The Daily Upside

Patent Drop

Visa’s Blockchain Efforts Could Give The Tech Better Reputation

Photo by Shubham Dhage via Unsplash

Visa wants to make a one-size-fits-all blockchain.

2 min read
Industries

Big Tobacco’s Big Problem: The US Isn’t Lighting Up

Photo by Joshua Bartell via Unsplash

British American Tobacco shares dropped to a 12-year low after the company announced a $31.5 billion write-down for some of its brands.

2 min read
Artificial Intelligence

Google’s Liveliness Detectors Aims to Combat Deepfakes

Photo by Ivan Radic via CC BY 2.0

The company is seeking two patents to detect whether biometrics have been faked, one for fingerprint data and one for voice data.

3 min read
Regulation

Washington Wants More Rules, Bankers Have Concerns

Photo by Ian Hutchinson via Unsplash

Top bosses from eight major financial institutions appeared before a Senate committee to give their opinion on looming banking reforms.

2 min read

Patent Drop

Meta’s Brain Reader Could Help it Understand Users’ Mental State

Photo by Mediamodifier via Unsplash

This data could help Meta understand your response to advertising, one expert told Patent Drop.

2 min read
Media & Entertainment

2023 Was StubHub’s Year of the Women

Photo by Lorie Shaull via CC BY 2.0

StubHub’s latest Year in Live Experiences report found women captivated audiences in 2023 and generated massive ticket sales.

1 min read
Power Corridor

El Niño Ravages Land and Sea, Slamming Markets

Climate change is colliding with another phenomenon called El Niño – and the results are already far-reaching, global, devastating.

6 min read
Regulation

The FTC Starts Probe of Exxon’s Pioneer Acquisition

Photo by Raymond Kotewicz via Unsplash

Exxon’s $60 billion planned acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources has attracted the attention of the Federal Trade Commission.

1 min read

Policy & Power

Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Have Flocked to COP28 in Record Numbers

Photo by John Englart via CC BY-SA 2.0

The number of lobbyists for fossil fuel interests who registered for this year’s COP conference totaled at least 2,456.

2 min read
International Economics

China’s Financial Woes Grow as Moody’s Lowers Credit Outlook

Photo by Yan Ke via Unsplash

Moody’s Investors Service cut its outlook for China’s credit rating to negative from stable due to crushing debt at the local level.

2 min read
Artificial Intelligence

Consultancy Firms Are Using AI to Fast-Track Partnerships

Photo by Mojahid Mottakin via Unsplash

Large consulting and law firms are trying to get junior staffers on the fast track to partner using tools like ChatGPT.

2 min read
M&A

Roche Elbows into Weight-Loss Drug Market Via M&A

Photo by Andres Ayrton via Pexels

Roche agreed Monday to acquire anti-obesity drug developer Carmot Therapeutics for an appetizing $3.1 billion.

2 min read

Real Estate

Florida Developers Still See Building Wooden Homes as a Good Idea

All along Florida’s waterfront, developers are continuing to build cheaper wood-frame homes and apartments, The Wall Street Journal reported.

1 min read
Patent Drop

Apple’s LIDAR Patent Adds Another Piece to Rumored Car Offering

Photo by Prasad Panchakshari via Unsplash

Apple will likely face a lot of competition if it decides to get on the road.

2 min read
Indicators

As Job Market Cools, Small Businesses Scramble for Employees

Photo by Tim Mossholder via Unsplash

As the country’s largest companies have begun slowing down hiring, small businesses are hanging up “Help Wanted” signs at a record pace.

2 min read
Patent Drop

Microsoft May Check Your Mental Health Using AI

Photo by Windows via Unsplash

Microsoft’s patent for a computerized wellness check walks a fine line between privacy and convenience.

2 min read
Inflation & Prices

Deflation Begins to Hit Durable Goods

Photo by Federal Reserve Board of Governors under Public Domain Mark 1.0

Slowing inflation usually means prices are rising, just not as fast as before. But now there is actual deflation.

2 min read
Patent Drop

Intel Goes After Responsible AI with Ethics Index Patent

Photo via Intel Corporation

Intel’s ethics index aims to call out when people are using AI for the wrong reasons.

3 min read
Media & Entertainment

Rock Band Kiss Plans to Join the Avatar Concert Trend

(Photo Credit: Nainoa Shizuru/Unsplash)

After 50 years of performing, world-renowned shock rock group Kiss just played its final show, but the members say the show will go on.

1 min read
Real Estate

HOA Fees Are Adding to the Housing Affordability Problem

Photo by Dillon Kydd via Unsplash

Prospective homebuyers face limited supply, historically high mortgage rates, plus increasingly high homeowners association fees.

2 min read

Advisor Upside

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

Trump’s Economic Toolbox Holds More Than Tariffs, Treasury Chief Pledges

Photo by The White House via Public Domain Mark 1.0

2 min read
Scary Movie ’25? Trump Threatens Tariffs on Foreign Films

Photo by Getty Images via Unsplash

2 min read
Skechers Takes $9 Billion Buyout as Shoe Stocks Skid

Photo by Harrison Keely via CC BY 4.0

2 min read

Sign Up for The Daily Upside to Unlock This Article

Sharp news & analysis on finance, economics, and investing.