🚀 Inflation Insights

In partnership with

Market Overview
Read time 1.4 minutes

Year To Date Performances:

1. Inflation fell further in June as lower gasoline prices combined with other easing price pressures brought relief to consumers’ wallets. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 3% in June from a year ago, down from 3.3% in May, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The CPI measures price changes for a wide range of goods and services. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, noted that prices for household staples have remained stable for a year. Despite the significant drop from the 9.1% pandemic-era peak in 2022, inflation remains above the long-term target of around 2%. Economists expect continued, albeit slow, improvements. Lower gasoline prices, which fell 3.8% in June, contributed significantly to the inflation decline. This trend, along with other factors, supports the possibility of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September.

2. The European Commission accused Elon Musk’s X of deceiving users and violating digital content rules, risking a hefty fine. An investigation initiated last year revealed that X breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) by using deceptive dark patterns, lacking advertising transparency, and restricting data access for researchers. The commission criticized X's blue checkmark system, noting its misuse by malicious actors to deceive users. X also allegedly created barriers to ad transparency and hindered researchers' access to public data. If these findings are upheld, X could face fines of up to 6% of its global revenue. X has yet to comment. Similar investigations are ongoing for TikTok, Alibaba’s AliExpress, and Meta. The DSA, introduced in 2022, aims to ensure transparency in how digital companies target users with ads.

3. Raise Venture Capital in 2024. Get the course helping top founders raise venture capital. The materials in this course are used by founders pitching a16z, Sequoia, YC and more while raising tens of millions! Get the course now for just $199. *

4. Headlines

   1. JPMorgan reported higher-than-expected profits and revenues due primarily to a 52% increase in investment banking fees.

   2. Wells Fargo reported higher earnings and revenues than expected but had an unforeseen 9% decline in net interest income, a significant concern for investors.

   _{* This is sponsored content.}

This cannabis startup pioneered “rapid onset” gummies

Most people prefer to smoke cannabis but that isn’t an option if you’re at work or in public.

That’s why we were so excited when we found out about Mood’s new Rapid Onset THC Gummies. They can take effect in as little as 5 minutes without the need for a lighter, lingering smells or any coughing.

Nobody will ever know you’re enjoying some THC.

We recommend you try them out because they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. And for a limited time, you can receive 20% off with code FIRST20.

Shop Now.

Are you looking to grow your business? Here is how I can help:

📢 Promote your startup to 2,000+ VCs including investors from a16z, YC, Techstars, Rarebreed, Sequoia and more.

📱 Book a Strategy Call to get 1:1 feedback on your pitch, pitch deck and/or fundraising strategy. (If you need general startup advice, then reply to this email, and I’ll let you know if/how I can help.)

📺 Access FundraiseOS, the ultimate fundraising course with video lessons and practical worksheets helping with everything from deciding how much to raise to understanding a term sheet.

💸 Promote your product or service to 100,000+ entrepreneurs.

🌐 Connect with me on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) to get access to new content about startups, fundraising, venture capital, and more every day.

Onwards and Upwards,

Liam Gill