__[Airbnb](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ABNB) on wheels…__ When your weekend getaway *is* the red Mustang. __Turo__, which bills itself as the world’s largest car-sharing platform, has [filed](https://www.wsj.com/articles/turo-files-for-ipo-11641861832) to go public. Unlike __[Avis](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CAR)__-owned __Zipcar__ and competitors that *own* shared cars, Turo lets private car owners rent out their Porsches and pickups — and then takes a cut from both owners and renters. 

- __The #s:__ Turo has 85K hosts, 160K cars, and 1.3M monthly users in the US, UK, and Canada. It plans to allocate 5% of its shares to owners and renters.
- __Turo-charged:__ Its revenue tripled in the first three quarters of last year from 2020 — but it still hasn’t turned a profit.

__Car ownership = soo last century…__ according to Turo, at least. US households spend, on average, $11K on getting around, mostly with personal cars. But it’s twice as pricey to *own* a midsize car as it is to *rent* one. As auto prices soared on pandemic supply shortages, most younger drivers say they’d prefer *not* to own. Cue: booming interest in car sharing. 

- __Millennial marketing:__ In October, Turo teamed up with rapper 2 Chainz for a promotion to win over younger drivers.
- __Traditional automakers__ are [launching](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5FNosAv8NvHNCzrNb49Ii6/articles/1yqb3lrhGUbJa7JDStTRvD/) subscriptions for commitment-phobic drivers: __[Volvo](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VLVLY)__, __[Nissan](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NSANY)__, __[Porsche](https://robinhood.com/stocks/POAHY)__, and __[Volkswagen](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY)__ all offer short-term car subscriptions.

Whips

__Mobility companies are counting on a revolution…__ Turo’s betting on a “new world of mobility,” which it’s estimating has a total addressable market of $230B — almost 200X as large as the car-sharing industry’s projected annual revenue. __[Uber](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UBER)__, __[Lyft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LYFT)__, and __Getaround__ also have plans to build a future on shared mobility. Think: scooters, rentals, and ride-hail. But Turo’s vision will become reality only if car-sharing overtakes car-owning — a big if. US car ownership has risen in the past decade, with consumers spending 70X more *buying* cars in 2021 than *sharing* ’em. 

Car-sharing star Turo files for an IPO, with plans to accelerate a $230B mobility revolution

__Pairs perfectly with a buttery chardonnay...__ cheddar-jalapeño Goldfish? The classic field-trip snack is getting an adult twist: __[Campbell Soup's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CPB)__ Pepperidge Farms [released](https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/10/business/goldfish-snacks-adults/index.html?utm_source=optzlynewmarketribbon) a line of supersized Goldfish “Mega Bites” in sharp cheddar and jalapeño flavors. Goldfish [said](https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/goldfish-mega-bites-crackers-adults) it's the first snack it’s created for grown-up tastes.

- __Millennial-friendly:__ Campbell is tapping into nostalgia and pandemic comfort cravings by giving its 60-year-old crackers an adult makeover.
- __It's even suggesting "adult beverage"__ pairings for the smiling fish and their 20+ flavors. See: Goldfish vanilla-cupcake grahams + espresso martini.
- __Why:__ Nearly half of all Goldfish buyers *don't* have kids. In 2020, Campbell's snack sales jumped 5% (impressive for a 153-year-old company) thanks partly to Goldfish.

__*The snack that smiles back...*__ If you hear the ’90s jingle in your head, Campbell is succeeding. The soup legend [thrived](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7oqsnC8zl2TBCc1NByeQF1/articles/3CS1ynDs6oVhxFPNtQOv9I/) early in the pandemic as homebound Americans stocked up on its pantry staples, like Snyder's pretzels, SpaghettiOs, and... Campbell’s soup. There was a Goldfish shortage in April 2020, and millennials even started buying canned soup — "a trend that many believed was not possible," Campbell's CEO said. 

- __As we returned to restaurants__ and stopped hoarding tomato bisque, Campbell’s sales fell 4% last quarter from 2020. But sales of snacks like Goldfish and Milano cookies kept [growing](https://s27.q4cdn.com/108522393/files/doc_financials/2022/q1/Q1-FY2022-Earnings-Press-Release-Final_v2.pdf). 
- __Campbell is trying to keep up the momentum__ with millennial-targeted treats. Think: cauliflower-rice soups and hot-sauce-flavored Goldfish. 

But where are the cheddar-jalapeño Goldfish? [Ragnar Schmuck via Getty Images]

Ziploc

__Let the customer choose your market(ing)...__ In the ’60s, Goldfish were marketed as bar snacks (Julia Child paired ’em with martinis). In the ’90s, Goldfish began marketing to kids by adding smiles to the fish faces. Goldfish chose kids as a target market, but adults chose Goldfish. Now that grown-ups are driving snack growth, Goldfish is pivoting to become “a beloved brand for adults.”

Campbell launches adult-targeted Goldfish as millennials revive its snack sales

Turo’s mobility revolution, millennial-friendly Goldfish, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

Dow Jones

S&P 500

Nasdaq

Bitcoin

US greenhouse-gas emissions rose 6% last year, after falling 10% in 2020, as coal consumption and truck traffic picked back up

🚘 Turo’s mobility revolution

__Grand Theft FarmVille...__ Instead of rolling in a sleek [Zentorno](https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Zentorno), you're cruising on a goat. __[Take-Two Interactive](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TTWO)__ [agreed](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/10/take-two-interactive-to-buy-farmville-creator-zynga-for-12point7-billion.html) to buy mobile-gaming icon __[Zynga](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ZNGA)__ for $12.7B. Zynga makes hit apps like FarmVille, Words With Friends, and CSR Racing. Take-Two is known for computer and console franchises like GTA and NBA 2K — but has started snapping up smartphone games.

