Collateral Economic Damage in Russia-Ukraine Crossfire
The U.S. State Department lodged a formal protest with Ukraine after a drone strike hit Russia’s Black Sea oil terminal in Novorossiysk, damaging American economic interests. Ukrainian Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna confirmed the warning, urging Kyiv to refrain from targeting U.S. assets. The incident marks another diplomatic rebuke of President Zelensky’s government, following earlier controversies. Analysts warn that as the conflict enters its fifth year, collateral damage to third‑party economies is becoming a growing concern.
A Rule of Thumb Is Not a Plan
The article warns that retirement‑planning formulas and withdrawal‑rate rules of thumb are often over‑relied upon, despite being based on backward‑looking back‑tests. It argues that such generic models ignore individual spending patterns, health costs, inflation, and tax changes that vary over...
Re: Dear Kwame: Cocoa Trade Letters #1
The article uses Salomey’s experience in Ghana to illustrate a systemic cash‑flow squeeze at the farmgate of the cocoa trade. Farmers deliver beans, yet payments are delayed because the state‑run marketing board routes sales through a long, opaque export chain....
Munich Re’s Net Result Exceeds Target in 2025 at over €6.1bn
Munich Re posted a €6.121 billion net result for 2025, surpassing its €6.0 billion target and marking the fifth consecutive year of outperformance. The reinsurance arm contributed €5.204 billion, buoyed by strong property‑and‑casualty and life‑and‑health segments, while group insurance revenue held steady at...
Banker on Wheels Broker Review Methodology (v2.0)
Banker on Wheels released version 2.0 of its broker review methodology, introducing a dual‑score system that separates an absolute score (company, fee, platform) from a relative category ranking. The absolute score applies a uniform 35 % company, 35 % fee, 30 % platform weighting,...
Private Credit in Emerging Markets Surges to Record Levels:
Private credit allocations to emerging markets hit record levels in 2025‑2026, shifting capital from traditional hubs to cities like Mumbai, São Paulo, Mexico City, and Jakarta. The surge is driven by bank retrenchment, robust demographic growth, and attractive relative yields compared...
Evergreen Alternative Funds Surge to $493 Billion:
Evergreen alternative funds have surged to roughly $493 billion, marking a pivotal shift in asset management. By offering continuous capital deployment and periodic liquidity, they eliminate the timing constraints of traditional closed‑end structures. Wealth managers and high‑net‑worth investors gain public‑market convenience...
Amazon Becomes the Most-Owned Stock Among Hedge Funds:
Amazon has become the most‑owned stock in hedge‑fund portfolios, overtaking Microsoft and Nvidia. The shift reflects Amazon’s transition from a high‑growth, low‑margin e‑commerce model to a cash‑flow‑generating infrastructure platform spanning cloud, logistics and AI. Over the past two years the...
Hedge Funds Push Into Quantum Computing:
Hedge funds are increasing exposure to publicly traded quantum computing firms such as IonQ, Rigetti and D‑Wave, moving the technology from venture‑capital niches to institutional portfolios. They employ structured, risk‑managed strategies—pairing longs with shorts, using options, and limiting volatility—to capture...
Southdale Center Turns 70; Then What?
Southdale Center, America’s first indoor mall, celebrated its 70th anniversary after Simon Property Group completed a $400 million renovation that added a high‑end luxury wing featuring brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The upgrade makes Southdale the Midwest’s most concentrated...
Semper Augustus Investments Group: 2025 Annual Letter
Semper Augustus Investments Group released Chris Bloomstran’s 2025 Annual Letter, warning that a trillion‑dollar AI and datacenter arms race is reshaping capital allocation. Bloomstran challenges the notion that S&P 500 investors can still expect historic Ibbotson returns over the next...
Integrating Fundamental Metrics Into Pairs Trading
The paper proposes a novel pairs‑trading framework that blends fundamental metrics—such as ROE, sales growth, leverage, geographic proximity, and industry alignment—with traditional statistical measures. Each factor receives a regression‑derived weight, forming a composite score for pair selection. Back‑testing shows the...
