#i think he deserves much more recognition and getting this much exposure to potential new fans and supporters would be pretty fucking cool

[teddytoroa]

where would I start watching joe hills stuff? seeing your posts makes me kind of want to get into his videos

HELLO and WELCOME

Joe Hills is on youtube HERE.

I recommend watching his Hermitcraft season 9 videos since they're the most recent (and I'm watching them at the moment and they're a lot of fun!!). You don't really need to know any of the other folks on the server to enjoy them and you'll just kind of pick up the broader context through episodes. Unlike a lot of other smps theres not a huge amount of roleplaying or ~deep lore~ so it's easier to get into imo (though I'd advice watching the episodes chronologically anyway).

Joe is easily one of the funniest people I've ever seen anywhere in my life, a kind and thoughtful member of the community AND a talented and brilliant builder (they're building a massive scale model of a working pinball machine in survival minecraft based on the James Webb telescope images and it's insanely cool). They write haikus and share them at the end of their Hermitcraft episodes as patreon rewards. They dress as Beetlejuice on stream (the Beetlejhost) and every time they hit a tip milestone they make their facecam bigger. They pay their discord mods a living wage. They make puns and portmanteaus all the damn time and they're usually good. They're from Nashville, Tennessee. They're willing to kill for the LGBT+ community. They wear lime green cat eye prescription glasses and lime green fishnet fingerless gloves. They don't believe in monarchies. They do typography irl and also in Minecraft, and they're REALLY GOOD AT IT, which is impressive because typography in Minecraft is HARD. One time they spent many hours transporting four TMNT-themed frogs through all three Minecraft dimensions and it was the scariest most stressful thing I've watched in years.

They also stream twice(?) a week on youtube and twitch, one Minecraft stream where they make things on the Hermitcraft server and one arts n crafts stream where they make things in the irl fleshrealm real world, both with ZombieCleo (another minecraft youtuber I also love and highly recommend <3).

They also have a tumblr and a twitter where they are hilarious and brilliant in text form and reblog lots of neat fanart and such.

I also really like the unaffiliated tumblr account @joe-hills-said, which collects his many many many wonderful things he has said in videos and streams.

There's also this decade-old video of them doing minecraft 'cooking' based on the My Drunk Kitchen youtube series and it brings me much joy.

Hope this helps!! Vote Joe Hills for MCYT Sexyman!!!

[therappundit]

Best of the 1st Half: 2020′s Best Rap Projects (*so far*)...

“I’ve had, the halftime of my life...!”

*record scratch*

2020, WHAT THE F**K. 😳

Ohhh what a first half it has been. If 2020 ended today, it would still be one of the most historic years in a century...and NOT in a pleasant way. Years from now 2020 will be studied for the long-term damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential breaking point (hopefully??) of this country’s ignorance to systematic racism and the need for a complete overhaul of our police departments, and of course, whatever the hell comes from the November Presidential election....and, not to mention whatever additional ‘tbd’ chaos rings in the second half of ‘20 that we haven’t even heard about yet!? These are trying times, folks.

My whole life, I have tried to use humor and entertainment to help me with processing high levels of stress and anxiety. This year, that process has felt more daunting than usual. I am writing less and less, and often find Twitter to be too dark of a place for me to navigate. It’s anything but a fulfilling “escape”. Still, I am constantly inspired by all of the new music that fills my headspace during life’s precious little moments, and it really keeps me grounded in the day to day. 

At the end of 2019, I wrote the below in one of my posts. It took me back to a special feeling that I had, at a moment when the future seemed more like an opportunity, rather than a worrisome question mark. I’m going to work towards finding that place again, and I wanted to re-share this because it speaks to how the love of any art can be a healthy reminder of what we have to be thankful for in our daily lives:

“Regardless of how you feel about this list, I hope that you visit (or re-visit) any one of these pieces of strong work and find the same level of enjoyment that I did. I loved so much rap music this year and I could not be more excited about what the future holds. On a personal note, in 2019 I found myself even more in love with my wife, feeling luckier than I have in a long time, more satisfied with my hobbies and passions, and above all else, more in awe of my child (and anyone that ever raised a child) than ever before. I became a father for the first time in 2019, so as my baby daughter continues to fill my heart, I am beginning to wonder what she will think of her father’s love for this art form that has brought him so much joy over the years…I suppose time will tell.”

This list is long, because I think the talent that went into these projects is worth your time (and I put a lot of thought into creating this list as well...I do not work in the industry or know anyone that does, and I do not have any real platform - I just do this because I love the music).

If you are an artist on this list, I want to thank you, because you helped me stay positive and focused on a brighter future that I hope will soon come to us all...because everyone has been through something this year, and we deserve better.  So salute to you and many, many others. 🙏🙏🙏

- THE Rap Pundit

The “Rules” for my list of the Best Projects of Q1-Q2 2020:

- the album/mixtape/EP/project/whatever you want to call it had to be released this year, by June 26, 2020

- the project must have at least 6 songs 

- these rankings are a combination of my own personal preference, my take on overall quality of the project (whether it speaks deeply to my sensibilities or not), and how the final product compares to other work from the artists’ peers that occupy the same lane/‘sub-genre’ of rap music

So here we go 👀...

1. The Price of Tea in China by Boldy James and The Alchemist

Sometimes the greatest albums are not the most ambitious or flashy, they are remembered based off the strength of artistic chemistry and execution. Basketball fans know the beauty of a perfectly timed chest pass to a teammate streaking towards the basket can be more impressive than a behind the back pass that’s simply done for the sake of showing everyone that you can do a fancy pass. Staying with that theme, The Price of Tea in China is The Alchemist doing his best John Stockton impression, serving to Boldy James’ Karl Malone, and by album’s end you realize that Boldy scored a quiet 40 points while making this rap shit look like an easy lay-up.

TPOTIC finds Boldy sprinkling every ounce of his Detroit seasoning into Al’s pot to yield one of the most Mobb Deep-esque collaboration albums since Mobb Deep was dropping albums. In turn, this project is not only Boldy’s greatest work, but it serves as a re-introduction of a veteran MC that is suddenly more relevant than ever.  Much like what Freddie Gibbs and Madlib did with 2019′s Bandana, this project is a great lesson on what MC and Producer chemistry can sound like when both parties are 100% on the same page when it comes to message, tone, and aesthetic goals. 

It would make sense that Boldy James would fall into the Griselda fold, because much like Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, he comes from a city with a rich rap music scene that still struggles to reach the level of exposure that the NYCs, L.A.’s, Chicago's and Atlanta’s have basked in for so long. He writes from a place of “been there, done that”, showing a rich attention to detail that separates his street tales from that of his peers in the same way someone telling a story second or third hand can’t match the level of detail that an eye witness has saved in the memory bank. Boldy has survived both real world and music business challenges to rise from the ashes of “hey whatever happened to so & so, he was about to blow” conversations to reach a new peak in his mid-30′s. He deserved this suite of incredible Alchemist soundscapes (Al is deep in his bag here, delivering some of his most low-key impressive instrumentals in years), and like his super-producer buddy, Boldy is looking down at us from atop an already prolific 2020 at its’ midpoint.  

I’m not sure anyone can match the chemistry that Prodigy and Mobb Deep had with The Alchemist, but in 2020, The Price of Tea in China delivers some of the most brutally subdued, occasionally humorous, stripped down rap records since P was throwing TV’s at us like he had nothing left to lose. If The Price of Tea in China isn’t holding the championship at year’s end, it still deserves to be mentioned as an impressive work by one of the strongest title-worthy unions running the pick and roll in the genre today.

2. Àdá Irin by Navy Blue 

Okay let’s be honest: the “sub-genre” that is often referred to as lo-fi rap music (whether you consider it an actual lane or not, I know you know what I’m talking about...which I suppose proves its’ existence, right?), is beginning to suffer from the same affliction that all other sub-genres tend to suffer from once the word is out that this is “the thing” that the kids find trendy right now. A lot of folks in this lane sound *exactly* the same to the average listener. I’m not even the average listener, and I often feel that way. The irony that comes with being part of the sound that’s supposed to be bucking the mainstream clone machine turning into a mini-clone machine itself, means that the window is in danger of closing to avoid over-saturation of the artists that are already thriving between the gravelly, whisper-welcoming walls of Soundcloud URLs and Bandcamp EPs being slid to their heady fanbase with zero promotion. So with that all being said...why give Navy Blue a chance?

Navy Blue lacks the name recognition of many of his peers (for now), but he has now been thriving in the lo-fi pocket for some time as both a MC and producer, a young artist that’s closely connected to the lane’s most famous figureheads (Earl Sweatshirt, and to some extent, Mach-Hommy), as well as less heralded trailblazers like MIKE and the whole sLUms collective. Sure you can check out Navy’s Soundcloud page to get a taste of his work, but with this Àdá Irin album, we don’t just hear raw snippets of a freshly discovered unsigned talent. With this album we hear Navy as a self-assured solo artist, capable of sharing an inspirational song with the likes of Ka and sounding like every bit of the veteran next to the iconic soft-spoken lyricist. This is a very, very impressive debut full length album that showcases the best that the (sub)genre has to offer: some experimentation, jazzy loops, the diary-like intimacy of words that sit like dust on an old basement book shelf, and the raw emotions that come from working through love, pain and loss in real time. In 2020 there may be nothing completely new under the sun, but it’s the aesthetic choices that Navy Blue makes with every verse and every instrumental that make Àdá Irin feel like a perfect balance of beauty and sadness. If you want to dip a toe in this water but you’re not sure you can get into the mumblecore-ish world of MIKE, MAVI, Medhane or Earl’s work from the past two years, this Navy Blue album might actually be the perfect intro.

3. A Written Testimony by Jay Electronica (featuring JAY-Z)

Not a lot of positive breaking news in 2020...but when Jay Electronica surprised Twitter with a few cryptic Tweets back in February, implying that he was dropping an album (and Jay-Z would likely be involved), the rap game was set ablaze with excitement, skepticism, disbelief, and hope (albeit with some measured caution there as well). 

This is something that fans, and arguably the entire rap world, had been clamoring for for a decade, many long since moving on believing that Jay Elec’s debut album had gone the way of Detox, sharing “1a & 1b” status as the most eagerly anticipated projects none of us seriously expected to hear. 

Then it dropped....and then it went. In a Twitter-run rap world, quality is too often measured by how long a piece of art stays within the “trending” mix, as opposed to...well, whether or not it’s actually good! The truth is, A Written Testimony is not just good, it’s very, very good, and while it’s not the “Illmatic 2″ that some may have been expecting, realistically it’s superior to what I imagined a new project from such a reclusive artist would sound like in 2020. If you at least try to table the expectations laid out when “Exhibit C” came out in 2009...I think you will find a project (it’s up to you whether or not you want to count this a “solo debut” or not, but at this point, it’s new Jay Electronica - can we just leave it at that??) stacked with memorable moments, quotable gems throughout, stellar production (this is one of the best produced projects of 2020 by far, not sure how/why this piece of the puzzle would receive anything less than acclaim), and some moments of questionable preaching made more palatable by a strong overall voice and package.

Jay Electronica raps with conviction throughout, and while the project feels brief, it lasts long enough to be more than a quick feeling, even if many feel that it’s not long enough to feel like a full album. If "Exhibit C" was the teaser then this is the redband trailer, flashing enough skill and details to resonate for far longer than its’ duration. Much has been said about the heavy hand of JAY-Z on most of the project’s 7 tracks, but let’s be clear, this is not Watch The Throne 2 (even though at points, it may feel like something along those lines). Yes, in impressive fashion, Hov comes through riding shotgun to show a deeper shade of one of his more complex dimensions, with many of his rhymes begging for dissection with every bar. However, AWT features a JAY-Z that’s rapping through Jay Electronica’s lens, not by any means where 4:44 or Everything Is Love left off. This is definitely a Jay Electronica album. AWT dives in and out of Jay Electronica’s beliefs in broad strokes that appear and disappear rather quickly, but even when certain verses raise more questions than provide answers, every song still has at least a handful of the gripping words that remind us of what made Jay Elec-Hanukkah sound like the chosen one in the first place (his tussle with writer’s block and hesitation to put out any art make for some of the projects most engaging moments).

If A Written Testimony is the last Jay Electronica album we ever here - which I truly hope it is not the case - it is still a memorable piece of work. So if you were one of the folks that moved on from it after the “surprise” of Jay finally dropping a project subsided, I hope you change that stance and revisit it once again.

4. Descendants of Cain by Ka

“Quiet and frigid disposition, growin' up in the cold /  Surprised I ain't get high from what I was low enough to behold /  Like when Pops shot at the neighbor's shop, put one in his head /  He knew how he grew me, threw me the gun, a hundred, and fled /  Didn't play, 'fore po' arose dispose of exhibit A / I was raised to age a few years in a day /  If not elite, didn't eat if you didn't pray /  As much as I heal, had to deal, all my scars are here to stay /  Our senseis spent days peddling /  Our heroes sold heroin.” - Ka, “Patron Saints”

He makes it seem almost too easy. If the writing wasn't so gripping, you might not even revisit it. Ka’s Descendants of Cain arrived with little fanfare, except for the collective awe of his humble but religiously devoted fan-base. The religious devotion is an important piece here, as Cain adds to Ka’s quietly impressive discography another strong album that leans on classic scribes as inspiration to spin poignant metaphors on Brooklyn street philosophy. 

