Core Insights - Tesla is intensifying efforts to launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in Europe, with ride-alongs scheduled in Germany, Italy, and France next month [1] - The company has faced challenges in rolling out FSD internationally, with expectations for regulatory approval from the Dutch regulator RDW by February 2026, although the timeline remains uncertain [2][3] - Tesla's sales in Europe have significantly declined, nearly 50% year-over-year in October, amid competition from BYD and backlash over CEO Elon Musk's political affiliations [5][6] Group 1: FSD Rollout Efforts - Tesla is offering FSD ride-alongs in select European countries to promote its self-driving technology [1] - The company has been testing FSD on European roads, showcasing its capabilities in cities like Rome and Paris [3] - Tesla employees have expressed frustration over the lengthy approval process required by Dutch regulators, emphasizing the critical nature of FSD approval for the company's leadership [4] Group 2: Regulatory Challenges - The Dutch regulator RDW has indicated a potential approval timeline for FSD by February 2026, but has cautioned that this schedule may not be met [2] - Tesla has encouraged European owners to contact the regulator to express their enthusiasm for FSD, prompting the RDW to request that fans refrain from contacting them [3] Group 3: Sales Performance - Tesla's sales in Europe have dropped significantly, with a nearly 50% decrease reported in October compared to the previous year [6] - The company faces stiff competition from BYD, which has seen its sales increase by over 200% in the same period [6] - CEO Elon Musk has criticized European regulatory processes, describing them as a "Kafkaesque" labyrinth that hinders Tesla's growth in the region [5]

Core Viewpoint - GMO warns that the AI sector resembles a classic investment bubble characterized by high valuations and rampant speculation [1][2] Group 1: AI Bubble Concerns - GMO has consistently cautioned about an AI bubble, reiterating its bearish stance as market exuberance grows [1] - Quantum computing stocks have surged over 1200% in the past year, leading to valuations that appear excessive [2] - The current market environment is compared to the dot-com bubble of 2000, suggesting potential risks for investors [3] Group 2: Investment Opportunities - GMO identifies attractive investment opportunities in developed market value stocks and non-US small-cap value stocks, especially in Japan [4] - Investors can shift their portfolios away from the AI sector without sacrificing long-term expected returns, as other risk assets are trading at fair valuations [6] - Funds such as the Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) and the iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF (IVLU) provide exposure to these alternative investments [6]

Core Insights - Black Friday has brought significant discounts on various TV models, particularly OLED, QLED, and LED, with many at or near their lowest prices ever [1][2][4] Group 1: Samsung TV Deals - The Samsung S90F 65-inch model is priced at $1,398, recognized for its excellent contrast and color performance [2] - The Samsung S95F 65-inch OLED 4K TV is available for $2,297.99, reflecting a 23% discount from its original price of $2,997.99 [8] - Samsung's Frame Pro QLED 4K TV is discounted to $1,597.99, down from $2,097.99, offering a 24% savings [11] Group 2: LG TV Deals - The LG G5 65-inch OLED 4K TV is priced at $1,996.99, down from $2,996.99, representing a 33% discount [22] - The LG B5 65-inch OLED 4K TV is available for $996.99, making it the most affordable OLED option for 2025 [26] - The LG C5 65-inch OLED 4K TV is priced at $1,796.99, down from $2,699.99, also reflecting a 33% discount [30] Group 3: TCL TV Deals - The TCL QM6K 55-inch QLED is priced at an all-time low of $398, featuring a 144Hz refresh rate [2] - The TCL QM7K 98-inch QLED is available for $1,998, saving $300 from its original price [2] - The TCL QM6K 65-inch QLED 4K TV is priced at $497.99, down from $649.99, representing a 23% discount [35] Group 4: Hisense TV Deals - The Hisense U8QG 65-inch QLED 4K TV is priced at $998, down from $1,498, reflecting a 33% discount [43] - Hisense is noted for delivering impressive performance at competitive prices, particularly with its U8QG model [40] Group 5: Sony TV Deals - The Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II OLED 4K TV is priced at $2,798, down from $3,499.99, representing a 20% discount [47] - The Sony Bravia 7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV is available for $1,298, down from $1,999.99, reflecting a 35% discount [52] Group 6: Amazon Fire TV Deals - The Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K TV is priced at $279.99, down from $469.99, representing a 40% discount [62] - The Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV is available for $194.99, down from $329.99, reflecting a 41% discount [66]