- __Take-Two said it would buy Zynga's shares__ for a 64% premium to their Friday price. Zynga shares soared 41% yesterday. Take-Two investors were less thrilled: The stock slumped 15%.
- __One of the gaming industry's largest acquisitions *ever*:__ The Zynga deal, expected to close by June, shows that Take-Two is serious about mobile.

__Billions in the palm...__ Wild stat: Consumers now [spend more](https://www.wsj.com/articles/videogame-maker-take-two-interactive-to-buy-zynga-in-12-7-billion-deal-11641818298) on mobile games than on console and PC games *combined*. Zynga makes $$ through its in-game buying biz (tokens, etc.), plus its smaller ad biz (accidentally clicked mid-game). The pandemic supercharged scrolly-tappy gaming: In the first quarter of 2021, users spent a record $1.7B *per week* in mobile games. Also: Children’s screen time [soared](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/health/covid-kids-tech-use.html) during the pandemic, and parents and researchers are [worried](https://www.bbk.ac.uk/news/gaming-addiction-is-on-the-rise-in-adolescents-due-to-covid-19-pandemic) about kids developing gaming addictions.

- __Zynga shares have plunged__ since August, when it saw audiences drop as pandemic restrictions eased (instead of WWF, you played IRL Scrabble). But last quarter, Zynga notched record third-quarter bookings and narrowed losses, while ad sales nearly *doubled*. 
- __Mobile is booming:__ Take-Two said it expected mobile to make up more than half its bookings in the next fiscal year, up 5X.

GTA: Farm Edition [Moment via Getty Images]

Farm

__Mobile can “maxim-eyes”...__ Maximize users while minimizing costs. We’re spending more time (and money) on our phones. Mobile now accounts for over half of the $180B gaming industry, and is the fastest-growing segment. While social-media games like FarmVille can [cost](https://imaginovation.net/blog/mobile-game-app-development-cost/) less than $250K to make, GTA 5 cost *[$265M](https://www.ibtimes.com/gta-5-costs-265-million-develop-market-making-it-most-expensive-video-game-ever-produced-report)* to develop and market (and took three years to create).

GTA maker Take-Two says it’s buying Zynga for $12.7B, as pandemic mobile gaming booms

__Upping the ante…__ NY [legalized](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/08/mobile-sports-betting-goes-live-in-new-york.html) mobile sports betting this weekend, just in time for yesterday’s college-football championship and next week’s NFL playoffs. Before, New Yorkers had to enter New Jersey to bet on sports. Now they can gamble from their couches. Last year US gamblers spent $40B betting on sports — *double* from 2020. 

- Betting apps from __[DraftKings](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DKNG)__, __FanDuel__, __[Caesars](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CZR)__, and __[Rush Street](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RSI)__ started taking NY bets on Saturday. Five other companies are waiting for approval.
- NY officials expect to generate $480M in gambling tax revenue this year, with most proceeds going to education and tax relief.

__What happens in Vegas…__ hasn’t stayed in Vegas. Since the federal sports-betting ban was lifted in 2018, 30 states and DC have legalized live sports betting, but only 18 have legalized *mobile* betting. NY is the largest state yet to go mobile, but NJ has the highest gambling revenue of any state, snagging one-fifth of the US’s gambling bucks.  

- __Atlantic City = cheaper hotels:__ Gamblers in NJ, the second state after Nevada to legalize gambling, have wagered 63X more than NY gamblers on sports betting. 
- __Analysts expect NY’s betting biz will surpass NJ’s__ in 2024. Ohio, Maryland, and Nebraska plan to launch sports betting soon.

Jackpot

__The house always wins…__ but it doesn’t necessarily win big. As gambling is legalized more widely, betting companies’ revenue is expected to 5X by 2026. But new markets don’t guarantee bigger profits: NY’s 51% tax on gambling revenue — 4X as high as NJ’s — will eat into apps’ profits as they grow. Shares of DraftKings and __PointsBet__ have fallen more than 60% over the past year as the companies splurged to compete for customers.

As mobile sports betting goes live in New York, gambling companies might not be feeling so lucky

Grand Theft FarmVille, NY’s legal sports bet, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

More than 1 in 10 first-time home buyers sold crypto last quarter to fund down payments 

🐐 Grand Theft FarmVille

__Pre (and post) NYE test...__ Frequent Covid tests are becoming a necessity, from travel and family gatherings, to entering offices and schools. The US is logging *record* infections as Omicron surges and makes up [95%](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/05/politics/covid-19-testing-sites/index.html) of cases. It’s nearly 4X as [contagious](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-evades-immunity-better-than-delta-danish-study-finds-2022-01-03/) as Delta among the vaxxed, but has been [milder](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/briefing/omicron-risk-milder-pandemic.html) with [fewer](https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20220105/hospitalization-omicron-delta) hospitalizations. Last month, a daily record of [2.3M](https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/full-list-covid-19-tests-per-day?country=IND~IDN~ZAF~KOR~GBR~NZL~USA) Covid tests were performed in the US — *not* counting at-home swabs.

- __US officials stress the importance of self-testing,__ but kits are in [short supply](https://time.com/6132183/2022-covid-19-testing-plan/).To ease the crunch, the Biden admin said it [would](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/21/biden-to-announce-half-a-million-free-home-covid-tests-to-fight-omicron) send 500M free at-home tests to Americans (that’s less than two/person). 
- The ordering website is [expected](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-administration-finalizing-purchase-covid-tests-be-distributed-free-2022-01-04/) to launch this month. Meanwhile, the president [told](https://mashable.com/article/biden-tells-americans-to-google-coronavirus-test) people desperate for tests to "__[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ it."