This time, the classic work is the Christian Bible, and Ka being the brilliant MC/poet that he is, seems to have little trouble working with the medium to preach without sounding preachy, and wax familiar-sounding nostalgia over wax that sounds as dusty as it feels fresh, rich, and urgent. Producing much of the album himself, along with a few trusted collaborators, the album’s strength is in its’ density, as each song feels like it requires a pause to unpack every bar...and to be honest, that’s exactly the type of attention this work deserves. If you missed this one in the first half of 2020′s feverish dump of new releases, you need to remedy that immediately.

5. Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn 

If The Alchemist is the overall rap music MVP for his many contributions to 2020 thus far,  Westside Gunn may deserve at least a few honorable mentions. From becoming the ambassador of Buffalo New York to stepping up as an ambassador of the underground rap resurgence, I don’t think any other rap artist has done more to run with the torch that Roc Marciano has been waving for a damn decade than the Griselda mastermind. If you happened to hear Gunn name-dropping to Peter Rosenberg on Rosenberg’s long-standing Real Late show on Hot 97, you know exactly what I mean. Shouting-out close allies and lesser known peers alike, Gunn’s presence proudly announced the underground movement’s invasion of the highly known New York City radio station. It felt like ECW invading WWE’s Monday Night Raw all over again. Of course Gunn’s voice was met with more ears than usual during that interview, since that appearance came hot off the heels of the release of his much discussed side project turned full-blown album, Pray for Paris.

By now most fervent rap fans know the story behind the album (a project that miraculously arrived to completion while Gunn was suffering from the affects of coronavirus), but for many Pray for Paris is the introduction to the story of Griselda Records and the world that they revel in. If Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher are responsible for the Griselda team’s grittiest street tales, Westside Gunn’s success leans on his ability to blur the line between all-too-real violence and cartoon violence, splattered with elite luxury references and shout-outs for his fellow wrestling addicts. The song titles are merely scattered trains of thoughts that may or may not have anything directly to do with a song’s actual meaning, it’s like naming your child ‘brunch in Williamsburg’ just because it was the last meal you happened to have that day. An audience brought up on Lil Wayne as the God MC may be completely lost at the appeal, but audiences brought up on Wu, DOOM and Sean Price know exactly what vibe Westisde Gunn is going for.

At times Gunn can come across as more of a talent curator than a stand alone MC, so if this is the album that takes Gunn to the next level as a rap star, it would make him the most unselfish rap star to come along in some time. A rapper doesn’t jump on an Alchemist produced track with the likes of Freddie Gibbs and Roc Marciano and expect to leave with anything but the Bronze medal. The same can be said for his chopped and screwed contribution to “Claiborne Kick”, which clearly belongs to Boldy James. That’s not to say that Gunn’s verse is a weak moment on any of the joints on Paris, but the fact that he consistently surrounds himself with high caliber writers confirms that he is well aware that the quality of the final product will be determined by the team involved, not just the artists’ name on the album cover.

For someone that considers himself more of an artist than a rapper, he continues to paint intriguing collages with every album, featuring him at the center of an ever-expanding portrait of MCs, producers, singers, designers, and dancers. Pray for Paris is a typical Griselda project that also happens to sport the potential of something larger than most of their fanbase ever imagined. Yes we get the dark backdrops, elite underground production, and quotables throughout, but we also get a few additional shades, as Gunn dabbles with a “beauty and the beast” dynamic that cleanly pairs his violent imagery with fashionista pomp and circumstance (which no doubt helped draw the likes of Wale and Tyler, the Creator to this project). But t’s all less of a solo album to push a mainstream solo career forward, and much more of a cannonball through the mainstream wall, just to allow some sunlight to shine on his people...and his city, for that matter - because best believe, Paris may be the inspiration behind the project but Buffalo, New York is still with him every step of the way. 

6. Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist

A highly enjoyable surprise drop from two-thirds of the potent combination that gave us the fan favorite project that was Fetti (shout-out to Curren$y, though), Alfredo feels like the perfect treat to hold us over during these trying times. It feels rushed, but simultaneously sharp and activated. It has the feeling of a controlled experiment that was slapped together in separate rooms, rather than carefully curated by multiple artists hunched over the same mixer for days on end. Alfredo is more of a display of two power hitters putting on an impressive showing at a Home Run Derby, rather than the collaboration that has been slowly simmering for years...but that’s also part of the fun, because it feels like Al & Fredo (eh?) were just as excited to release it as we all were to hear it.

Neither party is reinventing the wheel here, but if you are going to have a rapper and a producer connect for an album of great rapping over great beats, you would be hard pressed to find a more natural pairing than these two. The Alchemist delivers with samples that channel the speakeasy jazz of an old piano, and Freddie is simply the king of hard-rap soul right now, so he excels on every song. There are moments of darkness, moments of hope, and moments of self reflection (Gibbs is a logical choice to swing haymakers back at cops abusing their power), all delivered by Freddie at a break-neck speed over Al's significantly less urgent production....as if Gibbs frantically spilled his guts to his buddy over the phone while Al was kickin’ back with a joint saying “uh-huh...yup, I hear ya man.” The final result is an effective one, if not a quick teaser of what a lengthier amount of collaboration time between the two might sound like. It should also be said that the guest verses on this album (especially those from Tyler, The Creator and Conway) took this album up a few spots on this ‘best of’ list. Alfredo is easily one of the strongest surprises of 2020.

7. Reasonable Drought by Stove God Cook$ and Roc Marciano

There is a tradition in the rap music biz that newer/younger artists are often shepherded along by more seasoned artists in order to insure that the less experienced artist is blessed with the built-in audience that comes with a co-sign. It doesn’t always work, but typically the initiation comes with a solid musical foundation on a debut project accompanied by a greener MC still finding his/her way. Not the case with Stove God Cook$, he is perhaps the most unexpectedly fresh MC to be cut from classic rap cloth since Griselda & Mach-Hommy began to build cult-like followings.

While Reasonable Drought (and seriously, how bold of a title is that for a debut!?) is blessed by the impressive production and mentorship of underground rap icon Roc Marciano, it truly is the lesser known MC himself that captures the imagination right from the get-go. When I say that in my life time, I cannot recall such a strong debut performance by a MC that I have heard virtually no work from prior to his 2019 emergence, with the help of minimal publicity/ad budget (if any? Cook$ was barely on social media until *after* his album had already been released) on his way to dropping an album with zero features...then you should take my recommendation very seriously. Fresh style, some of the most rewind-worthy quotables in recent memory (an Uncle Buck reference!? Bow down, people), and a new following built exclusively on the word of mouth of equal-minded folks that were blown away by a project many copped on a passing whim... it’s clear that this moment could be the beginning of an amazing, fascinating career. 

Similar to Roc Marciano before him, Cook$ possesses a rare flare with his wordplay and delivery that makes even the ugliest tales of coke dealing and disrespectful criminal activity sound like the colorful exploits of a post-Blaxploitation hero. He delivers every bar with the uber-specific word choice of Roc, but the outgoing swag of a Max B. The man that has people that never touched cocaine in their life singing that they’re “smelling like a brick right now”, is smelling like a winner in 2020 and beyond.

8. Battle Scar Decorated by Monday Night & Henny L.O.

Last call to board the Mutant Academy bandwagon! 

I have been saying that this deep underground collective of MCs & producers has been low key having a banner year all year long, and scrolling through this list you can see exactly what I mean. Henny L.O. is too good to be slotted as just a battle rapper, while Monday Night is far too strong of a presence to be considered a mere associate of the core Mutant team. When you think of Mutant Academy and their respective affiliated acts, think of them as a gathering of solo artists that happen to make dope rap music together, but all parties involved are capable of standing on their own two. I think that’s what consistently impresses me about their projects...hat, and the lack of filler material.

Along with a deep Rolodex of mostly under-the-radar talent, the hunger and confidence of a thriving Richmond, Viriginia rap scene is present on every track of Battle Scar Decorated. Much like many of my favorite albums of 2020, there is no reinventing of the wheel here, the triumph is in the execution. Monday & Henny tag in and out, each with the confidence that they have spit the best verse on the song before they have even finished. It’s that level of ability combined with a shocking amount of production talent that makes Battle Scar Decorated essential listening to anyone that wants to be reminded of a vibe that hasn’t been in abundance in the underground rap scene since L.A. in the late 90′s. It wouldn’t be fair to talk about how much I enjoyed this project without including the great producers involved, so a big s/o to: Sycho Sid, C.R.I.S.T.E.N, James Couch, Savvy, Heather Grey, and Ewonne.

9. Eastern Medicine, Western Illness by Preservation

Accompanied by a who’s who of underground hip-hop’s finest (Roc Marciano, Mach-Hommy, Your Old Droog, Quelle Chris, Nickelus F, Tree, Navy Blue, Billy Woods, Ka *and more* - I mean seriously!?), Preservation has assembled an impressively cohesive compilation album both sonically and thematically. 

Incorporating record samples from his travels in China, Eastern Medicine, Western Illness feels born in simplicity even though it is anything but a casual collection of dope verses over tightly wound production. A quietly gifted producer, Preservation knows how to squeeze the best out of his guests without shouting the results through the speakers, the choices are more subtle but yield a high impact and replay value. Listening to the project feels more like listening to a secret, unreleased project, because it’s hard to believe that this much talent would gift this much high caliber writing to a compilation of songs...although that was not uncommon in the 90′s and early 00′s (ah, I’m showing my old age again). Perhaps that’s a testament to Preservation’s vision, a DJ/producer with a relatively small catalog built on curated quality (see his fantastic 2015 collaboration with Ka on Days With Dr. Yen Lo). Eastern Medicine has enough talent involved that it could have been a worthy listen even if it was just as a hodgepodge of donated loosies, so the fact that the final product is so much more than that makes it an album that warrants a great deal of more attention.

10. The Allegory by Royce Da 5′9″

No accomplished lyricist makes life harder on himself than Royce Da 5′9″. Be it his tendency to cram personal observations and disclosures in and around his punchlines, or experimenting production wise, the Detroit veteran is intent on finding new ways to approach fine wine music, tossing more complex offerings into his catalog over the past few years. Things are no different with The Allegory. 

Not only did Royce once again pen an album that speaks to his ability to cope with his own past and present, he inserts himself in the producer chair as well, addressing the trials and tribulations of the increasingly problematic world around him, over backdrops crafted by only his hand a a few trusted peers. The effect is mostly successful, with the production exceeding the expectations of many (myself included), while the writing is at times both thought-provoking and in need of further exploration on Royce’s part. The guest features range from effective to scene stealing (not because Royce ‘s verse is outshined, but there are moments where it seems as if the guest is better suited over Royce’s own production than he is). If you’re Royce Da 5′9″ and you release an album titled The Allegory, no one should expect a simple quick fix of bars over easily digestible instrumentals. The highs come in abundance, and while the lows come in small trip-ups and the occasional skit that the listener probably could have done without, you get the sense that with some editing and further focus of his lofty goals, his sermons could have been sharpened into a more effective analysis of many of his topics (the music business, being black in America, history, conspiracy theories), resulting in an incredible album instead of a very good one. Nevertheless, it is all worth the ride to hear the latest work from one of rap music’s most gifted MC’s from the past decade. If The Allegory isn’t a home-run, it’s at the very least a strong base hit.

