We start our issue today with a contributor who scoffs: “Grow up, Matt!”

This concerning my pre-Christmas issue – titled Silence of the Beers – when I lamented the fact I couldn’t order a beer. On my first flight in two years.

“There have been too many episodes of alcohol-related violence on airplanes,” the reader continues. “Smoking was banned for good reason, and alcohol is now banned for good reason too… Entitled Americans.”

Here’s another reader with another opinion: “Hmm… I thought alcohol was deemed ‘essential’ during the pandemic. (The word choice is deliberate.)”

And last, a reader informs us: “No, alcohol bans are not universal across airlines! United Airlines has been serving mixed drinks, beer and wine in First Class for months, for example.”

First Class? That’s the ticket… Tune in for more of your opinions Friday.

Send your opinions to, TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com

Your Rundown for Wednesday, January 5, 2022...

The Metaverse in Focus

CEO John Riccitiello of software company Unity Technologies put it best: “The word metaverse is plural.” (emphasis ours) “We don't think that one company will represent the metaverse,” he concluded.

Meaning, there will be a multitude of companies building out the metaverse, and today we’re highlighting a few.

First up? Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM) is the largest semiconductor maker in the world. Quite literally, every electronic device you interact with on a daily basis has been shaped, in one way or another, by TSMC.

In fact, TSMC serves 500 companies – including number-one client Apple – with its network of world-class engineers. And because of supply-chain snarls, the chipmaker can essentially name its price. Which it has done: raising prices on its suite of 10,000 different semiconductors by 10-20%.

Then there’s American video-game holding company Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTWO). The company’s subsidiary produces the immensely popular Grand Theft Auto game franchise.

To be fair, TTWO shares had a volatile 2021, but the company’s unparalleled perfectionism when it comes to “open world” virtual environments sets the company apart as a metaverse trailblazer.

Finally today, Coinbase Global Inc. (Nasdaq: COIN) is a premiere crypto exchange that’s exploring its own role in the metaverse. More specifically: “We want to help pull all the pieces of identity together,” says The Coinbase blog.

“Our work… makes it possible to create a unique username NFT [non fungible token] that resolves to a wallet,” says Coinbase. “Eventually, this will allow users to carry a unique ID across different worlds in the Metaverse.”

Listen, if this sounds like it's cribbed from the pages of a sci-fi thriller, you’re not wrong. We’re on the brink of Web 3.0 (the internet’s third iteration). Or as Bloomberg estimates, an $800-billion venture.

And these three companies will give you a firm foothold in what should become a multi-trillion dollar industry.

Market Rundown for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022

S&P 500 futures are hanging at 4,780.

Oil’s up 1% to $77.78 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold’s added 0.70% to its price: $1,827.10 per ounce.

Bitcoin is up just $35 to $46,335.

Send your comments and questions to, TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com

Hope your first week of 2022 is going smoothly! Reminding you that we’ll be back Friday…

For The Rundown,

Matt Insley
Publisher, The Rundown
TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com