__The return of (IRL) retail therapy…__ While you ditch front-porch packages for fitting rooms and food courts, online retailers are being left in the dust. In yesterday’s big selloff, shares of __[Shopify](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SHOP)__ sank [15%](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SHOP) after the popular ecomm platform saw sales slow for the fourth straight quarter. 

- __Ripped receipt:__ Shopify’s sales rose 22%, to $1.2B, but that was a fraction of its 110% gain from the same quarter last year.
- __Troublesome trifecta:__ Execs blamed inflation, labor shortages, and a return to IRL shopping for the slowdown — and said the rest of the year doesn’t look much better. 

__Caribbean cruise > cyber sales...__ In the past two years, nearly a fifth of every dollar [spent](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/article/us-ecommerce-sales/) in the US came from online orders. Yet with consumers returning to their 2019 spending habits — on concerts, vacays, and Sunday brunch — the boom in e-buying is losing momentum. US ecommerce sales have dropped 3X compared to 2020 levels. That’s showing up in the bottom line of some of the biggest pandemic winners:

- __Shares of Wayfair__ tumbled after the online furniture seller lost nearly 2M customers and $320M in sales last quarter.
- __Both [Etsy](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ETSY) and [eBay](https://robinhood.com/stocks/EBAY) lowered__ their sales forecasts for the year, and didn't say when (or if) they’d return to pandemic-era profits.
- __A week ago, [Amazon’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN) stock__ had its [worst](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/29/amazon-shares-sink-11percent-on-disappointing-guidance.html) day in over a decade after cooling sales led to its first quarterly loss since 2015.

Online retailers have a “pull forward” problem (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Click

__The Great Normalization is here...__ Ecommerce sites benefited from a huge pull-forward boost in demand during the pandemic, fueled by stimmy checks and boredom. As __[Visa’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/V)__ and __[Mastercard’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MA)__ earnings [showed](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1Ls3rUz4jDKI9WX1KLhQFI/articles/64w8VxOJwTvKaTng5OSrZC/), consumers are still opening their wallets — they just have new priorities. For platforms like Shopify, it means adjusting expectations for the *new* new normal of more balanced spending.

Ecommerce stocks are getting hammered as shoppers get back to spending like it’s 2019

__Come Shell or high water…__ Soaring energy prices: bad for consumers, great for oil companies. How great? Yesterday, London-based __[Shell](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SHEL)__ [reported](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/business/shell-earnings-record-profit.html) a record $9.1B quarterly profit — 3X last year’s — despite $4B+ in losses related to its leaving Russia. It’s something of a trend. 

- __Pumpin’ profits:__ In the most recent quarter, BP posted its highest profit in a decade, despite $26B in Russia losses. __[Exxon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/XOM)__ [said](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3471782-exxon-chevron-post-massive-q1-profits-amid-soaring-gas-prices/) it doubled profits from last year, and __[Chevron](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CVX)__ *quadrupled* its haul.
- __Buy, buy, buybacks:__ Buoyed by bumper profits, all four oil giants plan to boost share buybacks and raise dividends, two ways to return $$ to investors. 

__Big buybacks, big blowback…__ US and UK lawmakers have started calling for a “windfall tax” on energy giants, a one-time tax on their excess profits. The idea is to use the cash to help consumers with rising prices at the pump. Critics say the money would be better spent investing in renewable energy. 

- __Winds of change:__ Spain and Italy already [slapped](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/enel-sticks-guidance-q1-boosted-by-new-green-capacity-asset-sale-2022-05-04/) windfall taxes on some energy companies, but experts don’t expect the US or UK to follow suit.

Slick

__Windfalls come in many forms…__ Russia’s invasion of Ukraine gave oil giants a financial windfall in booming profits. It also gave them a *strategic* windfall: it illustrated how dependent the global economy still is on fossil fuels, whether we like it or not. Earlier this week, __[VW](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY)__ [said](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/04/volkswagen-to-prolong-coal-fired-power-as-russia-concerns-continue.html) it planned to keep using coal because of a proposed EU ban on Russian oil. Then Shell’s CEO told investors the war proves the need for big oil producers, despite the pressure to act on the climate crisis.

Shell — Europe’s biggest oil biz — posted a record $9B profit, yet whispers of a “windfall tax” are growing louder

Dow Jones

S&P 500

Nasdaq

Bitcoin

The jersey Diego Maradona wore when he scored the famous “Hand of God” goal sold for $9.28M — the highest price ever paid for sports memorabilia

🛒 Ecommerce wipeout

__History unwritten...__ Earlier this week, a leaked draft opinion [revealed](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473) that the Supreme Court appears ready to strike down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling that made abortion a constitutional right. Some companies, including __[Apple](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/tomlinson/article/Apple-Amazon-among-Texas-companies-that-promise-17144880.php)__ and __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__, are responding by proactively offering financial support for women who need access to reproductive healthcare. But [most](https://fortune.com/2022/05/03/supreme-court-roe-v-wade-draft-decision-response-from-major-companies/) companies have so far been silent. 

- __Fortune magazine [reached](https://fortune.com/2022/05/03/supreme-court-roe-v-wade-draft-decision-response-from-major-companies/)__ out to 30 of the biggest US companies for a reaction to the leak, but almost all gave “no comment.”
- __The Chamber of Commerce__ declined to comment, and the Business Roundtable (think: a group made up of 200+ top CEOs ) did “not have a [position](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/04/business/dealbook/us-businesses-roe-wade-abortion.html).”

__Social issues and corporate activism…__ are becoming increasingly intertwined, including over abortion. Last year __[Bumble](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BMBL)__, __[Yelp](https://robinhood.com/stocks/YELP)__, and others [helped](https://www.newsweek.com/these-companies-are-publicly-opposing-texas-abortion-law-1631226) form the "Don't Ban Equality" coalition following Texas' abortion law banning the procedure after six weeks. But other major recent social issues and movements have spurred companies to respond, too: 

- __After a police officer murdered__ George Floyd in 2020, dozens of leading companies [pledged](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2021/george-floyd-corporate-america-racial-justice/) a collective $50B to combat racism and increase diversity in their ranks. 
- __[Disney](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS)__ recently found itself [caught](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2022/04/28/will-disney-leave-florida/9571762002/?gnt-cfr=1) between its employees and Florida’s Republican governor over its stance on the state’s controversial laws for schools regarding LGBTQ rights. 

American boardrooms can’t hide from abortion politics (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

__Now abortion looks set to become a bigger boardroom issue…__ Should Roe be reversed when the court gives its decision next month, companies will face increasing pressure to take a stand on a highly polarizing topic (right before an election season), whether that means issuing public statements or making access to reproductive healthcare a standard corporate benefit. Whatever positions they take, the risk will be ostracizing customers, employees, or states where they do biz.

