AI-powered convenience was the takeaway from this year's Google I/O conference. When we use "AI" in this context we are speaking of Google's Natural Language capabilities that leverage the company's Large Language Models (LLMs). These models (Bard for example is built upon an LLM-based platform), enable users to engage with their devices using natural language … Continue reading AI-Powered Convenience at Google I/O ’23
Tag: Walmart
Amazon Bank, Apple Bank, Google Bank…
Fed Chairman Powell should lob calls into Andy Jassy (AMZN CEO), Tim Cook (AAPL CEO), Sundar Pichai (GOOGL CEO), Satya Nadella (MSFT CEO) and Doug McMillon (WMT CEO) in an effort to persuade them to consider acquiring a bank. To hell with potential pushback from the FTC. AMZN, AAPL, GOOGL, MSFT and WMT already dabble … Continue reading Amazon Bank, Apple Bank, Google Bank…
Walmart Looks Like Stagflation
WMT expenses (COGS and interest expense), grew faster than January quarter revenues. Fiscal 2024 full year outlook looks similar where expenses are growing as fast as or outpacing revenue growth. That's what an economy in the midst of stagflation looks like - muted growth with costs (including debt expense), growing as fast or faster than … Continue reading Walmart Looks Like Stagflation
Kroger and Albertsons Rumored Deal Makes Sense
The thin margin grocery business is a scale game. Grocery chain operators will continue to offset rising input costs (primarily food and labor) with higher retail prices and an increased focus on self-service and automation. Walmart (WMT) is the leading grocery chain in the U.S. and only Amazon (AMZN), has the balance sheet to compete. … Continue reading Kroger and Albertsons Rumored Deal Makes Sense
A Tale of Two Cities
Make no mistake, Biden's $2.3 Trillion "infrastructure" spending program and $1.8 Trillion "American Families" spending program will pass Congress. That's bad news for Americans and small business and good news for Amazon (AMZN) and Walmart (WMT). **Purchase our Amazon Kindle book "Stagflation Is Imminent": HERE First: we would not be having this conversation if the Federal … Continue reading A Tale of Two Cities
Amazon Pharmacy Is Ramping Up Its Marketing Effort
We expect Amazon Pharmacy to take market share by providing consumers with price comparison capability, health information and related health services. We have noticed an uptick in Amazon Pharmacy YouTube Ads this week. The Amazon Pharmacy business unit is led by PillPack (Amazon acquired PillPack in 2018 for approximately $1 billion), co-founder T.J. Parker. In … Continue reading Amazon Pharmacy Is Ramping Up Its Marketing Effort
More Lines To Come With Price Controls
It is starting to feel like the 1970's with out of control fiscal spending, inflation and now gas lines. We only have gas lines in certain parts of the country today as local government officials exercised gas price controls during the Colonial Pipeline shutdown. We could very well see similar price control policies from the … Continue reading More Lines To Come With Price Controls
Walmart E-Commerce Continues To Scale. A Spin-Off Could Unlock Shareholder Value.
Walmart's (tkr: WMT), E-Commerce offerings continued to scale with revenues of $17.1 billion in Q4 and $60.3 billion for the year. E-Commerce accounted for approximately 11% of Walmart's total Net Sales for the year ended January 31st. WMT E-Commerce is larger than many e-commerce companies from a revenue standpoint including PayPal, Shopify, Square and Wayfair … Continue reading Walmart E-Commerce Continues To Scale. A Spin-Off Could Unlock Shareholder Value.
Amazon Is Reshaping Healthcare
Amazon (tkr: AMZN) is one of four firms working to reshape the healthcare landscape along with Walmart (tkr: WMT), Alphabet (tkr: GOOG) and Apple (tkr: AAPL). Amazon has established positions in key strategic areas of the healthcare market including healthcare services and insurance (via its Haven joint venture with Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan) as … Continue reading Amazon Is Reshaping Healthcare
Technology, Healthcare and Structural Unemployment
The employment statistic that has concerned us most over the past number of years is the labor force participation rate which stood at only 61.7% as of last week's Employment Situation Summary. Our view is that the labor participation rate will only shrink over time as the global economy continues to become more Technology and … Continue reading Technology, Healthcare and Structural Unemployment
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