Top 50 (all belong in the Top 10-25, but...there’s only 25 spots in the Top 25, soooo):

11. Cold Water by Medhane

12. Shrines by Armand Hammer

13. Bag Talk by yungmorpheus & Pink Siifu

14. Try Again by ovrkast.

15. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels

16. Noise Kandy 4 by Rome Streetz

17. Innocent Country 2 by Quelle Chris

18. Weight of the World by MIKE

19. Sages by Henny L.O. & Ohbliv

20. Milestones by Skyzoo

21. Carpe Noctem by Big Ghost Ltd

22. Lake Water by SeKwence

23. At the End of the Day. by Fly Anakin

24. Sole Food by Deniro Farrar

25. The Oracle 3 by Grafh

26. The Blue Tape by Tree

27. lo&behold by lojii

28. Infinite Wisdom by Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon

29. FULL CIRCLE by Medhane

30. UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats

31. The Throwaways by The Opioid Era

32. Anyways by Young Nudy

33. PTSD (Deluxe) by G Herbo

34. Holly Favored by Monday Night & Foisey

35. THE GOAT by Polo G

36. Demon & Mufasa by Yhung T.O. & DaBoii 

37. The Face of Jason by ANKHLEJOHN

38. My Turn by Lil Baby 

39. No One Mourns the Wicked by Conway & Big Ghost Ltd.

40. Two4one by Jay Worthy 

41. Free Drakeo by Drakeo

42. Alone Time by YL

43. Assata by CV$ a.k.a. Con$piracy & Teller Bank$

44. Thug Tear by Big Kashuna O.G. & Monday Night

45. Ways and Means by Rasheed Chappell & 38 Spesh

46. IMMORTALKOMBAT by Al Divino & Estee Nack

47. Young & Turnt 2 by 42 Dugg

48. Sleeper Effect by Sleep Sinatra

49. Juno by Che Noir & 38 Spesh

50. LULU by Conway & The Alchemist

THE REST OF THE BEST (all belong in the Top 50 releases of 2020, but..what can I say, blame 2020 for being such a stacked year for music/events I guess):

Black Schemata by yungmorpheus,  The Smartest by Tee Grizzley,  Polly by the Powder Keg by Chuck Chan & Pad Scientist,  High Off Life by Future,  Gotham City Album by Plex Diamonds,  Memphis Massacre 2 by Duke Deuce, Poetic Substance by RIM & Vinyl Villain,  Styles David: Ghost Your Enthusiasm by Styles P,  MF Bloo by Bloo & Spanish Ran,  LSD by The Leonard Simpson Duo & Guilty Simpson,  Funeral by Lil Wayne,  RAW UNKNOWN by Spectacular Diagnostics,  Nezzie’s Star by Eddie Kaine,  ShrapKnel (self-titled),  The Bluest Note by Skyzoo & Dumbo Station,  WUNNA by Gunna,  Get Money Teach Babies by Heist Life & Spanish Ran,  Open Casket by Killer Kane,  6 Rings by Yung Mal,  The Beauty of It by Eto,  Meet The Woo 2 by Pop Smoke,  Fresh Air by UFO Fev & Statik Selektah,  Vito by Vince Ash,  GRIMM & EViL by GRiMM Doza,  RUDEBWOY by CJ Fly,  Rocket to Nebula by Killah Priest,  EVERYTHING by Kota the Friend,  NO Blade of Grass by V Don,  Eternal Atake by Lil Uzi Vert,  I’m My Brother’s Keeper by Yella Beezy & Trapboy Freddy,  Carhartt Champions by Tree Mason,  Viral Viral! by Dunbar,  Rowhouse Whispers by Ray West & Zilla Rocca,  Magneto Was Right #4 by Raz Fresco,  DUMP LIFE by Tha God Fahim, Jay NiCE & Left Lane Didon,  Burn One, Tap In, Zone Out by Dot Demo,  FNTG: From Niggaz to Godz by Squeegie O,   PANAGNL4E, Vol. 2 by Los and Nutty,  Death 2 All Haterz 2 by Rigz & Symph,  Thank You For Using GTL by Drakeo & JoogSzn,  Adjust to the Game by Larry June,  Martyr’s Prayer by Elcamino & 38 Spesh,  BETTER by Deante’ Hitchcock,  Attack of the Future Shocked, Flesh Covered, Meatbags of the 85 by $ilkMoney,  No Cosign Just Cocaine 3 by Ty Farris,  Hear No Equal by Chuuwee,  MSYKM by Tsu Surf,  Your Birthday’s Cancelled by Iron Wigs,  Spring Clean by Curren$y & Fuse,  Arctic Plus Degrees (The Sun Don’t Chill Allah) by Planet Asia & DirtyDiggs,  Psychological Cheat Sheet by Vic Spencer, Glass 2.0 by Meyhem Lauren & Harry Fraud,  Trust the Chain by Planet Asia & 38 Spesh, Director’s Cut (Scene Two) by Ransom & Nicholas Craven, and Son Of A Gun by Key Glock.

[chenoehi]

My thoughts on Grammys, BTS, and the Academy's supposed 'diversity'.

Can't do 'Keep Reading' on mobile guys so if you don't care about it keep on scrolling.

.

The only BTS music I thought might have a slim chance for a nomination was "Boy With Luv (ft. Halsey)" as a pop duo collaboration. That was it. Anything more than that was just wishful thinking.

The Academy (both Grammy and Oscar's) talk about diversity when controversy comes up, they give some Black artists and actors awards, they look like try-hards, and then the next year they repeat history. Each year more men continue to be nominated than women, even in years that women dominated the industry. Each year artists who push boundaries continue to be overlooked or less favored than more traditional artists. Each year recognition continues to be bulk awarded to the most basic artists with the most basic styles with the most basic music, often times the same (mostly white) artists each year. No one get me started on always having to award artists like Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran or Adele each year they make music, despite whether or not what they put out is actually good, original, or better than what they did the year before. I'm not singling them out, but I think they illustrate my point. I will make one exception for Adele because she is a phenomenal singer, although I did not personally believe 25 deserved to sweep; I've been told by fans that Ed Sheeran is a good performer, so I'll give him that but I'll keep my thoughts of his music and the rest of my opinions to myself. But I get tired of artists like these getting nominated every time or almost every time they put music out and then getting awards every time they're nominated, hence sweeping. It gets tiring when the music that frequently-awarded artists put out sucks and they keep raking noms because of who they are.

There is absolutely nothing BTS or any other Asian et al. artists can do to beat that system. None of the criticism in the world has changed it thus far and I don't know that anything ever will. It's a hard institution to tear down. They will use "diverse" artists for ratings by inviting them and having them hand out awards and, in BTS's case, making such a big deal as to even display their Grammy outfits in the museum, and then they will refuse to nominate them.

It's a back handed compliment to non-Western artists. The Academy is saying they're good enough to help win over a predominantly younger and more diverse generation of viewers but they're not good enough to be awarded for their achievements.

What's worse is, the only expectation I had was for the Academy to invite them as performers despite whatever minuscule nomination they might have garnered, because it's been clearly hinted they would attend another Grammys and the Academy would frankly be fools to not have them perform after the shitstorm going on the pop industry rn. If you know anything about the Taylor Swift situation (you may not be able to tell which one because there are always so many) who knows if she will be performing this Grammys, and her medley of her songs was supposedly going to be a highlight; something's always stirring things up so who knows if certain artists don't end up going at all or bow out of performing. Ariana Grande bailed on the 2019 Grammys because the Grammy producer wouldn't let her perform songs she wanted to, and these kinds of disputes happen and artists who are nominated become no-shows. So, the opportunity to invite a group with a huge following, who have already proved to increase ratings, seems like a sure move right?

But BTS can't exactly perform at the Grammys if they're not nominated for a Grammy; I don't see them doing a tribute any time soon either. And if the Academy even dares to invite them at this point for a performance it will be an insult and a transparent ratings grab. BTS may still go to avoid appearing as if their pride has been wounded or just because they want to go regardless. They know better than their fans how it feels to lose, to be discarded, to be overlooked. This is happening to them first and foremost, not us. And if they decide that they will deal with this the same way they dealt with all their other struggles, to push on, perform for their fans, and use the opportunity of exposure for what it's worth, then support them and their decision. I, for one, won't be watching it live regardless of whether they are there. If all the Academy wants is ratings from BTS fans when they are fine with treating them like garbage, they won't get ratings from me.

I fully believe that the Academy is not only discriminatory to non-Western, non-white artists but that failing to nominate BTS for any award at all is out of fear. Fear that their traditional, safe artists will be offended and boycott the awards if they lose out on a nomination, fear that their fanbases will retaliate, but more importantly, fear that BTS or any other gigantic force of a non-Western artist may be a shoe-in for whatever award they are nominated for and potentially sweep if allowed to compete with all other artists. This comes after BTS won Best Group at the Billboard Music Awards this year. Their first time being nominated for a major U.S. award category. It wasn't even a Best New Artist schtick. It was a main category and they were up against established, popular, Western groups like Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5. It comes on the heels of Super M earning number 1 debut album and beginning a successful tour they are on right now. It comes after Blackpink performed at Coachella and toured the country. It comes after NCT 127 and ATEEZ toured the country. Even TXT, a months old group, had successful showcases in major U.S. cities.

The Academy is too racist and xenophobic to acknowledge Asian artists--they always have been and they always will be. The most diversity we'll see is the nomination of Black artists, but still only 2 were nominated for SotY whereas 4 were nominated for RotY. I don't know the exact numbers, but any time I've ever kept up with the awards I don't see very many other diversity groups being represented in nominations either, such as artists with disabilities or LGBT artists who have different gender expressions and identities or sexual orientations that impact their music, performance, and artistry. Halsey's intimate performance at the BBMAs with that female dancer was huge because that's just not something that's really done. Still. And any time it does happen it's a Britney and Madonna moment all over again, it's a fetish to everyone. Progress has been made but it's very minuscule in comparison to the 'diversity' touting approach they've taken.

I'll just leave the words of this morning's Rolling Stone article here:

So, the Academy selectively extends its diversity goodwill just as they always have. No shade to the artist, but just using this example of Lil Nas X versus BTS, you have a young Black, gay artist who started his career in late 2018. He's nominated for some of top Grammys with a minimal discography--an 18-minute EP. This is groundbreaking, it's great. BTS, a 6-year-old established group of young Korean artists who break nearly every record there is and dominated Western charts this spring, and they continue to chart Billboard and Western streaming platforms. They earn no nominations.

The two artists ironically happen to have a collaboration in the form of Old Seoul Road.

Congrats to Lizzo and Lil Nas X (that's not shade at Billie btw) but this tweet from the New York Times is so unbelievably misguided because the Academy's conception of diversity is like seasoning with mostly salt, a little pepper and no cayenne (hate to use that analogy but am I wrong?):

I do appreciate that some artists who don't get nominated a lot got nominations, but looking at the list of top awards I just can't imagine how some of those got through. And I listen to a lot of different music and some BTS stans may have know idea who the fuck Bon Iver is and I'm not saying they don't deserve nominations period, but when you look at the list it's just mind boggling how a song like BWL that was listened to and appreciated like a summer anthem would be could not be included in that mess. (Vampire Weekend for Album of the Year, what, who the fuck, is that, they've been around since 2006, that's when I listened to nothing but metal and rock and I don't, know who the fuck this obscure band is? I may have heard of them once eons ago but they apparently made no impression? I'm sorry). I won't go as far as to say BWL was a Western summer anthem because much of the gp still doesn't know them, this is true. But apparently that's never stopped the Academy before. Bonus, anyone remember Bon Iver winning Best New Artist over Katy Perry all those years ago? No, just me? Good times. (Respect to Bon Iver, I'm just making a point that a lesser known artist won that award over a popular artist and the public went "waH?" Bon Iver being nominated for Record and Album of the Year this time honestly has the same effect as before because what is Hey, Ma even. I listen to Indie music so. What it is.)

Anyway. That's my thoughts. Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed is a myth. You will always have room to be disappointed in humanity.

Edit: while I'm at it, a big, massive fuck you to the Academy for never nominating Halsey for Without You.

[preciousmetals0]

Quantum Investing; Beyond Retail; Wayfail; Shwedy Security

Quantum Investing; Beyond Retail; Wayfail; Shwedy Security:

A Quantum Leap

Today, dear readers, we take off our quarantine masks and put on our thinking caps. Well … figuratively speaking, at least. Keep those masks on for now, please.

Why our thinking caps? Because President Trump’s 2021 budget requests $237 million in funding for quantum computing. Roughly $25 million of that budget request comes directly from the U.S. Department of Energy — you know, the guys that helped bring us the internet 60 years ago?

While Trump’s budget still has a long way to go — i.e., through a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives — even he knows that quantum computing is the future of technology as we know it.

And that future is exceedingly bright, especially for investors who get in early.

That’s great, Mr. Great Stuff, real great. More spending on technology while we fight a virus? You’re starting to sound like Bold Profits. So, what is this “quantum computing” … and why should I care?

Why should you care? Hmm … because if we had quantum computers right now, we may already have a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. How’s that, Mr. Doubting Mustafa?

So far, everything you’ve ever seen, written, read or interacted with on a computer or the internet is made up of ones and zeros at its core. Get enough of these ones and zeros together, and you can publish a free e-zine on BanyanHill.com and deliver it to thousands of people on the internet.

But quantum computing? Now that’s a horse of a different color.

Quantum computing will change everything we know about computers, the internet, smartphones, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), health care, virus management … and even the weather.

It’s a complex topic that deserves a much more in-depth explanation if you’re into future technology. Though, I know you’re itching to hear the market side of things. (Quantum profits? In my portfolio?!) Tech investors, listen up…

The Takeaway:

Essentially, quantum computing is the next leap forward in our digital evolution. President Trump knows this, and it’s why he’s pushing for millions in new funding.

Now, your question should be: How do I get in on the emerging quantum computing mega trend?

I’m glad you asked! The answer is a lot simpler than you might expect…

Right now, only a handful of tech companies have the financial wherewithal to dive into quantum computing research in a meaningful way. Here are three to get you started:

Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL): The Google parent always has a lot of goofy pet projects in the works, but the company’s quantum computing project is no joke. Codenamed “Bristlecone,” Alphabet’s new quantum computing semiconductor has 72 quantum bits, or qubits. These are the building blocks of quantum chips, just like bits are for current chips. The company leads the arms race in quantum computing power.

IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM): Good old “Big Blue” built one of the world’s first successful quantum computers. While that computer has since been overshadowed by Alphabet’s Bristlecone, IBM remains at the forefront of developing a “commercial available universal quantum computer for business and science” … at least, according to the company’s quantum research page. A breakthrough in quantum computing could be just what IBM needs to return to relevancy in the data center and AI markets.

Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC): You didn’t think the world’s original semiconductor behemoth would be left out of the quantum computing revolution, did you? Intel is already rolling out quantum semiconductors. Unfortunately, all of those chips need to operate at temperatures near absolute zero. That’s one hell of a cooling system. However, Intel is reportedly close to creating a 128 qubit chip, which would put it well ahead of Alphabet in the quantum processing race.

