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TECH TODAY

META’s Messenger. Messenger gets an upgrade that includes the introduction of HD video calls. Theses HD calls will automatically be enabled for WiFi for clearer quality video. In addition, Meta is also rolling out: AI generated backgrounds (fancy) suppressed background noise, audio and video messages (no more booooring) and hands free calling.

NVIDIA chip demand. Demand for chips is still booming but projections for the company’s growth forecast slows from 94% to 69.5%.

Bitcoin rises above $97,696. In a continuing trend from yesterday on news Trump Media was buying Bakkt a Crypto broker Bitcoin continues to rise.

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HEADLINE NEWS 👀

DOJ Petitions Court For Google To Sell Chrome Browser 

“The playing field is not level because of Google’s conduct, and Google’s quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired”, the DOJ wrote in their final judgement.

Google has an approximate 90% market share for search, and its Chrome browser is the most used browser on the internet.

There’s a saying that data is the new gold and Google captures data from users of Chrome, and Google search. By forcing a sale of Chrome, according to Justice Department officials, it will bifurcate the browser away from Google’s search engine creating greater competition in the online search market. A sale of Chrome would dynamically change search.

Target Misses 🎯 

Target stock fell 21% after reporting disappointing quarterly results. Management also lowered financial forecasts for the year and investors didn’t like the news.

In a retail strategy shift that is still in process Target’s management has been pushing its own private-label products and cutting prices on everyday brands but consumers aren’t taking it well resulting in the flat sales reported.

In the earnings call Target management said that profits shrunk and sales were flat. This may not be indicative of the retail landscape as Target’s financial report is in contrast to strong demand and increased revenues reported by Walmart and Costco two discount retailers.

Auto Parts Store Closing 700 Stores

Advanced Auto Parts in a statement announced the closure of 700 stores mainly in California and the western U.S. Advanced Auto Parts has 4,800 stores nationwide and the closure includes 523 corporate owned stores and 204 independently owned stores. The downsizing will also include the closure of four distribution centers.

President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly commented, ”We are charting a clear path forward and introducing a new three year financial plan, with a focus on executing core retail fundamentals to improve the productivity of all our assets and to create shareholder value”. The company has been under pressure to improve its financials.

Despite the plan to close the 700 stores the company also has plans to advance the opening of new stores though no additional details have been provided.

Howard Lutnick Trump Pick For Commerce Secretary

Howard Lutnick Cantor Fitzgerald, CEO was picked to serve as Commerce Secretary by President elect Trump. The Wall Street financier was selected to oversee Trump’s aggressive trade agenda.

In a statement President elect Trump commented Lutnick would have “direct responsibility” over the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The office is currently separate from the Department of Commerce.

Promise Studio Hollywood’s AI Newcomer

Silicon Valley and Hollywood elites are joining force to finance a new movie studio. Peter Chernin, a veteran media executive, and Adreessen Horowitz, a Silicon Valley VC, are backing the new studio that goes against the grain of traditional Hollywood players.

The move appears to be in contrast to actor, writer, director, and movie studio owner Ben Affleck’s comments during a recent CNBC interview reported (link) on by The Grind. The new Studio will use generative AI to make shows and movies.

Named Promise Studios, it will use technology its calls “Muse” to create an entire studio using AI tools previously used to storyboard productions. The studio intends to use the technology to create interactive content. The timeline to make shows and movies is within three years.

How Does Hollywood Feel About AI

In a CNBC interview actor, writer, director Ben Affleck said writers and actors should not be worried about AI. This, even though actors and writers unions went on strike last year to secure jobs from AI.

According to Affleck “Movies will be one of the last things - if everything gets replaced - to be replaced by AI. Affleck further commented “AI can write you an excellent verse that sounds Elizabethan; it cannot write you Shakespeare.

Affleck who owns a movie studio with long time friend, and occasional Co-star Matt Damon appears to have a functional understanding of AI transformer architecture which is the underlying algorithmic function that transforms transformers into super performers. Interestingly Affleck continues saying “AI is a craftsmen, a craftsman at best”, continuing that the AI can learn the craft and then just imitate “cross-pollinating things that exist, nothing new is created”.

Affleck went on to say the visual effects business will get impacted by AI “because what cost a lot of money is now going to cost a lot less, and it’s going to get hammered”.

Perplexity AI Ramping Up Shopping Competition

Perplexity AI a startup backed by AI chipmaker NVIDIA and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is gunning to sway search engine traffic away from Google as it attempts to strengthen its Perplexity platform.

Perplexity will provide users visual product cards based on responses to related shopping questions. The perplexity platform will be powered by Shopify which will provide rich e-commerce data to the Perplexity platform.

YouTube Tops In Podcast

The perennial winner in video also comes in on top for the consumption of podcasts in a recent report by Edison Research. According to the Edison Podcast Metrics Report YouTube is the podcast platform of choice for 31% of listeners 13 years and up. Spotify captures 27% market share with Apple Podcast pulling in just 15%.

The attraction for Podcast consumers choosing YouTube is its video component. Consuming Podcasts on YouTube brings an experiential element that is lost in the audio only experience. Viewers report the experience allows them to see the Podcasters facial expression and body language. YouTube Podcasts deliver a rich interpersonal communication experience for the listener. This creates a deeper connection to the Podcast host and ultimately the Podcast.