Core Insights - The American consumer is experiencing financial strain as holiday shopping approaches, with rising prices on consumer goods impacting spending behavior [1][2] - A significant portion of consumers expect to feel financial pressure during the holiday season, with many attributing rising costs to tariffs [2][5] - There is a noticeable disparity in holiday spending experiences between high-income and lower-income households, with higher earners showing stronger spending growth [3][4][8] Consumer Sentiment - 62% of respondents in Bank of America's holiday survey anticipate financial strain related to holiday expenses, and 58% feel that gifts are more expensive this year [2] - Over half of the respondents believe tariffs are contributing to price increases, particularly in electronics and jewelry [2][5] Spending Trends - Holiday spending per household has increased by approximately 6%, but retail transaction volumes have slightly declined, indicating consumers are spending more but purchasing fewer items [3] - Electronics spending per transaction rose nearly 8% after spring tariffs, while jewelry spending increased by about four percentage points following an August tariff announcement [5] Income Disparity - Higher-income households are experiencing spending and wage growth that surpasses lower-income households, with a 3% increase in spending for high earners compared to less than 1% for lower-income groups [4][8] - After-tax pay for higher earners rose about 4%, while it only increased by about 1% for those at the lower end of the income spectrum [8] Consumer Behavior Adjustments - Many consumers are becoming more selective in their gift-giving, with 38% planning to buy gifts only for immediate family and close friends, and 23% agreeing to scale back gift-giving with relatives [6] - Among those feeling financial strain, 87% intend to shop at discount stores, and 51% are considering gifting cheaper imitations of luxury items [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights the best Black Friday deals available across various categories, emphasizing significant discounts despite inflation and price uncertainties [1][2]. Technology Deals - Apple AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $219.99, down from $249, reflecting a 12% discount [5]. - The 4th Generation Apple AirPods are available for $69, a 47% reduction from $129 [7]. - The iPhone 17 is offered for free with a T-Mobile deal when switching four lines from another carrier, originally priced at $799 [9]. - The 11th-generation iPad is discounted to $274 from $349, a 21% savings [11]. - The MacBook Air (2025) is available for $749, down from $999, saving 25% [17]. Gaming Deals - The Sony PS5 Slim Digital Edition is priced at $399, a 20% discount from $499 [26]. - The PS5 Slim with a disc drive is available for $449, down from $549, saving 18% [27]. - The PS5 Pro is priced at $649, reflecting a 13% discount from $749 [29]. Kitchen Deals - The Keurig K-Supreme Single-Serve Coffee Maker is discounted to $99 from $169.99, a 42% savings [93]. - The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is available for $499.99, down from $749.95, saving 33% [100]. Fitness Deals - The Oura Ring 4 is priced at $249.99, a 28% discount from $349 [113]. - The NordicTrack T Series Treadmill is available for $639, down from $799, saving 20% [123]. Fashion Deals - The Madewell CloudSoft Drop-Shoulder Crewneck Sweater is priced at $76.80, a 40% discount from $128 [126]. - Spanx AirEssentials Half-Zip is available for $79, down from $118, saving 33% [130]. Beauty Deals - The Dyson Supersonic Nural hairdryer is priced at $399.99, a 27% discount from $549.99 [142]. - The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System is available for $229, down from $369.99, saving 38% [145]. Pet Deals - The Embark Breed Identification Kit is priced at $84, a 23% discount from $109 [156]. - The Modkat XL Litter Box is available for $151.95, down from $189.95, saving 20% [160].

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs researchers indicate that the US labor market is showing signs of softening, with a notable increase in layoffs across various industries, marking the highest level of planned mass layoffs since 2016, excluding pandemic-related spikes [1][5] Layoff Trends - Layoff announcements have reached unprecedented levels outside of a recession, with significant cuts reported in sectors such as technology, industrial goods, and food and beverage [2] - The rise in layoffs is concerning as it reflects "growing signs of weakness" in the labor market, with workers facing challenges in securing new employment [3][4] WARN Notices - The increase in WARN notices, which are required for companies with over 100 employees before layoffs, serves as a key indicator of employer behavior and potential job cuts [5] - Publicly traded companies have begun discussing potential layoffs during earnings calls, suggesting a trend towards workforce reductions and efficiency measures in the near future [6] Jobless Claims and Economic Indicators - Despite the rise in layoffs, weekly jobless claims remain low, indicating that government reports may not yet fully capture the labor market's deterioration [7] - Historical data shows that jobless claims typically lag behind private layoff trackers by about two months, hinting at a possible increase in federal job loss data as winter progresses [7] Impact of AI on Employment - Concerns about artificial intelligence leading to workforce reductions are present, but current evidence does not support the notion that AI is a significant driver of recent layoffs [8]

