đ„ Amazon v. Microsoft đ„ Canceled
Happy Sunday! Welcome all new readers as we got an influx this weekend. This week, weâve added an âUpcoming Earningsâ calendar section. Weâre still trying to make it as pretty as possible so that will be a work in progress. Eventually we might have a âlooking aheadâ section of the newsletter as well as a ârecapâ of the past week (which is something we already have with the Weekly News Roundup). Any suggestions are welcome on how to improve our newsletter here.
In personal news, I took some time off last week to attend a wedding in Jackson, Wyoming. What a beautiful place - plus I attended a rodeo for the first time! I did notice however, whenever I take a trip - it messes up my routine and schedule (obviously) and therefore the content schedule is delayed upon my return. Apologies for not having a YouTube video up this week, but I am working to get one out probably tomorrow!
Enjoy this weekâs Hump Days.
-Humphrey & Rickie
In the Markets
Upcoming Earnings
Weekly News Roundup
Volkswagen, BMW Fined $1 Billion by EU for Pollution Cartel
Volkswagen and BMW have agreed to pay $1 billion in fines to the EU for possessing the tech to reduce harmful emissions but colluded with each other by deciding not to use the tech to its full potential in order to avoid competing.
RH: Consumers and the planet win here. A collective $1 billion is a slight step up from a simple slap on the wrist.
HY: This is funny, it reminds me of the lobby industries that we have in America. Even though there are clear choices for the future of the earth + civilization, many organizations and companies are under such financial pressure that they choose short term profits and make choices that are detrimental to mankind. Eventually I hope that changes.
Pentagon Cancels $10 Billion JEDI Cloud Contract that Amazon and Microsoft were Fighting Over
Dept. of Defense is calling off the $10B cloud contract that Amazon and Microsoft were fighting over. However, in a press release, the Pentagon announced a new cloud contract in which the two tech giants will likely continue to duke it out.
HY: Microsoft originally won the contract but Amazon protested that the administration at the time was biased. Now the DOD is creating a new contract that the companies will now bid for again.
Olympics Will Ban Spectators After Japan Declares State of Emergency
The long awaited 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, comes with a major blow as the Olympic organizers announced they were banning all spectators from the games this year following the countryâs state of emergency meant to curb a new wave of Covid-19 infections.
HY: This one sucks because most things in America are âopenâ, so it is tough to wrap your head around. However, if you do live in America we should be grateful as our country is one of the best places to be right now amidst the pandemic. Other countries are not faring as well. For the week ending today: Brazil, India, Indonesia, UK and Russia all have high numbers of cases.
In Case You Missed It
Iâve linked my YouTube Shorts channel below, if you subscribe there, youâll get access to my short-form content once every day or every other day!