I know that’s a lot to take in … especially with our brains on autopilot after being locked inside for the past month. So, let me make this easier for you:

If you want expert, cutting-edge stock research on everything from AI to quantum computing, click here now!

The Good: Shwedy Results

In what should surprise literally no one, IT security and services firm, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: CHKP) beat earnings and revenue expectations this morning.

This stay-at-home market has been a boon for Check Point, with the company beating Wall Street’s first-quarter expectations by $0.04 per share. Revenue of $486.5 million also topped the consensus estimate.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we sustained elevated business activity levels and delivered results in the upper half of our guidance with strength coming from the Americas,” said CEO Gil Shwed.

But, while the prior quarter benefited greatly from the new work-at-home economy, Shwed warned that “it’s hard to predict what effect this changing environment will have on the future.”

I get it. The future is hard to predict, especially right now. But, as long as this lockdown stays in effect, Check Point will continue to benefit handsomely.

The Bad: No Meat for You

“Stock rally + food service exposure + increased retail competition = downside risk,” says UBS analyst Steven Strycula. And you thought you were done with math today!

Strycula’s “new math” is in reference to Beyond Meat Inc. (Nasdaq: BYND). And, after BYND’s recent 100% surge, the UBS analyst believes now is the time to ditch BYND stock. He cut BYND from hold to sell and slashed his price target from $90 to $73.

In short, Strycula’s reasoning is that Beyond Meat has relied on restaurant deals to boost its bottom line. With practically every restaurant in the U.S. shut down, Beyond Meat will take a hit to its bottom line.

I admit that UBS has a point over the short term at least. Over the long term, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to change the eating habits of millions. As Great Stuff reported on Friday, CFRA Research told clients: “Most infectious disease outbreaks are transmitted from animals to humans.”

Furthermore, meat processing is shutting down around the world. You already know that China struggles with pork production. Now, we have Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) shutting down processing plants due to the virus.

These stories are clearly a short-term boost for BYND, driving investor sentiment more than the company’s bottom line. So, UBS isn’t wrong … for now. But the problems surrounding meat production amid COVID-19 give insight into Beyond Meat’s future. And that future is trending in the meatless wonder’s favor.

The Ugly: Way(Above)Fair Value

Remember when Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, issued guidance far below expectations with negative quarterly margins?

Yeah, neither does Wall Street.

Wayfair stock has gone on a 400% bender since its Ides of March lows. But someone on Wall Street finally came to their senses.

Stifel analyst Scott Devitt responded to Wayfair’s insanity by downgrading the stock from buy to hold. According to Devitt, the stock passed his price target of $115 last week, and it’s time for a break.

Well … it’s not a resounding rebuke of the stock’s 400% surge, but I’ll take what I can get.

Wayfair’s main problem is that it has to spend — a lot — to stay fresh in consumers’ minds. The company directly competes with everyone from Amazon to Walmart … but it doesn’t have the same brand recognition.

In short, Wayfair’s revenue boost from online shopping amid the pandemic is eaten up by advertising costs.

I swear, I’m so tired of seeing Wayfair ads on Facebook. I can’t imagine how much this is costing the company … oh, wait, I can: negative margins.

The point is, Wayfair is nothing special. It offers products that you can find virtually everywhere else. The only reason it gets attention is because people can’t shop outside. As such, I fully expect Wayfair to see a sharp drop in sales once this lockdown is over. And that’s bad news for W shares.

Today’s Chart of the Week once again comes courtesy of Earnings Whispers on Twitter, with a whole lotta earnings season shakin’ goin’ on.

Hey, I can’t be the only one who gets excited about this kind of stuff. If you’ve never felt the brisk energizing action of corporate earnings, well, maybe you’re a more well-adjusted person than lil ol’ me.

Roughly 30% of the S&P 500 Index is set to report earnings this week, with more than a third of the Dow also spilling its beans. Not to mention, this week features the trillion-dollar tech titans face off. All eyes are on Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), a beacon of all online shopping supply chains, and Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), bellwether of the “gotta get it now” crowd.

Google’s parent Alphabet already sowed doubts about its ad-dependent business slowing down. (And if you want to talk “we live and breathe ads,” why, Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) is just getting started … show me another Wayfair ad, I dare you, Zuckerberg!)

Here’s what else is kicking off this week:

AMD has yet another chance to upheave its consumer computer chip rival Intel.

Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) fanatics and traders alike will go ape-$#^! no matter what Elon Musk and co. end up reporting.

We hear from Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE: SPOT), the streaming underdog and longtime Great Stuff Granted, I don’t think too many families are out there spending quarantine together around the radio. Guess I might as well huddle around to stream for Roosevelt’s fireside chats while I’m at it…

We get to see how much useless (or not-so-useless) stuff people have been buying on eBay.

It’s an all-airline affair with the best bailed-out buds, along with a look at how Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) is holding up with the air industry’s collapse (plus, you know, its other production and PR debacles).

Finally, we round out the week with the Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) and Abbive Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) — two of Great Stuff’s stocks to beat the Wuhan virus … when we still called it that.

It’s sure to be a topsy-turvy week of earnings … but it’s not like you expected otherwise, right? Stick with Great Stuff and Banyan Hill, and we’ll help you dispel the earnings excellence from the hype and hogwash.

If you’re looking to venture out hunting for market bargains, just remember: You never have to go alone! Take a guide. They’re handy. They’ve been through choppy and unexpected markets before. And no matter what kind of earnings apocalypse we may be due for, you’ll want to keep your wits about you.

Click here now to find your guide.

That’s a wrap for today, but you can always catch us on social media: Facebook and Twitter. We hope you’re staying well out there!

Until next time, stay Great!

Regards,

Joseph Hargett

Editor, Great Stuff

[goldira01]

A Quantum Leap

Today, dear readers, we take off our quarantine masks and put on our thinking caps. Well … figuratively speaking, at least. Keep those masks on for now, please.

Why our thinking caps? Because President Trump’s 2021 budget requests $237 million in funding for quantum computing. Roughly $25 million of that budget request comes directly from the U.S. Department of Energy — you know, the guys that helped bring us the internet 60 years ago?

While Trump’s budget still has a long way to go — i.e., through a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives — even he knows that quantum computing is the future of technology as we know it.

And that future is exceedingly bright, especially for investors who get in early.

That’s great, Mr. Great Stuff, real great. More spending on technology while we fight a virus? You’re starting to sound like Bold Profits. So, what is this “quantum computing” … and why should I care?

Why should you care? Hmm … because if we had quantum computers right now, we may already have a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. How’s that, Mr. Doubting Mustafa?

So far, everything you’ve ever seen, written, read or interacted with on a computer or the internet is made up of ones and zeros at its core. Get enough of these ones and zeros together, and you can publish a free e-zine on BanyanHill.com and deliver it to thousands of people on the internet.

But quantum computing? Now that’s a horse of a different color.

Quantum computing will change everything we know about computers, the internet, smartphones, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), health care, virus management … and even the weather.

It’s a complex topic that deserves a much more in-depth explanation if you’re into future technology. Though, I know you’re itching to hear the market side of things. (Quantum profits? In my portfolio?!) Tech investors, listen up…

The Takeaway:

Essentially, quantum computing is the next leap forward in our digital evolution. President Trump knows this, and it’s why he’s pushing for millions in new funding.

Now, your question should be: How do I get in on the emerging quantum computing mega trend?

I’m glad you asked! The answer is a lot simpler than you might expect…

Right now, only a handful of tech companies have the financial wherewithal to dive into quantum computing research in a meaningful way. Here are three to get you started:

Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL): The Google parent always has a lot of goofy pet projects in the works, but the company’s quantum computing project is no joke. Codenamed “Bristlecone,” Alphabet’s new quantum computing semiconductor has 72 quantum bits, or qubits. These are the building blocks of quantum chips, just like bits are for current chips. The company leads the arms race in quantum computing power.

IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM): Good old “Big Blue” built one of the world’s first successful quantum computers. While that computer has since been overshadowed by Alphabet’s Bristlecone, IBM remains at the forefront of developing a “commercial available universal quantum computer for business and science” … at least, according to the company’s quantum research page. A breakthrough in quantum computing could be just what IBM needs to return to relevancy in the data center and AI markets.

Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC): You didn’t think the world’s original semiconductor behemoth would be left out of the quantum computing revolution, did you? Intel is already rolling out quantum semiconductors. Unfortunately, all of those chips need to operate at temperatures near absolute zero. That’s one hell of a cooling system. However, Intel is reportedly close to creating a 128 qubit chip, which would put it well ahead of Alphabet in the quantum processing race.

I know that’s a lot to take in … especially with our brains on autopilot after being locked inside for the past month. So, let me make this easier for you:

If you want expert, cutting-edge stock research on everything from AI to quantum computing, click here now!

The Good: Shwedy Results

In what should surprise literally no one, IT security and services firm, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: CHKP) beat earnings and revenue expectations this morning.

This stay-at-home market has been a boon for Check Point, with the company beating Wall Street’s first-quarter expectations by $0.04 per share. Revenue of $486.5 million also topped the consensus estimate.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we sustained elevated business activity levels and delivered results in the upper half of our guidance with strength coming from the Americas,” said CEO Gil Shwed.

But, while the prior quarter benefited greatly from the new work-at-home economy, Shwed warned that “it’s hard to predict what effect this changing environment will have on the future.”

I get it. The future is hard to predict, especially right now. But, as long as this lockdown stays in effect, Check Point will continue to benefit handsomely.

The Bad: No Meat for You

“Stock rally + food service exposure + increased retail competition = downside risk,” says UBS analyst Steven Strycula. And you thought you were done with math today!

Strycula’s “new math” is in reference to Beyond Meat Inc. (Nasdaq: BYND). And, after BYND’s recent 100% surge, the UBS analyst believes now is the time to ditch BYND stock. He cut BYND from hold to sell and slashed his price target from $90 to $73.

In short, Strycula’s reasoning is that Beyond Meat has relied on restaurant deals to boost its bottom line. With practically every restaurant in the U.S. shut down, Beyond Meat will take a hit to its bottom line.

I admit that UBS has a point over the short term at least. Over the long term, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to change the eating habits of millions. As Great Stuff reported on Friday, CFRA Research told clients: “Most infectious disease outbreaks are transmitted from animals to humans.”

Furthermore, meat processing is shutting down around the world. You already know that China struggles with pork production. Now, we have Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) shutting down processing plants due to the virus.

These stories are clearly a short-term boost for BYND, driving investor sentiment more than the company’s bottom line. So, UBS isn’t wrong … for now. But the problems surrounding meat production amid COVID-19 give insight into Beyond Meat’s future. And that future is trending in the meatless wonder’s favor.

The Ugly: Way(Above)Fair Value

Remember when Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, issued guidance far below expectations with negative quarterly margins?

Yeah, neither does Wall Street.

Wayfair stock has gone on a 400% bender since its Ides of March lows. But someone on Wall Street finally came to their senses.

Stifel analyst Scott Devitt responded to Wayfair’s insanity by downgrading the stock from buy to hold. According to Devitt, the stock passed his price target of $115 last week, and it’s time for a break.

Well … it’s not a resounding rebuke of the stock’s 400% surge, but I’ll take what I can get.

Wayfair’s main problem is that it has to spend — a lot — to stay fresh in consumers’ minds. The company directly competes with everyone from Amazon to Walmart … but it doesn’t have the same brand recognition.

In short, Wayfair’s revenue boost from online shopping amid the pandemic is eaten up by advertising costs.

I swear, I’m so tired of seeing Wayfair ads on Facebook. I can’t imagine how much this is costing the company … oh, wait, I can: negative margins.

The point is, Wayfair is nothing special. It offers products that you can find virtually everywhere else. The only reason it gets attention is because people can’t shop outside. As such, I fully expect Wayfair to see a sharp drop in sales once this lockdown is over. And that’s bad news for W shares.

Today’s Chart of the Week once again comes courtesy of Earnings Whispers on Twitter, with a whole lotta earnings season shakin’ goin’ on.

Hey, I can’t be the only one who gets excited about this kind of stuff. If you’ve never felt the brisk energizing action of corporate earnings, well, maybe you’re a more well-adjusted person than lil ol’ me.

Roughly 30% of the S&P 500 Index is set to report earnings this week, with more than a third of the Dow also spilling its beans. Not to mention, this week features the trillion-dollar tech titans face off. All eyes are on Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), a beacon of all online shopping supply chains, and Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), bellwether of the “gotta get it now” crowd.

Google’s parent Alphabet already sowed doubts about its ad-dependent business slowing down. (And if you want to talk “we live and breathe ads,” why, Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) is just getting started … show me another Wayfair ad, I dare you, Zuckerberg!)

Here’s what else is kicking off this week:

AMD has yet another chance to upheave its consumer computer chip rival Intel.

Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) fanatics and traders alike will go ape-$#^! no matter what Elon Musk and co. end up reporting.

We hear from Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE: SPOT), the streaming underdog and longtime Great Stuff Granted, I don’t think too many families are out there spending quarantine together around the radio. Guess I might as well huddle around to stream for Roosevelt’s fireside chats while I’m at it…

We get to see how much useless (or not-so-useless) stuff people have been buying on eBay.

It’s an all-airline affair with the best bailed-out buds, along with a look at how Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) is holding up with the air industry’s collapse (plus, you know, its other production and PR debacles).