Weekly Notes (2/25/2026)
Avino Silver released its 2026 guidance, targeting 2.5 million ounces at a $26 per ounce all‑in sustaining cost (AISC), a figure that falls short of analyst expectations but signals continued organic production growth. Discovery Silver disclosed a robust $410 million cash balance,...
CGT Concerns Don’t Stack Up
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has publicly opposed the government’s plan to halve the capital gains tax (CGT) discount from 50 % to 25 %. REIA argues the cut will force landlords to raise rents to offset lower after‑tax returns,...
The New 1 Oz Gold Futures Are Catching On
CME Group introduced a 1‑ounce gold futures contract in January 2025, expanding its COMEX product suite. Daily trading volume has risen steadily, with a pronounced uptick since September, indicating growing market acceptance. The contract’s performance contrasts with many new derivatives...
APEX Tech Acquisition Inc. (TRAD.U) Prices $100M IPO
APEX Tech Acquisition Inc. priced a $100 million initial public offering and will begin trading on the NYSE under the symbol TRAD.U on February 26, 2026. The SPAC, led by CEO Shaoren Liu and a board that includes Zengwei Gao, Jiancheng Li and...
Silver Breaks Back Over $90, AS Metal Continues To Leave The Comex
Silver futures surged past $90 per ounce, marking a significant rebound after recent sell‑offs. Gold futures also climbed, adding $47 to reach $5,224 per ounce. The rally suggests a new potential trading range for silver between $60 and $120, moving...
How Would Trump’s New Retirement Plan Fit with Existing Saver’s Credit and Coming Saver’s Match?
President Trump’s administration floated a new private‑sector retirement account that would mirror the federal employee plan and add a $1,000 annual government match. The proposal arrives as the existing Saver’s Credit still offers a tax credit of up to $1,000...
Why Guy Spier Is Returning Capital—And What It Means for Investors
Guy Spier announced he is returning outside capital, citing health concerns rather than performance or market timing. He frames the decision as a fiduciary duty to treat investors’ money with utmost seriousness. The letter underscores liquidity discipline, a preference for...
Lee Ainslie: Concentrating Capital in AI Leaders While Pruning Legacy Positions
Maverick Capital reported a $9.3 billion equity portfolio, with the top ten holdings accounting for roughly 44% of assets. The fund’s biggest positions are concentrated in AI infrastructure and semiconductor leaders such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, TSMC and Applied Materials. At...
Monster 16 Mb Build Rocks EIA Data – But Market Shrugs It Off Amid Iran War Drums & Near Record...
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released data showing a massive 16 million‑barrel‑per‑day increase in crude output, the largest build in years. Despite the headline‑grabbing surge, equity and commodity markets barely moved, as traders remain fixated on escalating Iran‑Israel tensions. Simultaneously, the...
Nvidia Blows Away Estimates
Nvidia reported fourth‑quarter results that dramatically outpaced Wall Street expectations, posting $30.1 billion in revenue and GAAP earnings per share of $2.70. The numbers represent a 45% jump in data‑center sales, propelled by soaring demand for its AI‑focused GPUs. The earnings...
Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call Recaps: Lowe’s (LOW)
Lowe’s reported Q4 2025 comparable sales growth of 1.3% and full‑year revenue of $86.3 billion, beating EPS expectations. Management forecast 2026 comparable sales flat to a modest 2% increase, citing a roughly flat home‑improvement market. Elevated mortgage rates and a lock‑in...
Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call Recaps: CAVA (CAVA)
CAVA reported its first $1 billion in annual revenue, supported by 439 locations across 28 states. Full‑year revenue grew 22.5% while same‑restaurant sales rose 4%, though Q4 comps slipped to 0.5%. Management guided 2026 same‑restaurant sales of 3‑5% and highlighted a...
MarketWatch: “Popular QQQ ETF Faces a Crucial Moment with Nvidia Earnings on Deck After Its Rare Pullback”
The Invesco QQQ Trust has slipped 3.2% over the last 50 trading days, a rare pullback for an index that historically posts gains in 74% of similar periods since 2015. DataTrek’s Jessica Rabe notes that the recent 50‑day return sits...
