Walt Mossberg talks with Charlie Rose (video) (LINK)
Related article (Mossberg's last weekly column): The Disappearing ComputerIt’s the Little Things That Can Color an Investor’s Outlook - by Jason Zweig (LINK)
The Widening of Amazon’s Moat - by John Huber [H/T ValueWalk] (LINK)
Tesla Sales Fall to Zero in Hong Kong After Tax Break Is Slashed ($) (LINK)
Tesla Inc.’s sales in Hong Kong came to a standstill after authorities slashed a tax break for electric vehicles on April 1, demonstrating how sensitive the company’s performance can be to government incentive programs.
Not a single newly purchased Tesla model was registered in Hong Kong in April, according to official data from the city’s Transportation Department analyzed by The Wall Street Journal.
In March, shortly after the tax change was announced and ahead of the April 1 deadline, 2,939 Tesla vehicles were registered there—almost twice as many as in the last six months of 2016.
...As a result of the new policy, the cost of a basic Tesla Model S four-door car in Hong Konghas effectively risen to around $130,000 from less than $75,000.
Tesla’s Skid Is Coming at the Worst Time ($) (LINK)
When the story of Tesla is finally written, this week will be seen as a crucial juncture. On Friday, the electric car company started production on its highly anticipated Model 3, one day after its stock briefly fell into a bear market.
The week’s 13% share-price decline as of Friday morning brings the company’s financial position into fresh focus given its historic reliance on the equity market. At first glance, the company has plenty of cash on hand—more than $4 billion as of March 31. But that is likely to go quickly.
Tesla’s free cash outflow was $622 million in the first quarter. Since Tesla delivered fewer cars in the second quarter than in the first, there is a decent chance that number will worsen. Tesla said Friday that about 3,500 cars were in transit to customers at the end of June, the lowest tally in five quarters.
How to Live Without Limits – Kyle Maynard (The Tim Ferriss Show) (LINK)
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On sale for $0.99 today (Kindle): Startup Opportunities: Know When to Quit Your Day Job
Books of the day [H/T Rick Bookstaber]:
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Report (free PDF HERE)
Wall Street and the Financial Crisis (free in Kindle format, and free PDF HERE)