Saturday, June 19, 2021

BREW WITH HEADLINES


Daily Brew

TOGETHER WITH

Ally



Good morning. It’s a weekend packed with celebrations—today is Juneteenth, the first time it’s been commemorated as a federal holiday after the government passed a historic bill this week. 

And tomorrow is Father’s Day, which is reminding us of all the beautiful children in the Brew family. And by children we mean newsletters other than this one, of course. If any of these topics interest you, be sure to sign up for insights and laughs: Emerging Tech, Retail, Marketing, and Sidekick, our newsletter that’ll give you recs on smarter living.

MARKETS


Nasdaq

14,030.38

S&P

4,166.45

Dow

33,290.08

Bitcoin

$35,470.21

10-Year

1.438%

Russell 2K

2,237.75

*Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 5:00pm ET. Here's what these numbers mean.

Markets: The Dow closed out its worst week since October and the small-cap Russell 2000 had its worst week since January. Investors are fretting about the Fed’s announcement that it’s set to hike interest rates by 2023, but in fact it may be even earlier than that—St. Louis Fed President Jim Bullard told CNBC that the central bank could start raising rates in 2022 to combat higher-than-expected inflation. 

Giphy

Your dreams of trying an authentic Montreal bagel are still limited to allowing a New York City one to get stale. Yesterday, Canada extended restrictions on nonessential travel across the US border until July 22.

Those restrictions have been in place since March 2020, when countries across the globe shut down international travel to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Many are, in a word, frustrated

The US’ and Canada’s economies are more intertwined than CatDog.

And while goods can be shuttled between the two countries, the tourism and services industries on both sides of the border are feeling the pinch. Lawmakers and businesses in both the US and Canada have lashed out at the Canadian government for what they say is putting politics over science.

  • “The complete lockdown we’ve experienced is not consistent with science and it’s very, very bad for our economy,” said US Rep. Chris Jacobs of New York.
  • "We need to open the border for fully vaccinated travelers immediately," Harley Finkelstein, the president of Canadian ecommerce giant Shopify, tweeted.

About those vaccinations...to keep the virus at bay, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the border would stay mostly closed until 75% of the population has received the first dose and 20% have been fully vaccinated. As of yesterday, 65% had received a first dose and nearly 17% had been fully vaxxed, per the Covid-19 Tracker Canada project.

Big picture: Canadian and American businesses that rely on cross-border traffic are getting FOMO as other countries open up to international travelers. Yesterday, the European Council recommended that EU countries gradually lift restrictions on non-essential travel from 14 countries, including the US.

        

ENVIRONMENT

The West Is July 5-Level Thirsty

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, NV - MAY 12:  A sign warning boaters...

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

88% of the American West is currently experiencing a drought, and the US’ largest reservoir, Lake Mead, is at its lowest level since it was filled in the 1930s. With a record-breaking heat wave sizzling its way across the West this week, officials will almost certainly declare the first-ever water shortage for the Colorado River, which feeds Lake Mead.

The shortage will affect much more than Californians’ shower times. No “good” in this list but here’s...

The bad: agriculture. Rising water prices and dwindling government subsidies means farmers are letting fields of almonds (one of California’s most lucrative crops), tomatoes, and other produce go fallow

The ugly: fishing. 17 million salmon are being chauffeured from drying rivers to the ocean, possibly costing more than $800,000 but saving 23,000 industry jobs.

The also-bad-and-ugly: power. Grids are already struggling to keep the A/C running, and capacity at hydroelectric power facilities is plummeting. At Lake Mead’s Hoover Dam, it’s down 25%.

Looking ahead...fire season could start earlier and last longer than usual because of this drought.

        

SHIPPING

Yantian Port to Suez Canal: Hold My Bottleneck

In 2021, even Santa isn’t immune to supply chain fiascos. Severe backlogs at Chinese ports are threatening disruptions in electronics, appliances, furniture, and toys just as the retail industry prepares for its peak holiday shipping season in August.

