🚀 Labor Market Shows Weakness

In partnership with

Market Overview
Read time 1.4 minutes

Year To Date Performances:

1. Economists and some Federal Reserve officials are expressing concern over potential challenges ahead for American workers as signs of a weakening labor market emerge. Companies are reducing job postings, employees are quitting at lower rates, and unemployment is rising slightly from its previously low levels. These indicators suggest an end to the tight labor market conditions experienced during the rapid post-pandemic recovery. The strength in hiring has played a crucial role in helping the economy endure aggressive rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, which have pushed interest rates to their highest levels in two decades. However, inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, and further softening in the labor market could jeopardize economic growth. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) recently reported that job openings fell to 8.1 million, marking a three-year low.

2. Southwest Airlines has adopted a “poison pill” shareholder rights plan in response to Elliott Management's push to oust CEO Bob Jordan and Chairman Gary Kelly. This plan, which activates if any investor acquires at least 12.5% of the company, allows other shareholders to buy new shares at a 50% discount, diluting the activist investor's power. Elliott, holding an 11% stake, has criticized Southwest’s performance compared to larger rivals. Despite challenges like an oversupplied domestic market and delays from Boeing, Southwest’s leadership, supported by its board, remains open to suggestions for value creation. The airline is considering major changes, including premium seating, to boost revenue.

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. The Boston Celtics are for sale with the owners expecting to sell a majority stake by 2025 and fully exit the business by 2028.

   2. Warner Bros is considering merging Max and Paramount + streaming services to compete with Disney and Netflix.

   _{* This is sponsored content.}

Your Brilliant Business Idea Just Got a New Best Friend

Got a business idea? Any idea? We're not picky. Big, small, "I thought of this in the shower" type stuff–we want it all. Whether you're dreaming of building an empire or just figuring out how to stop shuffling spreadsheets, we're here for it.

Our AI Ideas Generator asks you 3 questions and emails you a custom-built report of AI-powered solutions unique to your business.

Imagine having a hyper-intelligent, never-sleeps, doesn't-need-coffee AI solutions machine at your beck and call. That's our AI Ideas Generator. It takes your business conundrum, shakes it up with some LLM magic and–voila!--emails you a bespoke report of AI-powered solutions.

Outsmart, Outpace, Outdo: Whether you're aiming to leapfrog the competition or just be best-in-class in your industry, our custom AI solutions have you covered.

Ready to turn your business into the talk of the town (or at least the water cooler)? Let's get cracking! (And yes, it’s free!)

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