There are hot debates about whether VC backed startups should receive government aids. Some startups applied for the government loans not for day-to-day survival but simply to buy useful time.
Australia seems to have flattened the coronavirus curve, but the country's economy will take a deep downturn. Three consecutive quarters of declining gross domestic product are expected and economy will contract by 9% from 4Q 2019. Australia does not expect a full recovery until 2022.
After five weeks of strict nationwide lockdown, half a million people in New Zealand will go back to work. The economy has taken a big hit and there's a long roadto recover from job losses.
Instacart sales went up 450% in April compared with last December. The company expects to turn a small profit for the first time. Also online delivery market for Instacart has gone up to 70% from 50%, while Amazon’s share has dropped.
JetBlue Airlines will require passengers to wear face covering from May 4th. American Airlines and Delta will provide masks and sterilized tissues for passengers and flight attendants and other employees. Airlines are also constantly strengthening the cleaning and disinfection of aircraft.
Measure the online transactions of 80 of the top 100 Internet retailers in the U.S.. During the period from April 1 to April 20, the sales volume of customers placing orders online and picking up at stores increased by 208%. Compared with before the store closed, online sales also increased by 49%.
Many customers have asked if Trader Joe's will provide pick-up and delivery services. Trader Joe's vice president of marketing said that establishing online shopping and roadside pickup is a difficult task. The cost is too high and it requires a lot of resources. Trader Joe's has been investing in employees over the past few decades, rather than establishing systems to "eliminate" the need for employees, they do not intend to provide pick-up and delivery services.
Many startups struggle to find cash due to the coronavirus. In addition, valuations of many public companies have decreased, which are key reference points for valuations of late-stage startups/private companies. Therefore, few startups will be able to raise money at higher valuations in the short term. A top Goldman Sachs tech banker points out a trend that many private companies will follow Airbnb's steps and raise convertible debt that eventually give lenders equity.
After F5 Networks released its second quarter financial results, technology stocks rose 9% in the extended transaction. Tesla declined 2% in the extended trading of automaker shares, and Boeing also rose 1% after announcing the restoration of some factories.