__Googling "how to delete apps"…__ Yesterday the European Union [ordered](https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/14/tech/google-loses-eu-fine-appeal/index.html) __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL/)__ to pay a massive $4B after the tech titan lost an appeal challenging an antitrust ruling. Back in 2018, the search giant was fined $5B over accusations it forced manufacturers to preinstall Google apps (think: Chrome, Search) on Android phones. FYI: about 70% of smartphones in Europe run on Google’s Android. 

- __Google vs. the EU:__ Over the past decade, Google's faced $8B+ in EU antitrust fines, including $2.4B last year for biased results on its Google Shopping platform.
- __Double whammy:__ Yesterday, South Korea’s privacy committee fined Google $50M and __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/META/)__ $22M for collecting user data for targeted ads.
- __FYI:__ Google has a $125B cash pile, so a $4B fine won’t make a huge dent — but the regulatory aftermath could force Google to change its profitable biz model. 

__The EU’s antitrust arsenal…__ is stacked. Earlier this year, EU policymakers approved laws aimed at regulating tech juggernauts. Under the Digital Markets Act, companies can be fined up to 10% of their global revenue for breaking the rules — and up to *20%* for repeat offenses. It could all add up for techies caught in the crosshairs: 

- __[Apple’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL/)__ faced several EU antitrust charges, including over its refusal to let competitors like __[PayPal](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PYPL/)__ use its contactless payment tech. 
- __[Amazon’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN/)__ been stuck in a three-year investigation over how it collects data from rival retailers and uses Prime to force sellers into its logistics biz.

Preinstalled problems (Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

Crackdown

__“Hot Antitrust Summer” may be over…__ but a chilly antitrust fall may be dawning. Antitrust crackdowns abroad could push policymakers to increase pressure in the US, where tech regulation has largely stalled. It’s already starting: yesterday California regulators [sued](https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-sues-amazon-for-alleged-antitrust-violations-that-inflated-prices-stifled-competition-11663178985) Amazon, alleging it prevents merchants from offering lower prices through competitors’ sites.

Google gets slapped with a record $4B EU antitrust fine — and other big techies could be next

__It’s BB szn…__ Big businesses are buying back shares by the boatload. This past week, __[Comcast](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CMCSA/)__, __[Johnson & Johnson](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JNJ/)__, __[T-Mobile](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TMUS/)__, __[UBS](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UBS/)__, and __[Starbucks](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SBUX/)__ all [announced](https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/comcast-doubles-share-buyback-program-121615546.html) plans to buy back billions worth of their own shares. Refresher: Some companies regularly buy back shares to boost prices and reward investors (think: fewer available shares + similar earnings = higher earnings per share). Two reasons for the buyback bonanza:

- __Bargain prices:__ Because stocks have plunged this year, it’s (relatively) cheaper for companies to splurge on their stock.
- __Extra fees incoming:__ President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will impose a 1% tax on buybacks from large corporations beginning next year. 

__Buyback brouhaha…__ Buybacks have [boomed](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/19/what-stock-buybacks-are-and-how-a-new-tax-affects-your-portfolio.html) in recent years. In the first quarter of this year, S&P 500 buybacks hit a record $281B (though the index itself had its worst performance in years). Biden’s 1% tax is projected to raise $74B in the next decade, but critics say the tax will reduce investment and innovation and hurt investors. Over the past 20 years, big buybackers have outperformed others by 60%.

ByeBack

__The big buyback era probably isn’t ending…__ because the benefits still outweigh the costs. Experts say buybacks are unlikely to disappear, since a tax would have to be 10% to persuade companies to ditch buybacks altogether. Apple, Alphabet, Meta, __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT/)__, and __[Bank of America](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BAC/)__ — the “buyback monsters” — accounted for 25% of all buybacks in the past year, and they’re likely to keep splurging on themselves.

Businesses are buying back their shares by the billions before a new tax hits buyback boosts

The EU dealt Google a record $4B antitrust fine, and other big techies could be next

Dow Jones

S&P 500

Nasdaq

Bitcoin

Starbucks’ cold coffee drinks now account for 60% of all orders year-round

☎️ Google’s $4B anti-fine

__Seeing red…__ Stocks had a no good, very bad day after August inflation numbers came in hotter than expected. Lower gas prices helped slow the pace of inflation for a second straight month, but the TL;DR is that it’s still ridiculously high, with consumer prices up 8.3% from last year. 

- __Why does $5/gallon sound cheap?__ Energy prices fell 5%, with gas down 10.6%. But while pump and airfare prices were lower, utility and electric bills ticked up. 
- __Why is this croissant $9?__ Food prices were up nearly 0.8% month over month, with cereal and bakery products up 1.2%. 
- __Why is rent my entire paycheck?__ “Shelter” prices rose 0.7% over the month as housing gets even pricier. FYI: The median monthly rent in America’s 50 largest cities hit a record [$1.9K](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2022/09/13/inflation-climbed-83-in-august-slowing-for-second-month-straight-as-gas-prices-plunged/?sh=691a378d66c5) in July as prices increased for 16 months straight. 

__No rest for JPow…__ Before this bummer report dropped, investors were gaining confidence that inflation could be slowing for real (which could compel the Fed to cool its ’flation-fighting crusade). Now there’s a lower chance of a Powell pause (aka: a Pow-se). 

- __It’s likely the Fed’ll raise rates__ by 75 basis points at its meeting next week, instead of the 50 basis points some were hoping for. 
- __To tamp inflation__ to a benchmark target of 2%, the Fed’s already had four hikes this year — including two jumbo hikes of 75 basis points in June and July.
- __Tech stocks have been hit hard,__ as high rates lower the potential future earnings of companies whose valuations are largely tied to growth… potential.

