Torvalds has run out of fingers and toes, so version 5.0 RC1 is here?
The Spectre Patches whacked Intel performance hard with Linux 4.20 Kernel page 
Of note the 5.0 Kernel includes optimizations for Retpoline: a software construct for preventing branch-target-injection page
+ Executive summary
" 'Retpoline' sequences are a software construct which allow indirect branches to be isolated from speculative execution. This may be applied to protect sensitive binaries (such as operating system or hypervisor implementations) from branch target injection attacks against their indirect branches. The name “retpoline” is a portmanteau of “return” and “trampoline.” It is a trampoline construct constructed using return operations which also figuratively ensures that any associated speculative execution will “bounce” endlessly. (If it brings you any amusement: imagine speculative execution as an overly energetic 7-year old that we must now build a warehouse of trampolines around.)"
+ What is Repotline and how does it work Stackoverflow