As abortion takes center stage at the Supreme Court, corporate America is (mostly) staying silent

__A pasta promise…__ European shoppers are getting help in the grocery aisle. Consumer price increases in Europe hit another record last month as Russia’s war on Ukraine dragged on, straining price-sensitive shoppers. So __Leclerc__, France’s largest supermarket chain, [plans](https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/coffee-ketchup-retailers-seek-price-104304896.html) to put popular products under a “price shield” to make them more affordable. UK markets also lowered prices of essentials, and others across the EU are considering cuts.

- __How the shield works:__ Leclerc will freeze prices of 120 top products through July. The desired result: predictable ketchup, coffee, and pasta prices.
- __A pricey plan:__ Leclerc may pay more to stock its shelves, since suppliers like __[Unilever](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UL)__ plan to keep hiking prices to offset rising costs (think: wheat and corn). But Lecelerc hopes the shield stops shoppers from fleeing to rival supermarkets.

__The shields haven’t made it across the pond…__ Instead, we get #shrinkflation. Food prices are spiking even more sharply in the US, but supermarkets haven’t done much to keep them in check. Instead, food *producers* have found ways to mask rising prices with [creative ’flation](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/jtHnqwq8xydDjbgiulBNB/articles/6u4NsfgUX9a28K4g5NZ4JS/): Frito Lay took a few chips from each bag of Doritos, __[Mondelez](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MDLZ)__ rebranded Oreos as “limited edition,” and __[Pepsi](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PEP)__ shrank its Gatorade bottles.

Aisle

__Price guarantees build customer loyalty…__ but they’re also expensive. US retailers like __[Walmart](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT)__, __[Best Buy](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BBY)__, and __[Target](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TGT)__ use price-match guarantees to keep shoppers coming back. Yet persistent inflation is making that harder, forcing __[McDonald’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MCD)__, KFC, and Burger King to downsize their dollar menus as their own costs rise. Even if Leclerc’s price shield keeps shoppers coming back for a while, it’ll be hard to keep up in the long run.

EU markets launch “price shields” to protect inflation-weary shoppers — while US buyers get shrinkflation

As abortion takes center stage at the Supreme Court, companies are (mostly) staying silent — for now.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, but a celebration of a key Mexican army victory during the Franco-Mexican War

🏛️ Corporate America and abortion

__15-inch AUX cord...__ 17-min ETA. America's #2 ride-hailer just rolled up with earnings. __[Lyft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LYFT)__ is known for its transportation focus (think: no food delivery) and cars with fuzzy pink mustaches (see: [this Prius](https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2014/02/19/sideswiped-by-lyft-city-surprised-by-launch.html)). We're checking in on its #s from a quarter of pricey gas, supercharged fares, and disappearing mask mandates:

- __Ride volumes__ reached a pandemic high as the rebound continued, helping revenue jump 44% from the year-ago quarter. Buuut…
- __Lyft stock plunged__ 27% in extended trading on word that active riders dropped by nearly 1M from the previous quarter, to 17.8M. Guidance was also uninspiring.

__Uber Black, Lyft Pink…__ not a K-pop girl band. Lyft's bigger rival reports today. Lyft says it’s "singularly driven" by its mission to improve lives with transportation (cars, bikes, etc.). Meanwhile, __[Uber’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UBER)__ driving into *everything*, from food to [ecomm deliveries](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-29/uber-wants-to-outdo-amazon-for-local-commerce-delivery). It’s no longer a ride-hail company.

- __Delivery__ (aka: Eats) made up about [half](https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2022/Uber-Announces-Results-for-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2021/) of Uber's gross bookings last quarter, as taco-delivery habits stuck despite restaurant reopenings.
- __Ride__ bookings surged 67%, including niche-er offerings like Uber for Business (employee rides) and [Uber Health](https://www.uberhealth.com/) (clinic rides).
- __Uber Freight,__ which connects semitruck drivers with high-volume loads (think: __[Heineken](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HEINY)__ kegs), more than tripled revenue, to over $1B.
- __Cabs?...__ In March, NYC [agreed](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5DjHBJsc7oUsCSdRVpJd6X/articles/2wf5WRtQbO2wr1viGVjnYC/) to list all its yellow cabs on the Uber app, which gives the company a massive new fleet.

Ride giants take diverging routes (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Taco

__The OG isn't always the growth key…__ Uber's core biz was ride hail. Now delivery is bringing in nearly half of sales, and freight is its fastest-growing biz. While Lyft is also enjoying the ride rebound, it doesn't have those diversified growth avenues. That could be why Uber's annual revenue is 5X as big as Lyft's. But they have this in common: Uber and Lyft lost hundreds of millions of dollars last year, and both stocks are down ~30% this year.

While Lyft stays focused on rides for growth, food and freight could shine in Uber’s earnings

__Two-minute bathroom break…__ TV commercials are back in style. This week, ad-supported streaming platform __Tubi__ [said](https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/03/tubi-reports-record-growth-expands-original-content-and-linear-channel-offerings/) it had doubled its active viewers since 2020, and planned to launch 100 original shows and movies this year. Meanwhile, __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__, the world’s most popular subscription streamer, is [struggling](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/articles/43M2Oild3MGMPYMecA8Q7K/) with its slowest growth in years.

- __The price is right:__ Unlike Netflix, which starts at $10/month, __[Fox](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FOX)__-owned Tubi is free with ads. It’s available on smart TVs and devices like __[Roku](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ROKU)__.
- __Quantity over quality:__ Tubi has the [largest](https://tubitv.com/) catalog of on-demand streaming content: 20K old movies and shows. Think: no Marvel flicks (those are on __[Disney+](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS)__) but both the 1943 *and* the 1966 versions of “Batman.”

__Streaming is changing FAST…__ Blame #subscripturation. As viewers get sick of paying $38/month to watch “Euphoria,” “Bridgerton,” “Severance,” and “Loki” on four different platforms, some cord-cutters are now becoming subscription-slashers: last quarter, Netflix [reported](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/articles/43M2Oild3MGMPYMecA8Q7K/) its first loss of subs since 2011. Meanwhile, free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) options are growing: 

- __Not just Tubi:__ Ad-powered streamers Freevee (owned by __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__), Pluto (owned by __[Paramount](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PARA)__), and the Roku Channel have 50M+ active viewers apiece. 
- __Ads = not just a fad:__ By the end of the year, ad-supported streaming is expected to have more viewers than subscription-based streaming.

Couch

__Ad streaming has something for everyone…__ Consumers love the price, advertisers love the targetability, and OG media companies like Fox love the back door into the streaming race. Subscripturation could drive viewers from pricey subscriptions to ad-filled alternatives. That may mean more competition for the Tubis of the world: Disney+ plans to launch an ad-supported tier this year and Netflix is considering doing the same.

