China Realizes Mao’s Dream, Leads Global South
"how China became the leader of the global south" will be a macro theme receiving tons of ink in coming years. Incidentally, this was always Mao's dream
Warner Bros. Gains 78% Stock Surge After Hollywood Merger Battle
Hollywood's mega-merger battle ends with Warner Bros. as the real winner with a 78% stock bump since September - https://t.co/Ue55w8GTQk
Skills, Not Headcount, Drive HR Success in 2026
Podcast: Why Skills, Not Head Count, Matter Most to HR in 2026 @Conferenceboard https://t.co/C4eDvTLbom #HCM #HRM #HumanResources #HRTech #CHRO #CPO #Hiring #Recruitment #PeopleManagement #Culture #Change #FutureofHR #HRCurator
Special Committee Rejects Buyout, Stock Stays Flat
Special committee decision is in on $INMD. All bids were deemed inadequate, so the buyout thesis is off the table, at least for now. The stock has basically never moved from pre-announcement levels. The market was highly efficient on this one.
Meetings without Decisions Drain Energy; Leaders Must Intervene
When nothing happens, it is the greatest drain on human energy. Are these familiar to you? 1. You spend hours in a meeting and nothing happens. No decision. No clarity. No outcome. 2. You traveled across the world and never got to the...
Founders Juggle Bugs, Growth, Support, and Newsletters
Founder life: fixing a bug while thinking about distribution while answering support while writing the newsletter
Eurozone Inflation Dovish, yet France‑Spain Surprises Challenge Doves
EZ inflation still looks dovish to us for February, but upside surprises in France and Spain this morning doing doves no favours; the "in a good place" mantra to stay. Let's see what Germany's state CPIs throw at us in...
Remote Workers Earn Higher Wages, Driven by Occupation and Education
Workers who work from home earn on average higher wages than workers who do not. An important part of this premium reflects occupational and educational differences since higher-paying occupations and better-educated workers more likely to WFH https://t.co/YjX9VR1OiG
Glencore Expands Cusco Copper Hub with Quechua Acquisition
Glencore buys Quechua in Peru to strengthen its Cusco copper hub around Antapaccay and Coroccohuayco. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/02/glencore-acquires-quechua-copper.html
Upgrade with AI: Combine Architecture, Don't Fear Obsolescence
Every time I hear “Stop learning to code. AI will do it,” I worry. That is dangerous advice. Andrew Ng nailed it. When something becomes easier, more people should do it, not fewer. When coding moved from punch cards to keyboards, demand exploded. When...
One Email per Breach May Miss Second Dump
Updated breaches are a bit messy when it comes to sending domain notifications. We only send ONE email per breach to domain subscribers, so you may get an alert for dump 1 but not for dump 2. It's probably worth...
AI-Curated List of Funded AI Firms Hiring Now
Jobs on X. So many people got laid off today, so I asked my AI to find everyone hiring here on X in the AI industry to try to help. And show me who has gotten funding (since they tend to...
China's True Trade Surplus Far Larger Than Reported
China's surplus is understated after 2022, as China adjusted its BoP methodology to shade its reported surplus down -- and given China's size, its surplus is massive v the global economy (even more true using customs trade) 1/2
Analysts Often Overlook State Merger Review Powers
Even people who write about mergers for a living, have a way of forgetting about the states and their merger review powers https://t.co/txf7WOgAjH
Sarandos Missed Industry‑changing Deal, Netflix Still Ahead
I’d say yes overall, but arguments can be made to the opposite as well. In #TedSarandos case for instance, truth is that #Netflix didn’t need WB, it’s already miles ahead of everyone else even without WB. And he walks away with...
