Notes From All Over -- The 6:00 A.M. Portland, Oregon, Edition -- May 25, 2021

Merger mania: this from "WAR52" -- perhaps the most interesting observer over at Twitter. When he posts, I "listen." See replies here:

Nordstream 2: I'm too bored to talk about it now, but I will post this now for the "time-date" stamp: "the Merkel Markup."

Covid-19: The other day I mentioned that my data suggests that 50.3% of all Americans over the age of 16 are now fully vaccinated. The LA Times is now reporting that "half of Los Angeles County residents 16 and older are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19." With 15% to 30% having naturally-acquired immunity, it's hard to argue that herd immunity does not exist in southern California.

Restaurants in Chicago: can open but must have "vaccinated zones." Not a good idea. Will backfire. Unvaccinated will soon sport an armband of courage.  

Zones: speaking of zones, over the past few days I've noticed something in north Texas that I had never seen before: the highway system around DFW has a gazillion signs designating "zones." I have no idea what these zones are. They seem to be numbered completely randomly. Then, out at the DFW airport on Saturday, it appears that the zones designated "rider app" zones. If that makes sense. Let's see what google says. I think this may be what it's all about: Tarrant County (Ft Worth, Texas) ZIPZONE. This is quite amazing. Instead of some complicated address for the Uber driver, one simply types in a two-digit zipzone. And it appears each zip zone is ten to twenty feet of linear real estate.

PGA Tournament: most "shocking" scene -- thousands of fans mobbing Phil and Koepke going to the 18th green. And I didn't see anyone wearing a mask. Virtual signaling: post-tournament interview -- the interview stood twelve feet away when interviewing Phil. I assume they were both fully vaccinated.

Ten-year treasury: drops below 1.6%. Amazing.

Jim Cramer: lead story today? Apple. 

FAANGS: add Snowflake. 

SRE: in the news today -- SeekingAlpha --

• Sempra Energy will own 96.4% of Mexican counterpart IEnova after settling the exchange offer launched last month. 
• The company says it achieved its target of exceeding 95% ownership of IEnova through the exchange offer, placing it closer to achieving its goal of acquiring the remaining 3.6% interest. 
• Sempra's common stock will begin trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange on May 28 while continuing to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. 
• Sempra said last November it would work with IEnova on the proposed Energia Costa Azul liquefied natural gas export facility in northwestern Mexico.

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Road Trip!

Los tres amigos!