We already “be inflation” (Patrick T. Fallon/Getty Images)

Grinch

__Inflation’s a Grinch…__ The holidays are months away, but more than half of Americans are already [stressed](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/08/inflation-fears-spur-shoppers-to-get-early-jump-on-year-end-holidays.html#:~:text=More%20than%20half%20%E2%80%94%20or%2059,prices%2C%20another%20recent%20survey%20said.&text=Many%20consumers%20are%20also%20getting%20a%20head%20start%20as%20a%20result.) about buying gifts this season. While ’flation erodes spending power, rate hikes make borrowing pricier (think: credit-card debt). That could put a dent in major retailers’ biggest splurge season of the year. 

After August inflation came in too hot, investors aren’t expecting a Powell pause anytime soon

__Zoom sweats > Gucci-blazer rental…__ __[Rent the Runway](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RENT/)__ is falling out of fashion as more users ditch designer rentals. RTR offers clothes from 800+ designers for one-time rental, monthly membership, and discounted purchase. Last quarter the “shared closet” biz notched record revenue of $76M and shrank its quarterly loss from last year. But that didn’t keep the [stock](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RENT/) from tanking nearly 40% yesterday. 

- __Torn seams:__ Last quarter, Rent the Runway's active subscribers dropped 8% to 124K as penny-pinching fashionistas paused (or ended) their memberships. 
- __Cloudy forecast:__ RTR lowered its sales expectations for the year and said it planned to lay off a quarter of its 1K+ employees to cut costs.

__Hangin’ by a thread…__ As consumer prices skyrocket, even trendsetters are cutting back on discretionary buys (think: new $2K Moncler puffer). Thanks to the rise of hybrid work, the number of Americans wearing business-formal fits has dropped by half since prepandemic. For companies like RTR that means shifting inventory to include more casual and social fits.

- __Only 20% of RTR subscribers__ looked for work-related rentals during the first half of the year, down from nearly 35% in 2019.

Thread

__Past performance ≠ future results…__ Despite RTR’s record quarter, investors tanked the stock because they’re always looking to the future, and the future may not look as bright for retailers. Instead of splurging on new styles every season, consumers are saving by buying fewer outfits that are good for lots of occasions. That shift in shopping patterns is starting to squeeze results for retailers like __[Target](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TGT/)__ and __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN/)__.

Rent the Runway cuts a quarter of its staff as the “hybrid wardrobe” dashes demand for seasonal fits

Streaming of Netflix’s “The Crown” has surged 9X since Queen Elizabeth II died

🤢 The inflation Grinch

__Charging the iPhone to my [Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL/) Card...__ seamless. Paying it off on time: not so much. __[Goldman Sachs’](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GS/)__ Apple Card biz has a bad-credit problem, [according](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/12/goldmans-gs-apple-card-business-has-a-surprising-subprime-problem.html) to competitor __[JPMorgan](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JPM/)__. In 2019 the investment-banking giant triumphed over established card companies to become Apple's card issuer. The sleek no-fee card generated hype, with early users posting pics of their names etched in Apple titanium. Some expressed shock they'd been approved. Now we know why:

- __Credit karma:__ Over a quarter of Goldman’s card loans have gone to customers with credit scores under 660 (aka: fair to poor).
- __The WOAT:__ Goldman’s loss rate on credit-card loans is the worst among major US card issuers and “well above subprime lenders," JPM said. 
- __The GOAT:__ Thanks to pandemic stimulus and rising wages, rivals like __[Bank of America](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BAC/)__ have seen repayments rise near record levels.

__DJ D-Sol in the hot seat...__ Goldman CEO David Solomon, who moonlights as an [EDM DJ](https://nypost.com/2022/03/22/goldman-sachs-ceo-david-dj-d-sol-solomon-playing-at-lollapalooza/), is under pressure to produce profits at Goldman's consumer-facing biz (which makes up 18% of its total revenue). The Wall Street-centric bank expanded to consumers in 2016 with its high-yield Marcus savings account. Then Apple Card supercharged its retail reach. Now:

- __Growing revenue:__ Goldman's consumer-banking biz grew revenue 25% last quarter, with 14M customers and $16B in loan balances.
- __Growing losses:__ The consumer division is on track to lose $1.2B this year, and Goldman has been forced to set aside more reserves in case of future loan losses.

The IOUs are racking up (Michael Short/Getty Images)

__Cracks emerge in a downturn…__ and they could cause a quake. With inflation at a 40-year high and unemployment ticking up, the weakest American borrowers are starting to miss loan payments. 
Goldman execs have acknowledged that its consumer biz could lose even more than $1.2B if a deep recession forces them to set aside more $$ for defaulted loans. Banks with more subprime exposure will feel the hit first.

Goldman’s Apple Card biz has a shockingly high loss rate on credit card loans — and it could get worse

__Enter the Mocha-verse…__ Cold brew’s coming to the blockchain. Yesterday __[Starbucks](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SBUX/)__ [introduced](https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/12/starbucks-unveils-its-blockchain-based-loyalty-platform-and-nft-community-starbucks-odyssey/) a loyalty program powered by non-fungible tokens called “Starbucks Odyssey.” Odyssey will be powered by __[Polygon](https://robinhood.com/crypto/MATIC/)__, a proof-of-stake "sidechain" that aims to make __[ethereum](https://robinhood.com/crypto/ETH/)__ transactions cheaper and faster. Polygon’s native token, matic, jumped 5% on the Starbs news.

- __A journey:__ Odyssey will extend Starbs’ popular rewards program, enabling latte lovers to earn NFTs (called “stamps”) by completing “journeys.” Think: java-inspired games.
- __Peppier perks:__ Users can redeem stamps for exclusive experiences like virtual espresso-martini-making classes and trips to Costa Rican coffee farms. 
- __Brewing up community:__ Odyssey users can also buy and sell limited-edition stamps.

