Hello, N2K’ers!

Markets ticked up again yesterday to new records, but was Prime Day a boom or a bust? We caught up with the mayor who wants all city staff to use AI and the creator of a new Zoom vets for pets service. Plus: Is Coca-Cola going to revert to real sugar in its U.S. flagship drink?

We have more answers to these and more questions than Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

News You Need2Know

What’s the stock market up to, eh?

$SPX ( ▲ 0.54% )   $DJI ( ▲ 0.52% )   $NDX ( ▲ 0.75% )

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$TSM ( ▲ 3.38% )   $NVDA ( ▲ 0.95% )   $PEP ( ▲ 7.46% )   $UAL ( ▲ 3.11% )   $AMZN ( ▲ 0.31% )   $COKE ( ▲ 2.32% )  

Wall Street hits record led by tech and PepsiCo

Today would be a good day to check your 401(k), since you asked. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing $TSM ( ▲ 3.38% ) Co., a key player in the tech industry, reported a remarkable 61% increase in quarterly net income yesterday. “We’re seeing strong demand from artificial intelligence and other customers,” the company said, which pushed its stock up 4.1%. Nvidia $NVDA ( ▲ 0.95% ) also contributed to the tech surge, rising 1.2%.

PepsiCo $PEP ( ▲ 7.46% ) also outperformed Wall Street’s expectations, seeing its stock jump 7%. United Airlines $UAL ( ▲ 3.11% ) also joined the momentum, reporting stronger-than-expected profits, while noting an “acceleration in demand from customers.” Economic data released yesterday also bolstered market optimism, with retail spending and manufacturing growth surpassing forecasts.

Song of the day: Dexter in the newsagent; ‘Special’

Londoner Charmaine Ayoku specializes in hushed acoustic ballads and down-home dance pop under her alter-ego, “dexter in the newsagent.” Her new song, “Special,” is full of fluttering guitar figures and puttering beats. “I can love you like you want me to,” she sings.“I can’t be on my own.” Yes. That’s the spirit of desperation we’re all seeking in this summer’s pop music, Charmaine. You “go,” girl. “Go!”

So was Prime Day a success or what?

If you have to ask a question like that, I think you probably already know the answer. While Amazon $AMZN ( ▲ 0.31% ) declared this year's extended four-day sale as its "biggest Prime Day ever," specific sales figures were not disclosed, making the true impact of the event hard to gauge.

My sense is that they didn’t disclose sales figures because they were down. Data from Momentum Commerce showed that Prime Day sales were down by 41% on Day 1 compared to last year, for example.

Initial headlines suggested a "pullback comparable to first day of Prime Day year over year," said Jason Del Rey with Fortune Magazine. But with the extended duration, "it may have just taken a little longer. You don't have that same initial urgency," he said. In fact, "it seems like Amazon performed just fine. Prime Day performed fine."

No, Jason. That’s not it, my man. Say it like it is! Anyone can eat more hotdogs in four days than they can in two, but it’s not comparing hot dogs to hot dogs, is it?