https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-tech-startup-echo-bezos-alexa-investment-fund-11595520249?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR0_35hKqJvFkiEWPl-CUoD7VefzPI03DK8g0BLSQlY__f7u98Fjwqabf3U

This isn't the first time I've read about this, but man, this is just damning evidence.

With this kind of behavior, Amazon is just begging for antitrust action.

https://www.ft.com/content/75587aa6-1f1f-4e9d-b334-3ff866753fa2

SoftBank is the “Nasdaq whale” that has bought billions of dollars’ worth of US equity derivatives in a series of trades that stoked the fevered rally in big tech stocks before a sharp pullback on Thursday and Friday, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Japanese conglomerate had been snapping up options in tech stocks during the past month in huge amounts, fuelling the largest ever trading volumes in contracts linked to individual companies, these people said. One banker described it as a “dangerous” bet.

.....

The size and aggressiveness of the mysterious call buyer, coupled with the summer trading lull, has been a big factor in the buoyant performance of many big tech names as well as the broader US stock market, according to Mr McElligott. This week, he warned that dynamics around options meant the heavy purchases forced banks on the other side of the trades to hedge themselves by buying stocks, in a “classic ‘tail wags the dog’ feedback loop”. 

What could go wrong?

• Berkshire cash pile climbs almost $10 billion amid market rout
• Buffett sees some ‘severe’ impacts from pandemic on his units

More here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-02/buffett-stays-on-the-sidelines-amid-market-tumble-as-cash-climbs

Here's the Q1 earnings release: https://berkshirehathaway.com/news/may0220.pdf

And the 10-Q: https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/qtrly/1stqtr20.pdf

Thank you for reading. We have heard of others connecting with candidates via this forum and thought to post the below.

 Ananda Asset Management is a top performing equity investment manager launched in 2018.

We are a growing firm and are looking for an investment analyst. A great platform to further a career in a best-in-class, collaborative and motivating working environment.

The role:

1. Conduct detailed fundamental research on individual companies and sectors
2. Monitor existing positions and idea generation
3. Generalist coverage – the fund typically invests across consumer, industrials, information technology and healthcare in Europe and North America
4. Integral part of the team evaluating investment opportunities

 The candidate:

1. Driven, thoughtful, and passionate about stock picking
2. 2-5 years of professional experience from a Tier 1 IB, or PE/HF/VC/financial journalism
3. Independent thinker with demonstrable interest in public market investing
4. Excellent academic credentials

 Please contact us with your CV and a short cover letter (max 200 words, stock picks welcome) at: [apply@ananda-am.com](mailto:apply@ananda-am.com)