🛁 Bursting the Microsoft bubble

China's banks made moves to excite the country | Google calls time on home-working | [TOGETHER WITH]( Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for June 9th in 3:10 minutes. 👀 Your portfolio might've looked very different if you'd seen the artificial intelligence hype coming. But join Magnifi’s Tom Van Horn for [AI Investing: The Next Opportunity Beyond ChatGPT]( next Tuesday, and you could discover the hottest tech theme before everyone else does. [Get your free ticket]( Today's big stories - China’s banks came out with financial elixirs designed to breathe life into the world’s second-biggest economy - Even with a super-high valuation, Microsoft might not be in a bubble after all – [Read Now]( - Google doubled down on its work-from-the-office policy Not-So-Natural Remedies [Not-So-Natural Remedies] What’s going on here? Chinese banks [issued]( some much-needed tonics on Thursday to stimulate China’s limp economy. What does this mean? China’s usual moneymaker is looking listless right now, with unenthusiastic global demand leaving its mammoth export industry unsatisfied, unfulfilled, and maybe a little dejected. And because the country’s population is saving instead of shopping, China needs a little help getting back to its usual spritely, frisky self. Enter, banks: following the government’s call to action, the country’s six biggest state-run banks cut deposit rates on Thursday for the second time in under a year. That should shrink banks’ costs, so they can eventually lend to businesses and regular folks for less and encourage spending. And because lower rates will curb the interest that cash makes in savings accounts, there’s even more reason to take money to the shops. Essentially, just call rate cuts the aphrodisiac of consumer spending. Why should I care? Zooming in: Let’s get spicy. Voyeuristic economists and investors have been eagerly watching the whole debacle, waiting for the right move to spice up the economy. But it’ll take more than rate cuts: China’s population isn’t confident about money, with disposable income growing frustratingly slowly. That’s not helped by the lethargic real estate market. The “[wealth effect](” suggests folks feel richer when the value of big assets – like homes, Chinese households’ biggest source of wealth – rises, even if their incomes stay the same. But with a tired outlook for the housing market, the sector needs some more stimulation before it can start performing. The bigger picture: America rules – for now. Over the years, China’s often been forecast to imminently overtake the US as the world’s biggest economy. But combine China’s recent troubles and dipping productivity with the US’s development-hindering sanctions, and the fight for the crown’s been a longer slog than it might've been. In fact, some economists reckon it’ll be 2030-something before China takes over – if it ever does. You might also like: [Three reasons to check out emerging market stocks.]( Copy to share story: [/trade-tonics]( 🙋 [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=Not-So-Natural Remedies&utm_campaign=daily-global-09-06-2023&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Microsoft Could Become A $5 Trillion Firm [Microsoft Could Become A $5 Trillion Firm]( By Paul Allison, Analyst [Microsoft hopped on the AI train]( early this year, and its stock has reaped the reward. Some investors, though, reckon those shares are way overvalued. That’s why I figured I’d do [a little valuation checkup](. I’ve used my trusty [valuation framework]( and deployed two angles of attack, so you can decide whether it’s unrealistic or not. And just for fun, I’ve had a think about just [how big Microsoft could get](. The conclusion is eye-opening, to say the least. That’s today’s Insight: [why you may want to think bigger about Microsoft.]( [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY FENNEL Watch what actually happens inside the corporate boardroom Alright, it’s not an actual leak in the only-on-Reddit sense, but it is very handy insight. See, [Fennel]( reckons everyday investors like you deserve to know [how companies behave behind closed doors](, so it’s exposing [the way firms make business-shaping decisions](. By dissecting remarks from one of the biggest general meetings of US companies last year, Fennel’s bringing the truth of boardroom activity to the forefront in an effort to get us everyday investors more involved and put ourselves in the boardroom. You’ll discover [ESG ratings and underlying metrics](, upcoming and past shareholder votes on topics like [plastic pollution and lobbying](, and get to [compare company stats apples to apples](. And while the big guys run the show today, with institutions voting much more often than retail investors, you could use that [behind-the-scenes intel]( to confidently put your vote into the mix. And turns out it doesn’t cost much to [start shaping business decisions and your portfolio’s direction](: the [Fennel app]( is just $4.99 a month, but you can [get your first two months free]( by signing up today. DisclaimerRisk of loss when Investing/Trading securities is substantial. Consider your investment objectives, financial situation, risk tolerance and investment experience before transacting. Services offered by Fennel Financials LLC, member of FINRA and SIPC. Super empowered does not refer to app users gaining superpowers or other advantages with investing, we just feel we