Ad-supported streaming services like Tubi are booming as Netflix struggles with subscripturation

Over the past decade, electricity generated from coal in the US has fallen by ~60%

🚙 Lyft vs. Uber

__Stocking up on mini shampoos...__ one bottle = one squeeze. It's hospitality week, with __[Hilton](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HLT)__, __[Marriott](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MAR)__, __[Airbnb](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ABNB)__, __[Booking.com](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BKNG)__, and __[Royal Caribbean](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RCL)__ dropping earnings. First up: __[Expedia](https://robinhood.com/stocks/EXPE)__ [reported](https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001324424/5e839e73-0092-4181-826d-c4ec7e10d2d4.pdf) sales were up 81% from last year as bookings reached pandemic-era highs. Ahead of the rest, we're checking in on travel:

- __In the sky:__ TSA traveler [volume](https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput) is almost back to 2019 levels, as you reveal holes in your socks en route to Cabo. __[Delta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DAL)__ returned to profitability in March, while __[United](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UAL)__ and __[American](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAL)__ expect to hit green this quarter.
- __On the bed:__ Disappearing mandates, spring-break getaways, and inflated room prices are helping hotels. In March, US hotel profit per available room [reached](https://str.com/press-release/us-hotel-profitability-reached-28-month-high-march) its highest level since 2019.
- __On the card:__ __[Amex](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AXP)__ [saw](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/amex-profit-tops-estimates-strong-travel-entertainment-spending-2022-04-22/) travel spend more than double last quarter as you swiped for gate-side chardonnay, while __[Mastercard](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MA)__ [said](https://investor.mastercard.com/investor-news/investor-news-details/2022/Mastercard-Incorporated-First-Quarter-2022-Financial-Results-Available-on-Companys-Website/default.aspx) cross-border travel beat 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic.

__Flying coach to Stagecoach...__ Travel companies are considered "cyclical" because they tend to do well when the economy thrives (and vice versa). ICYMI: the economy isn't exactly crushing it. US GDP shrank last quarter, and global economic growth forecasts have been slashed. Still:

- __Travel-related companies have outperformed__ on earnings [compared](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2EW4oQE9seCwZjRIrLhrf1/articles/1HORCQvyyMiNd9v1c8dwpK/) to their cyclical peers (think: tech, banks, construction). 
- __Some travel stocks__ are beating the market. Delta, __[Southwest](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LUV)__, United, and Marriott shares are all up over 5% for the year, while the S&P 500 is down nearly 14%.

Packed week of travel earnings (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

Coach

__The vacay rebound doesn’t appear to have peaked yet…__ Unlike the booms experienced by tech and banks last year, travel companies have seen more of a slow-and-steady climb (peppered with Covid-related dips). So far, it looks as if it’s still going, and __[Visa](https://robinhood.com/stocks/V)__ said demand for summer bookings is “very high.” But inflated prices, war, and new Covid outbreaks could threaten the jet-set recovery.

From Delta to Expedia, travel companies are still on the rebound — but the economy isn’t feeling the vacay vibes

__Hold on to your sweatpants…__ Offices are becoming optional. Airbnb has [reversed](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-05-02/airbnb-abnb-remote-work-push-is-about-competing-for-talent) its plans to return to offices in September, telling workers they can WFH forever — without pay cuts. It’s a sharp reversal: Airbnb [laid off](https://news.airbnb.com/a-message-from-co-founder-and-ceo-brian-chesky/) a quarter of its workers during lockdowns as travel collapsed. But [*bleisure*](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/52DNG6pzoXTOUo6SaXM23L/articles/1j1zalFan4ou2Kn1t5pVV7/) (long trips that blend business and leisure) helped business rebound, and now Airbnb wants its 6K+ workers to join in:

- __Bay Area salary…__ but in Belize. Airbnb’s new policy lets workers live and work in 170+ countries for up to 90 days (after that, visas get complicated). The company plans to host quarterly in-person events for workers.

__Return-to-office roulette…__ Pajama-wearing workers have gotten so comfortable WFH that their employers are struggling to get them to return: half of companies [expect](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/18/50percent-of-companies-want-workers-back-in-office-5-days-a-week.html) workers back in the office five days a week, but 90%+ of WFH warriors [want](https://news.gallup.com/poll/355907/remote-work-persisting-trending-permanent.aspx) to stay remote. To keep them happy, companies have adopted several return-to-office strategies.

- __Full remote:__ Like Airbnb, __[Zillow](https://robinhood.com/stocks/Z)__ and __Reddit__ [let](https://www.theverge.com/23047593/airbnb-remote-work-no-pay-cuts-location-countries) employees work from anywhere without sacrificing their big-city salaries. 
- __Strings attached:__ Tech giants __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__, __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__, __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__, __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__, and __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT)__ [require](https://www.theverge.com/23047593/airbnb-remote-work-no-pay-cuts-location-countries) those who ditch cities to take cost-of-living pay cuts. 
- __Office-4-life:__ Meanwhile, __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__, __[Bank of America](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BAC)__, and __[Goldman Sachs](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GS)__ are asking (read: begging) their people to come back in.

Nomad

__Work-from-anywhere is the new kombucha on tap…__ a popular perk among workers *and* an important hiring strategy for flexible employers. The option to work from St. Barts for full pay could inspire an applicant to work for Airbnb instead of Apple — a big deal in today’s tight labor market. Airbnb’s CEO, Brian Chesky, said he expects other companies to go remote so that they don’t “limit their talent pool.”

Airbnb lets employees work from anywhere with no pay cut, as the tussle for talent escalates

From Delta to Expedia, vacay companies are still on the rebound despite economic headwinds

The sun makes up 99.8% of the solar system's mass

🏖️ Vacay earnings

__New season dropped...__ We're not talking “Ozark.” Investors have had eagle eyes this earnings season on how corporates are managing a unique economic hot mess (inflation, war, China's Covid crackdown). What we've learned so far:

- __High-growth sectors__ like tech, which thrived mid-rebound, have hit a wall as sales slow, and they’re tightening their belts to prep for more pain. Ditto other "cyclicals" (think: banks, construction), which typically do well when the economy thrives. 
- __"Non-cyclicals"__ — which tend to hold steady regardless of how the economy is doing (think: consumer staples, utilities) — outperformed.
- __In context:__ The World Bank [slashed](https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/speech/2022/04/18/spring-meetings-2022-media-roundtable-opening-remarks-by-world-bank-group-president-david-malpass?cid=ECR_TT_worldbank_EN_EXT) its forecast for global economic growth, US GDP shrank last quarter, and some analysts [warn](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/26/economy/inflation-recession-economy-deutsche-bank/index.html) a recession’s coming.

