Newsletter Nov 15, 2021

Everything from trade to Taiwan will be on the virtual negotiating table when President Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping meet today.

3 things you must know

Biden, Xi hold virtual summit today to iron out hot spots
Oh, to be a fly on the wall for today's U.S.-China virtual summit (does the one that landed on Mike Pence's head still have some ins?), when President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping go toe to toe -- or at least TV screen to TV screen -- on the issues that are rapidly eroding the superpowers' relationship.
"The relationship with China is among the most consequential and also most complex that we have," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "It has different elements in it -- some cooperative, some competitive and others adversarial and we will manage all three."
Everything from climate change to the origins of COVID-19 are likely to be on the table when the two world leaders speak for the third time since Biden took office. But the centerpiece is sure to be rising tensions over Taiwan as both issued warnings on Sunday.
SEE WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR THE US-CHINA SUMMIT

Yellen warns of the fallout from Chinese real estate crash
Another important item on the U.S.-China summit's agenda will have financial markets all over the world paying close attention. China's real estate debt and handling of the Evergrande collapse hold serious implications for global and U.S. economic stability.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen addressed the issue Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation", saying, "China has a real estate sector with firms that are overleveraged, and it's something that China is trying to deal with. ... Real estate is an important sector of the Chinese economy. It accounts for about 30% of demand. And a slowdown in China, of course, would have global consequences."
FIND OUT THE RISKS OF A CHINESE REAL ESTATE CRASH

Using the Growth Share Matrix to rate your investments
Some investors are suckers for the shiny, flashy stocks, you know, the ones that generate a lot of buzz but not necessarily a lot of revenue. Such stocks are considered "question marks" -- one of four classifications as rated by the Growth Share Matrix.
The GSM is a principle taught (and often forgotten) in freshman economics classes, but the principles are even more relevant today. Being able to plot stocks and invest based on how they perform on the GSM is a sensible but seemingly lost strategy.
FIND OUT HOW TO USE THE GSM TO RATE YOUR STOCKS

Markets

DJIA	36,100.31	0.50%
S&P 500	4,682.85	0.72%
Nasdaq Composite	15,860.96	1.00%
Japan: Nikkei 225	29,609.97	1.13%
UK: FTSE 100	7,347.91	-0.49%
Crude Oil Futures	80.99	0.25%
Gold Futures	1,868.10	-0.02%
Yen	113.95	0.04%
Euro	1.14	0.00%
* As of market close

Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders wage class war

OK, so it isn't exactly the Bolshevick Revolution, but two high-profile U.S. citizens are engaged in a Twitter version of class warfare over the proposed wealth tax. In this corner, representing the proletariat, Sen. Bernie Sanders. In the other, representing the bourgeoisie, Elon Musk.

The multi-billionaire responded to Sanders' earlier tweet calling for the wealthy to pay their fair share in taxes, stooping to a slam on the 80-year-old's age ("I keep forgetting that you're still alive.") and threatening to sell more stock like he did in a Twitter poll last week. No word from Sanders yet but we doubt the liberal octogenarian is feeling the burn.

CHECK OUT TWITTER USERS' REACTIONS TO MUSK'S POSTS

NRA under fire for reaction to gun violence

The National Rifle Association has long taken fire from gun control advocates, but this time it appears the organization's leaders may have shot themselves in the foot -- and stuck that foot in their mouths. That's the public consensus following the release of NRA internal discussions.

A recent NPR report revealed 2 1/2 hours of behind-the-scenes communications as the NRA discussed how to respond to gun tragedies like Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech and Charleston. Let's just say the NRA come across as less than compassionate.

SEE THE NRA'S COMMENTS REGARDING MASS SHOOTINGS

Mr. T pities the fools who don't get vaxxed

I pity the fool who doesn't get vaccinated! That was the message sent loudly and clearly by 1980's pop-culture icon Mr. T, who took to Twitter over the weekend to announce he received his COVID-19 booster shot.

"I am Blessed and I am Thankful. I just got my Booster Vaccination shot. My arm is a little sore but no pain. I Pity Pain! Thanks again to all the Doctors and Nursesâ€¦," Mr. T, aka Laurence Tureaud, posted.

The former bar bouncer-turned-actor played Clubber Lang in "Rocky III" and Sgt. B.A. Baracus in "The A Team". He apparently made an impression on kids of his generation. You won't believe who all replied.

SEE SOME OF THE BIG NAMES WHO GAVE MR. T SHOUT-OUTS