Daily News Updates:

U.S. Inflation Eases to 2.3% in April

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in April, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 2.3%, slightly below March's 2.4%. President Trump responded by urging the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, stating, "Just let it all happen." Despite the headline slowdown, core inflation remains at 2.8%, with shelter costs being a significant contributor.

Stock Futures Dip Amid Inflation Data and Trade Deal Optimism

U.S. stock futures edged lower on May 13, following a previous rally driven by the U.S.-China trade truce. Dow futures fell 0.6%, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures also declined. Investors are now focusing on upcoming inflation reports and the sustainability of the trade agreement.

U.S. and China Agree to 90-Day Tariff Reduction

In a move to ease trade tensions, the U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day suspension of most tariffs. The U.S. will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will lower tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. This truce is expected to boost trade activity in the short term.

President Trump Announces $142 Billion U.S.-Saudi Defense Deal

During a visit to Riyadh, President Trump unveiled a $142 billion defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Saudi Arabia committed to $1 trillion in U.S.-bound investments, including partnerships with major tech firms like Nvidia and Cisco. The deal signifies a strategic push in defense and technology cooperation.

GOP Introduces Decade-Long AI Regulation Ban

House Republicans have added a provision to the Budget Reconciliation bill that would block all state and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years. The move aims to prevent a patchwork of regulations and promote a unified national approach to AI policy.

Global Economic Outlook: Modest Growth Amid Trade Tensions

The global economy is projected to grow at 2.8% in 2025, unchanged from 2024. However, growth remains below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2%, constrained by weak investment, sluggish productivity growth, and high debt levels.

The Business Builder

Today’s Startup Spotlight:

Gridless is a renewable energy startup providing solar-powered microgrids to underserved communities and businesses in Africa. Backed by Jack Dorsey's Block and other global investors, Gridless is tackling unreliable electricity infrastructure by installing decentralized energy systems, reducing costs and carbon emissions. The global microgrid market is expected to hit $38 billion by 2030, with just 25% market saturation in emerging regions.

While the capital requirement per setup is $25,000–$100,000, the unit economics are promising: installations often recoup costs in under 36 months. If replicated locally or adapted for off-grid U.S. communities, this could be a high-impact, niche opportunity.

Startup Score of: 7.7/10

Growth Hacks

Hack 1: Build With Customer Use Cases

Too many products are created in a vacuum. Reverse that. Talk to customers, map out how they actually use your product, then align your messaging and product features with those specific outcomes.

• Interview your top 10 customers about daily use

• Create case-study style web content from these interviews

• Example: A CRM startup turned real-life client workflows into blog posts, increasing demo conversions by 42%

Hack 2: Create Instant ROI Calculators

Instead of vague value promises, create a calculator that quantifies ROI for potential clients based on their inputs. It’s interactive, personalized, and drives conversion.

• Use tools like Outgrow or Typeform

• Show value in dollars (e.g., “You’ll save $12,430 per year”)

• Example: A bookkeeping tool's calculator raised free-trial signups by 61%

Sales Masterclass

Anchoring Price With Value
When quoting a high-ticket item, start by anchoring it against the cost of inaction. If your product is $5,000/year, show how not using it costs $20,000+ in lost productivity.

Tiered Pricing Psychology
Offer three pricing options, even if you only want customers to pick the middle. The high option creates contrast; the low one feels underwhelming.

Example: A SaaS platform offering plans at $99, $249, and $749/month saw 82% of customers opt for the middle tier after adding the third.

Key Tip For Business

Don’t just hire for skill—hire for momentum. A fast-moving startup needs self-starters who bring energy, not excuses. A mediocre marketer who runs weekly experiments is more valuable than a “perfect” hire who waits to be told what to do.

Example: A founder at a logistics SaaS startup prioritized hiring interns who posted marketing tests every Friday. Within 90 days, site traffic increased 4x, with no extra budget.

Business Marketing 101

Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
People trust people. Ask happy users to submit photos, stories, or even short video clips. Highlight them in newsletters or ads.

• Reward submissions with $10–$25 gift cards

• Create a branded hashtag to gather testimonials

Use Retargeting Ads Smarter
Don’t just follow people around with the same product image. Build a retargeting funnel.

• Show testimonials after cart abandonment

• Offer a $50 discount 48 hours later

• Follow with urgency: “Only 4 units left!”

Email Isn’t Dead—It’s Misused
Stop sending emails about you. Send them about your customer’s world. Open with a question or insight.

Example: “Here’s how your competitor cut churn by 34% last quarter.”

Key Takeaways:

• Startup Spotlight: Gridless shows promise in microgrid energy; $25K–$100K per site with a large TAM and emerging U.S. potential.

• Growth Hacks: Use real customer workflows and ROI calculators to drive 40–60% better conversion.

• Business Tip: Hire people who move fast, not just who look great on paper.

• Sales Masterclass: Use psychological pricing tiers and value anchors to close higher-ticket sales.

• Marketing 101: Smart retargeting and UGC can make a low-budget brand look massive.

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That’s All For Today

I hope you enjoyed today’s issue. If you have any questions regarding today’s issue or future issues feel free to ask. Come back tomorrow for information on how to grow your income and wealth. I hope to see you.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.