The backstory: The worst of the shipping bottleneck is at Yantian, the largest port in China and the one that exports >90% of the world’s electronics. Last month, a spike in Covid cases led to a total lockdown in Guangdong, the southern Chinese province where Yantian and other busy ports are located, for about a week. 

Cases have since dropped and the port is back to operating at about 70% capacity, but it’s too late. ~160,000 containers are still waiting to be shipped, and experts say the delays caused by this backlog are worse than when the Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal.

Zoom out: Analysts have noted that stop-and-start supply chains are one of the main factors driving inflation to its highest levels in years—and as long as Covid-19 is around, disruptions seem to be the new normal.

        

SPONSORED BY ALLY

Your All-Access Pass to Investing

Ally

Let’s not beat around the bull, bear, or bush about this: Investing hasn’t always been accessible to everyone. 

But things are changing. In fact, 3x as many Black investors as white investors (15% vs. 5%) reported investing in the stock market for the first time in 2020. 

Ally is creating actionable solutions to bridge the gap and empower investors of any type, race, or background. Through education and expert insights, Ally strives to make investing accessible and digestible to all.

One such solution is their commitment to offering free digital conferences to investors.

Their next one, Becoming a Better Investor, will stream on YouTube Live, June 23 from 10am to 3pm. You’ll hear from industry pros and Ally thought leaders like Lule Demmissie as they break down investing hot topics and how-tos so you can build wealth with confidence.

Get your free all-access pass right here.

GRAB BAG

Key Performance Indicators

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JUNE 15: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates af...

Bernadett Szabo - Pool/Getty Images

Stat: Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer star and noted sugary drink critic, became the first person to reach 300 million followers on Instagram. Trailing him are The Rock (246m), Ariana Grande (244m), and, if you scroll down the list long enough, you can find his soccer rival Lionel Messi (218m).

Quote: “I’m prepared to cringe.” 

Jordan Muse, head of account leadership at The Martin Agency, told Marketing Brew that brands should tread lightly with their marketing efforts around Juneteenth to avoid the “rainbow-washing” that has become synonymous with Pride-related corporate initiatives.

Listen: Economist Betsey Stevenson discusses the “take this job and shove it” economy. (The Ezra Klein Show)

        

PERSONAL FINANCE

Money Matters: Retirement Saving Comes in Two Flavors

In this new Summer 2021 segment, the Brew’s personal finance writer Ryan Lasker is nose-diving into our inbox to address your personal finance questions. Submit your money woes here.

I have recently been hired for my first full-time position. The company is offering a 401(k) plan, but I also have a separate Roth IRA. Which one should I prioritize maxing out first?—Calla from Hawaii

Congrats on the new gig. I’m going to use you as a shining example that it’s never too early to save for retirement.

To answer your question, those sweet, sweet tax benefits of 401(k) and IRA retirement plans come in two flavors: traditional and Roth.

  • Traditional plans let you contribute a portion of your paycheck before income taxes, but you’ll pay them on withdrawals in retirement. 
  • Roth plan contributions are taxed now, not later.

Your first priority should be to take advantage of your employer’s traditional 401(k) match. If your budget allows you to contribute more than that, or your employer doesn’t offer a match, answer this: Do you expect your tax bracket in retirement to be higher or lower than it is now?

If yes, prioritize the Roth. But if you think you’ll retire with a similar lifestyle to your current one, focus on the 401(k).

If you’re unsure of your retirement plans (fair) use this rule of thumb: Prioritize Roth if you’re early in your career, and traditional options if you’re mid- to late-career. In the end, as long as you’re contributing to a retirement plan, you’re doing the right thing.

        

WHAT ELSE IS BREWING

  • ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, said in an internal memo that revenue increased 111% to $34.3 billion in 2020, and its gross profit rose 93% to $19 billion. Jeez.
  • Chinese officials are drawing up plans to not only lift all family planning caps, but also to actively encourage childbirth, per the WSJ.
  • The newest version of Boeing’s 737 Max jet completed its first test flight yesterday.
  • A diamond found in Botswana clocked in at 1,098 carats, making it the world’s third-largest diamond and the biggest one discovered since 2015. 