Consus Ag Consulting Afternoon Wrap Up
Futures opened narrowly mixed as traders focused on month‑end positioning, with limited fresh news and low volume. In South America, Brazil soybean quality is slipping due to excess moisture, raising concerns for both soy and upcoming corn crops. Meanwhile, wildfires...
Invitation Homes: The Lowest Valuation Since Lockdowns
Invitation Homes, the nation’s largest single-family rental REIT, reported its lowest market valuation since the COVID‑19 lockdowns. The decline follows a 30% year‑over‑year drop in its stock price, driven by rising interest rates and softer rental demand. The company disclosed...
Nothing Doing: Lowest Rates Since 2022 Fail To Spur Home Sales
U.S. mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest levels since September 2022, yet home sales remain stagnant. A roughly 50% imbalance between sellers and buyers underscores a deep‑seated market freeze. Inventory shortages and lingering affordability concerns continue to suppress demand...
A Return to Pre-2008 Lending Rules? Banks Are Ready to Open the Financial Floodgates to Borrowers
The Federal Reserve is weighing a rule change that would stop banks from subtracting mortgage‑servicing‑rights (MSRs) from core capital, while keeping a 250% risk weight. Simultaneously, banking regulators propose easing the community‑bank leverage ratio from 9% to 8%, giving smaller...
Rewriting the RFS Playbook: The Impact of No Half-RIN and Higher RVOs on Projected Biomass-Based Diesel Production and Feedstock Use...
The EPA is expected to drop the controversial half‑RIN rule and raise biomass‑based diesel renewable volume obligations (RVOs) to 5.25 billion gallons in 2026 and 5.61 billion gallons in 2027, roughly a 20% increase over the June proposal. Using an average equivalence...
Best 12-Month CD Rates for February 25, 2026: Up to 4.05%
The College Investor lists the top 12‑month certificates of deposit as of February 25, 2026, with yields topping 4.05% APY. Credit One Bank leads with a 4.05% jumbo CD requiring a $100,000 minimum, while Bank of Utah, Live Oak, Navy Federal and...
CARICOM, Cuba and the U.S.
At the CARICOM summit in St. Kitts and Nevis, leaders denounced U.S. interventions, highlighting a de‑facto oil blockade on Cuba and pressure on the island’s medical‑mission exports. Prime Minister Terrance Drew described severe shortages of food, water and electricity, while...
Critique My Investment Strategy or Lack Thereof
An 82‑year‑old retiree with pension and Social Security holds a mixed portfolio of domestic equities, a single‑stock position, foreign stocks, municipal bonds, and cash, aiming to preserve wealth for heirs and provide survivor income. The current allocation is 55% domestic...
Contesting Self-Governance in the South Pacific
New Zealand’s foreign minister announced a NZ $30 million aid suspension to the Cook Islands after the Pacific nation failed to consult Wellington on a deep‑sea mining partnership with China. The dispute centers on the interpretation of the Cook Islands’ free‑association status...
How ‘Doomers And Boomers’ Took Over US Equity Options
The piece observes that retail investors—dubbed “doomers” for their bearish outlook and “boomers” for their age‑group—now dominate US equity options trading. Their surge has swollen overall volume, steepened put‑call skews and forced market makers to reassess risk models. The author...
How Timor-Leste Uses Tourism to Cement Its ASEAN Role
Timor‑Leste is leveraging its recent ASEAN membership to accelerate a sustainable tourism strategy that showcases its pristine marine and mountainous assets. By joining ASEAN, the nation gains access to regional marketing channels and co‑branding opportunities, allowing it to present itself...
Where Is Money Flowing Today?
A Finviz‑derived sector heat map shows today’s money flow across major equities. Technology leads with the strongest net inflows, while Consumer Cyclical registers notable outflows. Financials see moderate buying pressure and Healthcare remains largely neutral. The visual snapshot helps traders...
