GM and BRRR.

Stocks are again inching higher this morning as markets await Q2 earnings from Tesla, Netflix and IBM after the closing bell.

Given the broad mega rally in tech since Q1 ended, many believe that tech earnings need to handily beat expectations in order to prevent a selloff this summer.

Supporting the thesis was this morning’s earning report from ASML, a key NVDA partner developing semiconductor machinery and AI technology.

Despite beating expectations on earnings and revenue while raising guidance for the remainder of the year, the stock is down nearly 4% in early trading today.

Today’s news coverage goes deep into two stories:
1) Microsoft Announces Privacy-Focused Enterprise AI Pricing
2) RFK Jr Says He’ll Eliminate Capital Gains on Bitcoin & Back the Dollar With It

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Still reading: The AI Tool Report for specific ways to leverage AI for productivity.

AI: The Money Robots

Microsoft's Pricey Path to a Smarter Office

Microsoft has announced plans to charge more for artificial intelligence (AI) features in its Office software, expecting a significant revenue boost. The tech giant also plans to release a more secure version of its Bing search engine to meet businesses' data protection needs and to enhance their interest in AI. The new AI functionality called "Copilot" in Microsoft 365 will allow drafting of emails, creating Word documents, and making employee data accessible via chatbot for a monthly fee of $30 per user, which comes as an additional cost to the existing plans. The company also aims to provide an enterprise version of Bing that will not save or view user data for training its algorithms.

• AI Boost for Office Suite: Microsoft is set to enhance its Office Suite with AI features, a move that could see customers' costs triple. For an additional $30 per user per month, customers will gain access to the AI Copilot in Microsoft 365, which can draft emails, create Word documents, and provide prompt access to employee data via a chatbot. This upgrade, while costly, is predicted to pay for itself through productivity gains and time savings, according to Microsoft's corporate vice president, Jared Spataro.

• Bing Chat Enterprise: Microsoft has developed Bing Chat Enterprise, a bot integrated into the Bing search engine, which can generate content and navigate the internet. This service is included with subscriptions used by approximately 160 million workers. Unlike the regular Bing engine, the enterprise version doesn't save or view user data for algorithmic training. This feature responds to growing concerns about confidential data being entered into public chatbots.

• A More Secure Bing: Microsoft is aiming to attract businesses with a more secure version of Bing, addressing data-protection concerns and encouraging more interest in AI. The enterprise version of Bing requires employee login with work credentials, ensuring the protection of data. This initiative may help Microsoft to gain search advertising share from Google, which currently translates to $2 billion in revenue per percentage point gain. It could also direct more customers towards Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI upgrade offering access to business data and compliance controls.

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Crypto: Digital Gold Rush

From Fiat to Crypto: Kennedy's Dollar Reinvention

Democratic Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed a radical reimagining of the U.S. financial system, advocating for the backing of the U.S. dollar with Bitcoin and other hard assets such as gold, silver, and platinum. This proposal aims to restore the strength of the dollar, curb inflation, and usher in a new era of American financial stability. Additionally, Kennedy intends to exempt bitcoin profits from capital gains tax to encourage innovation and investment. He views Bitcoin as not just an asset, but a policy tool to ensure the nation's fiscal longevity and attract intellectual capital to U.S. shores.

• Fiat Currency Critique: Kennedy expressed concerns about the dangers of a pure fiat currency system, stating that fiat currencies were invented to fund wars without needing specific government taxation or citizens' approval. He argued that hard currencies like Bitcoin and precious metals could help avoid the hidden tax of inflation and restore the balance of wealth.

• Bitcoin's Regulatory Status: The presidential candidate emphasized that Bitcoin is not a security and should not be regulated as one, marking a shift in the current stance held by the Biden administration. He committed to ending policies punishing banks dealing with Bitcoin, signaling a more accommodating regulatory environment for cryptocurrency under his presidency.

• Initiatives to Foster Bitcoin Adoption: Reiterating commitments made at the Bitcoin 2023 conference, Kennedy outlined his plans to defend the right of self-custody of Bitcoin, uphold the right to run a node at home, and defend industry-neutral regulation of energy. These commitments aim to protect the rights of Bitcoin users and promote the widespread adoption of the cryptocurrency.

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Today’s Reader Poll

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AI Art of The Day

RFK Jr has come out as the most bitcoin-friendly presidential candidate. Who would’ve thought it’d be a democrat in 2024?

The BRRR’s Portfolio Update

Big Tech still strong, with AI news constantly evolving, and Tesla closing in at $300 prior to their earnings release; crypto holders rejoice and anxiously await.

On Watchlist:
$AMD: NVDA’s strongest competitor
$ASML: They make the machines that make AI machines
$ISRG: Robot Surgeons
$OPRA: Growing web-browsing solution

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The BRRR is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as investment advice. Please consult with your investment, tax, or legal advisor before making any investment decisions.

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