1. __[Global](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/79a47f1ZHASWmFqj21BRZ8/articles/4vjRWY6cPN5u2Khu4WU4ft/):__ Netflix’s South Korean hit “Squid Game” didn’t become the top TV show in 90 countries by accident — it’s part of the ’Flix’s strategy to go global.
2. __[Levi’s](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/BsDe10e9xAgHvtNWL9X9r/):__ The denim icon's sales blew past pre-pandemic levels last quarter thanks to “casualization” (think: baggy), plus a sturdy supply chain behind the seams. 
3. __[Robotaxi](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/13cF1yKnOi3d4KGQe6K8q2/articles/4EByRZTA6SoI4Jqbuu9VmJ/):__ __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__ isn’t only doubling down on EVs to catch up to __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__ —– it’s launching a robotaxi fleet in a push to zoom past it.

ICYMI

Last week's highlights...

__Climate-change stress…__ is getting *financial*. Risks related to climate change could affect global markets in a big way, and US officials are taking note. Last week, the Fed moved closer to launching climate-risk safety checkups. And the SEC is trying to amp up rules for corporate climate reporting. The disclosures could change company valuations, and how investors view entire industries. The details:

- __Climate checkup:__ The Fed wants to require Big Banks to tally climate risks — aka how much $$ is threatened by intensifying wildfires and floods. 
- __Climate filings:__ The SEC wants public companies to share how climate change could affect their business (think: fossil-fueled lawsuits), demand for carbon-heavy products, and what they’re spending to stay compliant.
- __Targets:__ The SEC might also make companies share five-year plans for cutting emissions, plus net-zero goals. 

__Late to the climate rally…__ The US is playing catch-up with countries like England and France, which have already set corporate climate-reporting standards. Meanwhile, companies have been making their own rules:  

- __Neutralize:__ Tech giants like __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__ and __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT)__ made plans to go carbon-neutral. __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ says it’s been carbon-neutral since 2007.
- __Transition:__ Oil companies __[Exxon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/XOM)__, __[Shell](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RDS.A)__, and __[BP](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BP)__ have made multibillion-dollar plans to shift to renewable energy.
- __Clean-vest:__ Investment firms like __[BlackRock](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BLK)__ have prioritized renewables to de-risk funds.

__Green filter...__ About 90% of S&P 500 companies share *voluntary* climate reports. But they’re usually not regulated, and sometimes “greenwashed” to inflate progress:

- __Facts:__ Most Fortune 500 companies have emissions targets, but only 20% are based on science.
- __Dally:__ Amazon committed to carbon neutrality by 2040 in 2019, but its emissions have actually *grown* 15%+ annually since. 
- __Lip service:__ Companies like __[Costco](https://robinhood.com/stocks/COST)__ have said they want to reduce their footprints, but haven’t set formal targets yet.


This storm looks expensive [Rapideye/E+ via Getty Images]

Scrub

__Goodbye, greenwashing…__ Because climate accounting is about to be clearer. Standardized climate reporting through the Fed and SEC will likely make it harder for companies to fudge their environmental impact. US officials say better reporting will drive more capital to greener industries, and help countries reach net-zero emissions. Big money is at stake too: Extreme weather has cost the US [$1.9T](https://capitalmonitor.ai/institution/government/big-names-back-climate-disclosure-in-the-us/) since 1980, and $95B last year alone.

__Correction:__ In the original version of this story published Monday, Oct. 11, we misstated that __Netflix__ had not yet set targets to reduce its carbon footprint. The company *has* set targets, which you can read about [here](https://ir.netflix.net/governance/ESG/default.aspx) and [here](https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action). 

The Green Sheet: The Fed and SEC plant seeds for better corporate climate reporting

__Leaky roof…__ Last week the Senate raised the $28T debt ceiling by $480B, preventing a historic and [“catastrophic”](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/business/economy/yellen-powell-senate.html) default, for now. Lawmakers will need to go back to the drawing board to make a long-term plan in December. One solution: The President could order the Treasury to mint a trillion-dollar platinum coin to help offset the nation’s debt. The idea emerged a decade ago but was nixed over inflation worries. TBD if it will happen. 

__Lifting off...__ Flights to Cabo still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, but US airline travel is poised to rev up during the holidays. __[United Airlines](https://robinhood.com/stocks/UAL)__ said it planned to offer 91% as many domestic flights in December as it did the same month in 2019. __[Delta](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DAL)__ said US business traffic is starting to grow, and next year could be its best year since before the pandemic. Flight searches for holiday trips are also up 16% compared to 2019. We’ll see if Delta concerns change airlines’ outlook.

Zoom Out

Stories we’re watching...

__Banks’ big week...__ __[Citigroup](https://robinhood.com/stocks/C)__, __[JPMorgan Chase](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JPM)__, __[Morgan Stanley](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MS)__, and __[Wells Fargo](https://robinhood.com/stocks/WFC)__ all report this week. Earlier this year, banks profited from strong consumer spending (thanks, [stimmy](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-banks-stimulus/cash-strapped-americans-ask-mnuchin-where-their-stimmy-checks-are-idINKBN294259) checks) and by moving billions of “rainy day [funds](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2Dx6BpeCelL6ERgFEQBzuf/articles/7FGQ9LWK0pYQ0cJrD5MQd9/)” to reserves. __[Goldman Sachs](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/13/goldman-sachs-gs-earnings-q2-2021.html)__ and other top IPO underwriters have benefited from a [record](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ipo-volume-2021-spac-171-billion-us-capital-markets-boom-public-6) year for market debuts. Now, investors are watching loan revenue from products like mortgages. Loan growth has been stagnant, and makes up [more](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-banks-see-big-jump-2q-profits-before-results-return-normal-2021-07-08/) than half of the banking industry’s revenue. 

__Dough-eyed…__ America’s biggest pizza chain saw sales skyrocket during lockdown when more people munched from their couch. Domino’s sales growth has slowed down this year, but the chain is still growing sales in places where Covid restrictions are lifting. Small price hikes for delivery fees and menu items have helped. When __[Domino’s](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DPZ)__ reports on Thursday, we’ll see whether the labor shortage impacts results (the chain hires its own delivery [drivers](https://www.wsj.com/articles/dominos-goes-it-alone-on-delivery-11566219685)), and if the pizza fever is still going strong as more cities reopen. 

Last week's highlights...

Get Your News

Subscribe and thrive