How a Former Hedge Fund Analyst Built a Six-Figure Newsletter Covering Asia’s Overlooked Stocks
Michael Fritzell, a former hedge‑fund analyst with 15 years in investment banking and buy‑side roles, left finance in 2021 to launch Asian Century Stocks, a paid newsletter spotlighting overlooked Chinese and Southeast Asian companies. Leveraging his Mandarin fluency and on‑the‑ground...
Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.2% Below 2022 Peak
The December Case‑Shiller report shows nominal house prices reaching fresh all‑time highs, while inflation‑adjusted (real) values sit slightly below their 2022 peak—2.2% for the national index and 2.4% for the composite 20. Despite the recent dip, real prices remain 10.3%...
Global Gas Prices Diverge as Asian LNG Strengthens While European and US Benchmarks Ease
Last week global gas markets split, with Asian spot LNG rallying to the low‑$11/MMBtu range while European TTF and US Henry Hub prices eased. In Northeast Asia, the JKM benchmark rebounded after a brief dip, driven by renewed buying from...
Thailand Interest Rate Cut
The Bank of Thailand cut its benchmark rate to 1.0 % on February 25, 2026, a 25‑basis‑point reduction from 1.25 % and the lowest level since October 2022. The move was unexpected, coming after a similar cut in December and reflecting a revised outlook...
Trump's State of the Union Included Almost 1,200 Words About His LatAm Policies
Trump’s 2026 State of the Union devoted nearly 1,200 words to Latin American policy, far outpacing other regional references. The speech stressed new trade tariffs, immigration reforms, and security cooperation, echoing recent moves such as Honduras expelling Cuban doctors and...
Japan LNG Resales Hit Record as Companies Expand Overseas Trading
Japan’s LNG resales hit a record in fiscal 2024, surpassing the volume imported from any single supplier. Declining domestic consumption, driven by nuclear restarts, efficiency gains and renewable growth, has pushed utilities and trading houses to redirect surplus cargoes to...
The Argentina Deal Is the Template of How Deals in the New World Order Will Work
On February 5, the United States and Argentina signed a bilateral agreement that goes beyond tariff cuts to align trade, investment, and national‑security priorities in critical minerals and energy. The pact obliges Argentina to facilitate U.S. investment across the entire...
Why Did Rents Soar in Miami and Stall in Austin?
Rents in Miami have surged 53% since 2019, while San Francisco’s increase is only 13%. The analysis shows that the share of workers operating from home is the strongest predictor of these divergent trends. Metros with high work‑from‑home (WFH) adoption (above...
Banker on Wheels Broker Fee Comparison Tool
A new broker fee comparison tool shows that over a ten‑year horizon SAXO Bank incurs the lowest total trading costs at €318, followed by Interactive Brokers at €407, while Swissquote tops out at €1,879. The fee differential of €1,561 translates...
A Cartload of Fertiliser
European carbon prices have slumped from over €92 to about €72 per tonne, eroding the financial incentive for low‑carbon fertilizer production. The author highlights a stark price contrast by purchasing five kilograms of Russian NPK fertilizer for €6.60, underscoring how...
Achieve Review for 2026: Terms, Access and Customer Feedback
Achieve’s 2026 review highlights its hybrid lending model that blends unsecured personal loans with secured home‑equity products such as HELOCs and fixed‑rate home‑equity loans. The platform targets borrowers with mid‑600s credit scores, offering flexible credit requirements and a digital‑first application...
Gold Buying Prices in Zimbabwe per Gram/ Ounce, 25 February 2026
Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) released its gold buying rates for 25 February 2026, listing prices from $149.39 to $157.69 per gram (approximately $4,646.55‑$4,904.71 per ounce) across purity tiers. The highest cash price applies to fire‑assay gold above 100 g with no sample deduction,...
Marginal Well Models and Russia's Weak Wellhead Economics
Russian oil drilling contracted 3.4% in 2025, marking the first decline since 2021, with a sharp 10% drop in the second half of the year. The slowdown is attributed to a weaker Urals crude price and a stronger ruble, which...