__Change is the only constant...__ A year ago, the "Big Tech 5" [demolished](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4yfojyZE9WLvdIySo7B6GF/articles/5HHwtkiQ6PZUclm1Kohn61/) earnings with jaw-dropping records. The economy was in full rebound mode and cyclicals were raking it in. Now:

- __Tech:__ __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__ had its slowest sales growth since the dot-com bust (the late ’90s), while __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__ posted its slowest growth since going public in 2012. __[Google’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ biz is also slowing, while __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__ expects to lose millions more subscribers. __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ was strong but said chip shortages would [keep](https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2022/04/28/apple-earnings-strong-quarter-supply-shortages-covid/9577932002/) slowing its growth. The outlier: __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT)__ [beat](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/26/microsoft-msft-earnings-q3-2022.html) across the board. 
- __Banks:__ From __[Citi](https://robinhood.com/stocks/C)__ to __[Chase](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JPM)__ to __[Goldman](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GS)__, America’s largest banks [reported](https://www.wsj.com/articles/bank-of-americas-quarterly-profit-falls-12-11650280110) double-digit earnings declines as trading and dealmaking slowed.

__Versus…__

- __Staples:__ __[Pepsi](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PEP)__, __[Kraft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KHC)__, and Oreo maker __[Mondelez](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MDLZ)__ saw strong growth. __[Coke's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KO)__ sales tripled from last year. __[Procter & Gamble](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PG)__ (Gillette, Tide, Charmin) notched its biggest sales gain in decades.
- __Oil:__ __[Chevron's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CVX)__ quarterly profit [quadrupled](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/29/chevron-cvx-earnings-q1-2022.html) thanks to higher energy prices, while Exxon's nearly [doubled](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/29/exxon-xom-earnings-q1-2022.html) despite a big hit from Russia.
- __Pharma:__ __[Merck](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MRK)__ and __[AstraZeneca](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AZN)__ beat expectations as demand [spiked](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/28/merck-mrk-earnings-q1-2022.html) for Covid treatments and other key drugs.

The pantry-staple defensive wall (George Frey/Getty Images)

D-Fence

__The market’s getting defensive…__ It used to be “growth at all costs” — now it’s “steady earnings and cut costs.” Amazon, Meta, and Netflix plan to slow investments and be more financially disciplined. Companies and investors are getting used to the “new not normal” environment: persistently high inflation and supply shocks. While the techy Nasdaq just had its worst month since 2008, the pile-on into defensive stocks could continue.

From Amazon to Coke, earnings season underscores a shift to defense as econ gloom grows

__Face-palm…__ Palm oil, which is in [half](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/26/business/palm-oil-indonesia-export-ban-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html) of your groceries, is about to get pricier. Indonesia, the world’s largest palm-oil producer, [banned](https://www.wsj.com/articles/indonesia-worlds-largest-palm-oil-producer-bans-exports-of-ubiquitous-commodity-11651083436) exports to keep prices in check for local consumers. That’s bad news for __[Hormel](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HRL)__, __[Colgate-Palmolive](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CL)__, and __[Yum! Brands](https://robinhood.com/stocks/YUM)__, who [use](https://www.ourendangeredworld.com/eco/brands-that-use-palm-oil/) palm oil in Skippy peanut butter, toothpaste, and even KFC chicken. Global food supplies were already [strained](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4JijOnsDJhfhUOYkjUiBGY/articles/e5pxDFjMCbFJBprP7R7Tq/) by Russia’s war on Ukraine and historic droughts. Now Indonesia’s ban could send record food prices *higher* — especially in poorer countries that depend on palm oil for cooking.

__Don’t forget to call Mom…__ Sunday’s Mother’s Day. For America’s 30M+ working moms, the past two years have been disproportionately hard. Mothers have been more [likely](https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/03/moms-work-and-the-pandemic.html) to work in service jobs heavily affected by pandemic closures, and they’ve been [3X](https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/09/28/mothers-are-3-times-more-likely-than-fathers-to-have-lost-jobs-in-pandemic) as likely as fathers to lose their jobs early on during lockdowns. Nearly [2M](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/pages/over-1-million-fewer-women-in-labor-force.aspx) women still haven’t returned to the labor force, and economists [aren’t](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-health-careers-075d3b0ab89baffc5e2b9a80e11dcf34) sure how many of them ever will. Those who do face a “[motherhood penalty](https://gap.hks.harvard.edu/getting-job-there-motherhood-penalty)” — a pay gap between moms and non-moms that can be wider than the pay gap between men and women. 


Zoom Out

Stories we’re watching...

__Big pharma’s vaccine ceiling…__ A year ago, the US was in the thick of the biggest vaccination campaign in history. Now, about two-thirds of the population is fully vaccinated, and Dr. Fauci says we’re “out of the pandemic phase.” __[Pfizer](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PFE)__ and __[Moderna](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MRNA)__, now household names, are looking for their next profit puppies. Pfizer, with a diverse drug portfolio and pipeline, is expecting a $22B boost this year from its Covid antiviral pill, while Moderna is trying to be the first to bring its vax to little kids. We’ll get a checkup on the vax makers’ next bets when both report this week.

__Grab a mint julep and your lucky hat…__ because the Kentucky Derby’s this weekend, and it’s gonna be *packed*. __[Churchill Downs](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CHDN)__, the $8B (valuation) casino biz that runs the iconic horse race, is entering its big weekend feeling lucky: last week it [reported](https://ir.churchilldownsincorporated.com/news-releases/news-release-details/churchill-downs-incorporated-reports-2022-first-quarter-results) record sales and profits for last quarter. Churchill grew its online gambling biz during the pandemic, when IRL betting was restricted. Now that gamblers are returning to the track, business is booming. Churchill expects to post record Derby revenue this weekend as possibly 3X as many fans attend compared with last year.

Events

Coming up this week...

- __[iConomy](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5iXUibAOQoANRr4JnCr1fN/articles/6ZkAZWVU7udnOwo6SwBJKs/):__ __[Apple’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ coming off one of its best quarters ever. While supply issues and growth slumps have hurt fellow tech stocks, the Fruit’s been resilient thanks to 5G upgrades and its connected ecosystem of tech and software. 
- __[Contour](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5gDfd4oVeIG4SmHI1Vv6Hk/articles/7uygAjOzxBmFflBYmeZsqh/):__ Viral D2C makeup brand __Oddity__ debuted a blockchain-based token that converts into company stock if/when it IPOs. Tokens could be a bridge between the new world of digital assets and OG markets.
- __[Thread](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1zpLKuQGHlxnAe3BYLQXii/articles/2igH2dzMBSwHyPrxwOz4J6/):__ Three weeks and $44B after Elon Musk started poking around __[Twitter](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TWTR)__, he’s on the verge of owning the world’s most influential platform. High priority: making the bird app a bastion of free speech.

ICYMI

Last week's highlights...

In the 1800s, ketchup was sold as a cure for indigestion

🛡️ Earnings get defensive

__Isaac Newton would be stumped…__ This __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ just doesn’t seem to fall. Yesterday the world’s most valuable company said sales [jumped](https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-aapl-q2-earnings-report-2022-11651115203?mod=hp_lead_pos2) more than expected last quarter — to $97B — despite ongoing supply issues, the war in Ukraine, and booming inflation. All told, it was Apple’s third-best quarter of *all time*. The details:

- __Booming sales:__ Sales of iPhones, Macs, and other hardware like AirPods all [rose](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/28/apple-aapl-earnings-q2-2022.html) more than expected. Sales grew fastest in the services division (think: App Store, iCloud). 
- __Soaring buybacks:__ Apple’s board authorized $90B in stock buybacks, even more than last year. Analysts typically see buybacks as a sign of confidence.

