RAT MONEY
RadioAustinTexas.com
12/18/2024
Insiring, uninspiring, and down right messed up financial news of the day. RAT date 12/18/2024
The media on this page is taken largely from a financial newsletter now published by Sherwood Media. They enfolded the company Robinhood, which is an online stock trading company and financial company. Its CEO has done some really wild things in the stock trading game, and is one of the most impressive people known.
Around a year ago, he led the stampeded of investors at Robinhood in the GameStop market takeover, which made them billions, and cost many billionares and large hedgefunds billions, and made them the laughing stock of Wall Street. He named his company well.
However, I am referring to Robinhood’s previous CEO. Now it is Bulgarian born Vladamir Tevin, 36 years old.
Robinhood Financial
A mother sued Mattel for that time it printed the wrong URL on boxes of “Wicked” dolls. Instead of going to the movie’s page, it directed buyers (including the plaintiff’s child) to a spicy site. Since the snafu, the adult site has seen a spike in searches (#popular).
The techy Nasdaq surged to a fresh record yesterday, as did bitcoin, which eclipsed $107K. Investors have eyes on the Fed’s interest-rate meeting tomorrow.
iFOLD
Apple’s reportedly working on a foldable iPhone as smartphone sellers try rebooting sales
All in on folding… Apple’s been busier than usual. The tech icon is said to be planning foldable devices, including a bendy iPhone with a larger screen than the 16 Pro Max. Another gadget, designed to function as a laptop, will feature a foldable 19-inch screen that rivals the size of some desktop monitors. Plus, sources say Apple’s working on a slimmer (non-foldable) iPhone with a simplified camera that’ll retail for less than Pro models. The new tech could roll out as soon as 2026.
In the fold: Apple will be competing with rivals like Samsung, which already offers foldable models like the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold. But sales of Samsung’s new Fold 6 were reportedly underwhelming.
Fold over: The foldable-smartphone market grew 49% in the first quarter, driven by newer entrants like Motorola and China’s Huawei (which overtook Samsung as the top foldable phone seller in May).
Not phoning it in… After two straight years of declines, global smartphone sales rebounded as companies debuted cheaper models and devices packed with AI. In October, Apple reported that iPhone sales ticked up for the first time in two quarters, driven by genAI-infused updates. Still, analysts said presales for the AI iPhone 16 models were lower than sales for the 15’s launch (genmojis haven’t saved the day). Apple may be trying to climb out of its rut with fresh devices like foldables, which make up less than 2% of the smartphone market.
THE TAKEAWAY
More options can unlock more appeal… By offering more designs and price points, Apple could inspire customers who’ve been slow to upgrade or Android users looking for a more familiar feel. The strategy’s worked before: after Apple came out with the larger-screen Plus category, in 2014, its iPhone 6 models sold in the millions right out of the gate.
No crypto wallet? No problem.
Bit by bit… Diversify your portfolio with Bitcoin exposure, wherever you invest. Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (ticker: BTC) is one of the most affordable1 ways to gain exposure to Bitcoin through your existing brokerage account (though brokerage fees may still apply). That’s right — you don’t need a separate crypto wallet like you would to hold actual Bitcoin. You can invest in BTC the same way as any ETF.
For the crypto-curious… Grayscale is a great place to start. They’ve been offering exposure to crypto through familiar investment vehicles for over a decade. Today, they offer a suite of over 20 different funds covering Solana, Filecoin, Chainlink, and others for investors to choose from.
Type BTC on your preferred investment platform to check out the Bitcoin Mini from Grayscale. Think crypto, invest Grayscale.2
Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (“BTC”), an exchange traded product, is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (or the ’40 Act) and therefore is not subject to the same regulations and protections as 1940 Act registered ETFs and mutual funds.
PRIMED
Unionized Amazon workers are primed for a strike as labor flexes its holiday leverage
Unboxing a strike… Unionized Amazon workers want a contract, and they’re using the company’s peak shipping season as a bargaining chip. On Friday, 5.5K warehouse employees and delivery drivers serving New York City voted to authorize a strike against Amazon. While authorization doesn’t guarantee a work stoppage, it boosts the odds of one with just over a week before Christmas.
Wish list: Amazon’s union, which joined the 1.3M-strong Teamsters union this summer, is demanding wage hikes, safer working conditions, and added job security. Amazon hasn’t formally recognized the union (awkward).
Cartful of problems… While Amazon’s unionized workforce is a tiny fraction of its 800K front-line US workers, if it wins a sweetened contract, it could quickly spur more warehouse unionization (and work stoppages). A holiday strike would be the latest in a string of negative labor headlines for Amazon.
Safety problems: A Senate investigation published on Sunday found that Amazon manipulated warehouse-injury data, ignored internal safety recommendations, and discouraged injured workers from getting outside medical care.
Corporate conflict: Amazon’s also facing pushback from its corporate staffers, who are required to return to the office five days a week beginning next month. 73% of employees are said to have considered quitting because of the mandate.
THE TAKEAWAY
Timing is strength… By threatening to strike during Amazon’s peak sales season, the union is maximizing its leverage. Timed labor actions have become a key move for US unions this year. The New York Times’ tech guild walked out on a day before the presidential election. Airline unions connected to United and American authorized strikes ahead of the record Thanksgiving travel week. And the brief East Coast dockworker strike in September was timed to upend the holiday-shopping supply chain.
How a massive oil-drilling company sells a million kids’ toys a year
Hess trucks remain one of the hottest Christmas toys on the planet, delighting children and fueling a rabid collectors’ market. Read more.
Presented by Paladin
The Ultimate Power Move: 500% Sales Growth. $114B Market Projected by 2032. 48 Hrs Left.
Tired of power outages sabotaging your WFH game? While others go dark, Paladin Power keeps everything from your EV to your battle station humming strong.
With 500% sales growth3, Paladin is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the projected $114B energy storage market.
Invest in Paladin: Only 48 hours left to secure up to 40% off.4
What else we’re Snackin’
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty called US healthcare “flawed” as he addressed the killing of insurance head Brian Thompson.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said the Japanese investment giant would spend $100B in the US during POTUS-elect Trump’s term in office.
Enterprise-software biz MicroStrategy bought more bitcoin to add to its $45B BTC stash ahead of joining the Nasdaq 100, which it’s set to do next week.
Honeywell may be known for home appliances like dishwashers, but it also operates an aerospace biz that it’s considering selling off to streamline operations.
WHP is said to be closing in on a deal to buy wedding-dress maker Vera Wang, expanding a retail portfolio that includes Bonobos, Toys “R” Us, and Rag & Bone.
Think crypto, invest Grayscale. If you’re ready for crypto, Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto funds. Explore the product suite at Grayscale.com, or search Grayscale in your investment account today. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.2
Ad
Snack Fact of the Day
The net worth of median US homeowners is 40x greater than that of median renters
Last updated 12/18/2024