A company turned down Google’s jaw-dropping $23 billion offer, showcasing their confidence in future growth and an upcoming IPO. The conversation dives into the regulatory hurdles tech firms face when acquiring others and reflects on past missed opportunities. The episode also highlights the surprising success of Altria, a tobacco leader, amidst skepticism. Finally, it humorously relates tough decision-making to resisting cookies, while debating Universal Basic Income's role in the economy and the future of work.
Wizz's rejection of Google's $23 billion offer underscores the importance of long-term vision and strategic positioning over immediate financial gain.
The debate on Universal Basic Income highlights its potential benefits for health and education while also sparking discussions about its impact on the labor market.
Deep dives
Wizz's Bold Decision Against a Huge Offer
Wizz, a cybersecurity company specializing in cloud-based applications, recently turned down Google's staggering $23 billion acquisition offer despite being valued at $12 billion. This decision is intriguing given Wizz's rapid growth, as they achieved $100 million in revenue within 18 months of founding and serviced 40% of the Fortune 100 companies. The founders, with previous successful exits, believe they can achieve even greater value through an IPO and are wary of the regulatory landscape surrounding big tech acquisitions. Their choice may also act as a clever negotiation tactic, keeping them at the center of tech discussions.
Universal Basic Income: Promising Outcomes and Concerns
A recent study on Universal Basic Income (UBI) revealed impactful benefits, showing participants who received $1,000 monthly for three years tended to improve their health and pursue education more actively. While critics argue that this resulted in reduced work hours, the study indicated that participants only worked about 1.3 hours less weekly, suggesting they could be selective about jobs or invest time in better opportunities. The broader implications of UBI remain controversial, especially with claims that it could generate upward pressure on wages, forcing employers to offer more competitive salaries. The findings raise questions about the potential effects of UBI on a larger scale, as previous tests globally have shown similarly positive outcomes.
The Surprising Success of Altria Group
Altria Group has emerged as potentially the best-performing stock, as a study highlighted its substantial profitability over decades, primarily due to consistent dividend payouts and profit growth against low expectations in the 1990s. The company's ability to increase cigarette prices significantly allowed it to thrive even as the market feared regulatory actions against tobacco. This scenario illustrates a key investment principle: when companies surpass market expectations, investors can reap substantial rewards. However, it also underscores the volatility in stock markets, where even successful firms like Altria have experienced significant fluctuations in value.
A company you may or may not have heard of got a $23b offer from Google — and walked away. On this week’s TLDR, when should you say no to nine figures? Plus, how did a tobacco company become the best performing US investment in recent history? And, some divergent views on the wisdom of giving everybody free money.
This episode was hosted by Devin Friedman, managing editor Kat Angus, financial educator Kyla Scanlon and former hedgefunder Matthew Karasz. Follow us on other platforms, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter: linkin.bio/tldr
The TLDR Podcast is offered by Wealthsimple Media Inc. and is for informational purposes only. The content in the TLDR Podcast is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell assets or securities, and does not represent the views of Wealthsimple Financial Corp or any of its other subsidiaries or affiliates. Wealthsimple Media Inc. does not endorse any third-party views referenced in this content. More information at wealthsimple.com/tldr.
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