1) Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, is starting a three year, $100 million dollar plan to overhaul its stock trading platform. The project, which is named Atlas, is aimed at the world’s largest quant hedge funds with the intent of shaving milliseconds off trades. The quantitative hedge fund investment has become a cutthroat business as other firms have been winning a larger share of a shrinking pie, and Goldman Sachs realizes they have been falling behind the technology race. They must make a strong effort to push forward the technology of electronic trading to maintain their market position.
2) As trade talks continue in Shanghai between China and America, President Trump has imposed an additional 10% tariff on $300 billion dollars worth of Chinese imports. These imports are due to start on the first of September. This does not include the $250 billion dollars already tariffed at 25%. The President blames the Chinese for imposing the tariff, saying China is not following through their promise to buy more American agricultural products and not doing more to stem sales of synthetic opioid fentanyl.
3) Lowe’s, the home improvement retailer, has told thousands of its workers that their jobs are being eliminated. The company will out source the jobs of maintenance and assembly workers to third party companies. These workers assembly products such as wheelbarrows and grills, claiming this will allow store associates to spend more time on the sales floor serving customers. Lowe’s employs 190,000 full time and 110,000 part time workers.
4) Stock market closings for – 1 AUG 19:
Dow 26,583.42 down 280.85
Nasdaq 8,111.12 down 64.30
S&P 500 2,953.56 down 26.82
10 Year Yield: down at 1.89%
Oil: up at $54.49