Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Key US data. The consumer price index for July is expected to show little change—analysts predict a 0.2% rise—thanks to low oil prices, a strong dollar and lackluster economic growth. Industrial production and housing construction reports are due today as well (paywall).
Home Depot reports its second-quarter earnings. The US’s biggest home improvement chain will likely show another strong performance, as consumers renovate their homes during the summer.
Rio 2016. There are 25 gold medals up for grabs at the Games today. Watch ”Flying Dutchman” and defending Olympic champion Epke Zonderland take on Kōhei Uchimura in the thrilling high bar final. It’s also the 10km open-water swim in Rio’s bay, which observers have likened to “literally swimming in human crap.”
While you were sleeping
Univision bid for Gawker. According to Forbes, the Spanish language broadcaster’s undisclosed offer is one of at least two for the bankrupt media company, which is being sold off to pay off its $140 million fine in a privacy case brought by wrestler Hulk Hogan. The Gawker auction officially begins Tuesday, with digital-media firm Ziff Davis already setting a $90 million floor bid.
UK inflation hit a 20-month high. In the first solid indication of how consumers have fared since June’s vote to exit the EU, the consumer-price inflation index rose by 0.6% in July, up from a 0.5% gain in the previous month. Analysts expected a -0.1% contraction as a result of a weaker pound—which soon fell to a fresh three-year low against the euro.
BHP Billiton had its worst-ever year. The Anglo-Australian mining company posted a $6.4 billion annual loss (paywall) and an 81% underlying-profit nosedive thanks to over $7 billion in writedowns and charges. Collapsing raw-material prices, a decline in production, and a costly dam disaster in Brazil exacerbated the situation for the world’s biggest mining firm.
Unilever took a breath of fresh air. Hot on the heels of its acquisition of Dollar Shave Club, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant announced it was buying air-purification company Blueair to add to its water purification business. The Swedish company is the world’s leading air-purifier manufacturer, and popular in Asia and the US.
Linde shares surged 5% on reports of a merger. The German gas giant is in early merger talks with US Praxair, which would create the world’s biggest industrial-gas company, according to a WSJ report (paywall), worth around $60 billion, but a merger of this size would face major regulatory scrutiny first.
Quartz obsession interlude
Alison Griswold on the price of the “Uber-for-anything” promise. “Uber ‘disrupted’ the taxi industry by offering a better service at a lower price. It’s much less apparent whether on-demand delivery startups can do the same. Companies like Postmates and Instacart are inherent middlemen selling Uber’s speed and app-based convenience without its clear cost advantage. Most consumers are only willing to pay so much.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Joining an expensive gym encourages exercise. Research shows that putting money on the line can help us follow through with our goals.
India is still plagued by its caste system. The most oppressed class—the Dalits—are not really free, and the nation’s elite can persecute them with impunity.
Running is the fairest sport. All you need is a pair of shoes—which is why almost half of the refugee team at this year’s Olympic Games took up the sport.
Surprising discoveries
Viruses are more powerful in the morning. They’re react to the body clock to hijack cells—and are up to 10 times more successful in the morning hours.
Tesla in China has fixed its translation problem. The website now uses the correct Chinese to explain that the cars can’t actually drive themselves (paywall).
Conservationists are using chili powder-filled condoms to save elephants. The condoms are being thrown at elephants in Tanzania to stop them coming into human settlements.
Evaluating lead levels is for the birds. High levels of lead evident in pigeons’ blood makes testing them a good proxy for children in certain neighborhoods.
There are still companies that will pay you for life. Some US firms still offer defined-benefit pension plans—just make sure you stick around for five years.
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