Month: April 2023

DIY Repair Google’s Pixel Phone

DIY Repair Google’s Pixel Phone

One of my favorite features of Google's Pixel phone is that it is easy to repair. Apple's iPhone has multiple points where the screen connects to the circuitry. This creates repair complexity. Google's Pixel phone has a singular connection point between the display and circuitry. This makes for a simple repair (assuming you have the … Continue reading DIY Repair Google’s Pixel Phone

The U.K. Blocking MSFT’s Proposed Activision Deal

The U.K. Blocking MSFT’s Proposed Activision Deal

Whether it is the FTC or Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), I believe these Government agencies often block proposed mergers and acquisitions simply to justify their existence. They are government agencies after all and require taxpayer funds (or printed money) to survive. The CMA's MSFT decision adds zero value, will hinder innovation, and demonstrates … Continue reading The U.K. Blocking MSFT’s Proposed Activision Deal

The Full Promise of Large Language Models

The Full Promise of Large Language Models

The full promise of Large Language Models (LLMs) won't be delivered until LLMs are capable of understanding nuanced industry specific commercial data. Until such time, LLMs will be productivity enhancers (think Google Assistant), capable of automating routine tasks but incapable of operating complex processes. In order for the above to happen, LLMs will need to … Continue reading The Full Promise of Large Language Models

This Banking Crisis Will Be Here For Years

This Banking Crisis Will Be Here For Years

We told you back in March that more bank failures are coming. This banking crisis will be with us for years (the core of the last banking crisis lasted from 2008-2012), regardless of whether every bank failure makes the front page of the WSJ or the FT. Too many banks got overly aggressive as a … Continue reading This Banking Crisis Will Be Here For Years

Weekly Update: Bank Term Funding Program

Weekly Update: Bank Term Funding Program

The Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP, bail out/QE) had approximately $81.3 billion in outstanding loans as of Wednesday this week, up from $74.0 billion (+ $7.3 billion) a week ago. The “other credit extensions” line item of $170.4 billion includes the FDIC loans made to regional banks. This figure is down from $172.6 billion (- $2.2 billion) … Continue reading Weekly Update: Bank Term Funding Program

The Fed’s Balance Sheet Reduction (QT) Update 

The Fed’s Balance Sheet Reduction (QT) Update 

The Fed's Treasury holdings were unchanged the week ended April 26th. The Fed reduced its Agency holdings by $17 billion over the same period. The Fed's QT effort has been underwhelming in our view. Too bad, as shrinking the money supply through the Fed's balance sheet is a more effective tightening tool than is manipulating … Continue reading The Fed’s Balance Sheet Reduction (QT) Update 

CRE Office Property Value Reset

CRE Office Property Value Reset

Here is hoping that the Federal Reserve allows the Office segment of the CRE market to crash. The Office sector overbuilt circa 2011 through last year as rates were low and deep-pocketed investors were flush with cash. I recall the skyline changing across cities such as Washington D.C/ Northern VA, Boston, New York, San Francisco … Continue reading CRE Office Property Value Reset

AWS, Azure, GCP and Oracle

AWS, Azure, GCP and Oracle

My outlook as it relates to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Oracle's cloud server business is unchanged as compared to the article we wrote back in January (HERE). Fewer startups will be built upon remote server platforms (AWS and Azure being numbers 1 and 2) as most startups are cutting heads or worse … Continue reading AWS, Azure, GCP and Oracle