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TECH TODAY

Judge rocket docket to decide Google ads fate. Google already facing antitrust woes with its Chrome browser may soon find its ad platform in jeopardy.

MicroStrategy up sixfold. MicroStrategy, a publicly traded hudler of bitcoin, is trading at more than twice the value of its underlying bitcoin. MicroStrategy shares have risen 77% since the election.

Gifts for golfers. The 10 best gifts for any kind of golfer from Wired.

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HEADLINE NEWS 👀

Trump Tariffs To Bring Higher Prices For Consumers

The 25% tariffs the President elect has vowed to impose on Mexico, Canada, and China, with an extra 10% for China, posted to his Truth Social on Monday will put a sting in the wallets of Americans.

The tariffs could raise prices on everything from fruits in the grocery store to consumer products like electronics and appliances. Construction could feel the impact from higher lumber to concrete and infrastructure metal prices. Vehicle prices could soar as can replacement parts for older vehicles.

Farmers could potentially see a double wamy with the absorption of import tariff costs, which they would mostly pass on to consumers, but also confront unaccounted for export tariffs should governments impose import tariffs of their own.

Trump has said he will impose these trade tariffs on his first day in office by executive order. Economists have been assuming the import duties Trump would impose would be significantly less than what his rhetoric on the campaign trail suggested. Trump’s Monday post upends economic forecasts leading into Trump’s second Administration.

Chipotle Efficiency

Taking a page from Chipotle’s operations philosophy, improving operations through efficiency measures can help offset macroeconomic inflationary pressures small businesses experience.

Chipotle, like much smaller businesses, has not been immune to the effects of inflation. Raising prices six times between 2021 and earlier this year which was a direct result of rising cost of ingredients.

A part of the Chipotle attraction is that their customer, atypically an affluent consumer, perceives receiving a value, and their customers tend to remain loyal. Loyalty is a subject all unto itself but how you garner loyalty from a customer base is to deliver on value.

value can have a wide spectrum of meanings but to be clear we’re talking about a value received by the customer e.g., quality of ingredients, quality of service (looking at you Inn N Out) or workmanship quality.

Chipotle is incorporating technology into its operations to increase efficiencies in restaurants. These efficiencies are being sought to help offset inflation while simultaneously to reduce price hikes because of rising ingredient and labor costs.

Small businesses can use this same operational approach by delivering a product or service their customer base perceives to be a value, and creating brand loyalty. The business can use this value perception to analyze when prices need to rise to protect margins.

Chipotle raises prices to protect margins. Importantly they do not raise prices to increase margins. Instead they use other measures to increase operating margins like speeding up delivery times and boosting traffic into their restaurants.

Small businesses can protect margins by offering customers a value buy, and then offset inflationary pressure by using that perceived value to build customer loyalty. This loyalty will help keep customers returning after necessary price rises.

Trump Vows 25% Tariff By Executive Order

The President elect said on Monday he would impose a 25% tariff on imports into the United States from Canada and Mexico, and would impose a separate tariff on China.

In a post on his Truth Social Trump said he would impose the tariff by executive order his first day in office, mentioning a caravan of migrants making its way to the United States.

“This tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our Country”, the President elect wrote. He continued “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it’s time for them to pay a very big price!”.

MSNBC And Musk?

The richest man on the planet, Elon Musk, got that way starting and buying businesses so its no surprise when he mentions a new venture. Musk’s newest jab about adding to his business empire came last week when Comcast Media announced it was planning to divest some of its media assets.

The Comcast Media assets mentioned are part of their NBCUniversal’s media assets and include, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, and E. Some on social media suggested Musk buy MSNBC to which Musk replied “How much does it cost?”.

While no one, including Musk has unlimited resources, it appears if truly intent on buying the NBCUniversal assets he very well could write a check for the unit. With his net worth exceeding $321.7 billion as of Friday the check would likely clear.

In response to posts on his social media platform X Musk bantered on about buying the NBCUniversal unit and adding it to his X media company. With MSNBC’s viewership plunging 38% after election day Musk could find expanding his media holdings for a bargain price.