__*Testing is a pricey habit...*__ especially for people with lower incomes. Free testing is [available](http://hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html) to everyone in the US through 20K government sites (or 1 per ~17K people). But with hours-long lines at free sites, many are [turning](https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-families-shell-out-for-covid-19-tests-as-officials-race-to-offer-more-11641499169?mod=hp_lead_pos2) to lab tests, which can cost $200+, or $25 home kits. Some of the corporations benefiting: 

- __Retailers:__ __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR)__ and __[Walmart](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT)__ have hiked prices on at-home tests (from $14 for a two-pack to $24). Meanwhile, __[Walgreens](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WBA)__ raised its forecast after notching $3.6B in quarterly profit, as shoppers rushed in for at-home and on-site swabs.
- __Test makers:__ Rapid tests can cost a [few dollars](https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/95748) to make, but companies like __[Abbott](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ABT)__ and __[Quidel](https://robinhood.com/stocks/QDEL)__ have seen stunning sales. Abbott [tripled](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2021/04/20/abbott-profits-triple-as-covid-19-test-sales-hit-drugstore-shelves/) quarterly profits last year after its BinaxNow Covid self-test kit became a top seller. 
- __Lab companies,__ which process PCR tests: __[Labcorp’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LH)__ profit surged by 40%, to [$4.2B](https://ir.labcorp.com/static-files/d763d970-d7d4-4adf-bec0-bbbac32befc7), in the first nine months of 2021. When the testing boom started, in late 2020, Quest Diagnostic’s quarterly profit [doubled](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1022079/000102207920000180/dgx093020208-kex991.htm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosvitals&stream=top) while Abbotts’ *[tripled](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/920148/000092014820000055/form8-kerex991forq32020.htm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosvitals&stream=top)*.  

Swab

__Testing is out of reach for many…__ while demand is soaring. Covid testing in the US [isn’t](https://www.propublica.org/article/heres-why-rapid-covid-tests-are-so-expensive-and-hard-to-find) easy or affordable when compared to testing in many developed countries. Across Europe, home kits cost [much less](https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/95748) and are widely available. UK residents can request seven free rapid tests at a time. Even Biden [said](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/05/politics/covid-19-testing-sites/index.html) he's "frustrated.” But some help is coming, like: [additional testing](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/05/politics/covid-19-testing-sites/index.html) sites in six states. Starting mid-January, those with private insurance can file reimbursement claims for home tests — but 150M+ Americans who *aren’t* privately insured *won’t* be eligible. 

While Americans bear the burden of pricey Covid tests, pharma and retailers are raking in billions

__Fed-y to rumble...__ The Fed [may](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/business/economy/federal-reserve-minutes-interest-rates.html) end its stimulus early and hike interest rates by *March* to cool spiking prices. Refresher: Higher interest rates discourage borrowing/spending. Last week, the tech-y Nasdaq sank 5%, with __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__ down 11% and __[Twitter](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TWTR)__ down 7%. Longer term, analysts say markets could slump 10 months *after* a rate hike. Plus, mortgage rates are at two-year highs, and inflation’s at a *39-year* high. Relief is coming: Biden’s giving out $4.5B to help cover rising winter heating costs, while working to salvage his $1.7T social and climate spending bill.

__Digi-Yuan vs. Dollar...__ Last week China [launched](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/china-launches-digital-currency-app-to-expand-usage.html) a wallet app to expand use of its state-run digital currency (#DigiYuan) ahead of a national rollout. And WeChat owner __[Tencent](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TCEHY)__, which has 1B+ users, said it’s joining ecomm giant __[JD.com](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JD)__ in supporting the currency. China is positioning the digi-yuan for international use, starting with next month’s Beijing Olympics — and it’s pressuring companies like __[McDonald’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MCD)__ and __[Visa](https://robinhood.com/stocks/V)__ to accept it. As US and Chinese financial markets continue decoupling, digi-yuan could threaten the USD’s global dominance while the US debates its *own* digital dollar.

Zoom Out

Stories we’re watching...

__Vanilla hemp smoothies and THC-lagers...__ Weed stocks got a pandemic boost as millions toked up at home. Last year, US pot sales hit a record $24B as canna-connoisseurs in nearly half of states stocked up on *legal* bud. Weed giant __[Tilray](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TLRY)__, which reports earnings today, saw sales surge 43% last quarter on demand for its core pot biz, plus international growth through its __Aphria__ merger. Now it’s investing “beyond the leaf” (think: buzzy brews, CBD oatmeal) to spark mainstream growth. Still, Tilray’s losses are piling up, and the stock fell 30% last month as investors grow impatient for federal legalization. 

__Racking up reward points…__ __[Chase](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JPM)__, __[Wells Fargo](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WFC)__, and __[Citi](https://robinhood.com/stocks/C)__ kick off bank earnings this week, as pandemic stimulus measures dry up. Last year, bank giants had record quarters on booming IPO activity and consumer spending — thanks to #stimulus, billions in expected loan defaults *never happened*. Bank stocks have boomed to ring in the new year as expected rate hikes could boost their balance sheets (think: more credit-card interest). But Omicron may take a toll on loan activity, which has just begun to [rebound](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/business/bank-earnings-preview.html) as consumers turn to credit to pay off bills and shopping orders. Nonetheless, analysts expect loan growth to continue this year. 

Mood post CBD oat latte [Westend61 via Getty Images]

Events

Coming up this week...

- __[Blood](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7nJDYIh8RKeeUP9ZdU0AKT/articles/1e3vHxn61NdzCDt5NAYf4d/):__ Last week disgraced __Theranos__ founder Elizabeth Holmes was convicted of defrauding investors, a rare fate for a tech exec. But despite Holmes’ Icarus moment, funding for US biotech startups has nearly tripled since 2015.

- __[Chilled](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2XehCVTxDb5NgRyVEbAnGo/articles/4RyNtuwkvl2APvQizTRg8l/):__ Walmart plans to expand its “InHome” service — which delivers perishables like guac directly to *your refrigerator* — to 30M customers this year. The online grocery-delivery market’s predicted to hit $93B in 2022.

- __[Giga](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4JaJC0FkdGD5qt6zW5UWxa/articles/6g5fbLZOViIV6i968tWbF8/):__ __[Tesla’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__ stock jumped 13% last Monday after the EV-maker said it delivered nearly 1M cars in 2021. But as rivals __[VW](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY)__, __[Ford](https://robinhood.com/stocks/F)__, __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__, and __[Lucid](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LCID)__ double down on EVs, Tesla may need to build more Giga-factories to maintain its lead.

