Jon’s Newsletter

Jon's Newsletter covers business, technology, and investing, focusing on company mergers, AI advancements, market trends, investing strategies, and notable leadership and innovation stories. It includes recurring features like 'Ticker Take,' providing weekly insight into stock markets and investment opportunities.

Business Mergers Technology Advancements AI Developments Investment Strategies Market Trends Leadership in Business Historical Business Successes

The hottest Substack posts of Jon’s Newsletter

And their main takeaways

7 valuable life lessons from successful people.

179 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
🚌 Education Personal Development Career Advice Life lessons Public Speaking Success Stories
  1. Failure is part of life and can teach us valuable lessons. Embracing failure helps us grow stronger and more determined.
  2. Having a vision or plan for your life is important. It helps guide your decisions and keeps you in control of your journey.
  3. It's okay to take risks and follow your passions, even if it means leaving a secure job. Sometimes taking chances leads to great rewards.

How 15 famous brands got their names

99 implied HN points • 21 May 23
💼 Business Branding Marketing History Product Design Consumer behavior
  1. Many brand names have personal or fun stories behind them, like Android being named after a co-founder's nickname. It's cool how these names can connect to the people or experiences involved in their creation.
  2. Some brands, like Band-Aid and Life Savers, have names that describe exactly what they do. These names help customers understand what to expect from the product.
  3. The origins of brand names can reflect cultural or geographical influences, such as Lego meaning 'play well' in Danish. It's neat to see how language and culture shape these popular names.

How Amazon Survived The Dot Com Bust

139 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
💼 Business E-commerce Investment strategy Company growth Market Trends
  1. Amazon's stock price fell a lot during the dot com bust, but the company's internal metrics showed growth. Jeff Bezos believed that as long as their business got better, the stock value would eventually catch up.
  2. Having enough cash was crucial for Amazon to survive the tough times. They raised a significant amount of money right before the downturn, which meant they didn't have to scramble for funds later.
  3. Knowing when to stop investing in losing ideas helped Amazon save money. Bezos made tough choices to cut losses on companies that weren't performing, ensuring Amazon could focus on what was truly important for its future.

38 stock ideas for 2024.

39 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
💰 Finance Investments Stock Market Market Analysis Economic outlook Portfolio Management
  1. Investing in sectors like industrials, materials, and financials is recommended for good returns. Companies in these areas often generate high cash flow and have strong dividends.
  2. Some experts believe that consumer staples and financial stocks will do better in 2024 as they can benefit from lower interest rates and inflation-related price increases.
  3. It's a good idea to consider mid-sized companies and precious metals for investment, as they may have better valuations and growth potential amid an uncertain economic environment.

20 years of Tesla

139 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
💼 Business Automotive Entrepreneurship Innovation Manufacturing Investment
  1. Elon Musk nearly went broke saving Tesla in 2008, but he managed to keep it alive by splitting his fortune between Tesla and SpaceX.
  2. In 2010, Tesla became the first car company to go public in the U.S. in over 50 years, which boosted its credibility and opened doors for growth.
  3. The launch of the Model 3 in 2017 was crucial for Tesla's success, making it the best-selling electric vehicle in the world and greatly increasing the company’s market value.
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What if there's no U.S. recession?

59 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
💰 Finance Economy Investing Banking Market Trends Recession
  1. Bank of America has changed its prediction and now believes the U.S. might not face a recession. This change happened after positive statements from the Federal Reserve about the economy.
  2. Despite rising interest rates, the economy has been doing well with job growth and spending in new areas like AI and renewable energy.
  3. Historically, when there wasn't a recession after rate hikes, the stock market usually performed better, suggesting a positive outlook for investors.

31 well known businesses that launched during recessions.

139 implied HN points • 04 Dec 22
💼 Business Startups Economics Entrepreneurship Innovation History
  1. Many successful companies were created during tough economic times. This shows that challenges can spark innovation and new ideas.
  2. Starting a business in a recession often means lower competition and the chance to fill gaps in the market. This can help new businesses stand out.
  3. The stories of these companies remind us that adversity can lead to creativity and growth, proving that tough times can produce great opportunities.

Things to know about Tesla's Cybertruck

39 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Automobiles Electric Vehicles Innovation Manufacturing Market Trends
  1. Tesla's Cybertruck is highly anticipated and finally ready to hit the market after four years of development. Production has been challenging, but there are a lot of reservations to show demand.
  2. Currently, Tesla might deliver around 78,000 Cybertrucks next year, with a goal of ramping up to 250,000 vehicles by 2025. However, early production might only have a small positive cash flow impact.
  3. The Cybertruck may attract a mix of individual and business buyers, possibly expanding Tesla's market. If sales reach expected levels, it could significantly contribute to Tesla's overall revenue by 2025.