__The post-pandemic slump…__ still hasn’t hit Apple. Apple’s stock is still up more than double since the pandemic began, while fellow stay-at-home surgers Meta, __[Zoom](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ZM)__, __[Peloton](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PTON)__, and __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__ have fallen to pre-pandemic levels. But some analysts worried that China’s latest lockdowns would finally put a damper on Apple’s results: 

- __The cause for concern:__ China is critical to Apple’s business: an estimated 20% of iProducts are sold in China and 85% are built there. 
- __Saved by a flexible supply chain:__ Apple’s recent sales didn’t fall. Part of the reason: the Fruit shifted production resources between products to prevent shortages (basically: making more iPhones than iPads when they ran low). 

Can’t stop, won’t stop — selling iPhones (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Fruit

__Apple isn’t just a company…__ it’s an iConomy. Apple’s worth nearly $3T (or about 2% of the world’s GDP), making it an indicator for the entire global economy. The combo of steady iDemand and Apple’s flexible supply chain offers investors hope that consumers may keep spending despite soaring prices and other economic headwinds.

Apple had one of its best quarters ever, offering hope for the rest of the global economy

__Carvana’s car-vending machine…__ is running out of quarters as the lure of cash-burning used-car companies wears off. Yesterday, private-equity giant __[Apollo](https://robinhood.com/stocks/APO)__ reportedly agreed to buy $1.6B of __[Carvana’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CVNA)__ corporate debt (think: investors lend Carvana $$ through bonds, and then get paid with interest). Apollo’s coming to the rescue after Carvana struggled to raise money for an acquisition amid slowing demand for its refurbished cars sold online. 

- __Last quarter:__ Carvana posted its first sales [decline](https://www.wsj.com/articles/carvana-has-big-loss-on-first-sales-decline-11650490974?mod=business_minor_pos15) since going public in 2017 — and it’s expected to lose $800M this year. 
- __Slashing tires:__ In response to supply backlogs and labor shortages, Carvana hiked its car prices and trimmed back on inventory for online shoppers. 

__Your 2018 [Honda](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HMC) Civic…__ is worth more than you think. Used-car sales hit [record](https://www.kbb.com/car-news/despite-soaring-prices-americans-bought-record-number-of-used-cars-in-2021/#:~:text=Americans%20bought%20an%20unprecedented%2040.9,Book%20parent%20company%20Cox%20Automotive.) highs during the pandemic as supply shortages made new wheels hard to come by. Some models were even [selling](https://www.iseecars.com/used-cars-cost-more-than-new-study) for 20% more than their new editions. Carvana made it easy for shoppers to buy online and have their cars delivered, without hassling with a dealership. But as car shopping has become more like house hunting (see: low inventory, high prices), it’s hurting demand — and not just for Carvana: 

- __Rival [Vroom](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VRM) has lost 90%__ of its post-IPO [gains](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/3zyhoJMmhQdMulq2nhX3S/articles/2ZwTltHV7B5JI4zVAcLeoe/), while used-car OG __[CarMax](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KMX)__ says [shaky](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-12/carmax-says-used-car-sales-hit-by-waning-consumer-confidence) consumer confidence is keeping buyers away.

Skid

__The pandemic thriver model is broken…__ and private equity wants to be the glue to fix it. From __[Airbnb](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ABNB)__ to __[Carnival](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CCL)__, PE firms have thrown lifelines to numerous companies needing quick cash to combat pandemic-fueled losses. In turn, firms like Apollo guarantee dividends for investors and a big payout down the road. It’s worked before: Apollo's fund jumped 10% after __[Hertz](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HTZ)__ paid [back](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/apollo-credit-fund-notches-double-digit-gain-for-2021-on-hertz) part of a $1.5B loan less than a year after getting it. 

Carvana gets help from private equity as the used-car biz stalls out

Apple dodges supply headaches to post one of its best quarters ever

Last quarter Apple made an average of $13K every second of each business day

🍎 Apple’s still sellin’

__Oh, Zuck...__ Even legless metaverse [avatars](https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/12/facebook-takes-a-first-step-toward-making-the-metaverse-a-real-thing/) can't distract from this reality: __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__ [posted](https://www.wsj.com/articles/meta-platforms-facebook-fb-q1-earnings-report-2022-11651022191?mod=business_lead_pos3) its slowest quarterly revenue growth since going public as Facebook in 2012. In the *previous* quarter, Meta [reported](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/6As9U5PUBzvDKmuDeCPCxK/articles/2KGgx4q5eCK1xFQBgb2QMp/) a $1B profit hit and its first-ever dip in daily users (cue: __TikTok__ smirk). The latest: users actually ticked up last quarter, but financials… weren’t great.

- __Top line:__ Sales growth majorly slowed to 7%, from 20% in the previous quarter. Meta has blamed Apple’s iOS privacy update for sagging ad sales (ads = nearly all its revenue).
- __Bottom line:__ Profit fell for the second quarter in a row, down to $7.5B, from $9.5B a year earlier. Meta has spent $10B on its meta-ambitions, and it's eating into earnings.
- __Wall Street's line:__ “Could’ve been worse.” Meta stock popped 16% after it reported, as investors were surprised by better-than-expected profit. 
- __Plot line:__ As of yesterday’s close, Meta stock had lost nearly half its value this year. Compare that to the Nasdaq, which has lost one-fifth (also… not great).

__FAANG may be losing its teeth...__ Meta isn't the only Big Techie with slacking growth. Last week __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__ [tanked](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/articles/43M2Oild3MGMPYMecA8Q7K/) on news that it lost 200K subscribers last quarter — and expects to lose millions more. On Monday, __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ [reported](https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/26/23043402/google-alphabet-youtube-q1-2022-earnings) slowing sales growth and profits. Investors also ghosted __[Snap](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SNAP)__, which [disappointed](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/21/snap-earnings-q1-2022.html) on earnings as ads faced pressure.

All eyes on Big Tech (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

Fangs

__Revenue diversity is winning...__ Between Covid, inflation, and war, the economic situation is too fragile to rely on one $$ stream (think: Meta with ads). Even Netflix has [cracked](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/articles/43M2Oild3MGMPYMecA8Q7K/) the door open to ads, after years of renouncing them. Microsoft crushed earnings thanks to [strong demand](https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-msft-q3-earnings-report-2022-11650941899?mod=article_inline) not only for its software but also for its cloud and cybersecurity services (yep, it has a [$15B](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/26/microsoft-15-billion-security-unit-gives-investors-reason-for-hope.html) cyber biz). And even though Google ads slowed, [growth](https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/26/23043402/google-alphabet-youtube-q1-2022-earnings) in cloud, hardware, and services saved the day.

