🌩 Microsoft's dark cloud

Investors were spooked by Microsoft's results, Europe's economic data, and the folk partaking in self-scaring | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH     Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for July 31st in 3:09 minutes.   💰 "Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing", said the world's most famous investor. So join us for 💰 [How To Invest Like A Modern Warren Buffett]( at 5pm on August 14th, and find out how to stay in control. [Grab your free ticket]( Today's big stories - Microsoft’s shares fell late on Tuesday, as investors looked past better-than-expected earnings and focused on disappointing cloud results instead - Five rules for investing in a theme like AI or biotech – [Read Now]( - Germany lagged behind the next three biggest eurozone economies, potentially making it tougher for the region’s central bank to justify another rate cut Shadow Of A Former Self [Shadow Of A Former Self] What’s going on here? Microsoft [revealed]( its latest results late on Tuesday, but the cloud’s silver lining had lost its sparkle this time around. What does this mean? Microsoft set the bar high for Big Tech’s AI endeavors. A partnership with ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI, the launch of AI-powered PCs, and super-smart cloud offerings have convinced investors that the firm is the one to watch. But after tuning into results day with high expectations, they were likely left feeling flat. Sure, Microsoft’s revenue rose by a slightly better-than-expected 15% last quarter from the same period last year, continuing its estimate-beating streak for the sixth straight quarter. But sales growth at its all-important cloud business, Azure, slowed by more than forecast, which was enough for investors to initially send Microsoft’s shares lower after the news. Why should I care? For markets: Big Tech’s big risk. Even the biggest names in tech were exploring their thriftier sides after the pandemic. But they soon tossed their cost-cutting plans aside, funneling loads of money into data centers instead. The massive warehouses are filled with computer gear, and they’re essential for training and deploying AI models. Thing is, like many physical investments, data centers lose their value over time, and that depreciation will show up in their bottom lines – unless Big Tech can match the cost with revenue, of course. The bigger picture: It’s instant chatbot conversations or the planet. Data centers guzzle up tons of power, so much so that clean energy is struggling to keep up. Of course, companies aren’t going to slow down for the sake of the Earth, so they’ll still be reliant on dirtier fuel for some time. That’s starting to push some climate goals further out to sea. The US, for example, is likely to only [cut]( greenhouse gas emissions by 32% to 43% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels – well short of its 50% target. You might also like: [This stock could be the next big AI play.]( Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Shadow Of A Former Self&utm_campaign=daily-global-31-07-2024&utm_source=email) Analyst Take AI, Nutrition, And Everything In Between: Five Rules For Building A Thematic Portfolio [AI, Nutrition, And Everything In Between: Five Rules For Building A Thematic Portfolio]( By Theodora Lee Joseph, CFA, Analyst Some turn their laptop off at 5pm on the dot, never staring at a screen again (until the next morning). Others settle into a night of scrolling, deep-diving into the future of AI, in-depth articles about gut health, or complex documentaries about green energy. If you’re in the second camp, you might have a [thematic investor]( within you. Rather than choosing the stocks or bonds that are widely traded, thematic investors [actively or passively invest in a specific sector or trend](, with a focus on finding transformative pockets. Do it right, and you could [reap the rewards of finding the next big change]( – think renewable energy, tech innovation, or health and wellness. So that’s today’s Insight: [if you want to invest thematically, there are five rules you need to know](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY MONEY PICKLE Money management doesn’t have to put you in a pickle The average American retires at 62. The good news: you don’t have to be an average American. Get [a savvy financial advisor]( in tow, and you can put your money to work. Some planning sessions here, some small adjustments there, and you could reach your retirement goals faster. That said, calling up financial advisors to find “the one” hardly sounds like a barrel of laughs. But [take the free questionnaire on Money Pickle](, and you’ll be set up with a trustworthy and vetted advisor who’s been deemed the right fit to work on your goals and finances. You can even [jump on a free video call](, so you can get a sense for the advisor and their ideas before you bring a single dime into the equation. If you’re ready to get started, [check out the quiz.]( [Find Out More]( You must be a United States citizen in order to use Money Pickle's services due to SEC regulations. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. If you want your brand featured here, [get in touch.]( Split Decisions [Split Decisions] What’s going on here? European [economies]( moved in different directions last quarter, and even a summer of Aperol Spritz and free olives won’t be enough to cure the European Central Bank’s (ECB) headache. What does this mean? France and Spain’s economies picked up by a better-than-expected 0.3% and 0.8% respectively last quarter, despite business-bruising interest rates still sitting high across Europe. Nipping at their heels, Italy wrangled a 0.2% uptick, slightly lower than last quarter’s figure. But Germany, the region’s workforce, stumbled with a 0.1% drop. So despite much of Europe making headway, there’s no guarantee that’ll be enough to convince the ECB to trim rates again – especially as France’s data only partly reflects the outcome of the recent election, which could bring about higher costs, taxes, and uncertainty. Why should I care? Zooming out: Many horses, one course. The ECB has a particularly tricky job: each country in the region has a separate economy and circumstance, but the central bank still needs to find a one-size-fits-all interest rate policy. That’s why the central bank stressed that June’s slight trim won’t necessarily be followed by another cut in September, even though traders have priced in a 90% chance of one. The region’s weaker economies may need lower rates to spur on businesses and spending, see, but the strongest ones could use higher-for-longer rates to control inflation. The bigger picture: What goes up might come down. Many of Europe’s biggest companies are slashing their profit targets, issuing more warnings this quarter than in any of the last four. Plus, China’s hard-pressed shoppers have pulled back, hitting firms in the luxury goods, consumer staples, and vehicle industries. For now, stock analysts still hope the Stoxx Europe 600 index will see 4% more profit this year than last. But with more analysts cutting earnings forecasts than raising them, once-optimistic investors could head for the door. You might also like: [Europe’s interest rate cut is carving out opportunities.]( Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Split Decisions&utm_campaign=daily-global-31-07-2024&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day “There are two ways of spreading light: be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton (an American writer and designer) [Tweet this]( SPONSORED BY IG Forget “less is more”: let’s get all of your options on the table The key to investing is to make the most of your options. And this year, we’re taking that literally. Options trading could [take your portfolio to the next level](: leverage, short-term plays, risk protection, opportunities to benefit even when markets are falling or static – it’s all on the table. So we’ve teamed up with IG. The [award-winning trading platform]( is a dab hand when it comes to options, with tools and strategies to get more out of the market. Over the next few months, you’ll see our [collaborative guides]( and rundowns covering everything you need to know, with pieces designed for complete beginners through to seasoned traders. Stay tuned – and if you can’t wait to get started, you can [swot up ahead of the launch with IG’s introduction to options course](. Options and futures are complex instruments which come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You could lose more than your original investment. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. If you want your brand featured here, [get in touch.]( 📈 Expectations Are High For US Earnings Earnings season is a major event for investors. Analysts have long given their predictions, and how companies’ earnings measure up in reality can be [a serious indicator of long-term returns](. This time, analysts have high expectations for US stocks’ earnings – but if they fall short this earnings season, [investors won’t have much room for forgiveness](. [Get The Scoop]( 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Chasing gold. How to adopt [the mindset of an Olympian](. 2. You should take crypto protection seriously. Here’s [what makes the OG blockchain safer]( than Fort Knox.* 3. Fear factor. A look at why we [scare ourselves for fun](. 4. Today’s top companies won't necessarily rule the roost tomorrow. [Brush up your investing skills]( with this rundown.** 5. Going green. Beat the heat with 20 of the [best summer salad recipes](. ** See important disclosures [here](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🌍 Finimize Live 🤩 Grab your tickets... 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