BREW'S BETS

Our favorite number is 26,259% as of June 16. Why? It’s how much we’d be up if we had invested in Netflix when The Motley Fool first recommended it. But with their new list of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49,” that number is possibly once again within reach. Get the list for free here.*

Ready to get eyeballs-deep in summery beach bliss? Polarized goodr sunglasses won’t slip or bounce—no matter how wild of a time you’re having. Protect your peepers with goodr’s all-new Tropical Opticals starting at $25.*

A Waffle House into a Waffle Home: As punishment for losing his fantasy football league, one journalist was forced to spend 24 hours in a Waffle House, but for every waffle he ate he could subtract one hour off the clock. He documented it all.

Weekend Conversation Starters:

*This is sponsored advertising content

GAMES

Brew Puzzle: Triple Lindy

Crossword

Brew Puzzle Master Mary Tobler threw a Real Housewife of NJ in today’s puzzle, so you know it’s going to be good.

Play the puzzle here.



June 19
Aung San Suu Kyi
FEATURED BIOGRAPHY

Aung San Suu Kyi

READ MORE
 
Julius Rosenberg; Ethel Rosenberg
FEATURED EVENT
1953
Rosenbergs executed for espionage

READ MORE
 

 

  SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY

ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY
1566
James I
king of England and Scotland
1861
José Rizal
Filipino political leader and author
1978
Dirk Nowitzki
German basketball player
1947
Salman Rushdie
British writer
1945
Aung San Suu Kyi
Myanmar politician and opposition leader
1951
Ayman al-Zawahiri
Egyptian militant

MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY
LeBron James
2016: The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by star LeBron James, defeated the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling game seven to claim the franchise's first NBA title. [ See where LeBron James ranks on our list of the 10 greatest basketball players of all time.]
James Gandolfini
2013: American actor James Gandolfini, who was best known for his portrayal of Mafia boss and family man Tony Soprano in the HBO drama series The Sopranos (1999–2007), died of a heart attack while vacationing in Rome. [Take our quiz about actors and acting.]
Valentina Tereshkova
1963: Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to travel in space, returned to Earth in the spacecraft Vostok 6. [ Test your knowledge of famous astronauts and cosmonauts.]
Kuwait
1961: Great Britain recognized Kuwait's independence. [ Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about the Middle East.]
Battle of the Philippine Sea
1944: During World War II the Japanese Combined Fleet and the U.S. Fifth Fleet engaged in a major air-and-sea battle, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, which ended the next day with a U.S. victory. [Sort fact from fiction in our World War II quiz.]
1934: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was organized in the United States.
SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY

SATURDAY 6.19.2021

 

 

 

Trusted by over 520,000 readers, The Bearded Patriot is

Group of GOP Representatives Call on Biden to Take Cognitive Test

The McCloskeys Plead Guilty To Minor Misdemeanors In Conclusion Protest Case

Despite Legal Chastening, Biden Seeks To Revive Campus Kangaroo Sex Courts

Scott Walker Makes the Case for Free Speech

SATURDAY 6.19.2021
BREAKING NEWS

 

 

 

 7,000 Affidavits Sent to Mich. Legislature as Audit Advances

St. Louis Gun-Waving McCloskeys Plead Guilty to Misdemeanors

SPECIAL: NEW 8-Pound Solar Generator is HERE

Hasty Holiday Forces Delay of CDC ‘Emergency’ Vax Meeting

Juneteenth the Latest Chapter in Annals of Black Exploitation


Columnists
The Left-Wing Media Is Getting a Front Row Seat on the 'Suck It' Tour

Matt Vespa


Victoria's Secret 2.0 Is Going Down the Tubes

Kurt Schlichter


Don Lemon Thinks He Knows Better Than You When It Comes to Teaching Your Kids

Brad Slager


Rock Stars Cherish Their Financial Partnership With Castro Regime

Humberto Fontova


A Decision to Celebrate!