Meta’s sales grew at the slowest pace since its IPO, as Big Techies hit a wall

__Splurging on a new Tulum fit…__ or three. Credit-card companies are racking up profits as you go on a pre-summer swipe spree. Last quarter, __[Visa’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/V)__ sales [jumped](https://s1.q4cdn.com/050606653/files/doc_financials/2022/q2/Q2-2022-Earnings-Release-_FINAL.pdf) 25%, from a 2% decline a year ago. Now it [expects](https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/04/27/why-visa-and-mastercard-are-rising-today/) to top pre-pandemic levels this year. FYI: Visa makes up over half of the US payments market. 

- __Jett(spend)ing:__ Visa's cross-border volume — aka the number of transactions outside the US — made up [nearly](https://s1.q4cdn.com/050606653/files/doc_financials/2022/q2/Q2-2022-Earnings-Release-_FINAL.pdf) half of revenue as international biz and leisure travel picked up.
- __Visa’s CEO says pent-up__ demand for summer bookings is “very high” and cross-border travel spend, including Europe, is already above 2019 levels. 

__Dusting off the passport…__ As most pandemic-era restrictions have now been lifted, consumers are making up for lost time when it comes to travel. More than 80% of Americans [will](https://news.yahoo.com/americans-plan-to-travel-more-and-often-151304546-151902867.html) take at least one trip with family and friends this year, and at least half plan to spend more than before the pandemic. For tourists visiting the US, Visa execs say there’s “plenty of recovery” to come.

- __Big balances:__ Last quarter, rival __[Amex](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AXP)__ [saw](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/amex-profit-tops-estimates-strong-travel-entertainment-spending-2022-04-22/) a 121% rebound in entertainment and travel spend, while __[Capital One](https://robinhood.com/stocks/COF)__ got more [swipes](https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2022/04/26/capital-one-financial-cof-q1-2022-earnings-call-tr/) in its “heavy spender” category.
- __Swipe-off:__ __[Mastercard](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MA)__, which has a similar biz to Visa, is also expected to score a travel-related sales surge when it reports earnings today.

Plastic

__Consumer spending is in a U-turn…__ People aren’t spending less — they’re spending differently. Think: moving dollars from __[DoorDash](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DASH)__ and Netflix and into restaurants and delayed vacays. But it’s TBD how long the spree can last: concerns are [rising](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/26/us-bonds-treasury-yields-dip-as-economic-slowdown-fears-mount.html) that the global economy might be in for a significant slowdown that could hit consumers just as they’re venturing back into their pre-Covid routines.

Visa sales soar as consumers ignore inflation and keep swiping on summer travel

Meta’s sales grew at the slowest pace since its IPO, as Big Tech hits a wall

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same (symbolic) day: July 4, 1826

🧱 Big tech hits a wall

__Crypto primer...__ the moisturizing kind. __Oddity__ is the tech-focused parent company of [TikTok-approved](https://www.tiktok.com/@ilmakiage) makeup brand Il Makiage. Think: AR shade-matching and algorithmic foundation quizzes. Its employees are [mostly](https://news.yahoo.com/il-makiage-parent-company-oddity-050134136.html) data engineers with zero background in beauty. Now Oddity has become one of the first non-crypto companies to tie a blockchain-based security directly to its equity ownership. Let’s de-jargon that:

- __Oddity tokens:__ The viral D2C makeup company [launched](https://www.wsj.com/articles/beauty-company-oddity-to-offer-crypto-token-tied-to-ipo-11650934255?mod=markets_lead_pos6) a digital “security token” that runs on the ethereum blockchain. The tokens are digital contracts that can be tied to assets like stocks, commodities, and real estate. 
- __Investors could get:__ The token will convert into regular shares when/if Oddity goes public, at a 20% discount to the IPO price. But it *won’t* be tradeable until an IPO. 
- __Oddity gets:__ Fresh cash from “accredited investors,” not just VCs. Accredited = $200K+/year or $1M net worth.
- Oddity was valued at $1.5B after raising $130M in January, and is rumored to be prepping its public debut.

__Ethereal blush…__ on __[ethereum](https://robinhood.com/crypto/ETH)__ blockchain. Oddity’s token will be issued through an SEC-registered blockchain platform called Securitize, which has been developing the (still tiny) market for security tokens. Oddity says its token is a “[trailblazing](https://www.beautypackaging.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2022-04-26/oddity-launches-digital-token-and-aims-to-democratize-investing/)” financial innovation. It might be onto something:

- __Security tokens__ could unlock an opportunity for more people to invest pre-IPO, changing the way private companies fundraise.

Cateye goes crypto (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Contour

__Security tokens could also be a gateway…__ to wider crypto acceptance. Unlike the stock market, the “[Wild West](https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-will-police-cryptocurrencies-to-maximum-possible-extent-chair-gary-gensler-says-11628007567?mod=hp_lead_pos6)” of crypto is still largely unregulated. Security tokens could be a bridge between the new world of digital assets and the old world of traditional markets. They’re created and traded on digital platforms, like cryptocurrencies. But they’re offered as regulated assets, like stocks and bonds. That could help set a standard for crypto regulation.

Techy makeup company Oddity links a digital token to its IPO, tying crypto to regulated markets

__Zelle-ing into the void…__ America’s biggest money-transfer app (hint: not __Venmo__) is in the hot seat. When payment apps like __Zelle__, Venmo, and __Cash App__ [boomed](https://fortune.com/2020/05/20/venmo-paypal-cash-app-use-coronavirus-pandemic-mobile-payments/) during the pandemic — as people ditched germy ATMs — scammers paid attention: 18M people in the US [reportedly](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/business/payments-fraud-zelle-banks.html) got swindled on payment apps in 2020 alone. Now lawmakers are [accusing](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/business/zelle-fraud.html) Zelle of not taking responsibility in cases of fraud — just as the app considers expanding into retail payments. The details: 

- __What the Zelle:__ This week US senators [accused](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/business/zelle-fraud.html) __Early Warning Services__ (EWS), the company that owns Zelle, of leaving users exposed to scams. 
- __How the scams work:__ NYT [reported](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/business/payments-fraud-zelle-banks.html) that thieves accessed accounts by impersonating banks, and used Zelle to siphon cash. EWS reportedly doesn’t often reimburse customers because the customers *technically* do authorize the transfers. 

__Late to the payments party…__ but showing up with a bang. EWS is owned by __[Bank of America](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BAC)__, __[Capital One](https://robinhood.com/stocks/COF)__, __[Chase](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JPM)__, __PNC__, __[Truist](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TFC)__, __[US Bank](https://robinhood.com/stocks/USB)__, and __[Wells Fargo](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WFC)__. The banks launched Zelle in 2017 to compete with __[PayPal](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PYPL)__-owned Venmo and other fintech rivals. Zelle has grown quickly because — unlike Venmo — it doesn’t charge instant-transfer fees and is auto-included in many bank accounts.

