aid of “reckless” AI use and puts a potential consequence of a 5 year facial recognition ban on the table.
Weekly Review, December 18 2023
Roughly 61% of Gen Xers (age 43-58) have not started retirement planning. Crime has declined in 2023. Federal labor regulators are looking to have 23 Starbucks stores reopen. US auto safety regulators are working to incorporate technology to prevent intoxicated drivers from starting their vehicles. Tiktok purchases GoTo for $1.5B.
Weekly Review, December 11 2023
Consumer sentiment remains low as increase in prices the last three years is 18.6%. More than 500 Nasdaq listed stocks cost under $1. CEO of MobileX and founder of Boost Mobile is in support of cell phone bans in schools. Shein CEO navigates the enviromental and labor issues while preparing for US IPO. MAX ETNs plans to launch the first quadruple leveraged S&P500 ETN.
Weekly Review, December 4 2023
AI-generated writers being published by Sports Illustrated have their own bios and photos. Electric and hybrids have record growth and now account for 18% of U.S light-duty vehicle sales. Google agrees to pay Canadian news coporations $75M. Sam Altman is reinstated as OpenAI CEO. Amazon becomes the largest delivery business in the US beating out UPS and Fedex.
Weekly Review, November 27 2023
Binance to pay $4.3B in fines. 2024 IRS tax changes you should know. Meta to provide data to external researchers for information on how people use the platform. Tesla underfire as a judge for a fatal crash has found “reasonable evidence” that executives were aware self-driving technology had defects. How much money do people need to be happy?
Weekly Review, November 20 2023
OpenAI Mess: CEO, Sam Altman, fired without Microsoft’s knowledge. Microsoft then hires Sam Altman. Hyundai selling new vehicles on Amazon. The number of mortgage-free homes has risen to nearly 40%. China will see emmisions fall in 2024 due to record growth of clean energy. 2023 long-term population projections are lower than the US Census Bureau’s 2017 projections.
Weekly Review, November 13 2023
$2M coal mine may contain $37B in treasure. Higher mortgage rates and home prices deter would-be home buyers. Electric vehicle automakers are providing substantial price reductions. Recycling facilities are beginning to use AI to increase efficiency and combat worker shortages. Pathfinder 1, a blimp, receives airworthiness approval.
Weekly Review, November 6 2023
$1.8 billion in damages to be paid to home sellers after major brokerages are found guilty of inflated commissions. ESPN deepfake interview of Damian Lillard makes headlines. Meta to allow users the option of “opting out” of targeted ads. X receives a $19 billion valuation based on equity compensation plans. Toyota increases wages for non-uninionized factory workers.
Weekly Review, October 30 2023
Millenials are opting for fixed incomes and invesments that align with their values. Bus Rapid Transit systems positive affects on property value. US states are suing Meta in the largest collective action against a social network. AI startups are drawing the attention of many college students. Artists begin using invisible changes to art as a way to protect their work from AI.
Weekly Review, October 23 2023
“Nepo-homebuyers” make up 38% of recent home buyers under the age of 30. 51% of adults say they are in a better financial position than their parents. Seattle leads the charge in tech workers of West Coast hubs. Chevron agrees to purchase Hess Corp. for $53 billion. Five new sports added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games: Cricket, Baseball/Softball, Lacrosse, Squash and Flag Football.
Weekly Review, October 16 2023
New life expectancy data makes the point that it is not college vs. not. How proxy wars can turn cold wars into “hot wars”. Today is the time to just “buy the t-bill and chill.” Microsoft finalizes Activision Blizzard acquisition. Adobe to layout a watermarking plan and logo for generative AI images.