Happy Sunday!
We've had an interesting week in the world of tech and entertainment. After a somewhat sluggish beginning to the second quarter earnings reports (with companies like Netflix, Spotify, and Microsoft making headlines), things have started to look up.
Facebook's parent company, META 0.00%↑, along with other companies like Roku and Comcast, has helped revive the sector.
This upcoming week will be filled with even more updates from major companies like Amazon AMZN 0.00%↑ and Apple AAPL 0.00%↑ .
Many people are buzzing about Amazon's strong performance even after some minor setbacks, and there seems to be a general optimism about its future.
In the coming week, I'll also be keeping an eye on companies like Airbnb, DoorDash, Uber, and some big names in the payment industry like PayPal and Square. If any of these topics interest you, feel free join here!
Here's a glance at some other notable news:
Sports Franchises: Rapper Jay-Z is reportedly considering a massive takeover of Tottenham Hotspur after recent legal troubles involving the club's previous owner.
Ticketmaster: The Department of Justice is investigating Ticketmaster, which could lead to a significant lawsuit by the end of the year.
Visa: They're making moves against card surcharges in small stores, according to Bloomberg.
Apple: Apple has admitted to a bug in its parental control feature, Screen Time.
Online Gaming: Flutter and Fox are winding down their online gaming business, Fox Bet.
Twitter: San Francisco has launched an investigation into a giant “X” sign installed on the building that used to be Twitter's headquarters. Also, Kanye West's account has been reinstated by the company now known as X.
It's a lively time in the worlds of tech, entertainment, and sports. Stay tuned for more updates, and have a great week ahead!
Unprecedented Domestic Box Office Weekend in Post-Pandemic Era
The cinematic showdown between Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" continues to make waves in theaters, jointly raking in huge box office numbers. In just the second weekend, "Barbie" pulled in a staggering $93 million, while "Oppenheimer" secured a strong $46.2 million, defying typical week-two drops.
The dubbed "Barbenheimer" phenomenon has transcended expectations, surpassing $1 billion in global ticket sales and marking what analyst Paul Dergarabedian calls "a touchstone moment" for the movie industry. Other releases struggle to compete with these two giants, as both films continue to dominate, showcasing the power of compelling storytelling in drawing audiences back to the big screen.
Surge in Dining Apps Meets Rising Obesity Rates
As the second quarter reveals a year-over-year growth in restaurant app Monthly Active Users (MAUs) and downloads, a parallel trend is emerging in the U.S. Obesity rates among adults are climbing, with categories shedding light on the specifics.
It's no wonder the growth rates for obesity medication like Ozempic are making headlines.