1) China has announced a 50% cut in its tariffs on $75 billion dollars worth of imports from America. This is in response to last months U.S. tariff cuts on $120 billion dollars on China imports to America. This is all part of the ‘phase one’ trade deal between China and the U.S. to normalize trade between the two nations.
2) The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have approved a regulatory exemption for Nuro’s next generation of self driving delivery vehicles they call R2. This exemption will allow testing on public roads for deliveries to customer’s homes. The R2 is a zero occupant vehicle. After public road testing, Nuro will begin the first driverless deliveries in Houston with partners Walmar and Domino’s.
3) The internet retail giant Amazon will hire 15,000 new employees in Seattle to work in a new 43 story tower now being planned, with construction expected to be completed by 2024. Amazon now has 789,000 workers in the world, a 23% increase from a year ago. Amazon has also expanded in New York City by leasing 335,000 square feet of office space, and in northen Virginia’s Crystal City they’re building a second headquarters.
4) Stock market closings for – 6 FEB 20: All three markets set record highs as fears of coronavirus fears subside.
Dow 29,379.77 up 88.92
Nasdaq 9,572.15 up 63.47
S&P 500 3,345.78 up 11.09
10 Year Yield: unchanged at 1.64%
Oil: down at $51.09