Avoid Startups Whose Founders Aren't AI Wartime
there’s actually a whole raft of tech companies where if the founders are not AI wartime you should abandon ship real fast
HK Inflation Near Target, Currency Board Proves Effective
Hong Kong’s inflation rate comes in at 1.1%/yr in January, JUST A TAD below its de facto 2%/yr inflation target. Hong Kong’s Dollar-Based Currency Board is WORKING LIKE A CHARM. https://t.co/7NNKGjeDXe
Paramount‑Warner Deal Overlooks Federal Antitrust Scrutiny
Feel like the some of the reporting on Paramount-Warner Bros has kinda forgotten this little thing called federal and state antitrust review
Fix the Root, Not Just the Symptom
You can fix symptoms, but if you ignore the root cause, it returns. In business and life, we chase quick fixes because they feel like progress. But fast isn’t finished if you repeat it next week. A Band-Aid on a deep wound...
Strategic Lithium Reserve Needed to Stabilize Supply
I’ve submitted formal comments into the docket. My core message: supply diversification alone is not enough. If we want durable investment in allied lithium production and processing, we must address price volatility. Lithium’s boom-bust cycles have repeatedly delayed capital formation and midstream...
US ITC to Study Impact of Stripping China’s Trade Status
Reuters: The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Thursday it would investigate the economic impact of revoking China’s permanent normal trade status over a six-year period, a move that would likely increase tariffs on Chinese imports. https://t.co/T0xSqrLDgN
Weaker Dollar Raises Import Costs, Boosts Export Appeal
"When the dollar falls in value... it takes more of our dollars to buy stuff from abroad." That’s the basic math of a weaker currency: imports cost more, and so do the everyday items with imported parts. The upside is...
Korea Faces Speculative Bubbles Approximately Every Five Years
It seems like Korea goes through these speculative bubbles every five years or so https://t.co/jCSmYlbkaj
Param
As Paramount Skydance Grabs Warner Bros. and Netflix Bows Out, the Mood Inside All Three: Champagne Toasts vs. ‘Gut Punch’ https://t.co/7WOc11cdK3
Block Cuts Workforce, Shares Surge 26% Post‑layoffs
Block lays off nearly half the company. Stock jumps as much as 26% after hours… and still isn’t back to the January 2026 highs. $XYZ
Cheaper AI Call Tools Could Replace $10k Gong Subscription
Hive mind: i'm thinking of replacing a mid 5-figure @gong_io subscription (Thousands of dollars per AE per year) with a $19 / month TL;DV or FirefliesIO. our core use case is call recording, AI summaries and CRM integration. Has...
Small Teams Offer Growing Long-Term Advantages
the advantages of keeping a team - and company - small will continue to grow
Investment Hinges on Capital Cost, Not Cash Windfalls
The tariff refund issue is fun to follow. But it doesn't matter much for the macroeconomy. Business investment determined more by cost of capital than cash availability. Keynesian multiplier very low on one-time transfers to businesses. And debt impact large...
FnGuide's Index Business Undervalued Amid Explosive AUM
With its index business now >50% of revenues, FnGuide is becoming a KOSPI market proxy on steroids. But I think the index AUM rising from KRW 14 trillion to 50 at 40%+ incremental margins is still underrated. I'm getting to...
Schiff Demands Independent Review of Paramount Merger
Sen. Adam Schiff: “What was true for Netflix is still true now for Paramount. The merger of two of Hollywood's biggest studios must be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny, free from White House political influence, to determine...
Three AI Leadership Moves to Safeguard Teams
Layoffs, hiring freezes, and AI agents everywhere - your teams are anxious. Learn three practical AI leadership moves you can make now to protect people, elevate skills, and deliver outcomes. #AI #CIO https://t.co/O0K0QkTUyt
Nvidia Secures Limited H200 Chip License for China
Nvidia said it secured a license to ship a small number of its less advanced H200 chips to customers in China, inching forward in its bid to return to the world’s largest semiconductor market Small number? https://t.co/qcOey50mOL
Samsung Ditches iPhone Air Rival, Focuses on New Fold
Samsung isn’t committed to releasing another iPhone Air rival - acknowledging subpar sales - or TriFold, its mobile COO tells us. He also says the Privacy Display was supposed to launch a year ago, a revamped stylus is coming and...
Netflix Skips Pricey Bid, Shares Jump 8%
Bottom line: Netflix walked away from an expensive bidding war that wasn't prudent and in doing so, it conveniently leaves one competitor saddled with debt and two competitors burdened by a very long, distracting regulatory approval process — Investors agree. $NFLX...