ICYMI

Last week's highlights....

Covid-testing $$$, “beyond the leaf” cannabis, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

Last year scammers took home a record $14B worth of cryptocurrency, partly thanks to the rise of decentralized-finance (DeFi) platforms 

🧪 Covid-testing $$$

__We-turn of the king…__ __[WeWork](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WE)__ founder Adam Neumann stepped down as CEO in 2019 after being accused of unethical practices like pregnancy discrimination, excessive drug use, and misuse of company cash (see: [private-jet parties](https://www.inputmag.com/tech/weworks-adam-neumann-got-so-high-on-his-private-jet-that-crew-put-on-oxygen-masks)). But he didn’t walk away empty-handed: __[Softbank](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SFTBY)__ reportedly paid Neumann $1.7B to ditch his coworking empire. Now he’s [reportedly](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wework-co-founder-adam-neumann-is-becoming-an-apartment-mogul-11641292207) returning to the real-estate game:

- __Neumann, WeLoaded:__ He’s invested *$1B* in 4K+ apartments, [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wework-co-founder-adam-neumann-is-becoming-an-apartment-mogul-11641292207) reports. He’s said to be building a company to shake up the rental biz (no concrete deets yet).
- __Neumann’s new digs__ focus on Southern cities like Miami, Atlanta, and Nashville, where real estate has boomed as workers flock to warmer, cheaper, and tax-friendlier locales.

__Kicked out of their companies…__ *and into the news cycle*. Neumann isn’t the only disgraced founder who’s been very visible lately. Elizabeth Holmes, founder of blood-testing biz __Theranos__, has been dominating headlines during her criminal trial — and was just found guilty of fraud. Meanwhile, __[Uber](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UBER)__ founder Travis Kalanick, who was ousted on allegations of fostering workplace harassment, has made headlines for his new ventures. 

We-quel

__Founder drive doesn’t bruise as easily as reputations…__ Determined founders can rebound even after their reputations take huge hits, especially if they’ve got enough cash. It’s TBD whether Neumann will raise money from investors for his rental venture — but he may not *need* to, thanks to his personal stash. Kalanick had no trouble raising $1.3B for his ghost-kitchen biz __CloudKitchens__, which just hit a $15B valuation. And while Holmes was barred from taking an exec role at a public company for a decade, we could be reading about her next startup down the line.

Fallen WeWork founder Adam Neumann attempts a billion-dollar return to real estate

__Sold out: Rachel Ray cooking set…__ __[Bed Bath & Beyond](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BBBY)__ was a draw during the holidays as shoppers wrapped up Ring doorbells and weighted blankets. Despite that, BBB’s sales fell 28% last quarter, and its loss *quadrupled* to $280M as it tackled supply and labor bottlenecks. BBB closed 170 stores, and even temporarily axed its iconic discount catalog (tragic).

__Chateau wedding < Maldives honeymoon…__ BBB is famous for fitted dorm sheets, but it’s *also* a wedding-gift destination. For years BBB dominated the registry biz, as guests splurged on crystal wine glasses and Dysons. To make up for Covid postponements, a record 2M+ couples plan to get married in the US this year. But the timing couldn’t be worse for BBB: 

- __30%:__ The share of gifts registered to BBB — the lowest in six years. In 2017 it was #1 with 44% of US listings. 
- __New #1:__ __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__ is now the go-to for wedding registries, accounting for nearly *half*. __[Target](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TGT)__ also entered the top three as couples opt for cheaper, broader retailers. 
- __BTW:__ A quarter of millennials [expect](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-millennials-are-changing-marriage-divorce-weddings-prenups-2019-5#more-millennials-arent-marrying-at-all-4) to *never* tie the knot, while others are choosing smaller (or no) wedding venues to fund lavish honeymoons. 

When no one bought you the self-driving vacuum [ArtMarie/E+ via Getty Images]

Ring

__Life milestones create sales momentum…__ but *so do routines*. BBB is no longer #1 for your big day, but it’s making strides in other areas of your life. Its BuyBuyBaby franchise saw double-digit growth last quarter as parents stocked on onesies and strollers. Meanwhile, the $29/year Beyond+ loyalty program added nearly 500K members, suggesting shoppers are turning to BBB for more routine purchases — from shampoo to face towels. Beyond’s partnership with grocery chain __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR)__ also suggests it’s trying to cash in on routines.

Bed Bath & Beyond disappoints on earnings — and weddings — but banks on routine

We-turn of the founder, Bed Bath’s wedding bust, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

“Don’t Look Up” broke Netflix’s record for weekly viewership — last week the star-studded flick logged 152M viewing hours

🪃 We-turn of the founder

__Oat milk restocked while you’re at yoga…__ __[Walmart](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT)__ is doubling [down](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/05/walmart-expands-its-direct-to-fridge-inhome-delivery-service-to-30-million-homes.html) on its “InHome” delivery option, which lets shoppers hire deliverers to drop perishables directly into their refrigerators while they’re out. Camera-wearing associates will even trek back for returns (wrong brand of almond butter). Walmart first launched direct-to-fridge in 2019, and has 6M customers in cities like Atlanta and DC. Last year it [unveiled](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7GPJDGYTkGVNvG6o7o8RoZ/articles/5xkciKW5DGRMXl0U6PlxFp/) an outdoor "smart cooler" to keep groceries cold on your doorstep. Now…

- __Walmart aims to expand the service to *30M*__ customers by the end of 2022, with plans to hire 3K employees to grow InHome in cities like LA and Chicago.
- __Premium price:__ InHome delivery costs $20/month or [$148](https://inhome.walmart.com/) a year, while Walmart’s regular doorstep drops cost $8 to $10/month.

