Notes From All Over -- Pre-Market Edition-- August 11, 2020

First things first: several weeks ago, while visiting my bicycle dealer, I noticed not many bikes for sale; Mike said he couldn't get inventory; bike shortage; I did not know what to make of that; it turns out there is a bike shortage caused by pandemic; shortage will probably last through 2021: see Daily Herald Business Ledger (suburban Chicago, posted August 10, 2020).

Vaccine: this won't make Trump happy. Russia beats the US to a coronavirus vaccine.

Connecticut: apparently post-Isaias electric grid response not so great; lawmakers call for Eversource CEO to resign;

• one week after storm, 30,000 customers still without power;
  

Apple::

• Apple ranked 20th in Fortune Global 500 for revenue, third for profit;
• profits: #1, Berkshire Hathaway; #2, Saudi Aramco

Fast and furious:

• Norway's deep cuts to oil loadings to curb Atlantic Basin crude;
• Krugman and gold: worthless article, but fun to read;
• China auto sales surge in July, log fourth straight month of gains
• Coal: global update;
• Trucking: Class 8 orders look promising, but a bit early to tell for sure;
• SPR: oil companies start to take back crude

Other:

• Seattle's top cop resigns after 28 years; Seattle votes to defund police;

Market:

• Hyundai shares soar 15% in Seoul: announces dedicated EV brand -- Ioniq