If you were to read only one thing…
FT – Amazon to ramp up lending in challenge to big banks – Ben McLannahan 6/7
- “Amazon is planning to expand its lending to small businesses in the US, the UK and Japan, in a direct challenge to the big banks which have historically dominated.”
- “The Seattle-based company launched Amazon Lending with little fanfare six years ago, offering select sellers on its platform instant loans for up to 12 months at annual interest rates ranging from about 6 to 17%.”
- “Now, having done about $3bn of originations in total and $1bn within the past year, Amazon is expanding offers to more of the 2m or so businesses on its ‘marketplace’ platform. Such independent sellers — many of which pay Amazon to store, package and ship merchandise to customers on their behalf — account for about half of Amazon’s total units sold worldwide.”
- “Amazon supplies funds from its own balance sheet within 24 hours, then deducts loan payments every two weeks automatically from the seller’s account. If the account runs dry, or if sales suddenly dip, Amazon can put a freeze on any merchandise held in its warehouses until the seller pays up.”
- “’It’s a ‘can’t lose’ proposition for Amazon,’ said Jordan Malik, a Las Vegas-based publisher, noting that the company has a near-perfect view of any seller’s cash flows. ‘It’s a very clever thing they’ve done.’”
FT – Tech companies invade banks’ territory with customer loans – Ben McLannahan 6/7
Perspective
NYT – Venezuelan Exiles in Miami Turn to Public Shaming of Maduro Supporters – Lizette Alvarez 6/7
FT – Is it finally time for a pay rise for American workers? – Sam Fleming 6/7
Worthy Insights / Opinion Pieces / Advice
Bloomberg View – It’s Not Just Retail That’s Changing. It’s Us. – Barry Ritholtz 6/7
Markets / Economy
FT – Streaming revenue to surpass physical music sales this year – Shannon Bond 6/6
WSJ – Daily Shot: Banco Popular CoCo debt 6/8
FT – Streaming revenue to surpass physical music sales this year – Shannon Bond 6/6
Real Estate
WSJ – Daily Shot: John Burns Real Estate Consulting – US Home Prices 6/8
- “With wage growth remaining tepid, this estimate suggests that homes are overvalued (in part due to low mortgage rates).”
WSJ – New Houses Get Smaller as First-Time Buyers Move Into the Market – Jeffrey Sparshott 6/5
- “The median size of a new single-family home slipped by a scant 2% to 2,422 square feet in 2016, according to Census Bureau data released last week. While that’s a small adjustment, it’s the first time since 2009 and only the third time in the last 20 years it’s fallen.”
Energy
Bloomberg – Iraqi Oil Floods Into U.S. After Saudi Arabia Cuts Back – David Marino 6/7
South America
- “Year after year… 0.5% to 2% of revenue was directed to illicit payoffs, mainly to Brazilian politicians and executives of state companies, particularly the national oil producer, Petrobas. Some years graft expenses neared 2 billion reais ($611 million). It just depended on the demands of Odebrecht’s political contacts.”
Other Links
Ancestry.com – What’s the Most Popular Surname in Your State?