Kathryn Lopez


Juneteenth: The Activist Class Is Never Satisfied

Erich Prince


President Biden's Lose-Lose Strategy

Michael Reagan


Democrats’ Hollywood Hail Mary for an Election Takeover

Tim Chapman


H.R.3 Creates A False Choice Between Drug Supply and Price

Foday Turay



Tipsheet
Peter Navarro Lobs a Serious Allegation About Anthony Fauci Over Hydroxychloroquine

Matt Vespa


Wisconsin Rep. Introduces Bill to Ban Critical Race Theory in Washington, D.C. Schools

Landon Mion


President Joe Biden, Other Catholic Democrats Respond to Latest Move from Bishops on Communion

Rebecca Downs


GOP Lawmakers Demand Biden be Tested for Competency

Landon Mion


Death Row Inmate Released Following Newfound Evidence, Leading to Lesser Charges

Landon Mion


It's Once Again Time to Review the Constitutional Role of Advice and Consent

Rebecca Downs


Trump Endorses Murkowski Primary Challenger Kelly Tshibaka

Rebecca Downs


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Waiving Covid-19 Vaccine Patents is a Bad Idea and Sets a Dangerous Precedent

Peter Pitts


Crackdown on Social Media Censorship Exposes Conservative Fault Line

May Davis


Wisconsin Lawmakers Halt Medicaid Expansion

Christina Herrin


Why I’m Running to Wreck the Left and Restore America First

Matt Richards



Where is the Action on Deciding What to Do About the Beijing Olympics?

Rebecca Downs


Bishops Advance Document That Could Bar Biden from Receiving Communion

Rebecca Downs


America's Largest Union Under Threat of Staff Strike Over 'Anti-Union' Tactics

Spencer Brown


Political Cartoons
Bearing Arms
Hearing Protection Act Reintroduced | John Petrolino

Missouri's Devastating Response To DOJ Attack On 2A Preservation Act | Cam Edwards

Is There A New Split Emerging At SCOTUS? | Cam Edwards

Marjorie Taylor Greene Moves to Dismantle ATF | Tom Knighton

Abbott Says Family Of Austin Shooting Victim "Adamant" About Protecting 2A Rights | Cam Edwards

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 June 18, 2021

Border Patrol Captures 33 Illegal Aliens in a U-Haul in Over 100 Degree Temperature
Texas Border Patrol agents busted yet another human smuggling operation, this time involving 33 illegal immigrants packed inside a 100-degree U-Haul van with zero ventilation. ... Read More ›
[Act Fast] Free Multitool For First 384 To Open!
We are in need of beta testers to provide feedback on this newest project before it hits the market. Interested in becoming a tester? Receive yours FREE - Only a few spots left, act now!... Read More ›
EXPLOSIVE DEVELOPMENT: Another Election Worker Caught Double-Counting Ballots
Ralph Jones was the person who sent home all of the election observers. Then his crew, including Ruby and daughter Shaye, went to work on election night! ... Read More ›
Michigan Passes Legislation To Add Voter ID Requirements: ‘Overwhelmingly Popular’
Michigan’s Republican-led Senate on June 16 passed several bills that, if signed into law, would implement more voter identification requirements for in-person voters and absentee voters, adding Michigan to a growing list of states pursuing more stringent... Read More ›
White House Says It's Considering Talks Between Biden & China's Xi
Coming off the Biden-Putin summit this week, the White House says it's mulling bilateral talks between the US President and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a statement by National Security... Read More ›
O*th Keep*rs Leaders Speak Out on Government Persecution — VIDEO INTERVIEW
NOTE: The tech giants are censoring the words “[emailprotected]k**pers” so we changed the headline. The tyrants on the left will not allow the truth to be reported on this persecuted... Read More ›
What's the Closest Natural Nuclear Bunker to Your Home?
There are a lot of natural nuclear shelters in the US that are absolutely free. And one of them is near your home…... Read More ›

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