Automobile Innovation
In August, officials in California—the most populous state in the U.S.—recently took a historic step to fight climate change. Starting in 2035, sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles will be banned. In an attempt to boost sales of electric vehicles the state announced plans to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles. The new rule requires 35% of total new vehicle sales to be battery-powered or hydrogen by 2026, and 68% by 2030. In 2021, just 12.41% of all new cars sold in California were zero-emission.
This decision could motivate other states to implement similar policies. At least 15 states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, have adopted California’s vehicle standards when it comes to zero-emission cars.1
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity incidents around the world remain rampant. Over the past few weeks, several companies and organizations reported data breaches, hacks, and other forms of cyberattacks.
LastPass, a company with 33 million customers that provides auto-generated hard-to-crack passwords for users for multiple accounts, said that a hacker stole its source code and proprietary information. LastPass revealed that user passwords were not stolen and that customers do not need to take any action to secure their accounts. However, an investigation is under way into how the hacker was able to gain access.2
According to a report by the Telegraph, a major cyberattack delayed response times for the U.K.’s NHS 111 emergency telephone service. The target of the breach was Advanced, a software provider for 85% of the hotline services of the NHS.3
Cloud Computing
Fears of a recessions are growing as inflation remains persistent and central banks are raising rates. TD Securities believes that there is a 50% chance of a recession in the U.S. within the next 18 months.
In recessionary times, business spending typically declines. But according to a recent report by Equinix Inc, even with economic uncertainty hovering, 72% of the IT decision-makers said that their companies are planning to grow their digital technologies. In addition, more than 70% of decision-makers said that they are moving more functions to the cloud.4
Since cloud computing spending isn’t showing signs of slowing down, cloud services and solutions providers are taking steps to broaden the use of the cloud. In July, Microsoft Corp. announced the general availability of Oracle Database Service for Microsoft Azure. This offering will allow Azure’s customers to provide, access, and monitor Oracle Database services in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) with a familiar experience.
Users will also be able to migrate or build new applications on Microsoft’s Azure and connect it to Oracle Database services that run on OCI.5
E-Gaming
It’s been rough few months for video game sales in the European markets as there’s been a shortage of consoles and a lack of new game releases.
In July, according to Game Industry.biz, sales of physical and digital video games dropped 38% year-over-year to 8.62 million units sold. As for game console sales, year-to-date, sales in the European markets are down over 26%. The biggest factor creating the decline in sales is the shortage of consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series S and X. 6
Meanwhile, in its financial results, the company said that there’s a slowdown in the gaming industry and it’s impacting the company’s financial performance. Aside from Nvidia, other major video gaming companies like Microsoft and Sony have also reported weaker demand and a dismal outlook recently.7
5G
Recently, T-Mobile US Inc., a wireless carrier in the U.S. with one of the biggest 5G networks, announced that it is planning to use SpaceX’s Starlink satellites to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the U.S. By directly connecting mobile phone users with satellites in orbit, T-Mobile would no longer rely on cell towers and could offer services like sending text messages and images in places where coverage doesn’t currently exist.
The satellites will use T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum to create a new network. This new service will be compatible with most phones that are used by the T-Mobile customers already and the beta phase for texting services will begin by the end of next year.
By relying on satellites instead of cell towers, it could be useful for emergency situations in remote areas. To date, SpaceX has launched close to 3,000 low-earth-orbiting Starlink satellites since 2019.8
Robotics & Automation
The robotics and automation market is setting up for a great future. According to a report by Precedence Research, the global artificial intelligence (AI) robot market industry is expected to be around $54.3 billion by 2030 accounting for a compounded annual growth rate of 21.81%.
In 2021, the AI robot market size was worth $9.2 billion and North America held the largest market share with 32.5%.
According to the report, there’s growing acceptance for robots in the healthcare sector as they provide a good link between patients and the healthcare professionals. Furthermore, sectors like manufacturing, construction, and automobile are starting to embrace automation.9
Fintech
PayPal Holdings Inc. recently saw its stock price jump. This rise in the stock price came as it was revealed that activist investor Elliott Investment Management has become one of the largest shareholders of the firm, as well as after the company announced cost-cutting moves that will result in $900 million in savings this year.
Elliott Investment Management has taken a $2.0 billion stake in PayPal and the firm has entered into an information sharing agreement with Jesse Cohn, a managing partner for Elliott.
