Industry Overview - The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency is generating significant excitement among investors, with AI-powered cryptocurrencies experiencing substantial growth and some achieving market caps over $1 billion [1] - AI crypto is expected to remain a major investment trend through 2025, despite experiencing notable price fluctuations [1][2] Company Summaries - **Bittensor (TAO)**: Functions as a decentralized marketplace for buying and selling AI models and computational resources, utilizing an open-source, blockchain-based platform. The native token TAO is used for resource contributions and network activities [3] - **Render (RNDR)**: After a recovery from a previous dip, Render has faced another decline, attributed to its focus on distributed GPU rendering, which is dominated by Nvidia. The Render Network connects artists needing rendering power with GPU owners, operating on the Ethereum blockchain [4][5] - **Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET)**: Merges AI with blockchain technology to enhance communication, decision-making, and financial transactions, effectively creating a smart digital assistant for asset management [6] - **The Graph (GRT)**: Despite a recent dip, GRT remains significant as a former $1 billion AI cryptocurrency. It serves as the Ethereum-based native token for The Graph platform, which functions as a search engine for blockchain networks [12] Market Data - **The Graph (GRT)**: Current price is $0.63 with a market cap of $1.5 billion [10] - **Render (RNDR)**: Current price is $3.44 with a market cap of $1.78 billion [9] - **Bittensor (TAO)**: Current price is $0.09 with a market cap of $915.5 million [11] - **Overall Market Trends**: The AI crypto sector is highlighted as a potential avenue for portfolio diversification and growth [2]

Group 1 - Macy's stock has performed well in 2025, gaining 36.3% through December 16, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 14.8% increase [4] - Including dividends, Macy's total return for shareholders reached 43.3%, surpassing the S&P 500 by 27.6 percentage points [4] - Same-store sales growth has improved, with a 3.2% gain reported in the fiscal third quarter ending November 1 [5] Group 2 - Management is executing a turnaround plan that includes closing underperforming stores, revamping locations, and enhancing customer service [6] - The company is focusing on selling more to upper-income consumers, particularly through its Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury brands [6] - Bloomingdale's has shown strong performance, with a 9% increase in same-store sales in the latest quarter [9] Group 3 - The performance of Macy's is influenced by the economic conditions affecting different consumer demographics, particularly the higher-income segment [8] - A potential slowdown in housing price gains and stock market pullbacks could indicate challenges for upper-income consumers, which may impact Macy's sales [9]

Core Insights - Bitcoin is identified as the superior long-term investment compared to Dogecoin due to its significant market cap and fixed supply cap [2][4][7] - Dogecoin's price is currently 82% below its peak, indicating a potential shift in investor focus away from it [3] - Bitcoin is increasingly recognized as a legitimate global financial asset, attracting interest from traditional financial institutions and corporations [4][7] Market Capitalization and Supply Dynamics - Bitcoin's market cap stands at $1.7 trillion, representing over 50% of the entire cryptocurrency market, which enhances its liquidity and network effects [2] - Bitcoin has a fixed supply cap of 21 million units, while Dogecoin has no cap and continues to add new coins, potentially diluting existing holdings [2][7] Investment Trends - There is a growing trend of larger pools of capital focusing on Bitcoin as it becomes integrated into the economy, reducing the perceived risk of ownership [4][7] - Despite recent pressures on Bitcoin, its historical performance suggests it has the potential to reach new highs in the future [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - The 30-year Treasury bond is currently viewed as a strong investment opportunity due to its high yield compared to shorter-duration bonds, with expectations of falling long-term yields as inflation fears ease [2][3]. Investment Opportunity - Elliott Dornbusch, CIO at CV Advisors, highlights the 30-year Treasury bond's yield of 4.8%, which is significantly higher than the 10-year Treasury yield of 4.14% [2]. - The 30-year bond is favored for its high yield despite its long duration, which is typically seen as a disadvantage [3][4]. Market Expectations - Dornbusch anticipates that long-term yields will decline, leading to an increase in bond prices, driven by overstated long-term inflation risks and potential shifts in investor behavior during market downturns [5][6]. - The expectation is that if a bear market occurs, investors will flock to long-term Treasurys, increasing their value and decreasing yields, thus providing a profitable exit for current holders [6]. Potential Returns - The potential return on the 30-year Treasury bond over the next four years could resemble a 10% return when considering both coupon payments and price appreciation, making it an attractive option for patient investors [7].

Core Insights - The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs has been highly successful, with 11 ETFs approved by the SEC, collectively managing over $110 billion in assets, primarily driven by the iShares Bitcoin ETF [1] Group 1: Bitcoin ETF Overview - Spot Bitcoin ETFs are structurally identical, all investing in spot Bitcoin without selection or weighting methodologies [2] - Investors need to focus on details such as expense ratios and trading costs to differentiate between Bitcoin ETFs [3] Group 2: Recommended Bitcoin ETFs - The Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF is highlighted for its low fees, tight spreads, and high liquidity, making it the best option for retail traders [5][7] - The Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF has an expense ratio of 0.15%, significantly lower than its larger counterpart, which has a 1.5% expense ratio [6][7] - The iShares Bitcoin ETF, while the largest with over $70 billion in assets, is not recommended as the first choice despite its popularity [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's stock has surged nearly 50% over the past six months, driven by optimism surrounding autonomous driving, AI, and long-term growth prospects, despite sluggishness in the underlying business [1] Group 1: ARK Invest's Actions - Cathie Wood's ARK Invest trimmed its Tesla position by selling approximately $11.2 million worth of shares on December 18 [2][7] - The decision to sell is seen as a disciplined approach to portfolio management rather than a sign of loss of conviction in Tesla [4][8] - ARK's recent trades indicate a pattern of position sizing and profit-taking following a significant rally, with Tesla remaining ARK's largest holding [8] Group 2: Market Sentiment and Valuation - Wall Street's view on Tesla is divided, with optimism about AI countered by concerns over margins and execution, as well as how much good news is already priced in [6][12] - Analysts suggest that Tesla's upside potential may already be reflected in its current valuation, leading to increased valuation sensitivity among investors [12]

