The Daily Upside

Rising Rents Pushed Inflation Higher in December

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The consumer price index offered up a surprising uptick, damaging hopes that the Fed will be cutting rates anytime soon.

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Tesla Boosts Pay for US Factory Workers to Keep Unions at Bay

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Production workers will get a wage increase that curiously follows a strong year for the autoworkers’ union.

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Renewable Energy Growth Is Speeding Up Nicely

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The sector had its fastest growth ever in 2023, spurring hope that climate goals can be achieved.

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The Folly of Financial Gurus

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Social-media channels are full of business gurus promising that you can make tons of money this year…. but only if you attend their seminar.

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Microsoft Passes on Passwords in Accessible Identity Tech Patent

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Microsoft’s cybersecurity patent that uses secret handshakes walks a fine line between identity security and user privacy.

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Banks Are Making Hay Out of Post-Banking Crisis Safeguards

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Banks are finding novel ways to game the Fed’s safeguard systems, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.

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The EU Steps Up Pressure on Cushy Caribbean ‘Golden Passports’

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So-called “golden passports” for five Caribbean countries are under increasing political pressure from the EU, according to Bloomberg.

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JPMorgan Adds to Space Ambitions with Off-Planet Payments

Photo via U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The bank’s out-of-this-world patent for “space-based payments” relies on blockchain networks, satellites and stablecoins.

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Amazon Axes Hundreds of Employees Across Streaming Business

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Amazon has announced hundreds of layoffs across its Prime Video, TV and film studios, and Twitch businesses.

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Amazon Sharpens its Senses with Personalized Alexa AI Patent

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The tech adds to its ongoing efforts to make Alexa more intuitive and contextual.

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Hedge Funds, A.I., and Media Wars

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A presidential election – and democracy – may be at risk.

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Dating Apps Are Squeezing a Dwindling User Base

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Holding the line against advertising has forced companies to extract more fees out of the remaining subscribers.

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Startup Founders Are Feeling Skittish After Altman Fiasco

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The leaders of young companies are turning to supervoting stock and cherry-picking their boards to avoid a blindside.

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The Global Auto Industry Is Recentering Around China

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Overseas sales of China-made cars hit a record high in 2023, likely outpacing Japan to make China the world’s top exporter.

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Asset Managers Want Bitcoin ETF Supremacy Even if They Don’t Exist Yet

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Asset managers are already in a pricing war to see who can offer the most attractive spot bitcoin ETFs, whether the SEC approves or not.

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Twilio CEO Resigns Amid Activist Push

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Twilio CEO and co-founder Jeff Lawson says he’s step down following a protracted battle with a pair of persnickety activist investors.

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Big Tech’s Legal-Shield Promises Are All About Keeping Customers In-House

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Can artificial intelligence companies really offer customers legal shields for any copyright disputes over content their AI makes?

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Google May Watch Users Closely with Context-Aware Digital Assistants

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Google filing for a context-driven digital assistant raises the question of privacy versus usefulness in consumer tech.

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FAA Launches Probe into Boeing Aircrafts After Alaska Air Mishap

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The Federal Aviation Administration is temporarily grounding over 170 of Boeing’s 737 Max 9 aircraft after a scary incident.

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Radio Giant Audacy Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Photo via Connor Lin / The Daily Upside

Audacy, one of the largest radio networks in the nation, filed for bankruptcy on Sunday to restructure its billion-dollar debt load.

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Advisor Upside

Financial advisor news, market insights, and practice management essentials.

Can ‘Terror Management Theory’ Explain Inheritance Spending?

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Meet the BlackRock ETF Taking Aim at Invesco’s QQQ

Photo via Erik McGregor/Sipa USA/Newscom

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Neurocrine Scoops Up Hunger-Drug Maker in Latest Multi-Billion-Dollar Pharma Deal

Photo via Andre M. Chang/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

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