PayPal CEO, Dan Schulman, has been very vocal about improving PayPal’s ability to grow revenue faster than expenses. In the most recent quarter, the company’s revenue jumped 18%.10
Genomics
The U.K. became the first county to pass a modified COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the Omicron variant. Other countries, including Canada and Australia, are expected to follow suit.11 The U.S. has, so far, secured 171 million doses of Moderna’s and Pfizer’s updated vaccines.12
Moderna and Pfizer have peacefully dominated the COVID-19 vaccine market, but that truce has come to an end. Moderna recently filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pfizer and its partner BioNTech in the U.S. and Germany for patents Moderna says it filed between 2010 and 2016.
Moderna is looking to protect the innovative mRNA technology it pioneered and patented in the decade leading up to the pandemic, allowing it to develop its own COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, in “record time.” 13
Investing in Innovation with EDGE ETF
Disruptive innovation gives your portfolio an edge by ensuring you keep up with trends and developments in a quickly changing world, giving you exposure to high-growth industries.
The award-winning Evolve Innovation Index Fund provides access to global companies involved in disruptive innovation across a broad range of industries, including cybersecurity, cloud computing, eGaming and eSports, automobile innovation, 5G, FinTech, genomics, and robotics and automation.
EDGE ETF Portfolio Strategy and Activity
For the month, PayPal Holdings Inc. made the largest contribution to the Fund, followed by Corteva Inc, and Evolve Cyber Security Index Fund (CYBR). On the last rebalance, these securities were added to the portfolio: FANUC Corp, Argenx SE, Waters Corp, and Block Inc.
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Sources:
- Newburger, E., “California bans the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035,” CNBC, August 25, 2022; https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/25/california-bans-the-sale-of-new-gas-powered-cars-by-2035.html.
- Murphy, M., “World’s Most Popular Password Manager Says It Was Hacked,” BNN Bloomberg, August 25, 2022; https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/world-s-most-popular-password-manager-says-it-was-hacked-1.1810651.
- Prem, P., “Cyber Attack Disrupts NHS 111 Emergency Line in UK: Telegraph,” BNN Bloomberg, August 6, 2022; https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/cyber-attack-disrupts-nhs-111-emergency-line-in-uk-telegraph-1.1802303.
- Gillin, P., “What recession? Tech spending stays robust as digital transformation plans forge ahead,” Silicon Angle, July 27, 2022; https://siliconangle.com/2022/07/27/recession-tech-spending-stays-robust-digital-transformation-plans-forge-ahead.
- “Oracle and Microsoft announce availability of Oracle Database Service for Microsoft Azure,” Microsoft Corp, July 20, 2022; https://news.microsoft.com/2022/07/20/oracle-and-microsoft-announce-availability-of-oracle-database-service-for-microsoft-azure.
- Drig, C, “Video game sales drop in July as release schedule dries up | European Monthly Report,” Game Industry.biz, August 12, 2022; https://www.gamesindustry.biz/video-game-sales-drop-in-july-as-release-schedule-dries-up-european-monthly-report.
- Schuetz, M., “Nvidia disappoints with big miss in revenue on slump in gaming,” BNN Bloomberg, August 8, 2022; https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/nvidia-disappoints-with-big-miss-in-revenue-on-slump-in-gaming-1.1802992.
- “Musk’s SpaceX and T-Mobile plan to connect mobile phones to satellites, boost cell coverage,” Reuters, August 26, 2022; https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/elon-musks-spacex-t-mobile-us-plan-boost-cellular-coverage-space-2022-08-26.
- “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robots Size to Worth Around USD 54.3 Bn by 2030,” Precedence Research, September 6, 2022; https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/09/06/2510219/0/en/Artificial-Intelligence-AI-Robots-Size-to-Worth-Around-USD-54-3-Bn-by-2030.html.
- Surane, J., “PayPal Surges as Analysts Cheer ‘Tough Love’ From Elliott,” Bloomberg, August 3, 2022; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-02/paypal-surges-on-savings-from-cost-cuts-elliott-investment?leadSource=uverify%20wall.
- Loftus, P., “Variant-Targeted Covid-19 Boosters Test the Promise of mRNA Technology,” The Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2022; https://www.wsj.com/articles/variant-targeted-covid-19-boosters-test-the-promise-of-mrna-technology-11661030696.
- Kimball, S., “FDA authorizes Covid booster shots that target omicron BA.5 variant,” CNBC, August 31, 2022; https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/31/fda-authorizes-covid-booster-shots-that-target-omicron-bapoint5-variant-.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.microsoft.Office.Outlook.compose-shareextension.
- “Moderna Sues Pfizer And BioNTech For Infringing Patents Central To Moderna’s Innovative MRNA Technology Platform,” Moderna, Inc., August 26, 2022; https://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2022/Moderna-Sues-Pfizer-and-BioNTech-for-Infringing-Patents-Central-to-Modernas-Innovative-mRNA-Technology-Platform/default.aspx.