Bitcoin hits fresh record, races toward $100,000 as rally continues (1 min read)

Bitcoin smashed past $98,000 for the first time on Thursday. Some possible catalysts for this momentum could be investors continuing to bet big on a second Trump term, hoping for crypto-friendly policies with possibly a national Bitcoin reserve, and the first US Bitcoin ETF options trading earlier in the week. Bitcoin’s already up over 130% this year and it seems the $100,000 psychological mark many predicted may finally be reached soon.

UK inflation surges above Bank of England’s 2% target, curbing December rate cut expectations (2 min read)

The UK’s inflation unexpectedly jumped to 2.3% in October, up from 1.7% in September, signaling stubbornly "sticky" inflation similar to Canada's recent data. This rise complicates expectations for a BoE rate cut in December. The increase reflects higher energy costs and persistent price pressures in key sectors, keeping inflation above the BoE’s 2% target and prompting cautious monetary policy moves. Could the US follow suit with inflation potentially climbing back as well?

Alphabet’s stock slides as Feds push for Chrome sale. Why fears are overblown. (2 min read)

This article discusses the recent 5.4% drop in Alphabet's stock after the US Department of Justice proposed breaking up Google’s search business. Analysts are skeptical about the DOJ's demands, suggesting most are unlikely to pass court scrutiny. While the proposal raises significant antitrust concerns, the long timeline and uncertain political backing make an immediate impact on Google’s operations unlikely.

MicroStrategy stock faces new short bet after stunning rally with bitcoin nearing $100,000 (3 min read)

MicroStrategy’s stock surged 600% this year, boosted by its Bitcoin investments, but short-seller Citron Research recently took a new bet against the stock, warning that its performance is detaching from Bitcoin's fundamentals. Despite the stock's impressive rise and MicroStrategy's Bitcoin strategy led by Michael Saylor continuing to draw attention, analysts are concerned that the gains may not be sustainable.

Beyond the Behemoths: Smaller ETF Standouts of 2024 (4 min read)

The US ETF market is evolving, with $1 trillion in annual inflows. While major players like Vanguard and BlackRock lead, 2024 has spotlighted rising demand for active strategies, income-focused ETFs, and smart-beta products. New entrants like Capital Group and Avantis are gaining traction with standout offerings, proving smaller firms can compete effectively. This article highlights several innovative ETFs from these emerging players that made an impact this year.

Fidelity Fund That Rode China’s Epic Rally Is Back Buying Stocks (3 min read)

A Fidelity fund managed by George Efstathopoulos that successfully navigated China’s recent stock rally is now reloading its positions to focus on mid-cap companies in the CSI 500 Index. George believes Beijing’s fiscal stimulus will support the economy, favoring onshore shares that are less affected by geopolitical risks. While some remain cautious due to economic uncertainty and US-China tensions, he sees opportunities for growth, particularly if domestic consumption strengthens.

The Explosive Growth of Private Credit: Is There a Bubble? (3 min read)

This article dives into the rapid rise of the private credit market, which has grown tenfold since 2009 to nearly $2 trillion by the end of 2023. It highlights how private credit filled the void left by banks post-financial crisis and why corporations are drawn to its flexibility despite higher yields. While there are concerns about a bubble, the data shows solid fundamentals, suggesting this market still has room to grow and could be worth watching for investors.

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