Friday, 18 October 2024
TO: Mighty Memo Readers
FROM: Mighty Memo Editorial Department
SUBJECT: Additional Polling Information
You will see that we have included seven US states in the polling section of today’s Mighty Memo. These are the key swing states that could decide the US presidential election. The other 43 states roughly vote the same way in each election. We hope this information will help you to better understand the presidential race. If you have any feedback on this or any other part of the Mighty Memo, please contact us at hello@mightymemo.co.uk.
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: ECB cuts interest rates to 3.25 per cent
Business: Amazon invests in nuclear energy following Google and Microsoft
Markets: World’s largest chipmaker posts record sales of over $10 billion
Foreign Affairs: EU leaders to consider “new ways” to deal with migration
Security and intelligence: US uses B-2 stealth bombers against Houthis in Yemen
Domestic politics: Badenoch wins snap poll following TV debate with Jenrick
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 8,385.13 (up 0.67 per cent at Thursday close)
S&P500 = 5,841.47 (down 0.017 per cent at Thursday close)
Nasdaq = 18,373.61 (up 0.036 per cent at Thursday close)
CAC40 = 7,583.73 (up 1.22 per cent at Thursday close)
£1 = $1.30 / €1.20
US swing states: Trump / Harris
Michigan 48.3 47.4 Trump +0.9
Pennsylvania 47.9 47.4 Trump +0.5
Wisconsin 47.9 47.8 Trump +0.1
Arizona 48.4 47.3 Trump +1.1
North Carolina 48.5 47.5 Trump +1.0
Georgia 48.7 47.8 Trump +0.9
Nevada 47.7 47.2 Trump +0.5
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The European Central Bank (ECB) has cut interest rates from 3.5 per cent to 3.25 per cent. President of the ECB Christine Lagarde, cited a fall inflation and weakening business and consumer activity as factors in the decision.
Business: Amazon has announced that it is investing in nuclear energy to power its data centres. The investment in US nuclear company X-energy comes after Google and Microsoft announced similar investments in nuclear energy. The size of Amazon’s investment has not been made public.
Markets: The world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, reported record sales of $10.1 billion between July and September. Its share price rose by more than 11 per cent on the news. The sales figures are a 54 per cent increase from the same period last year and are driven by demand from AI. As a contract chipmaker, TSMC manufactures chips designed by other companies.
Foreign Affairs: EU leaders agreed to consider “new ways to prevent and counter” irregular migration at the European Council summit yesterday. This effectively gives political approval to consider transferring rejected asylum applicants to locations outside of the EU.
Security and intelligence: The United States sent B-2 stealth bombers to hit the Houthi’s underground bunkers in Yemen yesterday. The Houthis, an Islamist paramilitary organisation backed by Iran, have been attacking shipping in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict. US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, said the strikes were “a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach”.
Domestic politics: The two contenders for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, participated in a televised debate yesterday evening. Following questions on prisons, the NHS and the ECHR among others, a poll of audience members indicated greater support for Badenoch than Jenrick.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
The King and Queen begin a tour of Australia
NATO Defence Ministers meet in Brussels ends
European Council Meeting ends
UK retail sales data (September)
United States housing data (September)
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
G7 Defence Ministers meeting, Naples (end Sunday)
QIPCO Horse Racing Champions Day
NASA space telescope lecture, Royal Institution, London
Sunday
United States Grand Prix
NFL London Edition: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Amsterdam Marathon
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Fog in London (like a Victorian novel!). High of 17oC and low of 13oC. Heavy rain in Belfast. Sunny in Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.” – Deepak Chopra, spiritual writer
Mighty takeaway: Changing your future requires you to change your habits and actions today.
That’s it for this week. We hope you have a good weekend and see you on Monday. If you like what you read or don’t like it at all, let us know. And do pass this newsletter on to someone who might find it useful.
Adios!
The Mighty Memo team