__Spill the NFTea…__ Last year NFT sales boomed with high crypto prices. But since then the NFT industry has struggled: 

- __Trading volume__ on top NFT marketplace __OpenSea__ has plunged 99% from its May peak. An NFT of __[Twitter](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TWTR/)__ founder Jack Dorsey’s first-ever tweet recently got a top bid of $280 (not a typo) — after selling for *$2.9M* last year.
- __Getting practical:__ As sales have slumped, some companies have rolled out “practical” NFT applications: __Ticketmaster__ uses them to verify tickets and prevent resale scams, and __[eBay’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/EBAY/)__ embraced them to authenticate its goods.

NFTea

__Loyal customers make it easier to innovate…__ After Starbucks combined its existing payment system with new mobile-ordering tech in 2015, loyal latte-sippers happily adopted the tech to earn rewards — and made Starbucks the top mobile payment platform (it’s now second to __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL/)__ Pay, with 31M users). Starbs could become a top player in web3's tokenized future, if customers embrace its new NFT features.

Starbucks launches NFT-powered rewards, leveraging loyal sippers to enter web3

Goldman’s Apple Card biz has a shockingly high loss rate on loans — and it could get worse

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level since 1984 after President Biden tapped it to boost gas supplies

🍎 Goldman’s Apple Card problem

__[Zillow](https://robinhood.com/stocks/Z/)-scrolling has us pillow-sobbing…__ The US has come down with a case of housing blues: Americans are either sad because they *can’t* buy a house or sad because they *did* buy a house. Nearly three in four homebuyers have at least one [regret](https://fortune.com/2022/09/07/homebuyers-remorse-most-people-who-bought-a-house-recently-regret-the-process/) related to their recent home purchase. Meanwhile, wannabe buyers are getting priced out. Let’s unpack that: 

- __Homeowners__ are watching their net worth [fall](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/07/homeowners-lose-wealth-as-rising-interest-rates-weigh-on-home-values.html) as soaring mortgage rates soften demand. Home prices dropped in July for the first time in 32 months as rates doubled from January. 
- __#1 regret:__ overpaying. Buyers paid a median of $65K over asking price for their new cribs. 
- __*Meanwhile*:__ Wannabe buyers are far from their white-picket-fence dreams because prices are still significantly elevated (blame: pandemic [housing boom](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/3W8LX1jIAswA4HFNTbvVHO/articles/4Fw8bHVeO2Nn0unnSjroHO/)). 

__“Squid Game” vibes…__ No one wins in this market. Prospective buyers lose: home prices in June were 18% higher than a year earlier, a historically steep jump (plus: mortgage rates are wild). Owners lose too: home prices dipped 0.77% in July — sounds negligible, actually the largest monthly decline since 2011.

- __The housing-price drop could get worse__ since the Fed is determined to unleash ’flation-fighting “pain” (read: higher interest rates). 
- __275K mortgage holders__ would fall underwater if their homes lost 5% of their current value. Over 80% of those borrowers bought homes in the first half of this year (aka: housing peak). 

A white-picket paradox (Jon Lovette/Getty Images)

Paradox

__It’s a chill, but likely not a crash…__ Homeowners are way more cash flush now than they were when the housing market crashed in ’07 (flashback: prices plunged and millions owed more than their homes were worth). Mortgage leverage is at a record low, and losing some paper value on a home won’t harm most Americans. While housing inventory is rising at a record pace, home supply is still relatively tight, so prices likely won’t crash.

The housing paradox: as rates rain on property’s parade, Americans are losing all around

__Looks like a microwave on wheels…__ actually a robo burrito delivery (#roburrito). Last week __[Uber Eats](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UBER/)__ struck a 10-year deal with self-driving startup __Nuro__ to deliver food starting this year. Nuro was the first to score street-legal status for driverless deliveries, and it has deals with __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR/)__, __[Walmart](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT/)__, and __[Domino’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DPZ/)__. In June, Grubhub launched autonomous delivery at some colleges. Driverless drop-offs can ease labor shortages and curb emissions. With US online food deliveries set to grow 10% by 2026, self-driving could go mainstream through the kitchen. 

__This cap's not for wearing…__ but winter is coming. After Russia’s __Gazprom__ indefinitely [shut down](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7oETBY36SrLGaQPslRoeYL/articles/79MQ7GeoUXRx4wTJr1vGMn/) natural-gas flows to Europe to compel the West to lift sanctions, Europeans are fearing a worst-case scenario winter energy crisis. Think: scarce supply, sky-high heating costs. Now: the EU proposed a cap on Russian gas prices, the new British PM Liz Truss announced a cap on home and business energy bills, and Germany announced a roughly $65B plan to offset soaring energy costs. The measures are meant to protect taxpayers from massive heating bills.

Zoom Out

Stories we’re watching...

__[Ethereum](https://robinhood.com/crypto/ETH/) holds its breath…__ The second-largest cryptocurrency is expected to undergo a major overhaul — dubbed [the Merge](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1wtJg97QxjQGWOy95mSzca/articles/4PkMBBDA5ADxTIJm447Hdh/) — this Wednesday, and it's the talk of crypto town. If all goes to plan (fingers = crossed), ethereum's backbone will switch from "proof of work" (old, energy-hungry) to "proof of stake" (new, energy-efficient). But ahead of ETH's big day: experts are warning of [scams](https://decrypt.co/108791/ethereum-merge-almost-here-what-could-go-wrong) and miners are talking [hard forks](https://fortune.com/2022/08/06/vitalik-buterin-ethereum-creator-on-merge-ethpow/). Ethereum's future depends on the Merge going smoothly — only then will everyone involved breathe easy.