- __Caught up:__ Last year Americans sent $490B with Zelle — and just $230B with runner-up Venmo.
- __Still growing:__ WSJ [reported](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-weigh-using-zelle-to-challenge-visa-mastercard-11649246400) earlier this month that some banks want Zelle to compete directly with __[Visa](https://robinhood.com/stocks/V)__ and __[Mastercard](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MA)__ by getting into point-of-sale payments.

__Moving money is making money…__ and banks don’t want to miss out. Ten fintech startups have scored $10B+ valuations in recent years by streamlining money movement for the digital era. But the big banks stayed competitive by joining forces to undercut payment apps like Venmo with fee-free Zelle. Now they may use that same fee-cutting strategy to take on credit-card giants — if Congress doesn’t punish them first over the fraud reports.

Zelle users say they’re being scammed — and Congress is taking notice just as the payment app looks to expand

Makeup company Oddity links a digital token to its IPO, tying crypto to regulated markets

TikTok was — once again — the world’s most downloaded app last quarter

💄 Makeup IPO, blockchain-style

__He really did it…__ Elon [bought](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/25/business/elon-musk-twitter) Twitter. Yesterday Twitter agreed to sell itself to Elon Musk for $44B after weeks of intrigue. A recap: three long weeks ago Elon outed himself as Twitter’s biggest shareholder and (briefly) joined its board. Then he tried to take over, prompting the board to use a [poison pill](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/6SU09oBawHBluL6GDg7VT8/) to try to stop him. It didn’t work…

- __Money talks:__ Elon’s offer was 38% higher than Twitter’s pre-Musk value. So once Elon got $13B from __[Morgan Stanley](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MS)__ and other banks, $12.5B from loans against __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__ stock, and put up the rest in cash, the board changed its tune. 
- __It’s a pricey purchase,__ even for the world’s richest guy. Elon’s $21B personal investment is one-fifth of his net worth.
- __The deal,__ unanimously approved by Twitter’s board, is expected to close this year, pending regulatory approval.

__The internet’s town square…__ is about to get Elon-ified. After loudly criticizing Twitter for suppressing free speech, he has hinted at making changes to the platform:

- __Fewer ads:__ Elon [wants](https://www.wsj.com/articles/twitter-and-elon-musk-strike-deal-for-takeover-11650912837) to reduce Twitter’s reliance on ads, which make up 90% of revenue, by prioritizing subscriptions. 
- __Less moderation:__ He wants to change current moderation policies to promote free speech, which could frustrate advertisers. 
- __Clearer algos:__ Elon plans to open-source Twitter’s algorithm to show users how posts reach their timelines and reduce bots.


The bird app’s going private (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Chirp

__The Technoking is a famously hands-on tycoon…__ He’s less interested in reputation and more interested in influence. Twitter doesn’t have __TikTok’s__ user base or __[The New York Times’](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NYT)__ cachet, but it has outsized influence because it's used by everyone from US presidents to Kim K. So while some billionaires pay for prestige (see: Jeff Bezos buying __The Washington Post__), Elon pays for primacy: he wants to be at the center of the issues that interest him. First it was accelerating the green transition with Tesla, then colonizing other planets with __SpaceX__, then “solving” traffic with __The Boring Company__ — and now “saving” free speech with Twitter.

Elon’s buying Twitter for $44B, and now the world’s richest man will own the world’s most influential platform

__Have a Coke and a smile…__ __[Coca-Cola](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KO)__ sales have taken off as more people sip on Gatorades and super-sized movie-theater Sprites. Coke’s [stock](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KO) hit an all-time high yesterday after smashing Wall Street's earnings expectations, posting growth in every category:

- __Soda-licious sales:__ Coke notched a 16% jump in revenue (up [3X](https://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-releases/coca-cola-reports-first-quarter-2021-results) since last year), thanks to strong demand for everything from tea to its signature soda line. 
- __Bubbling over:__ Blaming higher ingredient and packaging costs, Coke hiked prices by [nearly](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coca-cola-jacks-up-prices-on-shoppers-reports-big-quarter-115645732.html) 10% — but kept its upbeat annual forecast (translation: it expects consumers to keep paying).

__High-fructose frenzy…__ Between inflation, rising interest [rates](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2xWxnsCtcEtYcv012Yelqy/articles/5RKIqhn4ILH2LzzUNrtBTn/), and the war in Ukraine, investors have had a tough time finding stable profits in the market. But pantry powerhouses like Coke have weathered the recent volatility as consumers keep splurging on brands they can’t live without.

- __Pampers or bust:__ Last week Gillette and Tide parent __[P&G](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PG)__ [notched](https://www.wsj.com/articles/procter-gamble-posts-its-biggest-sales-gain-in-decades-11650452394) its biggest sales gain in decades, with its most expensive products seeing the highest demand.
- __Sugar high:__ Shares of Coke, __[Pepsi](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PEP)__, and Cheerios maker __[General Mills](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GIS)__ are all up about 20% in the past year, while the [S&P](https://www.google.com/search?q=s%26p+500+chart&rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS969US969&ei=XBlnYuz_EL-HptQPuYeWqA4&ved=0ahUKEwjsneHVmrD3AhW_g4kEHbmDBeUQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=s%26p+500+chart&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyDwgAELEDEIMBEEMQRhD6ATILCAAQsQMQgwEQkQIyCAgAELEDEJECMgUIABCRAjIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6DgguEIAEELEDEMcBENEDOggILhCxAxCDAToLCC4QgAQQxwEQowI6CAgAEIAEELEDOgUILhCABDoRCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQxwEQ0QM6BAgAEEM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6CQgAEEMQRhD6AUoECEEYAEoECEYYAFAAWP4LYPwOaABwAXgAgAF6iAHuB5IBBDExLjKYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz) has gained only 3% and the [Nasdaq](https://www.google.com/search?q=nasdaq+chart&rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS969US969&ei=ZxlnYomRJPvJptQP4LSguAM&ved=0ahUKEwjJ4JPbmrD3AhX7pIkEHWAaCDcQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=nasdaq+chart&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyEAgAELEDEIMBEJECEEYQ-gEyBQgAEJECMgUIABCRAjIFCAAQkQIyCwgAELEDEIMBEJECMgYIABAHEB4yBQgAEIAEMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeOggIABAHEAoQHjoECAAQDToLCAAQBxAeEEYQ-gFKBAhBGABKBAhGGABQAFjoBmDSB2gAcAF4AIABYogB5wOSAQE3mAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz) is down 8%.

__Consumer staples are the port in an economic storm…__ along with other [non-cyclical stocks](https://learn.robinhood.com/articles/6SSoCuDTYUitHFQrcPb8Yp/what-is-a-cyclical-stock/) — aka companies selling [essential](https://www.investopedia.com/investing/consumer-defensive-stocks/) goods and services (think: groceries, gas). When the economy is booming, non-cyclicals tend to be less popular than their high-growth cyclical peers (like: tech, travel, and cars). But when growth slows, investors gravitate toward necessity-driven non-cyclicals since sales and earnings tend to remain stable regardless of the broader economic conditions.