provide data on ESG, shareholder voting, and financial metrics that others don’t to assist Fennel users with making investment decisions. [Find Out More]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. Cubicle Comeback [Cubicle Comeback] What’s going on here? Google didn’t mince words on [Wednesday](, telling workers to swap remote Meets for stiff, hard office seats. What does this mean? Google spends a lot of money glitzing up its super-slick offices, even developing a fresh London HQ during the pandemic, but plenty of workers still prefer less glamorous home comforts like the freedom to do laundry at midday. Well, most of Google’s staff have now been forcibly told to work from the office at least three days a week. And instead of subtle encouragement like free snacks or fancy hand creams in the bathrooms, employees will be sent reminders if they’re consistently absent and assessed on presence during performance reviews. There’s no tricking the system either: Google’s using badge data to track which workers are physically clocking in. Why should I care? Zooming in: Set the alarm. A recent Bloomberg survey showed that one in two financial professionals would quit if they had to spend more time in the office. Google’s whizz-kids probably feel the same way, but an exodus wouldn’t necessarily be the worst outcome. See, the firm’s under pressure to slim costs, so if switching working from bed for a morning commute’s too much of a stretch for some, Google probably won’t mind saying sayonara over a Zoom – or, uh, Google Meets. The bigger picture: Go go, Googlers. Google’s sudden desire for camaraderie could be down to a number of factors, not least the joy of an after-work pint. But the fact the firm seems to be falling behind in the artificial intelligence race may well have sparked the move, especially because Google proudly states that its best creations were conceived by workers butting heads together in a real-life primary-colored meeting room. Investors will be watching either way, whether it’s for a fresh digital move or more pink slips. You might also like: [How AI could transform companies' profit margins.]( Copy to share story: [/get-back-here]( 🙋 [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=Cubicle Comeback&utm_campaign=daily-global-09-06-2023&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving." – Erma Bombeck (an American humorist) [Tweet this]( Sharpen your competitive edge with market-leading engagement You can be doing the best work in the world, but it doesn’t count for much if nobody’s watching. So now that the stock market frenzy’s cooled off and folks are being more careful with their money, [smart financial brokers are turning to content]( to engage customers. Good move: an engaged user’s more likely to be active, and active users [make you more revenue]( on average. Plus, they’re [50% less likely to stray]( elsewhere. But you don’t need to overhaul your strategy or hire a fresh team: by bringing Finimize content into your platform, you could [unlock market-leading engagement]( for a fraction of the in-house cost. You should see [switched-on customers](: our partners say 65% of users who engage with one article in a week come back for more. On top of that, you could boast [better SEO ranking, brand loyalty, and a competitive edge](. [Discover how market-leading content production could transform your bottom line](. [Find Out More]( 🔉 The secret pod you never knew you needed You get your daily fill here, but our analysts also break down a broader trending topic each week, analyzing and connecting the dots just for Finimize Premium members. Tune into the Weekly Brief every Saturday to hear about global trends, opportunities, and takeaways. The latest edition's a goodie: [how China's faltering recovery has opened the door to Warren Buffett's new favorite, Japan](. [Listen Here]( 🌍 Finimize Live 🥳 Coming Up Soon...All events in UK time. 🚀 [AI Investing: The Next Opportunity Beyond ChatGPT](: 5pm, June 13th 🤔 [What's Next For Crypto Investors](: 7pm, June 19th 🔥 [Co-Trading: A New Way To Beat The Market](: 5pm, June 26th 🙋‍♀️ [Finimize Ladies Investing Club](: 6.30pm, July 13th 🎉 [Modern Investor Summit 2023](: 12pm, December 5th and 6th 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Martinis aren't only found in snazzy glasses. You can get your fix in [pastas and salad dressings]( now. 2. The wellness world is full of fads. [Apple cider vinegar]( might be one of them. 3. 21st-century cheating. Artificial intelligence is [stealing your partner](. 4. Forget deafening music and overpriced beer. [Yoga festivals]( are here to hype you up while zenning you out. 5. Elon Musk made big promises. So far, he's [far from delivered](. ❤️ Share with a friend Thanks for reading {NAME}. If you liked today's brief, we'd love for you to share it with a friend. You stay classy, {NAME} 😉 We’d love to hear your thoughts. [Give feedback]( Want to advertise with us too? [Get in touch]( Image Credits: Image credits: Shutterstock - vareyko toma | Peter Wuermli Preferences: [Update your email]( or [change preferences]( [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( from all Finimize Emails 😴 Crafted by Finimize Ltd. | 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AG All content provided by Finimize Ltd. is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to represent trade or investment recommendations. 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