__$700 Balenciaga blazer…__ just for the night. Last quarter, __[Rent the Runway](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RENT/)__ doubled its sales as the return of IRL events boosted its biz. RTR offers clothes from 750+ designers for rent or purchase. But as #flation weighs on wallets, RTR is doubling down on secondhand fashion — which is forecast to double to $77B in sales by 2027. In July, Saks Off 5th and RTR [partnered](https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2022/07/28/saks-off-fifth-broadens-its-resale-offerings-with-rent-the-runway-partnership/?sh=19d78787345c) to offer pre-owned designer pieces at stores and online. We’ll see how resale retail is paying off when RTR reports today. FYI: the [stock’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RENT/) down 46% this year.

Events

Coming up this week...

- __[Spin](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2G8tXvkEcBas5VqekX1vse/articles/n1dClWqs3MzZfLu8pFSsf/):__ Buzzy unicorn IPOs may be fading, but “spin offerings” are gaining traction. __[Volkswagen](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY/)__ plans to take __[Porsche](https://robinhood.com/stocks/POAHY/)__ public in what could be Europe’s biggest IPO since 1999. VW could raise $10B in the listing. 
- __[BTClean](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/59MuwymwaS2JMT7bKo8iPl/articles/2SCCm0FG9J7kFmECxsGTE8/):__ The White House dropped a report on crypto mining's environmental impact. Carrot: President Biden wants to work *with* the industry to go greener. Stick: If that fails, executive action (think: regulation) is on the table. 
- __[Putinflation](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7oETBY36SrLGaQPslRoeYL/articles/79MQ7GeoUXRx4wTJr1vGMn/):__ Europe is racing to fill gas-storage facilities to keep homes warm this winter after Russia-controlled Gazprom indefinitely shut the key Nord Stream pipeline, blaming Western sanctions.

ICYMI

Last week's highlights...

9/11 was the deadliest day in history for American firefighters

🏠 Housing’s sad paradox

__Cleaning up your act…__ can get messy. Yesterday the White House released a [major report](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-08/crypto-mining-threatens-us-climate-efforts-white-house-warns) on the environmental impact of crypto mining, and the message was clear: shape up. The report, commissioned in March, calls out energy-intensive crypto (like: proof-of-work __[bitcoin](https://robinhood.com/crypto/BTC/)__) and says the industry should collab with environmental and energy regulators to develop clean standards. If that fails, the report says the admin should consider exec action. The dirty US crypto facts:

- __Ctrl+Altcoin+Del:__ Crypto's energy usage = all home computers.
- __Ethaust:__ Crypto emissions = railroad's diesel-fuel emissions. 
- __Americoin:__ The US is home to 38% of global bitcoin mining, thanks in part to giants like __[Riot Blockchain](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RIOT/)__ and __[Marathon Digital](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MARA/)__. Both stocks popped 14% yesterday. 

__When you finish chores early…__ President Biden's crypto-climate report dropped just a week before the [ethereum Merge](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1wtJg97QxjQGWOy95mSzca/articles/4PkMBBDA5ADxTIJm447Hdh/) (a shift from power-hungry proof of work to energy-efficient proof of stake) is set to overhaul the second-largest crypto, __[ethereum](https://robinhood.com/crypto/ETH/)__. But other proof-of-work cryptos like bitcoin still have a long list of chores to tackle to appease the current admin. 

- __If the collab model fails,__ the report says Congress should “consider legislation to limit or eliminate the use of high energy intensity consensus mechanisms” for crypto mining.

A peek into crypto mining (Lars Hagberg/Getty Images)

Greenhouse

__Self-regulation could be the best regulation…__ for the crypto industry. The Biden admin's push for cleaner crypto operations suggests the status quo is a no-go. But its openness to collabing with industry titans also suggests that crypto might come out of this smiling. Meanwhile, the Merge could demonstrate that ethereum can change all on its own, without the force of regulation. Whether the rest of crypto follows suit could determine the admin’s next steps.

The big White House report on crypto's environmental impact puts executive action on the table

__Rated E…__ for EVeryone. __[GM’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM/)__ going all in on affordable electric vehicles with the [launch](https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/8/23339186/gm-chevy-equinox-ev-announce-price-specs-suv) of the Chevy Equinox EV. The Tron-esque SUV will go on sale in the US next fall, with the cheapest model starting at $30K ($10K less than __[Tesla's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA/)__ cheapest whip). The specs: 

- __Road range:__ The Equinox will be powered by GM's in-house Ultium EV battery system. GM says it’ll reach up to 300 miles per charge. 
- __The lineup:__ Chevy already has one of the largest e-fleets with the Silverado EV, Bolt E, and Blazer EV.

__EV sticker shock…__ Tesla and __[Ford](https://robinhood.com/stocks/F/)__ recently hiked their electric-car prices as rising metal and battery costs weigh on profits. With the average EV price tag just shy of $70K, GM is focusing on affordability to boost adoption — and speed past the competition. 

- __GM slashed the price__ of its Chevy Bolt EV by as much as $6K in June after a massive recall and production pause led to just 26 EVs being sold in Q4 last year.
- __Ford’s EV sales tripled__ last month, and __[Volkswagen’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY/)__ EVs are “basically sold out” for the year in the US and Europe.

Plug

__Consumers are waiting till the price is right…__ EV demand is hot: registrations [jumped](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a39998609/electric-car-sales-usa/) 60% in the first three months of this year, and EVs could account for a quarter of all new-car sales by 2025. But they still make up just 5% of America’s cars. Affordable models from staples like GM, coupled with Biden’s EV tax incentives, could help make “EVs for everyone” a reality.