Why investors love Apple's stock.

39 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
💰 Finance Investing Dividends Stock Buybacks Corporate Finance Market Analysis
  1. Apple makes a lot of money from selling devices like iPhones and services, giving them a huge cash flow.
  2. Investors love that Apple shares its profits through dividends and stock buybacks, which puts money back in their pockets.
  3. Even with big expenses, Apple still has plenty of cash left over, and experts believe this will keep growing in the future.

Exclusive details: inside the FTX data room

139 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Investments Regulations Market Analysis Bankruptcy
  1. FTX faced a major financial crisis just before filing for bankruptcy, with a huge gap between its liabilities and liquid assets. This raised red flags for potential investors.
  2. Sam Bankman-Fried was in a rush to raise $6-10 billion and had to quickly set up a data room to attract investors, but the information provided only raised more questions.
  3. As communication with investors broke down, Sam became increasingly difficult to reach, indicating a deteriorating situation leading up to the bankruptcy filing.

5 famous company pivots.

159 implied HN points • 18 Sep 22
💼 Business Startups Company strategy Entrepreneurship Market Trends Acquisitions
  1. Instagram started as a check-in app but became popular for sharing photos. This change led Facebook to buy it for $1 billion.
  2. YouTube began as a dating site where users uploaded videos about their ideal partners. It quickly turned into a video-sharing platform, and Google bought it for $1.65 billion.
  3. Slack's founders shifted from making online games to developing a communication tool. This pivot resulted in a $27.7 billion acquisition by Salesforce.

Cathie Wood is as bullish as ever.

119 implied HN points • 19 Nov 22
💰 Finance Investing Stocks ETFs Market Trends Innovation
  1. Cathie Wood believes innovation in technology will drastically grow in the future. She thinks areas like AI and blockchain will reshape industries and bring big profits.
  2. Despite recent losses in her main fund, she sees this as a chance for investment. Wood is still confident in the companies she backs, claiming their potential for growth remains strong.
  3. Wood warns about the risk of economic downturn if current policies remain unchanged. She advocates for companies to invest in their growth during these challenging times.

First jobs of 11 successful entrepreneurs.

99 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Career development Leadership Personal Finance Small business
  1. Many successful entrepreneurs started off doing simple jobs that taught them valuable lessons. For example, Jeff Bezos learned about customer service while working at McDonald's.
  2. Starting young helped these entrepreneurs understand the importance of hard work and finding opportunities. Richard Branson sold birds at 11 years old and learned about the challenges of running a business.
  3. First jobs can shape one's future career and mindset. Elon Musk worked as a boiler room cleaner, which taught him the value of hard work and persistence.

The movie business changed. Why haven’t the Oscars?

79 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Film Industry Streaming services Media Trends
  1. The Oscars haven't changed much, even though the movie industry has, primarily due to the rise of streaming services. Many people are not going to theaters like they used to.
  2. Some industry leaders believe that theatrical releases still hold value because they create buzz and marketing benefits for films. However, there's a shift towards focusing on profitability instead of just subscriber numbers for streaming services.
  3. Streaming platforms see the Oscars as a way to gain credibility and visibility in Hollywood. Some are investing in theatrical releases to strengthen their case for Oscar relevance.

The rise and fall of the iPod

119 implied HN points • 23 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Consumer Electronics Product Design Digital Media Innovation Business strategy
  1. The iPod was a game-changer for Apple, helping them emerge as a major player in the music industry and aiding in the company's recovery from financial struggles.
  2. Apple's focus on design and simplicity helped the iPod stand out, making it appealing and easy to use compared to other MP3 players at the time.
  3. Over time, the iPhone replaced the iPod, showing how one successful product can lead to the rise and fall of another, and the iPod's legacy continues in Apple's current offerings.

In tech we trust?

39 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
💰 Finance Investing Stock Market Economic Trends Portfolio Management
  1. The stock market has seen a drop recently, with tech stocks struggling more than others. Investors are worried about rising interest rates and potential recession.
  2. Despite the downturn, some experts believe investing in tech can lead to growth in the long run. Companies in tech can adapt and thrive even during tough economic times.
  3. Certain tech stocks, like Apple and Microsoft, are still seen as good investments due to their potential for continued growth and strong market positions.

The rapid rise of ChatGPT.