Finally, we round out the week with the Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) and Abbive Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) — two of Great Stuff’s stocks to beat the Wuhan virus … when we still called it that.

It’s sure to be a topsy-turvy week of earnings … but it’s not like you expected otherwise, right? Stick with Great Stuff and Banyan Hill, and we’ll help you dispel the earnings excellence from the hype and hogwash.

If you’re looking to venture out hunting for market bargains, just remember: You never have to go alone! Take a guide. They’re handy. They’ve been through choppy and unexpected markets before. And no matter what kind of earnings apocalypse we may be due for, you’ll want to keep your wits about you.

Click here now to find your guide.

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Essential workers talk about how COVID-19 affects them

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/essential-workers-talk-about-how-covid-19-affects-them/

Essential workers talk about how COVID-19 affects them

Health-care workers, grocery store staff, transit drivers and food delivery workers are among those being hailed as heroes for continuing to provide much-needed services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Press spoke to people whose work has been deemed essential by their provincial governments, about how the public health emergency has affected their lives:

——

Helen Stathopoulos, grocery store manager and clerk

When shoppers clogged the aisles of a Toronto No Frills store weeks ago in their frenzy to stock up for a potential quarantine, Helen Stathopoulos was the one who directed staff on how to handle the crowd.

Since then, Stathopoulos — who works six days a week as an associate manager for No Frills and one day a week as a part-time clerk for Loblaws — has had to navigate daily changes to help keep herself, her coworkers and customers safe as officials recommend strict physical distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Her employer and union have worked together to put safety measures in place and provide protective equipment, and staff are striving to support each other emotionally, she said.

“The fear is there, whether we want to admit it or not,” she said. “But the demeanour that we have, both my locations that I work at, we all try to keep it light… we crack jokes, we do our thing and we just stick together just to make it through the day, and we take it as it comes.”

Stathopoulos, 41, said she is glad to do her part during the pandemic and appreciates the unprecedented wave of gratitude towards grocery workers.

“In my 25 years of working for this company, it’s the first time where somebody will actually call to speak to the manager, and not for a complaint but to thank my staff,” she said.

Some shoppers have let their fears and anxieties get the best of them, however, particularly as greater restrictions are imposed. Some fight among themselves, others are curt with employees, she said.

At the end of the day, Stathopoulos barely has the energy to pick up groceries for herself, she said, though she tries to stock up on essentials.

“I probably have eaten takeout more in the last three, four weeks that I’ve had in an entire couple of years. You’re just so beaten up after a 12-hour day that you’re just like, OK, I need something quick and fast,” she said.

Twice a week, she buys food for her 82-year-old mother and drops it off outside the woman’s home. Stathopoulos, who lives alone, said not being able to see her family has been the biggest adjustment, but she keeps in touch by phone or video chat.

The pandemic is throwing a wrench in her family’s plans to celebrate Orthodox Easter, which coincides with her mother’s birthday this year, she said.

“We were planning this absolute massive bash to celebrate Easter and my mother as well, and I think of all these things that we won’t be able to do,” she said.

“It scares me, it really does, because what does that norm look like in three months from now? Does it slow down, does it not? Does the grocery industry in itself still maintain the same pace as it is right now?” she said.

“We all talk about (how) we’re tired, but I think it’s not that we’re physically tired. I think we’re mentally tired.”

——

Michelle Anbar-Goldstein, social worker

Many of the people Michelle Anbar-Goldstein works with on a daily basis don’t fully understand the public health crisis unfolding around them.

As a social worker, she helps people found not criminally responsible for crimes due to a combination of developmental disability and a major psychiatric disorder, who are either at a facility or in the community.

Some supports, like group work, have been temporarily halted due to the pandemic, but Anbar-Goldstein continues to visit those in her care, navigating restrictions put in place by various ministries and organizations to help contain the virus.

“I am still going into the community and seeing my guys and spending time,” the 35-year-old said.

“Just because of the pandemic doesn’t mean that we’re not having mental health crises. And in fact, it’s much worse now.”

Part of her job is helping people follow safety measures imposed by health and government officials, but that’s proven difficult, she said.

The lack of compliance has contributed to her anxiety over the virus, as well as her family’s, even though she practises physical distancing and makes sure to change clothes and shower as soon as she gets home, she said.

Anbar-Goldstein said her husband recently asked why she had sat on the couch during a visit to a patient’s home. Her four-year-old son has also shown signs of anxiety over the pandemic.

Her husband and son have at least been able to spend time at her husband’s music studio, since no one else has been there in weeks, she said.

“So they get to leave the house and go there and they’re playing music together and recording songs. So that’s really fun for them,” she said.

As for her own concerns, so far they’re balanced out by the rewarding aspects of her job, she said.

“While I’m anxious beyond a shadow of a doubt about becoming ill, I also am grateful for being able to leave my house and see people as much as possible,” she said.

——

Katie Stock, social worker

Along with helping people prepare for life after a major illness or injury, Katie Stock now also helps them think of how they’ll manage risks related to COVID-19 as they reintegrate the community.

“Having an injury or an illness that’s changed how they function in a time in the world where the entire world has changed how it’s functioning is causing that much more uncertainty,” said Stock, a social worker at a Toronto rehabilitation hospital.

Some aspects of her work have changed due to physical distancing restrictions and other safety precautions, but the nature of it remains the same, she said.

Phone calls and video conferences are replacing face-to-face communication with patients’ families due to a ban on visitors, she said.

“I’m having to do a lot more of that work on the phone and actually trying to send people videos of what things look like because it’s really hard to describe how someone’s moving or functioning without physically observing it,” she said.

Stock said she appreciates the public support shown to essential workers and feels equally grateful for the work done by grocery staff and others whose jobs rarely get the recognition they deserve.

The pandemic has affected how she behaves outside of the hospital, she said, noting she is acutely aware of her responsibility to patients and others in the community not to spread the virus.

She now cycles rather than walking or taking transit, she said, and tries to limit grocery shopping and contact with others, which has meant not seeing her family.

Stock has also discussed safety precautions with her roommate, and makes sure to change clothes as soon as she arrives home from the hospital, she said.

Before COVID-19, Stock said she was rarely home, spending her free time playing recreational soccer and softball, going to trivia nights or concerts with friends, and trying new restaurants.

But public health measures urging people to stay home have brought Stock closer to her roommate, with whom she’s been living since November, she said.

The two now cook and eat meals together, go for jogs, and play Dance Dance Revolution, a dancing videogame, she said.

“I couldn’t have thought of a better roommate for the pandemic,” she said. “She’s just so positive and easy to get along with.”

——

Ron Kang, owner of transport company Elite Freight Lines

As the number of COVID-19 cases rises in the U.S., Ron Kang is finding it increasingly difficult to find truck drivers willing to haul goods across the border.

In some cases, he said, the drivers themselves feel comfortable making the trip, but their relatives are urging them not to, for fear of exposure to the potentially deadly virus.

Kang, who oversees roughly 25 staff and contract drivers, said he’s trying to ease their fears and has changed company policies to ensure they have as little contact as possible with anyone outside their vehicle.

For example, truckers can now pay for fuel at the pump, rather than going inside the truck stop, he said. They’ve also been given masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, he said.

“If you look at it, you’re actually quarantined in a truck, but the only time when you get out, you just need to take those precautions and use the protective equipment,” he said.

Kang, 43, said he’s also wearing gloves to handle paperwork and other materials while working at the company’s Toronto-area office.

Though the business has been deemed essential, the shutdown of other industries means fewer goods need to be transported, which — combined with drivers’ reluctance to go into the U.S. — is affecting the company, he said.

He’s been applying for loans and seeing what payments can be deferred, while counting his lucky stars that the business can operate at all, he said.

Truckers haven’t hesitated to take on domestic trips so far, though some are finding it difficult to eat well on the road now that restaurants can only do takeout, Kang said. At least they are once again able to use restrooms in businesses following a plea from government officials, he said.

His family has also had to make adjustments in light of the pandemic, he said.

It was his wife’s birthday this week and she couldn’t have any visitors, so a friend dropped off a gift at their front door, he said. Meanwhile, Kang picked up a cake at Dairy Queen and a small gift at Shoppers Drug Mart, he said.

The couple’s three boys, aged 12, 14 and 16, have been keeping busy at home, which is on a farm property in Caledon, Ont.

“If this thing goes on for another three, four months, at least we can hang out outside without any problems,” he said with a laugh.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2020.

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The All-Star 3v3 Tournament Idea and 2020 All-Star Picks

Commissioner Adam Silver has pushed for the NBA to adopt a European soccer-esque midseason tournament to give NBA teams something to play for other than the Larry O’Brien trophy, but his resolution to shorten the length of the NBA regular has not been met with the same enthusiasm, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is encouraging the NBA is thinking of ideas to bolster its regular season, but this idea seems a little farfetched to both its fans and players. Silver has also pitched the idea of a play-in tournament akin to college conference tournaments for NCAA tournament bids, which is an idea I fully endorse (and an idea similar to the one I wrote about before) and think can get pushed through before the midseason tournament. The goal of any midseason tournament should be one that can: 1) captivate the interests of the NBA’s fans and the general public, 2) Allow the NBA to shorten the number of games during the NBA season, 3) Be able to replace the broadcasts lost from the decreased number of games. It is hard to come up with an idea that can solve all three, but I believe I have an idea that could make this work: a 3v3 tournament comprised of every player who receives an invitation to All-Star weekend.

How would this work? All-Star Weekend would continue as normal Friday through Sunday, with the Rookie-Sophomore game (now dubbed the Rising Stars Game) on Friday, the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout and Dunk Contest on Saturday and the All-Star Game on Sunday. Instead of lasting just a weekend though, All-Star weekend will last a full week, with the last game before the event coming on a Thursday and the season resumes on the next Thursday. This would give players not involved two weeks off to get their bodies and minds right and gives those involved in the festivities ample time to bask in the limelight before returning to their teams. 

For those who receive an invite to either of the traditional All-Star weekend events, they would also be invited to play in a 3v3 tournament over the course of the entire week, starting on Monday and ending on Sunday as the undercard to the All-Star game itself. Players can choose not to play if they choose not to, but this event seems unique enough to captivate most players to participate. A draft could take place on the Saturday before the event (we can televise that too. Why not!?) where each team drafts four players of those willing to participate in the event. Let’s say 64 total players are invited to these different events and willing to play. That means 16 players would be captains picking from the rest of the group, forming 16 different teams playing for prize money of $2 million per player. 

So, now just imagine it for a second. What if LeBron James decided to participate, and was able to get someone like, say Bradley Beal to run with him and got, say, Zach LaVine as a dunk contest participant, to go all out against the best of the best? What if former AAU teammates Zion Williamson and Ja Morant were teammates again and wanted to show what they’ve got against the best of the best alongside perhaps Donovan Mitchell? Imagine the potential for stars going at it against each other 1v1 to show the rest of us who is better. Not only that, but it serves as a breeding ground to not only market different stars who don’t get the same exposure as other stars do, but also rising stars *in the same setting.* 

I feel like this could be something that would really captivate a lot of people across the world. Perhaps the idea could use some more fine-tuning (why not consult with Ice Cube, the commissioner of the burgeoning professional 3v3 basketball league called ‘The Big 3’ in his own right. Maybe players not invited could pay their way in to try to win more?), but I truly do believe that if the NBA wants to modify its regular season and install a mid-season tournament, this is the best way to do. Despite the dwindling ratings, many fans still are interested in the NBA. There are too many games, prompting stars to load manage their way into sitting games out. This would allow players to not only get time off, not only find the tournament they are craving for but find a brand new way to entertain their fans in a potentially very fun way. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I sure as hell know that I would watch. Make it happen, NBA.

All-Star Picks: East

Starters:

G: Kemba Walker PG BOS

G: Ben Simmons PG PHI

F: Giannis Antetokounmpo SF MIL

F: Joel Embiid C PHI

F: Pascal Siakam PF TOR

Reserves:

G: Kyle Lowry PG TOR

G: Bradley Beal SG WSH

F: Jimmy Butler SF MIA

F: Bam Adebayo PF/C MIA

F: Domantas Sabonis PF/C IND

WC: Khris Middleton SF MIL

WC: Trae Young PG ATL

Notes: Kemba, Giannis, Embiid, and Siakam are all locks to start, in my opinion. What Ben Simmons has done defensively this season and stepping up while Embiid has been out (the Sixers are 5-3 in those games and Simmons is averaging 20.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists per game and other-worldly defense in that span) felt like enough to get him a starting spot.

He isn’t sexy, but Kyle Lowry’s numbers are right up there with just about any guard and has helped keep the Raptors afloat and firmly entrenched in the playoff hunt despite some Kawhi Leonard dude bolting town. I think he’s neck-and-neck of being a starter with Simmons because of how Simmons’ lack of a jump shot limits the overall firepower when Embiid is out there with Simmons, but the leap he’s made defensively and the spree he went on with Embiid I think justifies Simmons’ starting spot. Lowry is in, though. Putting Beal and Young in over Spencer Dinwiddie, Malcolm Brogdon, or Jaylen Brown feels a little icky because of where Washington and Atlanta are in the standings, but it also isn’t Beal and Young’s fault they’re surrounded by a much lesser core. Atlanta’s offense falls off the face of the earth without Young, has had John Collins suspended for 25 games, had Kevin Huerter miss time and is surrounded by rookies who have looked like deer in headlights. Bradley Beal is without his All-Star running mate John Wall and Washington has had so many injuries I can’t keep up, yet he’s still averaging roughly 27-6-5. I tend to prefer taking guys from winning teams, but without great options, I’ll lean towards the better players putting up the bigger numbers.