__Frozen-pizza delivery…__ Walmart wants the whole pie. For years, it has scaled its grocery biz with options like click-and-collect (order online, pick up curbside). Last year, Walmart sold over [$250B](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1125104/estimated-net-sales-of-walmart-by-category/) in groceries, making it the world's largest grocer. Its delivery services now reach *70%* of the US. But it has seen increasingly fierce competition from __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__, __Instacart__, __[DoorDash](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DASH)__, and __Grubhub__ as shoppers doubled down on delivery during the pandemic. None of those rivals, though, have made the direct-to-fridge plunge.

When the carrots get home before you do [Westend61 via Getty Images]

Chilled

__The inventive bird gets the worm…__ In a saturated and ultra-competitive market, innovation is key to staying on top. The online grocery-delivery market is predicted to [reach](https://www.emarketer.com/content/grocery-delivery-shifting-toward-same-day) $93B by the end of the year, but fewer than half of all grocery [consumers](https://www.customer.com/blog/retail-marketing/grocery-brand-loyalty/) are loyal to just one store. Walmart’s differentiating with premium in-fridge delivery to add convenience value in a push to snag customers early. 


Walmart makes an early bet on direct-to-fridge delivery as the grocery wars heat up

__Siri and Alexa’s favorite conference…__ This week, tech companies ([cautiously](https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/ces-2022-watch-gms-self-driving-car-reveal-and-more-big-reveals-here/)) headed to the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas to show off their latest gadgets. This year’s event happened IRL after going virtual in 2021, but major players like Amazon, __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__, and __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__ opted to attend virtually because of Omicron. Some of the headliners:

- __Smarter wheels:__ __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__ introduced its first hands-free-driving system, and __[Daimler](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DMLRY)__ showed off a Mercedes EV with a record-breaking 648-mile range. Amazon and Google launched new operating systems for your car’s dash. __[John Deere](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DE)__ showed off its first self-driving tractor, and __[Sony](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SONY)__ plugged plans to make its own EVs that feature PlayStation games. 

- __Smarter wearables:__ __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ Watch has company. __Movano__ demoed a ring that monitors heart rate and oxygen levels. __Vivoo__ showed off a system that monitors nutrient levels through urine samples. __Withings’__ WiFi-connected scale measures heart rhythm and nerve activity, and __Mojo Visions’__ display-connected AR contacts could help athletes track their performance. 

- __Smarter houses:__ __Kohler__ introduced a $3K voice-controlled tub so that you can fill your bath while making pasta, __Samsung__ rolled out a TV remote that recharges wirelessly with sunlight or WiFi waves, and Amazon released tools designed to let Alexa control smart devices made by rivals like Google and Apple (#hijacked).

__To own the system, companies are getting smarter…__ Sales of connected hardware products like Ring doorbells and Fitbits bring in big sales for Amazon and Google. But smart products *also* give tech giants an opportunity to own the *operating systems* that power *networks* of gadgets. Think: Someone who uses Alexa to turn on their faucet ([a real thing](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Kitchen-Kitchen-Faucets/Voice-Control/Alexa/N-5yc1vZar0kZ1z0kb2oZ1z1dj1s)) is more likely to use Alexa to unlock their car or order groceries on Prime.

CES spotlights smarter cars, wearables, and bathtubs — it’s all about owning “the system”

Walmart’s direct-to-fridge play, CES’s smart everything, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

NFT sales hit $512M over the past week alone as demand for digital collectibles booms

🥬 Walmart’s direct-to-fridge delivery

__Get the jury some takeout...__ After a whopping *50 hours* of deliberations, jurors found __Theranos__ founder Elizabeth Holmes guilty on 4 of 11 charges in her criminal trial. The 37-year-old was convicted of three fraud counts against investors in her disgraced blood-testing startup, and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

- __Investor-focused verdict:__ Holmes was acquitted on four separate counts that alleged she defrauded patients who paid for Theranos' misleading tests.
- __Holmes faces up to 20 years in prison__ for *each* count when sentenced, though it's unlikely she'll get the max sentence of 80 years. Still, it’s unusual for a Silicon Valley exec to actually go to prison.

__Bad blood money...__ Theranos claimed that with just a few finger pricks of blood its tests could detect health conditions from cancer to high cholesterol. Holmes raised $900M+ from investors, growing the company to a $9B valuation and becoming the youngest female self-made billionaire on paper. Holmes was convicted for lying to investors about the accuracy of Theranos' machines. And still…

- __Biotech funding = undented.__ Despite the cautionary tale, funding for private US biotech companies has nearly 3X'd since 2015 to $27.2B (and boomed since Covid).
- __The regulatory gap__ that allowed Theranos to sell its tests hasn’t been closed, and other companies have used it to roll out unapproved diagnostic tests to patients.

Blood

__Industry investors are mostly unfazed...__ Theranos doesn’t seem to have dramatically changed how investors select companies to fund, or how openly startups share information. Notably, Theranos’ funding wasn’t typical of the traditional Silicon Valley model — it was largely backed by prominent individuals (like __[Walmart's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT)__ Walton family and Rupert Murdoch). Also notable: Theranos’ board was light on medical experts, while including distinguished former national-security leaders (James Mattis, Henry Kissinger). Still, the Theranos saga shows the importance of rigor and transparency when it comes to due diligence. 

Theranos’ Holmes is criminally convicted, a rare fate for a tech exec, while biotech heats up

__The MVP of sports merch…__ is now *also* the MVP of sports cards. This week, sports merch business __Fanatics__ [bought](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/fanatics-acquires-topps-trading-cards.html) 70-year-old sports-card icon __Topps__ for a reported $500M. Now, Fanatics owns the rights to sell trading cards of players in the MLB, NBA, and NFL. (BTW: Topps also owns Ring Pops and Bazooka gum, but its nostalgic candy biz wasn’t part of the deal.)