In this rough market, investors are turning to pantry powerhouses like Coca-Cola to find stability

Elon’s buying Twitter for $44B, and taking charge of the world’s most influential platform

Texas generates nearly double the wind power of any other US state

🐦 Elon’s new nest

__Stark contrast...__ While Americans fly to spring vacays (legally) unmasked, 26M people in Shanghai are under strict Covid lockdown, policed by [robot dogs](https://www.ft.com/content/5c437146-2d18-466b-84af-24a47b32de59) and drones. China's largest city has been on a monthlong freeze as the government enforces its zero-Covid policy. Last week Shanghai [reported](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/18/china/shanghai-reports-covid-deaths-mic-intl-hnk/index.html) three Covid deaths, the first official fatalities of an outbreak that’s infected about 400K people since March. Despite a near-zero death rate and [falling](https://www.wsj.com/articles/shanghai-to-continue-strict-covid-19-measures-despite-drop-in-cases-11650630510) cases…

- __China’s doubled down__ on the harshest measures since the pandemic began: it’s [sending](https://www.wsj.com/articles/shanghai-to-continue-strict-covid-19-measures-despite-drop-in-cases-11650630510) all Covid-positive patients in Shanghai to quarantine centers, regardless of symptoms. It’s also amping up mass testing and tracing. 
- __Some residents are running out__ of food and water as clogged ports and closed roads crush supplies. It's illegal to leave home to get groceries, and food-delivery drivers are overstretched. The food crisis has sparked [clashes](https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/04/21/shanghai-residents-push-back-against-covid-measures-culver-dnt-ebof-vpx.cnn) between residents and police.

__A city 3X the size of NYC...__ Shanghai accounts for a 10th of China's exports, but now the world's busiest port is at a virtual standstill. It’s hurting China: spending [fell](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61137195) last month and unemployment hit the highest level since early in the pandemic. It’s also rippling across the global economy, disrupting everything from corporate profits to the ETA of your Shein order:

- __Pricey shipping:__ The cost to export a container is 5X higher than pre-pandemic, and air freight rates have doubled. 
- __Deflated earnings:__ Nearly a fifth of S&P 500 companies get at least 5% of their business from China, and half of US companies in China have reduced their annual sales estimates. 
- __Crushed output:__ __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__, __[Volkswagen](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY)__, and iPhone-assembler __Pegatron__ are among the manufacturers that’ve had to shut down plants during the lockdown.

Traffic jam in Shanghai (Lu Hongjie/Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Waves

__It could be worse than 2020…__ at least economically. That’s because the world’s been relying *more* on Chinese products since the pandemic started. China’s shares of global exports surged to [15.4%](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/15/bernstein-chinas-2022-covid-lockdowns-inflation-risk-bigger-vs-2020.html) last year, the highest in a decade. Read: China’s lockdowns will likely have an even greater impact on inflation and global growth than they did the first time around.

As China tightens its “zero-Covid” lockdowns, the world’s economy could get rocked 2020-style

__Break out the breath mints…__ The great de-masking is here, and it’s confusing. Last week a federal judge tossed the mask mandate for transportation. Airlines like __[United](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UAL)__, __[American](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAL)__, and __[JetBlue](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JBLU)__ dropped their mask rules in response (some pilots did so [midflight](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/19/us/mask-mandate-flights.html)). __[Uber](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UBER)__ and __[Lyft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LYFT)__ followed suit. But the Biden admin is appealing the ruling. Travelers now face a maze of rules heading into the busy summer travel season: masks are optional on flights, but must be on for public transit (subways, buses, cabs) in cities like NY and LA. 

__Putting the “more” in mortgage...__ It’s a hard time to be a house hunter. In the past two years, inventory sank to a 20-year low just as home prices started hitting record highs. Now mortgage rates are above 5% — their highest level in a decade. Soaring rates are making it more expensive for buyers to borrow $$, if they’re lucky enough to win a bid. Though rising rates are already [starting](https://fortune.com/2022/04/04/redfin-red-hot-housing-market-shows-first-signs-cooling-mortgage-rates/) to cool demand, experts expect housing prices to stay high for a while. Some economists even [worry](https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/research/us-housing-risk) the US is at risk of another housing bubble.

__Growing, growing, gone...__ Big Tech may be in for a bumpy earnings week. Last week, Netflix [reported](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/articles/43M2Oild3MGMPYMecA8Q7K/) a subscriber loss for the first time in a decade, which wiped $50B from its market cap. It’s not the only techie stalling out: in February, __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__ [posted](https://www.vox.com/recode/2022/2/2/22915110/facebook-meta-user-growth-decline-first-time-metaverse-mark-zuckerberg-tiktok-competition-earnings) its first user drop *ever*. Other tech giants [face](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-big-tech-earnings-boom-is-over-and-investors-are-now-searching-for-safety-11643135288) a combo of labor, inflation, and regulatory issues. We’ll see if the pandemic profit party’s ending for __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT)__, __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__, __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__, and __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__ when they report this week, and whether Meta has reversed its last quarter’s user shrinkage.

__Treat-yo-self season...__ is still here. __[Visa](https://robinhood.com/stocks/V)__ and __[Mastercard](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MA)__ are seeing a spike in swipes as you splurge on new fits and dining out. Last quarter, [both](https://s25.q4cdn.com/479285134/files/doc_financials/2021/q4/4Q21-Mastercard-Earnings-Release.pdf) saw revenues jump 25%. Now higher credit costs (which rise with interest rates) could boost payments from card holders. Plus, this month Visa and Mastercard plan to raise swipe fees for merchants, which make up the bulk of their profits. But since those fee hikes are passed to customers, lawmakers are calling for them to be shelved. Still, the swipe fees could push profits close to records when they report this week.

- __[Bravo](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5dnTQ7q29VzDY0QQYtzv4g/):__ The maker of pricey __Steinway__ pianos [filed](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1897640/000119312522104954/d212165ds1.htm) to go public on the NYSE. The IP-ian-O comes as luxe spending booms, especially in China, where 30M kids study piano (compared to 10M in the *rest of the world*).
- __[Rev](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/36fBoHhcd4FMlxtriYB5p0/):__ Tesla’s delivering more cars than ever, even in the face of parts shortages that are holding back its OG competitors. While __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__ and __[Toyota](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TM)__ saw big sales declines, Tesla’s making record profits. But China’s zero-Covid policy could slow it down.
- __[Adflix](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/):__ Are you still watching? Apparently not. Netflix’s surprise subscriber loss is sending shockwaves through the streaming world. The Flix is planning an ad-supported tier and a crackdown on password sharing to juice growth.

As China tightens its “zero-Covid” grip, the world’s economy could get rocked 2020-style

Nearly 12B spam texts were sent last month in the US. That’s about 40 texts for every American