The rest of the frontcourt was easier to handle. If Jimmy Butler was listed as a guard he’d get the starting nod ahead of Simmons, but regardless, being on the team should suffice. His teammate Bam Adebayo has put on his best Draymond Green impersonation for the Heat and producing a bit of everything; he absolutely deserves the nod for his first All-Star game. One Pacer should get in for the quietest 28-16 start in NBA history, so I’ll give Sabonis the nod for averaging over 18 & 12 a night & elevating Indiana’s offense in the process. Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton, Dinwiddie, Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Tobias Harris, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, Evan Fournier, and Devonte Graham all deserve consideration for the last spot, but I think the last spot should go to Khris Middleton. The Bucks have been leaps and bounds the best team in the NBA by just about any metric you look at. Middleton is putting up a Klay Thompson-esque shooting season from the floor, with a 50/42.1/88.9 shooting split on the season, averaging 24.7 points per 36 minutes (he only plays about 28 a game since the Bucks have been blowing everybody out this season), and has anchored lineups without Giannis on the floor that are *still* outscoring opponents to give the Greek Freak more rest than an MVP typically gets (Giannis only plays 30.6 minutes per game). Again, Middleton is not another sexy name, but he’s been great and I think deserving to be on his 2nd All-Star team. 

All-Star Picks: West

Starters:

G: Luka Doncic PG/SF DAL

G: James Harden SG HOU

F: LeBron James SF LAL

F: Anthony Davis PF/C LAL

F: Kawhi Leonard SF LAC

Reserves: 

G: Damian Lillard PG POR

G: Donovan Mitchell SG UTAH

F: Nikola Jokic C DEN

F: Rudy Gobert C UTAH

F: Brandon Ingram SF NOLA

WC: Chris Paul PG OKC

WC: Devin Booker SG PHX

Notes: Yeah, it doesn’t take rocket science to name the starters. I wouldn’t mind if someone wanted to put Jokic in over Kawhi as a starter, but I’ll roll with the fun guy.

Lillard, Jokic, Gobert & Donovan Mitchell feel like locks to me. For the love of God get Rudy Gobert in the All-Star game damn it! Mitchell has seemingly leveled up. Somehow, Damian Lillard has kept alive a Blazers team that was one injury from signing *me* to a 10 day (I wish I was kidding). The last few spots are a little more up in the air. Paul George *should* be in but hasn’t played a lot of games, thus ceding his spot. Chris Paul leading Oklahoma City to the 7th seed is worthy of his presence at another All-Star game. You could put any of Karl-Anthony Towns, LaMarcus Aldridge, Ja Morant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and DeMar DeRozan in, but the leaps Brandon Ingram and Devin Booker have made despite injuries/suspensions to their supporting casts, keeping their respective teams afloat and putting up monster numbers in the process deserves recognition. I think they should both get in this season.

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The Rise of HS Basketball Highlight Reel Factories and the Impact on Students

In April 2017, the Bristol Herald Courier, a newspaper in Southwest Virginia, named junior guard Mac McClung its boys basketball player of the year. The Courier said McClung’s games at Gate City High School “were standing-room only affairs.” In a town of roughly 2,000 people, McClung was afforded big-man-on-campus status while still maintaining a modicum of anonymity, at least beyond his tiny pocket of the state.

Then a curious thing happened. McClung became the poster boy for the burgeoning Internet era of high school basketball, leaping from local star to a national stage shared by other elite adolescent talents who have their every move documented on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. That’s because in May of 2017, someone at Ballislife, the crème de la crème of high school basketball highlights, caught McClung aggressively dunking on everyone in his vicinity at an AAU game. By June of 2017, McClung was hovering around 20,000 Instagram followers. His final year of high school ball turned into a complete circus, with more viral clips than one could possibly count. Now, McClung is headed to Georgetown, with a tad more Instagram followers: roughly 644,000.

It’s nothing new for basketball recruits to have fame bestowed upon them at an early age, though in the prep-to-pro era, most of the footage of future stars was limited to grainy mixtapes. That’s no longer the case. If you Google even fringe players from the classes of 2018 or 2019, you’re certain to find a video with tens if not hundreds of thousands of views and an entire comments section dissecting every jump shot. Many of the videos aren’t just highlights—they’re mini-documentaries showing a day in the life of a 17-year-old.

“These kids are thinking about making sure they have the right Clif Bar in their locker for after practice,” said Dr. Jenelle Gilbert, a professor and graduate program coordinator for the kinesiology department at Fresno State. “They have very high school-centered needs, but they’re being thrust into an adult world very, very quickly.”

Ballislife founder Matt Rodriguez boasts on his LinkedIn page that Ballislife viewership jumped from 97.99 million across social media platforms in 2016 to 682.78 million in 2017. Overtime, which launched in Dec. 2016, says it has “20 million minutes of watch time each month” and, since the start of 2018, has received $9.5 million in Series A funding plus $2.5 million in seed funding. There’s also Mars Reel (25 million unique views per month as of January; they also landed $2.5 million in seed funding this year), EliteMixtapes, HoopDiamonds, and CityLeagueHoopsTV, which focuses on middle school boys and girls.

“This is something that’s completely new to us, and frankly [the channels] were almost expecting to have access,” said Archbishop Molloy High School athletic director and boys basketball coach Mike McCleary. He oversees a team in Queens, New York, that had three Division I prospects in 2017-18: UCLA signee Moses Brown, Georgia Tech signee Khalid Moore, and point guard Cole Anthony, ESPN’s No. 6 prospect in the class of 2019. “A lot of times [the videographers] would just show up,” McCleary continued. “They do a lot of communicating with the athletes themselves, and not as much communicating with me as necessary.”

Each of the channels has seen an eruption in popularity over the last year or so. Problem is, kids (and adults) don’t necessarily understand the drawbacks to this degree of outsized exposure. Concerns about players’ emotional well-being have been raised in the NBA, but the high school level has barely begun to grapple with the detrimental impact an industry eager to build on its bottom line could have on teenagers, who get a boost in name recognition in exchange for an entirely new set of stressors and expectations.

Gate City boys basketball coach Scott Vermillion, for instance, knows McClung was acutely aware of his newfound audience during his senior season, which ended with a 29-2 record and a Class 2 state title. “He felt pressure to perform because of all of the cameras. People are traveling from California to film our games and do highlights,” Vermillion said. “He attempted a couple dunks this year that didn’t go in, but I didn’t mind.”

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/embed/article/a37gze/cole-anthony-wants-to-revolutionize-basketball-and-play-zelda-the-16-project?utm_source=stylizedembed_sports.vice.com&utm_campaign=zmkbvy&site=sports

At Archbishop Molloy, it’s Anthony who’s the biggest draw. He, like McClung, has eclipsed the six-digit Instagram followers mark. Both have cultivated a social media image that looks like it’s straight out of a public relations firm. Documentary-style videos provide glimpses into their personalities, but their Instagram and Twitter accounts rarely deviate from posting highlight-reel clips they’re tagged in.

McCleary and Vermillion have slightly differing opinions about the influx of high school basketball-dedicated channels. Vermillion believes they’re a net positive, noting that the “overall effect it had on our community, on our kids, on our region, on our team, on the game of basketball, far outweighs the negative parts.” McCleary was careful to note he had no ill will toward any one entity, and he’s all for “the kids getting some notoriety.” But he also felt the channels were a distraction, and wished he “would have put a few more stipulations” in place when they started showing up. On the whole, McCleary finds the channels to be a net negative.

One downside both coaches cited was how the spotlight messed with the other kids on their rosters. Said McCleary: “I think it does individualize a player when you’re trying to build a team. We had three very good players, all very nice kids—respectful, did what we asked them to do, and I think they were in for the team. But they’re getting the attention, and the other 12 kids aren’t.”

Unlike college or pro basketball, where there are clearly defined boundaries enforced between media members and organizations, there is no standard for high schools or high school basketball channels to adhere to. That’s partly a result of how the channels are set up, with some hiring professional videographers while others outsource contracted positions to people who happen to live in an area with a touted teenager. Coach Vermillion turned down video requests for the last few weeks of the season, but that was an arbitrary call based on how his team was handling the additional scrutiny. For now, that’s the only tangible protection.

Neither Vermillion nor McCleary thought their star players suffered significantly on or off the court as the cameras poured in. But from all indications, the coaches had their players’ best interests at heart, and kids like McClung and Anthony were cited as having especially strong familial support systems, which certainly isn’t the case for every prospect.

Dr. Frank Smoll, a sports psychologist, declined a formal interview for this piece because at this point, he feels talk is cheap. Instead, he suggested in an email that action is required from a large organization like the National Federation of State High School Associations to examine potential negative effects and put guidelines in place to protect teens. On its website, the NFHS says it’s dedicated to “building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports.” In a statement to Vice, Bruce Howard, the director of communications at NFHS, didn’t indicate any policy positions were imminent.

“We would prefer the focus be on the team rather than sensationalizing individual players,” Howard wrote. “I think our schools and state associations will continue to monitor these type of sites to protect the players.”

High school basketball players deserve the opportunity to promote themselves, but like most situations involving young adults and athletics, the scales are tipped against them. They aren’t the ones making money off their likeness. Dollars aside, there are unexplored short- and long-term consequences of sudden fame for still-developing kids. (When asked to comment on the subject, the parents of athletes contacted for this story declined to make them available.) Unfortunately, there’s no break for anyone to take a step back and reassess—AAU ball is in full swing over the summer, and then it’s back to school. In other words, this is the new reality, for better or worse. Or, as Dr. Smoll signed off in one of his emails, “I’m sorry for being so pessimistic, but ‘it is what it is.'”

The Rise of HS Basketball Highlight Reel Factories and the Impact on Students syndicated from https://australiahoverboards.wordpress.com

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The Rise of HS Basketball Highlight Reel Factories and the Impact on Students

In April 2017, the Bristol Herald Courier, a newspaper in Southwest Virginia, named junior guard Mac McClung its boys basketball player of the year. The Courier said McClung’s games at Gate City High School “were standing-room only affairs.” In a town of roughly 2,000 people, McClung was afforded big-man-on-campus status while still maintaining a modicum of anonymity, at least beyond his tiny pocket of the state.

Then a curious thing happened. McClung became the poster boy for the burgeoning Internet era of high school basketball, leaping from local star to a national stage shared by other elite adolescent talents who have their every move documented on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. That’s because in May of 2017, someone at Ballislife, the crème de la crème of high school basketball highlights, caught McClung aggressively dunking on everyone in his vicinity at an AAU game. By June of 2017, McClung was hovering around 20,000 Instagram followers. His final year of high school ball turned into a complete circus, with more viral clips than one could possibly count. Now, McClung is headed to Georgetown, with a tad more Instagram followers: roughly 644,000.

It’s nothing new for basketball recruits to have fame bestowed upon them at an early age, though in the prep-to-pro era, most of the footage of future stars was limited to grainy mixtapes. That’s no longer the case. If you Google even fringe players from the classes of 2018 or 2019, you're certain to find a video with tens if not hundreds of thousands of views and an entire comments section dissecting every jump shot. Many of the videos aren't just highlights—they're mini-documentaries showing a day in the life of a 17-year-old.

“These kids are thinking about making sure they have the right Clif Bar in their locker for after practice,” said Dr. Jenelle Gilbert, a professor and graduate program coordinator for the kinesiology department at Fresno State. “They have very high school-centered needs, but they’re being thrust into an adult world very, very quickly.”

Ballislife founder Matt Rodriguez boasts on his LinkedIn page that Ballislife viewership jumped from 97.99 million across social media platforms in 2016 to 682.78 million in 2017. Overtime, which launched in Dec. 2016, says it has “20 million minutes of watch time each month” and, since the start of 2018, has received $9.5 million in Series A funding plus $2.5 million in seed funding. There’s also Mars Reel (25 million unique views per month as of January; they also landed $2.5 million in seed funding this year), EliteMixtapes, HoopDiamonds, and CityLeagueHoopsTV, which focuses on middle school boys and girls.

“This is something that’s completely new to us, and frankly [the channels] were almost expecting to have access,” said Archbishop Molloy High School athletic director and boys basketball coach Mike McCleary. He oversees a team in Queens, New York, that had three Division I prospects in 2017-18: UCLA signee Moses Brown, Georgia Tech signee Khalid Moore, and point guard Cole Anthony, ESPN’s No. 6 prospect in the class of 2019. “A lot of times [the videographers] would just show up,” McCleary continued. “They do a lot of communicating with the athletes themselves, and not as much communicating with me as necessary.”

Each of the channels has seen an eruption in popularity over the last year or so. Problem is, kids (and adults) don’t necessarily understand the drawbacks to this degree of outsized exposure. Concerns about players’ emotional well-being have been raised in the NBA, but the high school level has barely begun to grapple with the detrimental impact an industry eager to build on its bottom line could have on teenagers, who get a boost in name recognition in exchange for an entirely new set of stressors and expectations.