- __Partner powerhouse:__ Fanatics pays 300+ teams and brands — like the NFL, Manchester United, and Nascar — to sell their merch as an official partner. 
- __Versatile player:__ Fanatics’ valuation nearly tripled to $18B last year, and it split into four companies: merch, trading cards, gaming, and NFTs.
- __MVP:__ Fanatics’ own cards biz is already worth $10B *itself*. Fanatics owns 80% of it, and players and investors own 20%. 

The __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__ of trading cards… Trading cards have boomed during the pandemic, fueled by growing interest in digital collectibles like NFTs. To cash in on the collecti-craze, Fanatics first teamed up with the NFL and NBA. Now, by buying Topps and partnering with the MLB, Fanatics can *also* sell baseball cards, both physical *and* digital. Last year, Topps reportedly sold $560M of physical *and* digital cards in 100 countries.

“I have the same jersey as an NFT” [RgStudio/E+ via Getty Images]

Swap

__The Disney-fication of sports could be digital…__ Just as __[Disney](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS)__ turned its popular characters into park rides, video games, and stuffed animals, Fanatics hopes to milk its sports rights for all they’re worth. As Fanatics buys the rights to fan-favorite sports licenses, official Yankees NFTs and digital Tom Brady jerseys could be coming soon. Startup __Top Shot__ has sold over $800M worth of NBA NFTs since launching in 2020, including a nearly $400K LeBron NFT. The NFT market is expected to expand more than 5X by 2025, with much of its growth driven by sports collectibles.

Merch master Fanatics buys Topps for a reported $500M to bring trading cards into the future

Theranos’ bitter end, baseball’s Topps card swap, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

The S&P 500 notched 70 closing highs last year, the most recorded in a single year since 1995

🩸 Theranos’ bitter end

__Technoking delivers…__ __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__ stock jumped more than 13% yesterday after the EV-maker announced it [broke](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/02/business/tesla-sales.html) quarterly *and* annual sales records. It delivered an expectation-beating 936K cars last year — nearly *double* its 2020 deliveries. Elon can thank rising demand for Tesla’s more affordable Model 3 sedans and sensible but stylish Model Y hatchbacks. 

- __Chip shortages__ cut into production for most carmakers in 2021, but Tesla dodged some supply damage by removing radars and other parts from certain models.
- __Tesla’s production is tiny__ compared to that of legacy carmakers like __[Toyota](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TM)__ and __[Volkswagen](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY)__, which each produced about 10M cars last year, but larger than that of rivals like __[Nio](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NIO)__ and __[Rivian](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RIVN)__, which delivered fewer than 100K EVs *combined*. 
- Still, Tesla is worth more than the next 10 most-valuable automakers *combined*.

__Giga growth…__ Tesla is expected to deliver nearly 1.5M vehicles this year, including the highly anticipated Cybertruck. But to hit Elon’s goal of selling *20M* Teslas annually over the next nine years, Tesla needs to majorly expand its production footprint beyond its existing Giga-factories in California, Nevada, and China. Cue: This year Tesla plans to crank out EVs at new Giga plants in Austin and Germany.

- __EV-eryone’s doing it:__ Tesla is expected to lose market share as EV-makers like VW, __[Ford](https://robinhood.com/stocks/F)__, __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__, and __[Lucid](https://robinhood.com/stocks/LCID)__ invest $20B+ in US plants in the coming years. Chinese EV rivals Nio and __[XPeng](https://robinhood.com/stocks/XPEV)__ plan to open factories in 2022. 

Giga

__Life in the fast lane comes with challenges…__ Tesla hit a $1T market cap by pioneering sleek EVs and innovative self-driving software. Musk’s next challenge will be managing Tesla’s growing network of global Giga factories, plus navigating increasing regulation in Europe and the key market of China. But scale comes with scrutiny. Last month Tesla was forced to recall 500K cars because of rear-view malfunctions. It also ditched a new video-game feature over safety concerns.

Tesla delivered nearly 1M cars last year — but to join the OG auto leagues, it needs more factories

__Guacamole Greens go public...__ __[Sweetgreen](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SG)__ became the first publicly traded lettuce stock in mid-November. For some the salad chain is a staple in cities like LA, NYC, and Austin, where Super Green Goddess salad is a lifestyle. SG was [launched](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001477815/000119312521306603/d104360ds1.htm) in 2007 by three college students in DC — now it has 140 locations in 13 states and plans to *double* that in the next five years. But SG [lost](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/31/sweetgreen-stock-is-one-to-watch-in-2022-after-this-years-ipo.html) $87M from January to September 2021, and the stock is down 36% from its IPO day high. Now...

- __Sweetgreen is testing a subscription__ called [Sweetpass](https://shop.sweetgreen.com/products/sweetpass) to aid your New Year's resolutions with "30 days of green routines."
- __For $10/month__ you get a daily $3 credit. The pilot expires on February 15 and is exclusive to orders made through Sweetgreen's app or website.

__Click for Shroomami bowl...__ Sweetgreen *really* wants you to order online, and has been tech-ifying stores for that purpose (it even [bought](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/24/salad-chain-sweetgreen-acquires-spyce-and-its-robotic-kitchen-tech.html) a salad-making robot company). It also offers promo prices and special menu items solely for digital customers. Here's why:
- __Sweet greens are made of this:__ Digital orders make up more than two-thirds of Sweetgreen's sales. 
- Digital users make [46%](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/sweetgreen-rolls-out-sweetpass-subscription-program-eyeing-new-years.html) more visits than other customers — and spend *21%* more per order.
- Optimizing operations and boosting stores’ sales volume through pickup and delivery could help SG notch up profits.


