Apple And Tesla Lead Record Markets | Battles Brewing In Silicon Valley | PBR's January Blues

Plus: The Biggest IPOs To Watch In 2022

Good morning.

We’re back after a festive break, bringing news of surging markets boosting Tesla and its CEO’s fortunes, forecast of ongoing turbulence in Silicon Valley over tech workers’ demands, and the first social media campaign blunder of the year, courtesy of beer brand Pabst Blue Ribbon. Finally, don’t miss this overview of the biggest IPOs expected in 2022.

In The News Today

After seven days of deliberation, a jury found disgraced Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes guilty on four of 11 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The Chinese city of Yuzhou, population 1.2 million, entered a strict lockdown after three Covid-19 cases were detected, the latest example of Beijing’s pursuit of “zero Covid” ahead of the Winter Olympics, due to start in a month’s time.

Top Take-Aways

Stocks jumped as markets reopened after the holiday break, with Apple becoming the first company to hit a $3 trillion valuation, and Tesla surging after it reported record deliveries of its electric vehicles in 2021’s final quarter and its best-ever total sales volume. Its CEO Elon Musk’s net worth, the world’s highest, has once again crossed the $300 billion mark.

A sweeping report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington found more than 700 companies and industry groups donated millions to legislators who voted against certifying the result of the presidential election following the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

While many would-be drinkers are starting off “Dry January” with something alcohol-free, Pabst Blue Ribbon is ringing in the new year with an apology after its crude “Wet January” social media campaign attracted criticism.

As cracks multiply in Silicon Valley’s “do-good” veneer, tech workers organized and mobilized in 2021 in a way that has been unprecedented in the industry. According to several of these workers, management can expect even more of a fight from employees in 2022. 

Standard Industries’ GAF Energy—the three-year-old sister company of the nation’s largest roofing manufacturer, GAF—has unveiled a new solar roof that integrates solar technology into traditional roofing, which has been in the works for the past two years.

Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, will defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne later this month after securing a medical exemption from being vaccinated against Covid-19.

Today's Must Read

In Case You Missed It

In 2021, Forbes added more than 400 new billionaires, with an estimated collective net worth of more than $1 trillion, to its ranking. Here’s a recap of the most notable additions. 

Tips You Can Trust

Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) is spearheading legislation to reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours per week. Here are three pros and cons of making Thursday the new Friday.

Are you looking for inspirational 2022 reading suggestions? Check out these 10 career and leadership books that look poised to be the most helpful, compelling—or, at least in one instance, the most fun. 

Today's Must Watch

Recommendations
From Beyond The Newsroom