Monday morning briefing: Ford finds a new outlet
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is committed to improving the employer-sponsored healthcare market. After exiting a joint venture with Amazon.com Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc., JPMorgan launched Morgan Health in another attempt to help improve employee benefits and health equity in the U.S. The company is focused on new innovations, and is testing this new offering within JPMorgan itself. If it works, the company will expand Morgan Health to other businesses. JPMorgan is hoping that its focus on testing new innovations based on its own employees’ needs will help drive further meaningful solutions.
Economic/industry news
Canada’s inflation rate higher than expected: Canadian consumer prices climb at fastest pace in a decade
Retail sales in Canada rise 3.6% in March, but April sales may fall: Retail sales in Canada reverse gains in April amid lockdowns
Fed appears to be thinking about tapering: Fed minutes: Economy remains far from FOMC goals
SPACs are set to become more popular in Europe: As the US SPAC boom cools, Europe’s is just heating up
Bitcoin may be close to a top, according to some fund managers: Fund managers say ‘long Bitcoin’ is the most crowded trade in the world
U.S. yields may continue to rise: An outlook for U.S. yields
Reasons for hope
Determining if mixing vaccines will be helpful: Preliminary results from Spanish study suggest mix and matching vaccine doses may increase antibodies
Kickstarting restaurants will help the economic recovery: Reviving food services sector key to economic recovery
Adapting your business
McKinsey looks at workplace issues as we come out of the pandemic: COVID-19: Implications for business
Asking employees to rest: Companies are battling burnout by giving employees more vacation days-but will they take them?
Bringing digital asset SMAs to advisors: Dynasty launches first crypto options for its advisors
Most Canadians want to go back to work with a hybrid model: Workers in Canada want to get back to the office, KPMG says
Chart of the week: Ford finds a new outlet
Ford Motor Co.’s Ford F-150, the best selling vehicle in Canada and the U.S., is going electric. Ford unveiled a prototype of the electric F-150, named Lightning, on May 20. The truck will have all the power of its gas-powered version and still tow up to 10,000 pounds. Ford also agreed to a joint venture with SK Innovation Co. Ltd. to produce battery cells and modules.
The company is not only battling old rivals in the race to electric, but relatively newer entrants such as Tesla Inc. Since the beginning of 2020, the stock price of Ford has significantly underperformed Tesla’s. As Ford makes significant inroads in the electric vehicle space, can its share price growth catch up? Let us know what you think.
Used with permission of Bloomberg Finance L.P.
News and notes (U.S.)
Strong demand for hedge funds during the first quarter: Investor inflows hit USD9 billion as hedge funds see trade volumes surge in Q1
PE looking to capitalize on exits: How private equity plans to cash in on the COVID-19 recovery
Helping teens build strong financial habits: Fidelity rolls out no-fee investing accounts for teens
Mutual fund sales and performance over the past two weeks: Mutual funds scorecard: May 19 edition
News and notes (Canada)
Ninepoint launches new ETFs: Ninepoint launches three ETFs on NEO
Is space an issue for Canada’s real estate market?: The second-largest country in the world is running out of land
Canadians find opportunities in U.S. stocks: Canadian investors continue U.S. stock-buying binge: StatsCan
Those under 35 are more willing to bid above asking to purchase a home: Younger homebuyers more willing to fight bidding wars: survey