30th Green Goddess bowl of the month [aldomurillo/E+ via Getty Images]

Shroomami

__Resolutions require stickiness...__ Healthier eating is Americans’ [#1](https://www.talon.one/blog/using-promotions-to-push-new-years-resolutions) New Year's resolution, followed by exercising more. That could be a boon for “Resolution Risers” like Sweetgreen and __[Peloton](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PTON)__ in the coming months, but they'll need "stickiness" after you wilt from eating kale every day. Digital reward subscriptions could be the perfect recipe for loyalty: Panera said its $9/month coffee sub pilot boosted visits by [70%](https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/paneras-new-coffee-subscription-leverages-loyalty-to-fight-breakfast-battl/573098/), and Taco Bell [said](https://www.pymnts.com/restaurant-innovation/2022/sweetgreen-launches-sweetpass-as-restaurants-leverage-subscriptions-to-build-loyalty/) it’s thrilled with the reception of its Taco Lover’s Pass. 

Sweetgreen’s new salad subscription aims to make your resolutions digitally sticky

Tesla’s Giga game plan, Sweetgreen’s salad subscription, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

Corporate-board diversity jumped 25% last year, with directors from underrepresented groups now holding 17% of seats

🏭 Tesla’s Giga game plan

- __The digi asset boom…__ You just splurged $100 on __[Nikes](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NKE)__ and concert tickets — *and you’ll never see any of those IRL*. In 2022, digital asset shopping could become as mainstream as __[Etsy](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ETSY)__ orders. Digital asset sales have boomed this year, from NFT art to virtual apparel and real estate. NFT sales hit [$23B](https://www.livemint.com/technology/where-is-2021-s-nft-boom-headed-in-new-year-11639989081157.html) in 2021, surging 7X from 2020. Art auction sales alone hit a record $6.5B, largely thanks to NFTs. E-pparel is booming, so Nike filed [trademarks](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-02/nike-files-for-virtual-goods-trademarks-in-footwear-apparel?sref=q3KSFp38) for virtual shoes and merch. As people prepare for an immersive internet future, more treasures could live on the blockchain.

- __The “free work” revolution…__ First you’re in the office two days a week, then you’re __[Zooming](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ZM)__ in from an __[Airbnb](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ABNB)__ boathouse in Guam. The pandemic changed priorities, while showing us that remote work *works*. US job openings soared to records as workers eyed better options. A key factor = *flexibility*. Nearly [75%](https://resources.owllabs.com/hubfs/SORW/SORW_2021/owl-labs_state-of-remote-work-2021_report-final.pdf?utm_campaign=State%20of%20Remote%20Work%202021&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=180908804&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--zBhl3iunzvSYKWlbRLBibGaIjtSMv0yrlyoGkRFaHkNXRZjfzCG6oeC-sD47tA4GJfN58mGYZP-oCsfVdCECVkmWR8qX48eZVHxzfUSAPoGE1194&utm_content=180908804&utm_source=hs_automation) of employees want to continue hybrid or remote work, and 1 in 4 say they’d quit if they had to return full-time. There’s still plenty of uncertainty with Omicron cases surging. Since less than 40% of employers plan to require full-time presence post-pandemic, “free work” could be here to stay.

Next year

The future is now…

- __Space becomes a destination…__ Instead of a European getaway, you could be hopping on a space shuttle to eat at a restaurant on the International Space Station (try the spaghetti Apollo-gnese). NASA is [leaning on](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/vymgYP0sg9ysn1La2XBDb/articles/7m69EMi9zmJy0jokpfrt6o/) private sector companies to help it commercialize space. In 2021, high-profile suborbital flights from Elon’s __SpaceX__, __Blue Origin__, and Branson’s __[Virgin Galactic](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SPCE)__ created unprecedented momentum for space tourism. Virgin [aims](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5FWjUZF34wCrp57CR8ykmX/articles/4nclQE3efo2kF2GIohnPxn/) to start flying tourists for $250K/seat in early 2022. By the 2030s, the price of a space ticket could [fall](https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/affordable-space-tourism-soon-to-reach-lift-off) to the cost of a business class ticket to Europe today.

- __AR eats the world…__ AR went mainstream thanks to __[Snap](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SNAP)__ filters and Pokémon Go. But in five years, you could be navigating cities and calculating tips all through augmented reality *glasses*. Every effort at smart glasses from __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ Glass to Snap Spectacles has flopped, but AR shades could gain traction as they become more useful and #stylish: __[Facebook](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__ plans to infuse AR into its new smart Ray-Bans, and __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ [could](https://www.wsj.com/articles/apples-iphone-successor-comes-into-focus-11638594004) launch AR headsets by late 2022. __[Nio](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NIO)__ just debuted an EV sedan with an AR glasses-powered dash. AR glasses sales could reach [22.8M](https://techjury.net/blog/augmented-reality-stats/) this year. And some companies are [working](https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/augmented-reality-contact-lenses-vision/) on AR *contacts*. 

“And here’s where we’ll put the infinity pool” [inhauscreative/E+ via GettyImages]

In five years

Around the corner…

- __The Avatar-aissance…__ Instead of going online with a million different logins, you could be living *inside* the internet with an avatar that moves seamlessly from virtual hangouts to digital malls. __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/FB)__ (fka: Facebook), __[Roblox](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RBLX)__, and __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT)__ are [racing](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/50Ix1rGlpco3wRgUpRaFuk/articles/3oJSOaxjcuwQzPdrwZfpEk/) to build the metaverse, a vision for an immersive internet. Think: avatar-filled VR games, concerts, and offices. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg [hopes](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/facebook-opens-horizon-worlds-vr-metaverse-app-.html) the metaverse will reach 1B people by 2030. The market could hit [$800B](https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/blog/metaverse-may-be-800-billion-market-next-tech-platform/) by 2024. 

- __DNA-personalized healthcare…__ Imagine getting a customized health plan from your doc based on your genes. Think: which drugs are best suited to you, and how to prevent diseases you’re predisposed to. 70% of providers think genetic tests will improve clinical outcomes. DNA-testing company __[23andMe](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ME)__ is [buying](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/6fvWNlLj06lmuzw6LGoQJT/articles/3cQ8Mt9yqoeR2sTGjwPs5l/) __Lemonaid Health__ to help doctors tailor treatments to genetic data. Rivals like __Color__ and __Helix__ are positioning genetics as the future. Gene modification could also play a role in curbing diseases.