Chevy's $30K electric SUV could be one of the cheapest yet, as GM strives to make the “EV for everyone”

The White House report on crypto's environmental impact puts executive action on the table

Queen Elizabeth II, who died yesterday, was the second-longest continuously ruling monarch in history after King Louis XIV

⛏️ A White House crypto wish

__Cayman, top down…__ __[Porsche](https://robinhood.com/stocks/POAHY/)__ is speeding toward an IPO despite a bumpy market. On Tuesday, Porsche parent __[Volkswagen](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VWAGY/)__ [said](https://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-to-list-porsche-in-one-of-biggest-ipos-in-years-11662413312) it plans to take the luxe-car brand public within weeks, in what could be Europe’s biggest IPO since 1999. VW could raise $10B in the listing, and plans to use the cash to boost EV production (think: electric Jettas). 

- __Big splash:__ At the high end of forecasts, Porsche could be worth $85B (almost equal to VW’s market cap). VW plans to keep a 75% stake in the biz.
- __Fat margins:__ Pricey Porsche has long been a profit puppy for VW: last year it accounted for 3% of VW’s car sales but *half* of its pretax profits.
- __“Supremium” surge:__ Luxury whips like __[Ferrari](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RACE/)__ and Volkswagen’s Bentley are [booming](https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-snap-up-teslas-bentleys-lamborghinis-as-the-luxury-auto-market-booms-11662497382?mod=business_lead_pos5). New cars from brands like __[BMW](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BMWYY/)__ and __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA/)__ made up a record 17% of total US car sales in June. 

__IPOs take a back seat…__ as shaky markets scare off investors. So far this year there’ve been half as many IPOs as there were by the same time last year — and they’ve raised 70% less. But some have found success by going smaller, not bigger. In the past year:

- __Splitting up:__ __[GE](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GE/)__ and __[Kellogg](https://robinhood.com/stocks/K/)__ decided to [split](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4S6VRj1OyGvIKuWQhrgJ1T/articles/5S6jEkhUqH5cUVw3HKheG7/) into smaller public companies to [streamline](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1Qt2T96PxTPi4D1SE8Gee4/articles/5MZFe6N5PC1XczpsPaEX9z/) operations and attract investors.
- __Spinning off:__ __[Dell](https://robinhood.com/stocks/Dell/)__ spun off __[VMware](https://robinhood.com/stocks/VMW/)__, and __[AT&T](https://robinhood.com/stocks/T/)__ [peeled](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/aHxrhlzudIs7bopZbJSGR/articles/jw8WzXcTXZhgCC7cyV676/) off __[Warner Bros. Discovery](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WBD/)__. Back in 2015, Fiat spun off Ferrari — and Ferrari shares have nearly quadrupled.

Porsche wants its own lane (Martyn Lucy/Getty Images)

Spin

__It’s the era of “spin offerings”…__ public offerings that spin off from larger companies. 
Porsche’s planned debut shows IPOs aren’t disappearing — they’re just changing. Buzzy unicorn-style IPOs (think: rapid growth, steep losses) are getting scrapped as econ jitters grow. Just the [latest](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/02/chobani-pulls-plan-for-ipo.html): Chobani. But corporate staples like VW and GE could continue spinning off profitable brands to boost value. 

Volkswagen hopes to take Porsche public at $85B as “spin offerings” gain traction

__An imperfect match…__ Cheers to this “ugly” couple: yesterday odd-looking-produce purveyor __Misfits Market__ [agreed](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-07/misfits-market-buying-imperfect-foods-in-ugly-produce-grocery-delivery-deal) to buy __Imperfect Foods__. Both companies deliver strange-shaped fruits and veggies at discounted prices (think: quirky carrots and dented avo that Whole Foods won’t sell). Both benefited from the online grocery boom, and now they’re joining forces:

- __A prosperous pear:__ Misfits was last valued at $2B and Imperfect at $700M. Together, the biz expects $1B in sales (and profitability) by 2024.
- __Fruitful partnership:__ Misfits expects to boost subscribers to 500K by adding Imperfect’s urban customers to its more rural base. It’ll also stop outsourcing delivery by using Imperfect’s vans. 

__Sad-lookin’ corn…__ still has the juice. After online grocery sales more than doubled in 2020, Misfits and Imperfect attracted new customers and raised millions to grow. Since then e-grocery demand has stayed strong. So-called ugly grocers now have two tailwinds:

- __’Flation-friendly:__ Groceries have gotten 13% pricier this past year, making cheaper “imperfect” foods more attractive: Misfits says its groceries cost up to 40% less than conventional alternatives. 
- __Sustainable branding:__ Misfits and Imperfect advertise their efforts to fight food waste, capitalizing on consumers’ green preferences. FYI: critics [say](https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/26/18240399/food-waste-ugly-produce-myths-farms) ugly sellers don’t reduce waste but rebrand food that would’ve ended up in restaurants or products.

Pear

__Sustainability doesn’t always win…__ but lower prices might. Sales at eco-friendly brands like __[Beyond Meat](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BYND/)__ have wilted as demand for pricey meat alternatives dwindles. But ugly grocers have an advantage over faux-meat makers: they’re often *less expensive* than rivals like __[Albertsons](https://robinhood.com/stocks/ACI/)__ and __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR/)__, and that could win over cost-conscious shoppers — regardless of sustainable preferences.