Hollywood | Celebrity

Warner Bros studios has had a long term relationship with one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors since the mid 70’s. Forty pictures deep into the relationship and it seems that Clint Eastwood received a bit of dis from the studio.

This may be Eastwood’s last film. At 94 years of age its astonishing he’s still directing and acting. But this last film, Juror #2, a courtroom drama starring Toni Collette is a film not being made today Collette commented on the red carpet premiere saying “In this day an age, films like this (“old school”) are not being made.”

The studio for its part essentially made the film vanish after the premiere. They put it in a handful of theaters without the benefit of a marketing budget other than an internet trailer. Warner Bros., in a statement said they always intended to release Juror #2 on its Max streaming service, and the limited theatrical release was a gesture of respect for Eastwood’s legacy and long relationship with the studio. Here’s to your new movie and a spectacular career Clint 🍾 

ECONOMY

China Tariffs

On China, the President elect accused China of not doing enough to stop drugs flowing into the U.S. through the Mexican boarders. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% tariff, above any additional tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” Trump said.

The Chinese embassy hit back.

“China believes that China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.”

Economists say Trump’s overall tariff plans, likely his most consequential economic policy, would push U.S. import duty rates back up to 1930-era levels, stoke inflation, collapse U.S.-China trade, draw retaliation and drastically reorder supply chains.

They say tariff’s are typically paid by the importing company, and they either pass the tariff on to the consumer or absorb the tariff accepting lower profits.

Protecting Against Inflation

Protecting the economy against inflation is a known commodity. Limit supply shocks, and buy commodities. But with a new Administration entering the Whitehouse and threatening to cut taxes and issue widespread tariffs on imported goods it might be difficult to default to the known inflation fighters to keep inflation at bay.

Problems are already appearing post election as commodity prices are depressed leaving a looming question if the old tried and true inflation fighters have lost their edge?

FINANCE

Selling Masculine To Females For Growth

“The opportunity there is massive”, said Joe Alkire, CFO of Kontoor parent of Wrangler and Lee Jeans. Alkire was talking about the opportunity Kontoor saw to shift into an unforeseen market when Kontoor was spun off as a free standing publicly traded company from VF Corp in 2019.

Kontoor’s denim brands are best known as denim for the masculine appeal, and for low cost denim through discount stores. Though the company has seen an increased demand from female customers. Women’s clothing accounts for 20% of sales compared to 10% in 2019 at the time of the spinoff according to Stifel Financial.

The company generated $2.61 billion in revenue in 2023 with a gross margin of 44.7% on quarterly revenues of $670.2 million. Wrangler Jeans accounts for 70% of revenues with the remaining Lee Jeans.

POLITICS

Trump Selects Trade Representative

The President elect selected Jamieson Greer to serve as his trade representative. The position is of increasing importance with Trump planning to reset trade worldwide.

Greer, a former Air Force attorney, and veteran who served in Iraq, subsequently served as chief of staff for the trade representative during Trump’s first administration. During that stint he was instrumental in negotiating with China.

The position of trade representative has traditionally been low profile but took on greater significance during Trump’s first term in the Whitehouse.

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

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

Blue Fin Tuna High Protein

Between 2014 and 2022 the population of Pacific Blue Tuna has soared 1,000% according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The fish was not expected to return to a sustainable level of this magnitude until 2034 and came as a surprise to scientists who track sea life.

In response to these findings the aquarium upgraded the Pacific blue fin tuna from red to yellow which means it went from avoid to a good alternative.

Eating fish as a source of protein intake is an important part of a balanced diet to remain lean and adds to personal efforts in diets designed to capture longevity benefits. The blue fin tuna is especially coveted because of its rich nutritional profile:

• Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA) - reduces blood pressure, lowers tryglycerides, prevents plaque buildup. Supports cognitive function. Anti-inflammatory which helps to reduces disease and is joint and immune system friendly.

• Vitamin B - supports energy production, cognitive function and red blood cell production.

• Vitamin D - Supports immune health and bone health.

• Selenium - Antioxidant that protects cells from damage and supports thyroid health.

Now you can add a consciously eat a healthy fish protein to meet dietary longevity goals.

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