79 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Investment Trends
  1. ChatGPT is growing very fast, reaching over 100 million users in just two months. People are really excited about how powerful and useful this AI technology is.
  2. Investors are jumping on AI-related stocks, making them rise quickly, especially when companies mention using AI. This hype shows how much people believe in AI's potential, even if some experts say it's not super innovative.
  3. Microsoft's large investment in ChatGPT is making a big splash, leading to discussions about how AI will change jobs and industries, similar to how the iPhone changed technology in the past.

The return of tech stocks.

79 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Investing Economic Trends Business Analysis
  1. Tech stocks are making a comeback in 2023, with big gains in the NASDAQ 100 index.
  2. Many tech companies are focusing on cost-cutting and efficiency to improve their performance despite challenges like layoffs.
  3. The excitement around AI, especially with developments like ChatGPT, is driving investor interest and boosting stock prices in the tech sector.

Disney at 99

99 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Film Animation Entertainment Technology History
  1. Learning from failure is important. Walt Disney faced setbacks but used them to grow and succeed.
  2. Taking risks can lead to great rewards. Disney's gamble on making Snow White paid off hugely, even when it was a big financial risk.
  3. Embracing new technology helps companies stay relevant. Disney saw opportunities in TV and new tech, allowing it to thrive over the years.

6 things to know about the stock market.

99 implied HN points • 05 Oct 22
💰 Finance Stock Market Investing Interest Rates Economic Indicators
  1. Bear markets can last a long time, often around 19 months, and stocks need to regain previous highs to be considered out of a bear market.
  2. Stocks usually don't hit their lowest point until interest rates come down, which is expected around April 2023.
  3. It's tricky to predict the right time to buy or sell stocks; missing key market days can hurt your long-term returns, historically reducing gains significantly.

The thing about stocks and interest rates…

59 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investments Market Trends Interest Rates Economic Indicators Corporate Earnings
  1. Interest rates are a big deal for the stock market, and higher rates can make investors nervous about how companies will perform. Stock prices might drop if rates keep rising.
  2. Although stocks have bounced back from lows, past market losses have affected confidence. Some experts think the economy is in decent shape, which could help weather rate increases.
  3. Bear markets usually last a while after the last rate hike, suggesting tough times ahead. But this bear market started before the first rate hike, which is something to consider for those hoping for a quicker recovery.

Super Sized: Tesla’s Supercharger Network Takes Over

39 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Market Trends Business strategy
  1. Tesla's Supercharger network has quickly become the charging standard for other automakers like Ford and GM. This shift shows how serious the industry is about EVs.
  2. Elon Musk's decision a decade ago to create a proprietary charging network was crucial for Tesla's success, ensuring customers could confidently drive their cars longer distances.
  3. Tesla's efficient approach to building and deploying charging stations has given it a competitive edge, while many other charging networks struggle with non-functional stations.

Elon Musk's big plans for Twitter

79 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
💼 Business Social media Subscriptions Revenue Models Market Trends Digital Advertising
  1. Elon Musk wants to make Twitter more like subscription services such as LinkedIn and YouTube. He sees a future where Twitter earns up to $10 billion from subscriptions by 2028.
  2. Currently, Twitter relies heavily on advertising for its income, but Musk is looking to change that. He plans to reduce the ad revenue percentage from over 90% to around 45%.
  3. If Musk's plans succeed, Twitter might go public again. Some experts think this could happen as soon as 2026, and the company's value could rise significantly.

Big tech stocks are surging. Why is that bearish?

39 implied HN points • 15 May 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Investing Valuation Economic Trends Market Analysis
  1. Big tech stocks have seen huge gains, primarily driving the rise of the S&P 500 this year. This doesn't mean the overall market is in trouble, though.
  2. Experts believe that the concentration of these tech stocks doesn't affect future market performance significantly, so there’s no need to worry.
  3. Many stocks outside of tech are doing well, and a lot of analysts expect major tech companies to keep rising in value over the next year.

29 things that didn’t exist last time Argentina won the World Cup.

59 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Internet Mobile Social media E-commerce Digital Media
  1. A lot has changed since Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986, especially with technology. For example, back then, the internet and smartphones didn't exist.
  2. Major companies and services like Google, Amazon, and Netflix started many years after the 1986 World Cup. It shows how different our daily lives are now.
  3. Even social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were created long after that victory. This highlights how we now connect and communicate in very different ways.

Will ChatGPT be my friend?

