December 18, 2019
Would you pay $5,999 for a new desktop computer?
That’s the starting price for Apple’s newest desktop, the Mac Pro. A fully upgraded version goes for as much as $52,199.
Don’t worry though, the new Mac Pro isn’t for the casual web-browser, but instead for audio, video, and photography professionals looking to maximize power from an Apple Computer.
Here’s your weekly highlight.
Brokerage Downsizing: Morgan Stanley is cutting 1,500 jobs as part of a year-end efficiency push, according to Bloomberg. The layoffs amount to roughly 2 percent of the company’s total workforce. The decision comes just three weeks after the brokerage industry mega-merger between Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade.
Momentum to Continue in 2020?: JP Morgan says the stock market record-setting rally will continue into the new year, as the market begins rotation from momentum to value. The firm sees the S&P 500 rising 8 percent in 2020, with most of the gains expected to be realized before next year’s Presidential election.
Trade Deadline Looming: The U.S. is set to impose a 15 percent tariff on $156 billion worth of Chinese imports on Sunday. According to the South China Morning Post, a deal made before the deadline is unlikely but new tariffs are not expected.
California Wildfire Settlement Reached: Pacific Gas & Electric, also known as PG&E, has reached a $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims. PG&E was notably held responsible for the deadliest wildfire in California history. Shares of the company soared 18 percent on the news, likely on hopes the company will emerge from bankruptcy following the settlement.
Chipotle Drive-Through?: The Mexican fast-food chain has announced 60 restaurants will have a drive-thru lane by the end of the year. The company said a drive-thru will be featured in half of all new stores opened in 2020. Chipotle is expected to open 150 to 165 new stores in 2020.
Coca-Cola’s Sustainability Push: The world’s largest bottler is experimenting with how it can use any type of plastic in future bottle production, according to CEO James Quincey. Coca-Cola eventually hopes to utilize new technology to tackle the plastic pollution issue that plagues our oceans.
Skyrocketing Pork Prices: Due to recent severe inflation in China, the price of pork rose over 110 percent in November, according to CNBC. China is the world’s largest pork-consuming country, with recent prices affected by African Swine Fever. Pork prices in China also doubled in October.
Silicon Valley Ditching IPOs: Amid several high tech IPO flops in 2019, direct listings on the public market are becoming a more appealing option for soon-to-be publicly traded companies. GitLab, a developer of code-sharing software, has announced it will take the direct listing route in 2020. Airbnb is also considering a direct listing in 2020.
The Great Allocation Question: If you’ve finally come to realize your portfolio can fare much better with alternatives in it, then first, congratulations, and second, now you must decide how much you want to allocate. What factors should you consider? Check out How Much to Allocate Towards Alternative Investments in Real Estate to get the scoop.
Children Cost How Much?: Life is expensive. Add children into the mix and the cost of living grows exponentially. But not to worry, by making some simple adjustments in your daily life, you and your family can live frugally and focus on what really matters– time spent with each other! See what we’re talking about in Five Quick Steps to Frugal Family Living.
Not Today, Inflation: Your dollar is not going as far as it once did. So how do you combat inflation? Learn more on the matter here: How Hard Assets Like Real Estate Help Protect Against Inflation.