Gate City boys basketball coach Scott Vermillion, for instance, knows McClung was acutely aware of his newfound audience during his senior season, which ended with a 29-2 record and a Class 2 state title. “He felt pressure to perform because of all of the cameras. People are traveling from California to film our games and do highlights,” Vermillion said. “He attempted a couple dunks this year that didn’t go in, but I didn’t mind.”

At Archbishop Molloy, it’s Anthony who’s the biggest draw. He, like McClung, has eclipsed the six-digit Instagram followers mark. Both have cultivated a social media image that looks like it’s straight out of a public relations firm. Documentary-style videos provide glimpses into their personalities, but their Instagram and Twitter accounts rarely deviate from posting highlight-reel clips they’re tagged in.

McCleary and Vermillion have slightly differing opinions about the influx of high school basketball-dedicated channels. Vermillion believes they’re a net positive, noting that the “overall effect it had on our community, on our kids, on our region, on our team, on the game of basketball, far outweighs the negative parts.” McCleary was careful to note he had no ill will toward any one entity, and he’s all for “the kids getting some notoriety.” But he also felt the channels were a distraction, and wished he “would have put a few more stipulations” in place when they started showing up. On the whole, McCleary finds the channels to be a net negative.

One downside both coaches cited was how the spotlight messed with the other kids on their rosters. Said McCleary: “I think it does individualize a player when you’re trying to build a team. We had three very good players, all very nice kids—respectful, did what we asked them to do, and I think they were in for the team. But they’re getting the attention, and the other 12 kids aren’t.”

Unlike college or pro basketball, where there are clearly defined boundaries enforced between media members and organizations, there is no standard for high schools or high school basketball channels to adhere to. That’s partly a result of how the channels are set up, with some hiring professional videographers while others outsource contracted positions to people who happen to live in an area with a touted teenager. Coach Vermillion turned down video requests for the last few weeks of the season, but that was an arbitrary call based on how his team was handling the additional scrutiny. For now, that’s the only tangible protection.

Neither Vermillion nor McCleary thought their star players suffered significantly on or off the court as the cameras poured in. But from all indications, the coaches had their players’ best interests at heart, and kids like McClung and Anthony were cited as having especially strong familial support systems, which certainly isn’t the case for every prospect.

Dr. Frank Smoll, a sports psychologist, declined a formal interview for this piece because at this point, he feels talk is cheap. Instead, he suggested in an email that action is required from a large organization like the National Federation of State High School Associations to examine potential negative effects and put guidelines in place to protect teens. On its website, the NFHS says it’s dedicated to “building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports.” In a statement to Vice, Bruce Howard, the director of communications at NFHS, didn’t indicate any policy positions were imminent.

“We would prefer the focus be on the team rather than sensationalizing individual players,” Howard wrote. “I think our schools and state associations will continue to monitor these type of sites to protect the players.”

High school basketball players deserve the opportunity to promote themselves, but like most situations involving young adults and athletics, the scales are tipped against them. They aren’t the ones making money off their likeness. Dollars aside, there are unexplored short- and long-term consequences of sudden fame for still-developing kids. (When asked to comment on the subject, the parents of athletes contacted for this story declined to make them available.) Unfortunately, there’s no break for anyone to take a step back and reassess—AAU ball is in full swing over the summer, and then it’s back to school. In other words, this is the new reality, for better or worse. Or, as Dr. Smoll signed off in one of his emails, “I'm sorry for being so pessimistic, but ‘it is what it is.'"

The Rise of HS Basketball Highlight Reel Factories and the Impact on Students published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

[welcometoprime-time]

Fastlane Preview

Welcome one and all to my preview and predictions for WWE Fastlane, the final and RAW exclusive Pay Per View before Wrestlemania 33. As with every other post I urge you to leave comments and feedback below or by following me on social media by following the links to the right of the page. I would also like to take this time to ask all of you to share the link to this and my blog in general. Fastlane has the potential to set up a Goldberg Vs Lesnar match for the WWE title which in my opinion would make it a lot more significant however, I really don't want to see that. Given that Kevin Owens has worked incredibly well this year as Universal Champion I think it would not be fair to Owens or the fans for him to go into Wrestlemania without the title. In general RAW has been lagging behind the more slimline and exciting Smackdown Live and I'm not as excited for Fastlane as I was for Elimination Chamber.

 1. Noam Dar and Brian Kendrick Vs. Akira Tozawa and Rich Swann

This is just another throw away match that doesn't really have much relevance to what is happening on 205 Live or RAW. Sure they are combining two feuds that have been bubbling along nicely. I would have loved to see two singles matches over the tag match and maybe even have had Tozawa Vs. Kendrick on the main card. Overall it doesn't really matter who wins or loses in this match but, this will be a nice little showcase for the under utilised Cruiserweight division.

 2. Sasha Banks Vs. Nia Jax

This has been an OK feud that has been a way of showing how powerful Nia is and has been overlooked since coming to RAW. I disagree of course I find Nia Jax just dull and one dimensional. The writers are trying to sell Nia as the female Braun Strowman and I just don't care. Her lack of character and mic time has done her no favours and she should have been left down at NXT a little longer to really develop her as a character. Sasha has just been OK in this feud too. I'm glad that we're not going to have to see Sasha Vs Charlotte for the 1000th time as it became a little stale but, unfortunately this feud has done nothing much for me at all. I expect Nia just to dominate over Sasha and set her up to be included in the title match for Wrestlemania.

 3. Samoa Joe Vs. Sami Zayn

This match promises to be a great hidden gem of a match that could steal the show. Samoa Joes coming to RAW has been a long time coming and now that he's here I think it's only a matter of time before he's in the main event. I think this match was probably set up to include Seth Rollins originally but, due to his injury Zayn has taken his spot. I feel Zayn has really been over looked in the past year and deserves to be a whole lot higher on the card.This should be hard hitting and lead to the first main roster win for Joe. I think this might also set up a rematch between the two at Wrestlemania.

 4. WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: Gallows And Anderson(C) Vs. Enzo and Big Cass

The tag team division has been a little stale since New Day dropped the championships a couple of months ago. Cesaro and Sheamus had a forgettable run as champions and now I feel like that the writers might do that with Gallows and Anderson, through no fault of their own I might add. Gallows and Anderson are one of the best tag teams I've watched in a long time, both being as hard hitting and talented as each other. They really deserve a lot more attention and exposure than they have been getting. Enzo and Big Cass are another team that have been overlooked. The fact that they never held the NXT tag team championship baffled me and the fact that they've never really had a fair run at the RAW tag team championships. This should be a great match with Gallows and Anderson retaining the gold.

 5. WWE Raw Womens Championship: Bayley(C) Vs. Charlotte Flair

Bayley is finally getting the recognition she deserves as an integral part of the womens division. She reminds me of Sami Zayn a little as she is sold to the audience as the scrappy underdog that you can't help but route for. Charlotte is without a doubt one of the best heel performers not only in the women's division but, RAW in general. She has really gone from being a mediocre dynasty character like Ted Dibiase Jr to a stand alone villain. I fully expect Sasha Banks and Dana Brooke to both be involved in some way, maybe even seeing Brooke turn on her former mentor. I think Charlotte will win but, by DQ keeping the belt on Bayley going into Wrestlemania and Charlotte retaining her unbeaten PPV record.

 6. WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville(C) Vs. Jack Gallagher

This feud has been one of my favourite feuds on WWE television of late. Neville really has come into his own as a heel, performing consistently well week after week. Jack Gallagher has really become one of the most enntertaining parts of 205 Live. I do agree with part of the storyline with Gallagher being one of the most hammy, over exaggerated British characters ever in the WWE. This should be a brutal match with some incredible spots throughout. I'm not overly sure which way this match will go. I would like to see Neville go into Wrestlemania as champion as long as the Cruiserweight division actually gets the match it derives at Mania perhaps making them a featured ladder match or something similar and not merely a filler or battle royal match on the pre show.

 7. Roman Reigns Vs. Braun Strowman

I'm really struggling to care about this match in general. Both men are being forced down the audiences throat on a weekly basis. Strowman is an OK monster heel guy and has had some OK matches of late against Big Show and Mark Henry but, I feel like he has been thrust into the main event picture far too quickly. Roman Reigns is just boring to watch, a throwback to the 90s style anti hero good guy that just doesn't appeal to me, I'm in the wrong demographic to be a fan. I don't have high hopes for this match and I think Strowman might come out with the win.

 8. WWE Universal Championship: Kevin Owens(C) Vs. Goldberg

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I really don't care about Goldberg. I was never a fan of Goldberg as I missed him in WCW and didn't really care much for his first WWE run. I think it's crazy that WWE are using RAW to push pay day guys coming in for one match every so often and going away. I would be dissapointed if Goldberg comes out with the Universal Championship but, at this point it wouldn't surprise me. I fully expect Jericho to get involved maybe inadvertently costing Goldberg the win. I really hope that the main event from RAW at Wrestlemania is Owens Vs. Jericho for the Universal Championship but, I don't see that happening.

 Overall not a strong final PPV before Wrestlemania. RAW has really been dwindling lately and is a bit of a chore to watch. The Cruiserweight matches and Joe Vs. Zayn look like promising matches and even Bayley Vs. Charlotte has the potential to be great. The rest of the card is just very dull. Hopefully I'm proven wrong but, I doubt it. Thanks for reading.

Posted with Blogsy

[preciousmetals0]

Quantum Investing; Beyond Retail; Wayfail; Shwedy Security

Quantum Investing; Beyond Retail; Wayfail; Shwedy Security:

A Quantum Leap

Today, dear readers, we take off our quarantine masks and put on our thinking caps. Well … figuratively speaking, at least. Keep those masks on for now, please.

Why our thinking caps? Because President Trump’s 2021 budget requests $237 million in funding for quantum computing. Roughly $25 million of that budget request comes directly from the U.S. Department of Energy — you know, the guys that helped bring us the internet 60 years ago?

While Trump’s budget still has a long way to go — i.e., through a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives — even he knows that quantum computing is the future of technology as we know it.

And that future is exceedingly bright, especially for investors who get in early.

That’s great, Mr. Great Stuff, real great. More spending on technology while we fight a virus? You’re starting to sound like Bold Profits. So, what is this “quantum computing” … and why should I care?

Why should you care? Hmm … because if we had quantum computers right now, we may already have a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. How’s that, Mr. Doubting Mustafa?

So far, everything you’ve ever seen, written, read or interacted with on a computer or the internet is made up of ones and zeros at its core. Get enough of these ones and zeros together, and you can publish a free e-zine on BanyanHill.com and deliver it to thousands of people on the internet.

But quantum computing? Now that’s a horse of a different color.

Quantum computing will change everything we know about computers, the internet, smartphones, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), health care, virus management … and even the weather.

It’s a complex topic that deserves a much more in-depth explanation if you’re into future technology. Though, I know you’re itching to hear the market side of things. (Quantum profits? In my portfolio?!) Tech investors, listen up…

The Takeaway:

Essentially, quantum computing is the next leap forward in our digital evolution. President Trump knows this, and it’s why he’s pushing for millions in new funding.

Now, your question should be: How do I get in on the emerging quantum computing mega trend?

I’m glad you asked! The answer is a lot simpler than you might expect…

Right now, only a handful of tech companies have the financial wherewithal to dive into quantum computing research in a meaningful way. Here are three to get you started:

Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL): The Google parent always has a lot of goofy pet projects in the works, but the company’s quantum computing project is no joke. Codenamed “Bristlecone,” Alphabet’s new quantum computing semiconductor has 72 quantum bits, or qubits. These are the building blocks of quantum chips, just like bits are for current chips. The company leads the arms race in quantum computing power.

IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM): Good old “Big Blue” built one of the world’s first successful quantum computers. While that computer has since been overshadowed by Alphabet’s Bristlecone, IBM remains at the forefront of developing a “commercial available universal quantum computer for business and science” … at least, according to the company’s quantum research page. A breakthrough in quantum computing could be just what IBM needs to return to relevancy in the data center and AI markets.

Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC): You didn’t think the world’s original semiconductor behemoth would be left out of the quantum computing revolution, did you? Intel is already rolling out quantum semiconductors. Unfortunately, all of those chips need to operate at temperatures near absolute zero. That’s one hell of a cooling system. However, Intel is reportedly close to creating a 128 qubit chip, which would put it well ahead of Alphabet in the quantum processing race.

I know that’s a lot to take in … especially with our brains on autopilot after being locked inside for the past month. So, let me make this easier for you:

If you want expert, cutting-edge stock research on everything from AI to quantum computing, click here now!

The Good: Shwedy Results

In what should surprise literally no one, IT security and services firm, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: CHKP) beat earnings and revenue expectations this morning.

This stay-at-home market has been a boon for Check Point, with the company beating Wall Street’s first-quarter expectations by $0.04 per share. Revenue of $486.5 million also topped the consensus estimate.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we sustained elevated business activity levels and delivered results in the upper half of our guidance with strength coming from the Americas,” said CEO Gil Shwed.

But, while the prior quarter benefited greatly from the new work-at-home economy, Shwed warned that “it’s hard to predict what effect this changing environment will have on the future.”

