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The Real Birth Control? Your Bank Account
From Berlin to Seoul, the Cost of Parenting Is Pushing People Away
George Babis
June 15, 2025
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It’s Sunday — let’s catch up on the stories moving markets, tech, and society this week:
Wall Street to Adobe: Show Me the AI Money: Adobe delivered solid earnings and raised guidance, but investors remain skeptical its AI tools will drive meaningful revenue — shares slid 5% despite the beat.
AI Took My Entry-Level Job: The job market for new grads is the weakest in years, with AI replacing junior roles and companies leaning toward experienced hires. Tech grads are especially hard hit.
Citi to Palantir: Great Business, Wild Valuation: Palantir’s fundamentals look strong, but Citi says the stock is overpriced. At 210x forward earnings, they’re sticking with a cautious price target despite the recent rally.
India Heads to the ISS: Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut on the International Space Station this week, joining a growing global roster in humanity’s longest-running space mission.
Too Broke to Parent? A global survey finds money is the top reason people aren’t having kids — from South Korea to South Africa, rising costs and economic uncertainty are reshaping family planning.
Wall Street to Adobe: Show Me the AI Money
Adobe beat earnings and raised its full-year outlook, but the market isn’t convinced its AI push will pay off. 🧑🎨🤖🤨 Shares dropped over 5% despite solid Q2 numbers. Investors are waiting to see if integrating generative AI into tools like Photoshop and Premiere will actually boost sales — so far, the impact is still “to be determined.” Still, the reaction wasn’t as brutal as in past quarters, where Adobe shares tanked 14% after earnings. Small win?
AI Took My Entry-Level Job
America’s new college grads are struggling. The unemployment rate for recent grads hit 5.8% — the highest in almost 4 years and well above the national average. Even those with jobs aren’t thrilled: only 43% feel positive about their company’s future, the lowest level since 2016.
Tech grads are hit hardest. AI is replacing entry-level roles, and companies now prefer seasoned hires who don’t need training. Ironically, the same AI tools that helped students graduate may now be keeping them out of work. 🤖💔
Citi to Palantir: We Love You, But You’re Pricey
Citi analysts say Palantir’s fundamentals look great — with booming government deals, growing Middle East sales, and rising commercial AI adoption 🤖. But here’s the rub: the stock is insanely expensive 💸.
With a 210x forward earnings multiple and a price-to-sales ratio that makes even Tesla look cheap, analysts are asking: how much growth is left to price in?
Still, the stock is up a jaw-dropping 470% in the past year 📈. So while the business is thriving, Citi is keeping its $115 target, unsure if Palantir can truly grow into its sky-high expectations.
One Giant Leap for India: Shubhanshu Heads to Space
This past Wednesday, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) — joining crewmates from the U.S., Hungary, and Poland. 🌍
The ISS has been continuously occupied for 24+ years, making it the longest-running human outpost in space. Since it launched, over 280 people from 23 countries have visited — with the U.S. leading the pack (169 astronauts), followed by Russia (63) and Japan (11).
Shukla’s flight makes him the third Indian-origin astronaut to enter orbit, following legends like Rakesh Sharma and Kalpana Chawla. 🌌
Too Broke to Parent?
Across 14 countries, money is the main reason people aren't having more kids. 🧒 🍼 The UN Population Fund found that financial stress, job instability, housing, and childcare costs consistently top the list — whether in South Korea (with the world’s lowest fertility rate), Germany, or South Africa.
In wealthier nations like Sweden, fewer people blame finances, but it’s still the leading reason, followed by lack of a partner or fertility issues. Interestingly, Brazil highlighted fears about the country’s future, while Morocco pointed to health concerns.
Whether in the Global North or South, the message is clear: raising a child has never felt more out of reach.