Misfits Market buys “ugly produce” rival Imperfect Foods, betting demand for weird-looking blueberries will keep rising

Serena Williams’ final match averaged 4.8M viewers, making it ESPN’s most-watched tennis match ever

🚗 Initial Porsche Offering

__Winter is coming...__ Markets were shocked on Friday after Russia indefinitely shut down natural-gas flows to Europe. Kremlin-controlled __Gazprom__ (the [biggest](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/082615/5-biggest-russian-natural-gas-companies.asp) natural-gas company) halted gas supplies to Germany from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, a key gas artery for Europe. It’s a worst-case scenario for Europe as it races to fill gas-storage facilities to keep homes warm this winter.

- __Russia blamed__ the halt on economic sanctions imposed by the West, saying they led to technical problems. Russia said flows would resume if sanctions were lifted.
- __Europe says__ Russia’s weaponizing energy to force the West to remove sanctions and punish it for supporting Ukraine.
- __Coincidence?__ The move came after the G7 agreed to impose a price cap on Russian oil and the Biden admin [asked](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/03/world/europe/the-biden-administration-asks-congress-for-13-7-billion-in-additional-aid-for-ukraine-underscoring-its-resolve.html) Congress for $13.7B in extra aid for Ukraine.

__Putin-flation...__ Gas prices have been falling for months, but they [spiked](https://www.ft.com/content/3fc13e81-ea91-4d4e-9184-4ae9b11f37c8) after Russia turned off the taps (and the euro hit a 20-year low). Not helping: OPEC [agreed](https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/05/energy/opec-oil-gas-prices/index.html) to cut oil production next month. Nord Stream is key for Europe and its largest economy, Germany. But ever since Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU’s had to wean itself off the pipeline.

- __Before the war:__ Russia was Europe’s largest energy supplier, with Nord Stream accounting for *over half* of Germany's gas imports.
- __Since the war began:__ Russia has dramatically cut gas flows to Europe. Before Friday’s news, Gazprom had already slashed Nord Stream flows to 20% of capacity.

Gazprom causes gas problems (NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/ Getty Images)

Putinflation

__Energy is a powerful weapon…__ and it doesn’t have to be nuclear. By zapping Europe’s gas supply, Russia is attacking its economic heart. A winter shortage could tip Europe’s ailing economy into a full recession — and cause a collapse in energy trading. Fortunately, Europe’s gas-storage levels have surged ahead of targets, which could help it avoid having to ration. But consumers and the economy could take a major hit from record prices.

Russia cut off gas flows to Europe, using energy as an economic weapon ahead of winter

Liz Truss became the third female prime minister in British history yesterday

⛽ Russia’s gas halt 

__Post-Labor Day labor update...__ While you were packing coolers and beach towels for the unofficial "last weekend of summer," the Labor Department was packing stats. The August jobs report [showed](https://www.wsj.com/articles/august-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-economy-growth-2022-11662062706) slowing job and wage growth — but a still historically *strong* labor market.

- __The US added 315K jobs,__ slightly lower than expected and the lowest monthly gain since April 2021. FYI: in July the US gained 526K roles.
- __The unemployment rate jumped__ to 3.7% from 3.5% in July, mostly because more people started looking for work.
- __Average hourly earnings grew__ 5.2% from a year earlier, slowing from July's pace.

__Investors are eating the porridge...__ Some are calling this a "goldilocks" report because it's not too hot, not too cold (but juuust right). While the labor market is cooling, job growth is still way higher than prepandemic levels, and unemployment is just off its half-century low of 3.5%.

- __*Bad news = good news*__ in this inflationary economy. Investors were relieved jobs didn’t come in too hot, which could compel the Fed to be more aggro with rate hikes. 
- __Terrible news = bad news.__ Investors were relieved labor didn’t slow *too* much, suggesting the Fed’s flation-fighting hasn’t gone too far (yet).
- __Still:__ While job openings outnumber available workers nearly 2-to-1, layoffs are making headlines. __[Ford](https://robinhood.com/stocks/F/)__, __[T-Mobile](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TMUS/)__, __[Wayfair](https://robinhood.com/stocks/W/)__, and __[Snap](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SNAP/)__ have all announced cuts.

Breakfast temp: just right (Paul Bersebach/Getty Images)

Werk

__Pain’s more bearable when it’s predictable…__ This report keeps the Fed on track to raise interest rates by 0.75 or 0.5 percentage points this month. Fed chair Jerome Powell [said](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/3Xy3kid2cGsNJewaxEmlYl/articles/6Y0wD0l9WHev2iy2va9eoS/) he plans to keep hiking till inflation’s under control. While gas and food prices have come down, they’re still near 40-year highs. JPow did warn there’s economic and labor-market pain ahead. It takes time for all the consequences of higher rates to manifest, but expectations of pain could help reduce market shocks.

The “goldilocks” August jobs report is warm enough to satisfy investors, but a bigger slowdown could be ahead

__The great American battery boom…__ Companies are investing billions in the US battery biz, and it’s all for EVs: last week __[Honda](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HMC/)__ and __LG Energy__ announced plans to [build](https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/29/honda-and-lg-energy-plan-to-build-a-4-4-billion-lithium-ion-plant-in-the-us/) a $4.4B US EV battery plant, __[Toyota](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TM/)__ pledged an extra $2.5B to its US battery factory, and __Bosch__ said it'll spend $200M to build fuel cells in South Carolina. __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM/)__, __[Stellantis](https://robinhood.com/stocks/STLA/)__, and __Hyundai__ have committed billions to made-in-USA batteries, taking advantage of billions in EV funding through President Biden’s infrastructure and climate bills to gain juice in the e-race. 