I get it. The future is hard to predict, especially right now. But, as long as this lockdown stays in effect, Check Point will continue to benefit handsomely.

The Bad: No Meat for You

“Stock rally + food service exposure + increased retail competition = downside risk,” says UBS analyst Steven Strycula. And you thought you were done with math today!

Strycula’s “new math” is in reference to Beyond Meat Inc. (Nasdaq: BYND). And, after BYND’s recent 100% surge, the UBS analyst believes now is the time to ditch BYND stock. He cut BYND from hold to sell and slashed his price target from $90 to $73.

In short, Strycula’s reasoning is that Beyond Meat has relied on restaurant deals to boost its bottom line. With practically every restaurant in the U.S. shut down, Beyond Meat will take a hit to its bottom line.

I admit that UBS has a point over the short term at least. Over the long term, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to change the eating habits of millions. As Great Stuff reported on Friday, CFRA Research told clients: “Most infectious disease outbreaks are transmitted from animals to humans.”

Furthermore, meat processing is shutting down around the world. You already know that China struggles with pork production. Now, we have Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) shutting down processing plants due to the virus.

These stories are clearly a short-term boost for BYND, driving investor sentiment more than the company’s bottom line. So, UBS isn’t wrong … for now. But the problems surrounding meat production amid COVID-19 give insight into Beyond Meat’s future. And that future is trending in the meatless wonder’s favor.

The Ugly: Way(Above)Fair Value

Remember when Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, issued guidance far below expectations with negative quarterly margins?

Yeah, neither does Wall Street.

Wayfair stock has gone on a 400% bender since its Ides of March lows. But someone on Wall Street finally came to their senses.

Stifel analyst Scott Devitt responded to Wayfair’s insanity by downgrading the stock from buy to hold. According to Devitt, the stock passed his price target of $115 last week, and it’s time for a break.

Well … it’s not a resounding rebuke of the stock’s 400% surge, but I’ll take what I can get.

Wayfair’s main problem is that it has to spend — a lot — to stay fresh in consumers’ minds. The company directly competes with everyone from Amazon to Walmart … but it doesn’t have the same brand recognition.

In short, Wayfair’s revenue boost from online shopping amid the pandemic is eaten up by advertising costs.

I swear, I’m so tired of seeing Wayfair ads on Facebook. I can’t imagine how much this is costing the company … oh, wait, I can: negative margins.

The point is, Wayfair is nothing special. It offers products that you can find virtually everywhere else. The only reason it gets attention is because people can’t shop outside. As such, I fully expect Wayfair to see a sharp drop in sales once this lockdown is over. And that’s bad news for W shares.

Today’s Chart of the Week once again comes courtesy of Earnings Whispers on Twitter, with a whole lotta earnings season shakin’ goin’ on.

Hey, I can’t be the only one who gets excited about this kind of stuff. If you’ve never felt the brisk energizing action of corporate earnings, well, maybe you’re a more well-adjusted person than lil ol’ me.

Roughly 30% of the S&P 500 Index is set to report earnings this week, with more than a third of the Dow also spilling its beans. Not to mention, this week features the trillion-dollar tech titans face off. All eyes are on Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), a beacon of all online shopping supply chains, and Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), bellwether of the “gotta get it now” crowd.

Google’s parent Alphabet already sowed doubts about its ad-dependent business slowing down. (And if you want to talk “we live and breathe ads,” why, Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) is just getting started … show me another Wayfair ad, I dare you, Zuckerberg!)

Here’s what else is kicking off this week:

AMD has yet another chance to upheave its consumer computer chip rival Intel.

Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) fanatics and traders alike will go ape-$#^! no matter what Elon Musk and co. end up reporting.

We hear from Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE: SPOT), the streaming underdog and longtime Great Stuff Granted, I don’t think too many families are out there spending quarantine together around the radio. Guess I might as well huddle around to stream for Roosevelt’s fireside chats while I’m at it…

We get to see how much useless (or not-so-useless) stuff people have been buying on eBay.

It’s an all-airline affair with the best bailed-out buds, along with a look at how Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) is holding up with the air industry’s collapse (plus, you know, its other production and PR debacles).

Finally, we round out the week with the Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) and Abbive Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) — two of Great Stuff’s stocks to beat the Wuhan virus … when we still called it that.

It’s sure to be a topsy-turvy week of earnings … but it’s not like you expected otherwise, right? Stick with Great Stuff and Banyan Hill, and we’ll help you dispel the earnings excellence from the hype and hogwash.

If you’re looking to venture out hunting for market bargains, just remember: You never have to go alone! Take a guide. They’re handy. They’ve been through choppy and unexpected markets before. And no matter what kind of earnings apocalypse we may be due for, you’ll want to keep your wits about you.

Click here now to find your guide.

That’s a wrap for today, but you can always catch us on social media: Facebook and Twitter. We hope you’re staying well out there!

Until next time, stay Great!

Regards,

Joseph Hargett

Editor, Great Stuff

[goldira01]

A Quantum Leap

Today, dear readers, we take off our quarantine masks and put on our thinking caps. Well … figuratively speaking, at least. Keep those masks on for now, please.

Why our thinking caps? Because President Trump’s 2021 budget requests $237 million in funding for quantum computing. Roughly $25 million of that budget request comes directly from the U.S. Department of Energy — you know, the guys that helped bring us the internet 60 years ago?

While Trump’s budget still has a long way to go — i.e., through a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives — even he knows that quantum computing is the future of technology as we know it.

And that future is exceedingly bright, especially for investors who get in early.

That’s great, Mr. Great Stuff, real great. More spending on technology while we fight a virus? You’re starting to sound like Bold Profits. So, what is this “quantum computing” … and why should I care?

Why should you care? Hmm … because if we had quantum computers right now, we may already have a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. How’s that, Mr. Doubting Mustafa?

So far, everything you’ve ever seen, written, read or interacted with on a computer or the internet is made up of ones and zeros at its core. Get enough of these ones and zeros together, and you can publish a free e-zine on BanyanHill.com and deliver it to thousands of people on the internet.

But quantum computing? Now that’s a horse of a different color.

Quantum computing will change everything we know about computers, the internet, smartphones, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), health care, virus management … and even the weather.

It’s a complex topic that deserves a much more in-depth explanation if you’re into future technology. Though, I know you’re itching to hear the market side of things. (Quantum profits? In my portfolio?!) Tech investors, listen up…

The Takeaway:

Essentially, quantum computing is the next leap forward in our digital evolution. President Trump knows this, and it’s why he’s pushing for millions in new funding.

Now, your question should be: How do I get in on the emerging quantum computing mega trend?

I’m glad you asked! The answer is a lot simpler than you might expect…

Right now, only a handful of tech companies have the financial wherewithal to dive into quantum computing research in a meaningful way. Here are three to get you started:

Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL): The Google parent always has a lot of goofy pet projects in the works, but the company’s quantum computing project is no joke. Codenamed “Bristlecone,” Alphabet’s new quantum computing semiconductor has 72 quantum bits, or qubits. These are the building blocks of quantum chips, just like bits are for current chips. The company leads the arms race in quantum computing power.

IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM): Good old “Big Blue” built one of the world’s first successful quantum computers. While that computer has since been overshadowed by Alphabet’s Bristlecone, IBM remains at the forefront of developing a “commercial available universal quantum computer for business and science” … at least, according to the company’s quantum research page. A breakthrough in quantum computing could be just what IBM needs to return to relevancy in the data center and AI markets.

Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC): You didn’t think the world’s original semiconductor behemoth would be left out of the quantum computing revolution, did you? Intel is already rolling out quantum semiconductors. Unfortunately, all of those chips need to operate at temperatures near absolute zero. That’s one hell of a cooling system. However, Intel is reportedly close to creating a 128 qubit chip, which would put it well ahead of Alphabet in the quantum processing race.

I know that’s a lot to take in … especially with our brains on autopilot after being locked inside for the past month. So, let me make this easier for you:

If you want expert, cutting-edge stock research on everything from AI to quantum computing, click here now!

The Good: Shwedy Results

In what should surprise literally no one, IT security and services firm, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: CHKP) beat earnings and revenue expectations this morning.

This stay-at-home market has been a boon for Check Point, with the company beating Wall Street’s first-quarter expectations by $0.04 per share. Revenue of $486.5 million also topped the consensus estimate.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we sustained elevated business activity levels and delivered results in the upper half of our guidance with strength coming from the Americas,” said CEO Gil Shwed.

But, while the prior quarter benefited greatly from the new work-at-home economy, Shwed warned that “it’s hard to predict what effect this changing environment will have on the future.”

I get it. The future is hard to predict, especially right now. But, as long as this lockdown stays in effect, Check Point will continue to benefit handsomely.

The Bad: No Meat for You

“Stock rally + food service exposure + increased retail competition = downside risk,” says UBS analyst Steven Strycula. And you thought you were done with math today!

Strycula’s “new math” is in reference to Beyond Meat Inc. (Nasdaq: BYND). And, after BYND’s recent 100% surge, the UBS analyst believes now is the time to ditch BYND stock. He cut BYND from hold to sell and slashed his price target from $90 to $73.

In short, Strycula’s reasoning is that Beyond Meat has relied on restaurant deals to boost its bottom line. With practically every restaurant in the U.S. shut down, Beyond Meat will take a hit to its bottom line.

I admit that UBS has a point over the short term at least. Over the long term, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to change the eating habits of millions. As Great Stuff reported on Friday, CFRA Research told clients: “Most infectious disease outbreaks are transmitted from animals to humans.”

Furthermore, meat processing is shutting down around the world. You already know that China struggles with pork production. Now, we have Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) shutting down processing plants due to the virus.

These stories are clearly a short-term boost for BYND, driving investor sentiment more than the company’s bottom line. So, UBS isn’t wrong … for now. But the problems surrounding meat production amid COVID-19 give insight into Beyond Meat’s future. And that future is trending in the meatless wonder’s favor.

The Ugly: Way(Above)Fair Value

Remember when Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, issued guidance far below expectations with negative quarterly margins?

Yeah, neither does Wall Street.

Wayfair stock has gone on a 400% bender since its Ides of March lows. But someone on Wall Street finally came to their senses.

Stifel analyst Scott Devitt responded to Wayfair’s insanity by downgrading the stock from buy to hold. According to Devitt, the stock passed his price target of $115 last week, and it’s time for a break.

Well … it’s not a resounding rebuke of the stock’s 400% surge, but I’ll take what I can get.

Wayfair’s main problem is that it has to spend — a lot — to stay fresh in consumers’ minds. The company directly competes with everyone from Amazon to Walmart … but it doesn’t have the same brand recognition.

In short, Wayfair’s revenue boost from online shopping amid the pandemic is eaten up by advertising costs.

I swear, I’m so tired of seeing Wayfair ads on Facebook. I can’t imagine how much this is costing the company … oh, wait, I can: negative margins.

The point is, Wayfair is nothing special. It offers products that you can find virtually everywhere else. The only reason it gets attention is because people can’t shop outside. As such, I fully expect Wayfair to see a sharp drop in sales once this lockdown is over. And that’s bad news for W shares.

Today’s Chart of the Week once again comes courtesy of Earnings Whispers on Twitter, with a whole lotta earnings season shakin’ goin’ on.

Hey, I can’t be the only one who gets excited about this kind of stuff. If you’ve never felt the brisk energizing action of corporate earnings, well, maybe you’re a more well-adjusted person than lil ol’ me.

Roughly 30% of the S&P 500 Index is set to report earnings this week, with more than a third of the Dow also spilling its beans. Not to mention, this week features the trillion-dollar tech titans face off. All eyes are on Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), a beacon of all online shopping supply chains, and Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), bellwether of the “gotta get it now” crowd.

Google’s parent Alphabet already sowed doubts about its ad-dependent business slowing down. (And if you want to talk “we live and breathe ads,” why, Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) is just getting started … show me another Wayfair ad, I dare you, Zuckerberg!)

Here’s what else is kicking off this week:

AMD has yet another chance to upheave its consumer computer chip rival Intel.

Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) fanatics and traders alike will go ape-$#^! no matter what Elon Musk and co. end up reporting.

We hear from Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE: SPOT), the streaming underdog and longtime Great Stuff Granted, I don’t think too many families are out there spending quarantine together around the radio. Guess I might as well huddle around to stream for Roosevelt’s fireside chats while I’m at it…

We get to see how much useless (or not-so-useless) stuff people have been buying on eBay.

It’s an all-airline affair with the best bailed-out buds, along with a look at how Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) is holding up with the air industry’s collapse (plus, you know, its other production and PR debacles).

Finally, we round out the week with the Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) and Abbive Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) — two of Great Stuff’s stocks to beat the Wuhan virus … when we still called it that.

It’s sure to be a topsy-turvy week of earnings … but it’s not like you expected otherwise, right? Stick with Great Stuff and Banyan Hill, and we’ll help you dispel the earnings excellence from the hype and hogwash.

If you’re looking to venture out hunting for market bargains, just remember: You never have to go alone! Take a guide. They’re handy. They’ve been through choppy and unexpected markets before. And no matter what kind of earnings apocalypse we may be due for, you’ll want to keep your wits about you.

Click here now to find your guide.

That’s a wrap for today, but you can always catch us on social media: Facebook and Twitter. We hope you’re staying well out there!

Until next time, stay Great!

Regards,

Joseph Hargett

Editor, Great Stuff