Ep. 10: Is Kim Jong-Un Dead, CoronaVirus updated mortality rates, Was the lockdown worth it, Oil Futures break records

Welcome to another episode of the Modern Markets Podcast!

Episode review:

In this episode, TytanInc discusses the following topics:

Is Kim Jong Un really dead, brain dead, or still alive?

An update on the mortality rate of coronavirus from a study at USC

Is the lockdown worse than the virus?

Oil futures tank into negative prices for the first time in history

Global Market Update:

North America

Trump suspends all immigration to the US over COVID-19. The president has followed through on previous claims that he would shut down the nation to immigrants, although now it is limited to those seeking green cards. It does not, however, apply to doctors or nurses who would be helping the relief efforts, or the spouses of US citizens and prospective adoptees. The ban is being made in order to “ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens.”

South America

Countries like Venezuela, which are in a constant state of economic uncertainty, are faring worse during this crisis. A nation with one of the largest oil supplies in the world has been subject to numerous trade embargoes and sanctions levied by both the US and other nations. For the nations still trading with Venezuela, the recent drop in oil prices has severely limited its purchasing power. Limited access to healthcare, food supplies, and stable currency have all impacted the country and its surrounding neighbors.

European Union

The EU continues to grapple with its economic issues. Spain has several aggressive initiatives to help fix their problems. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, is proposing that long-term bonds be used to raise $1.5 trillion to alleviate the impact from COVID-19, which would be spread out in the beginning of 2021 to the most affected sectors. This would amount to one-tenth of the total GDP for the EU.

Africa

In the United States stores selling alcohol and tobacco have been declared essential businesses and allowed to stay open. South Africa has taken the opposite approach and banned the sale of both alcohol and tobacco. Only three other countries have taken this action, including Thailand, Greenland, and certain regions of Mexico. A report in 2018 concluded that the alcohol industry of South Africa accounted for more than $583 million. For alcoholics, quitting “cold turkey” can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms including death. 

Data brought to you by FomoHunt's lead analyst Kaltoro, and your host Tytan Inc.

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