__Congress has crypto q’s…__ The SEC's not the only one [demanding](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1wtJg97QxjQGWOy95mSzca/articles/5b0PqoHAz9hncG9uOSIyUF/) answers from crypto's top players. Last week the House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent [letters](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/30/coinbase-ftx-binance-get-inquiries-from-congress-on-crypto-scams.html) to __FTX__, __Binance__, and __[Coinbase](https://robinhood.com/stocks/COIN/)__ asking how they’re protecting customers from scams (industry-wide, $1B+ has been reported stolen since 2021). The committee also hit up regulators and the Treasury Department to find out what they’re doing to keep consumers safe. Reply due date: September 12. Meanwhile, a bill to regulate stablecoins is heading to the CA governor's desk. Legislators may be done sitting on the sidelines.

__Canned peas FTW…__ Budgets are tight, but America still has to eat. __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR/)__ had a record year in 2021 and sales jumped again last quarter as buyers kept stocking up on fresh veggies despite hot prices. Kroger’s online sales have doubled in the past two years, and its shares have risen 7% this year while the S&P 500 has slid 18%. But soaring grocery prices have made it seem (relatively) less inexpensive for some to dine out, which could push some shoppers to ditch grocery stores for fast-food joints. We’ll see if inflation is biting Kroger’s profits when it reports Friday. 

__Lots of balls in the air…__ It’s a big week for pro sports. The NFL season kicks off Thursday and the US Open finishes Sunday. But today a lot of athletes earn more *off* the field: Serena Williams, who just played her final match, has earned $95M in career prizes — and $350M from sponsors. Billionaire LeBron James has earned twice as much from investments and endorsements as he has from his NBA salary. As the celeb-prenuer trend intensifies, Serena, LeBron, and NFL stars like Aaron Rodgers have also launched their own VC funds.

- __[Yoda](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7uCGMJLhs14s1sypnfbMZy/articles/1pR9LPf91XLbRQokb9oax3/):__ __[Disney’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS/)__ reportedly exploring a Prime-style membership to give Mickey fans special perks and cross-sell its offerings across streaming, merch, and theme parks. 
- __[Suds](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/70AWukI131xlHFLP88EM8T/articles/6EIEdveXK2qaTduU5Hv0ex/):__ __[Bed Bath & Beyond](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BBBY/)__ shares tanked last week after the cash-needy retailer said it would slash costs by closing 150 stores and cutting 20% of workers. 
- __[Fluffy](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7uCGMJLhs14s1sypnfbMZy/articles/79Rlso2ot9nMNwcMKx6B6e/):__ __[Petco](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WOOF/)__ and __[Chewy](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CHWY/)__ said pet owners aren’t trading down on fancy foods for their furries. Despite #flation, owners are splurging on gourmet meals (think: doggy Clif bars). 

The “goldilocks” jobs report is warm enough for investors, but there could be pain ahead

The International Space Station is closer to Earth than San Francisco is to LA (and there’s way less traffic)

🥣 The “goldilocks” jobs report

__(Yoda voice) “Sell more stuff, you will”…__ A new force is awakening in the __[Disney](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS/)__-verse. Yesterday The __Wall Street Journal__ [reported](https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-explores-amazon-prime-like-membership-program-to-offer-discounts-and-perks-11661978329?mod=business_lead_pos6) that the House of Mouse is exploring an __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN/)__ Prime-style membership (a Disney adult’s dream). It could give fans perks and discounts — and give Disney a new way to promote its offerings and boost loyalty. 

- __Expanding (biz) empire:__ A membership program could tie together Disney’s streaming content (think: the new “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series), products (think: toy lightsabers), and experiences (think: “Star Wars” rides at Disneyworld). 
- __Integrated experience:__ Disney+ is said to be building tech that lets viewers order products using in-show QR codes. So in the future subscribers could book a Disneyworld trip and buy members-only merch without peeling their eyes off Yoda bae.

__Membership mania…__ Disney isn’t the only one taking a page from the Prime playbook: titans like __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL/)__ and __[Walmart](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT/)__ have launched subscription bundles in recent years to boost loyalty and sales. Memberships give companies tons of customer data, which helps them to strategically upsell.

- __Powerful perks:__ Earlier this month Walmart said it would add __[Paramount+](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PARA/)__ streaming to sweeten the deal for its $98/year Walmart+ membership program.
- __Subs for all:__ Disney already has a membership for superfans ($100-$130/year). But the new program would target more casual customers.

Dreaming of Baby Yoda same-day delivery (Chukrut Budrul/Getty Images)

Yoda

__Memberships are peak “flywheel”...__ Disney CEO Bob Chapek has said he wants to use his company’s “franchise flywheel” to unlock fresh ways to cross-sell products. Translation: make fan-favorite franchises like “Star Wars,” “Toy Story,” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe even more lucrative by converting fans into loyal subscribers — and generate greater consistent monthly revenue.

Disney is reportedly exploring a Prime-style membership to cross-sell products and experiences

__Kroger canned peas for your uncle...__ grass-fed lamb and organic sweet-potato kibble for Fluffy. Americans love pampering their pets, but we thought inflation would take that down a notch. While consumers have started trading down from name-brand groceries to generic labels for *themselves* (think: __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR/)__ bread vs. Nature’s Own), they're still feeding their pets premium chow:

- __[Petco](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WOOF/) and [Chewy](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CHWY/)__ said pet owners aren't trading down from fancy foods for their furry friends. Owners continue to pamper pets with increasingly human-ified foods.
- __Fancy Fido:__ Petco recently teamed up with Clif to make a version of its power bar for pets and [launched](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petco-expands-popular-wholehearted-line-with-new-human-grade-fresh-food-for-dogs-301611352.html) a line of frozen human-grade meals for dogs.
- __*It’s the paws for me…*__ Petco’s CEO said that Gen Z and millennial consumers are leading the growing demand for pet health and wellness products.