Fed Sets Reserve Levels; SOFR‑IORB Gap Signals Bank Comfort
No, it tells you there are still very large quantities of reserves in the system as a result of QE. Banks collectively are obliged to hold all the reserves issued by the Fed. The quantity of reserves in the system...
Founders Should Partner With DStrachman – Highly Recommended
Shoutout to @DStrachman, I just really really appreciate her. Also every founder should try to work with her. :) https://t.co/IoNNQu40Tn
AI Threatens Entry-Level Experience, Creating Future Talent Debt
AI isn't just changing senior roles - it's quietly erasing the "learn by doing" years. If we hollow out entry-level jobs now, we'll face a talent debt later. #AI #Hiring #CIO #CHRO https://t.co/W7YbwP6jrL
Fed Seeks to Block DOJ Subpoenas in Secret Probe
The DOJ probe of the Federal Reserve is playing out behind closed doors The Fed, in sealed proceedings, is asking a judge to quash the subpoenas, which could reduce or eliminate its obligation to respond via @cryanbarber @sgurman https://t.co/HvnC5W8ImQ
Google's TPU Rental to Meta Fuels AI Chip Rivalry
Macro: AI compute demand surges. Google rents TPUs to Meta in a multibillion deal, sharpening TPU vs NVIDIA rivalry; AMD also supplies Meta. Risk: Google manufacturing limits. Trade: Buy GOOG. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Get Answers on Paramount‑WBD Deal Impact
Tomorrow’s IN THE ROOM will have answers to all your questions about what the Paramount-WBD tie up means for CNN, CBS, Bari Weiss, etc… Sign up here: https://t.co/aUkyssMv7F
Data Centers Must Fund Infrastructure, Not Expect Tax Breaks
It used to be that municipalities would give tax breaks for factories (jobs), but now the data center developers need to come with bags of money for infrastructure and the tax base.
Democrats Could Block Paramount Merger, Says California AG
Uh, Democrats can stop the Paramount merger. State attorneys general have jurisdiction. California AG Rob Bonta said he’s watching it closely.
My December Take on the Netflix‑Warner Bros. Deal
Here’s what I wrote back in December, the day after the Netflix deal with WBD was announced: https://t.co/aiNBd98ACC
Netflix's M&A Bloodbath Exposes Shareholder, Talent, Political Crises
Hostile M&A is always bloodsport, but I can't remember an acquirer coming out of a process this bloody. Netflix has a shareholder problem (which doesn't understand why it wanted to buy a legacy studio), a Hollywood talent problem (which doesn't...
Sarandos' White House Meeting Ends Warner Bros. Bid
BURNING QUESTION: What did Ted Sarandos learn in his White House meetings today that ended his bid for Warner Bros? @thewrap
Paramount's Full-Asset Bid Keeps WBD Movies and Cable United
So Netflix ending its WBD bid means WBD's movie business and cable channels should stay together. Paramount has sought the whole package even as WBD planned to spin off its cable assets. Lots of sports media angles now with...
From Lender to Fintech: Tapping $13T Mortgage Market
Big quarter for figure: - 50% marketplace → they've become a fintech platform, not a lender - 19% first lien → they've entered a market 32x larger than their original one (HELOCs are $400 billion Market. 1st lien mortgages are $13...
Prioritize Contribution Margin Above All Other Metrics
99.7% to target on CM this month. Great growth teams are committed to a hierarchy of metrics. Every month is going to involve different trade offs to reach your goal. But great forecasting and execution requires being clear on the...
Netflix's Bold Exit Strengthens Long-Term Value
Kudos to management for being willing to walk away. There will be plenty of opportunities over time to keep improving the customer value proposition and the long-term value of the business. This was the right decision by Netflix.
Ellisons Aim to Merge Paramount, Warner as Netflix Backs Out
Confirmed: Netflix pulls offer for Warner Bros Discovery's streaming & studio assets The Ellisons look to roll up Paramount and Warner into a Hollywood behemoth Justice Department antitrust regulators have yet to weigh in... but Trump has warming ties to Ellisons