When segmented 84% of the Gen Z Podcast audience consumes Podcasts by video only as reported in the Edison Research Gen Z Podcast Report. Now you know where and how to consume Podcasts for an enlightened consumption experience.

Inventory Management

Inventory Front-Loading Trump Tariff Threat

In the last month China exports surge which economists think could have been driven at least in part by front-loading amid uncertainty around President elect Trump’s reelection. Wall Street economists expect Chinese export growth to remain strong over the next several months.

The extra cost of the tariffs are not paid by the Chinese exporter rather are paid by the company placing the order. The company will pass the tariff on to the consumer.

Controlling Inventory Overhang

Small businesses are using technology to get better controls on inventory overhang. In an inflationary economic environment optimizing inventories to free up cash flows has grown in importance. Working cash flow becomes a priority during inflationary times.

According to management consulting company the Hackett Group 70% of small business supply chain leaders have been stocking up on inventories.

In response to impetus’s from suppliers well managed small businesses are keeping a tight grip on inventory levels through the use of technology that combines multiple sources of data from historical sales analytics to promote inventory control strategies.

Having an inventory control strategy is important for small businesses to control costs but likewise easily as important to control cash flow in order to survive. Follow these steps to review internal inventory controls and free up important cash.

1. Control inventory by using inventory control technology.

2. Avoid ordering safety stock.

3. Reduce inventory regularly to better align with customer demand.

4. Try to turn product quarterly or every six months.

5. Avoid overbuying product to gain a discount.

ECONOMY

Producer Price Index

The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reported today the Producer Price Index (PPI) came in up 0.20% for the month of October. The PPI measures the selling prices domestic producers receive for their output; products and services.

Economists and analysts closely watch the PPI for signs of inflation. A rising PPI can be an early sign of inflation pressures in the economy. While quizzically PPI on the rise can also indicate economic growth. The measurement of rising producer prices can result from higher demand for products and services.

Economists use the PPI to forecast producer price changes that precede consumer price changes.

Federal Reserve Lowers Interest Rates

The Fed slashed interest rates by 0.25% for the second time this year on November 8, 2024. The cut is the latest sign the Fed believes inflation is nearing its key target rate of 2%.

A new Trump financial policy muddies the waters if any of the policy items discussed on the campaign trail get implement into policy. This brings to light the “economy stands on the brink of change” comments.

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, on Thursday commented while addressing the press Fed officials would watch the economic data closely before the final decision is made on a final rate cut at its December 2024 meeting.

Consumer Price Index

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) November 13, 2024 up 2.6% verses the previous months 2.4%. The CPI number bested investors expectations CPI would come in at a higher number.

The Grind reported earlier this month consumer spending remains strong. With the recent strength of the jobs report, strong consumer spending, and today’s better than expected CPI the market is setting expectations the FED will lower interest rates at their December meeting by 0.25%.

Tennis Great Retires From Professional Tennis

The body breaks down and a step is lost as athletes age. This realization comes to Rafael Nadal tonight as he retired from professional tennis after losing in the Davis Cup.

With tears in his eyes and crying, crying, Nadal heard a recorded send off by many of his former competitors and court mates, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Conchita Martinez, Serena Williams and other sports greats David Beckham and Sergio Garcia. Starting from humble beginnings on the tiny Balearic island of Mallorca Nadal worked his way into the stratosphere of tennis greats. Congratulations and farewell.

UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

Starting a small business with one product: Richard W. Sears was a railroad agent in 1886 who started selling watches that was a shipment refused by a local jeweler. The venter led to the R.W. Sears Watch Company. After moving the company to Chicago Sears partnered with watch maker Alvah C. Roebuck a year later. A year later the company was officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Starting as a small business with one product Sears, Roebuck & Co grew through mail order and by the 1920’s began opening retail stores ultimately becoming one of the largest retailers in the United States.

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Akio Morita, Co-Founder Sony Corporation Akio Morita was a visionary entrepreneur and played a pivotal role in in its global success. Born in 1921 in Nagoya, Japan he and partner Masaru Ibuka started Sony in 1946 after Morita had served in the Japanese Navy during WWII.

After some success in the electronics industry Sony introduced the Sony Walkman in 1979. This portable cassette player changed the way people could enjoy music. The device became iconic and enjoyed massive commercial success.

Morita expanded into the U.S. in 1960 which helped Sony gain an early foothold in the United States. Morita’s strong emphasis on innovation, quality, and branding were key in Sony becoming one of the most recognized and respected electronics brands worldwide. Akio Morita’s story is that of innovation, perseverance, and global vision 🌎️ 

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY

The Real Boogieman - Inflammation

When you get hurt inflammation kicks into help the body heal. This level of inflammation is healthy but according to the Cleveland Clinic, “When inflammation becomes chronic, it can trigger disease processes. Chronic inflammation can damage your heart ❤️ brain 🧠 and other organs 🫁, and it (inflammation) plays a role in nearly every major illness, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and depression.”

If you are living with a chronic health condition, you may be living with chronic inflammation. Our diet is critically important to combat inflammation. “The food we eat - and don’t eat - can soothe and even prevent inflammation.”

Everyone should have their biomarkers checked for inflammation but especially if you have a chronic condition or have suspicion inflammation is present. The Cleveland Clinic recommends considering anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet or the Dash diet among other anti-inflammatory diets.

This information is presented for informational purposes only. Check with your doctor or health professions before making health altering decisions.

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