__Safeway frozen pizza for Paul…__ seared salmon for Princess. Petco’s CEO said consumers are increasingly seeking out “fresh, human-grade food for all members of the family” (we’d hope the human ones, at least). Still, both Petco and Chewy saw slowing demand for lucrative goodies like chew toys and leashes and bigger-ticket items like crates and beds.

- __Chewy stock fell Monday__ after it reported 13% year-over-year sales growth (lower than expected). It cut its sales outlook as consumers spent less on discretionary items. 
- __Petco also lowered__ its annual forecast as #flation curbed spending on non-food goodies.

Furflation

__Consumers hate skimping on dependents…__ Many would rather cut back on personal purchases than trade down on helpless little ones. It’s true for pets and (unsurprisingly) truer for babies. The global baby-care market is [expected](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baby-care-products-market-to-reach-58-8-billion-globally-by-2031-at-4-5-cagr-allied-market-research-301601759.html) to hit $59B by 2031, from $38B last year. And despite __[Bed Bath & Beyond’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BBBY/)__ [slumping](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/70AWukI131xlHFLP88EM8T/articles/6EIEdveXK2qaTduU5Hv0ex/) sales, last year its prized Buybuy Baby brand saw [20%](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-25/bed-bath-beyond-s-grasp-for-cash-puts-baby-brand-on-the-line) growth.

Petco and Chewy say consumers aren’t trading down on fancy pet food, despite ’flation

Disney is reportedly exploring a Prime-style membership to cross-sell products and shows

It's been more than 100 days since a US company raised over $25M in an IPO

🎡 Disney… Prime?

__Missing the coupon catalog...__ It's back-to-school season, but dorm staple __[Bed Bath & Beyond's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BBBY/)__ already flunked the semester. Shares of the struggling home goods retailer sank 21% yesterday after it revealed its plan to cut costs and raise cash. BB&B is:

- __Closing 150 of its namesake stores:__ As of May, it had 955 stores, including Buybuy Baby. Total sales plunged 26% last quarter — even worse than other recent quarterly drops.
- __Slashing 20% of its workforce:__ The cost-cutting attempt comes as BB&B burns through its cash reserves: it ended May with just $100M on hand vs. $1.1B a year earlier.
- __Raising $500M in financing:__ BB&B said it secured the $$ to brace its business after going through $325M last quarter. It also [filed](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/31/bed-bath-beyond-shares-crater-after-meme-stock-files-share-offering-of-undisclosed-amount.html) to sell an undisclosed # of its shares.

__Fitted sheet on a twin XL mattress…__ Bed Bath has bigger problems. In April it said it lost out on $175M in sales due to out-of-stock items. In June, BB&B ousted its ex-CEO for failing to fix its misfortunes. And last month, activist investor Ryan Cohen sold his entire BB&B stake. 

- __Pivot:__ As part of an unsuccessful turnaround effort, BB&B aggressively expanded into private-label brands, launching nine since last spring. 
- __Fail:__ BB&B thought exclusive brands could help it gain a competitive edge, but it led to some shoppers struggling to find the recognizable national brands they actually wanted.

Beyond’s big bummer (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Flunk

__Private labels can hurt public love…__ Private labels like __[Costco’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/COST/)__ Kirkland and __[Walmart’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WMT/)__ Great Value brands can boost affordability for consumers and fatten profit margins for companies. But they can also alienate consumers if not done right: BB&B says it’ll quit three of its house brands including Haven and slash inventory on others to refocus on brand names like Cuisinart and Oxo.

Bed Bath & Beyond tanks after unveiling a plan to raise cash, featuring store closures and layoffs

__[Snap's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SNAP/) growth cracked…__ then its stock popped. Snap, the social giant responsible for popularizing disappearing messages, is [cutting 20%](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/31/snap-confirms-20percent-job-cuts-and-announces-business-restructuring-.html) of its 6K+ employees. CEO Evan Spiegel said the self-described camera company may suffer slow revenue growth into next year. To cut costs further, Snap’s scrapping: the "Pixy" photo drone, Snap Originals premium shows, and Snap Games. The stock soared as much as 15% after the news. Meanwhile: __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX/)__ just swiped two Snap execs to lead its fledgling [ads biz](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1hJKveGEOmvpzuLtfVejiF/articles/43M2Oild3MGMPYMecA8Q7K/) (awk). 

__The social biz sours…__ as the ads meal ticket sags. Snap's not the only social staple feeling the pain. __[Meta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/META/)__ froze some hiring in May, and in July reported yet another quarter of declining sales as Facebook ads slump. __[Twitter](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TWTR/)__ "significantly" slowed hiring, laid off 30% of its recruiters in July, and last month told employees their bonuses are at risk. A few things eating into ad revenue:

- __iOMess:__ __[Apple's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL/)__ iOS [privacy push](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/3pnV87VuDPifCjtp4W4gHh/articles/7vbuNAkTTZcIt3oAQiUaOr/) made profitable ad targeting a lot harder. 
- __Economean:__ #Flation and rising interest rates cut into advertisers' budgets.
- __TikToffed:__ Competition from TikTok means a smaller slice of the ad-spend pie.

Snapped

__Socials are going basic…__ because times are complicated. Nice-to-haves like camera drones and original content may be top priorities when the cash is flowing, but as the economic outlook darkens, social cos are cutting back. In the hypercompetitive tech world, slashing innovation today risks irrelevance tomorrow — a fact likely on Meta's mind as it chugs full steam ahead into the metaverse (at least it has $40B in cash reserves to fall back on).

Snap slashes its workforce as social titans struggle to revive their profit puppy lifeline: ads

Bed Bath & Beyond tanks after unveiling a plan to raise cash, featuring closures and layoffs

During World War II, M&M's were exclusively sold to the US military