Highlights:

No Go…

Amazon announced Thursday it has cancelled plans to build an expansive campus in The Big Apple  after facing a fierce backlash from lawmakers, progressive activists and union leaders, who contended the tech giant did not deserve nearly $3 billion in government incentives. The decision was an abrupt turnabout by Amazon after a much-publicized search for a second headquarters, which had ended with its announcement in November that it would open two new sites — one in Queens, with more than 25,000 jobs, and another in Virginia. The agreement to lure Amazon to Long Island City, Queens, had stirred an intense debate in New York regarding the use of public subsidies to entice wealthy companies, the rising cost of living in gentrifying neighborhoods, and the city’s very identity.

Payless No More…

Discount retailer Payless ShoeSource announced it will close all of its approximately 2,300 stores when it plans to file bankruptcy again later this month for the second time in several years. Payless had been trying to find a buyer. After failing to find a deal, the Topeka, Kansas-based company has decided to initiate preparations to liquidate. There is still a small chance a buyer can be found however, in the mean time the company is preparing to run going-out-of-business sales at its shops in the next week. Payless filed bankruptcy once before in April 2017, and exited 18 months ago, with about $400 million in loans, after slashing its debt pile from over $800 million, according to court papers.

Markets:
Asia: Asian stocks closed lower on Friday after E economic data from China sparked investors fear of a slowing global growth.
Europe: European index’s closed lower on Thursday as trade talks between The U.S. and /China have hit a snag.
U.S: U.S. markets closed lower after the release of a report showing weaker than expected retail sales. DJIA: -103.88 25,439.39 NASDAQ: +6.58 7,426.96 S&P: -7.30 2,745.73

Word of The Day:

Dollar Index:

A weighted index which tracks the US Dollar against a basket of other world currencies.

In Dinner or Drink:

Blue Cloud Cocktail

1 oz. amaretto almond liqueur
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao liqueur
2 oz. vanilla ice cream
1 oz. whipped cream

Pour the amaretto and blue curacao into a blender. Add vanilla ice cream. Blend until smooth. Pour into a brandy snifter, and top with whipped cream. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve.

Highlights:

Going Green….

Amazon is going green. The online retail announced Monday, it will make half of its shipments carbon neutral by 2030. As part of the program, called Shipment Zero, the company will also publicly publish its carbon footprint for the first time this year. To reach that goal, the online retail giant says it will use more renewable energy like solar power; have more packages delivered in electric vans; and push suppliers to remake their packaging. Amazon has been working on its green project for over two years, mapping its carbon footprint and figuring out ways to reduce carbon use across the company.

Weight Problem…

The US Federal Aviation Administration is investigating how Southwest Airlines tracks the weight of checked bags on its flights. The probe, which began in February 2018, centered around airline employees making mistakes that caused pilots to compute the wrong weight of planes at takeoffs.
The errors have occasionally causing the reported takeoff weights to be 1,000 pounds lower than the plane’s actual weight. According to the FAA’s weight & balance handbook, excess weight on an aircraft can cause a variety of problems, including the need for a higher takeoff speed, reduced cruising speeds, decreased maneuverability and higher stress imposed on landing gear. In a statement, the company said there is an ongoing effort to track and voluntarily report operational data to the FAA so that we can mitigate and eliminate any operational risks. But the airline added that it has already put in place controls and procedures to address weight and balance issues. Southwest said it has shared those measures with the FAA. The FAA has not linked any accidents to the weight discrepancies, however it will not close its investigation until it is satisfied that Southwest’s corrective actions are consistent.

Markets:

Asia: Asian index’s closed mixed on Tuesday amid renewed geopolitical tensions, with China accusing the U.S. of fueling cybersecurity fears.
Europe: European markets closed higher on Monday as market participants continued to monitor trade talks between the world’s two largest economies.
U.S: U.S. stocks soared on Friday as investor’s confidence soared on continuing Trade talks and no government shutdown. DJIA: +443.86 25,883.25 NASDAQ: +45.46 7472.41 S&P: +29.87 2775.60

Word of the Day:
Seasonal Adjustment

A statistical technique used to even out periodic swings in statistics or movements in supply and demand related to changing seasons.

Dinner or Drink:
Ski Season

2 scoops of ice cream
2 oz. half-and-half
1 oz. cherry juice
3 oz. Frangelico® hazelnut liqueur
3 cherries

Frappe all the above ingredients EXCEPT the cherries pour into the Mason jar and top with the cherries.

Highlights:

Jet Plane….

Aerospace behemoth Airbus announced it would stop production of its A380 superjumbo jet. The move comes after the planes largest and only real customer, Dubai-based Emirates Airline cut its order by 39 planes. After investing billions into the A380, Europe’s largest aerospace company had hoped to overtake its biggest competitor, Boeing’s 747 jet. After a great start, Airbus struggled to sell the $446 million plane that can seat more than 800 passengers. The plane was the largest and most expensive commercial passenger aircraft ever made, and the first to have two full decks.

Mr. Roboto….

Johnson & Johnson has agreed to acquire surgical robotics company Auris Health Inc. for about $3.4 billion in cash. The deal will give the drug giant a lung-cancer diagnostic and treatment tool. Under the terms of the deal, J&J could also make additional payments of up to $2.35 billion to Auris based on milestones. Auris will become a part of J&J’s medical-devices division. Acquiring Auris will help J&J develop digital tools for diagnosis and early-stage intervention in lung cancer, an area where the company has been increased its focus.

Markets:
Asia: Asian markets closed mixed as high level trade talks between the U.S. and China are underway in Beijing.
Europe: European shares closed higher on Wednesday as better corporate earnings had investors feeling good.
U.S: U.S. stocks closed higher as solid corporate earnings and U.S./China trade talks had investors buying everything in sight. DJIA: +177.51 25,543.27 NASDAQ: +5.76 7,420.38 S&P: +8.30 2,753.03

Word Of The Day:

Animal Spirits

A term used to describe the human emotion that drives consumer confidence.

Dinner or Drink…

Valentine

2 oz. banana liqueur
1 oz. vodka
3 oz. cranberry juice

Shake banana liqueur, vodka, and cranberry juice with ice cubes and strain into a red wine glass.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!