- __Clean energy rules…__ Countries [must hit](https://www.voanews.com/a/radical-action-needed-to-prevent-irreversible-climate-change-scientists-say-/6231156.html#:~:text=In%20a%20forward%20to%20the,to%20prevent%20further%20irreversible%20damage.) net-zero emissions by 2050 to prevent irreversible climate damage.  Many government and corporate 2030 climate targets are coming up. Those could be reached through green innovations in [nuclear reactors](https://time.com/6117041/nuclear-energy-reactors-green/), batteries, solar grids, and [geothermal energy](https://justenergy.com/blog/renewable-energy-sources-energy-trends-future/) (think: volcanoes). In the next few decades, renewables will likely be the [fastest-growing](https://justenergy.com/blog/a-promising-future-for-clean-energy-innovations-in-alternative-power-sources/) energy source and could beat fossil fuels (gas, coal) on cost. By 2050, alternative energy could power up to 80% of the US, from 30% today.

In 10+ years

Down the road…

🔮 The futuristic edition: 7 big trends in the cards, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

AI adoption will kill an estimated 85M jobs by 2025, but create 97M new jobs — a net gain of 12M

🔮 The futuristic edition 

__Hold the party horns…__ This week NYC officials are [debating](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/22/nyc-weighs-new-restrictions-for-times-square-new-years-eve-celebration.html) new restrictions for its famous Times Square celebration as Omicron cases spike. At this writing, NYC’s NYE party will require vaccination but *not* masks or boosters. 

- __NYC’s vax rate__ is higher than the national average, but its Omicron cases also *doubled* last week. Mayor Bill de Blasio said new NYE restrictions, like mask mandates, will be announced by Xmas.
- __Big events__ across the city, from Broadway shows to holiday concerts and NBA games, were also canceled last week because of Omicron. 

__Bigger than the Big Apple…__ NYC planners aren’t the only ones considering last-minute changes to curb Omicron’s spread. Event organizers and travelers worldwide have debated whether to cancel plans: 

- __IRL work:__ Two-thirds of companies, including __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__, __[Ford](https://robinhood.com/stocks/F)__, and __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__, have postponed office returns. 
- __Holiday travel__ was split: Domestic travel appears to be mostly unaffected, while international travelers are canceling plans because of new restrictions in countries like France and the Netherlands, which has entered a full lockdown until mid-January.
- __Large events__ are also mixed: January’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has been postponed, though next month’s CES event in Vegas is still on.

Waiting for the New Year’s ball drop [Jason Dean via Getty Images]

Event-ual

__Next year’s calendar is up in the air…__ It’s too soon to tell whether 2022 will be the year IRL events make a comeback. The $100B conferences and events industry is closing the year in a wobbly spot, despite significant recovery from its darkest days of lockdown. Markets have risen since Omicron first appeared in the US, but analysts disagree over how much Omicron could affect business next year. Take airlines: __[Delta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DAL)__ expects profits to rise as travel rebounds, but European airline __[Ryanair](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RYAAY)__ lowered forecasts on expectations that Omicron will limit travel.

As NYC considers downsizing New Year’s Eve, a year of IRL events hangs in the balance

NYC’s NYE debate, China’s NFTs, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

TikTok was reportedly the most trafficked website this year — yes, even ahead of Google. The Tok also overtook Facebook as the top social site.

🎉 NYC’s NYE debate

__Overnight shipping = unavailable…__ Yesterday President Biden announced [plans](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/21/omicron-us-to-deploy-troops-to-hospitals-purchase-500-million-covid-tests.html) to distribute 500M free at-home Covid tests — nearly two per American. People will be able to order the rapid tests online next month. Test makers including __[Abbott](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ABT)__ and __[Quest Diagnostics](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DGX)__ [could](https://www.medtechdive.com/news/biden-new-covid-plan-may-benefit-abbott-quest-quidel/606358/) benefit. Biden *also* plans to deploy 1K military troops to overwhelmed hospitals to prep for an Omicron wave. Hospitalizations in several states more than doubled over the past two weeks. 

- __The first US Omicron case__ was detected less than a month ago, but the variant already represents nearly [three-fourths](https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions) of Covid cases in the country.
- __Omicron is believed to be less severe__ but more contagious than previous variants, based on early data. Mild cases may be easy to miss, so regular testing is key.
- __[Pfizer](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PFE)__ and __[Moderna](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MRNA)__ say their vaccines, coupled with boosters, seem to prevent Omicron infections. But research suggests __[J&J](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JNJ)__ and __[AstraZeneca](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AZN)__ aren’t successful — though they still appear to provide significant protection against serious illness.

__Cancel the fireworks…__ 3X more Americans plan to fly this holiday season compared to last, which could also increase transmission. Omicron’s spread isn’t expected to reduce holiday travel. But several governments and organizations have tightened IRL restrictions. Just a few: 

- __50+ countries__ (including the US) have upped Omicron-related travel restrictions, and many European cities have restarted outdoor-mask mandates. 
- __Schools__ across the US have temporarily returned to remote learning, and pro sports leagues — including the NBA, NFL, and NHL — rescheduled games.

Rapid

__Recovery is fickle…__ White House officials say another lockdown isn’t necessary, but they do expect Omicron to keep spreading. New restrictions and Covid fears could cause sales to slump in the short term. Longer term, inflation and supply shortages could persist if new strains continue disrupting less vaxxed parts of the world. While markets have rebounded faster from each new variant, volatility likely isn’t over.

Biden offers free Covid tests to avoid Omicron lockdowns, as recovery grows shaky

Free Covid tests, Nikola’s big fine, and more of today’s top Snacks stories

Baby Dino is ready for Christmas [Carol Yepes/Moment via Getty Images]

Just 0.01% of Bitcoin holders control 27% of the currency in circulation, a new study found