Core Insights - Tax deductions can significantly reduce taxable income, helping individuals lower their overall tax bill. While many claim the standard deduction, there are numerous lesser-known opportunities that can enhance tax savings [1]. Group 1: Common Tax Deductions - Medical Expenses: Individuals with high medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of their adjusted gross income can deduct these costs, including travel expenses for medical appointments and certain home modifications for medical care [3]. - Child and Dependent Care Credit: This federal tax credit assists eligible taxpayers in covering care costs for qualifying individuals, such as children under 13, allowing for deductions up to $3,000 ($6,000 for two or more qualifying persons) [4][5]. - Student Loan Interest: Eligible borrowers can deduct up to $2,500 in interest paid on qualified federal and private student loans each year, applicable to loans for educational expenses for themselves, their spouse, or dependents [5].

Core Insights - Rising private healthcare costs are prompting millionaires to reconsider their living locations, as highlighted by Henley & Partners [1] Inflation Concerns - Inflation is a significant concern, with fears that it could spiral out of the Federal Reserve's control by 2026 [2][5] - Recent data indicates that while headline inflation was cooler than expected in November, it remains above the Fed's 2% target [3] Stock Market Observations - The stock market is perceived to be in a bubble, with the "Dr. X's Bubble Detector" indicating all-time high equity prices [3][5] Money Supply Dynamics - The M2 money supply has increased by $3.5 trillion over the past five years, which is viewed as a critical metric for inflation outlook [4] - The Federal Reserve's recent actions, including rate cuts and the cessation of quantitative tightening, are expected to loosen financial conditions, potentially accelerating price growth [6] Factors Contributing to Inflation - Several developments are identified that could exacerbate inflation in the coming year: 1. Fed rate cuts that loosen financial conditions [6] 2. The end of quantitative tightening, which previously aimed to control inflation [6] 3. Easing of lending rules, allowing banks to increase the money supply [7] 4. Increased issuance of T-bills by the US Treasury to fund government deficits, contributing to inflationary pressures [7]

Core Insights - Companies like Brookfield Renewable, Realty Income, and Medtronic are expected to continue increasing their dividends in 2026, supported by strong financial performance and growth strategies [1][16]. Brookfield Renewable - Brookfield Renewable currently has a dividend yield of 4% and has increased its dividend by at least 5% annually for the past 14 years, with expectations of 5% to 9% growth in the coming years [4][7]. - The company benefits from a stable cash flow generated by long-term fixed-rate contracts with inflation-linked rate escalations, which supports its dividend growth [5]. - Brookfield has a robust pipeline of development projects and acquisitions, aiming for over 10% annual growth in funds from operations (FFO) [7]. Realty Income - Realty Income offers a monthly dividend with a current yield of 5.7% and has a strong history of increasing its payout, having raised it 133 times since 1994, including 113 consecutive quarters [8][10]. - The REIT maintains a conservative dividend payout ratio of around 75% of adjusted FFO, generating approximately $850 million in free cash flow annually for reinvestment [10]. - Realty Income has diversified its investment platform, with significant investments in Europe due to higher initial cash yields, and continues to find attractive opportunities to support future dividend increases [11]. Medtronic - Medtronic has a dividend yield of 2.9% and has increased its dividend for 48 consecutive years, demonstrating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders [12][14]. - The company generated $7 billion in cash from operations and $5.2 billion in free cash flow in the last fiscal year, returning $6.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases [14]. - Despite facing some headwinds that may slow earnings-per-share growth to around 1% this fiscal year, Medtronic anticipates high-single-digit growth in fiscal 2027 as these challenges subside [15].

Core Insights - The traditional notion of retiring with a $1 million nest egg is increasingly unrealistic for most Americans, with only 4.7% having at least that amount saved in retirement accounts [1] - The median retirement savings for those aged 75 and over is significantly lower, with half having less than $130,000, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many retirees [2] - Fidelity suggests that older Americans should aim to save around 10 times their pre-retirement income by age 67 to maintain their standard of living, indicating a substantial gap between recommended savings and actual amounts [3] - A report from the Center for Retirement Research indicates that 39% of working households are projected to fall short of maintaining their pre-retirement standard of living, particularly affecting those nearing retirement [4] - The average net worth for individuals aged 65 to 75 is $1.78 million, while those aged 75 and over have an average net worth of $1.62 million, although much of this wealth is tied up in illiquid assets like home equity [5] - Average retirement savings stand at $609,230, with a median of $200,000 for those aged 65 to 75, and average savings of $462,410 with a median of $130,000 for those aged 75 and over [6]