This story is based on a conversation with Eric Zander-Hussey, also known as EZ. It has been edited for length and clarity. In 2010, Kolinda and I met at a clown convention, where we were introduced to each other while wearing full clown makeup.I had been a clown since 1988, when I enrolled at clown college. Upon graduation, I was hired to perform with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and then went on to perform at Circus Circus in Las Vegas and as the clown for McDonald's corporation in No ...

Core Insights - The PS5 is recognized as one of the best gaming consoles available, known for its powerful performance, stunning graphics, and exclusive games, making it highly popular in the market [1][4]. Pricing and Discounts - In preparation for Black Friday, all versions of the PS5 are discounted by $100, with the Digital Slim priced at $400, the Disc Slim at $450, and the Pro at $650, marking the first significant deal of the year [2][5]. - The limited-edition PS5 (disc edition) featuring a Kintsugi-inspired design is available for $499, which includes a digital copy of the game "Ghost of Yotei," providing a $100 discount on the hardware [3]. Product Features - The PS5 Slim Digital Edition is priced at $399, designed for downloadable games only, and is $50 less than the standard PS5 with a disc drive [7]. - The PS5 Slim with a disc drive offers the ability to play game discs and has 1TB of storage, typically costing $50 more than the digital edition [8]. Competitive Positioning - The PS5 is competitively priced compared to gaming PCs and other consoles like the Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2, making it an attractive option for both loyal PlayStation fans and newcomers [5]. Accessory Deals - Additional savings are available on PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation Portal, which allows streaming of PS5 games on the go, priced at $178.99 [13]. - The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset is offered at $119.99, providing significant savings and features suitable for PS5 users [16].

Core Insights - Michael Burry has shared his stock picks after closing his hedge fund to outside cash, expressing a desire to communicate freely without regulatory constraints [1] - Burry's selected stocks include Lululemon Athletica, Molina Healthcare, Shift4 Payments, and Fannie Mae, which he views as long-term holds [2][3] - The current market conditions are seen as favorable for finding undervalued companies due to seasonal selling pressures [1][4] Company Summaries - **Lululemon Athletica**: An athletic-apparel retailer known for premium yoga pants, has seen its shares decline by 52% year-to-date, trading at under 15 times projected earnings [4][5] - **Molina Healthcare**: Provides affordable health insurance and healthcare services, primarily to low-income and senior Americans, with shares down 49% this year, also trading at under 15 times projected earnings [4][5] - **Shift4 Payments**: A fintech company offering payment processing and commercial tools, has experienced a 32% drop in share price year-to-date [4] - **Fannie Mae**: A government-sponsored enterprise that guarantees over $4 trillion in mortgages, its shares have tripled this year amid speculation of privatization [3][5] Market Context - The selected stocks are characterized by their market capitalizations under $25 billion, indicating a focus on smaller, beaten-down stocks [4][5] - Burry's investment strategy emphasizes deep-value opportunities, particularly in the current environment where many managers are reluctant to hold losing positions at year-end [1][4]

Core Insights - Walmart's Black Friday sale offers significant discounts and a wide variety of products, making it a competitive option for holiday shopping [1][2] - The sale includes notable deals such as $25 Crocs for adults, $100 off the PlayStation 5, and various home upgrade discounts [2] - Walmart Plus membership is currently available at a 50% discount, providing benefits like free delivery, streaming service options, and early access to Black Friday deals [3][5] Product Highlights - The PlayStation 5 1TB Flowering Chaos Bundle is priced at $449, down from $549.99, representing an 18% savings [8] - Apple AirPods Pro 3 are available for $219.99, a 12% discount from the original price of $249 [11] - Other featured products include a range of Lego kits, gaming accessories, and family clothing [12] Sale Timeline - Walmart's Black Friday sales began on November 13 for Walmart Plus members, with subsequent events continuing until November 30 [13]