39 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Human-Computer
  1. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are becoming more integrated into our lives, possibly acting as companions rather than just tools. People are spending less time with friends in person and more time interacting digitally.
  2. A friend is someone we choose based on connection and common interests, and while AI doesn't truly understand human emotions, it can still try to be helpful and engage with us.
  3. People are forming one-sided emotional attachments to AI, similar to how we treat pets or characters in movies. This raises questions about the nature of friendships and how we might interact with technology in the future.

Nouriel Roubini predicted the 2008 crisis. And he's worried about your retirement savings.

39 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investing Economics Retirement Market risk Wealth Management
  1. Nouriel Roubini warns that bonds, once seen as a safe investment, are now risky due to rising interest rates. Many investors didn't realize their bond values were dropping.
  2. For people nearing retirement, Roubini suggests moving investments to safer options like short-term treasuries, inflation-indexed bonds, and gold. These could help protect against inflation and rising rates.
  3. He believes that current bond losses could lead to a serious economic downturn. This creates a tough situation for central banks trying to control inflation.

Here comes Tesla's Cybertruck...

19 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
💼 Business Automotive Sales Marketing Financials Manufacturing
  1. Tesla's Cybertruck will officially launch on November 30th, after four years since the first prototype was shown. It's been a long wait, and the design changes led to new manufacturing processes.
  2. There is huge demand for the Cybertruck, with over one million reservations already. However, it might take a year to a year and a half for it to start making significant money for Tesla.
  3. Analysts predict Tesla could sell between 75,000 to 250,000 Cybertrucks per year by 2025, potentially bringing in up to $30 billion in revenue if sales reach Musk's higher estimates.

Why do stocks often rise after midterm elections?

19 implied HN points • 06 Nov 22
💰 Finance Stock Market Investment Economic Trends Market Analysis Political Impact
  1. Stocks often rise after midterm elections. On average, the S&P 500 has gone up 11% in the six months following these elections since 1930.
  2. The period from November to April is generally the best time for stock performance. Historically, stocks tend to increase more during this time compared to the May to October stretch.
  3. When Congress is divided, the stock market can do better. Split control of Congress can reduce uncertainty and government spending, leading to higher stock returns.

How 43 famous companies got their names.

3 HN points • 30 Apr 23
💼 Business Branding Marketing Entrepreneurship
  1. Many famous companies have names that come from their founders or meaningful phrases. For example, Nike is named after the Greek goddess of victory.
  2. Some companies chose catchy names that evoke ideas or images. For instance, 'Amazon' was selected to suggest a vast online bookstore, while 'Spotify' is a blend of 'spot' and 'identify'.
  3. The naming process often includes fun or unexpected stories. Like how IKEA's name comes from the founder's initials and his childhood home, or how Starbucks got its name from a character in Moby Dick.

What's happening at OpenAI?

0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Development Corporate Governance Investment Trends Tech industry Leadership Changes
  1. Sam Altman was removed as CEO of OpenAI, causing a big shake-up in the company. The board was worried that OpenAI was moving too fast with its business plans.
  2. Greg Brockman, the President, quit in protest and many OpenAI staff members threatened to leave for Microsoft. They even asked for the board to resign.
  3. Microsoft quickly hired Altman and Brockman to lead an AI team, and has seen a big boost in its stock value since its investment in OpenAI.

Musings from Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, Phil Knight...and the stock market.

0 implied HN points • 25 Sep 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance Leadership Investing
  1. The Nike swoosh logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson for just $35 in 1971, which is a great deal considering its global recognition today. She later received shares that made her investment worthwhile.
  2. Jeff Bezos dislikes PowerPoint presentations and prefers written memos for meetings. This method has reportedly led to better results for some people who tried it.
  3. Steve Jobs made an 'insanely great offer' to a potential employee at NeXT, reflecting his unique approach to recruitment. This sparked discussions about how job offers have changed over time.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 14 Sep 22
💼 Business Investing Technology Entrepreneurship Finance Market Trends
  1. The content will focus on business, tech, and investing. It's a good place to learn more about these topics.
  2. Jon Erlichman is the person behind the newsletter. He aims to share valuable insights with his readers.
  3. This newsletter is launching soon, so keep an eye out for updates and new information.

What happens to stocks when the Fed pauses on rate hikes?

0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Interest Rates Economic Trends Investment strategy Market Analysis
  1. When the Fed pauses rate hikes for three months or more, it usually boosts stock performance. Historically, stocks saw average gains of over 8% during these pauses.
  2. Shorter pauses in the tightening cycle have mixed results. In some cases, stocks went up mildly, while in others, they saw small declines.
  3. If the Fed maintains the pause until September, it suggests a positive outlook for stocks, especially if interest rates have peaked. However, if rates continue to rise, the market impact is less clear.